My copy of 'selvedge' has just arrived in the mail, so all of those little jobs that I had planned for this afternoon will now have to be placed on hold.
Such gorgeousness.
A massive THANK YOU shout out goes to those of you who took the time to leave a comment on the last post. You're all so very kind!
Until next time...
We've been advised this weekend to stay indoors. The weather is so extreme right now, wind whipping around the cottage, rain falling in sheets, icy chills from the antarctic, that the last thing we want to do is to venture outside. There are times when I quite enjoy hibernating, especially when the fridge and log basket are full. Here's how I've been spending the time...
making a start on stock for the craft 2.0 fair finishing off a crossover apron project (I wear aprons pretty much every day) and choosing the fabric to begin a new one discovering rita before making plans to visit the exhibition hand stitching text on an antique French chemise until next time, thanks for stopping by...
watching you know who sleep on the ironing board
curling up on the sofa under a blanket and watching old movies
smelling spring and grabbing a handful of almonds whenever I pass by the dining table
For the past couple of weeks I've been feeling Christmassy. I'm used to Christmas happening slap bang in the middle of winter so it's no surprise that I struggle with it taking place during the NZ summer. A new country and a simplified lifestyle surely means that we can invent and introduce our own new traditions? So this weekend we planned to get down and get Christmassy and it being winter solstice just seemed liked perfection. We decided to share it with other British folk, people who can relate to wrapping up warm, sitting in front of the fire with a glass of mulled wine and celebrating. Our new tradition is simple. We drink, eat, exchange small gifts and toast those we love and all that we know back at home. Here are just a few shared moments:
image: sewing placemats on solstice morning whilst Trumpet watched on
image: solstice dining table with twinkle lights
image: let the eating begin!
Until next time...
image: butternut squash soup and parmesan ciabatta
Still can't get enough of the stuff. Just love pumpkin/squash season! Real comfort food.
image: english magazines
time out taken this afternoon to catch up on my magazines from home. Also thrilled to read a beautiful article about my pal Melissa in this months New Zealand House and Garden.
image: new zealand magazine
We awoke to a shocking temperature of 1 degrees today! By mid morning it had hit 20 but I was so grateful for the electric blanket and the extra thick winter duvet that we decided to put on the bed yesterday. Winter temperatures calls for winter fare and Jamie's Whole Roasted Cricket Ball Squash really did fit the bill. Mr Tread Softly had managed to pick up a couple of squash at our supermarket, Pak 'n' Save, that we affectionately call Push 'n' Shove. Served at the table in front of the log burner with grilled haloumi and a dressed rocket salad, it really did suit the day.
I've just stumbled across a couple of pumpkin themed old photos taken with a really ropey camera a couple of years ago. When we were in the UK Mr TS and I used to visit the Pumpkin Man in Slindon each year. He grew a fabulous selection of pumpkin and squash and we'd buy enough to last us until Christmas. Excuse the graininess but though you might like to see.
The biggest one I could find!
Until next time...
rain, so much rain!
But the forecast for Saturday says sunshine and showers so things are certainly looking up for the garage sale.
Oh it's so wonderful being British - people make allowances for you talking non stop about the weather!
image: house hunting again - we're ready for a long term project and this one looks promising - very promising!
image: summer salad
cous cous : cherry tomato : advocado : basil : spring onion : freshly squeezed lemon juice : extra virgin olive oil : black pepper
image: the laundry
this is what happens when sewing becomes your priority - things start to pile up! I'll just close the door on it. There - gone!
