Pin Cushions

This last fortnight has been a bit hectic to say the least but I will tell more about that next week!

To relax, these last few days I have been crafting and made these pin cushions which you can find here

I often sing this rhyme to myself when I see a pin on the floor

See a pin and pick it up,

All the day you'll have good luck;

See a pin and let it lay,

Bad luck you'll have all the day.

This afternoon.......

..........we strolled the other way

We walked through the station where Braunton was in steam again

Walked passed these poster have to say I haven't noticed them before so they may be new!

We walked towards the harbour

Passing the work of art for the start of the South West Coast Path

The Harbour then we turned round and waked towards home

Walking toward Butlins

The Folly of Dunster Castle in the distance

No wonder..................

I cannot grow lovely flowers and vegetables!

Tea Cosy Covers

Have you ever wonder about these Tea Cosy Covers.........? Too thin to keep the tea warm, about as useful as a chocolate teapot............!!!!!
Well the Victorians are to blame. They covered everything from tables and piano legs to well.....tea cosies!
They made a padded plain cosy for the warmth from old blankets or eiderdowns, and had various covers, so if the cover got dirty or stained they were able to wash them, I think it is a clever idea, one cosy lots of covers. Sometimes the china, tea cloth and napkins would all match.

The tea cosy was probably invented by the Duchess of Bedford who invented afternoon tea, because there was a long time between lunch and dinner. Friends were invited for afternoon tea chatted the tea in the pot would get cold.

You will find these tea cosies here with a few other vintage linens.

Interesting weather for August!

Outside my back door

Outside the front door

The rain brings out all sorts of creatures
Can you see the tiny snail just about to fall off the leaf.
The caterpiller was less than two inches long!

This snail I think wanted to come inside!
He was climbing up the front window.


The reuslts of watering the hanging basket everyday
I eat two between gathering them and photographing them!


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Quick Chicken Pie


can Condensed Mushroom Soup
Just Rol puff pastry (I always buy puff pastry!)
Cooked Chicken
Mushrooms thinly sliced or quatered

Roll out enough pastry for base and top
Line a dish/tin with pastry
(I use the lids to my casseroles to make pies)
Put in chicken, mushroom and soup
Put the top pastry on

cook until golden brown at 180 degrees centigrade

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Last Saturday we went here there was a craft fair on and we also went to the museum

Whilst there purchased these

EGGS, Eggs & eggs!

Last Saturday I entered the local Flower and Produce show. I was quite miffed no-one looked at my Lemon Curd. I couldn't understand it, everyone to whom I have given my Lemon Curd to always said it was perfect - perhaps they were being polite................

The recipe comes from this book. My grandmother used to make it, my mum used to make it and mun introduced this recipe to me when I was about ten. I've been making it for years without a failure........

Well that is till now!

Lemon Meringue Pie................

..................with a soggy bottom!

I know what happened I think I mis-read the recipe and didn't put enough cornflour in, all these years of making it and this happens at the crucial moment! Oh well there is always next year! I will do better! I will do better! Imagine I have written it a hundred times!!!!

You must be asking by now where do the eggs come in to all of this? Well first of all I made an Egg Custard Tart, but instead of using two large eggs I used three egg yolks, and saved the three whites for the meringue. It became a cross between Lemon Meringue and Eaton Mess with lemons, but it tasted very good!

This week

Wednesday

The Red Arrows came to town!

It was a really hot afternoon. The weather was dull Monday

and it rained on Tuesday so wasn't sure if we were going to see them but we did.

The display was spectacular as always.

There were lots of different stalls to see but only one craft stall.

FRIDAY

The sky over our house about 9pm on Friday evening

Saturday

I have a few pegs on my washing line that are left out all year round.

I moved one of the pegs and this white spider fell out!

Two snails doing a trapeze act in the rain on Saturday morning

I entered the local Flower and produce show with five items

Photograph, this Flower Display

Lavender, Rosemary, Mint, Thyme, Bay

Five Varieties of Herbs

Caitlins new jumper and some Lemon Curd

I only came second with the jumper

Its the first time I have entered in about seven years!