A Gentle Week

Sometimes it is nice to get things done a bit at a time, that is what I am focusing on at the moment and it is working well.  Writing things down does help for me and I don't know why but having to tick it off a list is definitely a sure fire way to make me do things but it can also be demoralising if you put too many things on that list.  I find that if I put start this... do ten minutes of … and so on it gives everything on such lists a chance.  For example I have been doing a bit of cutting or sewing each day, a bit of language learning and sorting small areas like a desk or drawer.  I now write pilates on my list but not how long, so I may do fifteen minutes or I may do half an hour, this allows me breathing space to be tired some days after work and not feel I have failed if I don't do a full half hour.

The little bits of sewing this week added up to this dress...

We also had a nice day to take a photo, I wanted a different location but my helper (my son) did not want to walk over to the field with me to act as photographer.  He said this spot was just fine so I apologise for the repeat in locations.  The fabric is scuba again but this time a lighter version, this will be an autumn /winter dress I am just making the most of the sun today with the bare legs and sandals.  In future it will be worn with tights. 

I have just made a carrot cake, it is very sweet, much sweeter than my usual recipe and way too much carrot. It will probably go quickly as my boys have a sweet tooth but it may be a bit much for me, I will stick to my regular recipe in future.

Earlier this week I sold a bag on etsy so that was a nice surprise, I am now worrying if I have filled the customs label in correctly I did ask the post office to check it but I will only relax when it gets there!  It is the brown bag from my side bar so I will perhaps have to change that image now as I only make one of each style.

Unfortunately I have not had as many walks as I would like this past week as one of my dogs is ill again, this has meant two trips to the vet. He has had antibiotics, injections and paste to help with loose stools but he still doesn't seem right.   The vet said it would be about five days and he would be on the mend  and that was Thursday. He is so thin and I keep giving him extra food but it is such a worry.  It is not as if we can ask them how they feel is it. 

Now I am off to have a read for a little while with a cup of tea, hope you all have a good week. 

GF Baking

Over the past week I have been making a few cakes, I have not really done much baking in recent months and it is probably because I just got used to not having cake.  This was in part because of me being gluten free and things never being quite the same, there is also the fact that I am vegan so that is a bit of a double wammy with baking.  Anyway I mastered the perfect free from scone over the summer and have started to make a few bits now.  As the dark nights are coming I probably need the comfort food too.

I made two banana and dark  chocolate loaves and this is a favourite and something I know everyone will eat.  The bananas give you a bit of security in the GF baking area as you know they will add moisture.  Then on Saturday I tried the Maple and Pistachio cake, again another success both from the same book.  I have tried things from this book in the past and they all come out well so I think I will try some of the more unusual recipes next.

There is almost a full bag of pistachios in there which all needed shelling first, so not exactly a budget cake but at least you know it is nutritious and better your fat comes from nuts than dairy.

The book in the middle is the one with the reliable baking recipes, I have also been going back through this 'Cook ,Share Eat Vegan and planning a few new things  for this week.  I made the rest pesto risotto at the weekend and that was gorgeous, I have bookmarked the walnut kofta and an aubergine dish for later in the week.  I am also currently reading 'The Organised Mind' and 'The Corset' it's good to have a mixture of reading on the go.

My next make is all cut out, I have been in no hurry to make it up though however  I must get on with in the next few days.  I think my feeling has to do with there being plenty of clothes to wear already, I love the making part of it but I| don't want to just add for the sake of it.  I need to think of ways to create that are useful and sustainable. I always keep my eyes open for items to reuse the fabric from in charity shops and recently got two garments for a £1 that will be saved for future projects.

On the sewing table

The cooler months may see me trying my hand at crochet again this year, last year I ended up making fingerless gloves for all family members!  I have seen some gorgeous shawls but then I am not really much of a shawl wearer, ideas please??

We had a long walk at the weekend which resulted in the dogs all needing a bath, we were not going to be put off by the rain but ended up very muddy.  The dogs were rushed upstairs one at a time for a bath and I think they quite enjoyed it after being out in the rain.  One of them always rushes about the house in a mad fit after and I am not sure if that is excitement or some kind of protest. 

The lovely thing about the rain was the double rainbow that followed, I only managed to capture a single one in my image.

Separates

This past week I have made a couple of items with some lovely scuba fabric that was sent to me  by Minerva, it is pretty thick so I knew I wanted to make clothes that I could mix and match with it.  I chose a pattern for the top (I then had to take it in as the fabric does not favour a baggy look!)  then I just made up the skirt based on a dress bottom.  I often find I need tops to go with jeans at the weekend so I thought using the fabric this way I could still have a smart two piece for work but also have the flexibility to wear the top with jeans.

My centre check hangs straight on the hanger so it must be me causing it to sway! The fabric feel like it will be easy care too so that is a bonus.

I will be sharing more details later on the full post on Minerva, that will be after Christmas however.

Speaking of Christmas I shared my plans for a different kind of Christmas with my son who has just returned from Spain, he thought it was a good idea so up to now there is no resistance to my non conformist plan ;)  so that's good.  We celebrate the rest of the season quite simply too so no stress here.  I mention this as I have seen it starting to creep into the shops already, in September I think it is too soon.  Who is buying selection boxes now?   I'll tell you the best time to buy those and it's boxing day.

This weekend we watched Bohemian Rhapsody on the T.V and I have to say I enjoyed it, the film was not one that I thought of as a must see but the actors did a really good job and the music of course made the film.  Earlier in the week we watched A Star is Born, again I was uncertain but another good film so check that one out too.  We have a free trial for the films so that is why we are watching more than usual.  I wouldn't pay extra for the film packages normally as I find that once you have seen the few you are interested in it becomes a bit of a waste.

All three of my dogs have been sick over the weekend, we think it must be something they are eating on the garden but we can't find what. All on the mend now, I know bulbs are toxic but we don't have any of those on the back, also holly berries but again there is none of that.  It is so frustrating as dogs really will eat anything, a neighbour of mine was shaking their apple tree really violently the other day so the apples flew every where.  We saw this so my husband ran and picked them up before the dogs saw them but if he hadn't we would have let them out and they would have made themselves sick eating those. They wouldn't fall over it is too far away it was the effect of bending the tree over that catapulted them over!

I am finding it starting to get dark too quickly for my liking at the moment, I have made a note to myself to find something to love in all the seasons.  So activities, things to watch for and enjoy, our summers are short here in the UK so the only way is to embrace all the seasons.  Any tips for how you enjoy the darker months are most welcome.