Welcome to Autumn

One more day of schooling left this term. One. More. Day. Ahhhh. Everyone has been going well, but there's some projects looming that I want to get stuck into.

The children are still knitting up a storm. The blue chipmunk in the previous post was given to me for my birthday (awwww!). I've had to put up some shelves for all the knitted love gifts being given. So sweet! I have been trying to crochet a rabbit. I might finish it one year.

Eldest chicken was starting to look like she was behind in her reading list this term. Shocking, I know. But seeing as she's in the middle of Les Miserables I thought I'd let her off the hook. Very kind, I know. I'm letting her watch snippets of the movie as she reads too, which I think has increased her enjoyment of the book. She loved reading Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights this term as well. It's so nice to enjoy the same books!! Some of her book choices for this year scare me a little, though. I'm not sure I'm quite prepared for Beowulf, to be honest.

We joined the gym this term. I never thought that would happen, but I just wasn't getting enough exercise. My boy is now chasing me down the lanes at the pool. Cheeky fellow. I think our two littlest chickens would do sport (and music) all day if given the opportunity. They have all been saving their pocket money lately to buy music - Piano Guys, Lindsey Stirling, Peter Hollens. Littlest chicken would like to learn violin as well as ukulele and piano, but I'm wondering just how many things it's sensible to fit into a week (and a budget). Hmmm.

I'm trying to whip up enthusiasm for an assignment for college. The history of design is so much less exciting than actually creating things! Ah well.

Knits for the puppy

Children are still knitting up a storm. Eldest chicken turned her attention to the dog, and knitted him a jumper. Very cute. And so time consuming! May audio books were listened to during this project. The weather doesn't lend itself to jumpers at the moment, but we managed to sneak it on for a quick photo shoot!

My son is holding one of his knitted projects in this photo - a wacky & cute little rabbit. He knits like he does everything - fast and precise! :) He was pondering a fork today, and said "I'd really like to bend this out of shape, but then it wouldn't stack neatly in the drawer with the others." LOL

The art of spoiling your puppy

There has been a lot of this during the week. Cuddling, carrying, playing with the puppy.

I've barely seen the children because they've been outside so much! Which has allowed me to get some knitting done. I even learnt how to do a zigzag lace knit, and how to block my work when finished - I sound like a real knitter now, eh?!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, friends. We have celebrated the usual way - freshly baked hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, to remind us of Jesus death and resurrection. Today we're happy to be warm inside as it is pouring with rain outside. There has been a spot of reading (Don pictured trying to read "Twenty-one balloons").


And a spot of knitting.

It has been very pleasant, but I think the quiet individual activities have come to an end as the children are starting to quarrel. Time to pull out the rainy-day play tent and box of toys...

Discovery Sunday

I made a couple of discoveries today. The first one being that 2 year olds and knitting don't mix (I know, you did try to warn me, Nicki). Although I was glad the knitting was handy when she fell asleep on my lap. The poor little thing is not well at the moment.

The second discovery was that some peas and broccoli have started appearing in the veggie patch! I took some pictures because I'm so proud of them! Our 6 year old (chicken no.1) discovered how much better fresh peas taste than those from the supermarket.

Our 4 year old (chicken no.2) discovered that you can go so much faster without training wheels! For the first time we made it all the way around our riding/walking circuit without any complaints or having to push him on the bike!

And here is a little clown dolly that I made from my niece's blankie, hiding in the bag ready for her birthday suprise. I hope she enjoys the dolly as much as the blankie!

10 favourite recipe books

It's cold and windy outside (although not as windy as it must have been when the trampoline flew over the fence...), and I'm thinking of hot comfort food. Mmmm... and a hot chocolate and a good book. Sounds like bliss! So on that topic, here's our 10 favourite recipe books:

1. Jamie Oliver at home (he's also in love with his veggie patch, so that's extra points for him! I wish I could transplant his patch over here...).


2. My own little collection of recipes copied from everyone far and wide. The most commonly used recipes being spaghetti bolognese (red wine and Worcestershire sauce making this one a winner) and lentil soup (lots of bacon is the key)! Oh, and meatballs. I have the best meatballs recipe in the world! Honestly! I'll share it with you if you like.


3. Stephanie Alexander. A truly exhaustive recipe book including just about everything! I often make her apple crumble (minus the ginger).


4. Risotto (by Christine Ingram)-a staple in our family.


5. Moosewood Restaurant cooks at home. Lots of lovely vegetarian recipes, and the best brownies I've ever had.


6. 100 bread machine recipes. Mostly drooled over, not many attempted. I do love making sour dough (not in the machine though), but it doesn't always work I'm afraid. It's sooooo yummy grilled with parmesan cheese and herbs in the sandwich press..... Mmmm.


7. Friendly Food - from the allergy unit at RPA. Very handy for making things like mayonnaise without dairy.


8. The Family Circle Easy Menu Planner. Our favourite being Moussaka.


9. The Women's Weekly birthday cake book. Not that butter cake is a particularly thrilling type of cake, but all those birthday cake styles are very handy.


10. Indian cooking (Women's Weekly again). Mostly for drooling over, again, but we do the occasional korma or rogan josh (while the children have eggs on toast!).





I just about threw the knitting out the window today! I'm trying to get the hang of the knit and purl thing, and kept being interrupted by questions or losing count. After I unravelled the first 3 rows about 6 times I thought it best to lay it aside before I threw it outside in the mud! It was much more simple when it was just plain knitting! I now have a very healthy respect for all those knitters out there wrestling with jumpers and beanies and things.


On another note, our chicken no.3 has decided to expand her vocabulary from just 'no' and 'don't' to include some other words! Very exciting! We started to teach her some sign language (the Signing Time dvd's are brilliant), and it seems to have encouraged her to say the words as well.

I'll leave you with a (slightly blurry) picture of the lovely little Zebra Finches that visit us every day.