Weekend

 A quiet weekend, where we continue to enjoy a jigsaw that seems to be never ending.  It remains on the dining table and as we pass it do a few pieces here and there.  We have a new book of crosswords that we are also enjoying.  Crafting still remains a major part of my day, this time cards.  I have made a few for the card box which I can add the sentiment to if I need a card in a rush.

The snippets of card/paper stock not wasted I went on to make some fridge magnets for the 'doorstep blessings'.

Sunday, I walked down to the outbuilding to refill the peat bucket and check on the chickens.  It was bitterly cold and the ground solid as it had frozen overnight.  As I looked around it was quite amazing that not a soul could be seen.  There was the odd rustling as a sheep moved through the longer grass that was not frozen and a sigh from the wind hitting a rugged fence or building.  It was a joy to be outside and enjoy the deafening silence and the stunning beauty. You could see the wisps of smoke coming from the chimneys  and the smell of burning peat permeating around the village. I may be in lockdown but I can still enjoy the never ending beauty that surrounds me.

I set up a cosy corner for us to enjoy afternoon tea together, using the roses that Gerard had bought for me as a focal point.  It was nice to reminisce about some of the places we have had afternoon tea and compare some of the amazing treats we have eaten over the years.  This I must admit was a lot of leftovers but we enjoyed it none the less.

There was sausage rolls and mincepies from the freezer, leftovers from Christmas.  There was also a small plate of sandwiches using the pork leftover from Sunday lunch.  Along with coleslaw leftover from our Saturday meal.  No scones but a sweet treat of mandarin trifle which I must admit was very tasty.  A pot of tea was also added.  A little extravagent but it felt quite decadent and indeed the treat that it was meant to be.  Are you adding little treats to your day?

I thank all those that left comments and well wishes on my last post, it was greatly appreciated.  Take acre and stay safe wherever you are in the World.

See you soon.

Weekend

The weekend came and went very quickly, the days seem to be merging into each other.  My heart goes out to all those who are home schooling and trying to juggle working from home.  My own three daughters are managing and I am sure are doing a great job but they feel as if they are lacking.  They are doing the best that they can along with everyone else and that is all anyone can ask of them.  The cases of the coronavirus is still rising and I do wonder how long it will take to reach its peak prior to the numbers coming down.  In the meantime the vaccine programme continues and for that I am truly thankful.

I did have my usual baking session over the weekend, baking cheese and mustard scones to go with soup.  I have a couple of batches that need to be used from the freezer.  I also made some sausage rolls that will make a lovely lunch along with some homemade coleslaw.  Finally, a batch of mince pies with a crumble top just because...

The mince pie was also topped with a pecan, heaven in a pastry case.  Each recipe broken down to smaller portions to there is no waste.

Saturday evening we had our treat meal of the week which consisted of steak, grilled tomato, chips and peas.  We really enjoyed it as we don't eat a lot of red meat or indeed chips so it is a real treat to have both in a meal.

All the laundry has been done, washed, dried and ironed.  The Christmas linen is waiting to be packed away a job for today.  The cottage has been cleaned from top to bottom.  A programme of deep cleaning has started, a few extra jobs a day.  Today was to declutter and clean the kitchen drawers, a task that has been needed doing for sometime.  Its amazing how much longer a job can take to do than first anticipated.  The windows need cleaning both inside and out, but the weather is not conducive to this task.  Tomorrow is another day.

A short post, hopefully I will have more to share tomorrow.  Take care and stay safe.  A warm welcome to new followers, I do hope you enjoy my little adventures through life.

See you soon.

Weekend

What a storm we had on Saturday, thunder and lightening lighting up the skies and roaring around the cottage.  Almighty claps of thunder followed by explosive light across the sky.  Taking out the power for a few seconds several times.   It certainly cleared the air which had been quite humid for a few hours earlier.  Once the storm passed it became quite misty and the glorious red started to emerge over the outbuilding.  Not a great photo but it was a glorious sight.

Saturday, we had a walk around the village chatting over the fences for awhile with our neighbours and a couple of friends stopping to chat a while.  We were glad to get out before once again the rain started.  Back to the kitchen to put together a fruit cake, using up some dried fruit that was almost out of date.  A Delia Smith recipe used that has been a faithful recipe for many years producing a moist cake that gets better the longer it stands.

Intermittent rain stopped any further adventures outside so an exploration of the craft room began.  Now much tidier and organised making it easier to find and indeed replenish things as required.   I began to experiment decorating clothes pegs and what fun I had.

 I thought these may be an ideal addition to the top of some Christmas gifts and a fun way to attach the label to a gift.  They don't take long to make either so I don't need to get started with them too early.  I can enjoy the season.  I then went on to make a tassel for my poetry journal made from ribbon, lace, jute and beads.  Another very quick but fun project that would make a wonderful addition to a gift package.  I enjoyed the process and also managed to sort out beads and charms that have been languishing for awhile.

The chives are the best I have ever seen them at the moment so I intend to go out and pick some ready to make some chive vinegar ready for salads.  I also wanted to share with you the size of this egg, it was enormous...ooch!

All ready boxed to take over to my neighbour who regularly bakes us scones a great exchange.  There was a collection for the food bank at Church this week, I feel saddened that so many people are in need at this time through no fault of their own.  It as a great excuse to sort out the kitchen cupboards and storage and give them a good clean in the process.  This epidemic has been so far reaching I ponder these days what 'normal' is and what the future indeed looks like...

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

See you soon.

Weekend

Yesterday we celebrated Fathers Day and had great fun with seeing our daughters and grandchildren.  Thank goodness the internet didn't let us down.  I was also able to speak to my Dad too which was a real delight.  We celebrated with a few of my dear husbands favourite foods.  Not least pork fillet stuffed with apricot and ginger stuffing and wrapped in streaky bacon.  It is a Hairy Bikers recipe and one that we love and use a lot.

It was delicious and enough to have it again today for dinner.  A great recipe that is a huge success every time I cook it.  We had it with a medley of vegetables and a Yorkshire pudding that had been made previously and put in the freezer.  I have been asked for the recipe and how I get them to rise.  The key is to ensure that the pan and the oil is hot prior to putting in the batter. Another great tip to ensure they rise is not to open the oven door until they are cooked about 20 minutes.  The batter I make using:

70g plain flour

2 eggs

100ml milk

sunflower oil for cooking

Mix the ingredients together until they are lump free and pour into the pan.  The batter is enough for 4 large or 12 small puddings.  Hope that helps.

Followed by another favourite lemon meringue pie.

Enough for a couple of days.  This is the one time I do cook the pastry blind to ensure that it is cooked as the meringue is cooked on a quite a low heat. 

We didn't get to the beach as planned, the weather let us down a little but today is another day.  Although a little windy and raining at the moment I am hopeful that this will pass.  I have a pile of ironing that needs my attention and there is always a craft project to keep me busy.  Have you any plans for today?

See you soon.

Weekend

Thankfully, we had a very large store cupboard but this is becoming increasingly depleted day by day.  We had done a very large shop prior to lockdown.  We are blessed with a village store that delivers so we have been able to do a top up shop on a weekly basis.  Realistically, it is not affordable for us to replenish the store cupboard  there but we needed to do something.  Our daughter had sat up each night trying to get us a delivery slot at Tesco's to no avail so finally we phoned the help number on our high risk letter.  What a wonderful service, we now have a delivery slot for Thursday and have already put the order in.  Time will tell if we get it all.  There were some restrictions only 3 of the same item and a limit of 80 items per shop.  I must admit it was a great relief to us both.  That was Friday...

Saturday was spent baking and getting a few more animals ready to share with the Sunday school children.  Another poem was added to the journal which I will share at a later date.

Sunday, a traditional roast and listening to the Church services.  Life is very slow paced but it continues and we are blessed.  We have only had 6 cases on the Island with none of them hospitalised and no deaths due to Covid 19.

We finally managed a walk over the croft now that it is all dry it is easier to walk.  We knew there was nobody about you can see for miles but such a joy to get some fresh air and exercise a little.  It was nice to spend a couple of hours looking through past photos.  This time last year a little trip and walk by the lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis.

Hope you enjoyed reminiscing along with me? 

How was your weekend?  We are certainly living in strange times.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.

Weekend

The weekend was spent spending blissful time with my youngest daughter Lucy and her family, who came to visit for the weekend.  We had a wonderful couple of days just spending time catching up and relaxing in each others company.  All the wedding attire was tried on and looks beautiful and is now hanging on the hangers made for them in preparation for the big day.

We spent time teaching the girls how to play simple board games.

A fun time had by all.  We also had a session crafting with Granny using some of Granny's special things to make Christmas cards for the family.  They loved using the glue.

The dressing up clothes came out and were tried on several times, it was lovely to sit and watch them getting so much fun out of a box of outfits bought from the car boot sale earlier in the year.  They really did enjoy them and have taken them home.

They also enjoyed trying on their new hats and mittens my Mum had knitted for them.

We also had a wonderful time watching and eating our way through a DVD.

                                                                          I am missing them already.  Wilbur had a very successful Halloween party and Bertie who will be 3 on Wednesday went to Thomas Land.  A great weekend had by all.  How was your weekend?

 

See you soon.