It's a snow day!!!

We couldn't believe it, when we opened the curtains this morning, I know the weather forecast said to expect snow, but they're normally wrong. But not this time, it was amazing. So picturesque.
These first three pictures were taken at the nature reserve this morning, its a beautiful place.
Hubby and I had a bit of a snowball fight, but as usual I never win.
Woody's never really seen snow before and thought it was fab, I was running around the garden this morning in my PJ's and trainers with him. He went and got a ball, and was having great fun rolling it around and burying it in the snow.
He got snow stuck on his ears but he didn't mind, "I'm all white mum"!

I would like to thank Sarah for my award, I was so chuffed, I will try to put this on my blog later.

Phoebe - my little munchkin 5 today!

I thought it was about time Phoebe had a bit of web space, as Woody's been hogging the limelight of late. This is Phoebe 5 year old today moggy, Happy Birthday Puss. She's also known as Angel cat, little munchkin as well as mummy's black and white cat and affectionately known as Bubba.
She's a very slender and tiny little cat, she's still kitten sized and has the most amazing silky coat.
Here she is checking out my basil seedlings. She's soooo timid though she loves hubby and me to bits but won't go near anyone else. Last summer we had a BBQ and had friends in the garden till quite late. She wanted to come in but wouldn't come pass us lot, so I made everyone hide in the shed until I could get her in! It was quite funny at the time and they've never let me forget it.

Its been sunny and hot here all day today. I've managed to get two loads of washing on the line and have pottered around. To be honest I've really wasted the day, there's been so much i could have done, but couldn't be bothered. Hubby will be home for tea in a Mo so i better get moving!

Ten little things that make me smile.....

I was thinking today about the little things in life that make me smile, and have compiled a list of ten, here goes!

1. A wagging tail when you get home from work (In woody's case a whole wagging back end)
2. The popping sound when breaking the lid on a new jar of coffee
3. The smell of a bonfire, aahh
4. A purring cat, sitting on your lap
5. A sit down, with a cup of tea and a biscuit
6. A hot bath, listening to Loreena McKennitt
7. Popping bubble wrap
8. Waking up for work and remembering its Saturday!
9. A text message from hubby, telling me he loves me
10. Watching the birds on the bird table

Why don't you all have a go, it will make you smile!

Sybil Leek - The Burley Witch

Sybil Leek was one of the first witches to become public back in the 1960's. She was often accused of becoming a sell-out, because of her media attention and the odd ways. With the publishing of her autobiography, Diary of a Witch Sybil announced that her style of witchcraft was not dead and never had been.....She attracted public attention for almost everything that she did.

In the beginning of Sybil's public life as a witch, her adherence to the craft cost her dearly, as landlords cut off leases on her secular antique stores, and others made her targets of general prejudice against witches. Her family was acquainted with Alesister Crowley, and he felt that she would be the one to take over where he left off.

Sybil was one of the first popular witches to take to environmental causes... She was a master astrologer, and a gifted psychic. Sybil passed on in 1982, at an unknown age....and she lived to see the establishment of Wicca as a recognized religion.

Sybil was born on the 22nd February 1923 in Staffordshire, England. From an early age she lived and grew up in the New Forest area of Hampshire and demonstrated an early gift for writing. The New Forest is one of the oldest forests in England and is steeped in folklore and witchcraft associations. The same area is where Gerald B. Gardner first joined Old Dorothy Clutterbucks coven in 1939. That coven was reportedly descended from one of Old George Pickingill's famous nine covens. Sybil claims that during her time in the area, there were still four old covens that had survived from the days of King William Rufus.

In 1932 when she was only nine years old, Aleister Crowley became a frequent visitor to her home. She claims to have spent time with him climbing the mountainsides and wondering through forests near to her home. In her autobiography Diary of a Witch (New York: Signet 1969.). Sybil wrote that he talked to her about witchcraft and recited his poetry while encouraging her to write her own. He also instructed her on the use of certain magickal words used for their vibratory qualities when used in magick.

I will tell you more about Sybil in another post.......

I have been trying to collect her books for a few years now. These are all I have at the moment, including two of "have mania will collect". I would dearly love to get my hands on "Diary of a Witch" but they are hard to come by. All her books are out of print, and when at boot sales or charity shops I do trawl through all the books. I have read "Diary of a Witch" from the library and its a brilliant book, Your taken right back to Sybil's childhood in the New Forest and the time she spent with the Gypsies.

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.

That missing hour.....

Where did the weekend go? This week seemed to drag all the time I was at work, and then hurray the weekend was here, but blink and you could have missed it. I blame that missing hour! Went out with the girls on Friday night for a friends birthday, it was OK but I returned £25 lighter and probably 1/2 Stone heavier. Do you know it was £5.25 for a glass of dry white wine. I think that is a ridiculous price. When the waitress bought the drinks over I asked if my wine should be in a pint glass like my friends coke if it was costing that much. Needless to say I didn't have another glass of wine!

We had quite a productive day yesterday, but it did seem to fly by. We got out the front and weeded the border. The miniature fruit trees and blackberry bushes we put in have started to bud. Also managed to clear the pots out in the back garden and hubby mowed the lawn. We then did a bit of decorating in the dining room. He put on a new plug socket and rubbed the skirting down and I painted the coving. Still loads to do in there yet, but can't wait till its finished. Popped over mum and dads, and in laws as well, so busy day.

Still Raining....

As you can see Woody is a well and truly a part of the family. You can't even read the paper without him being included. He's such a daddy's boy!

I had another bash at making lemon curd today. This time it set quite quickly and is a lot thicker than the last batch, it tastes great too.

It's still raining here, so just spending the day pottering around the house.

Fridays Baking .....

Todays baking. Victoria sponge with lemon curd filling (home made of course) and coconut macaroons.

Rain, Rain, Go Away.....

I thought I'd put up a few pics of the bargain flowers I bought this week. They're very colourful and thought they would brighten up everyone's day. It's still bloomin raining here. Woody and I got a bit wet on our walk this morning, the little man looked like he'd had a perm. :o)

I've just discovered Etsy via blogging and it's great. Basically people put their handmade items up for sale on there, it's quite good. I found a lady in Yorkshire who makes the most amazing jumpers from recycled materials. They all have pixie hoods, which I love. Trouble is with postage will cost about £100, which i don't have at the moment sigh. I don't buy clothes very often, as trying them on depresses me and I come back feeling fatter than when i went. But this particular jumper was great. Worth slimming into if it didn't fit.
This is a pic of Woody with his Easter duck, it was only 99p and it quacks! He likes it anyway. He's just emptied the contents of his toy box all over the lounge floor. We have a pheasant, a frog, a puppy, and big fluffy ball, two tennis balls and his duck!
Think I might get in the kitchen in a minute and make a Victoria sponge and maybe some coconut macaroons. Got to cook hubby some dinner tonight, but I'm out with the girls for a meal as its T's birthday. But I might put a little bottle of wine in my handbag to save a few quid. :o)

1000 hits.....

Checked by blog tonight and I've achieved 1000 hits. I think that's amazing I've not even been blogging a month yet! Thanks to all me new friends who keep checking into Faerie Nuff and leaving comments. I get quite excited when I've got a few comments, my hubby's become a blogging widow!