Weekend

 My goodness, how time is flying by and despite new restrictions with regard to Covid 19 I am still filling my days well.  I always have a project on the go if not more than one.  I have made a start on some cards which include Christmas cards.  I intend to send a few extras this year as I won't be able to call in on some of our old friends but I want them to know we are thinking of them.  I have also been working on some jar toppers for jams/chutneys/pickles which will be included in the hampers that I give.

I am adding to the hampers regularly using as much as I can harvest from the garden and garden room.  The most recent addition is some spring onion oil.  I do like to have a variety of oils in my kitchen as well as for gifts.

I have made a couple of storage bags to be gifted, along with a matching pencil roll and stationery.

Saturday as usual was spent in the kitchen preparing  the dinner for Sunday so that I can really enjoy a day of rest.  This week pork was on the menu as the pig came back from the slaughterhouse.  It was hard not to think about it but I must admit the meat was good.  I made butternut squash and sweet potato soup I had to thin it down a little it was so thick but it was very tasty.

Cauliflower cheese was made as side to go with the pork, along with some stewed apple.

Sausage rolls were made with some of the sausage meat, they were so tasty.   A cheese and onion quiche, apple crumbles and potato salad were also added.

It is always nice to have a few things prepared in advance so if we are busy I can make a quick meal.  Autumn is closing in, the temperatures are dropping, throws are appearing and the heating has been turned back on.  I have changed some of the candles around giving a more seasonal scent.  I have a full store cupboard in the event of cancelled freight ferries due to bad weather.  The sky is overcast and heavy and the changing hues are a delight as I look out of my cottage window.  The beauty that I am surrounded by is a gift and I am thankful for it.

Gerard has a hospital appointment tomorrow so we are going across to Stornoway, they phoned today to check on his health ensuring it was safe for him to attend.  The new drug regime seems to be working well so hopefully this will not change.  We have also had our appointments for the flu jab so that is another thing ticked off.  How are you all doing?  Are you managing to tick off those lists of jobs? 

As always I thank you for your visit and your uplifting comments.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Catching Up With Life Without Internet

Here I am...Yes you guessed it right!  No, or intermittent internet, but finally I am hoping to get a post done.  I am not missing in action and there are no health issues it literally is a lack of internet that has kept me away.  I will try to catch up with you all tomorrow and reply to the very caring e-mails for which I am very thankful and feel blessed by your concern.

I have wonderful neighbours and a very grateful for their thoughtful gifts left in my porch.  We certainly don't go hungry, in fact we have made an effort this past week and have eaten lots of salad.

The lettuce and rocket has been amazing fresh from the garden, along with the chives makes for a very tasty base to any salad.  Scones were left by one neighbour:

A cherry and almond cake by another:

Along with reels of cotton from another neighbour as I continue to add to the pile of face masks.  They are disappearing as quick as I make them.  It is so nice to be useful and be able to give back.

I place them in a polythene bag and leave them in the front porch friends and neighbours pop by and help themselves.  I have also been working on a small gift for my sweet little friend who is going to have a birthday next week.  She has lots of bits and pieces so I thought it would be nice to make her a storage bag, along with a heart filled with last years lavender that I dried.  She walks past our little cottage and waves it will be nice to be able to catch up with her, when all this shielding is over.

I have also made several more storage bags and lavender filled hearts for our Grandaughter all ready for her new bedroom as they have finally signed all the contracts on their new house they have had built.  Exciting times for them.

Little pockets in the front and bits of lace add to there beauty.  The Harris Tweed coats for the boys are finally finished and I also added a scarf and a face mask.  I am hoping that they won't be needing them but I had a little fabric left so thought they may be useful.

I am so looking forward to seeing them wear them.  They are all packed up ready for the post.

We had a Tesco delivery today so the store cupboard, fridge and freezer are all well stocked up.  I am grateful for the delivery and the staff who provide the service but I must admit I do miss not choosing my own meat, fruit and vegetables myself.

We continue to work outside when we can and have completed several projects which I will share in a later post.  In so many ways life appears normal and yet the hidden virus keeps us separated from each other, particularly family.  It seems such a long time since we have seen them all and my heart is heavy from yearning but deep down I know that we need to be sensible.  We are living in strange times that is for sure.

I will stop for now and press the publish button.  I will try to catch up with everyone tomorrow.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Finished Projects

I would like to say drum roll please........and then produce the photo, but alas I am having problems with the camera.  However I have finished several small items, a canvas covered in Cath Kidson wallpaper with felt lettering SHERIFF BERTIE a quite impressive easy make.  Then a very quick project boot cuffs, the pattern is from issue 14 of Simply Crochet again because of the chunky wool a very quick and easy make.  A very impressive sumptuous scarf using a multitude of textured yarns and beaded strands at each end.   Finally a never ending order of storage bags.  January always brings its own problems, mainly bad weather but one thing never seems to change and that is the lack of storage for all the new things given at Christmas.  I will show you all the variations of the bag once the camera is up and running again. 

Finally, although cold we have a little sunshine today, that always makes you feel a whole lot better.