applehead

the very last blackberries...

were the result of a pleasant half an hour of labour on Sunday.Just enough for a generous bowlful plus a few extra for Grace. A little beyond the blackberry brambles, there were a few apple trees loaded with fruit, well within our reach. So naturally we did what you do when you have the great fortune to be able to pick your own blackberries and apples just a stone's throw from your own front door.

 We made pie.

Personally, I think pie tastes quite different when you have picked all the filling yourself.

It was all quite story book like except for the fact that I didn't wear a gingham frilly apron for the pie making bit. I'm much more a utilitarian denim apron from Muji type of domestic goddess.

Oh, and there was a little bit of swearing when I got stuck in the brambles. I'm pretty sure there is no swearing in story books. But let's just ignore that slight slip, shall we and appreciate a bit of pie goodness. With cream and icecream,of course.

 

 

 

slightly alarming...

although sometimes it might be very handy to be able to remove one's head for cleaning and clearing.

A small, odd moment in my day.

 

shiny ,happy...

There was a festival in the village last week complete with funfair and a parade of floats.

Charlie was a Giant Sunflower....a few late nights and I finally succeeded in getting those petals to stand up! I had planned on making the collar leaf edged but lack of time and sleep meant that I had to simplify somewhat. Leafy wrist bands and a big smile did the trick instead!

homemade bubbles....

 

A few weeks ago, a friend and I went off for an afternoon of soapmaking, as my birthday gift to her. Neither of us had any previous experience so we both measured and mixed with great care and not a little trepidation. The workshop was held here at The Workshop, a lovely space to work in.

At the end of the three hours , we carefully carried home our well wrapped and insulated moulds full of soap. It has a few weeks left, before it is cured enough to use but I couldn't resist wrapping one bar up to send off as a gift. ( With a note of course to advise letting it rest for a week or two before using it.)

 

It smells like Christmas and I am told that once I use it, I will never want to look at a bar of commercial soap again.

Here's hoping.

 

simple....

knit.....using the 'just in time neck cozy' pattern found here. I used two strands knitted together of the gorgeous Manos del Uraguay silk blend (silk and merino extra fine wool) colour 6461- soft, drapey and with just enough shine. You can knit it up in about two hours and it makes a perfect gift. I think the next one will be for myself in a charcoal grey.

soup.....ugly but really delicious. Not only is it quick to cook but it's also good for you, so it ticks all of the boxes. The recipe is one I found attached to a bag of Puy lentils I bought a few years back, which I have tweaked a little.

I don't add the cream( why would you?)  and I use powdered organic vegetable stock and water. Once the soup has finished cooking, I puree half and mix it back in so that you still have bits of carrots and lentils for texture. My final secret trick is to add the finely zested peel of a lemon which just gives it that subtle kick. Add some good sourdough bread and it's perfect.

 fun....a friend took this very cute photo of my three girls...Grace playing the clown as usual.

As for the hair, well remember this?

 All I need is the kooky hat and a few oompah loompahs running around.

(Actually I've always thought a few oompah loompahs would be quite helpful around the house...)

 

for your information...

if you were the grumpy woman in Marks and Spencer today please take note:

Amazing as it might seem,it is not much fun for me either when my two year old has a meltdown whilst waiting at the checkout. Her screams hurt my ears as much as they do yours ( possibly more because I am the one trying to contain the kicking, screaming bundle of joy) and I really am trying my hardest to calm her down.

We do not do it for our own pleasure or even specifically to annoy you( although you seem to think so) and while you may think that rolling your eyes, shaking your head and tutting disapprovingly in our direction is quite helpful, really, it is not. It doesn't make either of us feel better- it just makes me want to walk up and give you quite a sharp poke in the ribs with the nearest pointy object ( today an umbrella).

Next time I just might be tempted - right after I let Grace hop down and bite you on the ankle (actually she doesn't bite but I am sure with a bit of encouragement from me...)

Anyway, I think she is lovely even when she is acting like a pork chop.

There, now I've got that off my chest....

once upon a time...

in an attempt to remove a stubborn seed from an avocado,I manage to stick a knife through the palm of my hand. A trip to emergency,and some surgery to repair the cut nerve left me with a quietly impressive scar, a slight tingling sensation along one side of my middle finger, and a healthy respect for big sharp blades. Naturally, I was the logical choice for the person in charge of the last minute carving of The Pumpkin.

Up until 5 o'clock this evening , the said Pumpkin had been sitting happily intact at our front doorstep. A quick walk  around the neighbourhood this afternoon, made it quite clear that we needed to do some serious work with a knife.

 

Not bad at all,for my first attempt at pumpkin carving.

I'm quite proud of his rather fierce expression.

I'm even prouder of the fact that no trip to the emergency room was required.

Happy Halloween!

chasing my tail...

it feels as though this is what I have been doing for the past six months. And not very successfully, I might add. There are still boxes to be sorted through and two rooms to be organised.

If I focus too much on the things I haven't managed to get done, I get quite frustrated and annoyed. So, possibly more useful to look at what I have achieved so far.

I started this last year, just before I began packing to move to the UK. All it needs now is to weave in the end( artfully hidden in the photo) and lightly block it.

 

A simple charcoal cowl....
I decided halfway through knitting it, that it would be perfect for a friend,so the fact that it is summer here and rather hot isn't really important.
It is my own pattern ( if you can call it that) using a Jo Sharp silk,alpaca and merino mix. I find that this type of knitting suits me perfectly - in the round, so no seams to sew and a few cables to make me feel a little bit clever without trying to hard.

This little girl is now sleeping from around 7.30 pm until 4.30 ( or 5.30 on a really good day) - which is quite something,considering she was waking every two hours and needing attention( mine!) back in January.
It certainly hasn't been quick or particularly easy but I held firm to my resolve to avoid the controlled crying regime and I think we are both the happier for it.
Now I have to work on going to bed a little earlier so that I can catch up on a little missed sleep.

My big girls are trundling along quite nicely as well - all good here.

If I can work out what is happening with my broadband connection ( painfully slow to the point that I can feel myself aging as I wait for pages to load), I aim to start posting a little more regularly. Once every month or so does not a good blog make. 

See, glass half full kind of stuff.

What I have done, rather than what I haven't. That would be me, Pollyanna all the way.

Tail is in sight. At least I think that's my tail.

the elephant grows....

A quick and easy guessing game.
What do chiffon, ruffles and tiny crystal beads have in common?
 

If you said a wedding dress, you are absolutely correct.
Now, you might be wondering what a wedding dress and our big move to the UK in a little more than five weeks have in common.
Me.
And before anyone offers me well meant,supportive advice suggesting it might be time for me to learn to say 'No' in a big firm voice, be aware that it is my one and only little sister that is the bride to be.
It is an honour and a pleasure to be able to make such a special dress for her. Perhaps not the most ideal time, but it would never have occurred to me not to offer to make it.
She's my sister. End of discussion.
( If I begin to complain about being stressed or tired or overwhelmed, you have permission to be blunt and point out that this was my choice.)
Bearing that it mind, I have still affectionately named the dress, 'The Horror'.
Not because it is ugly( it's actually very beautiful and romantic) but because it involves my arch nemesis, Silk Chiffon.
I hate Silk Chiffon.
A word to all brides out there who have the good fortune to have a mother, sister, aunt or friend of a friend who will help you out with your Dress for the Big Day - do consider a lovely stable fabric such as velvet or duchess silk. Calico,perhaps.

Anything but silk chiffon.

The Horror is all cut out and waiting to be sewn up. All going well, I hope to have the dress ready for hand sewing of the tiny crystal beads, by this time next weekend.
I love my sister.
I am very happy that she is getting married ,that we will be here for the wedding and that the girls will have the fun of being flower girls.
But I still hate silk chiffon

what to do...

when you have a house to sort and pack up and the girls want something fun to do?
Teach them to blow eggs of course.

Charlotte got the hang of it quickly - Rose was a little too enthusiastic and ended up with a handful of egg and eggshell.
Quick wash and dry of the  eggs shells, bit of glue and crafty bits and pieces and there you go.

Egg people.

Glamorous egg.

Middle egg toppled over and came up a little worse for wear.
Nothing a bit of sticky tape can't help, though.

As for the eggs...cinnamon butter cake seemed the sensible option.

And the final tally?

Eggs blown: 5 in total with one casualty

Egg people made: 3 whole and 1 a little cracked

Cakes made and eaten: 1

Boxes sorted and packed: ........not many really.
Actually none to be precise.

Oh well.