Just have to do a quick tribute to Nigel Slater post. Tonight's dinner was delicious, due in no small part to Nige.
It started with his slow roast lamb with roast spuds, parsnips, carrots and delicious gravy.
And finished with his ginger cake with lashings of custard.
Wow. I'm stuffed but it was very very good.
Just realised I'm getting near to post 300 - what shall I do to celebrate? How did you celebrate a milestone on your blog?
Sunday, 31 January 2010
I must be getting old...
... but I am rather happy with my new sideboard.
There's room for my cup collection and my lovely jugs. And Toby looks very smart standing in front of it in the sun.
I have another new thing to blog about - Nina - but that will wait for another day.
There's room for my cup collection and my lovely jugs. And Toby looks very smart standing in front of it in the sun.
I have another new thing to blog about - Nina - but that will wait for another day.
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Lone frog
You have to feel sorry for him - he used to be one of over 200 but now he's the last one left. My frog collection is no more but I'm keeping this one as a little reminder of my childhood.
He's made by Poole pottery and I think he's rather handsome.
I did try kissing him once but nothing happened. But as I'm married that's probably just as well.
What did you collect as a child? What do you collect now?
He's made by Poole pottery and I think he's rather handsome.
I did try kissing him once but nothing happened. But as I'm married that's probably just as well.
What did you collect as a child? What do you collect now?
Friday, 15 January 2010
Pets do the funniest things
Toby tried to steal the limelight from the beautiful new cushion. I think he succeeded, bless him.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Yummy fabric makes a yummy cushion cover
Apologies for poor lighting but really wanted to get a photo of the cushion cover I made with beautiful fabric by Cicada Studio.
In other news I'm in the process of deciding on a new sewing machine - I had a little lunchtime outing to Quilter's Haven yesterday to see Karin and the gang and have a play with the Berninas. I swear I bought my car with less thought than this but I reckon my new machine will last much longer than my car (aka Fester) so it's time well invested. I'll keep you posted of any decisions and of course show a photo of the new arrival as and when I get her (her for a sewing machine? my car is a him).
It seems a little frivolous talking about sewing machines and cushions at a time when such a huge tragedy is unfurling in Haiti. If you're donating money, be sure you're using a genuine website. The DEC is the one I usually use.
In other news I'm in the process of deciding on a new sewing machine - I had a little lunchtime outing to Quilter's Haven yesterday to see Karin and the gang and have a play with the Berninas. I swear I bought my car with less thought than this but I reckon my new machine will last much longer than my car (aka Fester) so it's time well invested. I'll keep you posted of any decisions and of course show a photo of the new arrival as and when I get her (her for a sewing machine? my car is a him).
It seems a little frivolous talking about sewing machines and cushions at a time when such a huge tragedy is unfurling in Haiti. If you're donating money, be sure you're using a genuine website. The DEC is the one I usually use.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Being snowed in...
Has meant pancakes in bed, banana bread and warming soup.
Quick edit to add the link for the banana bread - the best I've ever tried, honestly.
Quick edit to add the link for the banana bread - the best I've ever tried, honestly.
Friday, 8 January 2010
This time last year...
I was thinking about bridesmaid dresses, the year ahead and the excitement 2009 was going to bring.
I wonder what 2010 will bring (other than snow so far) - I already know there's going to be a baby (no, not me) and a wedding, and a new house. I wonder what else?
What are you hoping for in 2010?
I wonder what 2010 will bring (other than snow so far) - I already know there's going to be a baby (no, not me) and a wedding, and a new house. I wonder what else?
What are you hoping for in 2010?
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Christmas may be over...
and the tree may have been recycled but I haven't put this pretty bowl of baubles away yet. I think I can get away with keeping them out for a while longer yet don't you?
Are you holding on to any of your Christmas decor still?
Are you holding on to any of your Christmas decor still?
Monday, 4 January 2010
Sunday, 3 January 2010
2010 - what's occurring?
A new year means resolutions but as I already have a 101 in 1001 list I thought that it was time to revisit it and see what's been done and what hasn't. There have been a few edits from the original but it's pretty much the same. So it looks like there'll be lots of things occurring in 2010 if I'm going to get through this lot!
Start date: 30 August 2009
Finish date: 27 May 2012
1. Research family tree - in progress, going to concentrate on the female line, thanks to inspiration from this book.
2. After doing family history, visit some of the places my family lived - I really want to try and do this later this year.
3. Make my first quilt - again hoping to do this year.
4. Build a website from scratch
5.Get married! - yup, done that!
6. Have a go at geocaching
7. Write a book
8. Write menu plans- seasonal and cheap- every week for a month (0/4)
9. Grow potatoes
10. Join a screenprinting class
11.Go on safari - yes and it was wonderful!
12. Move house - in the plans for this year
13. Do something creative every day for a week (0/7)
14. Do something creative every day for a month (0/30)
15. Run 5K (run the whole thing)
16. Eat 5 things I've never tried before (4/5) - accomplished most of this on honeymoon: Crocodile, Kudu, Warthog and Ostrich
17. Cook 5 things I've never cooked before (2/5)- Liver and Christmas pudding
18. Make a scrapbook of my 30th birthday
19. Make a scrapbook of my hen do
20. Make a scrapbook of our wedding
21. Try waxing (at a salon, not eyebrows)
22. Write a routine for cleaning/house management
23. Go to opera for the first time
24. Go to the ballet again
25. Donate blood again as soon as I'm able
26. Volunteer 101 hours (3/101) - a beach clean
27.Make & write thank you cards for Amanda & Kate
28. Perform 101 random acts of kindness (1/101) - I need to get cracking on this one.
29. Read the ones I haven't already from this list - ( only 3 so far: Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy & To kill a mockingbird, The Great Gatsby)
30. Participate in a craft fair
31. Blog daily for a week (0/7)
32. Blog daily for a month (0/30)
33. Finish the charity shop quilt I bought
34. Make a zine
35. Learn to make clip frame purses
36. Learn to knit
37. Learn to crochet granny squares
38. Organise and tidy craft room - in progress out of necessity due to hoping to move this year!
39. Go to an auction
40. Document my tea cup collection
41. Get a promotion
42. Climb Snowdonia
43. Have another horse riding lesson
44. Select & take part in a “big” charity event like the Moonwalk
45.Take part in a beach cleaning event - yes, September 2009
46. Get up at 7am every day for a week (0/7)
47. Get up at 7am every day for a month (0/30)
48. Learn another craft I haven't already done
49. Set up bi-monthly craft nights/afternoons (0/16)
50. Set up a water butt
51. And a compost bin
52. Take part in illustration friday, once a week for a month (0/4)
53. Visit a farmers' market or farm shop once a month (5/33)
54. Continue to run the Christmas giving tree at work every year 1/2) - see recent post about this year's tree.
55. Treat myself to a 'treatment', either in a salon or DIY, once a month (0/33)
56. Go to yoga once a week for a month (0/4)
57. Make lunch to take to work every day for a week (0/5)
58. Make lunch to take to work every day for a month (0/20)
59. Write a love letter to Ben every month (4/33)
60. Start a new collection- perfume bottles? Vintage clothes?
61.Go on a picnic - yes, whilst on safari, up in a tree house!
62. Visit a local attraction once a month e.g. beach, park, museum etc. (3/33)
63.Update my blog template - yes, today!
64. Make a skirt
65. Make a dress
66. Go to a classical music concert
67. Polish up my French before next holiday in France
68. Buy a Diane von Furstenberg dress
69. Buy a vintage dress
70. Donate something to freecycle, or a charity shop, once a month, on average (0/33)
71. Turn down plastic bags for a month (0/30)
72. Make some reusable shopping bags to fit in my handbag
73. Visit five countries (3/5) - South Africa, Mauritius and Dubai
74. Write a letter to myself to be opened on my 33rd birthday
75.Find a photo of myself that I like and frame it - an easy one really as we're now surrounded by wedding photos.
76. Make a cake for Ben's 36th birthday
77. Have a session with a personal shopper
78. Learn about a historical period (Tudors?)
79. Read 10 biographies (0/10)
80.Have a boudoir photo session
81. Make something from each of my craft books- donate to charity any books I don't make anything from
82. Finish working through the book, “ The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to be the Artist You Truly Are”
83. At least once a month, go to sleep without reading first (it drives Ben mad!) (5/33)
84. Buy new glasses
85. Go to New York again (with Ben)
86. Re-stock etsy shop
87. Find a new band/singer every month and listen to their album (2/33)
88. Get my hair cut every 8 weeks (I hate having my hair cut) (0/17)
89. Go to motocross or fishing with Ben once every 2 months without complaining (on average, season permitting!) (0/17)
90. Eat a piece of fruit every day for a month (0/30)
91. Pay my naughty library fine and don't get any more fines! - I did pay it off but just got another fine the other week, whoops!
92. Make something and give it to a friend for no reason
93. Make 100 handmade presents (7/100)
94. Plant a tree
95. Have a spa day, just because
96. Give snowboarding another try
97. Watch 20 of the Times top 100 films (1/20)
98. Read a newspaper every day for a week (0/7)
99.Learn how to use my mac (I really need to learn the shortcuts I'm so used to with Windows!) - pretty comfortable with it now.
100. Start an art journal
101.Sleep outside - another one we did on honeymoon - we spent the night on our own in the bush up a treehouse. Hyenas attacked our toilet!
Start date: 30 August 2009
Finish date: 27 May 2012
1. Research family tree - in progress, going to concentrate on the female line, thanks to inspiration from this book.
2. After doing family history, visit some of the places my family lived - I really want to try and do this later this year.
3. Make my first quilt - again hoping to do this year.
4. Build a website from scratch
5.
6. Have a go at geocaching
7. Write a book
8. Write menu plans- seasonal and cheap- every week for a month (0/4)
9. Grow potatoes
10. Join a screenprinting class
11.
12. Move house - in the plans for this year
13. Do something creative every day for a week (0/7)
14. Do something creative every day for a month (0/30)
15. Run 5K (run the whole thing)
16. Eat 5 things I've never tried before (4/5) - accomplished most of this on honeymoon: Crocodile, Kudu, Warthog and Ostrich
17. Cook 5 things I've never cooked before (2/5)- Liver and Christmas pudding
18. Make a scrapbook of my 30th birthday
19. Make a scrapbook of my hen do
20. Make a scrapbook of our wedding
21. Try waxing (at a salon, not eyebrows)
22. Write a routine for cleaning/house management
23. Go to opera for the first time
24. Go to the ballet again
25. Donate blood again as soon as I'm able
26. Volunteer 101 hours (3/101) - a beach clean
27.
28. Perform 101 random acts of kindness (1/101) - I need to get cracking on this one.
29. Read the ones I haven't already from this list - ( only 3 so far: Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy & To kill a mockingbird, The Great Gatsby)
30. Participate in a craft fair
31. Blog daily for a week (0/7)
32. Blog daily for a month (0/30)
33. Finish the charity shop quilt I bought
34. Make a zine
35. Learn to make clip frame purses
36. Learn to knit
37. Learn to crochet granny squares
38. Organise and tidy craft room - in progress out of necessity due to hoping to move this year!
39. Go to an auction
40. Document my tea cup collection
41. Get a promotion
42. Climb Snowdonia
43. Have another horse riding lesson
44. Select & take part in a “big” charity event like the Moonwalk
45.
46. Get up at 7am every day for a week (0/7)
47. Get up at 7am every day for a month (0/30)
48. Learn another craft I haven't already done
49. Set up bi-monthly craft nights/afternoons (0/16)
50. Set up a water butt
51. And a compost bin
52. Take part in illustration friday, once a week for a month (0/4)
53. Visit a farmers' market or farm shop once a month (5/33)
54. Continue to run the Christmas giving tree at work every year 1/2) - see recent post about this year's tree.
55. Treat myself to a 'treatment', either in a salon or DIY, once a month (0/33)
56. Go to yoga once a week for a month (0/4)
57. Make lunch to take to work every day for a week (0/5)
58. Make lunch to take to work every day for a month (0/20)
59. Write a love letter to Ben every month (4/33)
60. Start a new collection- perfume bottles? Vintage clothes?
61.
62. Visit a local attraction once a month e.g. beach, park, museum etc. (3/33)
63.
64. Make a skirt
65. Make a dress
66. Go to a classical music concert
67. Polish up my French before next holiday in France
68. Buy a Diane von Furstenberg dress
69. Buy a vintage dress
70. Donate something to freecycle, or a charity shop, once a month, on average (0/33)
71. Turn down plastic bags for a month (0/30)
72. Make some reusable shopping bags to fit in my handbag
73. Visit five countries (3/5) - South Africa, Mauritius and Dubai
74. Write a letter to myself to be opened on my 33rd birthday
75.
76. Make a cake for Ben's 36th birthday
77. Have a session with a personal shopper
78. Learn about a historical period (Tudors?)
79. Read 10 biographies (0/10)
80.
81. Make something from each of my craft books- donate to charity any books I don't make anything from
82. Finish working through the book, “ The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to be the Artist You Truly Are”
83. At least once a month, go to sleep without reading first (it drives Ben mad!) (5/33)
84. Buy new glasses
85. Go to New York again (with Ben)
86. Re-stock etsy shop
87. Find a new band/singer every month and listen to their album (2/33)
88. Get my hair cut every 8 weeks (I hate having my hair cut) (0/17)
89. Go to motocross or fishing with Ben once every 2 months without complaining (on average, season permitting!) (0/17)
90. Eat a piece of fruit every day for a month (0/30)
91. Pay my naughty library fine and don't get any more fines! - I did pay it off but just got another fine the other week, whoops!
92. Make something and give it to a friend for no reason
93. Make 100 handmade presents (7/100)
94. Plant a tree
95. Have a spa day, just because
96. Give snowboarding another try
97. Watch 20 of the Times top 100 films (1/20)
98. Read a newspaper every day for a week (0/7)
99.
100. Start an art journal
101.
Quick note to say...
I've imported all my crafty bride posts from my other blog. It seemed silly to keep then separate and I like that all the aspects of my wedding are in one place. You can see them all by clicking on the tag wedding.
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