We have had a busy weekend again, and yesterday was the local Fleamarket on Carmarthen Showground. We had said we wouldn't bother with this again as no-one was buying anything down there - not just from us, all the dealers were complaining. Anyway, we thought we would try it not having been there for a couple of months now, and actually it went quite well. I think they had advertised it further afield as we didn't recognize many of the people coming around, and these folk were prepared to buy if they saw something they liked. Our daughter Gabby came up from Swansea, and it was lovely to see her again. She helped us pack and carry stuff to the car too, bless her.
I made some soup on Saturday, both veggie soups, one with a lentil base and the other tomatoes with lentil and veg. I blitzed the latter. They're now in the freezer.
This is the current reading. Well written but not exactly fast-paced and I have gotten distracted by a new-to-me Val McDermid I found in the charity table books so am half way through that.
This arrived last week - on Wednesday - and I have only had time to flick through quickly. The bundle of templates for applique flowers and birds are certainly worth having.
Finally, an odd-ball milk pan I found last week. It dates from the 1950s and you put water in the central reservoir and milk around it in the pan. Apparently the water will boil quicker and whistle so you can rush back to your pan of milk before it boils over. I am saving this one for the vintage fair I'm doing in November.
Right, this won't do. I must rustle up a meal before I fall asleep as I have been awake since 4.30 a.m., up since 5 and done all the driving today (we went down to Scolton Manor near Haverfordwest. Photos to follow.)
I am exhausted just reading how much you have packed in!
ReplyDeleteJust a fraction of it - lots of driving too, another small fair last Friday, cake baking, shopping, but in the course of a week it evens out. That said, I AM tired today.
ReplyDeleteSoup looks so good and I love the milk pan but I am tired just reading about your day.
ReplyDeletecheers, parsnip and badger
Gosh, if reading it makes you tired, don't ever suggest we swop bodies!! Mine is like a wrung out dish rag tonight!!
DeleteThe milk pan looks a clever idea - will you try it before you sell?
ReplyDeleteHope you have a rest day soon
Well, I think I need to, so I can convince any buyers! Will report back. Tomorrow will be a busy day but am giving myself Wednesday to unwind a bit, especially as it's my patchwork class in the afternoon.
DeleteIt makes me tired just reading about how much you manage to cram into your day.
ReplyDeleteI will admit Pat, that I DO need a rest. I've just tackled the ironing mountain and gotten half of that done (several sets of bedding plus clothes). Crab apples next.
DeleteAlright whirlwind. No wonder you are tired. I am going after some crabs and some sloes this week if the weather holds up. Gone very cold here and I have the beginnings of a cold so will depend on how I feel. I bought the patchwork one as well and like you have not had chance to peruse it. Soup looks good. Will be lovely and soothing and a meal in itself if you do any more car boots in this changed weather. Funnily enough have been reading up on how to make chicken bone stock and then can it. We have chicken for tomorrow nights tea so I thought would make use of the carcass. Take care and I hope that your mojo is back with you soon. How is the quilt(s) going xx
ReplyDeleteI haven't been a whirlwind with the housework, but then have had a recent week when we were hardly at home at all, what with 2 small Fairs, an auction etc. The patchwork magazine I have on a subscription as it was a really good intro. offer. The soup really is a meal in itself, especially with some home made oat bread. That sounds like a good idea to make the chicken bone stock and can it. No waste at all then. Tam's quilt is now back to sewing instead of unpicking and rehashing, which is more enjoyable (I'd lost heart over it). Gabby's needs wool ties and the binding doing. Another half-done which will go to class with me next.
DeleteThose crabapples must make beautiful jelly. I've even made cordials with them. I am a slug compared t you and I've never seen anything like that pan.
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed Donna - it has a really gorgeous colour, quite pinky. It tastes amazing. At the moment my little business is quite time-consuming but hopefully when we FINALLY downsize, I can take my foot off the throttle a bit with it. The pan seems quite an unusual one as not any on Fleabay either!
DeleteI made lentil soup on Friday--its one of our favorites. Lately when preparing it I add a goodly pinch of curry powder--a nice variation.
ReplyDeleteI had gotten involved in a patchwork project right before the house move suddenly loomed, will now likely need to pack it away, but hoping I can round up some handwork to do while in close quarters.
No canning or preserving this year--and no fall garden. An unsettled season!
Hi Sharon. I'll try a good pinch of curry powder in it - with no meat content it can be a little bland at times.
DeleteHow typical that your patchwork project will have to be laid aside until your move is completed, and then of course, you will be involved in the finishing and decorating. At least you are saved from all that canning and preserving, but I dare say you can rely on the Amish shop to provide their efforts.
We have too hot a climate here to grow apples successfully. But when I lived where they did grow, I am a native of Herefordshire, my Mum ( now 90) taught me how to make an apple pie. Not crab apples but I can sympathize with all the preparation.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame it's too hot to grow apples where you are Marlane. We go to Herefordshire quite regularly (and through it and on to Malvern for the big Fleamarkets there). The crab apples will be washed and then boiled up and put through a jelly bag. I like making jellies as I can squeeze the process into small amounts of time on different days. Did your mum come to America with you or is she still back home in Herefordshire? You would be amazed at the amount of new orchards being planted now, with the demand for cider, and of course for eating apples too, some for juicing as well.
DeleteBusy days. I'm glad you posted that photograph of the crab apples. It was the monthly meeting of the silver haired stalwarts, in the village hall, today. One of them brought in a small bag with some of exactly the same shaped and coloured fruits, asking us what we thought they could be. I said they were crab apples, but I could see she had her doubts because of the shape.
ReplyDeleteSomeone thought they had come up with a winning idea with that milk pan design, a lovely find.
Aha - I'm glad I solved a question ref. the crab apples. That milk pan really is quite unique. I'm going to try it out soon . . .
DeleteMust go and pick some crab apples, though they hang around for a long while. Crab apple jelly is delicious that bitter sweetness is good, already made blackberry jelly and ordered and received kilner jars and jam pots from Lakeland...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are on a roll then thelma. I had to chuck my crab apples - they were windfalls from my neighbour, and I think had only fallen because they had bitterpit - I was cutting them in half for the jam pan and 90% were unusable, which was a shame. I will ask her if I can pick some if there are any clear of the pitting.
ReplyDelete