This And That

 We had a few days of snow, which made for a beautiful Winter Wonderland.  It was a treat to wake up and see everywhere white and untouched.  A delight to know that the gritter had been by so it would be relatively safe to drive if needed.

The storm did bring with it some strong winds which knocked down most of our gates and a window in the outbuilding.  More jobs to add to the list once the weather picks up.  As you can see from the photo, the windows are in dire need of cleaning.  Top of the list for when the weather calms down.  The snow didn't last long but it was fun to reminisce about snow days when our daughters were younger and the fun we had when they didn't have to go to school.

The mornings are bringing some stunning skies, along with some substantial rain but not a problem when we don't have to go out.  We are warm and cosy with the stove lit and have plenty of hobbies to keep us busy.  We do feel blessed and are thankful for our craft supplies.

Work on the dolls house continues, the lighting is now in place.  The roof and ridge tile is now complete.  We have started to explore the flooring and decoration, doing a little research in the process.  It is so nice working together on something.  We have also made plans and the inevitable list for the garden.

Work on the 'doorstep blessings' continue.  I have made some tissue holders and lavender bags for this weeks contribution.

The idea is to let the recipient know they are not alone and are been thought of during this time of Covid.  It is a Church initiative that I am supporting.  It is in itself a gift for me too as it is giving me something to work on.  I didn't do any baking this week as I am trying to lose a few pounds and it is too much of a temptation to have goodies in the cake tin.  Chicken and fish has featured in a lot of our meals this week thus far, with plenty of vegetables and salad.  We have a healthy balanced diet in the main but of late a lack of exercise is becoming  a problem.  At least we are aware of it and can make a few changes.  Has the lockdown made a difference to you with your weight?

The baby blanket nears completion, the squares are now complete.  It needs to be stitched together and the ends sewn in.  Finally the border will complete it.  I must admit it has been a joy to sit and crochet a couple of squares a day, it was quite amazing how quickly it grew.  I do like to have a crochet project on the go.

What are you working on?

Hope all is well with you and that you are able to keep yourself amused in these difficult times.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

This And That

I have taken to doing a little crochet in the evening once again.  There is nothing that I want or need to really concentrate on the TV, if we bother having it on at all.  So it is nice to have a crochet project on the go once again.  I am making some wash cloths for the gift drawer.  They are such a wonderful token gift partnered with some homemade soap.  I will be making a small batch soon to top off what I have.

I have added a couple of project bags to the gift cupboard, all ready for friends that enjoy crafting when I need a little gift.

I love the fabric and the addition of lace, made with love and perfect to hold a knitting/sewing/crochet project together.  Work also continues on adding to the Christmas drawer this time I have made a few lavender bags to use as gift toppers.

Once again made with love and smelling beautiful.  Finally another Harris tweed bag completed all ready to be gifted.  I intend to use it as a gift bag filled with treats for my parents.  I can share that as I know that they don't read this blog.  They are both doing well, my niece is doing a great job looking after them along with a care team.  Some of you may remember that they were going to move up to the Island along with us and changed their mind at the last moment.  It was heart breaking but too late for us to change our minds, all the contracts and such had been signed.

We have woken to a day of better weather so I am hopeful that we will make it down to the beach today.  I am so looking forward to it.  It seems like an age since we were last there.  I will of course take the camera along with me so I can share our little adventure with you.

Hope all is well with you.  Take care and stay safe in these very strange times.  As always I thank you for your visit here and your uplifting comments.  Yes, I do make the lemon meringue pie from scratch Teresa I like to have a good bake at least once a week.  I like to have goodies in the tin for visitors, although at the moment we are not having any.  Hopefully, this will change as we are emerging out of shielding as time goes by.  Another 12 masks added to the pile as they are now compulsory on public transport which includes Ferries.  They are opening again soon on a Winter timetable.  I am sure this will make a big difference to a lot of business's as normal freight will resume instead of the lifeline services we have had since March.

See you soon.

The Sun Makes Everything Bright

My goodness how time has flown by this week.  We have had a wonderful week of great weather, not the temperatures you get down south but good for here.  We have been enjoying pottering in the garden and sitting out in the front watching the world go by.

We have kept ourselves busy pottering, doing the garden and mowing the lawns.  Enjoying the sunshine but not so much the insects.  I have several bites from who knows what that are quite itchy.  Progress is also been made in the outbuilding with a bench been constructed out of old pallets.  It will make an nice seating area in front of the building.

It needs to be sanded for a smoother finish and stained but ideal for what we want it for.  We have also made a work bench that I think is looking good.  That was also made out of pallet wood.

More masks have been made, I tend to make a couple a day.  I don't think Islanders are particularly worried about the pandemic as there have been so few cases here.  I will say that everyone is doing as advised and wearing masks is compulsory on public transport and enclosed spaces.  The pattern I used is off the internet.  There are lots of patterns and demonstrations available on Youtube I browsed them until I found an easy one to do.

Other sewing continues, a couple of bags made with Cath Kidston fabric are all ready to solve a storage issue in my bedroom.  Lavender bags were also added.

I quite enjoyed the experience of making them and they add to the ambience of the room, whilst giving a little extra storage.  The smell of the lavender is quite relaxing too.  I dried it from last years growth which was cut and simply dried in a brown bag, stalk as well. 

I have mint hanging in the kitchen at the moment, already drying out ready for the Winter months.  It is nice to have a selection of herbs dried ready for the stews and soups.  As from Thursday we were allowed out for a walk, I can't tell you how wonderful that was to be able to leave the confines of the garden was a real delight.  We intend to have a walk along the beach and  enjoy our little adventures out and about once again.  We are living in strange times but for us it has made us stronger.  We have got on with it and made the best of a horrible situation.  As we go through the phases coming out of lockdown I am starting to look forward now and have started to plan seeing the family.  Not sure yet when that will be but there is light at the end of the tunnel.  The sun makes everything feel better and makes everything bright...

Hope all is well with you.  Take care and stay safe,

See you soon.

Made With Love

Another overcast day but at least it is not raining...yet!  I have pegged the washing out on the line and with this brisk wind it should be dry very quickly.  At least its not doing a hoop le hoop around the line today, just blowing almost horizontal.  The weather changes tomorrow according to the forecast, a rise in temperature and sun.  I do hope that they have got it right I yearn for some sun and plan to have a day out to enjoy it.

I have started to make some chive vinegar this morning, picking some beautiful flower heads first thing.  They look amazing soaking in some white wine vinegar.  I came across the idea from Faye Henry at The Blessed Hearth blog, hers looks amazing.

We have yet again an abundance of eggs so a couple of quiches have been made for the freezer and one for lunch.  We have neighbours calling in for lunch today for a catch up.  Beef sausage and black pudding rolls and pork sausage and sage and onion stuffing rolls are also on the menu.

Served with potato salad using potatoes straight from the garden and a lovely green salad.  I am so thankful for the few things we have managed to grow this year and hope that we will be able to grow so much more once the garden room is finished.  The roof is now finished and windows are in the process of been replaced...slow but steady progress.

I have some lavender bags all ready for the seams to be sewn as well as some juggle bags for the children.  I do like to add a homemade gift to their parcels, a little something made with love.

I have just been given a big bag of fleece so that I can have a go at washing dying and spinning, exciting times.  The sheep here on the island are all starting to look a little thinner as they shed their winter coats, shearing has started.  Peat cutting is also underway, such hard work but necessary for the winter weather.

Hope all is well with you and that you are enjoying some sunshine.

See you soon.

Finish For The Weekend

Today I am joining in the fun with Jill over at Emerald Cottage for the first Finish for the Weekend.  I have many projects on the go particularly home improvements since moving to our dream cottage on the Isle of Lewis.  This will hopefully spur me on a little when it is needed.  This week a start was made on some of my Christmas preparations, early due to our travel plans.  These are a few of the things that I have finished this week.

The base of these tags are ceramic, which were bought in the January sales with no idea what to do with them.  There was 90% off them so a real bargain, but only a bargain if they are used.  I faltered for awhile not sure of what to do with them and then finally decided on adding some paper and stamping the names on them.   Some natural twine added and they can double up as a tree decoration too.

On out last trip to visit family we went to a lavender farm, which was a great outing with Bertie and Honey.  We had lost of fun snipping away at the rows upon rows of lavender.  We came back with two very large brown bags which I have dutifully dried out.  So my next finish is some lavender bags to be used as toppers for some of my gifts.  I enjoyed the process of making them and the wonderful memories that making them evoked.  I am hoping that my daughter will have some wonderful memories of picking the lavender when she sees them.

First up were some simple hessian/burlap bags tied with some natural twine and a few sprigs of lavender added.

I did spray the lavender sprigs with hairspray to stop them dropping, so they have lost their smell a little.  However the amazing smell from the bag is beautiful.

I had some lovely remnants of fabric which I have made some bags from, they are adorable with country animals.  Perfect as a topper for some country wrapped gifts.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy whatever it is you have planned.  We are planning on a relaxing weekend, catching up with each other and some reading and TV.  As always thank you for your wonderful comments and support.