Raspberries and more

The  berry abundance led me to make some gorgeous raspberry jam, a favourite in our family. Then one thing turned into another. The little bit of jam that would not fit in a jar got sieved for a glaze and delving into my old cook books I made a recipe I had forgotten. The tart was scoffed by the family in seconds flat - no left overs, Oh I had forgotten how delicious it was.

 As the tart uses egg yolks I had some egg whites left over, so of course I made meringues. It was a busy afternoon in the kitchen but what a great result, Jam, Tart and Meringues.

2017 Finish A-long

I am joining the 2017 FAL (see button and link below) and this year I am hoping to get some finishes in. I started the 2016 FAL but with study and operations I could not keep it up. So these two items were meant to be Christmas PJ shorts for Eli - Hoping to get that done.

These men's shirts needed to be new nighties as mine are wearing out. I was trying to get it done before my last operation to take to hospital, but no had to take my old ones. So get this done.

This scraps quilt I finished in October and want to get batted, backed, quilted and bound. So we will see how this all goes.

The best way to pick berry fruit

There had been a lot of discussion in my family about how to pick the berries. My tried and true methodology is "one for the bowl, one for me". The boys system is "pick one, completely dissect it to check for bugs and foreign objects, the throw it out anyway just to be sure.
Today a new and productive method arose. Pick when on "nil by mouth" as required on the day off an operation. It has proved to held the highest pick ever.
Had a lovely morning outside picking etc before heading in to be admitted.

Moving Machinery

Over the New Year the boys and Aaron camped with our friends on their farm. They are so welcoming and allow us to park our caravan on their property any time. It is a wonderful gift to us as we do not like the crowded camp sites and noise of new year.

A lot of work is happening in the yards and this old seeder needed to be moved as a landscape feature. All hands to the deck. But I was designated cheerleader and not allowed to help. Got to keep the bones mending.

It actually took quite a bit to move as the seeding prongs kept digging into the ground or the old gears locked in.

One of the things I often make is English Muffins when we are camping. Easy to rise the yeast in warm weather and lovely and fresh.

When we got home I headed out into the garden to pick the berries which ripened while we were away. That is the problem with summer, all the garden comes on and yet we head away to make the most of the great weather.

Using scraps

I met Heather at my annual stitching retreat and she has been generous enough to give me her scraps. The materials are gorgeous. I need some eye masks for camping and hospital, so I used some of her gorgeous scraps to make a couple. The bias binding was from another person but the red fleece on the back was my cupboard. Very comfy and effective to keep out the light while sleeping

Teaching the next generation how to make meringues

My Niece and Nephew came for the afternoon and dinner after my husband's family Christmas get together. Over time we have baked together a lot. Today I was making meringues to take to a Christmas get together with my friends. 

Meike asked if she could help and then went and got her apron and away we went. It was the first time she had used a piping bag, as well as the first time I had tried to teach someone. It took a bit for me to work out how to let her know when to squeeze and when to stop so each meringues remained separate. 

Of course the best bit is always to lick the beaters after. I had a lovely batch to take to my friends and Meike had a small bag to take home with her.

Chair upcycle with Chalk Paint and oilcloth.

All painted and finished

Before - tired after years of use

Last weekend while Aaron was in Australia I took the opportunity to attend an Annie Sloan Chalk Paint workshop at one of my favourite stores, Femme de Brocante.

The three hours was a great creative retreat. We looked at all the paint colours and talked about mixing etc. Plus we experimented with different finishes on a pre prepared board that we got to take home as a reminder. Plus we received the new Annie Sloan book. I thought I was just getting some painting and waxing know how. Great value for money.

I attended the course because there are several items I wish to revamp at home and I wanted to make sure I did it well. While I was in the store I found some lightweight oil cloth with maps on it. They are not accurate but look effective. Our study area is going to have topographical maps on the wall as wallpaper and I thought this would be a great way to do up a tired chair. 

Very tired chair

Chair and seat all done.

The chair that I decided to tackle first is actually one I upcycled years ago. Using an old velvet curtain to cover the seat. So I recovered the seat with oil cloth and then used chalk paint that is half old white and half provence mixed to make a softer blue to match the seat cover. Super thrilled with my first effort.

Linking to these places and Crazy Mum Quilts

A 30 minute refashion.

 I bought a dress for 50 cents at the Op Shop. Too small but lovely flowing T-shirt material that does not fray. I immediately knew I would make a skirt to muck around in, for when I do not feel like wearing shorts.

I purchased a very wide elastic for the cost of $4, cut the dress just below the bodice and then zig zagged on the elastic. Not a pretty attachment but I want it to be really casual.

The elastic I bought

The super cheap 50cent skirt

Super happy with the result for the time and money.

With ongoing health issues I need to find projects that are quick and easy and use no brain power. But creating is also my happy place, so it is important to keep doing it.

Linking to these place and crazy mum quilts.

Making pillowcases

This could also be labelled - A bit of upcycling. I was at the Op Shop (charity or thrift shop for those overseas) and found two high quality, but marked, white cotton sheets for $2 each.  The sheets were cut up around the marks and now two high quality pillowcases for his new pillow are wrapped and under the tree.

For Christmas I have bough Eli a super sized pillow. The photo shows the difference. But could not find pillowcases anywhere at a price I am prepared to pay. With the leftover I made a triangle pillowcase for my pillow on my bed. 

This photo is it just being cut out. After making the first one I remembered how easy pillowcases are. So I may use the other sheet and update our tired and old pillowcases.

Linking to these places and Crazy Mum Quilts.

Mrs Claus and the Elves are hard at work

With Aaron away in Australia visiting and watching Cold Play, the boys and I have been getting on with a massive pile of Christmas making and wrapping. We should have Aaron's present finished before he comes home.

But here is a sneak peek - As Aaron reads this blog we cannot reveal too much.

Yep, destroy that kitchen

Goodness knows what the joke was.

 Aaron had lots of one year old boy cuddles and time with his awesome cousin. Here at home the weather was icky and we had the normal Christmas routine of school plays etc.

Eli is on the left of Herod - his bodyguard

We did a few things here too. Went to the stock cars and fireworks night. Visited puppies. It rained heaps and one night it poured over the gutter. So the next day we inspected and cleaned that part of the gutter. But there was not much goo in there, just too much water coming out of the sky!!!

 

Crazy Christmas at our house

I did not think we would be getting into the Christmas spirit much this year but it is amazing how quickly that turns. The boys and I cleaned the living areas as our job today and then pulled the living Olive tree, we use as a Christmas Tree at our house, into the area.

Fairy V2

Next thing Eli open's the Christmas box and finds the fairy skirt. He says "Oh, Christmas V2". Last year he ended up looking like this! Our Christmas Elf.

Elf V1

Jakob then disappeared into the back blocks of his bedroom and reappeared as slightly creepy Rudolf, who apparently has a penchant for hiding in Christmas trees. So a bit of fun, some laughs and some Christmas feeling happened. 

Creepy Rudolf.

Can't wait to see next year and V3!!