Thursday 17 December 2009

Fudging It

Chocolate pistacho fudge.




To Do -
Bath Melts - Cocoa butter, lavender & chamomile - DONE
Bath Bags - Muslin bags filled with oats, milk powder, lavender & chamomile - DONE
Sloe Gin & Vodka - already brewing.
Knitted Scarfs - using sari yarn - 1 DONE & 1 to go.
Chocolate Truffles - DONE ( made fudge instead )
Sleep Pillows - filled with hops & chamomile.
Caramelised Onion Chutney - DONE
Beeswax Ornaments - DONE

Monday 14 December 2009

Wrapping Up and Sending Out

Using wrapping, ribbons and bits saved from presents given to us last year.




To Do -
Bath Melts - Cocoa butter, lavender & chamomile - DONE
Bath Bags - Muslin bags filled with oats, milk powder, lavender & chamomile - DONE
Sloe Gin & Vodka - already brewing.
Knitted Scarfs - using sari yarn - 1 DONE & 1 to go.
Chocolate Truffles
Sleep Pillows - filled with hops & chamomile.
Caramelised Onion Chutney - DONE
Beeswax Ornaments - DONE

Thursday 10 December 2009

Checking the List









Bath Melts - Cocoa butter, lavender & chamomile - DONE
Bath Bags - Muslin bags filled with oats, milk powder, lavender & chamomile - DONE
Sloe Gin & Vodka - already brewing.
Knitted Scarfs - using sari yarn - 1 DONE & 1 to go.
Chocolate Truffles
Sleep Pillows - filled with hops & chamomile.
Caramelised Onion Chutney - DONE
Beeswax Ornaments

Monday 7 December 2009

Memories


O calls himself Oddie and L, Lordy, which sounds nothing like their names but can say K's as clear as a bell.

He has taken to calling Grandad and Grandma, Grand and Grams which has us all in stitches.

Friday 4 December 2009

USA Bound

The ornament I sent my swap partner in the USA, read her wonderful blog here
http://www.lifeworththeliving.com/ ( great read for Home Edders )
He was great fun to make and I was sad to see him go but happy to know his new family adore him ( even if they can't decide if he's a moose or a reindeer LOL )

Tuesday 1 December 2009

How to make a 15 year old smile (a lot) - Part 2.

Tickets for Muse at Wembley .. oh yeah He's smiling.

Sunday 22 November 2009

New Friend

O calls him Boy.
Boy is happy to play for ages, he makes O laugh when he hides and then jumps out at the same time as him.
Boy had disappeared when O tried to show him to L but I'm sure he'll be back to play soon.


Wednesday 18 November 2009

The Gift of a Swap

u My lovely package of cinnamon bundles and a gingerbread man tree ornament from the clever S over at Down to Earth Forum ( there were sweeties but I've no idea where they went !! )

Thanks x

Monday 16 November 2009

Shoebox Love

11 shoeboxes filled with special goodies = 11 happy children around the World.
http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/
Thanks to all who came, drank tea, ate cake and brought a box full of Love.

Monday 9 November 2009

Book Sharing Monday - A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson & Alex Scheffler

I can't tell you how many times O has brought this lovely book to me today and requested that I " read it Mummy " and after listening to it all again, wandered off saying " squash, squeeze "

Sunday 8 November 2009

Caramelised Onion Chutney - Done


Thanks to Clare over at GP forum for the recipe.

Saturday 7 November 2009

Buy Hand for the Holidays Challenge - 2009

We're joining in with crunchy chicken's Hand-Made Holidays

http://www.thecrunchychicken.com/2009/09/buy-hand-for-holidays-challenge.html


We'll be Making -

Bath Melts - Cocoa butter, lavender & chamomile.

Bath Bags - Muslin bags filled with oats, milk powder, lavender & chamomile.

Sloe Gin & Vodka - already brewing.

Knitted Scarfs - using sari yarn.

Chocolate Truffles

Sleep Pillows - filled with hops & chamomile.

Caramelised Onion Chutney - DONE

Care to join us ?

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Loving The Mother

I am late in joining in with the many blog posts about The Mother Magazine and the support she is in need of at the moment.
Partly, well no fully, because I knew I could never find the words to explain how I feel about this magazine, the community of Mother readers and the richness it has all brought to my life.


I have subscribed from the beginning ( yes I have that much sought after Issue 1 ) and from that very first read, my relationship with The Mother has grown and blossomed.

She has lead me down paths I would never have traveled ( holding my hand all the way )

She held me in the middle of the night in those early breastfeeding days, when I thought I couldn't breastfeed, wrong latch, wrong position, not enough milk ... for every worry I had, there were words to tell me I could and I did.

She has introduced me to friends that I will LOVE forever and ever.

She has taught me endless lessons, that have comforted, healed and nurtured me.

I am a better person for knowing Her.



And at the heart of this incredible magazine is an amazing family, who inspire me daily.
My strength of feeling for them, knows no bounds.
Veronika's wise and kind words telling me that it was ok to take my babies back into the heart of our home for their education rather than leaving them sad and lonely at school are words that happily changed our lifes forever.
I knew that many hands held us when Emma Joan died and we continue to feel the Love for her from this amazing community of Mother friends.
I could not be without this magazine and so, as She is struggling in these difficult financial times I would like to offer those of you who have never seen The Mother the chance to read a copy and begin your relationship with Her.
I have 2 copies from this year to send ... anywhere to anybody.
Please leave a comment telling me why you'd like to received one of these issues.


Monday 2 November 2009

EZ BSJ Q & A !

Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments on the " knitting matters " post, such a delight to read them all.

So to answer your questions ....

The pattern I use is the Baby Surprise Jacket by Elizabeth Zimmermann, available from Schoolhouse Press

http://www.schoolhousepress.com/

This pattern will make a jacket that will fit from around 6 months to 18 months.

While away on our holiday in the beautiful Forest of Dean last week, I cast on another jacket, the pattern really is addictive ( especially as the first one I knitted doesn't fit O and this one won't either ! will be looking for homes for them )

The pattern is easy ( honestly ) it really is all about trust.
I did join the BSJ group on Ravelry, which I do recommend as some of Elizabeth's terms really threw me but thankfully all the answers were there, along with photos of jackets in progress.

The folding of the finished jacket is really easy and with only shoulder seams to sew, how much better can it get.

Good news for those that need bigger sizes, Schoolhouse Press are now selling a pattern that covers baby, toddler through to adult ( mine is on its way .. yipppeee .. one that will finally fit O )
Please let me know if you have anymore questions.

So what you waiting for ...

Burning Embers from BabyLongLegs waiting to be spun.


The moon tonight waiting to be admired.



Friday 23 October 2009

Time Tested Beauty Tips


Below is Audrey Hepburn's favourite poem and one written by the author for his grandchild.
Makes me cry every time.
Enjoy.


Time Tested Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows! --Sam Levenson

Wednesday 21 October 2009

Knitting Matters

How proud am I of this knit - the Elizabeth Zimmermann Baby Surprise Jacket.
Such a wonderful pattern to knit, such a mystery as you knit along trusting all will come right !
And WOW did it come right, think I need to cast another on.

Socks for O, the first pair I have ever knitted him ... how silly is that after all the pairs I've knitted.

WIP - another dishcloth.




Friday 16 October 2009

Free Food Friday - Fighting the Cold

Getting the Winter Cold Defensive on the go.

Huge bowl of Elderberries (thanks S) sorted and into the pan with some sugar for syrup, a spoonful a day will (fingers crossed) keep those germs away.


And if all else fails, something to warm the belly.
Sloes + Sugar + Gin, my kind of maths !
Have some more sloes in the freezer ready for mixing with vodka too.
Happy Autumn Bounty.


Wednesday 14 October 2009

Painting the Season

Funny, it doesn't matter how many different colours O has, the end result is always slushy brown !
Big plans for these master pieces.




Tuesday 13 October 2009

Autumn Work











I love the Autumn garden cleaning, cutting back, gathering of leaves, building of bonfire and then warming suppers of chilli and a new fav - apple batter pudding.

Monday 12 October 2009

Book Sharing Monday - The Autumn Collection

Have been forgetting Book Sharing Monday for too long now, so thought I'd do a round up of our Autumn favourites ( I do remember it but not until about Wednesday/Thursday ! )

Autumn by Gerda Muller - This simple picture board book holds the joys of the season on each page, apples to eat, kites to fly and friends to play.
Brambly Hedge, Autumn Story by Jill Barklem - I could look at these beautiful pictures all day, the wonderful details, so much to see, brambles, rose hips, blackberries and a lost little mouse.
Woody, Hazel and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow - The magic of the season captured in stunning pictures and a delightful story. A favourite round here.
Pleasant Fieldmouse's Halloween Party by Jan Wahl - One of my best charity shop finds.The woodland animals are planning a party with treasure hunts, fancy dress and apple bobbing.
The Jolly Witch by Dick King-Smith - We love the Jolly Witch and all her adventures but this one is extra special, holding memories of reading it to my children and their friends around a Halloween camp-fire in our garden complete with hot chocolate and plenty of goodies.
The Old Woman and the Red Pumpkin by Betsy band - A wise old woman out-wits the animals of the forest.
An Acorn for Tea by Julie Sykes - O's favourite. The animals of the wood are too busy to go collect their own dinners so ask Rufus to find them leaves, nuts and berries while gathering his own.
What Autumn inspired books are you enjoying ?


Autumn Seasons Table

Loving the Autumn colours, definitely my favourite season.
Such riches from the Earth, crisp, fresh mornings, bright, clear days and evenings that are now cold enough for lighting the fire.




Wednesday 7 October 2009

Hair today, Gone tomorrow.

Yesterday was hair cut day, it's been due for awhile now, a loooong while.
But I have had a reason for wanting it to get as long as possible over the last couple of years, so I've left it and left it until finally I felt it was time.

So yesterday, it was cut, all 20" of it.
Leaving me feeling alittle light-headed and abit chilly round the neck but it was worth it.


My hair is being sent here, The Little Princess Trust, to be made into wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments.
I feel very proud and honoured that my hair will be used in this way and as always with these things I do, I do them with love for my daughter Emma Joan in my heart, may her 39 minutes on this Earth touch many lives, letting her memory live on.

Saturday 3 October 2009

Glorious Autumn Days

Glutney Chutney simmering on the stove, HFW style.

Afternoon treats from Auntie T.

A day at Clumer Park, admiring the veg patch.

Running round the walled gardens.


And watching Lady Autumn paint Mother Earth in her new colours.