New Family Member

Hello, I am still here, just looking after a poorly family, both littlies have had bad fevers and now baby D has got a chest infection.  Big D (aka the other half) has been off from work since last Friday with the dreaded fever but is on anti b's for tonsillitis.  I was the only fit one until last night when I noticed an ache in my back, which got progressively worse overnight and this morning I feel quite unwell, the pain is not only in my back it is in my sides,  I have self diagnosed a kidney infection so off to the Docs. My emergency appointment is not until this evening!

Well as the title says  new family member.  I would like to introduce you to Dolly.  Dolly was my Ebay bargin, which I had to travel 487 miles for on Saturday morning to pick up.  I left the house at 5.15am and went on my merry way.  Big D was supposed to be going, but was not well enough.  I actually enjoyed the journey there which took about 4.5 hours, but coming back was not so good. Accident after Accident so my 4.5 hours turned into 6.5!

Now to me my dolly is very special, you see my machine and I were not on good terms, she was old and temperamental and I was loosing faith in her, so I started to look around as was recommended Juki who are well known for their industrial expertise.  They have ventured into the domestic market.  Well after much research and a honest conversation with my local machine shop, they said if you can get your hands on a industrial model, you will have a friend for life.  So that's how I found her,

She is a DDL 555 and is beautiful, named Dolly after my Nanna, who used sewing machines all her life.

She has her own table

Her own oil well

Want a closer look?

And now her own Nana's cosy

And I Love her very much.

Off now to rest back soon with lots of sewn goodies

Clare x

Ta Da Ta Da !!

Well two little completed projects to share today.

First is my little hoodie, all done, really pleased with this.  Will definately make another one of these, maybe in stripes.  I really enjoyed making this.  

So here goes,  completed project two balls of aran weight yarn.  Pattern said three.  I did have to open the third (but only to sew up the arms!)  Happy Mummy, Happy Bubba

Second completed project is a little paper mache blue bird.  Oh yes indeedy, we went one step further than covering balloons.  We modeled, shaped and taped, then made it bird like, it even has tail feathers and then got out the paints.  Next apparently is a giraffe!

Back soon with birthday present reveal.  Recipient has not received it yet.  So soon I promise

Clare x

Papier Mache and Muffins

Little man is not at Nursery today he is fine, it's me.  I have pulled a muscle in my chest!  pulling the pram up the hill in the snow yesterday.  I am very uncomfortable and it hurts when I breath in.  So there was no way I could managed that journey in the snow and ice again today.  So have a look what we have been up to on our home schooling day

Papier Mache, inspired by  small things  

Drying stage, will update with progress as we go!

Baking, recipe from Alice these are totally amazing and healthy too!

Hope you are having a good day.  I will be back soon with tales of knitting.

Snow Snow Snow

I do love a bit of snow, all crisp and clear and the whole house is really bright, beats those wet grey days.  (This is the view from the upstairs of our house.)  In saying that the walk to Nursery this morning was not lovely.  I put son no. 2 in the push chair, which promptly got stuck and became a pull chair.  I didn’t realise just how steep the hill is!  By the time I got home I was exhausted.  We have to do the same thing all over again at 12.00. 

Little man (son no. 1) loved the snow at the weekend.  He built a snowman, snow angels, snow balls, you name it he did it.  He has been so worried about his snowman melting, but it hasn’t melted – worse the unexpected happened, we opened the curtains this morning and we had a visitor overnight.  Someone came along and knocked the head off of his snoman!  How cruel, bless him he is distraught.  He isn’t even four yet and just can’t understand why someone would do such a thing.  We know for certain it is a person and not an animal they left tracks in the snow and over the wall!

I have enjoyed being snuggled up indoors though.  I managed to complete the body on my knitting and one arm.  So all that is left is one arm, the hood and the button bands.  I can’t wait to see this on my ever growing baby!  Well, not a baby anymore!

I also cast on for a new little project, but I can’t reveal anymore, as this is a pressie.

We also did some baking at the weekend.  We made some Soda Bread,  I have never made this before and am really impressed.  It is so easy to do.

And these scrumptious chocolate brownies, which I am off for a cuppa and one of these beauties now!

Hope wherever you are you are warm and well

Clare x

Resolutions of a sort

I don't generally do new year resolutions, why?  I'm not very good at sticking to them.  But this year I am making an achievement list, which is simple really.  Our aims are:

1. RECYCLE MORE
2. TRIM THE FOOD BUDGET
3. EAT ORGANIC AND LOCAL
4. GROW YOUR OWN SMALL PATIO PRODUCE
5. FINISH THE GARDEN
6. RELOCATE THE HENS
7. ENJOY MORE FAMILY TIME
8. START MY OWN BUSINESS (already underway and separate from our existing business)

Well, when I look at that little list I know that it is all achievable and hopefully enjoyable.

I do have some personal goals like, being more organised, getting fitter, dropping a dress size and improve my knitting.  But not resolutions these goals are with me pretty much on a permanent basis.  I would really like to concentrate of greener living as well (which is included in the above achievement list).

I did start yesterday with being a bit more organised.  I purchased a slow cooker on sale £27.00 (love a bargain).  I did have one many moons ago and used it a lot.  I think this will get a lot of use and will help to organise my daily routine and busy schedule.

So I will hopefully start meal planning, which should help to trim the food budget (No. 2).  Yesterday's fare was not bad we had butternut squash bake (I will share the recipe for this) and today we are having vegetable stew.  By the way we are vegetarians so this new purchase should help with trying new things too.

I am off to do a couple of hours work on the existing business and will hopefully start working on my new website tonight.  In-between looking after my two poorly boys, both have temperatures and snotty noses today!  

I will be back with pictures and recipes for the slow cooker soon.

Clare x