Sunday 21 August 2016

Thoughts Of Christmas...

The harvesting and the preserving continue.  There are several more jars of pickled beetroot done and a swap made of beetroot for apples with my neighbour.


 
The apples have been cooked with cinnamon and sultanas to make a couple of fillings for pies or crumbles.
 
 
Packed into the freezer for a busy day.
 
Tomatoes and onions were left overnight to make tomato relish.
 
 
Celery and red pepper added to make a delicious taste of summer.  One of the easiest ways I know of to peel the skin off a tomato is to stand them in boiling water, the skin comes off in no time.
 

 
The taste of Summer in a jar...
 


 
I have also been busy on the crafting front making some stocking fillers for the girls.  A rag doll and a couple of tooth fairies.
 






 
I know its early to be talking about Christmas but I don't like the panic and stress it causes when I am under pressure.  I enjoy taking my time and making a couple of gifts here and there.
 
Honey is getting Christened in a couple of weeks time so I tried on my outfit today.  Woe is me my shoes look ridiculous.  I have been wearing slip flops most of the Summer and have caught the sun leaving white marks across my foot.
 
 
Not a great picture but you get the idea.  Not a gorgeous sun kissed foot but one that looks dirty.  I have tried putting some make up over the white bits but it rubs off onto my shoe.  Any other suggestions would be most welcome.
 
See you soon.
 
 
 
 

32 comments:

  1. I think a xouple of weeks is enough time to get the tan evened up IF you stop wearing the flops and run around in your bare feet. How's that for a suggestion? =D

    Oh the beautiful jars...why do I suddenly want a hotdog with relish? Hmmm...yours looks so good.

    People like you who get a jump on Christmas make last-minute people like me wish that I were more like you!

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  2. The dolls are just gorgeous and the relish looks delicious.
    What about trying a foot scrub every other day to remove dead skin which will hopefully take the tan with it-x-

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  3. Wow you have been busy, it all looks fabulous. Try fake tan perhaps, may even it up a bit

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  4. I say go out and buy some fancy flip flops that sparkle and approximate the tan lines :) Look at you with the sewing and the rag dolls!! I have been thinking about xmas but doing nothing about it so far.

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  5. I've started a couple of things for Christmas too, don't want it sneaking up on me. I have a pair of Clarkes flip flops that are dressy enough to wear to church, in fact I wore them there

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  6. I love the little dolls. I say sit outside and create with your feet in the sun, you still have time to even things up a bit.
    Meredith

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  7. I was wondering too, if there was still time to get your feet tanned evenly.
    All your preserves look yummy. So colourful.

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  8. oh how i love the rag dolls! maybe this time round there will be a little girl ;) and ragdolls will be part of our lives.
    i cant wait to get canning and preserving this coming season! (well, that is if the monkeys leave us anything to live off)

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  9. You are having such a productive summer! I enjoy seeing all the produce you're putting up for the winter. This week I'll be doing something with plums (lots of them), freezing green beans, and dealing with tomatoes. Probably no sewing. Those tooth fairies are adorable.

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  10. I've never made a relish like that - could you share the recipe?

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  11. Looking at your pickles is inspiring me to want to make some myself. The rags dolls are so pretty. My feet are worse than yours. Maybe I should try to wear socks when I go into the garden.

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  12. Look at all of that delicious food! Well done! I have those same tan lines so I'm no help whatsoever. :-). Love your projects. I'm working on Christms too.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  13. Yummy food. aww......the sun so hot.

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  14. Well prepared for the winter !!!!
    Your tooth fairies are so cute !!!!!!!!!
    Have a lovely week !
    Hug
    Anna

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  15. Delicious, summer in a jar. Love the rag dolls, I don't think it's ever too early to start crafting for Christmas, it always creeps up faster than we think so it's a good idea to get a head start with things.

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  16. Ohh no that's two blogs who have mentioned the C word , Loving the dolls though , Wish i was as productive as you with preserves xxx

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  17. I usually only read the Five on Friday (which I'm missing greatly), but when I saw your comment on my blog, I thought I'd hop over and see what you've been up to. OMG! I'm exhausted just reading about all your accomplishments.

    At one time I hoped to make a "Snooty Pantry" full of relishes, jams, chutneys, salsas, jellies, etc. What ever happened to that idea? Lost in the shuffle, I guess. Now you've inspired me. I think I'll have a go at it soon. Blue Belles coming over for lunch and cardmaking on Friday, so I'm gathering all the Halloween "stuff". Guess the Snooty Pantry will have to wait.

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  18. My friend!
    So much inspiration here today!
    I wish I could visit and learn from you!
    Those dolls are precious.
    We are leaning towards fall here, and I am thrilled!!!!
    Have a cozy day!

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  19. All those jars full of delicious treats must look like jewels in the cupboard. I love the dolls and you have inspired me to make a tooth fairy for my little niece. Have a good week.

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  20. My, you have been busy! I would suggest fake tan for your feet ....... or you could go mad and by new shoes that won't show the white bits!!

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  21. those jars need to be in my cupboard, lol. they look sooo good!
    As for the white foot marks maybe try some of that instant spray tan in a hairspray type can. It may work. I've seen it at Walmart in the beauty section but I have never used it.
    -Lisa

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  22. I've got a lot of cooking apples to prepare, they will mostly be sliced for the freezer but some will be used for apple and bramble jelly. Love the dolls, they will make lovely presents. I believe we are in for some sunshine perhaps you could take your stripy feet and some crochet outside x

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  23. Lovely rag dolls, they will make adorable presents.

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  25. Screwed up my last remark! Wanted to say I love the tooth fairies and wondered if you've made any for boys? Would love to see them if you have.

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  26. You are so industrious! I also love your tooth fairy dolls.. very cute and fun for little girls.. I also wonder if you made something similar for boys. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  27. You are so industrious! I also love your tooth fairy dolls.. very cute and fun for little girls.. I also wonder if you made something similar for boys. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  28. You have been busy squirrelling away for the winter and I love the tooth fairies.

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  29. The dolls are beautiful! I don't like panic or stress, either, and I cannot stand large crowds, so talking about Christmas now is just fine by me! And here in Montreal, Canada, we are having high heat and humidity so just thinking about Christmas is joyous and refreshing for me. Thank you so much for sharing. :)

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  30. Nooooooo! You cannot use the C word in August! Naughty mama! (Yummy chutneys and cute dollys though!)
    Jillxx

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  31. You have a beautiful family! Love the tradition with the baptismal gown :)

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