Life at the Gables

I won't be about for the next few weeks as I'm off on my holidays.  I hope you all have a lovely summer (winter in Oz) whatever you are doing. ♥

Thanks to Kirsti and Sonja I have finally gotten around to finishing some projects I started many moons ago.  They had this idea to finish off all the classes etc you always mean to finish but never actually do. Like this one from Scrapagogo 2009.  This was Shimelle's class and all I had left to do was add journalling and a cover or Shimelle's  Learn Something New class from December 2009 which I had managed to complete to page 15 but after that had (luckily) only left a wee post-it note on all the other pages.  The thing was I had already cut the paper out to finish the pages but never got around to sticking them down!! Or yet another of Shimelle's classes.  You Think You now Me.  This one from 2006!!  I had two pages to finish and it took me five years to do them!! and finally a Fries Box template (which amazingly isn't a Shimelle class) I got from UK Scrappers back in 2007.  I had the inserts cut out but never glued anything down. The sad thing is it only t

I've not been blogging much this week as I've been catching up on other things like my blackwork and ongoing crochet project.  Also when the sun has been out so have I....in the garden reading. I found the blackwork kit up in the attic and thought that after my Mum sending me it, over 5 years ago, I should really get on and get it finished. The crochet is my new project which I am pleased to say is growing quicker than I thought. I love the school holidays when I can catch up with things I usually only get to do at the weekend in-between housework and ironing.  :0)

At first I thought this sketch might make a LO a little on the busy side but it hasn't turned out to be so. I used some old photos of Samuel from 2009 when he caught his first fish.  We're hoping to catch a few more when we go fishing again this weekend. I used the butterfly punch, my sister gave me as a present last year, for the first time on the LO too and I think they add a little something with out over powering the whole look.

If it's time to pick raspberries then it must be time to make jam.  Yet again I'm using the very simple and easy recipe given to me by my friend Anne when I worked at the doctors. 2 1/2lbs Raspberries 3lbs Granulated sugar Slowly bring the raspberries to the boil. Once boiling, boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the sugar. Stir slowly until all the sugar has dissolved. Bring back to the boil and boil rapidly for 1 minute. (Temperature should be 104 degrees C) Skim the mixture and spoon into warmed jam jars.  This amount of raspberries and sugar makes approx 6 jars of jam.

Another week, another LO!!

At the age of 14 1/2 I thought it was more than time that young Master Lee earned his own money so I sent him down the lane to the local PYO.  They have raspberries and strawberries that need to be picked for local shops etc.  He's not always needed everyday but if he is he'll earn a few £s towards his holiday spends.  Today I got him to help me pick the raspberries needed for my jam making tomorrow afternoon.

 At last we've had blue skies and long may they continue.