A neighbour of mums was having a clear out and wondered if I wanted these ...
They will go sooooo perfectly in my kitchen and I really needed some casserole dishes too!
have you found any bargains this month or been given any treasures? x
this is a little project I have been trying to get done for a-g-e-s!!!
I started painting it months ago and only just picked it up again to finish recently :)
It's chalk board paint and then with a chalk pen I drew the owl and wrote his name . . . I am really pleased with how it turned out and also really pleased that it is at last off my to-do list!!
it was a gorgeous day yesterday and as Steve has worked all summer and hardly had a day off we decided to go for a drive around. We packed up a lunch and ended up at Elan Valley, we hadn't been there since last Autumn and it was gorgeous.
I always feel a little sad when I finish a bottle of essential oil . . . it quickly goes when I start a new bottle though!
But these little bottles are so useful and so I like to keep them. They can be used put your own blends in, or store your own blends if you have a special blend that you like to make a lot of. They are also great for if you make a blend for a baby and a child that needs to be extra dilute, so you only need a couple of drops of the blend, they are storing them.
You can make up blends and perfumes for friends and family. Or if you are going away and don’t want to take your whole stash of oils, you can put a little in some of these bottles . . . and there is of course, using them a little flower vases (my personal favourite!)
Sometimes you can re-use the bottle without having to wash it out, if your blend includes the original oil from the bottle.
Cleaning out the oils though is not as simple a just rinsing out. It is best to wait till you have a little stash of bottles that need to be cleaned and do them all together.
First put the bottles (I take them all apart, lid and stopper or roller if there is one) and bury them in a container full of Epsom Salts. I put a layer of salts down, fill the bottles with a teaspoon of Epsom Salts, and put them in the container, filling all around them with salts. I also put the lids etc in.
They need to be left for a few days in the salts. The Epsom Salts will absorb every last drop of oil and making me some nice bath salts in the process!
After a few days, take them out of the salts, and leave them soaking in some hot soapy water. A Castile soap works well. Allow them to soak for about 24 hours, then peel off the labels and see if the original scent has gone. If it still smells, then leave to soak for one more day. Make sure they are completely dry before storing them.
I was thrilled to find a couple of Denby Gypsy bits in Oxfam last month. £6.99 for the pair . . . I had been really tempted to get the jug off eBay so it was great to see it sitting there waiting for me!
have you found any bargains this month? x
On Saturday I went to the Antiques Fair at the Royal Welsh Show Ground, it was a really lovely day and I even found a few treats for myself.
I am always on the lookout for lace bobbins, a lot are mass produced but I was pleased to find these two. The wide one has a little ball that rolls up and down the bobbin. It was £5 and the other was £2, but as I bought 2 she gave them to me for £6 in total.
Another thing I look out for when I am out and about is unusual wooden spoons . . . and I was delighted to find the one on the end . . . the wooden . . . the one like the bobbin I had just found! . . . it was £8 . . . maybe a little expensive, but I was in the mood to spend and I loved it :)
and then I found this little sweetie . . . it was £2 and is in perfect condition . . . its for a shelf in Billy's room that I collect a few little woodland animals and treasures.
Have you found any bargains this month??
It’s been one year . . . one year since this little chap entered the world and stole my heart . . . one year since he went from this to this . . .
(ok, so this was a month or so ago . . . but you can see how he's changed)
In one year he has learnt to chatter, to sing, to dance and wave, to clap his hands and stick his finger up at you (meant to be his thumb, but not quite got it right) in one year he has learnt to sit, pull him self up and stand, to play and charm everyone he meets. In one year he has learnt to feed himself, to open cupboard doors and to turn the pages of a book (as well as rip them) to shake his head and wink with both eyes, to blow raspberries and to kiss and cuddle.
He loves bananas, being tickled and watching the birds. He loves music and dropping food for the dogs.
He hates his feet under the covers and getting dressed.
and I can't imagine life without him x
Leek and potato soup is my favourite so I was really looking forward to this and with fresh home made rolls it was yummy.
LEEK, ONION AND POTATO SOUP
4 large leeks
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1 medium onion, chopped small
50g (2oz) butter
850ml (1 1/2 pints) light chicken stock or water
275ml (10 fl oz) milk
salt and pepper
1 1/2 tbsp chives or parsley
2 tbsp cream or top of milk
- Trim off the tops and roots of the leeks and discard the tough outer later. Split them in half length ways and slice them up finely. Wash them thoroughly in two or three changes of water. Drain well.
- In a large thick-based saucepan gently melt the butter, then add the leeks, potatoes and onion, stirring them all around with a wooden spoon so they get a nice coating of butter. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and let the vegetables sweat over a low heat for about 15 minutes.
- Add the stock and milk, bring to simmering point, put the lid back on and let the soup simmer very gently for a further 20 minutes or until the vegetables are very soft. If you have the heat too high, the milk may cause it to boil over.
- You can either put the whole lot into a liquidiser and blend to a puree, or else press it through a sieve.
- Return the soup to the saucepan and reheat gently, tasting to check the seasoning, and stirring in the snipped chives and adding a swirl of cream just before serving.
I am so behind in sharing my weekly recipes, so have decided not to stress and just put them on here when I can :/
COTTAGE PIE
(serves 6)
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
750g (1lb 10oz) minced beef
2 carrots, peeled and diced
115g (4oz) chestnut mushrooms, chopped
150ml (5fl oz) red wine
30g (1oz) plain flour
300ml (10fl oz) beef stock
1 tbsp redcurrant jelly
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
2 tsp fresh thyme
for the topping
900g (2lb) potatoes
30g (1oz) butter, plus extra knob for the surface
about 4 tbsp hot milk
salt and pepper
- Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onions and fry until starting to brown. Put in the mince and brown, then add the carrots, celery and mushrooms and fry for 1 minute. Pour in the wine and let it bubble for 2-3 minutes over a high heat until reduced by about two-thirds. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring for about 1 minute.
- Pour in the stock until thickened. Mix in the redcurrant jelly, worcester sauce and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook, cover with lid, for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, make the toping: cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain well in a colander, then return to the pan and mash. Pre-heat the oven to 200C (fan 180C/400F/Gas 6)
- Taste the meat mixture for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Spoon into a large baking dish.
- When the meat has cooled slightly, spread the mashed potato on top, making swirling patterns over the surface with a fork. Dot the top with the extra knob of butter, then bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the potato is golden and the meat bubbling.
This was totally delicious . . . loved every bite :) I didn't put the red wine in though.
First the boat . . . I managed to get another Denby Gypsy item for my collection . . . this time a gravy boat/jug . . . It didn't come with the saucer like some of them do, but it's in perfect condition and I love it.
it was only £3.99 which I think is a total bargain :)
and next the car . . .
this time for Billy-boy
Steve found it on facebook, only used a couple of times and only £60
It can be remote controlled by an adult and then when Billy is old enough he can drive it, it plays music and you can also plug an MP3 player in. The lights all flash and it should last him till he is about 5 years old. And he L O V E S it :)
I seem to constantly have a load of half finished craft projects on the go . . . I thought I would share some in a hope that it would kick me in the butt to get on with some!
first up is this latchet rug making kit . . . my mother in law bought this to do for Billy's bedroom over the winter, but her eye sight isn't up to it . . . so I have the fun of it :)
half the work is working out the colours!
I have actually done more than this as have had a bit of a blitz . . . but think it will be another year before its done.
This is a birth sampler for Billy . . . I usually like to design my own, but I saw this a thought it was so perfect with the woodland theme for his room that I couldn't resist! I haven't picked this up for a while, but hope to get it done before he actually moves into his own room (whenever that will be!)
. . . and there has to be a bit of knitting . . . I think this has to be my favourite colour . . . I bought the wool to make myself a hat . . . I find it hard to find the perfect hat as I like them nice and loose . . . I made it a bit too loose . . . well the story is that I knitted it on a journey and had worked out how many stitches I needed but Steve thought it would be funny to keep saying different numbers while I was counting my stitches . . . I'm easily distracted at the best of times, so of course I gave up and ended up with too many stitches. (I was making it up as I went along anyway, so it was all a bit hit and miss) not sure I will show you though, as it did end up a bit big . . . but anyway, I had some wool left over so thought I would make a scarf to match . . . it will probably be for next winter now!
oh go on . . . here it is . . . the huge hat! I did gather the bottom in with some wool (as shown below) but then it wasn't as comfy, so will have to get some sheering elastic and have another go . . .
hope you enjoyed a giggle! ;)
wish me luck in getting some finished x
My Great Aunt, who died a few years ago, was quite an amazing person ...
... In 1953 she traveled alone to Australia for 18 months ... a trip of a life time ... it took 4 weeks by ship. While she was there, although visiting family that lived there, she was still incredibly homesick. While walking along the beach crying she found a shell ... then another ... this began her collection and love of shells.
At one point she had more than the Natural History Museum! She used to do exhibitions and raise money for charity.
She had a great love of art too and painted some of her collection in a book.
I just wanted to share some of them with you!
We have been looking for a couple of chairs for the kitchen for a while now. I was out with my mum last week and found these in a house clearance shop . . .
they are really well made, probably not that old, and very sturdy. I paid £20 for the pair. I may, later on in the summer, paint the backs or the seat . . . got to decide :)
Years ago, I used to admire my sister-in-law's mum's pottery (it's not that complicated!) She had a lovely collection of Denby Gypsy and I just knew it was the pottery of my dreams, the colours were lovely and even back then, when I dreamed of my perfect kitchen, I knew it would fit! Well I got given a couple of egg cups in it years ago that I have treasured, but this last month I have managed to grab a couple of bargains off eBay . . .
The casserole dish was £5 and the coffee pot was £2 .50 . . . total bargain I say! I am on the hunt for more now!
I have a bit of weakness for little jugs, and this one was only £1 in Oxfam . . . couldn't resist!
have you found any bargains this month?
I'm trying a new recipe every week . . . this is just from a recipe book I picked up last year.
TUNA AND NOODLE CASSEROLE
1 onion
1 carrot
1 tsp olive oil
140g/5oz button mushrooms
450ml/16fl oz chicken or veg stock
300ml/10fl oz canned condensed cream of mushroom soup
475g 1lb 1oz canned tuna in brine
350g/12oz dried egg noodles
125gg/4 1/2 oz panko breadcrumbs
55g/2oz freshly grated cheese
salt and pepper
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas mark 6.
- Dice the onion and carrot. Heat the oil in a large oven proof frying pan or wide saucepan. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, slice the mushroom and add them to the pan. Add salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the stock and soup and bring to the boil. Drain the tuna and add it to the pan, breaking up any big chunks. Add the noodles and stir to coat them with the sauce.
- Cover the pan and transfer to the pre-heated oven for about 15 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Preheat the grill to medium.
- Remove the pan from the oven and stir the casserole well. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and cheese evenly over the top, then place under the grill for 2-3 minutes till golden brown. Serve immediately.
I’m not sure I would make this again, like this. I bought the breadcrumbs and pre-grated Parmesan cheese as I wanted to follow the recipe and couldn’t find fresh Parmesan from the little shop I went to. They ended up being just like powder over the dish and got into the back of Steve's throat so he didn’t like it, he also doesn’t like Parmesan, so next time I would make my own bread crumbs and just use normal cheese. The casserole part was very nice though. It was a big dish and served 4 so I had it cold the next day for lunch. I also don’t have a pan that goes from the hob to the oven, so just transferred it over to a Pyrex casserole dish before putting it in the oven.