Channelling my Domestic Goddess

There are days when only chocolate will do and I’ve had a few of them recently.   This is a recipe that I’ve wanted to try for a long time - Nutella cupcakes. 

The cake mixture is added before warmed Nutella is swirled in with a skewer.  This is how they looked when they came out of the oven.  They were supposed to be iced with a Nutella and chocolate icing, but I had a disaster when it curdled - not exactly a domestic goddess moment.  Anyway, they were delicious without icing - light and fluffy with hints of Nutella throughout.  Perfect with a cup of Yorkshire Gold tea.

Vintage Apon

I can’t quite believe it, but I’ve finally finished my vintage apron project.  I started it last summer, but didn’t get much further than cutting out the fabric.  I’ve been working away at it at intervals for about the past month.  

I enjoy sewing and I love my Janome sewing machine, which I purchased about eighteeUIKeyInputDownArrown months ago. I upgraded from an older Pfaff sewing machine and it makes such a difference to use a more modern machine .  Even though I have a space to use for sewing, it also doubles as my desk, so I have to feel motivated to get the machine set up, if I am to do any sewing.

The Michael Miller Paris street scene fabric is so eye-catching and the tiny check of the pink and white  gingham is a pretty contrast.  A vintage feel is given by the addition of blue ric-rac.

I hope to tackle a few more sewing projects in the coming weeks.  I bought fabric for a sewing machine cover - now where did I put that fabric...?

Flying The Flag

Home has been much on my mind lately and by home, I'm talking about the UK.  I know that there is much uncertainty surrounding what is happening with the exit from the EU, but there has never been a time when I've wanted to be there more than I do at the moment.  

The clock is ticking ever closer to the 29th March 2019 and I feel that there is great change in the air - for me, as well as for the UK.  At the moment, I don't know how things are going to work out - or even if they are going to work out at all.  

I wouldn't normally post about anything political or very personal, but I just have a feeling that I need to put it out to the universe that I'm looking for change..and a chance to return home.

I drafted this post last November, but my feelings haven’t changed, so I thought that it was time that I published.

Thrift Shop Find

Well, I didn’t intend to be gone for so long but I haven’t been idle during my absence.  I’ve been having all kinds of problems with Blogger - the main one being unable to comment on any blog posts - including my own!  I haven’t resolved this with any degree of satisfaction, but it does appear to be an issue using Blogger with my iPad.

It has been a very nasty winter here so far.  We’ve had extreme cold for weeks and winter storm after winter storm - another one is forecast for tomorrow.  We’ve had snow on the ground since November and now it is so icy outdoors that it is almost impossible to stand up.  Mr Candytuft fell on the drive this morning, then fell again when he was trying to get up - I fell under the car on Monday and couldn’t get up without assistance - my second fall this winter.  How we haven’t broken anything is a miracle.  It is too cold to use salt to melt the ice, which is so thick that it is impossible to move - even after our drive has been ploughed following every storm.

Today, we had to go into Charlottetown, so I took the opportunity this presented to visit a thrift shop, where I found this pretty china mug.  It is from the Victoria & Albert Museum collection and cost me 50 cents.  What a bargain.

As some of you know, I have now published my book and you can see more information about it here.

Welcome 2019...Happy New Year

The new year arrived quietly at our home.  We watched the fireworks from London as the clock reached midnight (GMT) and I was in bed well before midnight arrived (Atlantic time).

Today will be spent in quiet reflection and I will start a journal for the coming year.  I feel that change is coming and there is a degree of uncertainty about the future.  What will 2019 hold?  

I will be publishing my book.  It has been proofread and I’m now in the technical stages.  I’m waiting for ISBN numbers to be assigned.  Self-publishing is an interesting experience, if a little stressful at times.

As for the weather, it has been snowy since November when this photo was taken.  It doesn’t stay pristine and white for long, so I do try to get pictures after a fresh fall.  Today, we are expecting a further 15 cm, so it is a good day to stay at home and take time to think about the coming year.

I wish you all health and happiness in 2019.  May the new year be filled with hope for the future and love of family and friends.  

All is Calm, All is Bright

After more than a month with snow on the ground, we have an almost green Christmas.  Heavy rain late last week caused a sudden thaw.

The tree is twinkling in the corner of our living room and there is a certain peace after the hectic weeks at work.  

This reindeer is a new addition to our tree.  I made a set of felt ornaments and they look very festive.  

All that remains is to wish you all a very Happy Christmas.  

Winter Storm

The winter storm started on Wednesday night and continued throughout Thursday.  The snow amounted to about 25 centimetres and the winds reached 100 km/hour, bringing down power lines and resulting in the entire island being without power. 

Our power went off shortly after 6 a.m. and we were without power for fourteen plus hours.  The house got very cold and we were not adequately prepared for such an emergency, but at least we had storm chips!