Meet Beau, Our new little addition to the family

Hi folks, I thought you'd all like to meet our new little addition to the family. This is Beau and he's an 8 week old English Springer Spaniel. We picked him up on Saturday and I'm already completely smitten with him.

He's already into everything and is a proper little wiggle worm with needle sharp teeth. I'm training him to not bite us at the moment and he's already improved loads, he's also sitting and is getting better with toilet training. Obviously we've had a few accidents, but its only to be expected he's learning fast.

Woody has been really good with him, we've had a few grumbles but nothing too bad, he's been trying to get Beau to play with him and its lovely to watch.

We did intend to get a girl, but when we went to visit the puppies she was sooooo timid and hid the whole time. Whereas Beau bounded straight up to us and was all cuddles and licks and loved both of us from the start. He's proving to be a really confident pup, and wasn't even scared of the car ride home.

We're just hoping now that Woody and Beau continue to get along. We will have Beau neutered as soon as he's old enough so he doesn't become too dominant.

I love this pic, both my boys are sound asleep. Woody had a fur cut yesterday though so is not looking like a woolly mammoth anymore.

So I've been a bit busy since Saturday, and I'm absolutely shattered. Next week will be hard when its back to work, they won't be left too long though as I work part time. I'd still rather be home with the dogs though ;o(. It was our wedding anniversary yesterday, but instead of going out we stayed home with the pup, but didn't mind in the slightest he's a little sweetheart.

TTFN

Pixie xxxx

Birthdays and Bear Fairs

Hi folks, its been a busy week here. Firstly I'm back to work now as the schools are back, so that always takes a bit of adjusting too. It was my birthday Wednesday, and had a pretty ordinary day but got some nice little pressies and was made a fuss of, which is always nice. I've put some pics of my pressies further down. I even had a bunch of flowers from hubby, which is the first time in 11 years, so was pretty shocked, but was chuffed to bits.
Yesterday my SIL and I went to Kensington for the hugglets bear fair. As you all probably know my SIL makes the most gorgeous bears and can be found here and here. We had a stall in the basement, which we actually quite like coz its nearer the loo's ;o). We had the best day, in fact she's never sold so many bears in one fair before and had lots of orders it was great, and sooooo busy all day. She only had two cupcake bears left, all the other cupcakes were snapped up. Sorry the pics aren't great forgot my camera so took these on my phone (birthday present from hubby ;o)

I'm all inspired to start creating now, so may delve into my craft box this week and start making again. Especially with Christmas around the corner (sorry i said the C word!)

Here's my birthday pressies. (I got lots of chocs and wine .... ;o)

Flowers from Hubby

Sunflowers from my friends Marie and Tracy.

See you soon!! .....Pixie xxxxx

Autumns in the air......

It seems an awful long time since I did a blog post, even hubby commented on the fact that it's about time I did one, so here I am. I'm sitting in waiting for the postman, don't you just hate waiting for a parcel, I bet that I've waited in all day and it either doesn't turn up, or it'll turn up at stoopid o clock, or the door will knock just I decide to go to the loo. AARRRGGGG.

I've decided this week that autumns definitely upon us, i can feel that chill in the air, the leaves have just started to change colour, the blackberries are ready for picking, in fact they seem very early this year, or is that just my imagination? The elderberries were gone before i had time to blink, so unfortunately no pontack making for me this year :o(.

I haven't done much in the way of baking and crafting for ages, I think that's a seasonal thing with me too. But this week I felt the urge, so yesterday I made a lovely Beef and Ale stew with herby dumplings which was delicious, if i do say so myself :o). And today I made a batch of Iced buns yummmy, hubby will be pleased when he gets home from work this evening. I'm itching to have a go at making a kentish cobnut cake after seeing the hairy bikers make it on the beeb yesterday, it looks lush. They served it with an apple compote and whipped cream :o).

I have been drooling over the new CK catalogue of late too. I purchased the folk flowers messenger bag a few weeks ago which I love, and I've got my eye on the matching umbrella and purse, as well as other numerous items, like you do :o). Its my birthday next week, so you never know what the birthday fairy may bring. ;o)

I'm off to clean the kitchen floor now :o(, then i may lose myself in a book for a bit, before going to get my hair highlighted later.

OOOHHH I almost forgot........ A big thank you to Suzie from itch2stitch for this pretty little award, it's so cute I love it.

Have a great afternoon folks

(((((hugs))))) Pixie xxxx

I've been given an award from Mel Mel to show you all my latest 5 obsessions so here goes folks!

1. Twilight, where do I begin, books, film, and let's not forget about the guys! Ladies have u seen the cast!!! u really need to check these books and film out, serious eye candy!!!!
2. Tilda, I just lurve these books, great patterns and delicious stuff to make. The new book is fab!
3. Lauren Luke makeup tutorials on YouTube. These are great and have really given me some self confidence in my appearance and I've ordered myself some stunning new makeup.
4. Shopping for new clothes. I'm really trying to make the best of my self at the moment, and gain a little self confidence. I've bought a few new items of clothing. I'm loving this shopping thing!
5. Face book and Farm Town, it's great fun and very addictive!

Well that's a little info about me at the moment folks!

How much do I love Tilda........

After waiting an awfully long time and having this book pre-ordered since February, its finally arrived, and I'm very excited. Here's a bit of a sneaky peek into the latest book by Tone Finnanger, Sew Sunny Homestyle. (English edition).
Look at that desk!

I love this bird house sewing kit idea and can't wait to try it.

Sorry the pics are a bit naff, the light is terrible today. Wheres the sun its August for crying out loud.

This bag is sooooo pretty, another one for my must make list.

I practically jumped off the sofa when I saw this stunning cake made out of soap. I'm desperate to have a go at making it. I've got all sorts of ideas rushing through my head. I can just picture this soap cake on a craft stall.

These hens are so cute!

And I love this little character, such an adorable little face.

I hope you liked the sneaky peek. As you know I'm Tilda mad and adore these books. I shall be kept entertained for hours with these.

TTFN

Pixie xxx

The Wanderer Returns

A BIG HELLO, to all my blogging pals. I'm sorry its been a while since I've been on. I just haven't had a lot to talk about on here and life in general just seems to get in the way. I've also not been feeling myself for a bit and have just let life pass me by while I've retreated into my books reading. Sometimes its nice just to go and live in another world in a book for a bit than put up with the real one. Anyhow, I'm starting to feel more myself the passed couple of weeks, so thought it was about time I got out, so on Saturday I hit the shops with a Pal and treated myself. I got this gorgeous Cath Kidston messenger bag which is in a new print for autumn 09, not sure what its called but I love it. Its the first time I've visited CK since the shop opened in Winchester and there was sooooo much to look at, and that I wanted to take home.

I also got myself and lovely new top from next and had great fun checking out the monsoon sale. We also spent ages checking out the latest makeup in boots. I haven't had a real good girly shopping day in years and it did me the world of good.

Now I said earlier that I've spent a lot of time reading, and my new all time favourite series of books has to be the Twilight saga by Stephanie Meyer, I read all four books twice in 2 weeks. I'm so in love with the series. Its got vampires, werewolves and an amazing love triangle.
A real page turner that I couldn't put down and had me up reading into the small hours.

I must admit to watching the film first which I've also watched about 10 times since. Robert Pattinson is gorgeous, in fact all the twilight guys are, so prepare for some serious eye candy ladies. The next film in the saga New Moon is due to be released in the UK 20/11/09, and I cannot wait.

I have a sketch to do in the next couple of weeks for my boss, and I've also been asked to make some bunting for a colleague. I really must get back into crafting again, I'm sure once I start I won't be able to stop. I'm still waiting for the new Tilda book to be sent to me. I pre-ordered it in February with it due to be released in July, then delivery was changed to Aug 4th, and now I've been informed that it's still not been published in the UK yet and have to wait even longer. AARRRGGG.

I hope all my bloggy pals are OK, and I will try and visit all you blogs in the next week or so.

Take Care

Pixie xxxx

Another Sketch......

Greetings folks and Happy Summer Solstice to you all, and Happy fathers day too!

After my sketch of Woody last week, I couldn't resist the urge to do another drawing, so on Friday I decided to draw Phoebe. Its only my second drawing, but I'm very pleased with it. I'm on the lookout now for a good photo of my old dog Winston so I can do a sketch of him for my parents.

Look what I pulled from the garden today. They are big bu**ers don't you think!


And lastly a pic of the fairy cakes that were baked yesterday. I looked after my friends little girl for the day, so we made fairy cakes for last nights solstice party. I'm feeling a little ropey today, as it was a very late night and I had a few too many glasses of Elderflower Champagne, but a good time was had by all.

Enjoy the longest day folks.

TTFN

Custard Ice Cream

As requested folks, Custard Ice Cream recipe, taken from the River Cottage Family Cookbook.

To Serve 6

Single cream, a 284ml pot
Vanilla pod, 1
Free Range egg yolks, 4
Caster Sugar, 125g
Double Cream, a 284ml pot

1. Pour single cream into a saucepan. Slit the vanilla pod open length ways with a sharp knife and drop it into the pan. Set the heat to medium and heat the cream until it just starts to steam a little, then switch off the hob. Let the pan just sit there and the heat will draw the vanilla flavour into the cream.
2. Meanwhile, put the egg yolks into a jug and add the sugar. Whisk them well together for a minute until they turn thick and a little paler.
3. Pour the saucepan of hot cream into the sugary egg mixture and whisk again until smooth. Pour it all back into the saucepan . Rinse the jug for later.
4. With the heat set very low, stir the creamy mixture all the time with a wooden spoon so that it doesn't stick to the base of the pan but heats slowly and evenly. To see if the custard has heated enough, check from time to time with this classic test: take the spoon out of the custard and look at the back of it - the film of custard over it should look noticeably creamier. Draw your finger across the back of the spoon and, if the line stays clear and distinct, your custard and thickened enough. Turn off the heat and put the pan on to the work surface, carry on stirring for a few seconds so the cooking process is halted and the custard starts to cool down. Strain the custard through a sieve into the jug you rinsed out earlier.
5. Fish the vanilla pod out of the sieve, rinse it under the cold tap and let it dry ( you could put it in a jar of caster sugar to give the sugar a vanilla flavour).
6. As soon as the custard has cooled to room temperature, put the jug in the fridge for half an hour, then stir in the double cream.
7. Either pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and churn it until it freezes or pour it into a plastic container . Freeze it for about an hour or until the sides start to go solid. When this happens, mash up the mixture with a fork, mixing the frozen sides into the liquid centre. Put it back in the freezer for another hour, repeat this twice more at hourly intervals, then let the ice cream go solid.
   

The Week in Pictures......

Sorry folks, been AWOL again. Just can't keep up with my blog at the moment. But i seems a few fellow bloggers feel the same, I think its just that time of year. I've got a horrible head cold this week, so yesterday after my morning shift at work I just wanted to crash on the sofa, so I thought I'd have a go at drawing. I haven't drawn anything since I was at school, but was inspired by some friends at the weekend to have a go again. So out came my pencils and drawing pad, and I drew a picture of Woody. I finished it last night.

I'm pleased with it, all though I'm sat here criticising it now....... I think I will practice some more, either another pic of Woody or one of the cat.

Last weekend I met up with some lovely people from the CL forum in Devon. We ate cake, drank tea and swapped a few bits and pieces and had a lovely time.

I swapped one of my angels for Kims beautiful goddess and salt pig that she'd made................such a clever lady!

I also came home with a squash plant, a lily, some seeds and a couple of books.

Whilst talking to Kim at the weekend, she also recommended Kate Rusby, as I love folk music. I had to get onto Amazon and order this ASAP. Its FAB, and its been on in my car all week, will have to get some more of her music.

UMMM What else have I done..........I made hob nobs.....................

Vanilla Sugar.......................

Homemade Custard ice cream, which is the scrummiest ice cream I've ever tasted.

And this chocolate cake which was taken to the forum gathering last weekend.

I hope you've had a good week, and roll on the weekend.

TTFN

Elderflower Champagne

I popped over my friends last night after the mammoth strawberry processing project to bottle up the Elderflower champagne we made last week. It smelt very alcoholic and lovely and was fizzing well. We got 12 litres bottled and could have made it 13 if we hadn't run out of bottles. We hope to enjoy this on our Mid summers eve party.

Here it is fermenting in the bucket.

And lastly, I had to show you this. Its a tomatillo that I bought at the farmers market last weekend, isn't it pretty. It ended up being roasted with some tomatoes to make the sauce for yesterdays pizza.

Now off to smother my hands in some hand cream as they are so sore and cracked. I blame all that washing up I've been doing.


TTFN