Building The Burrow!

Pearla*Merle

I spent so long writing that post (while trying to decide what to stick on the TV), that I missed yours, apple muncher. Not really got a target - just aim to make as much as possible and with any luck I'll get a quarter of the way there by Christmas. Though I did plan for the exact same thing last year around January time and made almost nothing in the end. I'm very much one for good intentions.

Well done on the mint fudge surviving this long, I'm in awe!

Crumpets

That's a good list P*M, I might have to steal some of your ideas:D I love sewing too but very rarely get chance to do it. I'm still a novice though so can't do anything fancy.

I like the sound of your apple and mincemeat crumble. How do you do that? Just mix in a jar of mincemeat with the stewed apple?

Pearla*Merle

Pretty much, though I'm too lazy to stew apples first I basically followed Frugal Queen's recipe here: http://www.frugalqueen.co.uk/2014/01/little-things-make-me-happy.html

PS. Steal away

Pearla*Merle

A very lazy day ahead (hurrah!). Mr M is keen for a NS weekend so we'll be mostly kicking about the house. Might pop out for a walk later, it's so sunny here!

This morning saw the last of the sausages, two huge sausage rolls each with caramelised red onions, glorious.

Thanks to tootoo & greent my weekend is now going to be filled with thrifty blog reading. I also found a book on my shelves I'd forgotten about - A Gift From The Sea, I'd picked up a cheap copy during my big Rethink My Life phase last summer and hadn't had a chance to read it before Christmas cranked up into action. I worked my way through half of it last night, it's such a heartstoppingly beautiful read (especially if you're keen on simplifying your life/reconnecting with yourself). It was a recommended read in another book, The Lilypad List (a library find), which has easily become one of my all-time favourites, it is an utterly inspiring book.

Oh, re: thrifty blogs, one is giving away a slow cooker! Here:http://www.athriftymrs.com/2014/01/slow-cooker-giveaway.html I already have (& love) one, but thought some people here might like to enter?

Pearla*Merle

It wasn't a particular sunny walk. Mr M wanted to take a bus, with a shop at the end of it, and then since we had a day bus ticket we went to more shops which made me feel thoroughly knackered and a bit sick thanks to an overdose of their pleathery goods. I don't know what it is about the little retail park we went to but it always ends up making me feel grumpy, urgh. At least we got to visit the pet store and say hello to all the little rabbits. Anyway, tomorrow is another day and I will NOT be going near any more blasted shops.

Mr M made me a lovely hot chocolate when we got back, and I turned on the TV to see one of my favourite Grand Designs (Edinburgh lime kiln house), so I cheered up immensely after that.

I ended up unearthing a few random balls of wool that should work well as part of my knitted paper chain, so settled down with a film tonight and got started on that.

My appetite has been a bit strange over the past few days, ended up having crackers and cheese for tea, very cheap and cheerful Must remember to bake some bread tomorrow for sandwiches next week.

newgirly

Morning pearla, those crafty ideas are great I will Definatly try some of them. The knitted paper chain is a lovely idea, I was thinking of maybe doing it in xmassy red and green to put up on the fireplace every year. Is it easy enough to make if you can only knit garter stitch in straight lines ?

Pearla*Merle

That's a great idea, I love having heirloom Christmas decorations

It's an absolute breeze to make, newgirly, I'm only doing garter stitch in straight lines (mostly for speed - I might experiment later, it could be a good way to practice other stitches?!), but anyway, you're basically making mini scarves and then just stitching the ends together. I'm using the chunkiest needles I've got as that helps with knocking them up more quickly and then just going by feel re: length. The first one I did was a little short, but I'll make the next longer and just go by the vague look of them rather than any specific number of rows etc. I've got quite a few different types of wool so that's probably the best way forward. It feels so good to finally be doing something with my wool stash(!)

pavlovs_dog

thanks for the book recommendations, shall add them to me 'to read' list on good reads :T

If you want something light (in the easy to read sense) yet thought provoking, I'd thoroughly recommend Wonder and the fault in our stars. Both teen books with a wide and deserved adult readership.

FamilyLife

Hi Pearla*Merle

Thanks for dropping in on my new diary. I'm going to read back through yours now. It seems like a perfect Sunday afternoon activity

FL xx

Pearla*Merle

Thank you Pavlovs! I'm always on the look out for recommendations, they sound great

Hello FamilyLife, lovely to see you