What a day!

What a day we've had today, winter is certainly on its way. Mind you, we've virtually had the four seasons - we've had heavy rain, strong winds, sunshine and hail, we just need the snow! My computer has been showing the temperature hasn't gone above 8 degrees C. I certainly didn't feel inclined to go outside for any length of time ;o)

The girls, however, were happy to go to movies this afternoon. Although Emily saw New Moon last week, she's been itching to go again. Claire had originally said they'd go on Friday night but then pulled out. Emily was supposed to go with a friend on Saturday but her mum told her she had to finish the book before she could go. So, finally, Emily got to go again this afternoon with Claire. I dropped them off and said I'd pick them up later, then came home to make the binding for the second quilt - which I've just about finished sewing on.

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As I was getting ready to go and pick the girls up, I glanced through the front window and couldn't believe my eyes. I called for Jon to come and look because there were two deer on the green outside the house!!

We've never seen deer around here so it was quite a surprise. Jon said he'd actually seen them this morning and forgotten to mention it to me. Naturally I grabbed my camera and went outside to get a photo, trying to be as quiet as possible.

I managed to get a couple of shots but must have disturbed them and they moved off soon after I went out.

How exciting!! We think they probably came from the wood and fields behind the houses and looked quite young (not that I know anything about deer). Hopefully we'll see them again some time.

xx

Some things don't change :o)

You may well remember the photo below from a post earlier this month. Emily loved dressing Wallace up when she was younger and .... she hasn't changed much ;o). Today she decided he needed his coat on because it was cold outside - even though Wallace was inside (where we had the heating on at the time)

Wallace doesn't look too impressed, does he!

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Today I have taken a break from sewing, baking, ironing, etc. I've read my magazines, caught up on blogs and looked at new ones. However, I also made my first digital layout!!! The layout came from Jools Gauger who made some available for people doing Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class. I am a beginner when it comes to adding layers etc. Recently I've been trying my hand at new things when a tutorial shows up on a blog and I'm slowly starting to learn a bit more. Like most things however, once you start you want to learn a bit more ... and a bit more .... ;o)

My first attempt. I used digital papers which I think came from Jessica Sprague's Holidays in Hand free class. I just added some photos from last Christmas and I'll leave it at that for now. You never know, you may just see a few more pages on the blog soon.

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Have a relaxing weekend

xx

Could this be ..

the makings of a Christmas journal???

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I had a rummage through my stash today and found some Christmas papers that could do with being used up. The idea of a Christmas journal still appeals, so .... could this be the makings of a Christmas Journal for 2009? I'm ever hopeful!

xx

Christmas is coming ...

Yesterday's post didn't happen 1) because I didn't really have much to write and 2) because I wanted to get the binding attached to the quilt ready for me to finish the hand sewing today. By the time I'd finished I was ready for bed! I also thought you are probably getting fed up seeing photos of my sewing ;o)

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Today, there is a definite smell of Christmas in our house :o). I decided to make homemade mincemeat - which should then, hopefully, lead to homemade mince pies in December. I picked up a few ingredients after dropping Claire at work and got stuck in as soon as I got home. I've never made my own mincemeat before but had heard it tastes much nicer than shop bought. Following the recipe in the Rachel Allen, Bake cookery book was really straight forward. Rachel's recipe books tend to be the ones I go to when I want to try something new because I've never been disappointed with any of the recipes yet.

I know it doesn't look particularly wonderful but it smelt delicious! I had been keeping used jars and cleaning them out with some home baking/cooking in mind. I was glad I had a few ready to steralise as the mixture filled six assorted jars. I see it also says the mincemeat can be kept for a year.

I thought it might be a good idea to label them so I remember when the mincemeat was made. Now I need to be patient and let it sit for at least a couple of weeks before using it.

xx