Effort

Thanks for popping by. 

Since last week I have put the effort in to finish off a few projects so I could wear them. 

I crocheted these fingerless mittens using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. It was great to work with and they are soft and warm to wear. I am now doing a set for my daughter to wear to work using different wool. It is a very easy pattern. 

Over the weekend I complete my hat. I used Malabrigo yarn and knitted it up on small circular needles. Nice to wear and the colour is pigeon. 
If you are not familiar with Ravelry, I encourage you to grab a cuppa and log on. Both of these patterns along with many others are on that site.
I had the day up the coast yesterday and I wore both items and they kept me warm and comfortable all day. Love them. 

One of our hot winter warmers. I threw in some chicken drumsticks into the slow cooker and topped with a tin of tomatoes, diced garlic and soy sauce. I allowed it to cook for several hours on low and served with a vegetable mash. Next time I am going to add a few different ingredients to allow for a bit of variety. It is certainly a delicious and easy dish.

And I installed on of my birthday gifts in the garden. The bulbs are coming up already for spring. 

Until next time, have a great week ... Dot

Winter Solstice

Hello
It's nice to know the days will be gradually getting longer and warmer. We live in hope.
For the present though it is lovely keeping warm with hot showers, hot drinks and plenty of warm clothes and yummy hot winter meals. 

This week I made a different snack for hubby to take to work.  I found a recipe where you just melted dark chocolate, poured it into blobs on baking paper and decorated with nuts, dried fruit and seeds. They are delicious. They would be different every time you made them as you could use what you had in the pantry. 

We desperately needed some sauce or something to put on eggs, quiche etc. You know what I mean. I did not want to go and buy some so I pulled out an old recipe that we have enjoyed in the past and I tweaked it a little. I replaced the brown sugar with molasses.
I remember when I first made this I could not imagine how it would taste. It has a weird mix of ingredients. We loved it.

Here is the recipe:

Cashmere Chutney
1 kg green apples
450g raisins
450g dates
2 garlic cloves, diced
1 teaspoon ground ginger 
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 Litre apple cider vinegar
1 Tb salt
1/4 cup molasses

Wash, core and dice apples. Place all ingredients in large pot. Cut dates in half to make sure there isn't a stone. (I have found one on most occasions). Bring to boil and simmer for 1 hour. It will change colour to a dark brown. We prefer it not to be chunky, so I blend with my stick blender before bottling. I think it is nicer blended.  I keep it in the fridge and it made about 6 good sized jars. 

We served our chutney with deep fried Camembert over the weekend. Yum. 
You could also make this with fresh ginger and replace the molasses with honey. First time around I would only put 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, then younger mouths might enjoy it too. 

Our dining table is a little messy again. I decided to recycle some magazines in the event of cleaning up a few and am in the process of making up a couple of scrapbooks for my grand-girls. Very therapeutic. 

Whoohoo! I finished my yarn bag. It is huge, so it will hold a lot of projects, hee hee. I am going to make another and make it much smaller. But not just yet as I have a few UFO's to do this week. 

Hot shower calls ... Dot 

15/06/15

Hello Everyone
I know it is the 16th today but I wanted to use yesterday's date. Today I find myself in the warm part of our home. I have tidied the dining table and brought my laptop from the office to the dining table. It is nice to be snug here where we do most of our living and listen to the rain gently falling on the roof. The rain has been pretty constant today but it is not windy. So peaceful. 

The bag has not been completed but I managed to make the handles and started on the flowers and leaves.

This week I decided to make some bread in my slow cooker. I had been reading about doing cakes and breads in it and so I set out and made a loaf with mushroom and spring onion. I placed baking paper in the bowl first, put my bread dough in there and placed a towel under the lid. As suggested, I folded the towel up onto the lid and in a couple of hours it was ready. 

I am keen to give this another go. I made it with spelt flour but today I purchased some unbleached flour and will mix some of that in next time. 

That's all I have for you today ... Dot

June Long Weekend

Hi Readers
We had HAIL today. I say no more!!!
Hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed the extra long weekend. We slept in and took our time over meals and coffee on the go. There was no venturing outside so we kept warm washing walls, windows and painting.

I am still working at the table going through all the paper I own and sorting it out. I have made cards and more cards and having fun. 

Hubby asked me to take this pic. He said I had crocheted a beanie that had gone seriously wrong. It is actually going to be a yarn bag. I am currently working on the handles and will show you the completed item next week. 

Hubby is home now so better go join him.

Keep warm ...Dot

Winter

Well folks, winter is here and it is FREEZING. I have closed some doors and heated up the other end of our home where we spend the majority of our day and I am up the other end where it is cold. I have brought a hot cuppa tea with me and that is helping. 

My soap supply was getting low so on Saturday I decided to set up to make some more. I thought with hubby around he would be interested in what I do. And so he was.

He got in and made me a mold from a potato and set to work marking all the soaps. They are now settled by the window to dry for 6 weeks.

This was posted today to my June secret pal. She requested bright colours and so I was happy to make a bright and cheery owl. I made it with Sugar 'n Cream wool and it turned out a little larger than the other owls that I have made; but still cute. 

I decided to make D2 a striped knitted dishcloth and added a row of crochet around the edge as she likes a hook. She liked it and it was a good size. 

And I was so happy with the outcome of my May challenge to spend only $100 per week. I went over the first couple of weeks but was pleased with the outcome in week 4. 

Being the 1st day of the month, I should get into the budget, but first I will go and get another cup of hot tea.

...Dot