Some me time.......

I've made quite a lot of late, but it's all flown off to lovely new owners in the form of swaps and giveaways. So as I had a day off on Thursday, I decided I'd made something for me to keep. I wore sloppy joes all day not a scrap of makeup and ignored the looming housework, got out my sewing machine and created these.
I made myself a little Easter Hare in pretty spring colours. I think I will call her sunny, ''Sunny the Hare''.

After making my spring swaps, I wanted to make myself a Hare in a pot too.

I've spent a few hours in the kitchen today, made a shepherds pie for my in laws and a batch of scrummy lemon curd, and some cornflake cakes. I'm doing another car bootsale tomorrow, so will be up very early, must be bloody mad! Then tomorrow evening we've got mum and dad over for dinner. So a busy day tomorrow.

I've had a terrific lot of post this week, I just can't believe it really. Look what came in the post for me today.

A gorgeous gift from Madmummy. I really wasn't expecting this so was a lovely surprise. The place mat and heart are all scrumdidlyumpscious in this pretty Easter fabric.

As I'm writing this post I'm watching Britain's got talent. It's bloomin good too, laughing my head off here.

Have a lovely weekend and fantastic Easter.

((((HUGS))))

Pixie. xxx

A productive weekend......

Hi Folks, sorry I haven't posted for the last week, just been busy and trying to get back into the routine of work and such. Had a good weekend, took mum out shopping and to the bank Saturday, and we popped into a couple of charity shops. I picked up a nice fleece for £3 mum paid £2, and a nice t-shirt for Mr Pixie for a £1. We had a look around the market and I got a nice chicken for dinner Saturday, and the cockle man was there so I had to have a tub of cockles they are my favourite treat. :o)

Sunday we went for a lovely walk to the Forest of Bere with Woody, and hubbys friend and his springer came too. We met lots of other springer's in the woods, its amazing how different they all look. Later that day I finally got the lemon curd and Seville orange marmalade made that I've been wanting to do for ages. Got 6 jars of lemon curd done and 13 jars of marmalade, took bloomin ages, didn't finish until 10.00pm.



I've also been trying to be more organised with the shopping and plan our dinners for the week so we don't waste so much food and save money. I think we ate pretty well last week, Monday we had Lasagna for lunch and boiled eggs and soldiers for tea, we had the leftover lasagna for tea Tuesday, beef stew and dumplings Wednesday, corned beef hash on Thursday and finished it off Friday, roast chicken dinner Saturday and cauliflower and macaroni cheese Sunday. I also made a big batch of watercress soup up yesterday which is now in the freezer for whenever we need a quick and tasty meal. My thrifty plans will continue this week so watch this space.



Below are some pics of our lovely walk in the forest on Sunday.

Woody dancing on ice!!!!!!!

Yep he's not in the water he's on it.

If you look really closely you should be able to see a squirrel.

Saturday in the Kitchen....

I seemed to have spent all day today in the kitchen. I made four jars of lemon curd which is a favourite in this house and then made a Victoria sponge and filled it with lemon curd. It makes a nice change to jam. Speaking of jam though, I did pop out this morning to a stall in titchfield that sell strawberries, but they didn't have any today, and I really wanted to get a batch of strawberry jam made. :(
My brother popped in briefly this afternoon to pick up a pair of trainers I'd ordered for him, but as usual with little brothers it was a flying visit.

Off to the teddy bear fair in Dorchester tomorrow, but not holding out much hope of selling much. People just can't afford it at the moment with the credit crunch in full swing. I will try and remember to take the camera so I can post a few pics.

Recipe's as promised.....

As promised Autumn, Lemon Curd and Coconut Macaroon Recipes.

Lemon Curd Recipe

Juice and grated zest of 5-6 large juicy lemons
5-6 new laid eggs
8oz unsalted butter
1 1/4lbs sugar, caster or granulated

Grate the lemon zest finely and put into a bowl, then juice the lemons well and add the juice, strained. Chop the butter and add to the bowl, along with the sugar. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, and stir regularly until the sugar is dissolved and the butter melted. Beat the eggs well, and pour through a sieve into the bowl; stir frequently until mixture thickens to coat the back of a wooden spoon, then pour into hot jars. seal and label. When cool store in the fridge, keeps for up to six weeks.

Coconut Cookies/Macaroons

2 egg whites
4oz caster sugar
6oz desiccated coconut

Set the oven to 325'f or gas mark 3. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until very stiff. Fold in the sugar and then add and fold in the coconut. Drop small dessertspoonful of the mixture on the baking sheet, leaving some room between each for expansion. Bake for about 15 mins until lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire wrack to cool. Makes 18-20 cookies.