I hope you all had a wonderful, merry and entertaining Christmas. We certainly did. Our Welsh Christmas turned out even better than we planned. The cottage was situated in the middle of the valley of nowhere, somewhere down a dirt track and there was no one for miles…except sheep and cows...and one resident robin!
We walked around the coastline, meandered along very blustery beaches, shopped our way through some of the towns in the area and spent our nights in such a peaceful and relaxing blissfulness that we really didn’t feel like coming home.
It turns out that doing nothing is harder than it looks and we found it hard to adjust at first. I found myself sitting down all peaceful on the outside but inside I’d be racking my brain trying to figure out what it was I was supposed to be doing!! A kind of panic set in as we realised we were to have no mobiles and no internet. There was no list writing, no timetables and no plans of things to do or see but by the end of the week we were wondering where the time had gone!
Christmas day we went out for a ramble in the countryside that turned into a full on mountain climb as we took the hard way up the hill…completely ignoring the pathway. It was however the very thing we needed and once home we were able to eat, drink and open presents knowing we were simply too exhausted to go out again!
We walked around Strumble head, along Newgale beach, explored Pembroke castle and Haverfordwest town, had coffee in St Davids and got drenched in Carmarthen.
Prior to leaving I managed to get everything I needed to done. Which of course means that some things fell by the wayside. I did get the scarf done (at the eleventh hour) and the mystery project (photos later this week) A few last minute, non-craft subsistuions were made but once again it was knocked in to me that I can't do everything...at least not in the month of December!
Once we reached the cottage all motivation (and my brain) disappeared and all I was capable of doing was stocking stitch on the “should have been long finished” Pippa bag. Even that didn’t last long and I switched on to cross stitch…which I haven’t been interested in for almost 2 years! The change was nice tho and all aches and pains have since disappeared.
Photos I have in abundance, and will post them over the next week or so, of knitting projects, Christmas and Wales!
Monday, 31 December 2007
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Silly Season Salutations!!
Well it's still dark out and we're setting off in a mo to Wales for our countryside Christmas but I couldn't leave without wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas!
May your turkey cook all the way through, may the weather be exactly right for where ever you are, may you receive no paper cuts, may all the toffee's in the bowl be the ones you like, may your Santa hat not fit too tightly, may you eat more than you should be able too and may none of your presents require that fake "OH I love it!"
More seriously I hope that each and every one of you spends Christmas surrounded by friends and family, knowing exactly how lucky and loved you are, giving thanks for it and sharing the feeling around when ever you have opportunity!
Merry Christmas everyone.
May your turkey cook all the way through, may the weather be exactly right for where ever you are, may you receive no paper cuts, may all the toffee's in the bowl be the ones you like, may your Santa hat not fit too tightly, may you eat more than you should be able too and may none of your presents require that fake "OH I love it!"
More seriously I hope that each and every one of you spends Christmas surrounded by friends and family, knowing exactly how lucky and loved you are, giving thanks for it and sharing the feeling around when ever you have opportunity!
Merry Christmas everyone.
Friday, 21 December 2007
Hear those sleigh bells jing-a-ling...
hmmm...not sure if those are the exact words but that's the way I sing it. And carol singing I am these days since I picked up a '4 CD' compilation of Christmas songs. I think I now have every song with the word Christmas in it that's ever been written!!
Today is the end. The end of my contract and thus current employment, the end of work for everyone else, the end of my time to get things done. What doesn't happen today doesn't happen.
Most folks have until Christmas day. I have no such luxury because I am off to Wales!! We have hired a lovely cottage in the middle of nowhere and will be taking off this weekend with some equally lovely friends to spend a relaxing, peaceful, countrified Christmas.
It's going to be great! Lovely winter rambles through the countryside, long wanders along blustery deserted beaches, warm cozy nights in front of the fire! I might even get lucky and have some snow! (although they say it's going to warm up a bit by then)
It's not all joy and tinsel tho as I'm teetering on the edge of what I think will be a nasty cold and my hand is still playing up making knitting of presents more painful than is comfortable.
However.......
Cards all done
Calendars all done
Presents all done
Mince pies all done (thank god!)
Biscotti all done
...just a bit of a scarf and 1/2 a beanie to go...then it's Christmas!
Today is the end. The end of my contract and thus current employment, the end of work for everyone else, the end of my time to get things done. What doesn't happen today doesn't happen.
Most folks have until Christmas day. I have no such luxury because I am off to Wales!! We have hired a lovely cottage in the middle of nowhere and will be taking off this weekend with some equally lovely friends to spend a relaxing, peaceful, countrified Christmas.
It's going to be great! Lovely winter rambles through the countryside, long wanders along blustery deserted beaches, warm cozy nights in front of the fire! I might even get lucky and have some snow! (although they say it's going to warm up a bit by then)
It's not all joy and tinsel tho as I'm teetering on the edge of what I think will be a nasty cold and my hand is still playing up making knitting of presents more painful than is comfortable.
However.......
Cards all done
Calendars all done
Presents all done
Mince pies all done (thank god!)
Biscotti all done
...just a bit of a scarf and 1/2 a beanie to go...then it's Christmas!
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
It's a wrap!
I’m convinced there is a black hole specifically for mince pies…if not even more specifically for mince pies that I make!! No sooner do they come out of the oven than they disappear faster than I can count, the little buggers!
But aside from the mince pies, frantic knitting, aching finger joints and rampant tinsel that is my life at the moment…
I was hoping to have some photos to post today but see above sentence for reason as to why that hasn’t happened. Perhaps tomorrow……although if I'm honest that's not likely either!
I am having a Christmas night tonight. I am sending the other half out and spending the night in delicious Christmas-ness. It’s the bit I really enjoy (aside from the cooking)…the wrapping of presents! There's nothing like a glass of wine, a CD of Christmas carols and miles of shimmery ribbon to get you in the Christmas spirit!
OK I get that this doesn't work for everybody. Some folks prefer death by tinsel to wrapping presents. So here are my top tips for Christmas wrapping in the misguided notion that they might make things easier...if only by providing a distraction from the task at hand!!
10. Never wrap anything if there are pets in the room…they will want to help!
9. Double sided tape is your friend.
8. Glitter is fun and pretty but you’ll be finding it on your face for the next three months…I’m just saying…
7. Always have a theme. Matching paper and ribbon/bows etc. It always makes presents look more special if they all look similarly wrapped.
6. Always measure and cut the paper to size. If you don’t you’ll end up with too little and you'll have to patch it or waste paper OR too much which results in bulky, messy ends! And nobody likes a messy end!
5. For awkward shapes either put into a square box for easy of wrapping or use non paper wrapping…cellophane, gift bags, fabric etc
4. Bows, ribbons and other adornments make people go “Ooooh” and think that you’ve spent ages on their present!
3. Don’t do it at the last moment. That's just asking for stress. I like to do all mine at once and make an occasion of it so I pick a day in the week before and do it then. Some folks like to do a couple a day or as they buy them.
2. Keep all your wrapping bits in one place. Paper, tape, cards, pens, scissors. There’s nothing more annoying and less festive than loud swearing drowning out the Christmas carols as you hunt for a pair of scissors or non existent sticky tape
And my No.1 top tip.....
1. One glass of wine gets you in the Christmas spirit…two will only lead to tears and presents that looked like the dog wrapped them.
But aside from the mince pies, frantic knitting, aching finger joints and rampant tinsel that is my life at the moment…
I was hoping to have some photos to post today but see above sentence for reason as to why that hasn’t happened. Perhaps tomorrow……although if I'm honest that's not likely either!
I am having a Christmas night tonight. I am sending the other half out and spending the night in delicious Christmas-ness. It’s the bit I really enjoy (aside from the cooking)…the wrapping of presents! There's nothing like a glass of wine, a CD of Christmas carols and miles of shimmery ribbon to get you in the Christmas spirit!
OK I get that this doesn't work for everybody. Some folks prefer death by tinsel to wrapping presents. So here are my top tips for Christmas wrapping in the misguided notion that they might make things easier...if only by providing a distraction from the task at hand!!
10. Never wrap anything if there are pets in the room…they will want to help!
9. Double sided tape is your friend.
8. Glitter is fun and pretty but you’ll be finding it on your face for the next three months…I’m just saying…
7. Always have a theme. Matching paper and ribbon/bows etc. It always makes presents look more special if they all look similarly wrapped.
6. Always measure and cut the paper to size. If you don’t you’ll end up with too little and you'll have to patch it or waste paper OR too much which results in bulky, messy ends! And nobody likes a messy end!
5. For awkward shapes either put into a square box for easy of wrapping or use non paper wrapping…cellophane, gift bags, fabric etc
4. Bows, ribbons and other adornments make people go “Ooooh” and think that you’ve spent ages on their present!
3. Don’t do it at the last moment. That's just asking for stress. I like to do all mine at once and make an occasion of it so I pick a day in the week before and do it then. Some folks like to do a couple a day or as they buy them.
2. Keep all your wrapping bits in one place. Paper, tape, cards, pens, scissors. There’s nothing more annoying and less festive than loud swearing drowning out the Christmas carols as you hunt for a pair of scissors or non existent sticky tape
And my No.1 top tip.....
1. One glass of wine gets you in the Christmas spirit…two will only lead to tears and presents that looked like the dog wrapped them.
Monday, 17 December 2007
I can see the light...
Yup....faintly glimmering in the distance I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm not there yet but I feel the weight lifting off my shoulders...that familiar "more things done than to do" feeling of relief.
The weekend was a productive one. Much running around like those headless chickens we always hear about, much last minute desperate snatching of odd items off the shelves, much substituting of ingredients I'd forgotten to buy!!!
Nah, actually it wasn't that bad. I did have to go back to our corner store about 5 times for things I'd forgotten during my mammoth cooking session in which I made 4 doz mince pies, 3 lots of biscotti, one meat pie and the stuffing for the turkey! The mince pies were all for gifts and would you believe I've run out!
Knitting News - Almost there. I'm about 1/2 way on the scarf and have cast on for the last beanie. The mystery project that must not be named is done bar the felting. Unfortunately my hands are starting to protest loudly so it's now a race against my joints! I might have to revise my knitting plans for over the holidays.
Saturday night we took time out from Christmas to go see Kate Rusby. Folk singer extraordinaire, it was a great night. Kate was on form and having as much fun as we were. We were all given song sheets at the door and eventually she got everyone singing and joining it. It actually felt quite festive and was a really friendly atmosphere.
Plus I got taken out to dinner!! By Matt, not Kate. We went to Carluccios a great Italian restaurant where I indulged my love of calamari, liver (I am strange I know) and gelati! Not all at the same time of course!!
A very bad picture of Kate Rusby on stage.
The weekend was a productive one. Much running around like those headless chickens we always hear about, much last minute desperate snatching of odd items off the shelves, much substituting of ingredients I'd forgotten to buy!!!
Nah, actually it wasn't that bad. I did have to go back to our corner store about 5 times for things I'd forgotten during my mammoth cooking session in which I made 4 doz mince pies, 3 lots of biscotti, one meat pie and the stuffing for the turkey! The mince pies were all for gifts and would you believe I've run out!
Knitting News - Almost there. I'm about 1/2 way on the scarf and have cast on for the last beanie. The mystery project that must not be named is done bar the felting. Unfortunately my hands are starting to protest loudly so it's now a race against my joints! I might have to revise my knitting plans for over the holidays.
Saturday night we took time out from Christmas to go see Kate Rusby. Folk singer extraordinaire, it was a great night. Kate was on form and having as much fun as we were. We were all given song sheets at the door and eventually she got everyone singing and joining it. It actually felt quite festive and was a really friendly atmosphere.
Plus I got taken out to dinner!! By Matt, not Kate. We went to Carluccios a great Italian restaurant where I indulged my love of calamari, liver (I am strange I know) and gelati! Not all at the same time of course!!
A very bad picture of Kate Rusby on stage.Friday, 14 December 2007
Oh No it Isn't!!!
OH YES IT IS!!!! Yup it's Panto time again and this year we decided to go with some friends of ours. It's possible that we were the loudest people in the audience, it's possible that there is some embarrasment still lingering....and it's possible that I haven't had so much fun in ages!!
The title shot...which set the scene for amazing, glittering sets that had great attention to detail....I thought so anwyay!
Buttons (Jon Clegg) and the Wicked Step Mother (Dave Lynn). I'm still not sure who Buttons was supposed to be in the fairy tale but he was very funny.
The two Ugly Step Sisters, Kim & Aggie..their dresses were amazing.
I so want the little round handbags they have in this photo.
Prince Charming being introduced to the Ugly Step Sisters.....
A close up of their costumes. Many rubber gloves died for this panto!
Prince Charming (Jorden Bird) in full song, with his Valet Dandini (Ben Redfern)
The title shot...which set the scene for amazing, glittering sets that had great attention to detail....I thought so anwyay!
Buttons (Jon Clegg) and the Wicked Step Mother (Dave Lynn). I'm still not sure who Buttons was supposed to be in the fairy tale but he was very funny.
The two Ugly Step Sisters, Kim & Aggie..their dresses were amazing.
I so want the little round handbags they have in this photo.
Prince Charming being introduced to the Ugly Step Sisters.....
A close up of their costumes. Many rubber gloves died for this panto!
Prince Charming (Jorden Bird) in full song, with his Valet Dandini (Ben Redfern)Muffins, Pies and a Bus
Finally here are the muffin pictures, which after all that waiting are sure to be an anti climax. They are Peanut Butter and Choc chip muffins (recipe below) which turned out rather well I think. Definitely a keeper although I’d like the Peanut butter taste to be a little stronger. I’m not sure how I’d do that though….increase the amount of PB? Not sure.
Also some mince pie pictures because it is the season after all! Don’t you love the mug too!!!
And some bonus shots. Last night we were sitting peacefully watching TV when we heard a banging sound. It wasn’t long before it became a drumming sound and very rhythmic and loud it was too. Then suddenly this appeared outside.
We think it was some sort of charity collection but there were no signs so we’re unsure what charity it was. The top was open and the band (drummers) were up there with a familiar face……
HO HO HO!
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Muffins
2/3 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter -- melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
Also some mince pie pictures because it is the season after all! Don’t you love the mug too!!!
And some bonus shots. Last night we were sitting peacefully watching TV when we heard a banging sound. It wasn’t long before it became a drumming sound and very rhythmic and loud it was too. Then suddenly this appeared outside.
We think it was some sort of charity collection but there were no signs so we’re unsure what charity it was. The top was open and the band (drummers) were up there with a familiar face……
HO HO HO!
Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Muffins2/3 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter -- melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and margarine until well blended.
Mix in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Combine flour with baking powder and baking soda.
Add to peanut butter mixture along with milk and chocolate chips.
Mix well. Spoon into 12 lined muffin tins.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until muffins spring back when touched lightly in the center.
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
Back to Stage Two
OH dear....still no photos of pretty muffins & mince pies. Sorry. I'm writing myself a note because if I forget again tonight they'll be all gone!!
I am much happier and calmer today as I was able to get some Christmas shopping done yesterday afternoon AND I only have two little things left to get!!!! WOO HOO It's a weight lifted off my shoulders, a dark cloud blown from my brow and the stage 4 red alert has been downgraded to a stage 2 slightly orange alert!! Which is pretty much normal in my life.
To tide you over till the food photos here are some pics of the needle holder I found time to make myself a couple of weeks ago. I love, love, love the bold fabric on the inside!
Such pretty patterns! And how arty is this shot!! I might be finally getting the whole blog photography thing.
I am much happier and calmer today as I was able to get some Christmas shopping done yesterday afternoon AND I only have two little things left to get!!!! WOO HOO It's a weight lifted off my shoulders, a dark cloud blown from my brow and the stage 4 red alert has been downgraded to a stage 2 slightly orange alert!! Which is pretty much normal in my life.
To tide you over till the food photos here are some pics of the needle holder I found time to make myself a couple of weeks ago. I love, love, love the bold fabric on the inside!
Such pretty patterns! And how arty is this shot!! I might be finally getting the whole blog photography thing. Tuesday, 11 December 2007
Panic Stations!
Like knitters all around the world at the moment I am starting to struggle with the terrifying and impending deadline that is Christmas.
Every year I overload myself with tasks and crafty type stuff to wow and impress people. (why I don't know) This year I tried to play it safe and be realistic about my time frame.
I knew the knitting projects would take more time and since the event is set to be rather low key this year I figured not so much craft was needed. And so my initial list was short, concise and full of smaller projects.
I think the key word there is initial!!!!
The list has grown. It has taken on a life of it's own and I am powerless to prevent new crafty ideas joining the queue. It's like a giant runaway conga line. Out of control and joyously snaking it's way towards my tinsel covered doom!
Somehow having a shorter list backfired and instead of having enough time to get everything done comfortably my underworked brain diverted itself (I am in no way responsible) to other areas.....thus creating more work and NOT creating more time!!! I've not even started on the annual Christmas cooking of biscotti and rum balls and eleventy million mince pies to give out and it's already two weeks to Christmas. (this is something I realised this morning) And I'm not any further along with the knittng!!!
Why does this happen every year. It's not like we don't know it's coming. But damn it I plan for this....so why do I feel so behind?
Here are some photos of my tree. Twinkly lights soothe the worried beast!
And with the light off so you can see the lovely fibreoptics twinkling away!
Every year I overload myself with tasks and crafty type stuff to wow and impress people. (why I don't know) This year I tried to play it safe and be realistic about my time frame.
I knew the knitting projects would take more time and since the event is set to be rather low key this year I figured not so much craft was needed. And so my initial list was short, concise and full of smaller projects.
I think the key word there is initial!!!!
The list has grown. It has taken on a life of it's own and I am powerless to prevent new crafty ideas joining the queue. It's like a giant runaway conga line. Out of control and joyously snaking it's way towards my tinsel covered doom!
Somehow having a shorter list backfired and instead of having enough time to get everything done comfortably my underworked brain diverted itself (I am in no way responsible) to other areas.....thus creating more work and NOT creating more time!!! I've not even started on the annual Christmas cooking of biscotti and rum balls and eleventy million mince pies to give out and it's already two weeks to Christmas. (this is something I realised this morning) And I'm not any further along with the knittng!!!
Why does this happen every year. It's not like we don't know it's coming. But damn it I plan for this....so why do I feel so behind?
Here are some photos of my tree. Twinkly lights soothe the worried beast!
And with the light off so you can see the lovely fibreoptics twinkling away!
Monday, 10 December 2007
Is it a bird? A plane?
No it’s the weekend flying by at the speed of sound…blink and you’ll miss it!!
And that’s exactly what I feel I did. I achieved nothing, I didn't get any extra sleep and I pretty much feel like I've gone straight from Friday night to Monday morning!!
I went Christmas shopping but bought nothing, I went out but did nothing, I cleaned but it didn’t make any difference, I knitted but seem to have made no progress! It’s like there was no weekend at all!
The only thing I managed to do was produce some mince pies and peanut butter and choc chip muffins. Both of which look so pretty I will take pictures tonight and post them tomorrow if only to prove that I actually did get something done this weekend!!
I lie though, I did do something else. Friday night was the night I’ve long and eagerly awaited. We had tickets to Crowded House!!!!! That I have to come half way around the world to see them was strange but it was the best concert I’ve been to in ages!
Despite the night being sold out the entire concert felt small and intimate. The band chatted to each other and the audience and were clearly having a great time. They got us all singing and involved in the songs and by the end we felt like we’d not just been to a great concert, but rather had joined in a jam session with the guys.
At one point the audience sang the chorus to "Fall at your feet" without the band and as Neil said...it was reverent. The feeling of happiness in the audience that the band was performing again was tangible.
I remember sitting in my room listening the farewell concert in Sydney over 10 years ago and feeling so sad I’d never got to see these guys live. Well now I have and it not only lived up to all my expectations but it blew them away! Absolutely Brilliant!
I guess the weekend wasn't a complete loss then!!!
Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I have no pictures for you all. I hang my head in shame…
And that’s exactly what I feel I did. I achieved nothing, I didn't get any extra sleep and I pretty much feel like I've gone straight from Friday night to Monday morning!!
I went Christmas shopping but bought nothing, I went out but did nothing, I cleaned but it didn’t make any difference, I knitted but seem to have made no progress! It’s like there was no weekend at all!
The only thing I managed to do was produce some mince pies and peanut butter and choc chip muffins. Both of which look so pretty I will take pictures tonight and post them tomorrow if only to prove that I actually did get something done this weekend!!
I lie though, I did do something else. Friday night was the night I’ve long and eagerly awaited. We had tickets to Crowded House!!!!! That I have to come half way around the world to see them was strange but it was the best concert I’ve been to in ages!
Despite the night being sold out the entire concert felt small and intimate. The band chatted to each other and the audience and were clearly having a great time. They got us all singing and involved in the songs and by the end we felt like we’d not just been to a great concert, but rather had joined in a jam session with the guys.
At one point the audience sang the chorus to "Fall at your feet" without the band and as Neil said...it was reverent. The feeling of happiness in the audience that the band was performing again was tangible.
I remember sitting in my room listening the farewell concert in Sydney over 10 years ago and feeling so sad I’d never got to see these guys live. Well now I have and it not only lived up to all my expectations but it blew them away! Absolutely Brilliant!
I guess the weekend wasn't a complete loss then!!!
Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I have no pictures for you all. I hang my head in shame…
Friday, 7 December 2007
Thursday Bit's n Bob's
I don't have a lot to say for myself this week. it's been a bit of a slog getting out the Christmas cards, parcels, letters and what not and there's not been much room for anything else. It's all Christmas at the moment...even though we don't even have our tree up yet (this weekend) It's even got to the knitting...but then Christmas knitting is exciting.
I sit there and knit as usual but I also have the added pleasure of imaging the recipients face when they finally see what I’ve done. Particularly if they know a little about knitting and how long it takes and how much time someone has just dedicated to them. Of course there’s the trepidation that goes with it too…what if they don’t like it or already have one or are secretly and violently allergic to yarn (anything but that!)
I have several projects on the go at the moment and despite there being a distinct lack of time between now and Christmas I am confident I’ll get them done. I have been quite restrained (although some people don’t think so!!) Of my five projects I have one and a half done and two of the remaining should be easy and relatively quick. Ok the other 1 & ½ are not so easy, have the potential for disaster and will probably make my life a living hell for the rest of the month but I still think I can do it!!
It would be good if I could knit on the train as I travel to work and back but there's just not enough elbow room. That would solve both the time issues with the knitting and the lesser problem of what to read next!!
I have just finished reading Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden and I’m so excited that he has started another series. His last set were about Julius Caesar and a great read that kept me turning the pages faster and faster to get to the end.
Wolf of the Plains is about Genghis Khan and the first book of the series (the second book is released in January) is equally as well written and fascinating to read. I’m only disappointed that I’ve caught up to him and now have to wait until the books are released one by one rather than buying them all and reading them all at once in a great big orgy of story telling!!
It’s rare I find a book that I really like at the moment. With a couple of hours a day on the train I find I grab anything that looks remotely interesting in the library rather than searching for something I would be truly interested in. Mostly this is because after more than a year of this commuting I’ve read just about everything in the library that I would be interested in.
However this is a good way to find new authors…I wouldn’t have picked up Iggulden’s books otherwise!
So what’s everyone else reading at the moment? Any suggestions of good books for me to read?
I sit there and knit as usual but I also have the added pleasure of imaging the recipients face when they finally see what I’ve done. Particularly if they know a little about knitting and how long it takes and how much time someone has just dedicated to them. Of course there’s the trepidation that goes with it too…what if they don’t like it or already have one or are secretly and violently allergic to yarn (anything but that!)
I have several projects on the go at the moment and despite there being a distinct lack of time between now and Christmas I am confident I’ll get them done. I have been quite restrained (although some people don’t think so!!) Of my five projects I have one and a half done and two of the remaining should be easy and relatively quick. Ok the other 1 & ½ are not so easy, have the potential for disaster and will probably make my life a living hell for the rest of the month but I still think I can do it!!
It would be good if I could knit on the train as I travel to work and back but there's just not enough elbow room. That would solve both the time issues with the knitting and the lesser problem of what to read next!!
I have just finished reading Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden and I’m so excited that he has started another series. His last set were about Julius Caesar and a great read that kept me turning the pages faster and faster to get to the end.
Wolf of the Plains is about Genghis Khan and the first book of the series (the second book is released in January) is equally as well written and fascinating to read. I’m only disappointed that I’ve caught up to him and now have to wait until the books are released one by one rather than buying them all and reading them all at once in a great big orgy of story telling!!
It’s rare I find a book that I really like at the moment. With a couple of hours a day on the train I find I grab anything that looks remotely interesting in the library rather than searching for something I would be truly interested in. Mostly this is because after more than a year of this commuting I’ve read just about everything in the library that I would be interested in.
However this is a good way to find new authors…I wouldn’t have picked up Iggulden’s books otherwise!
So what’s everyone else reading at the moment? Any suggestions of good books for me to read?
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Little peeks into peoples lives
I like blogging. I'm not sure why because it actually creates extra work for me but I can't help myself, I like it. I get a weird sense of connection by putting my life out there. Connection to what? I don't know. Part of me refuses to believe there's anyone reading what I write here aside from my mum!! Who else would be interested? There's barely enough knitting content to interest knitters and way too much to interest non knitters!! (note to self :- decide who the audience is)
But it appears that there are a few of you out there reading away, despite my lack of faith, because not only did I find someone last night who reads my blog but also I have access to an Analyser gizmo.
Yup I have a tool that helps me make sense of the traffic that comes and goes on this blog. And so when I feel like no one else on earth could possibly be interested in what I have to say I can log in and prove to myself that such people do exist.
And you guys are from all over the place!!
There are places I’d expect to see on there. Places where I know people and have spread the blog word...like Australia (Melbourne & Brisbane in particular) and of course England but it never ceases to amaze me that there are so many other countries on there. Holland, India, Sudan, Indonesia, Spain, US, Germany, Russia & Japan as well as places in Australia and England where I don’t know anyone at all.
I love reading blogs myself and have quite a few I visit on a daily or weekly basis. I love reading about things other people have done, both in their lives and their crafts. Obviously I'm not the only one who feels this way because there are many thousands of people out there doing the same thing as me. (Just do a search on a topic that interests you and add blog to the end of it....see how many results come up!!)
I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that there are people who like reading about my life!
But it appears that there are a few of you out there reading away, despite my lack of faith, because not only did I find someone last night who reads my blog but also I have access to an Analyser gizmo.
Yup I have a tool that helps me make sense of the traffic that comes and goes on this blog. And so when I feel like no one else on earth could possibly be interested in what I have to say I can log in and prove to myself that such people do exist.
And you guys are from all over the place!!
There are places I’d expect to see on there. Places where I know people and have spread the blog word...like Australia (Melbourne & Brisbane in particular) and of course England but it never ceases to amaze me that there are so many other countries on there. Holland, India, Sudan, Indonesia, Spain, US, Germany, Russia & Japan as well as places in Australia and England where I don’t know anyone at all.
I love reading blogs myself and have quite a few I visit on a daily or weekly basis. I love reading about things other people have done, both in their lives and their crafts. Obviously I'm not the only one who feels this way because there are many thousands of people out there doing the same thing as me. (Just do a search on a topic that interests you and add blog to the end of it....see how many results come up!!)
I guess I shouldn't be so surprised that there are people who like reading about my life!
Diagnosis Christmas!
Well I’ve not been too well this past week so I apologise if the posts have seemed a tad half hearted. I’ve had some strange combinations of sinus pressure, earaches, jaw aches and raised glands.
The doctor says it’s stress related and showing up because I’m run down and not sleeping so good.
I say….what have I got to stress about??
Christmas sneaking up behind me? Travel plans not coming together? Being unemployed? Sending out a eleventy million Christmas cards? Never doing any study? Not having enough hours in the day? Family in Hospital? Turkeys that might not fit in the oven? Never seeing the sun again?
HA…I laugh at your diagnosis of stress………
No really it’s not so bad...for Christmas anyway. I think the sudden onslaught of winter and Christmas at the same time has caught a lot of people by surprise this year and the shops are heaving and scary with desperate people carrying obscene amounts of bags. Normally I’m done my shopping by now (Ok I think one year I was done early and I’ve never managed it again but like to think that that year was normal!) but this year I still have a few things to get and I’m too scared to venture out. Friday I came home early by way of the shopping zone and although it was only a weekday it looked like Saturday lunchtime.
It’s worse because I know I have to go out there next Saturday. I daren’t leave it any later...the craziness brings back too many memories of working retail in London over Christmas and the sales. Shudder…
On the weekend I managed to drum up the energy to go to the Food and Drink Fair at Ardingly. We went last year and got the best ham we’ve ever had and the same people were there this year as well. Plus the lovely wines, cheeses, sausages and pies that we got...it might be stressful but this Christmas is set to be a very yummy one too!
I finally got around to taking some pictures of the beanie (and my head) I recently finished. I didn't realise it came out so yellow. You can see the lovely self stripyness but unfortunately you can't feel the gorgeous softness of it!! It's Rowan Tapestry...in the Antique colourway I think.
Ok it's only a beanie...but it's my first beanie and I'm rather proud of it!
Now I just have to knit one for myself!!
The doctor says it’s stress related and showing up because I’m run down and not sleeping so good.
I say….what have I got to stress about??
Christmas sneaking up behind me? Travel plans not coming together? Being unemployed? Sending out a eleventy million Christmas cards? Never doing any study? Not having enough hours in the day? Family in Hospital? Turkeys that might not fit in the oven? Never seeing the sun again?
HA…I laugh at your diagnosis of stress………
No really it’s not so bad...for Christmas anyway. I think the sudden onslaught of winter and Christmas at the same time has caught a lot of people by surprise this year and the shops are heaving and scary with desperate people carrying obscene amounts of bags. Normally I’m done my shopping by now (Ok I think one year I was done early and I’ve never managed it again but like to think that that year was normal!) but this year I still have a few things to get and I’m too scared to venture out. Friday I came home early by way of the shopping zone and although it was only a weekday it looked like Saturday lunchtime.
It’s worse because I know I have to go out there next Saturday. I daren’t leave it any later...the craziness brings back too many memories of working retail in London over Christmas and the sales. Shudder…
On the weekend I managed to drum up the energy to go to the Food and Drink Fair at Ardingly. We went last year and got the best ham we’ve ever had and the same people were there this year as well. Plus the lovely wines, cheeses, sausages and pies that we got...it might be stressful but this Christmas is set to be a very yummy one too!
I finally got around to taking some pictures of the beanie (and my head) I recently finished. I didn't realise it came out so yellow. You can see the lovely self stripyness but unfortunately you can't feel the gorgeous softness of it!! It's Rowan Tapestry...in the Antique colourway I think.
Ok it's only a beanie...but it's my first beanie and I'm rather proud of it!
Now I just have to knit one for myself!! Thursday, 29 November 2007
Winter Warmer Soup
This is a great soup and definitely a keeper. Just the thing you need not only to warm you up but also cheer you up on a grey and dingy winter evening. Those days nothing feels better than to have a big bowl of warm and tasty soup and some crusty bread to sop it up with!!
Potato, leek and bacon
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
300g/12oz leeks, washed and finely sliced
300g/12oz potatoes, peeled and sliced
150g/6oz bacon, chopped. (I use 3-4 slices)
700ml/1¼pt stock (fresh chicken stock is best for flavor but stock cubes can be used)
290ml/½ pint milk (I'm not keen on milk for a variety of reasons and don't think the soup actually needs it. If it's a little gloupy - as potato based soups can get - I simply add more stock or just plain water)
fresh ground black pepper
Method
1. Sauté the potato, leeks and bacon in a pan, until soft but not coloured.
2. Add the stock and cook until the potatoes are tender. (about 15-20mins)
3. Whizz it, return to the pan and add the milk/stock/water.
4. Serve with warm chunks of bread or rolls spread with butter!!
How easy is that!! I love recipe's like this that produce loads of flavor and wow factor for very little work!
Potato, leek and bacon
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
300g/12oz leeks, washed and finely sliced
300g/12oz potatoes, peeled and sliced
150g/6oz bacon, chopped. (I use 3-4 slices)
700ml/1¼pt stock (fresh chicken stock is best for flavor but stock cubes can be used)
290ml/½ pint milk (I'm not keen on milk for a variety of reasons and don't think the soup actually needs it. If it's a little gloupy - as potato based soups can get - I simply add more stock or just plain water)
fresh ground black pepper
Method
1. Sauté the potato, leeks and bacon in a pan, until soft but not coloured.
2. Add the stock and cook until the potatoes are tender. (about 15-20mins)
3. Whizz it, return to the pan and add the milk/stock/water.
4. Serve with warm chunks of bread or rolls spread with butter!!
How easy is that!! I love recipe's like this that produce loads of flavor and wow factor for very little work!
Night Lights
These were taken a few weeks ago when we had to go up to London. I love this bridge so much, she's so stately and timeless. For me, she's the very heart of London.
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Beanie Love!
I have finished my very first beanie……for the second time!
This time I’ve sewn it up instead of ripping it back. (Read - taking a pair of sissors to it because at the time the yarn refused to rip and sissors appeared to be the only other alternative, PLUS cutting it was only slightly more scary that owning a too small beanie…I think I’d been drinking.)
I’m still not convinced that the finished product is a) neat enough to give away or b) the right size for the recipients head however it’s not all bad since it fits me quite nicely!!
Mostly though I'm just pretty darn proud of myself for actually knitting a beanie. Oh I know in the knitting scheme of things it's no big deal and next to the cardigan I finished recently this is small fry, I'll agree. But I love it anyway and the world seems somehow brighter. After the cardigan I was proud yes, but also exhausted. After the beanie I feel like casting on for another!!!
Suddenly there is so much oppertunity out there. Think stripes, think cables, think POM POMS!!!!
A-hem...unfortunatly I don’t have photos at the moment because I don’t have time for that sort of frivolity however I shall try to have some done over the weekend. No really I will try!!
It’s all getting a little ridiculous at the moment because the last postal dates are coming up quickly and with the huge amount of stuff I send out at this time every year...well lets just say I do put the silly in the silly season!
There are ‘things’ to be sorted and wrapped, cards and letters to be written, 7 birthdays to be accounted for and cards/presents to be included where appropriate. AND all of this needs to be carted down to the over crowded post office and indiviually weighed to get the correct postage to ensure that if something does come back to me…it ain’t my fault (are you listening this year Royal Mail?? The address to send the parcel/card to is on the front. Y'know, where the stamp is!!!!)
If that isn’t enough for you then I raise the stakes by sending said cards and parcels to no less than four different countries!!!!
Excuse me while I go open another bottle of wine!
This time I’ve sewn it up instead of ripping it back. (Read - taking a pair of sissors to it because at the time the yarn refused to rip and sissors appeared to be the only other alternative, PLUS cutting it was only slightly more scary that owning a too small beanie…I think I’d been drinking.)
I’m still not convinced that the finished product is a) neat enough to give away or b) the right size for the recipients head however it’s not all bad since it fits me quite nicely!!
Mostly though I'm just pretty darn proud of myself for actually knitting a beanie. Oh I know in the knitting scheme of things it's no big deal and next to the cardigan I finished recently this is small fry, I'll agree. But I love it anyway and the world seems somehow brighter. After the cardigan I was proud yes, but also exhausted. After the beanie I feel like casting on for another!!!
Suddenly there is so much oppertunity out there. Think stripes, think cables, think POM POMS!!!!
A-hem...unfortunatly I don’t have photos at the moment because I don’t have time for that sort of frivolity however I shall try to have some done over the weekend. No really I will try!!
It’s all getting a little ridiculous at the moment because the last postal dates are coming up quickly and with the huge amount of stuff I send out at this time every year...well lets just say I do put the silly in the silly season!
There are ‘things’ to be sorted and wrapped, cards and letters to be written, 7 birthdays to be accounted for and cards/presents to be included where appropriate. AND all of this needs to be carted down to the over crowded post office and indiviually weighed to get the correct postage to ensure that if something does come back to me…it ain’t my fault (are you listening this year Royal Mail?? The address to send the parcel/card to is on the front. Y'know, where the stamp is!!!!)
If that isn’t enough for you then I raise the stakes by sending said cards and parcels to no less than four different countries!!!!
Excuse me while I go open another bottle of wine!
Thursday, 22 November 2007
That Knitting Feeling
Knitting is cool…knitting is great…knitting is addictive and obsessive and compulsive!
Below is a selection of some of the things I want to knit in the new year.
The list is in no way complete, in order of importance and I reserve the right to find a gazillion new and exciting patterns to do instead or as well as, if I so want!!
Ribbed cap by Judy Gibson – currently in progress and about 70% done. It will look like a hat in time.
Below is a selection of some of the things I want to knit in the new year.
The list is in no way complete, in order of importance and I reserve the right to find a gazillion new and exciting patterns to do instead or as well as, if I so want!!
Ribbed cap by Judy Gibson – currently in progress and about 70% done. It will look like a hat in time.
Juno Regina Stole by Miriam L Felton
Knitting Tote by Donna Yacino
Coachella by Fathom Harvill
Ariann by Bonne Marie Burns
It's my aim to get the stole, tote and two tops done within the next 12 months. I know I knit slow but am hoping that I will speed up a little with experience and so I don't think it's too much to hope for. Unless of course I find other equally desireable and distracting patterns that I must knit now!!
Beans Mean Soup!
Ok…I’ll fess up…this is not a new soup but one we have again and again. It is however a winter soup if ever there was one as it’s so warming and lovely, plus it’s a cinch to make. All of which are exactly what I needed this week!
Bean and Tomato Soup
Ingredients500ml crushed tomatoes (I use a tin…it’s a bit less but does the job fine)
500ml chicken stock
500gm cooked red kidney beans. (again I just use a tin…two will make it thicker)
2 x garlic cloves crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp of harissa or chilli paste (to taste really)
Add tomatoes, beans and chicken stock into a blender or whatever and whiz till course (not smooth)
Put it all in a pot and add the garlic, lemon & harissa paste and heat till boiling.
Simmer for 10 mins or till well heated through and serve with chopped chives and parsley or grated Parmesan and crusty bread.
To atone for not having a new and exciting soup here are some more food pictures...
Banana cake! Hmmm……yummo
Beano pie! My take on one of the truly delicious pies we get from the shop down the street!
Bean and Tomato Soup
Ingredients500ml crushed tomatoes (I use a tin…it’s a bit less but does the job fine)
500ml chicken stock
500gm cooked red kidney beans. (again I just use a tin…two will make it thicker)
2 x garlic cloves crushed
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp of harissa or chilli paste (to taste really)
Add tomatoes, beans and chicken stock into a blender or whatever and whiz till course (not smooth)
Put it all in a pot and add the garlic, lemon & harissa paste and heat till boiling.
Simmer for 10 mins or till well heated through and serve with chopped chives and parsley or grated Parmesan and crusty bread.
To atone for not having a new and exciting soup here are some more food pictures...
Banana cake! Hmmm……yummo
Beano pie! My take on one of the truly delicious pies we get from the shop down the street! Now ok it's not the prettiest pie you ever did see but BOY did it taste good!!!
Dark Skies
Nothing exciting has happened today so here are some photos of the houses behind ours two weekends ago. I looked out the window to see the sun shining as bright as it ever did in summer and with the black clouds I thought it looked very moody! Wasn't long before the sun disapeared and the rain came down tho.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
No Brainer!
I think I’ve used up all my brain cells.
I wasn’t aware that I had a finite amount but it’s becoming clear that demand is exceeding supply. The progression of the problem is such that it is clearly visible not only to myself and those that know and love me regardless but also to complete strangers.
I am a very organised person. I write lists…hell I’m the queen of lists. I have lists of my lists……which is another discussion altogether! It’s enough just to say that I squeeze many things into my days. Sometimes I take on too much but usually I manage and on the odd occasion that I don’t there’s always some knitting and a glass of wine to help me regain perspective!
However recently it seems that I am incapable (not only of doing nothing but) of functioning at my usual standards. Recently it seems I have trouble buttoning up my shirts! In fact things are so bad I’m surprised I’m still feeding myself.
I’ve sent cards to the wrong addresses, double booked (and bought tickets) on no less than three occasions…and counting AND this morning I was busy standing in front of the door of my train waiting for the driver to appear and unlock it so I could find my seat and go to sleep when another ‘regular’ on the train approached me. It went a little something like this…
Me (muttering to myself) – “What does he want? This isn’t his usual carriage, go away strange man.”
Man (not strange at all) – “You do know there’s another train further up?”
Me – “Wah?”
Man – “Your standing in front of the wrong train?”
Me (looking at watch) – “Huh?”
Man (giving up and starting to walk away from a lost cause) – “The train we catch is in front of this train.”
Me (comprehension slowly dawning on me and running after man) – “OH MY GOD! Thank you so much, that’s so nice of you, I can’t believe I was that stupid”
Man (clearly sorry he stopped to talk to the strange lady) – “ah…excuse me!”
This degeneration of my intellect has been going on for a few months now and I am steadfast in my placement of the blame. It’s the weather and Christmas. One or the other I could handle but Snow in November (cruelly not at my house) and prolonged exposure to loud Christmas carols has rendered me unfit for participation in my own life, let alone any involvement in the outside world.
However I still have enough of my facilities to be exceedingly grateful to the lovely man who, although I see every day I’ve never spoken too, decided to take a moment out of his morning to ensure someone else’s morning wasn’t incredibly disastrous. Thank you. You have restored my faith in public transport and those that travel on it. And after last nights nose picking, mp3 sharing hooligan that’s really something!!
I wasn’t aware that I had a finite amount but it’s becoming clear that demand is exceeding supply. The progression of the problem is such that it is clearly visible not only to myself and those that know and love me regardless but also to complete strangers.
I am a very organised person. I write lists…hell I’m the queen of lists. I have lists of my lists……which is another discussion altogether! It’s enough just to say that I squeeze many things into my days. Sometimes I take on too much but usually I manage and on the odd occasion that I don’t there’s always some knitting and a glass of wine to help me regain perspective!
However recently it seems that I am incapable (not only of doing nothing but) of functioning at my usual standards. Recently it seems I have trouble buttoning up my shirts! In fact things are so bad I’m surprised I’m still feeding myself.
I’ve sent cards to the wrong addresses, double booked (and bought tickets) on no less than three occasions…and counting AND this morning I was busy standing in front of the door of my train waiting for the driver to appear and unlock it so I could find my seat and go to sleep when another ‘regular’ on the train approached me. It went a little something like this…
Me (muttering to myself) – “What does he want? This isn’t his usual carriage, go away strange man.”
Man (not strange at all) – “You do know there’s another train further up?”
Me – “Wah?”
Man – “Your standing in front of the wrong train?”
Me (looking at watch) – “Huh?”
Man (giving up and starting to walk away from a lost cause) – “The train we catch is in front of this train.”
Me (comprehension slowly dawning on me and running after man) – “OH MY GOD! Thank you so much, that’s so nice of you, I can’t believe I was that stupid”
Man (clearly sorry he stopped to talk to the strange lady) – “ah…excuse me!”
This degeneration of my intellect has been going on for a few months now and I am steadfast in my placement of the blame. It’s the weather and Christmas. One or the other I could handle but Snow in November (cruelly not at my house) and prolonged exposure to loud Christmas carols has rendered me unfit for participation in my own life, let alone any involvement in the outside world.
However I still have enough of my facilities to be exceedingly grateful to the lovely man who, although I see every day I’ve never spoken too, decided to take a moment out of his morning to ensure someone else’s morning wasn’t incredibly disastrous. Thank you. You have restored my faith in public transport and those that travel on it. And after last nights nose picking, mp3 sharing hooligan that’s really something!!
Hibernation
I am not a person who does nothing.
There are many people out there (and I doff my hat to them) who have no problems at all doing nothing. They will sit around all day without even giving it a second thought and achieve little but relaxation. See…I can’t even think of people doing nothing without hoping that they get something out of it. They might not be relaxed at all!
I should state that by nothing I mean nothing productive. I don’t mean simply sitting in a chair staring at the wall…although that is both doing nothing…and doing something…since you are actually sitting and staring…...oh dear!
In any case I am incapable. I spend my weekends in a hive of activity…I usually write a list so long that even superman would struggle to complete it. My week nights are carefully allocated time slots filled with dedication and determination. I will do everything, I will do it perfectly and I won’t waste any time about it!!!
I can’t help it. It’s the way I am. Some might say it’s unhealthy but I say no more so that other quirks people have like eating Vegemite and cheese together………
I have for some time now been working on ways to lessen the stress caused by not getting entire lists completed. Training myself to write smaller lists and to simply transfer the “un-ticked” items to a new list rather than throwing a tantrum. It seems to be working too. With smaller lists I accomplish a greater percentage of the items and therefore feel better about myself and life in general. It must be having a knock on effect as well because Sunday…
for the first time ever…………
I did nothing.
Now I’m going to qualify that because although it felt like nothing to me (ie I accomplished nothing) to others it may look like I actually did a fair bit. So to clear things up...
Sunday I sat on the couch, watched Sherlock Holmes for the entire afternoon and knitted a beanie!
What makes me feel like I did nothing is all the things I didn’t do. I didn’t cook, I didn’t do the washing, I didn’t study, I didn’t take any photos, I didn’t go through any paperwork, I didn’t check my email, I didn’t go down to the pub as planned, I didn’t move from the couch except to get snacks etc.
In my defence it was blowing a gale and snowing…or hailing or sleeting or everything and there was really nothing on this earth that would have moved me from my comfy warm spot on the couch!!
Of course now I have to get everything done tonight!!!
There are many people out there (and I doff my hat to them) who have no problems at all doing nothing. They will sit around all day without even giving it a second thought and achieve little but relaxation. See…I can’t even think of people doing nothing without hoping that they get something out of it. They might not be relaxed at all!
I should state that by nothing I mean nothing productive. I don’t mean simply sitting in a chair staring at the wall…although that is both doing nothing…and doing something…since you are actually sitting and staring…...oh dear!
In any case I am incapable. I spend my weekends in a hive of activity…I usually write a list so long that even superman would struggle to complete it. My week nights are carefully allocated time slots filled with dedication and determination. I will do everything, I will do it perfectly and I won’t waste any time about it!!!
I can’t help it. It’s the way I am. Some might say it’s unhealthy but I say no more so that other quirks people have like eating Vegemite and cheese together………
I have for some time now been working on ways to lessen the stress caused by not getting entire lists completed. Training myself to write smaller lists and to simply transfer the “un-ticked” items to a new list rather than throwing a tantrum. It seems to be working too. With smaller lists I accomplish a greater percentage of the items and therefore feel better about myself and life in general. It must be having a knock on effect as well because Sunday…
for the first time ever…………
I did nothing.
Now I’m going to qualify that because although it felt like nothing to me (ie I accomplished nothing) to others it may look like I actually did a fair bit. So to clear things up...
Sunday I sat on the couch, watched Sherlock Holmes for the entire afternoon and knitted a beanie!
What makes me feel like I did nothing is all the things I didn’t do. I didn’t cook, I didn’t do the washing, I didn’t study, I didn’t take any photos, I didn’t go through any paperwork, I didn’t check my email, I didn’t go down to the pub as planned, I didn’t move from the couch except to get snacks etc.
In my defence it was blowing a gale and snowing…or hailing or sleeting or everything and there was really nothing on this earth that would have moved me from my comfy warm spot on the couch!!
Of course now I have to get everything done tonight!!!
Friday, 16 November 2007
Thursday Soup Kitchen
MY God was it cold this morning!!! Windscreens frozen over and the countryside as white as if it had actually snowed. And I had to look twice as in some places it did actually look like snow! Sadly it wasn’t and even more sadly I didn’t have my camera with me…these are the times I wish I had a camera phone!
Anyway perfect weather for soup I reckon!! Unfortunately I was all out of inspiration this week. I really wanted to do something a little different or more unusual but couldn't find anything I wanted to eat and just ended up chucking everything I could find into the pot.
It’s not a bad way to go about it, particularly when trying to use up vegetables towards the end of the week or just wanting something warm and comforting to munch on.
Anyway perfect weather for soup I reckon!! Unfortunately I was all out of inspiration this week. I really wanted to do something a little different or more unusual but couldn't find anything I wanted to eat and just ended up chucking everything I could find into the pot.
It’s not a bad way to go about it, particularly when trying to use up vegetables towards the end of the week or just wanting something warm and comforting to munch on.
Mish Mash Soup, Whatever Soup, Leftover Soup, Bitsa Soup, 'Little bit of this' Soup, 'All together' Soup, 'You name it, we got it' Soup, Pot 'O Soup etc, etc...
So here’s what I put in…
1 large onion
2 sticks of celery
1 small carrot (would have put more if we’d had them)
Some broccoli
Some cauliflower
Large handful of rice (any will work just fine)
Enough vegetable stock to cover the veg
Herbs, salt and pepper as you wish (I did basil, oregano & parsley with some black pepper…I’ll add salt at the end if it needs it)
Chop it all up and then whack it all into a pot.
Bring to the boil and then simmer till the rice and veg are cooked.
Then you can either whiz for a smooth soup or leave as is for a chunky soup
Serve with warm bread rolls smothered in butter!!!
Note: - if you make this ahead of time like I do you may find you have to add more liquid to the soup when you come to reheat it as the rice will absorb it all.
And there you go. Never the same twice but always yummy and perfect for those days you can’t be bothered cooking. I’m sure you’ve all done something similar before.
I think the most exciting thing about this soup is that I was cooking a courgette (zucchini) bake which calls for the excess juice to be squeezed out of the courgette and in a fit of old style self sufficiency I saved the juice and used it in the vegetable stock for the soup! It was a very satisfying green colour and just think of all that extra goodness!!!
For those cooking type people I not only cooked the soup and the courgette bake but also did a smoked salmon quiche (so, so good!) and banana & butterscotch chocolate muffins (drool).
I’m feeling the need to do something really nice this weekend…something that requires a little more effort and if this happens and I remember the camera I’ll post some pic’s of whatever I make next Monday. Maybe a pie…
1 large onion
2 sticks of celery
1 small carrot (would have put more if we’d had them)
Some broccoli
Some cauliflower
Large handful of rice (any will work just fine)
Enough vegetable stock to cover the veg
Herbs, salt and pepper as you wish (I did basil, oregano & parsley with some black pepper…I’ll add salt at the end if it needs it)
Chop it all up and then whack it all into a pot.
Bring to the boil and then simmer till the rice and veg are cooked.
Then you can either whiz for a smooth soup or leave as is for a chunky soup
Serve with warm bread rolls smothered in butter!!!
Note: - if you make this ahead of time like I do you may find you have to add more liquid to the soup when you come to reheat it as the rice will absorb it all.
And there you go. Never the same twice but always yummy and perfect for those days you can’t be bothered cooking. I’m sure you’ve all done something similar before.
I think the most exciting thing about this soup is that I was cooking a courgette (zucchini) bake which calls for the excess juice to be squeezed out of the courgette and in a fit of old style self sufficiency I saved the juice and used it in the vegetable stock for the soup! It was a very satisfying green colour and just think of all that extra goodness!!!
For those cooking type people I not only cooked the soup and the courgette bake but also did a smoked salmon quiche (so, so good!) and banana & butterscotch chocolate muffins (drool).
I’m feeling the need to do something really nice this weekend…something that requires a little more effort and if this happens and I remember the camera I’ll post some pic’s of whatever I make next Monday. Maybe a pie…
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
Wednesday Ramblings
Having finished the cardigan I now find myself with a multitude of slightly smaller projects to knit for Christmas that need starting ASAP but for lack of yarn or the correct needle size or whatever I can’t do anything yet.
I am not worried tho noooo…I have from a reliable source that there are still 42 knitting days before Christmas and I am confident that I will get these things finished……stop laughing. As the local store doesn’t seem to stock very much of what I need I’ve ordered these things online and hopefully I shall be knitting happily away over the weekend. Currently I’m biding my time knitting this....the Pippa felted bag by Rowan
I am not worried tho noooo…I have from a reliable source that there are still 42 knitting days before Christmas and I am confident that I will get these things finished……stop laughing. As the local store doesn’t seem to stock very much of what I need I’ve ordered these things online and hopefully I shall be knitting happily away over the weekend. Currently I’m biding my time knitting this....the Pippa felted bag by Rowan
It’s a bag…it's a felted bag. It shall be pretty and make people stop me in the street to ask me where I bought it when I have finished it!! Oh yes it shall!
I have one side done so far so I guess that’s about a third of the way. It’s straight forward and mindless which is nice when you’re watching TV and trying to keep tabs on who’s got what power in Hero’s!
Can anyone else feel the hot breath of the festive season on their necks? We have our first Christmas card, restaurants are taking bookings and the stores all have their decorations up. Christmas adds are all over the TV and the race for the No.1 Music Chart position has started.
YUP, tis the season to huddle in fear under the duvet with a bottle of scotch...or is that just me?
The new program for the Duke of York cinema has come out and it is jam packed with loads of stuff I want to see but know I will never have the time. It’s not just sad it’s a crime to have such a cinema so close and use it so infrequently. I hang my head low with shame but see no way to change the situation…at least this year. (oh and you know Christmas is close when you start saying that!!!!)
Perhaps I should switch soup of the week for film of the week but I’m still not sure that would miraculously create extra hours in my week.
And to finish off this rambling blog here’s a weird photo for you. Took it a week ago through the window and I think it's pretty cool!
Monday, 12 November 2007
FINISHED!!!!
YAY...it's finished!!!! Well ok, it's actually been finished for a week now but I've not had the time to take photos and there seemed little point to posting without the proof to back it up. Anyway now it's been very carefully ironed and seems to be sitting as well as its gonna. There is some gathering where the rib meets the front panels but since this is all first time stuff for me I'm just pleased to have a garment that I'd be happy to wear out in public! A little gathering never hurt anyone anyhoo.
So despite the length of time it's taken and the previously mentioned gathering I'm really quite proud of myself. I've been told it wasn't the easiest of patterns for someone with limited knitting experience and it has definitely been a steep learning curve. However I don't hate the colour and I can stand the sight of it even after all the ripping and tinking that was involved so that must mean it's a success!!!!
The finished product!!(Please ignore the mess in the background)
A clearer shot of the cardy 
An arty shot of the stitches!
So despite the length of time it's taken and the previously mentioned gathering I'm really quite proud of myself. I've been told it wasn't the easiest of patterns for someone with limited knitting experience and it has definitely been a steep learning curve. However I don't hate the colour and I can stand the sight of it even after all the ripping and tinking that was involved so that must mean it's a success!!!!
The finished product!!(Please ignore the mess in the background)
A clearer shot of the cardy 
An arty shot of the stitches! Saturday, 10 November 2007
Thursday, 8 November 2007
Broad Bean Soup
Easy Peasy. This is a real wintery one and should be eaten with crusty bread or possibly some thickly cut garlic bread....nice!
Broad Bean Soup
Ingredients
90g/1oz unsalted butter
1 ½ potato approx, peeled and diced (small to medium size….larger ones work but the soup becomes really thick)
870ml/1 ½ pint vegetable stock
255g/9oz broad beans, cooked and shelled
salt and freshly ground black pepper
small handful of parsley, chopped
splash of white wine
Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the potato for 3-4 minutes.Then pour in the stock, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat.Stir in the broad beans, seasoning and parsley and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the veg are tender.Add the white wine if you are going to and whiz the soup till it’s smooth and yummy looking. Return to the pan to warm through and serve.
oops....nearly forgot to say this serves 3...or 4 if used as starter
Broad Bean Soup
Ingredients
90g/1oz unsalted butter
1 ½ potato approx, peeled and diced (small to medium size….larger ones work but the soup becomes really thick)
870ml/1 ½ pint vegetable stock
255g/9oz broad beans, cooked and shelled
salt and freshly ground black pepper
small handful of parsley, chopped
splash of white wine
Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the potato for 3-4 minutes.Then pour in the stock, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat.Stir in the broad beans, seasoning and parsley and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, or until the veg are tender.Add the white wine if you are going to and whiz the soup till it’s smooth and yummy looking. Return to the pan to warm through and serve.
oops....nearly forgot to say this serves 3...or 4 if used as starter
Ravelry, ravelry, ravelry...
What a great idea that site is! I can happily whittle away the day just wandering around other peoples projects. Finding out what they are doing with the same yarn that I have. Looking for inspiration...and finding it in larger quantities than I can handle!
If any knitters are reading this chances are they've heard of it otherwise you may be wondering what I'm raving on about! Ravelry is a knitting site, a community, a database, an information source and a source of inspiration all rolled into one. I say knitting but it also includes crochet, spinning and other such crafty pursuits.
It gathers all these crafty type people into one place and accumulates information about them. What they've knitted recently, works in progress, what they want to do next, what yarn is in their stash, what they think of various patterns and yarns. Then after that's done you sit back and enjoy the important task of browsing!!
I can search on patterns or yarns or yarn companies or designers or people or groups or places (there are quite a few knitters where I am!). I can read their blogs and websites, message them, ask for advice or join a group or post on the forum. If I find something I like I can bookmark it; putting patterns in my queue is something I'm doing a little tooo much of late. My queue is ninety hundred miles long at the moment!
It really is quite an amazing resource...but I haven't logged of it in what feels like 3 days!!! eek
If any knitters are reading this chances are they've heard of it otherwise you may be wondering what I'm raving on about! Ravelry is a knitting site, a community, a database, an information source and a source of inspiration all rolled into one. I say knitting but it also includes crochet, spinning and other such crafty pursuits.
It gathers all these crafty type people into one place and accumulates information about them. What they've knitted recently, works in progress, what they want to do next, what yarn is in their stash, what they think of various patterns and yarns. Then after that's done you sit back and enjoy the important task of browsing!!
I can search on patterns or yarns or yarn companies or designers or people or groups or places (there are quite a few knitters where I am!). I can read their blogs and websites, message them, ask for advice or join a group or post on the forum. If I find something I like I can bookmark it; putting patterns in my queue is something I'm doing a little tooo much of late. My queue is ninety hundred miles long at the moment!
It really is quite an amazing resource...but I haven't logged of it in what feels like 3 days!!! eek
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
Bonfires Burning....
Guy Fawkes Night was the main attraction this weekend. Technically it’s today but most people and public displays of fireworks celebrated on the Saturday because that’s what weekends are for! The “official” displays at Lewes are on tonight but I don’t think we’re going to make it this year. Just can’t be bothered with the crowds and hassle even though the fireworks there are the best I’ve ever seen.
Anyway here are a couple of photos of our bonfire celebration. We went up to a friends allotment and burnt all the wood we’d saved up over the year, cooked produce off the allotment, drank mulled wine and generally had a very entertaining night which had very little to do with the original meaning of the night.
Anyway here are a couple of photos of our bonfire celebration. We went up to a friends allotment and burnt all the wood we’d saved up over the year, cooked produce off the allotment, drank mulled wine and generally had a very entertaining night which had very little to do with the original meaning of the night.
Anyway it was a great night and I’ll get more photos online this week (fingers crossed!)
The bonfire
The food a burnin!
A wobbly firework
Catherine wheel
A big box thing which was called "super nova".
The bonfire
The food a burnin!
A wobbly firework
Catherine wheel
A big box thing which was called "super nova".Thursday, 1 November 2007
Creamy Chicken, Celery & Leek Soup
Proof that you should always listen to what it is that you feel you want to eat. This was the best soup I’ve done in ages and I think that was mostly because I’d made myself wait for so long before making it. I should have done it last week and disregarded the opinion of others. After all…when I feel sick or in need of comfort I don’t think Chicken and pasta broth….I think creamy, warm, smooth chickeny goodness.
And that’s what this soup is folks. It’s a winter soup, a comfort soup, a soup for the soul. Make it and make it now!!
Creamy Chicken, Celery & Leek Soup
1lt Chicken stock
1 bay leaf
200gm Chicken breast (I used 2 medium sized ones…came to a bit more than 300 and was fine)
4 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp Butter
1 small onion finely chopped
3 large leeks (green included) thinly chopped
2 stalks of celery, peeled & sliced
2 tbsp double cream (I didn’t put this in and don’t think you need it at all)
Fresh grated nutmeg
Salt & pepper
Heat the stock until steaming and then add in the bay leaf and chicken breasts.
Simmer for about 20 mins until the chicken is cooked.
Remove chicken from stock and set aside & dice when cooled. Throw away bay leaf.
Place the flour in a bowl and slowly whisk in the stock to form a smooth liquid. Use about ½ the stock.
Sauté half the celery, all the leeks and onion in a pan with the butter.
Pour in the flour liquid and bring to the boil stirring constantly.
Add in the rest of the stock and simmer for 20mins until the veg are cooked.
Whiz the soup.
Stir in the nutmeg and cream (if your using it), ½ the celery and the diced chicken.
Simmer until the celery is cooked and season to taste.
I have a photo but it didn't turn out that well. There's a real trick to taking photos of food and making them look appetizing.....I haven't mastered it yet apparently so no photo this week!!
And that’s what this soup is folks. It’s a winter soup, a comfort soup, a soup for the soul. Make it and make it now!!
Creamy Chicken, Celery & Leek Soup
1lt Chicken stock
1 bay leaf
200gm Chicken breast (I used 2 medium sized ones…came to a bit more than 300 and was fine)
4 tbsp plain flour
2 tsp Butter
1 small onion finely chopped
3 large leeks (green included) thinly chopped
2 stalks of celery, peeled & sliced
2 tbsp double cream (I didn’t put this in and don’t think you need it at all)
Fresh grated nutmeg
Salt & pepper
Heat the stock until steaming and then add in the bay leaf and chicken breasts.
Simmer for about 20 mins until the chicken is cooked.
Remove chicken from stock and set aside & dice when cooled. Throw away bay leaf.
Place the flour in a bowl and slowly whisk in the stock to form a smooth liquid. Use about ½ the stock.
Sauté half the celery, all the leeks and onion in a pan with the butter.
Pour in the flour liquid and bring to the boil stirring constantly.
Add in the rest of the stock and simmer for 20mins until the veg are cooked.
Whiz the soup.
Stir in the nutmeg and cream (if your using it), ½ the celery and the diced chicken.
Simmer until the celery is cooked and season to taste.
I have a photo but it didn't turn out that well. There's a real trick to taking photos of food and making them look appetizing.....I haven't mastered it yet apparently so no photo this week!!
Nanowrimo
I’d like to do a bit of a shout out to all those people that started Nanowrimo today. They have ahead of them a month of pain and despair, of joy and triumph, of tears and laughter, of surprise and dead ends.
They will wear their fingers down to the nubs over 30 days, pull their hair out, bang their heads against the walls and punch the air with their fists! They will drink copious amounts of coffee and red bull, eat tons of chocolate and order enough take away to feed a small nation. Collectively they will type or write millions of words and quite possibly even invent some new ones. Together they will pace enough steps to circumnavigate the globe and on the quiet they will shed over a million tears of frustration and joy.
During this month they will distance themselves from friends and families. Instead they will gather with strangers in cafes and pubs around the globe. Huddling over pieces of paper and laptops, whispering advice, offering condolences and handing out encouragement.
They will lock themselves in bedrooms, spare rooms and bathrooms to find peace. They will turn music up or down, hide TV remote controls and go to any lengths to find quiet.
They will focus all their energies onto one task and in doing so will become writers.
Those that can go the distance, stay on track, hold to their purpose…they will become novelists.
Last year there were over 79,000 participants from countries all over the world, 13,000 of which crossed the finish line with 50,000 words or more. In the corners of blogs and websites across the internet you will come across tiny icons with the words “Nanowrimo winner”. These are the people who stuck too it and wrote through all the pain coming out the other end of November with a real, live novel.
For the past three years I have proudly been one of them…but sadly not this year. I want to, I really do. I feel like I’m letting the side down. I feel left out, unloved and alone. I could still start now despite no preparation (ok so I’ve been thinking about this idea for the last month) BUT I have to be strong. I have a course to finish and I know how disappointed I’ll be if I don’t achieve this. So the choice had to be made and I can live with it although today is hard.
Of course nothings going to stop me fine tuning my idea and holding my own Nanowrimo in March!!
They will wear their fingers down to the nubs over 30 days, pull their hair out, bang their heads against the walls and punch the air with their fists! They will drink copious amounts of coffee and red bull, eat tons of chocolate and order enough take away to feed a small nation. Collectively they will type or write millions of words and quite possibly even invent some new ones. Together they will pace enough steps to circumnavigate the globe and on the quiet they will shed over a million tears of frustration and joy.
During this month they will distance themselves from friends and families. Instead they will gather with strangers in cafes and pubs around the globe. Huddling over pieces of paper and laptops, whispering advice, offering condolences and handing out encouragement.
They will lock themselves in bedrooms, spare rooms and bathrooms to find peace. They will turn music up or down, hide TV remote controls and go to any lengths to find quiet.
They will focus all their energies onto one task and in doing so will become writers.
Those that can go the distance, stay on track, hold to their purpose…they will become novelists.
Last year there were over 79,000 participants from countries all over the world, 13,000 of which crossed the finish line with 50,000 words or more. In the corners of blogs and websites across the internet you will come across tiny icons with the words “Nanowrimo winner”. These are the people who stuck too it and wrote through all the pain coming out the other end of November with a real, live novel.
For the past three years I have proudly been one of them…but sadly not this year. I want to, I really do. I feel like I’m letting the side down. I feel left out, unloved and alone. I could still start now despite no preparation (ok so I’ve been thinking about this idea for the last month) BUT I have to be strong. I have a course to finish and I know how disappointed I’ll be if I don’t achieve this. So the choice had to be made and I can live with it although today is hard.
Of course nothings going to stop me fine tuning my idea and holding my own Nanowrimo in March!!
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Seasonal goodies!
This time of year means many things to many people but to me it means food!! I love to feed people...I have no idea where the need came from but the force is in me and feed folks I must. AND there is so much scope for that around Christmas. It starts about now. Mince meat, Christmas puddings, things marinating in alcohol, freezing things now for extra mouths later. I love it!!
My Christmas magazines come out this week too and I'm excited, stupid excited, ridiculously "I have no life nor any other interests and I don't mind sharing it with the world" excited!!
2 or 3 magazines with nothing but recipes of things I could cook...lovely!
Having admitted publicly to the sadness that is me and my life perhaps your impressions will change when you see what I'm up to at the moment......Lemon Verbena Liquor
All's I'll say is that a herb, some vodka and a little bit of time make a whole lotta heaven!!!!!
My Christmas magazines come out this week too and I'm excited, stupid excited, ridiculously "I have no life nor any other interests and I don't mind sharing it with the world" excited!!
2 or 3 magazines with nothing but recipes of things I could cook...lovely!
Having admitted publicly to the sadness that is me and my life perhaps your impressions will change when you see what I'm up to at the moment......Lemon Verbena Liquor
All's I'll say is that a herb, some vodka and a little bit of time make a whole lotta heaven!!!!!
Kniting Photos...
Because I'm currently excited about the cardigan type top I took some pics over the weekend for all you lovely people that I'm sure are out there at this very moment reading this very blog!!
Below is the second (left) front where I have picked up 212 stitches and begun knitting the rib.
Here you can see the first (right) side which looks more like a boot than a cardigan!
A tantalizing glimpse of what the finished product might resemble!!!!
An artistic close up shot of the stitches
Below is the second (left) front where I have picked up 212 stitches and begun knitting the rib.
Here you can see the first (right) side which looks more like a boot than a cardigan!
A tantalizing glimpse of what the finished product might resemble!!!!
An artistic close up shot of the stitches
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Chicken & Pasta Broth
This weeks soup was a bit of a comprimise. I've had a craving for a creamy chicken soup but I really wanted to do something in keeping with the season....like you would have when feeling sick or in need of some comfort food.Everyone I spoke to said that Chicken Noodle or Chicken with Pasta is what you have at those times and so I put my own cravings aside (how selfless!!!) and went with the majority.
I have to say it tasted lovely even tho it didn't come out at all like the photo in the cook book. The only thing I changed was brocoli instead of carrots...cause we didn't have any!
Here's a nice arty close up shot designed to make your mouth water! It's hard taking photos of food and making it look niceChicken & Pasta Broth
350gm boneless
1 medium onion, diced
250gm carrots, diced
250gm, cauliflower florets, chopped small
850ml chicken stock
2 tsp mixed herbs (thyme, oregano whatever etc)
125gm small pasta shapes
2 tbsp sunflower oil
Parmesan cheese
Remove skin from chicken and dice.
Sauté chicken, onion, carrot & cauliflower in oil until lightly coloured
Stir in stock & herbs & bring to the boil
Add pasta shapes & bring back to the boil before covering pan and simmering for 10 mins
Stir occasionally to prevent pasta sticking
Season & serve with parmesan cheese
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