Amie's Cookie Jar

Know your own cookie jar.
Amie knows where her cookie jar sits .

That's me

That's me.
Yes........ that's definitely me.

Tidy Tails Time Again

Fast asleep before she goes to see Auntie Melonie at Tidy Tails.


On the way out from the hairdressers with Auntie Melonie
(Amie always waggs her tail when she goes in).


A clean SWEET SMELLING Amie.


She doesn't really mind being clean.

Great British Bird Watch Today

This is the second year that we have taken part in the bird watch.
Wish we had seen more birds this year, but we think that a Ginger cat and our neighbours unkempt tree hasn't helped.
Unkempt tree should be great for the birds, but young Ginger (not a friend of Franks) takes to hiding in the tree ready to pounce. We think the birds are wary. Shame.......
Neighbours - CUT YOUR TREE BACK....... no good feeding the birds if you are also feeding the cat..........

CAT (face) BOOK

Mohair dyed with onion peelings PART ONE

It's been a few days since I posted a length of white mohair and onions.
This is what it was about.

Don't need the old recipe book in the background.
Or the bottle of beer............
You do need plenty of onion skins. (just the skin)
More you have, deeper the colour.


A pan of boiling hot water.
Try 10 cups (English, American, doesn't matter (or ten mugs).


Add the onion skins, after you have stopped crying.


15 minutes and the colour of the water should look something like this after you have strained out the onion skins.
You can use red onion skins colour will look just as good.

Goat and Onions (dyed mohair with onions) Part Two

I always have a sinking feeling when putting mohair into hot water.


If you haven't seen Shaun my kitchen timer before, here he is.
Watching over my simmering mohair for 10 minutes.


Blog of wet, hot mohair in the sink.
Rinse clear of the onion dye with warm/cold water.

Not dry yet but different.
Now you will have to wait till it's dry and see how the bear turns out.
When I get around to making it.

What do you call it?

I know I am probably asking for trouble here.
After a visit from Northern friends, the question has to be asked.
Before we all start to squabble about it.

Swede or Turnip?

Who said you could get on the bed?

Money Tree

I had to inspect the greenhouse, it has been neglected for weeks.
Really surprised that the plants in there are better than I thought.
Money Tree, if only!

We have a new colour by the way.
Start of another year, good to have a change (and I was messing around and couldn't get the other one back).

A promise

I promised that I would post a rock painting.
Here it is.
It at least 15-18 years old... er.... it is not the frog friends, it is the Doctor fish.
When I painted it it was to remind me that I never really liked swimming along side this fish.
IT also reminded me that I am a rubbish artist !
I will do most things within reason, but please never ask me to hold a paint brush.

Enlightening 2009

All Dogs are different

All dogs are different in that they each have their own little ways that endear them to those that love us.
It may be some little games we play or tricks we learn or the way we look at you or some little thing about appearance, like having one ear black and one white.
While you grew to love me as I loved you we both gave each other happiness and love.
We do not stay on Earth long and soon the time comes when we must pass and make way for another of our kind who also needs love and care, just as I did when you found me.
I hope you loved me enough to make you love all dogs and to pass the love and care you gave to me to another lonely dog.
I know I will always have a special place in you heart and that special place will always be there. Another dog will never fill that place, but you find another place beside mine.
If you loved me enough to make you want to give your love to another dog, I would be very proud as I would have fulfilled my mission on Earth and saved another dog from loneliness.
Thank you for your loving care and one day in another place in another world we will be together again.
When you find another dog, give it all the love and care you gave to me, and then when it's turn comes, too pass on, it will be as proud and happy for the life and love you gave it as I was and it will have loved you as I did.
Your loving Dog. X
Charlie Mitchell



I really can't remember how long I have had this poem, or how many times I have read it, or who wrote it.
But I do know that every day with what ever pet you have, is special.

For Ray, Jane, Andrew and George.

Amie and the baby wet wipes

I hate the smell of baby wet wipes.


Why Me?

tagged 4th of the 4th

This post might seem slightly strange to some. Others will know what the 4th of the 4th is.
I have only just found out. Phew...... thought I was going to have to draw.
Also pleased that the 4th of the 4th is one postable!!!!!!

Cleaning Stonehenge in January

Too early to go sightseeing, this is how Stonehenge looks near to The Winter Solstice.


It's something you never think of.
They have to pick up the litter at Stonehenge.
We were lucky enough or unlucky, depending how you look at it,
to catch this guy as we stopped early one morning. He is the spot in the yellow coat, look carefully...........................


Lots of pictures of Stonehenge, but this is view looking from the Henge . Deserted apart from the sheep on the plain.


If you read the blog during the Summer you will remember, we always feed the birds.

Jake in the box

Should I be surprised.
All the toys that they have had to play with over the last few weeks.


Jake would still rather play with a box.


So would Tilly May.


And Sparky...........he is on the wrong blog again.
Goes to show you never know what you will find in a box.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARINA

Karina loved Superman.

Always had a thing about wild life.

Even now has a love of fast cars.

Still a shop till she drops girl.

Always straightening her hair.

Nothing has changed much really.
With love from Mum and Dad.
12th January 1977
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Cold out there

Stay in the warm and plan ahead.

Soggibottom CREAM FUDGE Recipe

My friend Janice has just given me 10 out of 10 for a jar of fudge I made over Christmas.
As she is one of the best cookie and cake makers I know, I felt really good.
So thought you might like to try it yourself.
Really easy, but the pan and the fudge mix does get very very hot, so be warned, maybe not one for children to try (the bigger ones should be fine).


225 Grams of Clotted Cream (8oz)
The Cream above obviously comes from Devon,
as long as its clotted cream that's fine............ *

275 Grams of Castor Sugar (10 oz) / Superfine Sugar

100 Grams of Golden syrup (3. 1/2 oz)/ Light Molasses

1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla essence......
or whisky, or rum and raisin, .....
what ever your imagination can run to for flavouring.


Put the sugar, cream and golden syrup in a large heavy saucepan and heat GENTLY
Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Then cover it and bring it to the boil for three minutes.


Remove the saucepan lid and continue to boil GENTLY
until the temperature reaches 116 c/240 F.
Remove the pan from the heat and now for the best bit.
BEAT IT until the mix becomes thick and creamy. Then add the flavouring.
Beat again and pour into a greased and lined tin. Leave until set. Don't be tempted to mess around with it as its still hot.


The one above has walnuts as a flavouring.
Leave it to set
I put it in the fridge for a couple of hours after it had cooled down.
Cut it into square pieces.
After you have tried some and if you have any left store in an airtight container.
Healthy eating, defiantly NOT!

*Clotted Cream.
Is made by gently heating rich unpasteurized milk, until a semi solid layer of cream forms on the surface. After cooling the thickened cream is removed. ... Clotted Cream....

Don't you take things for granted that are in front of you at the supermarket?
I hope that the revised Cream Fudge Recipe helps.... Michele

Mohair

Mohair and onions?
Bear makers will know what I am up to.
Saying that, I haven't got up to anything yet as i took this pic a couple of days ago.
Might need a few more onions.

Captive

12th NIGHT

We found this beautiful tree in the woods yesterday. It doesn't need packing away in the attic for next year or taking to the re-cycling centre. It looked sparkly with out a bauble in sight. Perfect.

Wouldn't have got it into the car any how!!!!!!