Baking and Bags

As you know I love the domestic side of life, home making, cooking, knitting, sewing and everything in between and over the last few days I've managed to fit a few of my favourite things in to my busy life.

For some reason I don't have much luck when it comes to making scones, so when I come across a new recipe I can't resist having a go in the hope that this will prove to be the mother of all scone recipes.  This particular one wasn't all that exciting but they were very nice and all got eatten.

From the same blog I also found this Lemon and Almond Tart.  Now this was worth shouting about and when I don't have hubby pestering me to get out of bed I will publish this for you all to try.  I used an orange instead of lemon simply because I didn't want to go to the shops but it was still delicious. I don't know if it was supposed to but the orange turned in to a thin layer of orange curd between the pastry and the almond sponge which was delicious.

 I also made this little bag. A woman on one of the market stalls in Worksop asked if I would be willing to make her some bags to go with a new range of children's clothes she will be launching shortly.

 In anticipation I decided to start designing one so that I could at least get a head of the game and have an idea of how long these things would take me and therefore the costing involved.

It's surprising just how long one bag takes what with the initial crocheting then the sewing up and then the little extra details that bring it all together.
I'm not sure if this is exactly what she wants but I enjoyed making it and I'm sure some little girl would love to own it.

Quite Furious!

I have just bobbed over to the Jane Brocket blog as I do every time I log on to my own blog and low and behold I see that she has to take time out to decide whether she continues blogging for free, whether she carries on writing etc etc.
I am so annoyed.  I found Jane's blog after reading a short article about her in a magazine.  She obviously got loads of publicity from this and at the time we were able to comment and follow her. 
Since then what used to be Yarnstorm changed to Jane Brocket.
I have thought for some time that the style of her blog has altered from that of a housewife and mother wanting to share her life with her many followers to that of a successful writer who certainly knows it!
I have bought several of Jane's books and have read every word she has ever written on her blog and quite frankly I am appalled that she could consider turning her back on her loyal followers.
I understand that everyones lives change and sometimes blogging perhaps comes very low on our priorities but after all she is only where she is now because of us! Poor show Jane.
As for myself, I am sure I will never reach such dizzy heights but rest assured I will always be very grateful to everyone who takes time out of their busy schedule to read my words and look at my photographs.  Thank you everyone and speak soon when I have calmed down a bit.  Paula x

Zentangle

I was sent an email recently inviting me to a Zentangle workshop and I was intrigued to know what this was.
To my amazement it is a kind of doodle art and although I didn't go to the workshop I have done a little research via You Tube (of course) and gave it a go.

To start with you need some white card and a fine line drawing pen.  I bought a full pack for £9.99 as I was unsure which thickness would be best.  So far I think the 02 is about right.

Here is one of my first attempts.
Basically you draw a frame with a pencil, then add a squiggly line inside the frame, which is called a string, and then you fill in the spaces with fancy patterns.  It's very quick to do and the affect is amazing.  It has a 3D look about it.  I got really wrapped up in it which I assume is why it is called Zen. It's so relaxing and very addictive.

Essie nail varnish in On the Button

February on the Chesterfield Canal

It was lovely to escape to the country today for a short walk down the Chesterfield Canal.
I fell in love with this house quite a few years ago and it recently went under the hammer. 

Forrest Middle Top Lock (Charlie's Lock)

As you can see work has started and the brick is now exposed.  The house is suffering badly from subsidence and I imagine it will cost a fortune to renovate.

This field reminded me of France especially with the red brick building in the distance.

56 - Forrest Middle Bottom Lock

It was extremely cold but we were well wrapped up.

Creeping Ivy on a tree trunk

There were no snowdrops, much to my disappointment but there were lots of fir cones. There was even a tiny little wren collecting bits of grass perhaps to make his new nest.

The colours glowed prettily through the woods.
This walk marks the start of Spring for us.  I can't wait to take more photos as the seasons unfold and the landscape changes.

York

I know my posts seem to be a bit hit and miss at the moment.  I'm off sick today so whilst I sit on the settee feeling very sorry for myself I thought I'd do something constructive.  I'm drinking nettle tea to try and clear my system a little.  I hear it's good for the water works and also for arthritis.  It would be wonderful if it eased my aching back.
Oh before I forget, the detox diet lasted 36 hours.  It was so hard.  I did lose 4 pounds though so it definitely works.
Last Friday we decided to take advantage of the lovely weather we've been having and took ourselves off the York.

York Minster

It's a great place to visit with so much to see.
We visited the Quilt Museum which was lovely although £6.60 each seemed rather steep. The quilts were beautiful but unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take any photographs.

We did a bit of window shopping.  Can you believe it.  I didn't buy a thing.
Steve wanted to go to the York Museum which was very interesting.  We love history and this had lots of Roman finds from in and around York.  There was also a short film which explained the long history of the city.

York also has it's own Eye just like London.

We're hoping to go back again soon to visit the Minster.
Ok the tablets are wearing off.  Bye for now.

My New Leaf

What joy.  Finally my brain and body are in agreement that something needs to be done and as a result I start a new detox diet today as well as attend my gym MOT meeting and if that's not enough I'm at the Doctors this afternoon to sort out a couple of niggling health issues.  Wow.
I joined the Nuffield gym last week but as yet haven't been.  That was because I didn't have a swimming costume.  Well that's a lie.  I don't have a costume that I can fit into, but I do now.

I'm rather excited although I am also nervous because no doubt my gym person will be half my age and half my size.  Wouldn't it be nice if they tailored the staff to the customers, at least that way we wouldn't feel so intimidated.  Does anyone else feel this way or am I just feeling alittle insecure?
Oh that reminds me.  I watched the first episode of The Spa last night on Sky.  It was brilliant and very funny. 

Talking of detoxing.  My friend at work has just done a week on the GM Diet and has lost 18 pounds.  I repeat 18 pounds! Can you believe it? It is a man and I know they always lose weight easier but even so.
Anyway I thought I'd have a go.  It doesn't seem that difficult but I will have to make a couple of adjustments to it.  I'm aiming for half a stone which I think is much more realistic.  Wish me luck and lets hope I don't give in to any yummy cakes.

Naked Cupcakes

I knew I wanted to blog today but I couldn't think of anything particularly interesting to talk about. So in an attempt to drum up some inspiration I had a scan through my photo library.
The sad thing was that nothing really hit me so I picked this very simple stand of extremely plain cupcakes.
The stand came with a box set that had been reduced to 99p in the Works and included two squeezey bottles with decorating nozzles. Quite handy although I haven't used them yet.
I only have pot or glass stands so this was a nice change and it is quite cute.
The cakes were made with an Aldi cake mix and was gorgeous and so quick to prepare. I usually make cakes from scratch but these were really easy and I had ran out of sweet treats for pack up and the box had been left in the pantry for some time.
Right I'm going now and promise to take interesting photos and go to interesting places in order to come back and talk about something worth while!