My Week

What a busy few days we have had.  We can certainly fill our days so easily.  The weather has been so beautiful that we have been working outside, one sheet of corrugated rust at a time.  We have been working together, moving three sheets of corrugated tin painting the wood underneath to give it some longevity and then replacing a couple of sheets with corrugated polycarbonate.  It will be worth all the hard work once we have our indoor garden established.

A few sheets a day and we are happy.  We are blessed that we have a little helper...not sure if Mickey is a help or a hindrance but he is quite happy basking in the sun guarding the rusty sheets.

I have been working in the kitchen replacing some of the pickles we are so fond of.  Today, red cabbage and beetroot.  I like to spice my own vinegar using Coriander, Mustard, Allspice, Peppercorns, Cloves, Chilli and Ginger.  Not sure if that is cost effective but it works for us.  I always bring malt and white vinegar back from the Lidl when we visit the mainland.

Once boiled for a few moments, I leave to cool overnight and then strain it back into the original bottles and relabel.

I like to give them a fancy fabric topper, they look so nice lined up in the cupboard and also make a nice hostess gift.

In the evenings I am still working here and there on a craft project.  At the moment I am working on a crochet shawl  and enjoying the soothing rhythm of the pattern.

It is a pattern that I found in old copy of Mollie Makes, I am so glad that I kept it.

We have had a trip to Stornoway for a food shop but it always nice to have a stroll around the small town and take in the views around the port/harbour.  The boats are always a joy to sit and watch both the ones for pleasure and the working boats.  There is an area that is designated for the necessary equipment needed on the fishing boats, that I find quite fascinating.  So many stories to tell if only it could talk.

The shadows in the water enhancing some of the already spectacular views.

A real delight to have a stroll and enjoy the calmness of the sea which we know can change in a heartbeat and cause havoc to the brave sailors/fisherman who battle the elements for us.

A very warm welcome to new followers I do hope you enjoy my little adventures through life.  I do thank you for your visit here and your uplifting comments.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

See you soon.

Sorry forgot to add that the sand was been dug out of the harbour at the Port of Ness as there was a build up.  Apparently, this is done every 3/4 years to enable boats to be able to get in.  The sand is dug up and put the other side of the wall.  

Wet And Wild

I am glad to say that all is well here in our little cottage.  Storm Callum hit with a vengeance yesterday and through the night.  There was a 60 - 80 mph damaging wind making for a noisy night as it rattled and pounded against the stone walls.  There was an Amber warning for localised flooding in Stornoway and 27 of the 28 routes of ferry cancelled.  We have woke to a dreary and overcast morning but we have been rewarded with such a beautiful sky.

The girls have settled in well and have been out exploring their new environment.  Mickey goes down with us but isn't bothered about them at all, so we are thrilled. 

I have had some raspberries soaking in  a mix of distilled vinegar and white wine vinegar for a taste of Summer through the Winter months. (About 4 days)

It was bottled yesterday, along with some chilli oil.

Red cabbage was shredded and divided between the colander and slow cooker.  The cabbage in the colander salted and left overnight all ready to be rinsed off and packed in jars ready for the pickling vinegar.  The slow cooker cabbage cooked with pears and port all ready for braised read cabbage for the freezer.

As it is Communion weekend here in our little corner of the world I have been busy baking for the wonderful occasion and fellowship throughout the weekend.  A shoulder joint of pork in the slow cooker for pulled pork.  Mixed grain bread in the breadmaker.  A large pan of broth bubbling away on the stove top.  Quiches, all ready to be cut.  Mince pies with a crumble, nutty top and banana bread.

I am now going to make a fruit tart and a trifle to take for desert when we go to our friends and neighbours for lunch tomorrow.  A wet and wild few days that doesn't compare to the devastation occurring around the World.  We have a lot to be thankful for 

A warm welcome to new followers, I hope you enjoy my little adventures through life.

See you soon.