Saturday 31 March 2012

Mad Makes

Yesterday I made some cushion covers for the sofa cushions, which I have to say, I really like.


2 001


::


2 002


::


2 004


They are made from remnants of vintage fabric which I picked up for a couple of pounds on Ebay. The backing is some very cheap lining satin, which I bought on line, with no purpose in mind (to check the quality really). My sewing is still seriously wonky, but I love the fabric so much I am managing to overlook the wonky-ness and just enjoy them.


In the evening we reclined out on our new cushion covers and watched the 2 hour special season opener of MAD MEN. We really love this show, and we were so excited to see it return after a 2 year break, we had a Mad Men themed evening.


2 008


For Duncan I bought 3 different drinks from The Authentic Cocktail Co, Bourbon and coke, Whiskey and ginger and Gordons Gin and tonic.(aprox £1 a tin)


2 009
For myself, it was bitter cranberry juice and lemonade, with a cocktail sick and cherries of course.


For snacks, we used the Mad Men Hors d' oeuvres suggestions


2 012


PIMIENTO CHEESE SPREAD ON RITZ CRACKERS
INGREDIENTS (makes 4 cups of spread)
1 (4 ounce) jar chopped pimiento peppers 1 large onion, grated
1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon mayonnaise 1 pinch garlic powder
ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mash the pimientos using a fork. Mix in cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise. Season with garlic
powder and black pepper. Chill until ready to spread over Ritz crackers (or any crackers you like — Ritz crackers give the snack a real
vintage vibe, though) and serve on a festive platter.


DEVILED EGGS
INGREDIENTS (makes 16 portions)
8 eggs ¹⁄3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 drop hot pepper sauce, or to taste
2 tablespoons creamy horseradish sauce salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1 teaspoon paprika
DIRECTIONS
Place the eggs into a saucepan in a single layer and fill with water to cover the eggs by an inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to
a boil; remove from the heat and let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Drain the hot water and cool the eggs under cold
running water in the sink; peel the cooled eggs.
Cut the chilled eggs in half lengthwise. Place the yolks into a mixing bowl and set the whites aside. Mash the yolks with a fork until smooth;
stir in the mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish sauce, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Spoon the yolk mixture into a heavy plastic
bag; snip a corner off the bag to create a ½-inch opening. Pipe the yolks into the egg white halves. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika to
garnish.


PIGS-IN-A-BLANKET
INGREDIENTS (makes 8 servings)
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
4 slices American cheese
1 (16 ounce) package cocktail sausages
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Separate crescent rolls. Flatten rolls and cut into triangles measuring 1½ inches
on each side. Cut each cheese slice in half. Wrap each sausage in a half cheese slice, then a triangle of dough. Place on prepared baking
sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until golden. Serve warm, speared with toothpicks, on a decorative plate. Try putting out
some different mustards for dipping!


(we used vegi sausages)


There are more suggestions on the MM site for cocktails and MM inspired menu's.


I also wore this dress


2 015


Which again is winky wonky but I enjoyed sewing it and the fabric is vintage inspired, and I love it.


2 014


I will probably always call it my Mad Men dress now lol.


Did you see the show? They ran real 1960s ads in the breaks, totally amazing.


 


Have a lovely weekend.


Valerie


xxx


Footer_banner



Friday 30 March 2012

My First Yarn Along

I like the idea of a 'Yarn Along' and so many of the blogs I read join in HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.


So I have decided to have a go and join in with them, this first week I have been reading A CLASH OF KINGS by GEORGE R. R. MARTIN.


1 003


This has been slow reading for me, but not because it isn't good, it is actually really good. I have been dipping into other books and sometimes I only manage a page at night before I fall asleep with the book on top of me. My eldest son bought me this copy for Christmas because I had really enjoyed the first book A GAME OF THRONES. If you like medieval history meets fantasy with a dark edge, I can really recommend these books.


And on to the knitting. I have been knitting baby things lately for the new babies coming into the family, but this little cardigan seems to be out of proportion somehow. I will finish it off though and see how it looks sewn together.


1 001


One of the pregnant mama's in particular has a real dislike for the pink for a girl, blue for a boy thing so I thought this old fashioned colour way would make a nice alternative.


RAVELRY LINK


And that's my first yarn along. What have you been reading and knitting? I do prefer recommendations to pot luck.


 


Valerie


xxx


Footer_banner



Wednesday 28 March 2012

Funshine

Sunny 002


::


Sunny 005


::


Sunny 008


::


Sunny 013


::


Sunny 018


::


Sunny 019


::


Sunny 028


::


Sunny 029


::


Sunny 034


::


Sunny 036


::


Sunny 040


::


Sunny 041


::


Sunny 042


::


Sunny 020


Guess what he asked to do as soon as he got up this morning?


Valerie


xxx


Footer_banner



Monday 26 March 2012

This Weekend

This weekend we........


Built a fire in the garden


 


B 024


::


B 025


::


Took delivery of our veg box


B 029


::


Did some knitting


B 030


::


And re-arranged our vintage tat GOODIES 


B 031


::


B 032


::


B 033


::


B 034


::


B 035


::


B 036


::


B 037


::


B 038


::


B 039


::


B 040


::


B 043


::


B 044


::


Now, I appreciate it's not to everyone's taste, but points for consistency surely? lol


P.S.


I didn't go crazy at a boot sale, I have had most of these things for years.


Valerie


xxx


Footer_banner





Saturday 24 March 2012

A Good Friday

The nursery visit went well yesterday, and I liked it much better than the private nurseries we have been to. The staff were on the whole a little older (are young girls cheaper to employ at the private places?), and the ratio was good. The toys and activities were endless, including 5 computers, loaded with age appropriate activities. The building itself is fairly old, but they are moving premises after the summer term to a brand new building, which I have been told is fantastic, and even has a parents suite for parents to have a coffee or tea on the premises. Most importantly though, Oscar seemed to like it. He played with the water and the sand and did a painting and then ate a snack at snack time (apple, orange and banana), although he did complain that the drink of water he was offered was a bit watery lol, (they only offer water or milk, no juice).


2012-03-23 09.48.23


 


Since Oscar had been up since 5.30am I took the pushchair with us. The pushchair is slowly becoming a thing of the past, but on days when Oscar is tired it is still a blessing.


 


2012-03-23 11.32.46


 


In the afternoon Granny came for afternoon tea and we even managed to sit out in the garden for a while.


 


D 009
And of course there was cake, homemade strawberry sponge and shop bought cream yummies


 


The weekend is looking not too bad either since I have had a vintage sewing pattern arrive from USA and this little stash of fabric to play with.


 


D 011


 


A little bit of sunshine would be good too, but it is Scotland and you cant have everything.


Have a lovely weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing.


Valerie


xxx


Footer_banner



Friday 23 March 2012

Change

Things are changing or set to change around here, and while it is welcomed, change can also be a bit scary. Today we go to nursery school for a visit, in preparation for Oscar beginning 5 mornings a week after the Easter holidays. I am afraid of my most precious son being left in the hands of strangers,most definitely. On the other hand, having to literally drag him away from 2 other children in the Doctor's waiting room yesterday served as a timely reminder of how much he needs the company of other children.


Sure, he is getting better at amusing himself.


 


D 003


 


D 004


 


D 007


 


But sometimes he just really wants some playmates to stick around.


 


D 008


 


As for me, I will probably spend the free time doing what I usually do


 


D 005
courgette and onion quiche


 


D 002


 


But don't be surprised if there are changes on the horizon for me too.


Valerie


xxx


Footer_banner