Friday 7 December 2018

Stormy Day On The Outer Hebrides

It is blowing a gale outside.  Although still dark you can hear the wind as it whistles and whips around our little cottage.  There are of course delays and cancellations forecast on the ferries.  The storm was anticipated so I prepared for it yesterday just in case the power went out.  Gerard brought extra wood and kindling in so we don't need to go to the wood shed.  The only reason we need to leave the warmth is to see to the chickens and take Mickey for a walk.  At the moment the winds are 75 to 80 mph.

Yesterday I made a warming chicken stew and dumplings. 


I have made enough to put some in the freezer, a easy meal already prepared for our return.



A mixed grain loaf of bread is already for today too, which will be nice with some soup that I have made for the next few days and the freezer.  Butternut squash and carrot and a pan of parsnip with a hint of nutmeg.


I have plenty of fruit which I have been incorporating into meals.  Yesterday we had salmon with orange and avocado pear and winter coleslaw it tantalised the taste buds.  The salmon was bought from the harbour in Stornoway and was a real treat.  It is easy to over indulge at this time of year but we are trying to be sensible as we know the family always spoil us with food.  

More chocolate spoons/stirrers have been made to take with us to Holland.  Hot chocolate to warm us up after we have explored the forest and the enchanting fairy tales of Efteling.




The toppings already to be added to the cocoa mix.

Another batch of soap was also made yesterday, this time a seasonal one to add to some put aside for a Charity event.




Cards and parcels have all now been posted.  All we have left to do is packing.  We can now sit back and enjoy some quality time catching up with each other and enjoying the season.  A little reading and watching films would be nice.  There are several craft fairs been held tomorrow, so we will try to get around a couple and then batten down the hatches and enjoy our cosy cottage.  Have you any plans for the weekend?

I will leave you with a little visitor to the front garden.



As always I thank you for your visit to my blog and your uplifting comments.  Have a wonderful weekend.

See you soon.

39 comments:

  1. My, those dumplings look great, mine don’t always swell so much. That is one fat rabbit!

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  2. The wind is whistling around here too. Wow, your stew and dumplings look delicious, just what you need in this weather, and the soap you made is so pretty. Your visitor doesn't look under nourished, I hope he isn't eating your plants.

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  3. Everything looks absolutely gorgeous, I love the colour of the soaps.

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  4. You've been so busy! John makes batches of soup and stews to freeze, mostly for himself when I'm working long late shifts and won't be in for tea. It's windy here, but no rain, so I chanced to get a load of towels on the line. This weekend is a long weekend for work, BAH! Never mind, I think I have next week off, if my boss remembers LOL. Best, Jane x

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  5. I'm ready for the holidays overall, I'd like to not cook or bake but that is unrealistic so I need to make the LIST and get it done. Everything looks fabulous.

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  6. So good to have the freezer full of tasty food. Your soaps look so professional.

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  7. oh my goodness - don't blow away... Wow, busy little bee, good for you. It all looks so wonderful! We are going to visit our youngest daughter and son-in-law - they bought a 10 acre farm about 2 hrs. from us. The real estate closing is this morning. So excited for them. Our other son-in-law will come on Sunday and help us move out our piano (I gave it to a young family) and bring in a new cupboard I bought. So cleaning is on that list too....have fun!

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  8. You are certainly one productive lady, its like a little cottage industry at your place, you produce some wonderful gifts and edibles. x

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  9. Wish I could come over for some of that chicken stew - it looks so good! So do your goodies too. Souns like you're really on the ball with your Christmasing and I hope you have a wonderful time with your family. That is a hard thing when you live so far away. Merry Christmas.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  10. All your preparation is wonderful! Wise too, of course. And now you can relax, and enjoy the Season, while still being home.

    Chicken and Dumplings! Doesn't that say "Comfort"? Yes it does!!! :-)

    Who takes care of the chickens, while you are away? You probably take the dog, with you.

    ✨✨✨✨

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  11. Your food looks really yummy! Glad you're warm inside with another storm in your area .Hopefully my pkg I sent has arrived! Enjoy your day.

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  12. Stay safe. It all looks so cosy.

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  13. Lovely to be snug and warm indoors with weather like that. All your cooking and soaps look wonderful. I love dumplings and I like your visitor.

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  14. stay safe, plus when you go on your trip I hope you have the best trip

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  15. Yum! Even your soap looks good enough to eat. I've borrowed your photo of your fudge spoons if that's OK? I want to show what can be done when one's fudge turns out too soft like ours did on Thanksgiving. I will link to your post here to give you all the credit.

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  16. I haven't had a dumpling for ages! It all looks delicious.

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  17. Beautiful soap, beautifully packaged--I'd buy it.

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  18. Yummy to the chicken stew and dumplings...
    It takes me back to memories of my Dear Mums dumplings, they were delicious …

    All the best Jan

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  19. That chicken stew and dumplings looks delish. Proper winter food.

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  20. Your cottage is so warm and cozy with wonderful soups and stews and beautiful Christmas crafts. Staying inside sounds like the order of the day with those winds! Mr Rabbit is all puffed up staying warm--so darling. ♥

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  21. I love salmon,chicken stew and dumplings.
    thank you for sharing series of beautiful photos.
    have a great day

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  22. you are always do so much work together. Hats off to you.

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  23. Wow you have been busy! I loved this post. The chicken stew and soups look delicious. I will pass on the salmon, but those spoons certainly tempting.

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  24. The chicken stew with dumplings looks delicious, and - perfect for when a gale blows outdoors. So glad you are tucked up cozy and warm in your home. We had salmon the other night - fresh, wild Coho salmon - what a treat!

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  25. Now I want chicken stew and dumplings...looks so delicious. That storm sounds wild and I hope that it has ended. How do the chickens handle wild weather? Enjoy the days as you wait to head out...

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  26. Those soups all looked so inviting, Lorraine. I made butternut squash soup today and included apples and curry and it was wonderful on a chilly evening. I have spent some time catching up all all your lovely decorations and crafts but did not comment on every post. Since our return home from Thanksgiving holiday we have been sidelined with lingering colds and trying to get holiday things in order and get well to enjoy the Christmas season with friends and family. Hope your Christmas is lovely as well.

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  27. Everything looks so good; the candy cane soap looks like one might be tempted to take a bite.

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  28. Oh your chicken soup with dumplings looks delish.. a perfect meal with your homemade bread on a windy and cold winters night. I sure hope the ferries will be running when you plan to leave the island for your Christmas adventures.

    *********************************************
    *H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
    *********************************************

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  29. The chicken stew looks delicious. Love the soaps you have been making.

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  30. Very nice to enjoy a bowl of hot soup to keep warm. I am now learning to cook extra to keep in the freezer too.

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  31. Everything looks delightful in your home! Stay warm in your cozy cottage and safe when you go outside. Happy weekend!

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  32. This is such a wonderfully cheerful and cheering post. It sounds as though hunkering down and enjoying some quality time together. as the storm raged, was a great option especially after all that hard work.

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  33. I don't imagine the dog is too eager to go out to do business when the wind is gusting at 80 mph! Ours wouldn't be, anyway. It sounds like you are all cozily tucked in and I'm thinking the storm is probably all over by now. I don't get notifications of your posts until days after you write them for some reason.

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  34. Your kitchen has been a hive of industry and your cooking and baking all looks wonderful. Stay warm and cosy during those storms:)

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  35. Those chocolate stirrers look wonderful, perfect for this cold, stormy weather we've been having.

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  36. I would love to know how you make your dumplings. My grandmother used to make them like this and I cannot make them as they always seem to fall apart or get too mushy in the soup.
    Your peppermint soap looks good enough to eat. So pretty.
    I wish you could make a little video of the sound of the gale winds outside. That would be neat to hear.
    Happy Saturday to you
    betsy

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  37. Golly that chicken with dumplings looks good.

    I just love your soaps and the chocolate stirrers....they look amazing.
    Hugs-x-

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  38. Homemade chicken soup is simmering on my stove :) The wind speeds around you are amazing to me! Teresa has gusts like that near her at Crown Point above the Columbia River. So glad you are able to be cozy and warm with pretty soaps and yummy treats ready to be shared. xx

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  39. Your rabbit presents interesting culinary options!

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