Glitter Days

Yesterday was a fairly average day, punctuated by the arrival of the Gas man, who at last fixed the central heating. We had leftover soup for lunch, homemade pizza for dinner, Oscar played and I played and sewed and knitted. Like I said, fairly average.

Oscar asked me to make him a black cat, like the one in CORALINE. I had made the little DOLL last year from an old pillow-case and felt, so I thought I would give a cat a go.

 

 

 

I hand sewed him over the course of the morning using black velour. My first instinct that he would look good in velour still stands, but it was a pain in the neck to sew, due to the rolling. Ah well, Oscar loves him, even if, as per usual, he is a bit winky wonky. You can follow this pattern HERE if you want to make (a less wonky),one of your own.

Oh yes, and this average day was given a bit of sparkle when it received a liberal sprinkling of........

 

 

 

Glitter

 

I have the dentist today, wish me luck.

Valerie

xxx

A Recipe To Feel Better

Yesterday turned out to be a bit of a disaster. The heating still isn't fixed, despite several plumbers trooping all over the house and reassuring me it wasn't a big job, (the perils of renting means the landlord calls the shots). Naturally it was freezing here yesterday and all we had to keep us warm was an ancient 1 bar electric fire and 1 hot water bottle between us. British Gas are due back between 8am and 6pm today to actually fix it. Stress!

On the tooth front, no luck there either. Duncan very kindly went to the chemist on Sunday and got me some temporary bond, but of course it is not in properly and its making me paranoid. Unfortunately my Dentist is in London for 3 days for a funeral and her partner is already full with her patients. Wednesday at 4pm is the earliest appointment available. What could I say? Its difficult to argue when the delay is caused by someone passing away.

So, it was freezing cold and I couldn't really chew properly, only one thing for it................soup.

Chicken Noodle Or Tofu Soup

Ingred

6 cups chicken or veg stock

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons of grated or minced ginger

6 ounces of soba, vermicelli, or angel hair pasta

3/4 lb of medium or firm Tofu, diced OR 1 whole skinless chicken breast, shredded

1 1/2 cup fresh or frozen peas

salt to taste

6 spring onions chopped

 

Method

Combine the stock, soy sauce and ginger in a large soup pot. Bring to the boil and stir in the noodles, Tofu or chicken and peas. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the spring onions and salt to taste.

Serve into bowls.

 

I actually used organic chicken stock cubes and firm Tofu, because that is what I had at home, and it was delicious.

If you try that and still don't feel much better, I can highly recommend getting some crazy coloured wool and whipping up a baby cardigan.

 

I love this pattern, I have knitted 2 already (we have 2 new babies coming to the family, one in May and one in June, both Mama's called Claire lol). RAVELRY LINK

Knitting and soup doesn't cure all ills, but it certainly help. Bring on today.

Valerie

xxx

Happy Mothers Day (?)

 

For one reason or another, Mothering Sunday was not that great for me (a tooth cap falling out into my breakfast and the central heating breaking down to name but 2 reasons). There are a few other things going on which I cant really talk about on the blog (for now at least), which also overshadowed the day.

Come bedtime Oscar was as tired as me and asked to cuddle up in Mama's bed before he went to his own bed with Daddy for a story. We climbed into my huge bed and snuggled under the blankets and had a cuddle and it was lovely. My eldest son called on the phone at that moment to wish me a happy mothers day (he couldn't come over because of work commitments), so Oscar chatted to his fairly absent big brother and I was happy to have spoken to all of my children today. The day ended better than it started and Duncan and I were both snuggled up for sleep by 10.30pm, giving us the energy to start another day (or in my case, face the Dentist, 'shudder').

A poem for all the Mama's out there.

Spring

A sense of warmth is tapping at the door;
And hope, a feeling out from distant lore
– Or so it seems – clears the deep refrain!

Emerging youth: a dormant lea awakes.
The raging colour, singing loud, partakes
In annual birth – spring is born again!

A zest anew for nascent life
Begins in floral train:
Carriage one: a snowdrop thrill;
Carriage two: the crocus;
Number three, a daffodil – dancing,
Drawing focus – as she would,
Attention seeker!

How I love our spring:
The bold and sleeker feel I get,
An inner glow, a ring!
I’ve paid the winter’s chilly debt, so
Now upon the wing!

By Mark R Slaughter

 

 

Valerie

xxx

Retro Geek

Did I ever mention what a retro geek I am? I adore 1960's/70s household items. I am already the owner of a blue glass fish, a plastic pineapple ice box and my shelves have 1960's champagne saucers and a large bottle of Babycham on them, to name but a few items. Lately I have had some great finds, here are a few of them, for my fellow retro geeks to look over.

 

 

JAJ Pyrex - June Rose Design. I love Pyrex, especially the vintage collections. It took me ages to decide which design I wanted to collect, but this design from the 1970's is what my parents had when I was growing up. I have just bought a matching set of casserole dishes too (photo's to follow soon). I hope to collect a full set of this crockery over time. A bit more information on Pyrex can be found HERE.

 

 

 

 

Vintage Sona Ware, aluminium tea-set, with teak handles, 1960's. I have had my eye on these for a while. Again, my parents had a set when I was growing up (I remember the sugar bowl kicking around not so long ago). There is a coffee percolator that I don't have yet, which will complete the set.

 

 

 

 

Pifco Hairdryer. Pifco made hairdryers between the 1950's and 1970's. The most common model was called 'Princess' usually in pink, with a model made for men in dark green. This was a special 1970's 3 in 1 model, fab isn't it?

 

And finally

 

 

Some very groovy orange 1970's curtains (destined for the kitchen once it has been decorated). Bought from Armstrong And Son Vintage and Retro, in Edinburgh WEBSITE.

Valerie

xxx

 

As The Day Ends

We meet up in the garden, and it feels so good.

 

 

 

 

 

This photo taken by Oscar

 

 

Valerie

xxx

Sunday In The Garden

::

::

::

::

::

::

::

::

 

Valerie

xxx

Out And About On A Saturday

All children love standing on glass windows don't they

 

A chance find

 

 

 

Freedom Again

 

Not so keen lol

 

Lunch at the museum galleries

 

A Light Installation At The Museum

 

Sleepy Stories On The Bus Home, I bought a vintage ladybird book, The Magic Porridge Pot, at the Funk Fair

 

I bought this at the museum, new, but vintage ladybird design, address book

 

This covers last weeks 52 week challenge 'sort out your address book, and contact information'

Today we are hoping for some garden time, fingers crossed the weather permits.

Valerie

xxx