Alchemy!

Come gather all countrymen

From far and near 

I'll tell ye (!) a story ye might want to hear

There once was a lady 

Whose ears had been told

That magic could turn certain things in to gold

Now said lady had apples 

In bags, bowls and sink

So to find her some magic she followed this link

She picked and she washed

And she covered in water

To the sighs of her ever despairing daughter

Next she boiled all the apples and hung from a spoon

And slowly let drip by the light of the moon.

Well the next day came round

But the spell not yet done

She added some sugar and juice of this one

And well she was waiting for sugar to melt

She made up some reindeer

And hearts with some felt 

The pan boiled away

Wafting smells up their noses

But still not complete

She crocheted some roses

After some time

Some boiling and skimming

And jars at the ready to welcome their filling 

The magic complete

As in centuries old

The apples and sugar

Turned into GOLD!

So tootle me garters 

And riddle me ree

That was the tale of my AL - CHE -MYYYYYYYYY!

Jane

x

Great Stuff and Stuffing

Hello October!

Detail from 'Sleeping Beauty' by Herbert Laupin

The annual food and drink festival is in full swing here in our sleepy town. This afternoon Mr K and I wandered through the vibrant farmers market, chatted with chums, ate salt fish croquettes (didn't even know they existed before now but really very nice!) and ooohed and aaahed at various delectables - all the while accompanied by a man on a kettle drum (not us personally you understand - that would be odd). On the way home we chatted about how lucky we were - not in any huge way but we're happy (most of the time), healthy (as far as we know) and are able to appreciate what we have rather than yearning after that which we don't. But just in case you were thinking I was going to hand over all my worldly goods and run to the nearby convent let me furnish you with some of the very definite material things that have delighted me this week.

First up I was really lucky to win a giveaway over at Handmade Jane (go over and take a look at her blog, she's just written a fascinating piece about 1950's couture but her own makes are an inspiration in themselves).

 It was this

Just the end pieces make me drool

 But the projects - my heads a buzzin'!

Thanks so much Jane!

Mr K surprised me with these

and this

a screen print from his old colleague Lauren Van Helmond - all of my favourite things!

Mum and dad returned from a trip with these tasty Canadian biscuits

 filled with the most delicious maple flavoured cream

And whilst we're on the subject this week we made a gorgeous vegetable and lentil broth with dumplings (definitely THAT time of year) but, try as I might, it was difficult to take a decent photo of it. To be honest what ever angle and what ever light I had it still ended up looking totally the opposite of  mouthwatering so, in order not to put you off your next meal here's a picture of some apple crumble instead

Yum!

Now for the stuffing. A little while ago a dear friend asked if I could make a few things for a local Christmas Fayre. Instantly my mind was whirling. That evening saw me dancing around the house looking for our old funnel, a bag of lavender I 'bought some time ago in order to do something with but never quite got around to and put somewhere safe', and cutting up a perfectly nice Laura Ashley skirt that had been on it's way back to the charity shop. The result?

Hearty hand warmers!

Spurred on by this I decided some felt flowers would be a good idea

but I quickly tired of the fiddly stitching so my mind turned to bunnies (as it often does). Another rummage in the charity bag yielded a skirt in a lovely fine needlecord. Sadly once this was stitched up it proved the 'devil itself' to stuff neatly - who'd have thought stuffing a bunny would be so stressful (feel free not to respond to this question)? After several viewings of tutorials and a grapple with a crochet hook I managed these

Not ideal and - hmmm - just a little naked?

That's better!

So - my little workshop is buzzing. My aim is to make just enough to buy the turkey but it's clear I've still got a long way to go. I've seen patterns for dachshund bookmarks, miniature teddies and Peter Pan collars. I want to make some tote bags and Christmas stockings. Candle holders? Maybe - oh and definitely some crochet snowflakes. So many ideas - so little time!

So far there's this 

I don't think I'll be ordering the home reared organic bronze just yet!

Hope you are all having good weeks - smiles if you are and hugs if you need one.

Jane 

x

P.S. Hello to those of you who have just joined me - lovely to have you here!

September Sunday

When Big Sis was younger she was in a band. They wrote their own songs and the hot favourite was a gorgeous poppy tune called 'September Sunday'. They did well but life being such as it is they are now spread across the country pursuing their dreams. So to all four of you I dedicate my September mood board!

There's really nothing new to see. Only the golden heuchera and cyclamen (which to be honest were a recent purchase from the local supermarket). Looking back on my old boards though it confirms the cyclical nature of the seasons. The berries are prolific this year in time for the birds to fill up for the long cold winter ahead. They will remain part of our landscape now during the months where the rest of the flowers are taking a rest.

The few flowers I have left have got a richness to their colour - small but jewel like.

A closer look.

The bright leaves of the heuchera stand out as the rest of the foliage is fading.

And this is my very last dog rose  - having provided me with one of my favourite scents throughout the summer.

So there it is. Not many more flowers to come. I'm looking forward to the changing colours of the leaves now. The weather around here has been glorious and the towpath is busy with cyclists, walkers and barges. I'll leave you with some posies and the happy words of those girls

'It's September

It's meant to be grey

It's meant to be raining

But the sun is shining

How I'll remember September Sunday!'

P.S. For Charlotte, Jasmine, Zoe and Amber

P.P.S. Joining in with Karin and Asa' s wonderful mood board series

P.P.P.S. I am actually making things - more to follow!

For the Love of a Pan

It's happened. The inevitable. I'm a grown woman with a career. I have raised two wonderful daughters and instilled in them the importance of kindness, respect and checking your clothes are the right way around. I should know better. And yet when I came across this little beauty on my Friday afternoon trawl my heart melted. It took me right back to playing kitchens when I was a gal with my little blue plastic tea set and a table full of hungry teddies (strangely the highlight of playing kitchens in those days was washing up with a miniature dish mop and a pudding basin - this enthusiasm has dwindled in latter years!) 

Let us proceed one step at a time.

Firstly this.

 A fine handle if ever there was one, and fortunately matched by another on the opposite side.

Next up is the lid. Oh what a lid.

Enamelled flowers on a sky blue base.

Inside?

Clean as a whistle (assuming you are a fastidiously clean whistle keeper).

Ready for the whole thing? Complete kit and caboodle?

Aaaaaah. Just - aaaaah.

I must admit when I first saw the pan of delight I thought it might be an ornament - perhaps something to be found on top of an old barge or, failing that, Snow White's kitchen. However I had a clue to it's origin. On the reverse side of the pan was a sticker with the manufacturers name.

'Twas a Kockums!

A quick trawl on the internet told me it was an old hand painted crock from Sweden (either that or the name of a rather large military shipyard but I prefer to stick with the former).

I have become slightly overprotective. Want to heat up some beans - not in this pan. Boil up some potatoes - I don't think so. Scrambled eggs - how dare you! This pan is only to be used for delicate and beautiful cuisine so if any of you out there can direct me as to what sort of food this might be I would be extremely grateful. Until then, if you happen to be in the area, just beware that if Mr K is making lunch you may here this echoing across the vicinity

'Get yer 'ands off me kockums!'

Jane

x

P.S. £4!

Generosity

Firstly here's the September page of my calendar

Rapunzel by Heinrich Leffler and Joseph Urban

Oh for that hair!

Now I know many people have been lamenting the loss of Summer, and boy what a Summer it's been, but for me September brings a tinge of excitement. I love the subtle changes in the air, the misty mornings, crisp Autumn walks and glorious sunsets. Those who know me will understand the annual joy I feel returning to my trusty boots and cardigan format, and will recognise the sight of a gleeful woman returning from walks with an armful of sticks for the fire (no I am not an eighteenth century country woman but you get the picture). But there's something else this time of year brings.

Some clues?

The dazzling variety of colours and forms that accompany nature's harvest. Or in our case accompany our neighbours harvest. He had been down to his allotment at the crack of dawn and before we had even put the kettle on he had been digging, picking and gathering.....

THIS!

All delivered to our front door with a smile and a wave.

This has not been our only delivery. We've had friends delivering plums, damsons and blackberries. We've been foraging for apples and hazelnuts. We are currently eyeing up the rosehips and elderberries and planning their transformation into something tasty. Some latent part of our psyche tells us to hunt and gather to prepare for the long Winter ahead. And if you have friends and neighbours who help you to do that then all the better! Of course this does not go unrecognised. Much of the bounty will be returned in the form of jams, chutneys and dodgy wine.

So let's celebrate this generosity of spirit and of nature itself. 

September - you're a good 'un!

Jane

x

P.S. Any recommendations as to how to preserve the beans and beetroot would be most welcome!

AWOL - and a tea towel

This last week has been a full on 'busy back to work no time to stop and breathe let alone write and take pictures and all of a sudden it's Friday (hooray!)' type of week. So what did I think I'd share with you? A tea towel. Yes - a tea towel. A brief post need not be uninformative I thought so here's my latest acquisition. 

Expressions for any situation - feel free to adopt as and when appropriate.

Back soon with a 'proper' post!

Jane

P.S. Which one are you?

x