Time to Sloe Down

Just last week popped into see a friend (waves to Lavada) and we got to talking about sloe gin amongst other things,  she then told me they were ready to pick! no way I thought, they are not ready till end of September or even October. So off we went with basket in hand and low and behold not only was she right they were massed. Picked quite a few and got a few scratches into the bargain, they can be nasty little blighters. It's been awhile since I made it and so I had to go check my recipe again. It suggested that you buy a litre bottle of gin and drink half of it and then your ready to start!

Well I am not falling for that one again as the last time I tried that particular recipe I passed out well before I got to the part of pricking the sloes all over!

So armed with experience I poured half a litre into another bottle, have to admit could not face standing there and pricking each individual sloe, so I cheated and cut them (time will tell if this was a good or bad thing). Plopped them one by one into the bottle until it almost reached the neck (the bottle's not mine)  and then added 150g of sugar, cap on and a good shake and were off.
Shake once a day for a week and then once a month, and by December it should be ready to drink. If you like it sweeter than add a little more sugar.

The bottle above was given to me by friends in Dec 2005 and it's still delicious, they got very clever and made their own labels to add an extra little touch.  Beautiful colour don't you think. Cheers Lavada xx

Clever Litle Cumbers

1.. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one Cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5,Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, agnesium, Phosphorus,Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a Cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that Can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. Yay!

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a Cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, Spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and Slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminium to give off a scent undetectable to Humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area. (mmh ok will give it a go)

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of Cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!! On my to  do list!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and Headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B Vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lose, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and
headache!! I will try to remember this tip!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation. Ok I can handle that!

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water. ( bummer if you are outside the interview room and not a cucumber in sight,)

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone! alternativley nag your DH to fix it!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber react with the boiling water and are released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. (not yet found the results of this, that's not to say there not there.)

See picture 3 (you get the idea)

11. Just finished a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. ( ok if there's a slice  handy, certainly not going to carry this in my pocket)

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks And won't harm your fingers or fingernails while you clean.

Pass this along for better and safer ways to solve life's everyday problems... and if anyone tries the above doooo let me know if any of this works:)

******Wasp House******

Yesterday my DH decided to cut the hedge and within three minutes ran back up to the house howling, he had been stung on his hand, after copious amounts of ooing and ouching and some magic cream he went back to have another look and here's what he found.

These wasps have no wax producing glands and therefore can't construct wax cones. To get round this little problem they held a  meeting a few years back now I would imagine. One clever little wasp mentioned his cunning plan to resolve their housing problem. So, using their powerful jaws they scraped wood from bark and fence posts, then they had a jolly good chew whilst mixing it with their saliva, then they spread it out to make the combs, and they have never looked back. Quite an amazing structure don't you think.   I don't know how long it takes them to make these nests, this one measures 53cm ( 20") circumfrence.

****Love in a Walnut ****

Well it's only Tuesday but nevertheless I am in awe at the generosity I have experienced just in the last few days  from friends and family. First I get a huge basket of fabulous veggies from my neighbour. Discovered the delights again of my Pyhsalis or Cape Gooseberry plants with their paper husks, they not only taste good but are so beautiful to look at. The walnut above gave me it's heart when I split it :)

Next I popped into a friends for a coffee yesterday and came away armed with a huge amount of barlotti beans, another beautiful plant with it's red and green streaks and a sweetish flavour with a smooth creamy texture. Just so happens that my girlfriend also gave me a jar of Sticky Hoisin sauce so I came  home with dinner almost sorted. Couldn't help but think the beans would make a great necklace or bracelet and then had to slap myself and get the dinner sorted.

Then my daughter presented me with a  beautiful long two toned blue scarf that she hand dyed up at Chateau Dumas where they held  a days course on woad dyeing. I love it, so looking forward to wearing it. I have added a link for  Bleu De Lecture as if your not aware of the plant that produces this amazing colour and
 it's a fascinating read, have a look at what she does with soaps,paints and more.

The best bit is yet to come no disrespect to the above for their fabulous gifts. My son and family are coming tomorrow yipeee!!! for a week, many cuddles and kisses will be shared, haven't seen them for 8 months, so a big catch up is due. I am a very happy and lucky girl.

Etsy Front Page Thanks to Cutebone

It's not very often I have the pleasure of discovering I made front page of Etsy and thanks to Caroll from Cutebone and her fabulous manly treasury that's just what happened. Quite made my day that did :) many thanks Cutebone . xx

 

'The Vintage Chocolate Man' by cutebone

Inspired by the first photo of this treasury, Vintage Professor Back To School Coat. Mystic and Dandy. Enjoy !

CaptainCat $399.00	lapomme $105.00	rabbitboxer $42.00
TheBIG8s $74.00	victoriansenti... $200.00	supplierofdrea... $186.00
calloohcallay $55.00	Krishenka $10.00	VintageScraps $28.00
ypso30 $16.00	underthepyrami... $39.00	marybethhale $16.00
lucyreynoldsar... $10.00	calloohcallay $38.00	DogDayAfternoo... $6.50
LoneMountainPh... $14.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Add Your Blog to my Linky List

If you have a blog then feel free to add your blog link here this will be a live link direct to your blog. All I ask is that you follow my  blog in return, this linky will remain open till December or until page is filled.

Eric Kincaid Illustrator - Set of 4 Cards - Giveaway

Come walk with me through the enchanting world of Eric Kincaid, one of Dorset’s finest children’s book illustrators, where you will find Tinkerbell, Captain Cook, Cyril the snail, Cards, Limited edition prints and much more, plus a chance to win a set of four cards featuring “Cyril the fastest Snail in the world” value $10

The inspiration to become an illustrator happened on Eric’s 8th birthday when he was given a book of Robin Hood adventures illustrated by HM Brock. “When I saw Brock’s black and white illustration depicting the death of Robin, the emotion he had put into that picture came through to me from the printed page and I was deeply moved. I knew then that was what I wanted to do with my life.”

Eric’s version of Wind in the Willows, which he embarked on in the early eighties, was something of a labour of love. There are literally hundreds of pictures in the book. “It takes three or four days to complete a large illustration.” For his illustrations Eric uses watercolor and gouache to give body to the colour.

Eric’s versatility of style and eye for superb detail has made him one of the most successful artists in this field. Millions of children around the world have enjoyed his illustrated nursery rhymes, children’s verse, fairy tales, and storybooks. His titles have appeared in 14 languages, and worldwide sales exceed 8 million copies.

Eric opened his Etsy shop in April this year and I hope you enjoyed following me through his enchanting world of illustrations and that you were as I was, totally that”enchanted”.













The Rules are simple:

Please fan Eric on facebook, and if you would like extra entries you can heart any item from his shop/tweet/stumble etc, pop in another comment for more chances to win. The winner will be chosen by random.org. This giveaway is open worldwide, and will close on the 31st Aug. I would love you to follow my blog so you can come back and see if you won :)


Thank you so much Eric for sharing your beautiful work and your generous giveaway,this was a real pleasure for me, and I wish you much continued success. For more background to Eric follow this link www.erickincaid.co.uk.

Visit Eric's shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/EricKincaid
Fan Eric on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Eric-Kincaid/110699059029455?sk=info
Follow Eric on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/KincaidEric

She Wears Buttons - Giveaway - Win a Pendant or Ring

Yesterday I passed a brocante which is basically second hand/vintage items in an upmarket version off car boot sales. I don't go to them so much as they can be quite expensive, but as I was passing I thought to myself, might as well pop in and have a quick look. I found the buttons above (a full card off 12 vintage mother of pearl buttons) beautifully engraved and gorgeous colours when the sun hits them, little splashes of greens and pinks, made in the late 1930's and in mint condition. I haggled my socks off but lost and I had to go borrow some cash from my SIL to buy them but so very pleased I did. I love them and have great plans for a few of them. Definately going to make a pendant or two:)

Here's my first ring. I added another small, also beautifully engraved vintage bronze button to the centre and then popped a soft pink pearl bead in, perfect fit. I am pleased with the result, what do you think?  I have it listed in my shop and if you want to see more pictures, click here.  
  







A few more for my collection

 I thought it would be fun for one of my lovely followers to win a ring or pendant made with one of my new buttons. All you have to do is this. Follow my blog (please) and leave a comment as to whether you would like a ring or pendant and I will pick a winner at random on the 22nd August.  Told you it was easy. A little something extra, if you purchase any item from my shop adding Bloglove will give you free shipping. Just thought I would mention it.