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      Voted best cake

      27th March 

      Crazy busy in life but wonderfully happy, I seem to be on a rollercoaster dashing from one thing to another mostly enjoying myself but at other times totally befuddled and unsure of what I am about.  This week however has been a crystal clear week with many many positives.  Grab a coffee and spend a little time with me...

      Monday

      Woke up full of energy and to a glorious spring morning.  Took one look at the fence panels in the garden and realised they needed some TLC, an unexpected four to five hours later and I had painted the fences back to green.  Very satisfied.  Just look at the colour springing up around, happy days.
       
      Newly painted fences


      Spring has sprung


      Painted fences make a good backdrop

      Tuesday

      Various crochet edges for class
      Remembering that I was only two days away from teaching crochet edges, I began to set to in earnest with making up some samples.  I love a good excuse to make the world stop around me and crochet away.  Along with the edges I had to put my attention to Eric.  Who is Eric, you may well ask, he is my first crocheted commissioned piece and he is coming along VERY slowly as I am having to make the pattern and design him as I go along.  I am not a natural designer and this is a painful process for me, but I think he is beginning to shape up...

      The best thing of all about Tuesday was that I finally managed to make it to an evening knitting group that takes place in a pub!  What fun, being surrounded by like minded people in an English pub.  We took over the corner and out came all our yarn in various colours and in various states of progress.  Bare with me here and let me explain the hour before arrival at said knitting pub.  Note the word knitting... I am still knitting my Arne and Carlos baubles and enjoying them, so felt that as I can now knit them almost with my eyes shut that this would be a good thing to take along,  I could knit and natter and hopefully do both coherently.  PROBLEM, two of my dpn were missing, I searched everywhere for them and realised time was running out, shouting at the family to help me look, (they can never find their own things so why I thought they might be able to help me, is still a mystery,) but I was flying around the house to no avail.  So, no knitting for knitting club meant that I had to resort to crochet.  Didn't want to take
      Tapestry crochet is reversible
      Eric or the edges as they required thinking, my other projects are too large to cart into a pub, I would have been refused entry, so thinking cap on, decided to take my harlequin cotton washcloth, genius.  Could do that and natter no problem.  Its been a while since I tapestry crocheted but it's like riding a bike right?  Pulled it out of its bag and remembered why I had not touched it for so long.  I had been lazy and was crocheting from skeins and had not caked the yarn.  Feeling I couldn't take all the skeins needed for this multi-coloured washcloth I decided I needed to cake them and fast.  Have you ever tried caking yarn in a hurry?  Well don't.  I ended up with knots every where and a tangles of multi-coloured mess.  I flew out of the house almost like a witch on a broomstick, dishelleved almost in a menopausal hot flush, screeching goodnight to the kids forgetting to kiss them good bye and off I flew...leaving the kitchen in a yarn bombed not in a good way mess.  And would you believe it, this night my first at the knitters meeting, not one knitter was knitting!  It was crochet heaven, he he he.



      The beginnings of Eric


      Wednesday

      Work took over most of the day but it was highly successful and I felt I made some headway, always a good thing.  I came home to find my daughter in bed, asleep recovering from her operation being kept company by her cat.  Wherever Ella is, Pip is not far behind. My heart melted.  Precious moments. 
      Love is...having your cat with you when you are ill


      Thursday

      Today the crochet ladies voted this Simnel cake the best of all the weeks... Its a fruit cake but really moist and inside there is a very thin layer of marzipan and a thin layer on the top too, with 11 marzipan balls representing the disciples.  11 as Judas was not to be included. To see a full and really interesting history of simnel cake just follow the link  here

      Really moist fruit cake

      Simnel cake in the sun

      Easter cake with crocheted Easter bunnies

      I used this recipe but adapted it. here Instead of soaking the fruit for 2 nights, I did not leave enough time for this I soaked my fruit overnight.  Again, I did not have the liquid required and used mango juice instead.  I also ensure that my marzipan layers are thin, so that actually those that do not like marzipan have been converted and will eat my simnel cake!  In my oven the cake only takes 1 hour and 50 minutes.



      Friday

      I have woken up to another glorious spring day here in the South of the UK and the world is my oyster and I have decided to spring clean my wardrobe.  If you do not hear from me for a while I am buried under the mess but will resurface perhaps sometime after Easter.  Have a wonderful break and hope the sun is shining for you wherever you are.

      I am joining in with  Amy  and sharing my five days of the week with you with her
      Five on Friday post.
       
        Have a great Easter 

      37 comments:

      1. Your re-count of getting to the knitting group is hilarious! Glad you made it, and the tapestry crochet looks good. I have been trying to do this and keep going wrong. I am determined though and will master this I'm sure. You have had a busy week. Hope you manage to put your feet up this weekend.

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Have you looked at little Woolie blog. She explains it really well. That's howbi learnt to tapestry crochet. Let me know how you get on

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      2. The knitting group story made me laugh! I love your garden it's gorgeous already and the fences look great painted. Poor Ella, I hope she feels better soon, there really is nothing like a pet! Love your cake x

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Sections of the garden look good now but beeline me not all of it. Ella already on the mend. Thanks

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      3. Wonderful things, especially your cake being voted the best yet - although all of the others have looked and sounded very scrummy to me - the meringues were!!! I hope that Ella will be alright very soon, it is good to have a pet to snuggle with isn't it - or a teddy bear! Take care of yourselves at your eclectic home won't you. Thank you so much for joining in. I hope you have a great weekend. xx p.s. yes, we will make a date! xx

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Glad you liked the meringues even if they had been squished in my bag glad we will meet soon. Have. A great Easter.

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      4. what a great post. I plan to make simnel cake next week. hope your daughter gets well soon. I also made the crochet bunniesxx

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      5. Oh yeah, I do it appericate, when my cat is with me, when I'm ill - what could be better?
        I see: you had a happy and productive week and the cake with the nice bunnys looks so yummy, I come with my cup of tea...
        Have a great Easter time

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      6. Your account of attempting to go to the pub knitting club made me smile. Love all that crochet edging. Its great to be back out in the garden, isn't it?

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. It really is greasy to be back outside. I really missed it.

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        2. He he he should be great not greasy

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      7. I love to have a cat on my bed when I am sleeping, particularly when I am not feeling well. You do have a beautiful garden!

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      8. What a great week! Your simnel cake looks delicious. I hope your daughter gets well soon....it is so nice she has the kitty to keep her company snuggled up on the bed. Wishing you a happy weekend, enjoy your lovely garden and smart new fences.
        Helen xox

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        Replies
        1. Thank you Helen. She is getting better. We loved the cake and I am delighted that the fence painting job is now out if the way. Hurrah. Have a great week end too

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      9. Love the crochet edgings and the tapestry crochet. Hope you daughter is making a good recovery. I’m visiting from 5 on Friday, where I’ve joined for the first time this week.

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        Replies
        1. Thank you Linda. Glad you are joining in. It's such a great blog hop. Hope you'll come back.

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      10. Ha! That would be me rushing around gathering my supplies and trying to get out the door ... there are times when I have everything I need except the most important -- a crochet hook. :) Glad to see you are enjoying beautiful spring weather. Best wishes, Tammy

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. I hear you about the crochet hook. Have a good Easter x

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      11. I'd like to try tapestry crochet. I've never heard of it or done it before but I'm I inspired by that wonderful pattern in your wash cloth.
        Your summer cake looks amazing! Your crochet ladies are spoilt with yummy homemade treats- lucky them! Hope your daughter feels better soon. Enjoy your weekend! X

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        Replies
        1. Thank you. Ella us feeling much better. Have a look at the blog little Woolie. She is an ace at tapestry crochet. Let me know how you get on

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      12. Sounds like you had a nice week! Thanks so much for your sweet visit and comment on my five on friday. Have a lovely day and weekend.
        Julie xo

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        Replies
        1. It was a golden week. Hope yiu have a good week ahead.

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      13. Ooh, simnel cake! I need to get on and bake mine - yours is very pretty! xx

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. This us ky my second year if making it but we live it so much think it will be made each year. Which recipe do you use and how do you decorate yours?

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      14. I hope your daughter recovers soon, your account of knit club evening made me laugh, the witch on the broomstick look certainly reminded me of my self. Hope you have a good week. x

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        Replies
        1. Glad to make you smile fellow broomstick flyer

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      15. That sounds like the best yarn filled week ever. Your poor daughter , hope she is feeling much better soon.
        Hugs,
        Meredith

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. It was a great yarn week. Next week might be even better. Hoping to finally make it to the London yarn shop called Loop. Fingers crossed I get there.

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      16. That was a busy week ! Love it.
        Have a lovely and restful if possible weekend :o)

        Oh and 'erm is there any cake left? if so...............

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      17. Loving the sound of your busy week, and the positive energy and happiness that you're exuding! Happy weekend and hope the wardrobe sorting is going well :-)
        xx

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        Replies
        1. Thanks Gilly. Doesn't everything seem happier when spring springs. Wardrobe sorting is SLOW...

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      18. Hi Selma, I've popped in via Five on Friday and I'm sure I'll be popping in again. So much wonderful colour in your life! I do love a simnel cake... x

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        Replies
        1. Lovely to see you here and very glad you stopped by. Welcome back often x

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      I will always read all comments and will try to reply but it may take me a couple of days, do please pop back and lets get a conversation going...