thoughts on allsorts!

Saturday 15 December 2012

Christmas wishes

I cannot believe that i have not blogged since June - where on earth did all that time go! Hopefully in the New Year i will get motivated!

Anyway just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and hope that you all have a wonderful day.



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Friday 29 June 2012

Smiley face!

Well woke up to what seems to be the norm at the moment, wind and rain.  But here is one little person who is guaranteed to put a smile on my face every day.

My lovely little grandson - 6 weeks old and first really big smile!  xx

Have a lovely weekend!


Tuesday 19 June 2012

sewing mojo!

Seem to have got my sewing mojo set in overdrive at the moment!  Have a list of at least 10 things i want to make!  One of the things i have made recently is another skirt - i made one last year and loved it - its an Amy Butler pattern, very simple but fits perfectly!  Sooo satisfying to make a skirt for around a tenner, with lining and all and my zips seem to get better with each one!  As it is Jubilee this year i saw this fabric and decided to make some cushions to send to my Aunt in Germany plus one each for my cousins, i hope they like them!  I always seem to be making bunting, usually for other people but this time i did some for me.

At last the sun is shining and i have been  sitting outside, having a cupa and looking at some quilting books for inspiration - only trouble with that is i end up wanting to make everything! 

Bought some lovely flowers which i have now put in the kitchen and they make me smile everytime i go past them.


Lets hope the sun  keeps shining!

xxx



Sunday 10 June 2012

Am still here!

I cannot believe its been over 3 months since I last blogged!  I remember when i first started blogging I didn't think I could possibly find enough to chat about and then once  started I couldn't imagine not blogging!  Sometimes life takes over and although I still read and comment on my favourite blogs, I just have not had enough time to  post on my own!

One of the main reasons is that with the lighter nights I seem to be outside more and more, either with the horses or the dogs. By the time I come in and then cook dinner, i'm cream crackered!  I have been sewing though and doing some knitting - most of it for  a new little person who has come into our lives - my gorgeous grandson!  His name is Finn and for such a little bod he is a huge welcome addition to all our lives.  I finished lining the crib that has been in our family since I had my babies, did a little quilt to go on it and knitted a baby blanket.  I find myself looking in all the baby stores and its amazing how some little thing or other finds itself in my shopping basket!



I'm hoping to post some pics in a minute if blogger will let me - it seems to have changed its format since i last posted! Well, there they are!  I can't seem to move them at the moment so they will have to stay put!  The one above is 4 generations of our family (I hate having my pic taken, as you can probably tell and literally shot in from Dad's kitchen,  sat down and then shot back out again!)  My Dad is soo happy at being a Great Grandad - it has really given him something good to focus on as it was a year ago that my Mum suddenly died.  Finn is just over a week in this photo and slept through the whole thing and next to him is my lovely son, Tom, a very proud Daddy!

I don't know what the weather is like with you at the moment but here its about to pour with rain, again, so i think some baking might be just the thing this afternoon, maybe followed by some sewing - i seem to have started quite a few things lately!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

xxxx

Friday 17 February 2012

Catch-up!

Where is the time going - i can't believe we are mid way through February already! I have been busy though - got the sewing mojo going - I made this cushion for my dearest friend Trash's birthday - i just loved doing it and am thinking of doing it on a bigger scale as a wall hanging.
Em's puppy Indie seems to be settling in well as you can see! We still have the odd puddle or two but not too bad for 14 weeks! She's been to a few puppy classes and does not seem too phased!
My son has been asking me to make him a quilt for ages so finally got round to buying some fabrics and found this design from Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Quilt-Making although i have slightly modified it. I wasn't too sure about the fabric clash when i started but am quite liking it now and my son likes it so that's all that matters. I think i am going to do a border in a plainish purple to finish it off.
Finally a bit of news - although you may guess when you look at the pic below! I am going to be a granma!!! I can't tell you how excited i am. My eldest son Tom and his girlfriend Lin are having a boy and he's due the beginning of May! They got engaged on Christmas Day which was just lovely and a total surprise! This crib has been used by all mine when they were babies and we got it down from the loft the other day - i have to recover it so if any of you know of any good patterns or have any ideas how to start i would be most grateful!Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
xxx

Sunday 29 January 2012

Making winter cosy!

Sorry my post is little late - I don't have a 'puter' at the moment and have to borrow Ems when its available!

One of the best things about winter is coming in from the cold and wet to a lovely roaring fire and something lovely to eat. One of the favourite quick meals in our house is pasta soup - its soo easy to make and very filling!

Ingredients -

Pasta, 1 small onion, 1 chopped finely carrot, 1 chopped stick of celery, 1 tin of chopped tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 1 tsp paprika, 1 vegetable stock cube in about 400ml of hot water (or can use 1 stockpot).

Firstly fry the onion in a little oil until soft then add the carrot and celery, stir for a few minutes and then add the paprika, tom puree, tin of toms and veg stock - bring to boil and simmer for about 20 mins. As my son is a vegetarian i quite often add some lentils or chickpeas as well. You can put whatever veg you like too.

Whilst this is all simmering, put some water on to boil and then cook the pasta. I have used all the different shapes of pasta but we like the shell pasta the best.

When pasta cooked, drain and just add into the other pan of ingredients. Serve with some crusty bread.

This receipe is easy to adjust - the above is for 4 people. Instead of paprika you can add cumin or even a little curry powder to spice it up a bit.

Another favourite is old fashioned bread pudding - this is brilliant as you can use up any stale bread you have - doesn't matter if its brown or white - you can chuck it all in together!

Ingredients - 8 oz bread, half pint milk, 2oz butter, 3oz soft brown sugar (or caster), 2 tsp mixed spice (or cinnamon) 1 egg (beaten) 6 oz sultanas. Firstly tear up bread into small pieces and place in a bowl - pour milk over and leave to soak for about 20 mins. Then add melted butter, sugar, spice and egg - mix in well then add fruit. Put in a baking dish and bake in oven for about 1hr (180C or 350F). After taking out sprinkle with a little sugar and serve with some lovely custard. It is also nice to eat when its cold but you may find there is not a lot left!

Sorry there are no pics this post but am having technical problems. Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.


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