My Connie Mug

I've been decluttering A.LOT. recently and it's time for me and this guy to part ways. This is the only novelty item I have ever found with my name on it! I have had it since I was a child, probably around 30 years. Alas, apart from sporting my name it's useless,  I have had pens in it for most of the last 30 years as it's cracked, but the base it so much smaller than the top so it topples over easily.

Sooo...... a photo for memory, and a wave goodbye. Farewell Connie Mug xx

Nb.  Highly recommend decluttering, it's incredibly liberating!

"Does he like Meccano?"

The quote of the day!
Ollie had an MRI this morning, but set the machine off because he'd forgotten he'd put a piece if meccano up his nose! Honestly....

He is still very cute though!

DIY Apple cider vinegar

I am currently experimenting with making my own Apple cider vinegar as we all use this as conditioner, even Mr H, who says it's helping to keep his dandruff under control.

I had a couple of apples which have been in the fridge a bit too long, 1 tbsp of sugar to 1 cup of water. Instructions are here : 

https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/10/diy-homemade-apple-cider-vinegar-using-peels-and-cores/

This blogger warns not to use metal as the vinegar will corrode it, and pkastic leeches into the liquid so best use glass or similar. 

Another blogger says after a couple of weeks you have made hard cider which you can drink! Perhaps on a future batch ;)

This is my cider after two weeks on the shelf! It's a cold and frosty morning so the light is totally different, but the liquid has gone cloudy and it smells like scrumpy! Now I need to strain out the fruit and keep the liquid.

Tunisian crochet scarf #2

This is the scarf Katie made, but photographed in daylight :)

Tunisian crochet scarf (zero waste gift)

Katie wanted to make a present for her BFF. We thought he could do with a scarf but I wanted her to do the heavy lifting on this one as she is 9, so I usually get little to no help (or credit!)

I thought Tunisian crochet would be a nice thing for her to learn as it's less fiddly than crochet or knitting and it worked beautifully!  Now, I did help her make this, but she did do a lot of the crochet herself and is very proud of the result! I hope BFF appreciates the effort!!

Instructions we followed from this blog: https://www.stitchandunwind.com/free-tunisian-crochet-pattern/amp/ we used a 5mm crochet needle and some self patterning sirdar (I think!) Sock yarn which I'd made into a jumper years ago and have unwound, so it's recycled too!

Bad photo as it's night time and I've just realised his birthday is tomorrow!

School Arctic project

The kids worked together to create Ollie's Arctic habitat in a shoebox project. So cute! He drew the penguins and Katie made most of the box, he praised her about how good he thought it was and she replied "Most people don't take art as seriously as I do. "
I nearly choked on my tea! Girl after her mother! 🤣🤣

Beautiful Baps!

My friends Stu and Sarah brought their kids for a visit today. I made tomato soup and buns thinking we would go for a winter walk and have instant hot  food on our return, alas it rained. All. Day.

Buns are half the recipe below, the other half used for pizza bases on Friday. I put a silicone sheet in a rectangular baking dish and left overnight to rise in the fridge with milk on the top to prevent them drying out. In the morning I brushed melted butter on them before baking! Yum!

https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/basic-bread-recipe/