The giant marrow

 

 

Tom and I were out in the garden late this afternoon, harvesting the last of the summer vegetables.  The winter plantings will be put in this week.

 

We found this giant marrow in our overgrown vegetable garden!

 

Also harvested were lots of jalapeno chilli's, a few green peppers and one lonely courgette.

 

The celery is still going strong.

 

So lovely readers, do you have any great recipes using the humble marrow?  I don't want it to go to waste.

 

I'm thinking of using the jalapeno chilli's for a hot hot sauce or maybe a chutney.

 

Any ideas or great recipes for using up our marrow and jalapeno chilli's would be greatly appreciated.  Am off to see what Uncle Google has to say.

 

Hope your weekend has been a good one xo

 

 

 

 

The beginner............. crochet chain stitch

I'm doing it!  I've started and am slowly but surely on my way.  I love this craft and have always wanted to be able to crochet.  It's also part of my 30 goals for 2015. 

So after several failed attempts I went out and bought a cheap (kids) crochet kit that has really good (so far) basic instructions.  I'm learning the basic techniques, my first step being the chain stitch.

It has been raining on and off the last couple of days, so while the boys have been watching a movie, I sit on the couch with them and my kit and plod along.  I will keep going until my chains are more even and a little less wonky, then will move onto the next technique which is the Single Crochet.

My fingers are definitely less all over the place and I am getting the hang of holding the wool firm in my left hand as my right navigates the hook - I'm a long way off wash cloths and granny squares, but I know if I keep at it, I will get there in the end.

Happy Friday xo

Good morning!

 

Our clocks went back on Sunday so thankfully it is not so dark in the morning.  The boys wake up early, so it feels a little less brutal if the sun is up too.

 

I love having a wander around the garden first thing, the chickens are always at the fence waiting to be fed.  The early morning light is always beautiful this time of year when Autumn is lingering. 

 

And now it is the school holidays, we have lot of plans, lots of things to do.  It won't be "slow" - we intend on making the most of the still warm weather as the next lot of school holidays will be in the midst of Winter, so then we can hibernate a little more.

 

I plan on putting in my winter veges and making some more progress on my quilt and baking, lots of baking.  All the things I love to do when I'm at home.

 

So wherever you are, have a wonderful week xo

 

 

 

 

Hello sunshine!

Despite being Autumn the days have been warm and sunny even if they start off a little chilly.

These three rays of sunshine are my newest Pyrex additions - found on Trademe, they had just been listed and with a Buy Now price of only $38, which for this pattern is a steal!  It was one of the first patterns I ever saw online and I have loved it ever since.  But never the prices that they were selling for, so I'm so happy with these, I never thought I would be able to own this pattern.  Happy.

The start of the Easter long weekend also marks the end of Term 1 and the start of our two week school holidays.  We are so ready for them, and the bonus that I work Term time only means I get to spend them with my kids.

So Happy Happy Easter lovely readers, stay safe, eats lots of chocolate and enjoy the time with your families.

xoxo

When you put your knee through the "new" granny cabinet

This is what you do when you get impatient and decide to move a heavy cabinet by yourself......like I did.  I put my knee through the (probably expensive to replace) curved side glass on my new retro cabinet.

Queue gasps, a scream, lots of OH NO's and tons of cursing!  I've been wanting one like this for ages and after a popping in and out of second hand dealers in town for a while now, I found this one.........in mint condition.  I should have taken a photo, but imagine a great big fault line through the centre of the side panel.

So after I broke the glass I decided to fill it and then after a bit more sulking I decided I needed to take action, so I got out my pile of retro wallpaper pieces and went to work on a bit of patch working.  A quote needs to be done on how much it will cost to replace the glass, but for now it will probably stay like this.  I really like it and may even properly stick the wallpaper pieces down (and move the phone and modem to another spot).

The original granny cabinet has been moved around the corner and now holds my Pyrex and big retro kitchen pieces.

So there you have it one newish but slightly broken china cabinet.  Happy days!

And then he turned four...........

 

 

Today we celebrated Georgie turning four.  A simple afternoon tea with friends at the park.

 

A low key and easy way to celebrate.  He loved it, especially the cupcakes which were made by a clever friend.

 

Happy Happy Birthday Dear Sweet Boy xoxo

 

 

 

 

Hello..........and a list

 

Hello!  It's been too long between blog posts.  Life has been busy and by the time everyone is in bed I have just been wanting to curl up and read or watch some online programmes.  So I thought I would do another one of Pip's lists which is always a good way to have a catch up.


Making:  tactile story books for our blind students.  Love that I get to craft at work.
Cooking: Soups.  As soon as the cooler weather calls in I dust off my crockpot.
Drinking: Coffee.  Loving plain old instant coffee at the moment with lots of milk and sugar.
Reading: Maeve Binchy books over again, just finished Evening Class and about to start Tara Road.
Wanting: winter boots, a bigger china cabinet and WORLD PEACE!
Looking: at Retro Caravans online.............waiting for the perfect one and saving our pennies.
Playing: Snap!  Jeez 6 year olds are sore losers.
Deciding: on what to plant in my vegetable garden for winter.
Wishing: I had started my Te Reo Maori classes sooner, loving be in the classroom again.
Enjoying: my job and the people I work with and meet.
Waiting: for the cooler weather to arrive.  Can't wait to light the fire again.  And hibernate a little.
Liking:  my Friday's off with George.  We make no plans and just see where the day takes us.
Wondering: about the upcoming school holidays.  2 weeks off.  I only work Term Time, hooray!
Loving:  weekly date nights.  Have really been making an effort to head out once a week with Mr H.
Pondering: Hoola Hooping. A friend loves it and wants me to go along.  I think I look crazy doing it.
Watching: The Missing, Location, Location, Location (always my favourite) and The Club online.
Hoping:  the mice won't visit now that the maize has been harvested over the fence.  Eek.
Marvelling: at Kimberley and all that she does.  So much energy!
Needing: a hair cut and colour amongst other "grooming" requirements
Smelling: scented candles.  When the boys are in bed I light a few around the house.  So pretty.
Wearing: dresses and saltwater sandals, although the last few mornings my feet have been cold.
Following: my Kiwi friend Kath and her new adventures in Canada with her family
Noticing: the shorter evenings.....the dark is creeping in earlier and earlier.
Knowing: the Vintage Season (Wine Harvest) will eventually finish so we can have Mr H back.
Thinking: we were lucky that Cyclone Pam was easy on us.  Poor Vanuatu took a hammering.
Admiring: my clever friend Leigh and her new range of beautiful prints.
Buying: Birthday presents for George.  He turns 4 this week.  I need another baby.
Getting: excited for my sisters arrival on Thursday - a flying visit with her children.
Bookmarking: clothing ideas for a winter wardrobe.
Opening: a blog swap parcel all the way from France!
Giggling: about conversations with Tom. Very interested in what words he is not allowed to say.
Feeling: busy, motivated and tired but happy.

Have a great week xo