Two Down Lots More To Go

Hi there
I am pleased to say that my to do list is gradually getting smaller, however I have had to add a couple of things to the end of it that I'd forgotten to mention.

Rupert 

This is Rupert modelling the latest in doggy attire.  He loves his new jacket and can't wait to put it on and get out in the fresh air.  My friend Carron who is the very proud owner of this little puppy has now ordered two more.

Second to be struck off the list is this baby hoodie made in the ever popular Vesper double knit wool I sell on my stall.  The lady who ordered this called yesterday to pick it up and was very pleased.  She has now asked me to make a pair of matching socks.  I did pass on the knitted blanket she also wanted me to make as I now have enough things to do to take me up to Christmas.
The blankie and Pudsey Bear are nearly finished together with the headband so photographs will be appearing soon.
It was Mums 88th Birthday yesterday so the whole family will be descending on the local pub for a meal later today.  That's eighteen adults and three children.  I'm not keen on family gatherings and usually manage to get wound up by something or someone but I'll keep my fingers crossed that today will be different. It's always nice to see everything and catch up with the news.
Anyway that's all folks.  Have a great day x

Longing For Peace

I was considering what to talk about this morning as it has been a pretty hectic weekend, and then whilst scanning through my pictures I found this lovely picture of my husband disappearing towards the horizon. It was taken at Holkham when we were in Norfolk on our holidays.
Don't you just long for the lazy, hazy days of summer when the weather is bleak and cold outside?  I know I do.
My list of things to make gets longer and I am becoming more and more frazzled.
2 Hooded baby jackets
1 Pair of pink/green bootees
1 Pair of lemon frilly bootees
1 Pudsey Bear
3 Dog jackets
1 Baby blankie (Comforter)
1 Christmas pudding hat
1 Red Christmas hat
Head band
1 Tidy bag
1 Silk necklace
1 Make-up holdall
1 Table runner
1940's Snood
1 pair of childrens socks

One or two things are well on the way to being completed.  I like to have more than one thing on the go at the same time so that I don't get bored.  It's strange because one minute I feel as if I'm not getting anywhere and then suddenly I have several things all finished at the same time.I envy these people who start a project and refuse to do anything else until that thing is finished.  I'm not that focused I'm afraid.
Right I'm off to do a couple of rows of knitting before I go to work.  Have a lovely day and try to find time to relax.  Goodness knows we need it.  Paula x

Courgette Walnut Bread

Good morning and how are you all? It seems to be getting longer between blogs at the moment and no one is more sorry than me for that. I am trying to get all my stock on to a spread sheet in order to do a stock take.  I should have my tax forms in by the 31st October so it's all systems go.  If I miss the deadline I then have to do the form on-line and as my computer skills are extremely limited, that is a risk I would rather not take.
I have also decided to take my insurance exams which means that I will be able to put Cert CII after my name.  I work for an Insurance Brokers full time in addition to my wool stall and thought it was about time I got a qualification.  I have worked in insurance for thirty two years so maybe I should have something to show for all my efforts.  Anyway enough about me.  Here is the long awaited recipe for Courgette Walnut Bread.  The recipe was collected on a trip to Clumber Park which is near Retford.  We went to a tasting day in the walled garden and they had made this cake for us to try.  It is very moist and so tasty.

8oz whole wheat flour (I use white self raising)
2tsp ground cinnamon
1tsp salt
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
1tsp all spice
half tsp of baking powder
12 oz sugar
half a pint of vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 tblsp vanilla extract
grated zest of 1 lemon
2 courgettes coarsely grated (no need to peel)
large handful of toasted chopped walnuts or similar nuts

Preheat the oven to 165cc gas mark 3
Butter and flour 2 loaf tins.
Stir the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, all spice and soda in bowl.  In a separate bowl whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract and lemon peel.  Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Add the courgettes and nuts and stir gently.  Pour the mixture in to the two tins and bake in the oven for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cooked.  The cake can brown quite easily so have a piece of baking parchment ready to place over the top of the cake if it starts to look as if it might burn.
Let it stand for 10 minutes before turning it out on to a rack to cool completely.
The loaf can be iced, buttered or just eaten as it is.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do.  Bye for now Paula x

So Much Fabric So Little Time

Just in case you were worrying about how I manage to spend my hard earned cash I thought I'd let you see.  Aren't these the most wonderful fabrics? I know, the photo leaves a lot to be desired and if I get some lovely sunshiny light sometime soon I will try again, but beggars can't be choosers and you sometimes just have to make the most of what God gives you.  Anyway I bought these at Heath's Country Store in Ollerton, Nr Retford and I love them all dearly.  Three are Christmas designs chosen for their small patterns and they are poised to become little foundation pieced Christmas hangings.  The tiny house print will perhaps become the back or lining of something (you guessed it I just liked it, no plans as yet) and the pure one I liked because I like gentle, authentic themes, if you know what I mean.
My week has been a mixed bag with the funeral of my Uncle kicking the week off.  As you can imagine this was a very sad affair especially for my Mum who has took his passing particularly hard.  Walt was actually my Mums cousin but we always called him Uncle.  My Mum is very 'old school' and anyone who we didn't call Mr or Mrs seemed to be Auntie or Uncle.  Uncle Walt will be sadly missed.
Since the funeral I have been under the weather what with a touch of tummy trouble (I won't expand on that) and then a migraine (I can now officially call my bad heads Migraine after being diagnosed by my Doctor) I haven't done half of what I had planned for this week.
I opted out of going to the Mothers Union last night and my quilting class tonight.  I just don't feel like doing anything that involves any effort right now.
I'm having my hair cut tomorrow night.  Doesn't it come round quick? I am changing hairdressers yet again in the quest of a good one.  Wish me luck.  Then on Monday I am going to Specsavers for an eye test.  Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will have a brand new image and perhaps a new lease of life.  Here's hoping.
Bye for now Paula x

Cup Cakes

Hello and thank you for dropping by.  Not much to report today so I decided to have a browse through my photographs and came a cross this one.  These little beauties were the cupcakes made by my son's partner Heather who owns Miss Cakeaholic.  You can visit her blog by clicking on my favourite sites link. They were my birthdays buns and were chocolate and orange flavour sponge with Matchmakers and Terrys Chocolate segments placed on top. We took them away to Norfolk with us and they went down very nicely with a steaming cup of coffee.  Very civilized.

Cutie Bootees

Good morning.  From where I'm sat I can't see what the weather is like but hopefully it will be glorious again.  Isn't our weather freaky at the moment?  Believe it or not, yesterday was the hottest day I have experienced whilst working my stall and as you know I started in April.
Anyway back to business.

I decided to make a pair of strawberry bootees the other day and my friend Jeanne claimed them for her friend who is having a baby girl next year.  They were going to go on my stall but I can always do some more.
The frilly ones above are for another friend, who having seen the first set asked me to make a pink and white pair.  They are so cute.  They seem to bring out the soft side of everyone who sees them.  It's a lovely feeling when you make something from a strand of wool which evokes emotion in people.  I will definitely be making more and who know perhaps a few pairs will find their way on to the stall after all. Cheers Paula x