Last Day in August

Last day of August - how did that happen? I'm posting over here today.

Tomorrow I am hoping to do a reveal of my Jelly Roll quilt and show some progress being made on my red jumper.

DS1 comes home on Friday after his great adventure in South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho and another place that I've forgotten the name of. So looking forward to seeing him again and hearing all about his holiday.

Around my garden

Walking round the garden today I took rather a few photographs which will provide me with inspiration for a couple of little projects I plan to work on...

This really has to be my favourite rose in our garden.

The stigma in this poppy, really does look like a little man.

Some new roses to plant at my 'retreat'.

Pretty hebe.

Wandering up the road to admire the...

Fungi growing on a tree.

A tiered skirt maybe?

I've started working on my red jumper again finally...although it did involve unravelling six rows! Probably an indication of how cold I've been feeling the last couple of days. I'm also on the final stretch of my jelly roll quilt - just got to hand sew the back of the binding on and then embroider the label. Hopefully I'll have a reveal ready by the end of the week! That is my goal anyway.

White Chocolate & Raspberry Blondies.

I was given this recipe on Thursday by one of the ladies in our quilting group. I think it may be a recipe by Lakeland. Today I thought I would give it a try - hubby and DS2 gave it the thumbs up!

Ingredients:

150g white chocolate broken up

100g white chocolate finely chopped

200g unsalted butter, diced

3 large eggs

150g caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

200g plain flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

150g fresh raspberries

Method:

Place broken chocolate and butter in heat proof bowl, set the bowl over a pan of steaming water and melt gently, stirring frequently. Remove bowl from the pan and set aside.

Whisk the eggs in a large bowl until frothy. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat throughly until mousse-like texture.

Whisk in the chocolate mixture.

Sift the flower and baking powder directly onto the mixture and fold in. Scatter the fresh raspberries over the top.

Bake at 180 C /350 F, for about 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out almost clean.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin before cutting and removing. Store in an airtight container and eat within two days.

Brownie tin 13 1/2 inches x 8 inches x 1 inch perfect size.

I didn't have one of these so used two round tins and will probably freeze one of the cakes.

Enjoy!

Sunday

Happy Birthday to my Dear Sister

We seem to be strangers for reasons unknown

But you will always be my sister and are often in my thoughts

Happy Birthday Michelle.

This time last year I wrote this post

It's my sister's birthday today. Sadly when I was in New Zealand she didn't really want to know me for reasons known only to herself. Both my Mum and Dad tried to talk to her, but there seems to be a block there. I find this very sad and would love to be able to share my blog with her and my parents...but sadly that is not to be. However, I would like to wish her a very happy and special 40th Birthday from far away and to remind her that, 'Being too quick to judge someone can deprive you of a great encounter and the possibility of a wonderful long-term relationship', and 'It's never too late to heal an injured relationship'.

Happy Birthday my Dear Sister, I often think of you and wish we could be friends

Sadly nothing has changed. I saw her a grand total of about twice I think it was when I was over in New Zealand for five weeks in February/March. Once we spoke over the gate, as an icebreaker I asked her about her horses as I was an avid rider and horse owner when I lived in NZ. Not much forthcoming. I would loved to have seen her horses and perhaps maybe even given them a groom or gone for a ride with her. I mean they live on the same farm as Mum and Dad! The second time was another ever so brief hello, when I helped Mum bring in the shopping when my sister dropped her home after taking her out. I even had my birthday over there and never heard anything from her.

I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does, so much to share and give...

So if by some miracle you stumble across my blog Michelle...I do often think of you and wish you well and a very happy birthday.

An outlet for self expression

That is what I can see this embellisher being...I would love to be able to draw and paint and have tried several times, but get frustrated at my attempts, however perhaps this can be another possibility. I loved the freehand style of using the embellisher yesterday evening when I put it through its paces for the first time. Having no idea what I was going to do, I grabbed a piece of denim, cut from DS2's ripped jeans, some wool and set to.

With its six (or is it five?) needles I wasn't sure how this was going to work, but liked the idea of just seeing what would happen.

Inspired by on of the roses in my garden I chose reds, oranges and yellows.

The stem is of course far too thick, but for a very first attempt I am pleased with this.

So for a machine that usually costs around the £299.00 mark, the £50 I spent on it (saved from boarding monies received) I think this is going to be a good investment that I was very lucky to get. It is in pristine as new condition and works like a dream. I was also given loads of books, a bag of wool and other materials to use for embellishing, spare needles and accessories.

I am now official on a no-spend diet ;) no more visiting CS, Evilbay, etc until my credit card (which is normally only ever used for groceries, and then paid off in full each month) is no longer in the red.

I've also received my swap partner for the 2011 Friends Swap (picture on left side bar). She is Ngaire from Victoria in Australia. You can find her here. Should be good fun! I've already got the first gift ready...started thinking early this time!

Summer Swap & Embellisher

Yesterday I received a wonderful parcel from Madison for the SCC Summer Swap. I love all my goodies I received, all beautifully wrapped and think they are fabulous.

The pomander is going to be used for my lavender and then I will hang it up in my wardrobe. Cute little doilies, wonderful strawberries to be hung up in a kitchen window, candle flares, a little flower press, a pinwheel and the most gorgeous little rose brooch, oh and not forgetting the wonderful tin that the goodies were 'hidden' in.

Isn't this brooch just gorgeous? Just perfect for me, I love it.

Thank you so much Madison.

Yesterday afternoon I received another delivery...some time ago I was asked if I would like an embellisher, so I gave it some thought, looked at the DVD and read the book and said yes please.

Well it is as new in wonderful condition and I can't wait to start experimenting on it.

In fact will take it to quilting group today to try it out.

I don't like the rain

A little bit of everything done yesterday...

Ironing - well actually this was a huge pile!

Hoovering the hallway and kitchen.

Some sewing - another top decorated.

Both photos taken early this morning with flash, so not a true representation of colours.

The pain levels are pretty bad at the moment - not just right my arm and shoulder, but also my higher back/right ribs and left leg from the hip down.

So whilst the Raw Foods has helped my weight, and headaches, it has so far not helped with the pain at all...but I will persevere.

As for the other problem...it has settled down...but then I haven't asked for anything specific to be done. I did suggest we sort out his clothes in his draws and wardrobes and was met with a definitive negative, so I didn't push.

Some decisions have been made in terms of respite (for myself) which I will share soon.

Must get on with some more housework. Progress is slow, but at least it is progress.

Tuesday Treasure

Taking part in Melody's Tuesday Treasure my treasure for today are the photos I took of the dramatic sky last night.

Almost haunting in appearance I used the setting TV 1/1600 on my camera.

Busy as a Bee.

A Study in Pinks & Oranges...

Busy Bees if you please, enjoying my lavender

I've done a little work on my vegetable garden today.

Two boxes needed tidying up.

Broccoli and Peas past their use by date ;-)

Two tidy beds ready for winter planting.

Had a bad day yesterday, but a fairly good, although busy day today, the sunshine and warmer weather helped. Although my arm/shoulder and back are still giving me pain.

Spent a lot of time photographing items for Evilbay. Hoping I will have some luck with selling them and actually make a little bit of money, although a lot would be nice!

Finished the dress I was making the other day and have listed that and two others on my Sewing for Sasha blog.