It is bank holiday weekend in England but a holiday not celebrated here in Scotland. So there are normal services here on the Island although we feel it is a celebration, as we leave the hazy days of Summer behind and move into Autumn. The last holiday before Christmas and the last chance to enjoy the great outdoors and get as many outside tasks done as possible. Although the temperatures have dropped the sun can still be seen so we are still enjoying the nice weather. The car went into the garage on Friday for a service so we took the time to do some shopping in Stornoway, a freezer was on top of the list. A haircut another priority as it had not been cut since February. What a difference that has made. Finally, a supermarket shop topping off the store cupboard and replenishing the fresh food in the fridge. There was a marked increase in the amount I spent as some goods continue to rise.
Work continues in the utility room as the wall are painted and the floor replaced. I have made a new pelmet for the window and redone a chair which is handy for removing boots in those cooler months.
Gerard is having a bit of a flare up of RA so is sore at the moment and unable to do much so this room could take awhile. Good job we are in no hurry.
Whilst the sewing machine was out I made a couple of stockings in readiness for Christmas. I enjoyed the process, choosing the fabric and the embellishments. Slowly but surely I am getting through the list.
I spent a few hours on Saturday in the kitchen chopping mint to make a mint sauce. Dried mint was broken down and put into storage jars and more mint was hung to dry. I also added some chilli oil to the store cupboard and had fun making some orchard fruit jam consisting of plums, pears and apples.
I went onto to make an apple strudel and some breakfast pastries ready for a leisurely breakfast Sunday and a sweet treat for afternoon tea.
All in all a very busy and productive weekend but one that was filled with activities that have been enjoyed. I have spent a little time experimenting with some new art materials that I have bought but it is early days yet so I am not ready to share. I love the idea of mixed media, maybe embroidery and acrylic paint or some sewing machine stitches and watercolour. It is a work in progress...
Are you managing to fill your days?
See you soon.
I love this time of year, nice things to do to pass the time.
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy! Breakfast looks a whole lot more exciting at your house than at mine - oh my!
ReplyDeleteNot even thinking far enough ahead to Christmas yet - mainly because I don't think it will be a "joined up" family Christmas here, so I have put the whole notion in my back pocket.
I bet you feel better for the haircuts. I've been doing Keith's and trimming my fringe, but have gotten very lazy and let it grow long. When I get fed up I'll trim the side and get Keith to even up the back!
What a lovely weekend, lots of jobs done and ticked off the list but tasks which have been enjoyable. I hope Gerard gets some relief from his flare up soon.
ReplyDeleteYou have lots to keep you occupied!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric you chose for the stockings. They are perfect.
Oh those pastries look delicious! I have been making jam as well, but didn't think of doing pear and apple, that will be a good idea. The chair looks great. I just picked up a free chair recently so might recover it. I love the chair you have done, it looks great. Well done on being so organised with your Christmas gifts etc... I must try and catch up with other posts!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is something that I havent thought about yet. You are well ahead!
ReplyDeleteYour pastries look SO good. I need to bake...it's cool today and many family members came over yesterday so we rather depleted the goodies supply that I had in the freezer.
ReplyDeleteYour recovered chair looks great.
Your cooking looks delicious. Good to have stores for the winter. I was really glad to get a haircut too as mine was due when lockdown started. It feels good doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteI have a mint plant that I really haven't used much. I think I might try drying some of the mint. Thanks for the idea. Your jam looks delicious. I got a haircut a few weeks ago, but didn't feel safe in the shop so it will be a while until I do that again.....and find a new salon.
ReplyDeleteThe mint reminded me of lawn mowing yesterday. A lot of mint has escaped the bed and has landed in the lawn. It was so heavenly mowing that I didn't mind at all. You always stay busy and accomplish so much. Praying that the flare-up goes as quickly as it came.
ReplyDeleteI love the stockings! Sounds productive. Your sweets look amazing too!
ReplyDeleteAs always I am impressed with your productivity. I've been crocheting a lantern (on todays blog post) and blogging and photographing and just ambling along through the days. I hope your husband's RA settles down. Poor guy. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteWe try to keep busy but our pace has slowed considerably in the last few years! I so enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that Gerard's RA has flared up. I have a good friend that has it so I know how painful it can be. You have been so productive, preparing for Christmas. I face-timed with Alex and Tara today. They have purchased a car so they don't have to take public transport as much with COVID-19. They were on an adventure today because of the bank holiday and they took me along! We visited and they showed me the scenery as they drove to a small town outside of London and then sent me a photo of a lake they visited.
ReplyDeleteTomorrow is our 42 anniversary and Dennis told me to order a new sewing machine from Amazon. I'm excited to get it in a week or two. He took my machine that I've had for those 42 years and still works perfectly, to Mandy last week. I wanted her to have a dependable machine.
I think you're right about groceries costing so much more. I have definitely noticed the prices going up.
I hope you're doing well and your health is improving. I'll be praying for Gerard to feel better very soon.
Blessings,
Betsy
Great creativity, glad you have busy weekend.
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You are keeping yourself busy doing so many productive tasks before the winter. So nice to get ready the things such as mint oil, jams, and shopping done ahead of time. Love the pretty stockings. Hope Gerard's condition will improve. Take care and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteI love to see a row of sparkling jars filled with preserves of all kinds. I might make a batch of green tomato chutney this year. I've never done that before but it will depend on how man green tomatoes I have left at the end of the growing season. Poor Gerard, it's horrible to be in constant pain. Hope his flare up settles down.
ReplyDeleteIt looks and sounds as if you had a busy weekend, but a productive one. It's good to get things ticked off the list such as getting the car serviced, something that we did recently. A helpful mechanic is invaluable and we're thankful that we found one local to us who is also reliable. A new freezer will be a good investment as you fill it with your home grown produce and other items. You'll be well prepared for Winter. I hope Gerard's health improves and you keep well yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative snd crafty! Love these baked good, look so yum☺ And I am so intrigued with the mint sauce, sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful. You must feel like a newborn lamb with your new hairdo, no wonder you have achieved so much!
ReplyDeleteLove your Christmas socks !
ReplyDeleteYou really are prepared for the coming autumn.
We still enjoy being outside, 26ºc and more....
But making jam as well...
Have a nice day !
Anna
You certainly did have a busy and productive weekend, well done.
ReplyDeleteI hope Gerard feels a little better soon.
Take care, my good wishes.
All the best Jan
I do hope Gerard's flare-up is over by now! That RA is a wicked one. You always amaze me at how much you do. Your stockings are pretty with the tassels to finish them off. I need to take the time to get my hair cut as well. It is longer and has not been cut since January! Take care and stay well.
ReplyDeleteHoping Gerard is much better now.
ReplyDeleteI have started some Christmas shopping. I like getting into the stores and looking around more than online.
Those stockings are so pretty. I like the fabric chosen for them.
It looks like you had a wonderful weekend. Those stockings are beautiful. Getting colder here so the garden is slowly but surely being harvested and put up for the winter.
ReplyDeleteI hope to dehydrate some more sage, oregano and thyme. I have more than enough parsley and basil so will concentrate on the others.
Hope Gerard feels better very soon.
God bless.
That's nice that you could spend a day for shopping and hairdresser ! After the lockdown was over my hair looked like a mop ! I also noticed that the prices raised in all domains ! It's a bit better when I buy on Internet. But food prices have raised.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. You have been busy both cooking and sewing and making preparations for the colder months. Lovely to get out and about too and do shopping nad getting hair cut. It must be satisfyling to get these things done:)
ReplyDeletehoping Gerard feels better soon! Looks like you've been busy with lovely activities.
ReplyDeleteI too hope Gerard is feeling better now. You have been a busy little bee! Love the fabric you're using on that chair and the window covering. Your mint goodies look wonderful and those sweets! Hope this Covid has settled down in your area. It seems to be going down some around here but my grandchildren in California still are having to go to school online. Thanks for popping in to see me.
ReplyDeleteWish i could be as productive as you are. I love mint sauce too. The stocking looks lovely. It still feels like summer in our place. Happy September to you :)
ReplyDeleteWe have been doing more or less the same things we have always done. Being retired we were "used" to being indoors and each doing our own interests. We also continue to so things together, like grocery shopping and are careful to mask up and social distance. Before the pandemic hit we were already thinking about spending the holidays here at home as we haven't done so in many years with travel to see family in various states. We last saw everyone this past December during a one week trip to several states and said then that we wanted to not visit until AFTER the holidays. Hopefully, we may be able to do that in 2021. Hope that Gerard will be feeling better soon. Your treats looked so good, Lorraine 😋
ReplyDeleteYour baking looks amazing, mm. Chili oil sounds delicious. I'm sorry that your husband is experiencing a flare in his RA. That can be so painful. I have been very busy mopping the floors, gardening, and shopping for needs.
ReplyDeleteWonderful looking baked goods and I was just thinking of reupholstering my Dining Room chairs....Thanks for the inspiring me to do so....Sorry to hear about your husband's RA Flare Up.My maternal Grandmother had RA and most likely Lupus but 60 years ago, I do not think anyone knew what Lupus was....
ReplyDeleteYes, Joe does have a lot of clothes even after donating 3 garage bags to Salvation army!! But the bottom rack in his closet is all Hockey jersey's, tee shirts and sweatshirts..
Joe is not tech literate at all and had fought tooth and nail to maintain that but he is realizing that that was a mistake..
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and for letting me know that you did by leaving a comment!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Yay! I have the internet again and have been able to catch up on your late summer posts. I have put up some pics of our new home now that we have moved in. I always love how productive you are with your baking. Jo xx
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I have not been on blogger for awhile. I enjoy reading your posts. Since I am now home, I try to get things accomplished I have on my list. I do some of it then more another day. I need to get bigger things done soon. Rearrange my office area. Organize, toss, shred, donate. May do a garage sale later this month, hopefully. Donating some items would not be good as I can a bit of money selling items no longer needed. I baked a loaf of banana bread Thurs. YUM! Praying Gerard feels better soon and you stay healthy, semi-wealthy and wise! :'}
ReplyDeleteBecky
Have a blessed weekend!
Loved those colour fabric
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