Rear view reflection

After what seems like weeks of relentless rain, hailstorms and gale force winds, it was a relief to see the sun for a wee while. We had a couple of busy days getting on with outdoor things at last. Driving up the hill to the croft yesterday, musing on the overwhelming number of jobs to be done, I checked my rear view mirror, in that procedural way we do things - when WOW! I was overcome by the sheer beauty of that scene and the fact that it surrounds me - envelops me, even when the mists and rain block my view of it.. I just had to stop and capture that moment.

Indeed, there is so much beauty all around us, all the time - where ever we are, but too often our heads are in other places. It is not always as obvious as a stunning landscape, or work of art, but more often in the ordinary, everyday and unexpected.

Look around your world today. Unlock that hidden beauty - what did you see?

Chocolate Chip Cookies

We made the most yummiest goodest chocolate chip cookies in the world yesterday!  James said so, therefore it must be true.  In fact they were jolly nice - that crispy yet chewy way that you often get in a bought cookies, but without the list of additives as long as your arm.  Perfect.

So they weren't perfectly round and even.  A good lesson for Mama in letting go -  they are only chocolate chip cookies for goodness sake -even if they are the yummiest goodest ones in the world.  So I let go.....

And they turned out just perfectly.

Here is the recipe should you feel so inclined.

The Yummiest Goodest Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World.

8 oz soft butter
8 oz caster sugar (they can be very sweet so feel free to add less)
1 large egg yolk
8 oz plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
6 oz (approx) chocolate (either ready made chips or a chopped up bar - dark, milk, white or all 3 even)

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
Sift in dry ingredients and work into a dough
Add chocolate chips.

Turn out onto floured surface and make a cylinder shape. (I find it easier to flour some baking parchment or clingfilm and roll it up that way.  Dimensions vary according to you taste, but remember it has to fit into your fridge)
Chill for 30 mins at least. (We didn't wait that long, but it is easier to slice up if it is chilled and firm)
Cut into 1/2 inch slices place on greased trays.  bake at 170 C / 350 F  Gas 3 for about 20 mins.
When cookies start to turn brown around edges they are done.
Lift off very carefully onto a wire rack.  They will be very soft and fragile, but will soon crisp up, retaining that slightly squishy middle. ( Yes - I know the feeling well.)

You can add all sorts of flavourings  - grated orange zest is good - lovely with chocolate.  Replace a tablespoon of flour with a tblsp cocoa for double choc chip.  Nuts - yes! Ginger - why not?

This recipe makes lots and lots, but you don't have to bake them right away.  Slice them and open freeze on trays, and then decant into bags.  Let them thaw for about 10 mins before baking as above.

Alternatively - you can eat them straight from the bowl.


Let me know if you try them, and what goodies you add.  I am adding this to my new recipe page at the top.  It is a bit random right now, as I trawl through the blog to find them, but it's coming along. Tags are such a good idea - wish I had used them. xx

Sew what?

So - here we are - up to our ears, still, in boxes of books, toys, dishes and candle holders, all looking for a home.  Our first house guests of the summer arrive in less than 2 weeks time, and there are no curtains or blinds on the spare room windows - eek!  Out came the sewing machine today in an attempt to remedy that situation, but I was distracted by a boy wanting me to make him something.  Well - what else could I do?  I made him a snake.  A very goofy looking serpent, mind you, but the boy was pleased. Why do these simple quick projects end up taking for ever though?  I may yet be taping pages from the Stornoway Gazette onto the guest room windows, but - hey ho!
I do plan, at some stage to make the window blinds (shades) in the same fabric as Mr Snakey there - very coordinated.  I can picture it now.

Another thing I can picture very well is having a dedicated sewing room in the loft.  Oh my - I think I might even call it a studio! At the moment, any sewing means a major upheaval and take over of the kitchen table.  Simmering pots and piles of washing up are not really compatible with accurate cutting, straight seams and precious fabric, so I am getting very excited about this idea.  Mostly, I have to say, since last week, when I overcame my fear of stepping on and off ladders at the top, and actually saw what a wonderful huge space this is.  There are windows on both gable end walls, and most of it is floored.  There would be plenty of room for us all to have several little areas: for sewing, computer work, setting out train tracks, and as a library.  John has already been trialling some shelving ideas, which look great, so...watch this space!

Visiting

I sneaked down to the mainland for a few days last week - managing to avoid most of the airline chaos that buffeted the country, along with the high winds.  It was worth the dental appointment to see the family and catch up.

Along with a spot of shopping - mostly in my favourite yarn shop, just off the Grassmarket.

and a relaxed lunch - on my own - with only the latest copy of Interweave, and a nice glass of chilled white for company.

Catching up with Kristine in her new flat. 

Great to have some uninterrupted Grandmotherly time with Finlay

 and lovely Erin.  Look at those gorgeous chubby cheeks - mmmm!

Such a lovely time with them all.  I did see Kenneth and Louise too, but my battery had run out, so no photos there, sorry.  I will try to make up for that with more of Erin and Finlay (and the pink Grandma made cardigan which just fits.)

Back home now, and back to the land next week. xx

Weekend reflections - knitting reflections

I have been meaning to join in Weekend Reflections for a while now, so when I saw how this shot turned out, I could resist no longer. On a trip to visit family on the mainland, I had to call in to my favourite shop in Edinburgh - K1 knitting boutique just off the Grassmarket. Oh yes - I spent far too much, but you can never have enough yarn.
Join in and see reflections around the world at Newtown Daily Photo.

This moment...

A single image, no words, capturing a precious moment from my week.  A simple moment that I want to pause, savour and remember.

I am so happy to be joining in with Soulemama this week - a very special week for her and her beautiful family.  I wish you all a joyful and wonderful weekend. xx

Yarn along 3

I am happy to be joining in with Ginny at small things this week.
Two books to share, I had ordered Joel Salatin's The Sheer Ecstasy of being a Lunatic Farmer, but as soon as it was unwrapped, John nabbed it, and I have to be content with listening to him reading out snippets. I am looking forward to reading it myself. In the meantime I am reading The Hive by Bee Wilson. This is a lovely book, not about beekeeping, but a more philosophical and literary look at the bee in culture. It is from our visiting Library Van.
Knitting wise - I have started the Pure and Simple baby Cardigan from Weekend Knitting. This is for our nephew and his wife's baby, due in August. (You can see their wedding photo's here). I am using more of the Artesano superwash merino, this time in a soft cream.  I originally wanted to do this for Erin, but was put off because the pattern calls for two different needles to be used in each row, but in fact it is not as tricky as it first sounded.
Visit Yarn along to share what others are reading and knitting too. xx

Wet and windy weekend

The  dreich weather this weekend has been reminiscent of late November,  so we were mostly confined to the house.  We are all still sniffling with the dregs of this cold, so we really didn't mind too much, and we did have a few reminders of the sun to cheer us.

Settling down for the day, there was a spot of mending to catch up on, and the postman dropped in with a parcel from 'you know where'.  John disappeared with the Joel Salatin , but soon began to reappear to read out quotes and passages from the book.  A very inspiring man (both - of course!).  James decided to do some drawing, and got out the finger crayons.  These are great little things - you insert a finger inside the crayon and draw.  However, he is not really big on art, and pretty soon the crayons become props for other games - building towers, trains and ladders.

It was a time to make pie, check on our sourdough starter (nearly ready) and eat good homemade bread.

It was a time to catch up on all those little unfinished crafty projects, start on new ones, and dream about the next one after that.

 James was full of energy, and in between the heavy squally showers, he ran"faster than the wind" round and round the house. Must have been the Vitamin A. While he was outside, he collected stones and brought them in for a game.

There were plenty opportunities for rainbow spotting.

And later on we burned a few lumps of last year's peat.  Not a bad weekend at all, really.

Inside the peat bank

We may be up to our knees in mud and bog water these days, but being literally so close to the Earth affords us some intimate views of the beauty in the land. Shapes and colours we might otherwise miss are brought into delightful focus.

Finding treasure beneath our feet.  What jewels are scattered there if we look down.

Visit Friday's Nature Table @ The Magic Onions and join in the feast.

This moment....

No words - a single photo - capturing a precious moment between worlds.  Wishing you all a peaceful and blessed weekend.
Share in more special moments with Soulemama.