Welcome! This last week we have had 2-3 mornings in the minus temperatures and with a layer of frost covering most things. While walking here, cars were going past with white roofs. It was chilly which makes the legs move faster. :-)
The old fence which surrounds one side of our garden was finally removed.
The huge rose bush was cut off and a new fence put up. It looks so much neater. I am looking forward to Spring so I can get it tidied up with new plantings in place. One day at a time.
Our yard overflowed with cars for a few days with hardly a space spare because ....
... there was a load of gravel delivered, spread and rolled and rolled again. Wonder is they are going to seal it with hot mix?
My sister has been sewing some new slippers for her shop at The Arty Duck. She even went to the trouble of marking the left and right preference.
I have made some new cowls which have baby alpaca and silk included. They are so soft to the skin and luxurious.
The skies at sunset have been a spectacular colour. Praise God!
Have a great week and enjoy each day where you are ... Dot
Welcome back to a new week. We are still getting a bit of rain but at the same time plenty of sunshine. So today the clothes are outside on the line and will be aired inside overnight. This morning the temperature was a low 1 degree. Oh dear, and you could feel it.
One of the jobs on my list this week after returning from the weekend away, was to get my small stool out to enable me to stick my head right in the cupboards. Things move about slightly in travel and it is always good to get them tidy again and at the same time see what you can remove to use or discard. I have a pile sitting on the sideboard that needs using. In the mix was some chocolate. We have not used chocolate for a while and so I found some recipes up and started to bake with it.
First off the list was Raspberry Chocolate Brownie. I had some for breakfast with coffee. Delicious. The base has cocoa powder in it along with melted dark chocolate.
I still need to make Chocolate Bliss balls and Strawberry Choc chip muffins. I chop chocolate bars up for the bits in the muffins. Perfect, and works out cheaper.
You can only have so much cake on the go at once so when the brownie is about to run out I will bake the next goody.
I made this using chocolate recently. You divide a punnet of raspberries in a glass, top with double cream and melted chocolate. Mmmmm. Nice to finish dinner with.
I have been venturing outside most evenings and taking a pic of the sunset. Sometimes I miss it. I nearly have to set a reminder. Gosh!!! But I have got a few shots and sent them to my family. This Saturday is the shortest day and so the days will gradually get longer.
All the best to you and yours ... Dot
Last weekend was the last long one until November for us. So we made the most of it and drove off late Friday afternoon.
The next morning sunrise was at 7.36am but there was too much cloud.
We did some shopping and settled for the next 2 days by the sea.
Cold coffee and crochet!!
And plenty of Lemon Yoghurt cake to enjoy.
On my afternoon wander about.
Sunset ....
It was such a great weekend with magnificent weather.
Made a new recipe. Beef & Broccoli Stir fry with mint. Thanks Jules from Stonesoup for your new ebook.
Weekend makes.
Long trains went by and one even came through at 4.30am during the night.
Back home again I went for a late afternoon walk.
I made a salad for dinner and D2 made a Savoury Cheesecake from Jules ebook. It was delicious.
And now we have a week of rain, rain and more rain. Winter is really here and so while dodging the drips we get about when and where we can.
Life's good ... Dot :-)
Herbs are very handy to have growing in your garden and when you find the garden holds a glut, pick them and pop in zip lock bags in your freezer. I don't yet have a rosemary bush growing in our garden (a plant is currently on the window sill with a wonderful display of roots to go) but this rosemary came from the freezer when I made up a batch of Pumpkin & Haloumi muffins. We love to have rosemary handy too to pop on lamb to roast. Mmm!
In my garden I have yummy spring onions which when picking you collect the leaves only and they keep producing more.
Oregano in abundance. These herbs add flavour to soups, casseroles and plain eggs become a treat combined with cheese and herbs.
Time for some thyme. You need only to pick the stems, rub in your hands and you get the first release of fragrance before adding to your cooking.
Recently I have been making batches of soup. As soon as one is finished another is on the go. Soup is so easy to make and lends itself to filling you up when combined with a roll or just cake and coffee now that the weather is cooling off.
Soup allows you to be creative. It can simply be made with 5 ingredients or much more. If you start with diced onion, carrot, garlic and ginger with a blob of butter in a saucepan. Get that simmering and pop the lid on to sweat while your prepare your other vegetables. Check your fridge and see what there is to use. The secret is in the seasoning. Chicken or beef stock for example along with salt, pepper, curry, herbs. Vegetables that combine well are pumpkin, sweet potato, cauliflower, broccoli etc. When cooked blend with hand blender or mash well and add cream when serving up. Delicious every time.
Along our main street the flower beds have new plants in them. Very pretty.
Hope my blog this week inspired you to plant some herbs or even make soup.
Bye for now ... Dot :-)
