Didn't feel such a busy week...

In fact, it was really a not very busy week. One of my ovens isn't working - have I mentioned this - well, it all came to light when the birthday Lemon Meringue Pie for Mr H was placed in front of him with the candles in it and we sang Hippy Barthday..

Then it was cut into.. and No1 D described it as "SOUP"... 

"SOUP!!" How very dare you!! It was a disaaassster. It actually tasted wonderfully it just ran through th fork. There was I thinking, How crap am I? When the following day my slow cooked casserole was in fact more than slow, and the penny dropped that the oven was Not as it should be. Back to thinking - hey not so bad in the kitchen!! 

So this baby has a faulty oven. She has two ovens so we are not eating noodles and pasta everyday... but it's been nearly two weeks plus now, after a bit of a carryon chasing up the company AND paying them up front, they have conceded poor show and refunded half the money and promised someone tomorrow. Needless to say, this baby has never been so clean knowing someone will be poking around !!

I won her in a competition 16 years ago, and we have been very fortunate that nothing has really gone wrong in all that time. She has lived in three kitchens and produced many a christmas extravaganza!! Role on the next 16 (fingers crossed tomorrow)

No2 D produced a selection of afternoon treats with the other oven...

This is No1 D getting ready to tuck in.

On another foody note we attended the Good Food Show which had us tasting everything that was being given away, and wishing to taste...

TV chef...

Then we watched some cooking..

but they didn't offer any of the audience a taster, instead the food was whisked away behind the scenes.

and finally, continuing the foody theme. I took my girls to visit a quilty friend who is quite a cook. The girls are always very excited at the thought of visiting her as she turns out a mean lunch, with plenty cake. I didn't take a pic of the cakes, but I did take a pick of this old thing..

which I made for her some years ago now. I find it catches my eye everytime I see it, so the colour combinations must work :-)

Edited added Thursday....

HOORAY - cooker fixed!! VERY happy happy... I might make a cake :-)

Holiday Week

Today is monday and it's the first of our holiday week. We are at home, our hall is just about stripped bare (help) and it is pouring outside. We took the girls swimming this morning and drive past the dams to get there. WHY - since it has been one of the wettest summers/early autumns for ages is the dam so empty?!? OMG - we live in one of the most expensive areas in this part of scotland and sometimes I wonder... it's the schools is what it is, but sometimes you have a think to yourself.
Anyway, I am fed up with the wet - can you tell?
So I made a cake...

It's coffee and walnut and the walnuts are so creamy and nutty - YUM!! 

Tomorrow we are walking up a local hill in the predicted wet. Wash the space ... HA HA HA :-(

Still a bit miffed with the iphone..

...but I won't let it get to me. I've taken some really good pics and they are sitting in one place and I want them somewhere else. It'll come, patience and all that. I will make an appointment with a Geek and he or she will make it all come clear in 5 mins and I'll think - WTF!

Anyway, other things. Only a month or so late - No2 D got a cover for her iPad.

I think form the blurry pic that it looks as though there is a crack across the screen but I can assure you, there is not!! I used a proper felted wool red lining with a heavier weight Japanese fabric which makes the whole thing strong and sturdy. Isn't "sturdy" a good word.....

Anyway, no wadding, grid quilt lines and a press stud fastening. She's pretty chuffed with it, so that's pleasing. 

I'm also working on a house block "thing" probably a hanging, how big - we'll have to wait and see. I made the little 3" sampler blocks many many years ago, maybe 10, I can't remember and they have laid about waiting. 

Then, in one of the quilt-y magazines there was a picture of a sampler quilt where all the sample blocks were actually the sides of house blocks. I loved it! So put these into houses...

We have had a few birthdays these past few weeks, incl my own. I will try and take a good picture of my gorgeous present (one of) it's so lovely...

We had a really great day out at Loch Fyne - which I think is my favourite thing to do on my birthday. Take the dog up into the hills and mist...

The best pics were on the iPhone :-( 

Then we took a drive around the "Rest and Be Thankful" and finish up at The Loch Fyne Oyster Bar. I know they have them all over the place now, but what can beat sitting in the little wooden conservatory, tucking in to lovely fresh food looking at the Loch? Maybe sitting near the wood burner in the snug looking out the side windows at the Loch... not in a city or a town though, given the choice.

Lovely Baby , Lovely quilt

Today a new baby is laying on her new quilt...

Baby Hanna was born two weeks ago and the quilt was delivered to her in Aberdeen this afternoon. I am so pleased they liked it and it's big enough to last little Hanna quite a long time.

Frustrated.

In the past month I have replaced my iphone with an updated one. I am not disappointed, it is far quicker, however I can't send emails, I've been taking lovely pics and they are sitting there refusing to slide down the cable into the laptop - which is REALLY frustrating (and annoying). Trip to Apple shop I think.

I've just tried to post pics and they are showing lopsided so I will return after coffee...