RAOK and Rainbows

Yesterday when I got home from work there was a parcel on my step.  I hadn't ordered anything so was a little surprised.  A little note was sticking out of the top and I recognised the writing immediately.  It was from my lovely friend S.  I peeked in and there was a jumper.  Not just any jumper but a spendid mohair jumper with a rainbow on the front and sleeve.  I danced around with it - a lot - and it was admired by the girls.  The youngest two announced that they would share it as they were kind and liked to share.  This morning I tried the jumper on and made the executive decision that it was going to be MINE.  Want to see it?

Thank you very much S -  I LOVE IT and will wear it lots.

Oh rainbow jumper love and it is not itchy.  S told me that she had had it 25 years at least.  By my reckoning that was the height of mohair jumper love.  I used to sit in the staffroom of the Bank I worked in and knit pofusely in mohair as did my colleagues.  We used to send off to the Mills in Wakefield and Bradford and buy mohair in huge quantities.  Ah those were the days.  By the way can you see Dyl all snuggled up on the sofa he is such a lazy pooch.  Also I cannot contain my excitement as I am now the owner of a pair of Levis and I have been pranching around the living room shaking my bootie in my first pair or Levis.  They fit like a dream Betty brought them back from a local retail park and they were the grand sum of £25.  Oh yeah.

My second RAOK was actually the first.  Just before Christmas I met up with Diane as I was working near to where she lived.  We met at a lovely Garden Centre at Wentworth.  We had cake and coffee, we chatted a lot and we had a wonder around.  As we were leaving Diane presented me with a gift all prettily wrapped in a festive bag and tissue paper.  The tag attached said 'You had one wish, you could have wished for George Cloony but you wished for this'.  I must admit I didn't get it at first.  I was naughty and opened the pressie right there and then.  I am normally controlled and place gifts under the tree and this year I was very restrained and didn't even 'feel' my pressies under the tree.  I am a very good guesser of gifts before they are unwrapped so this year I refrained.  The present was so thoughtful and was very generous.  It was a little dolly and Diane had put a little note on her.  It was one of her old dolls and she had made it's little skirt and her mum had crocheted the poncho.  She had it in the 70's and she gave it to me.  How kind is that.  You may now wonder what the wish business was about.  Well Diane is a friend of mine on Facebook and one day before Christmas I had seen a dolly in a charity shop.  I didn't buy her but regretted it.  I do love a vintage dolly and I posted that I had been a good girl and that all I wanted for Christmas was a new 'vintage' dolly.  Diane read it and thought of me and gave me one of her old dollies.  Here she is sat amongst some of my other dollies - she looks right at home doesn't she.

I know my other dolly needs clothes - it's on my to do list.

Such a sweetie and a very much appreciated gift.  Thank you Diane.

Oh just before I go it's sort of a rainbow day all around her at Two Bones.  The girl's are making a rainbow cake.  Very colourful.  They have promised to clean up after themselves.  Think they will - erm probably not.

Yum

Oh btw George Cloony or a vintage dolly - vintage dolly everytime.  Sorry Diane but I would probably not recognise George Cloony in the street - true fact. 

Last thing snippet of conversation in our house today.  Nellie 'what are we doing today?' K 'not much just having a chilling out, tidying up, listening to footie on the radio sort of day' Nellie 'oh just remember not to get stressed when we don't jump up and help'.  LOL.

Wonder what happened to the vintage dolly in the Charity Shop - wonder no longer I drove back the next day and bought her.  She will have a post of her own very soon.





Cakey Bun

At last I have got around to making our christmas cake.  I did cheat a little I bought the Waitrose mix by Delia.  It made up really quickly and easily and smelled devine.  I'll let the pictures tell the story.

Looks ok.  All wrapped up in a tin now waiting for a bit of alcohol and a layer of marzipan and icing.

It was a little strange making a christmas cake as my Dad always used to make the christmas cakes for all our family so I gave the cake an extra stir for him and actually thought abou him whilst I was making it - think he would have sniffed a bit at the thought of me buying a 'kit' though. 

As well as making the cake yesterday I also did a little dotty angel make.  I selected a few jars from out of my recycle bin, scrubbed them and then wrapped them in lace and doilies.  Few stitches to hold the lace in place and a hand stiched sentiment.  A little red and white bakers twine bow and all placed on a little old book rack.   I am going to attach some greenery when I get around to getting some and a tea light in the bottom Bob's your Uncle as they say. 

TTFN.

 



War Time Biscuits

Last week Louise and I went shopping to the second hand market.  We both bought some bits and pieces but amongst Louise's lovelies was this book.

Its tatty and worn and the spine is broken but its beautiful.  As we were both looking through it on the stall saying how gorgeous it was and how delightful and nostalgic and priceless it was -whilst the stall holder was listening (we need to wise up a bit I think - he must of thought they will pay owt for that they really like it but when  Louise asked how much it was the response was £2.  Lucky old Louise - I would have snatched his hand off but Louise spotted it first and as we are good friends and don't begrudge the other's good fortune whilst treasure hunting - very civilised - I do however keep a small pack of sneezing powder in my bag to sprinkle on her should she spot something I really desire (not really).  Anyhow on getting back home we had a good look through the book and Louise said I could borrow it.  Yipee.  Would you like to see inside it now and find out what it is. Ready

Its a beautifully hand written book of recipes and household hints.  It was written by F E Hoades in New Tupton which I believe is somewhere near Chesterfield.  Look at the writing - isn't it fabulous.  I had a quick look on the census for a F E Hoades and I found one in the Chesterfield area who would have been 29 in 1922 when I assume this book was started.  Her name was Florence Elizabeth Hoades.  I couldn't find any more information without paying for it and being a bit tight I didn't.  She must have been married as I couldn't find anything for the 1901 census in her name.  When Louise and I were looking though the book I said  I would love to have a go at baking some of the recipes and maybe taking the results  along to the workshop when I am officially her assistant or even when if I was participating in a workshop.  Looking through the book we were both drawn to the recipe for war time biscuits.  Thats it I exclaimed to Louise I am going to cook these and whilst doing so I will don one of my vintage pinnies and take photos for my blog.  Your on said Louise so here are the photos.  Hold your sides they are funny or maybe I should say I am funny. 

Whoops wrong picture first 

See the ingredients very sparse and the method also - no cooking time or temperature

Funny photo

Me with vintage pinny and head scarf much to the families amusement 'what on earth of you doing the girls exclaimed' whilst K just rolled his eyes.I stood at the window to wave Betty off to work and she was killing herself laughing.  The scarf was Nan Lily'sand  the pinny was my first full apron find in a Cornish charity shop for 50p. Oh the excitement when I realised it was a full one and not a half one.

Check out my chins lol - K was making me laugh think he was saying something about me being a little eccentric - surely not!!

Bit blurry over the shoulder shot of me rolling out the dough

Bit clearer

Cutting out

Going into the oven - not showing and telling that bit (Oven Butler needed)

A shot of my granny slippers I love these they are like little bootees.  The ones I would really like are the tartan ones with a little zip up the front with a pom pom hanging off them.  No high heel fluffy fronted slippers for me.  

The finished article - they tasted ok a little bit like Garibaldi biscuits and as we all agreed in war time when there was a shortage of food and provisions they were probably a welcome treat not sure that I would bake them for friends to share then again maybe they might want to taste a little food history as they certainly were not nasty.  

I will be trying some of the other recipes in the book.  I don't think I will try any of the home made medicines though the cough mixture contains Laudanum don't think you can buy that over the counter at the local chemists any more.  

Well this one is for Louise - I told her I would make the War Time biscuits whilst dressed up and I did and it was good fun - I am now going to text her so she can have a peek (laugh).

Last minute comment whilst waiting for the biscuits to cook I watched a little of Escape to the Country where the man looking at houses said he would like a mini golf course in his garden even if it was only three holes - well I never I said a golf course in your garden that's a bit much - then the girl's reminded me I was sat watching it with the turban on my head, a vintage pinny on, granny slippers adorning my feet and flour on my face.  Oh well - they are lucky to have such a funny bunny mummy - I think.

  

A Bit of this and That

Phew can't believe its a week since my last post.  What a busy time.  I have done three 10 hour shifts in a Children's Centre which was great fun but very tiring. I haven't worked a long shift like that since mother's day in the florist shop. The children and staff were really lovely, friendly and good fun so it went really quite quickly.

I have also bought some more Annie Sloan paint for more make overs.  The latest item to receive the paint treatment was the fireplace. It has gone from Morris Green to Old White.  Looks a little better but still have to organise the ornaments and shift things around a little.  I bought the bottles in the basket from Reg Taylor Garden Centre and I am so pleased with it the daffs look very spring like but boy they smell nasty - bit like cat wee actually.  Oh well they look good and I am looking forward to using different flowers as the seasons change.

Want a peek-

Morris Green 

Old White - much brighter

Painted the mirror too

The pretty smelly daffodillies in my new bottle/basket vase thingy

It makes the room look brighter and fresher.  Did you notice the old yukky gas fire not a pretty sight and on the long list of things to change.  I also started painting the dining table and am nagging K to bring the top of my dresser back in from its 10 year hibernation in the garage.  I am so glad I didn't get rid of it and am looking forward to having it back in the house.

Here is a photo of the cakes Belle made for us for when we returned from Southwell at the weekend.  Rocky road cakes - they were yummy.  Thanks Belle! I promised I would put them on here and I did.  She cleaned all her pots and the kitchen too. 10/10.

Here are the museli cookies I made yesterday they are so tasty and you can make them in minutes and depending on the museli you use they taste quite different.   Last week I made them using a berry museli and they tasted good too.  This week I reduced the sugar by half to make them a little less sweet and it worked well.  Here they are

They look a little like rock cakes but they are cookies - honest.  Want the recipe I don't think Mary (Berry) will mind. If she does - sorry Mary.

Ingredients

6 oz marg soft

4 oz caster sugar (I only put in 2 oz)

1 egg

6 oz SR flour

6 oz muesli

Pre heat oven to 180C 

Measure ingredients and place all but muesli in a bowl.  Mix until smooth and blended.  Add muesli and stir in well.  Spoon teaspoonfuls of mix on baking sheet leaving room for spread.  Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool and enjoy.  They really are that simple.  Let me know if you make some.  

Bake, Chat, Sew

I arose early yesterday morning to make these:-

Yum

I packed my basket

As I was going here:-

Picture from http://www.hopeandelvis.com/

Louise had invited me over for a making day and she had invited others too.  Amongst them was Sally from Red Robin  who I  had chatted  to via Bloggy Land but not in real life.  It was lovely to meet her and we had a super day chatting, sewing, making, sticking and eating CAKE.  Have I told you I love cake and eat it far too often resulting in my body being too big for lots of my clothes.  I also met Louise's mum and we had a wonderful time chatting away as if we had known each other ages.  We also had 'things' in common.  She was from the same area in Sheffield as my Dad, she had my Aunty Ann's book which her friend was in and she even knew K's mum and dad. Isn't it strange how you sometimes have common threads with people you haven't met before.  I didn't take anything with me but I did have it in mind to make some hexagons to make into a cushion and that is what I did.

Hexies in a row

I hexed all morning (to Louise's surprise) and in the afternoon I  decided to undertake some cutting and sticking to make cards using just a small portion of the vast array of vintage bills, letters, wallpaper, books and lots of other scrumptious stuff in the workshop.  This is how they started

Background finished

Lot of papers to choose from

The finished article

Little dollies - one on left just a tadge scary

 A toadstool and a vintage child's shoe from an old catalogue

A lovely relaxing day. Thanks Lou.