These are all things that have made me smile this week - thank you xx
What has made you smile this week?
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PS:- Brownie recipe to follow
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Thursday, 31 March 2011
Things that make me smile :)
*The unexpected kindness of friends* the generosity of strangers * the wonderful encouragement from creative folk * the love and support from my family * the gift of friendship * the laughter of my boys * the love of a good man * the taste of a delicious chocolate brownie* the delights of walking out on the moors before going to work*
PS:- Brownie recipe to follow
PS:- Brownie recipe to follow
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Being Creative
As part of my Revolutions - I wanted to tackle my reluctance to draw more which due to time constraints, due to lack of confidence, due to lack of - well, lack of 'oompff' I never seemed to get round to.
So when Julia from julia crossland offered the opportunity to bloggers to 'Be Creative', I jumped at the chance.
Then, me being me, and well, lacking that oompff I mentioned earlier, I only managed to do a quick sketch yesterday and photo-ed it today. I wanted to make the end of March deadline.
The theme was "Garden" and I kept looking at my winter weary garden and felt no inspiration so in the end I found a photograph I took last year of the honeysuckle that drapes itself in a cheerfully untidy tangle over our fence and used that as inspiration - with that in mind, I now present to you :
Being Creative for March - Garden
I have to post my picture on a flickr group page, but seem to have bungled that!! Oh well, off to try again. :)
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Did I mention I was baking biscuits?
Must be getting old and befuddled, but I mentioned yesterday that I made biscuits then forgot the all important reporting about them! Silly me :)
Right ho, I actually have two recipes to natter about and both are oat based (a firm favourite with us)
Recipe 14/52 - classic oat cookies
115gm (4 oz) soft butter
140gm (5 oz) light brown sugar
1 large egg - lightly beaten
1 tablespoon mild
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
100gm (3 1/2 oz) self-raising flour
75gm (generous 2 1/2oz) dried fruit
150gm (5 1/4oz) porridge oats
preheat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) gas mark 4.
Chuck together the butter, sugar, egg, milk and vanilla extract into a bowl and beat well. Add the flour, dried fruit and oats and mix well with a wooden spoon. put heaped teaspoons of the oatie yummy dough on to well greased baking trays - space well apart (otherwise all your little teaspoon lumps end up as a frisbee sized oat platter!)
Bake in a preheated oven for about 12 - 15ish minutes, I have done both times and the 12 mins gives you a softer 'cookie' with crisp edges and the 15 mins gives you a crisper crunchier biscuit, either way - they don't last long. The photos below are the THIRD baking, the previous two were munched fairly quickly soon after being lifted out of the oven (.............would you like another biscuit with those third degree burns?............)
According to the recipe you can keep them in an airtight container and eat them within 5 days - hah! fat chance.
Recipe 15/52 Jam Packed Flapjacks
This one I found on the BBC website. We've had them three times and after the initial baking, I omitted the jam as we found it just too sweet.
Delish - however - each time and despite copious amounts of greasing or grease and silver foil, these flapjacks stuck horribly. When I made them in the silicone baking tray, they didn't stick....to the base of the tray or to themselves! The flapjacks just fell apart into a pile of very yummy crumbs.
Right ho, I actually have two recipes to natter about and both are oat based (a firm favourite with us)
Recipe 14/52 - classic oat cookies
115gm (4 oz) soft butter
140gm (5 oz) light brown sugar
1 large egg - lightly beaten
1 tablespoon mild
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
100gm (3 1/2 oz) self-raising flour
75gm (generous 2 1/2oz) dried fruit
150gm (5 1/4oz) porridge oats
preheat the oven to 180 deg C (350 deg F) gas mark 4.
Chuck together the butter, sugar, egg, milk and vanilla extract into a bowl and beat well. Add the flour, dried fruit and oats and mix well with a wooden spoon. put heaped teaspoons of the oatie yummy dough on to well greased baking trays - space well apart (otherwise all your little teaspoon lumps end up as a frisbee sized oat platter!)
Bake in a preheated oven for about 12 - 15ish minutes, I have done both times and the 12 mins gives you a softer 'cookie' with crisp edges and the 15 mins gives you a crisper crunchier biscuit, either way - they don't last long. The photos below are the THIRD baking, the previous two were munched fairly quickly soon after being lifted out of the oven (.............would you like another biscuit with those third degree burns?............)
According to the recipe you can keep them in an airtight container and eat them within 5 days - hah! fat chance.
Recipe 15/52 Jam Packed Flapjacks
This one I found on the BBC website. We've had them three times and after the initial baking, I omitted the jam as we found it just too sweet.
Delish - however - each time and despite copious amounts of greasing or grease and silver foil, these flapjacks stuck horribly. When I made them in the silicone baking tray, they didn't stick....to the base of the tray or to themselves! The flapjacks just fell apart into a pile of very yummy crumbs.
******************************
Ok, that's enough waffling about biscuits, time to go into the kitchen and actually clear up the fall out from those flapjacks, which entails an awful amount of hoovering up of yummy oaty crumbles and I don't mean with the vacuum cleaner!!
Hope you all had a lovely weekend and here's to the start of the week!!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In which a tree eats my children, giddy dog spreads her toes and Eldest carries a heavy heart.......and I make biscuits! (14/52)
A brisk spring breeze cuts my cheek as I pull my hat down hard to just above my eyelashes. High above our heads a curlew screams a courting song while his mate whirls and wheels around echoing his every cry. The hump back hills beckon as we follow a centuries old grass-gentle path through the field. Each step takes us further into the view as we leave the car behind - it is Saturday and we are breathing - after the week I have just had, I need to breathe.
I can feel the earth beneath my feet and hear the giggles of my boys as they, like me, experience the release that only walking can bring. The dog, ball in mouth and wag on tail, trots around us, her eyes full of expectation and excitement as she invites the boys to play.
We reach our chosen spot and shelter out of the breeze while we eat sandwiches and cradle cups of tea in cold fingers. The still weak spring sunshine gently teasing us with shafts of light between the wind blown clouds. In the far far distance, almost too far to be clear, we can just make out the main road. Full of cars. Full of cars going somewhere, no where, any where.
Sheep bleat reassuring replies to their lambs as they call out incessantly. Small cat sized lambs on wobbly knobbly kneed legs. Still bearing umbilical cords, still placenta stained they lean against their mother's legs as they warily watch us as we stride by.
We reach a field we last visited several years ago. A sentinel tree stands tall and inviting. And, like they did last time we were passing through, the boys listened to the invitation - this time, it was a bit of a squeeze as they pushed into the open mouth. The last time, they both fitted into the cavity. How they have grown........
The tree had regurgitates the boys and we walk down into the valley, slipping quietly in then out of a sleepy hamlet where we are escorted by what appeared to be the only living creatures. A rather handsome cockerel and his henny harem watch us with intense beady eyes.
We leave the village and it's feathered bouncer and find ourselves alongside the River Wharfe. Although, today it meanders lazily over water worn stone slabs, the evidence of winter storms is everywhere. Our gritty pathway continues riverside where our previously delicious solitude is now interrupted by other walkers. Old dodderers to fleece-clad yompers, family groups nattering to serious booted and suited walkers striding self-importantly as they clutch walking poles and water proof maps. We retreat from the massing humanity and find ourselves a quiet shore edge where we eagerly drink tea and munch on much needed chocolate biscuits.
Ahead is a narrow wooden suspension foot bridge that will swing and bounce with every step we take. We laugh as we anticipate giddy dog's approach to crossing this strange moving bridge. She lowers her head, spreads her toes and shuffles wide legged across.
We chat, the boys play, giddy dog gets tired, she is getting older, as we all are, and her muzzle bears the tell-tail (sic) signs of greying. We stop so the boys can skim stones on a stretch of almost mirror calm water when after a while, Eldest who is now sitting on the river's edge finds a stone he wants to take home. He calls me over - it is more akin to a fossil filled boulder than the 'stone' he hints about and I am suitably impressed with his find and take a picture in lieu of taking the boulder as it seems far too large and heavy.
We set off, Eldest lags behind as Youngest skips ahead full of energy and chatter. I look behind and see Eldest is still lagging, I call. He smiles a reply and speeds up a little. Our walk continues away from the river, back into fields and farms. Back up hills and towards the car. Eldest is now struggling to keep up. We investigate.............the 'stone' now nestles happily in his haversack. We carry on up the rutted track, Eldest doing his best to seem unaffected by the huge lump on his back. I can not bear it any more and swap my pack for his and instantly wish I hadn't.
I now trudge.
As we walk through the final fields and farms, I feel relief as I can see in the not too far distance the car parked patiently waiting for us.
Later, now the boys have gone to bed, the house has taken on that satisfied semi-sleep state, Himself takes the heart stone upstairs to weigh for me. It is 6kg (over 13lbs) ...........an awfully heavy stone heart for a slight 13 year old to carry.
It now sits on my dining room table...............
It is time for me to go to bed and I see it is no longer Saturday and is now Sunday - Don't forget that we change to British Summer time this weekend - Summer is on its way!
I can feel the earth beneath my feet and hear the giggles of my boys as they, like me, experience the release that only walking can bring. The dog, ball in mouth and wag on tail, trots around us, her eyes full of expectation and excitement as she invites the boys to play.
We reach our chosen spot and shelter out of the breeze while we eat sandwiches and cradle cups of tea in cold fingers. The still weak spring sunshine gently teasing us with shafts of light between the wind blown clouds. In the far far distance, almost too far to be clear, we can just make out the main road. Full of cars. Full of cars going somewhere, no where, any where.
Sheep bleat reassuring replies to their lambs as they call out incessantly. Small cat sized lambs on wobbly knobbly kneed legs. Still bearing umbilical cords, still placenta stained they lean against their mother's legs as they warily watch us as we stride by.
We reach a field we last visited several years ago. A sentinel tree stands tall and inviting. And, like they did last time we were passing through, the boys listened to the invitation - this time, it was a bit of a squeeze as they pushed into the open mouth. The last time, they both fitted into the cavity. How they have grown........
The tree had regurgitates the boys and we walk down into the valley, slipping quietly in then out of a sleepy hamlet where we are escorted by what appeared to be the only living creatures. A rather handsome cockerel and his henny harem watch us with intense beady eyes.
We leave the village and it's feathered bouncer and find ourselves alongside the River Wharfe. Although, today it meanders lazily over water worn stone slabs, the evidence of winter storms is everywhere. Our gritty pathway continues riverside where our previously delicious solitude is now interrupted by other walkers. Old dodderers to fleece-clad yompers, family groups nattering to serious booted and suited walkers striding self-importantly as they clutch walking poles and water proof maps. We retreat from the massing humanity and find ourselves a quiet shore edge where we eagerly drink tea and munch on much needed chocolate biscuits.
Ahead is a narrow wooden suspension foot bridge that will swing and bounce with every step we take. We laugh as we anticipate giddy dog's approach to crossing this strange moving bridge. She lowers her head, spreads her toes and shuffles wide legged across.
We chat, the boys play, giddy dog gets tired, she is getting older, as we all are, and her muzzle bears the tell-tail (sic) signs of greying. We stop so the boys can skim stones on a stretch of almost mirror calm water when after a while, Eldest who is now sitting on the river's edge finds a stone he wants to take home. He calls me over - it is more akin to a fossil filled boulder than the 'stone' he hints about and I am suitably impressed with his find and take a picture in lieu of taking the boulder as it seems far too large and heavy.
We set off, Eldest lags behind as Youngest skips ahead full of energy and chatter. I look behind and see Eldest is still lagging, I call. He smiles a reply and speeds up a little. Our walk continues away from the river, back into fields and farms. Back up hills and towards the car. Eldest is now struggling to keep up. We investigate.............the 'stone' now nestles happily in his haversack. We carry on up the rutted track, Eldest doing his best to seem unaffected by the huge lump on his back. I can not bear it any more and swap my pack for his and instantly wish I hadn't.
I now trudge.
As we walk through the final fields and farms, I feel relief as I can see in the not too far distance the car parked patiently waiting for us.
Later, now the boys have gone to bed, the house has taken on that satisfied semi-sleep state, Himself takes the heart stone upstairs to weigh for me. It is 6kg (over 13lbs) ...........an awfully heavy stone heart for a slight 13 year old to carry.
It now sits on my dining room table...............
It is time for me to go to bed and I see it is no longer Saturday and is now Sunday - Don't forget that we change to British Summer time this weekend - Summer is on its way!
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
So- what's so good about today then??? Explain yourself!
Well............
* Glorious spring sunshine * birds singing cheerily * washing on the line * chickens sunbathing * Grannies coming in * greenhouse filling up with little seedlings * receiving the Liebster Blog award from Andrea from Apples and Pears - THANK YOU!
This award is nominated to blogs with under 100 followers, which I am very pleased to accept - thankyou Andrea!
It now comes to me to pass on the award to some lovely blogs.
It is always difficult as there are so many other wonderful and inspirational blogs out there in blog land and finding fresh and unique blogs that deserve a second look at is quite hard.
But, with that in mind and in no particular order - I would like to now nominate these deserving blogs:
Thank you ladies, for inspiring me, making me laugh and generally making my day :)
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Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Show and Tell
Been rather busy recently with this and that and the other! But now, with a moment to spare, I thought I'd share what crafty things I've been getting up to with a little bit of hooky happy time :)
A birthday pressie - now hanging on a white day bed, made in a silky ice blue cord.
Good grief that fibre was difficult to handle! It was a wilful thread, easily unravelling itself, sliding off the hook and refusing to behave, until, when finished it look so pretty I forgave all it's foibles and fell in love love love with it.
I really really didn't want to part with this little heart bunting, draping it all around my house thinking that where every I placed it, it looked just right! But with a heavy heart (my own) I passed it on to it's new owner.....she was so delighted that I stopped wishing I'd kept the little bunting.
Will I make another for myself? Will I heck!
A felted crochet hook holder. The colours were dictated by the fabric inner - a personal choice by our friend and I wanted the patterning to appear like flashes of painterly colour. I had such fun making this.
I love the macro facility of my camera, you can get up close and personal with fleece and see the fibres in the cord. I know, that technically, this is felting not crochet but seeing there are links, I have let it slide!
I was really enjoyed making the felted hook roll and delighted with my friend's response, I think I might be making more!
Well, the sun beckons and I am intrigued by the unusual warmth and brightness of the great outdoors! So armed with a bowl of oats, fruit and yoghourt - I'm off out for a spot of breakfast (yes I know it's late) before I go to work :)
Have yourselves a sunny and happy Tuesday xx
A birthday pressie - now hanging on a white day bed, made in a silky ice blue cord.
Good grief that fibre was difficult to handle! It was a wilful thread, easily unravelling itself, sliding off the hook and refusing to behave, until, when finished it look so pretty I forgave all it's foibles and fell in love love love with it.
I really really didn't want to part with this little heart bunting, draping it all around my house thinking that where every I placed it, it looked just right! But with a heavy heart (my own) I passed it on to it's new owner.....she was so delighted that I stopped wishing I'd kept the little bunting.
Will I make another for myself? Will I heck!
*******************************
Another gift for a friend - this time to say thank you-for-watching-over-our-hens-while-we-were-away. A felted crochet hook holder. The colours were dictated by the fabric inner - a personal choice by our friend and I wanted the patterning to appear like flashes of painterly colour. I had such fun making this.
The exterior of the roll
The hook bag shyly unrolling to reveal the inner fabric
I love the macro facility of my camera, you can get up close and personal with fleece and see the fibres in the cord. I know, that technically, this is felting not crochet but seeing there are links, I have let it slide!
I was really enjoyed making the felted hook roll and delighted with my friend's response, I think I might be making more!
Well, the sun beckons and I am intrigued by the unusual warmth and brightness of the great outdoors! So armed with a bowl of oats, fruit and yoghourt - I'm off out for a spot of breakfast (yes I know it's late) before I go to work :)
Have yourselves a sunny and happy Tuesday xx
Monday, 21 March 2011
Kyōyū kyōyū - share
Just over a week ago, I, like most of the world watched in horror as the events in Japan unfolded. The devastation was beyond belief and seems to be increasing on a daily basis. So many lives have been lost, homes destroyed and belongings gone. There has been so much sadness and loss.
I want to share some warmth and love with the Japanese people who have suffered so much as they try to come to terms with the earthquake and tsunami.
I want to share some warmth and love with the Japanese people who have suffered so much as they try to come to terms with the earthquake and tsunami.
With that in mind, I am going to make blankets and am asking for help in making crochet and knitted squares. If you would like to join in please contact me through my email on my profile with 'Kyōyū kyōyū - share' in the subject line.
I have started a separate blog called Kyōyū kyōyū - share where any one who joins in will be listed along with their country and a blog link (if you have one) and where I will also keep you up to date with progress of the blankets.
I know it is only a small token effort on my part compared to the pain and loss being felt over there, but, like said, I really really need to do something to help - and I hope you can join me
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