Fauna

I love pieces of Fauna pottery. I suppose like lots of things that were made in the 60's and 70's, they remind of bits and pieces that my Nan and Granddad had. I wanted to own a Fauna vase for a while so when I found these 3 pieces dotted about, I thought they would love to come home with me :)

I found this one first, made in Hornsea (very close to us) where most Fauna was made. I think it's so cute, but I just love the little Bambi.

Flushed with the excitment of finding the Bambi vase, I then saw a wee rabbit (should I call it a Thumper to keep with the theme!)

Then another larger vase (or is it a jug?) with another little Bambi and her squirrel friend.

The 3 pieces sit together now in my conservatory. There are lots more designs in the Fauna range, but I think these 3 are my favourites... not that I'm promising I wouldn't get anymore of course!

Take care

xxx

Sewing in the Ends

Phew... why do I always do this? I have spent the last couple of evenings and this morning sewing and weaving in all the loose hanging pieces of yarn from the throw for the back of Andy's chair.

There were 8 big squares, made up of 9 small Granny Squares each. Each small square was either green, cream then green again, or the opposite, cream, green and cream again. So each small square had 6 threads, there were (72 small squares) meaning each large one had 54 threads to be threaded... so 8 larger squares meant there where 432 ends.. arghhhhh...  It did look very overwhelming for quite a while and I had a few piles like this.

Luckily nothing goes to waste and all the ends are stored in my 'ends' jar ready for when it's full and I can use it to make some gorgeous fabric.

My poor thumb was feeling quite sore, but it was worth it and just what Andy wanted - I love my husband :)

Take care
xxx

Welcome Phoebe

We added to our family a few days ago - an African Grey parrot. Our beautiful new girl is called Phoebe.

She has beautiful grey plumage and striking red tail feathers. Imogen loves to feed Phoebe cucumber and apple, and this morning she nibbled her way through tomato and a grape!

Very friendly, chatting away to us though she does tell anyone off who tries to talk to her when she wants to go to sleep!

I think she's gorgeous!

Take care
xxx

Cooking up odds and ends

We've had some nice simple meals recently, using up the odds and ends in the fridge before going to waste.

One of Andy's favourites is pie and chips. He says it's all the different flavours that make it so tasty and it's handy to pop a slice in his pack up for work the next day.

I dry fried the bacon pieces in a pan (I always dry fry) then added onion to fry alongside.

 Lots of nice chunky mushrooms to balance the bacon flavours... smells good :)

 I used ready made puff pastry to make a shallow pie and filled it with the above, covering with lots of fresh red tomatoes and just a sprinkling of cheese.

 It was nice and easy to prepare in the afternoon, and then just pop in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes while the chips were cooking.

The chips are handcut - the best sort. As I've mentioned before, we cook our chips in an actifry, so I peeled and cut the potatoes in the afternoon and left them to drain (they taste better when they go into the actifry dry).

They take about 30 to 35 minutes with their one small spoon of oil.

They smell gorgeous, crisping nicely just like fried chips. The timer ticks down by the minute, beeping when they're ready.

Very yummy chips...

Yummy pie, enough for 6 servings. A very tasty and economical meal.

Another favourite here is chili pasta bake. We always have mince in the freezer and pasta in the cupboard, again something quick and easy. And yes... more tomatoes :)

I don't use beans of any type because as much as I wish that I liked them, I really just can't abide them!

Lots of peas and sweetcorn and chili to taste - we like quite a bit :)

A nice, warming dish as well as very filling.

Good with some Parmesan sprinkled over the top.

Take care
xxx

Pretty Things

I thought I'd show you some of my pretty finds today. I love a good wander around the charity shops, looking at the once loved pieces of china and bric a brac. I try to discipline myself and only allow myself to buy something if it makes my heart sing - otherwise we'd get overrun with bits and pieces and I'd be featuring in one of the hoarder programmes on TV! It's very hard sometimes when I'm holding something pretty to put it back and think, yes it's lovely, but I'm not going to buy it!

Here are some of my pretty, heart singing pieces. A beautiful plate found at a car boot and pretty, delicate cups and saucers.

This little dish is so pretty, I love the small flower design.

Pretty little jug, just right to fill with cream to pour over our Sunday afternoon deserts.

This glass dish needs to be filled with brightly coloured wrapped sweeties.

I haven't picked up any crochet since I finished Imogen's bobble blanket, but I have so many projects I want to do! I've made a start on a Granny Square throw to go over Andrew's chair in the conservatory. It's going to be quite narrow, just over the back and seat, not the sides. Here are the first few squares, still quite a few more to make yet.

Really enjoying making squares again, think I'll go and do some more now... anything rather than make a start on all those ends that need to be sewn in!

Take care
xxx

Comfort Food

This is definitely comfort food, and just right to warm hungry tums on cold autumnal days like today. Imogen is a bit of a fussy eater so I made her a simple cheese and potato pie in a separate dish. Ours wasn't much different, we had bacon and onion, cheesey potato pie. It's quick and ease to prepare, but tastes delicious.

Fried all the bacon bits within an inch of their life so I could drain away any fat or grease.

Chopped an onion, threw it in and fried them together (doesn't need any oil)

Peel, boil and mash lots of potatoes, season then add grated cheese, bacon and onions.

Pop it in a dish and garnish with some nice fresh tomatoes

And a wee one for Imogen

Serve nice and hot with a little bit of grated cheese on the top. Lovely on it's own or with some baked beans

Take care
xxx

Sunday Afternoon Cookies

It's been a lovely Sunday here. The weather is just about holding, so while I peeled and chopped for dinner, Andy was chopping and pulling (up weeds) in the garden. He cleared our old vegetable patch and I'm hoping to plant lots of bulbs in it ready for next Spring.... his hoping next weekend he may be at the allotment clearing and preparing it before all the weeds grow back!

Imogen and I made the most delicious cookies. We prepared the dough in the morning. This is one of my favourite cookie recipes though it feels a bit decadent...

We use 8oz of butter

6oz of caster sugar and 6oz  of soft brown sugar

This is creamed together with a teaspoon of vanilla extract

Added to this very high calorie, sweetness are 2 beaten eggs. Then the flour, 12oz of it and a teaspoon of bicarb and one of salt.

Then the really yummy part... lots of chocolate.

We used a couple of bars of cooking chocolate, about 12oz altogether, roughly chopped up with the odd taste check! Stir it into the gooey dough.

This makes a very sticky cookie dough. Separate into 2 and roll out into 2 fat sausages in clingfilm (otherwise it will stick to everything) and pop it in the fridge until you want to use it.

There may be spoons to lick at this point, depends whether a real sweet tooth or not!

When the dough is chilled it becomes nice and firm. Cut nice thick slices, about 2cm, and pop in an oven for about 10 minutes at Gas 5.

It should be just going golden on the edges when it comes out. leave on the baking tray to set and cool a bit, then transfer to a cooling rack, then to plate, then to tummy while still a bit warm... perfect!

Take care
xxx