Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

How are you? Another week gone by way too fast.

As I am writing this the rain is hitting my windows, it's a far cry from those roasting hot sunny days. Although there is some comfort in hearing the rain outside whilst warm indoors, that is until a soggy cat arrives home and jumps on your lap!

Garden:

Earlier in the week, before the rain took hold, I took a couple of garden pics. I mentioned last week that these flower heads look like faces, happy ones at that.

It is pretty much the only colour remaining in the garden.

And here's Bella questioning why I need to take this photo.

I've cleared a lot of the garden ready for winter, I'm still doing battle with a 

particular squirrel who likes my bulbs.  It may not be just the one squirrel, 

he could have dashed home excitedly and shared the bulb location info with all his mates!

 The funny thing is he is digging them up and burying them in next door's lawn, 

come Spring they will have lovely daffodil ring around the base of their  rotary washing line.

Crochet:

Little crochet update, Cupcake Harmony Blanket progress. 

The colours are very cupcake, I'm seeing chocolate icing, vanilla sponge, sprinkles. 

I plan to sell this blanket if I can bare to part with it! 

I just adore this pattern, so mush so I've got a winter/vintage colourway lined up next.

Telly:

Vienna Blood - all episodes on BBCiPlayer

Max Liebermann, a student of Sigmund Freud, helps Detective Rheinhardt in the investigation of a series of disturbing murders around the grand cafés and opera houses of 1900s Vienna.

This was released last year and I did watch it then but chose to re-watch whilst having 

a crochet afternoon.  Period telly is truly my cup of tea and Detective Rheinhardt has a 

rather dreamy voice!

Season 2 is hopefully in the making.

Recipe/Cooking:

Let's talk bread and bread making machines.

Do you bake bread?  Do you own a machine?

I've had my bread making machine for many years, in fact I'm on my second one as the first one expired due to over-use. It is a basic Morphy Richards, I know you can get all singing and dancing machines but I steer away from those.

 It is so easy to pop everything into the pan, switch it on and forget about it until that 

lovely fresh bread aroma fills the house. 

I confess if I had to make bread traditionally we would be bread-starved! 

I've discovered by keeping the bread machine on the worktop it gets used,

the minute you put something in the cupboard it joins the realms of 

dusty forgotten kitchen gadgets.

I have got my tried and trusted basic white recipe which is:

Written out circa 2005, incredible how scraps of paper last.

I do often substitute the butter for oil, either olive or sunflower.

And this is yesterday's loaf, half of it devoured within minutes by Mitchell.

Occasionally I feel ambitious and reach for this book.

It's wonderful and along with bread recipes it also explains how you 

can make cakes and traybakes in a bread machine.
Available on Amazon used for around £3 here (bargain) or 

reprinted with a new cover for £12.25 here.

Home:

I've made a tiny bit of progress in sorting my larder/pantry.  

The storage jars arrived from Ikea via the little computer shop up the road.

I walked to collect them completely forgetting how heavy the box would be,

my arms felt a lot longer once home.

I selected the Ikea 365+ range of jars as I had read the lids fit nice and securely.

I'm awaiting the Avery clear labels to arrive and then I'm going to have a go 

at designing and printing. I'll be sure to keep you posted - riveting stuff!

Craft:

I ventured into my cabin this week and tackled a shelf that has needed sorting for months. 

I realised it contained some advent frames (kindly made by my Dad) so I then 

became totally distracted and decided I would put together a few Advent Frame Kits.

If you've followed my blog for some time you may remember that previous designs when completed look like this...

The frames are bare wood that you can leave, varnish or paint.

The boxes slot into the frame and are perfect for advent treats - 

sweets, charms, coins, notes, lottery tickets, IOU's and more.

I've put together just three kits with gorgeous Anna Griffin gold and ivory cardstock.

This is really lovely card, double sided so nice and thick.

The box bases are also lovely - ivory linen card 255gsm.

This photo shows the lovely gold patterns sparkling, 

please imagine me wiggling it around to catch the light on a dreary day!

Also included in the kit is the little die cut box tabs and printed and punched numbers 1-25.

Full instructions included although they are super easy to make, 

you just need a bone folder/ruler, liquid adhesive and foam pads.

As said, just three kits available in this Anna Griffin gold and ivory design.

If you would like to purchase please click the PayPal link below.

They are £24 each and that includes free postage and packing.

And that shelf in the cabin... it still needs sorting!

Little Mum update. 

So kind of you to ask after her, she's had another scan this week so awaiting results.  

She's eating a little more (rather partial to a pain au chocolat) but still frail and 

feeling frustrated at not being able to do things.  

She is very much a 'do-er' and misses jumping up and doing housework, 

the garden and more. 

And, like so many others, Covid has exacerbated the whole situation.

Difficult times for so many.  

And that rounds up my week.

I hope to see Elliott again this weekend, sweep up some leaves in the garden,

a little bit of baking, housework and definitely a whole lot of crochet.

Take care friends, keep safe.