(no subject)
We have had a pretty productive week so far! On saturday we hosted the Scottish Downsizer Meet (www.downsizer.net) which was really good. We learnt to make wine, jam and jelly, and went for a forage. We were also shown how to use a scythe and make cordage out of nettle fibres. I was also given instructions on how to make some very nice ginger beer, so now have a ginger beer plant in the kitchen. There was also much cake consumed.
Since then I have been inspired and have therefore been more productive than usual. On Sunday I tried making currant and raspberry cordial. But I left it on the heat for too long while waiting for the bottles to sterilize, so it's now currant and raspberry jelly.
This morning
I was awoken by Hazel, wide awake and tugging on my pillow. So I ended up getting up at 7am and have just made some scones to go with my accidental jelly.
Yesterday we had Barry's Dad and Stepmum over for dinner. I made them chicken breasts stuffed with pesto and wrapped in pancetta, with potato dauphinoise and broccoli. They gave us a lawnmower and a 1920's treadle Singer sewing machine, so I thought they deserved to be fed.
Hazel is finally over her grumpy patch which is a major relief! It's no longer a battle to get her to sleep during the day. This means I can actually do things! She's currently lecturing her large stuffed camel. She's growing really fast and is already over 15lbs. She's also started grabbing things, especially phone cords, hair, chins and anything else she can get her hands on.
Since then I have been inspired and have therefore been more productive than usual. On Sunday I tried making currant and raspberry cordial. But I left it on the heat for too long while waiting for the bottles to sterilize, so it's now currant and raspberry jelly.
This morning
I was awoken by Hazel, wide awake and tugging on my pillow. So I ended up getting up at 7am and have just made some scones to go with my accidental jelly.
Yesterday we had Barry's Dad and Stepmum over for dinner. I made them chicken breasts stuffed with pesto and wrapped in pancetta, with potato dauphinoise and broccoli. They gave us a lawnmower and a 1920's treadle Singer sewing machine, so I thought they deserved to be fed.
Hazel is finally over her grumpy patch which is a major relief! It's no longer a battle to get her to sleep during the day. This means I can actually do things! She's currently lecturing her large stuffed camel. She's growing really fast and is already over 15lbs. She's also started grabbing things, especially phone cords, hair, chins and anything else she can get her hands on.