My Fair Daughter

What a wonderful evening I've had this evening. I've spent the time snuggled up on the sofa with my beautiful 12 year old daughter. The fire was glowing and there was a box of chocolates as we sat together (dearest husband too) singing along to and watching My Fair Lady.

Imogen hadn't seen it before, though already is rather fond of Audrey Hepburn. She recognised many of the songs and joined in with my warbling.

We've decided we might make it a regular night, a musical night... sounds good to me!

Take care
xxx

Huggy Crochet

Goodness me, I appear to have gone from one extreme to another... I think this is my fourth day of writing a post! It's a bit late in the day and I shall be toddling upstairs very shortly, but thought I'd just drop by quickly to say hello and wish you a happy and safe bonfire night.

We haven't celebrated this year, I've spent the evening on the sofa with the dogs. They aren't too fussed by the bangs, but it's nice for them to have the security of having us close by.

Another Christmas present ready to be put away (though only until next month... cripes).

It's a cheeky devil from a book my darling husband bought for me (from my amazon wish list) a while ago.

Nice simple patterns, many using the same basic arm, body and leg design. They don't take too long to make and are a nice size for a gift. I think I have my eye on the monkey next, aren't they cute!

I've had a quiet day today (except for the constant bang from the fireworks), I think I may go to our local knit and natter tomorrow as Imogen has after school commitments so I won't need to rush home.

Take care
xxx

What's for Dinner?

Well it certainly feels colder doesn't it? Not complaining as it's still quite mild for November and I can now start wearing my fluffy bed socks and using our comfy cosy throws in an evening.

There's a long put off decorating project underway here. We've lived in this house for quite a few years now, but have only painted the hallways and stairs over the old wallpaper. I find it so drab and can't wait to see some pretty wallpaper with our family photos hung on it, so my darling husband has started the job of stripping paper, pulling off ceiling tiles (yuck) and removing bits of wooden frames that unfortunately are taking plaster with them!

So I'm doing my bit by making a tasty, quick to serve dinner.

Frying the bacon bits/lardons. Just dry frying them, I don't want it to be greasy.

Water boiling in the back ready for the pasta to go in while I add what's left of the frozen peppers (so much cheaper to buy them like this, and always ready to hand).

Lots of cherry tomatoes. I like to cut them in half and sear in the pan.

Sweetcorn, though peas would be just as tasty.

I love a cheese sauce. We used to have it with fish when we were children... yum! I have only once tasted a cheese sauce from a packet and it was horrible, no comparison to one made yourself, and it's so easy to do.

The only thing not in the photo below is the butter because I'd already used it and popped it back in the fridge. To make a tasty sauce you just need butter, flour and milk. I like to season with some pepper and mustard powder (brings out the cheesiness) and cheese too!

Gently melt the butter in the pan.

Once the fat has melted, add your plain flour. I like to sieve mine so no lumpy bits. Make sure you stir it in well so you don't get any lumps in your sauce.

Gradually add your milk while stirring well. This is a basic white table sauce. I then added seasoning and cheese, stirred through and bubbled to thicken!

Poured the sauce over the pasta and everything from the frying pan.

Heated through in the oven when I heard the call 'what's for dinner'. Nice and filling with a bit of salad so we have our greens.

Take care
xxx

Feeling Snuggly

I absolutely love this sweet little chums.

They were nice and easy to make and just make me want to say awwwww... Changing the colour yarn makes them all look so different.

This first one I made was sent off to be part of a raffle in aid of children with terminal illnesses.

I then had to crochet another one for my sweetie pie Imogen

He sits on her bed amongst many other very cuddly friends.

Take care
xxx

Change in the Weather?

It has been so unseasonably warm, I wish we'd waited a bit longer to change to the winter duvet. Instead of snuggling up under the quilts, I'm throwing open the windows and sticking a leg out the side to cool down... what's that all about?

The weather boffins say it won't last though and things are set to start cooling down. So here's my winter snowman wreath

I've seen a few christmas wreaths with these lovely snowballs. This is inspired completely by the wonderful Sarah and her blog Repeat Crafter Me. She makes such gorgeous things and is very generous sharing her patterns too.

Having a wander around town, I spotted this lovely cookbook from Nigel Slater... nourishing for the soul as well as the body...

It's the second volume of his kitchen diaries, definitely a curl up by the fire and read kind of book

I'm certainly ready for it to get a bit colder (hope I don't regret saying that), lots of hearty winter recipes ready to try out... and Christmas... well I just love Christmas...

Take care
xxx