Friday, August 26, 2011

Still on the finishing streak


I have made some "kiwana" bunting for my UK friend. Finally finished after sitting around for a long time.

Monday, August 22, 2011

What happens at Sunday School on a sunny day

getting up was easy but sitting on top was a bit precarious for some

some had problems getting down, so Aaron's arms at the ready
After all the snow and cold yesterday was warm and fantastic. So Aaron and I decided to hold Sunday School outside. A bit of running around games first, then a study and then onto making crowns as the activity. Afterwards there was a lot of climbing happening, both on the pagoda and up trees.

The first seeds sprouting for the new season

Well two weeks ago I sowed a pile of seeds. Knowing this to be optimistic but I just couldn't resist. Inspite of three days of snow and some incredibly chilly weather after I have sprouts!!! The little container is a pile of mizuna to cut and use in salads just as new leaves. In the big container is my mix for mescalin salad - some red and green bok choy, coriander, red lettuce. All things quite cold hardy and yummy in another four weeks we will be having summer salad.

I planted some presprouted cauliflower in amongst what is my new strawberry bed. I had a big clean out of the old strawberry bed which has been going strong for 9 years. But have decided to reduce that in size and slowly phase out whilst starting somewhere new. The new season's broad beans are in the back of the bed and I am looking forward to broad bean humus.Yum.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Lemon Honey - yummy yummy

Or for those from the UK - lemon curd. Snowing again!!! Incredible that we have had two big snows in three weeks, when normally we only get snow about every four years. To think that I had just gotten very optimistic and sown some seeds in the glasshouse last week.
The lemons are from Margo and Warwicks tree. Always good to cook when it's cold. I had made a pavlova that went terribly wrong (I have never ever had that happen before) and there were egg yolks left over from that.
I also tried making it in the microwave. Just giving it short bursts. It worked really well.

A Finished Christmas Present

Front
Back
I have finished my second Christmas present. A pin cushion for my friend Kris in the UK. Somehow when I stitched it up I got it a bit lopsided. It is not my best - issues with centering of stitching etc. But I was inspired by Leanne Beasley's magazine "Vignette" which had a pin cushion for remembrance in it. Anyway. My design and my way. Using recycled linen from an old linen shirt, and cosmo threads.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Another almost finished project

A couple of months ago I showed the beginning of a quilt using "strings". Well while I was away on my annual quilting retreat (absolutely fantastic three day weekend!!) I finished the quilt top. Picture does not do it justice. I am really please with it. Now for the pining out and quilting.

A gorgeous break in Rarotonga

Woo hoo, A holiday with no kids for 11 days. Bliss, relaxing and warm! BTW it was an early 20th wedding anniversary present to ourselves....