Weekend

Yet again intermittent internet has kept me away for the past few days.  I am trying to once again catch up.  Scotland is slowly starting to emerge from its cocoon of lockdown so Gerard and I are able to go a little further and chat to other people ensuring  a safe distance of course.  We are looking forward to getting away and catching up with family, my heart yearns to see them.  We have been able to connect over the internet but it is not the same as been able to chat in person.  My arms ache to snuggle up with our grandchildren and catch up with their adventures.  As we are shielding this probably won't happen for awhile yet but we are getting excited about the thought of it.  The ferries have now opened up and some flights have now been reinstated.  Masks are now mandatory on all public transport and in shops so I have once again made a stack to pass around the village.

I also have several more cut, pinned and ready to sew.

Our daughter has now moved into her new home that they had built so it was a joy to hear our little Grandaughters voice Honey asking me to make her a table cover for her bedroom.  She selected the fabric and trim and it was quickly made up for her.  I also added a mini noticeboard using the same fabric.

Saturday I always prepare our meal for Sunday which this week was roast chicken with all the trimmings.  I  also made quiches and a chocolate cake.

The quiches were made using the eggs from our own chickens and spring onions fresh from the garden.  It is such a delight when we use things we have grown ourselves.  Sadly, we will never become self sufficient but we try to grow some things ourselves.

We do keep having showers and even the odd downpour of rain so you will need a rain coat but it is nice to have a stroll along the machair by Eoropie which is ablaze with colour at the moment. Come along with me...

The ever changing colours of the machair, the sea, the moorland as we go through the seasons adds to the joy of living here.  The natural beauty and colour is  reflected in the making of the tweed which is made on the looms in many of the crofters outbuildings.  The smell of the peat burning in the fireplaces and wafting up the chimneys permeating around the village also adds to the beauty.  All of the senses are treated with the rich majesty of living here.  We are rich and have been fortunate to have found our forever home.  Are you still on your adventures through life or have you found your forever home yet?

Take care and stay safe in these uncertain and very strange times.

See you soon.

Catching Up...

My goodness the time is just flying by and whilst we are not having the high temperatures that the mainland are, we are enjoying some summery weather.  Lots of outdoor jobs are getting done, doors are been painted or replaced on the outbuilding.  The roof is finally finished and some windows have been replaced, it is a slow process.  Never the less we are pleased with the progress.  I am hoping to get the lawns cut once again today, they are growing so quickly.  We have also brought some more tyres down from the outbuilding to grow some more spring onions and such in.  Slowly but surely our plans are starting to come to fruition it is a nice feeling.

Once the weather turns we will  finish some of the jobs in our little cottage, the kitchen floor still needs to be laid but one day at a time...

Sadly the weekend did not go as planned Gerard needed to dash down to England so we didn't make it to the HebCelt but there is always next year.  I hear it was a great event bringing lots of people to the Island.  The Ferries were full and accommodation fully booked.

We did manage to get to An Lanntair earlier in the week to view the art exhibition, a real feast for the eyes.  Let me give you an idea of the talent of this man:

It was a wonderful display that evoked many feelings.  I would like to go and have another look when next we are in town so that I can fully appreciate the exhibition.

The easel and paint trolley along with some sketches made a real focal point and added another dimension to the wonderful display.

The weekend flew by and I was able to catch up with a lot of jobs and did some baking for the freezer.  I had apples and rhubarb that needed using so I made crumbles in readiness for those cooler days and the need for a warming desert.

I made some date slices and really enjoyed them using a recipe I found on a blog that I follow but for the life of me I can't remember which one.  If it is you let me know and I will be quite happy to link this post.  I must admit they were very moreish and a healthier option for a sweet treat.  I have just been reminded that it was indeed DC from over atfrugalinnorfolk.blogspot.com that shared this amazing recipe.  Just look for date slices under her menu tab.

With the abundance of eggs that we have, I thought it prudent to make a couple of quiches for the freezer.  It is always handy to have something quick ready for those days that I don't feel like cooking.  Generally hospital days.  Pasties were also added to use some vegetables up that had been loitering at the bottom of the fridge for awhile.

Well of course there was a sweet treat, I always have something ready in case of visitors.  Meringues were the order of the day, all that is needed is some whipped cream to sandwich them together.  Or, maybe some strawberries all ready for Eton mess.

I will leave you today with an amazing sunset that we are enjoying here on the Isle of Lewis, the beautiful array of colour behind a shadowy building is a stunning sight.

My apologies for not answering some of the questions you asked, I will catch up with you all soon.  Hope you are all well and not suffering too much in this heat wave that seems to be encompassing not only this Country but all over the World.  These extreme temperatures are a worry that is for sure.

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.