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Saturday 16 August 2014

Saturday Surprise, Happy Hour and then a Let Down.

My day started with brilliant sunshine, so with no messing it was washing machine on, lead on Ben and out the door.
We had a lovely ramble along the disused railway track, at least the space where the track used to be The blackberries were glistening silvered in the dew, Ben and I shared the thought to come back later, with a container.
James was coming over a bit later, I had planned to go to Cardigan but my hip was very painful last night when I was shopping , so I dare not risk the 3 hour round trip.

Before he was due to arrive the postie brought me a lovely parcel, all the way from Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. I had to stop myself from ripping it open on the doorstep.

Once inside I cleared my table and set all this out.


I had asked Leisha to plainly mark the fabrics for her tote bag, and here they are.



All spread out, a good selection of co-ordinating and complementary shades and patterns. I am certain that there may be something other than a roomy travel tote from this stack.


These are for me, as a swap for making the bag. I am thrilled, I have not seen any of these fabrics before. Do you see the splash of orange in there, it is not only eye catching but textured.
And there,s more.


A selection of seasonal fabrics, oh yum the only one that I have seen before is the dark green holly print in the bottom RH corner.
And there,s more.


Some Aussie tea (what a treat, it is several years since I had this) a bar of chocolate and a snazzy fridge magnet.
To say that I am happy is such an understatement.
James arrived just in time for a very late breakfast, early lunch. I made pigs in blankets, tomatoes baked in a balsamic dressing and fluffy American style pancakes. We had real Canadian Maple syrup over the lot, delicious.

Once they had gone Ben and I went Blackberry picking. I filled my container very quickly, on weighing them I had 1.5 Kg. They were washed and cooked with the same weight of chopped apples and the pith and juice of 2 lemons, and are now in the jelly bag to drip over night. It was a very happy hour out with Ben, there was no body else around and once the tub was full we just wandered about and soaked up the warmth.

I did an on line shop with Asda yesterday afternoon, I needed several things that I know are very good value at Asda. In fact I saved enough money on 4 things to pay the delivery cost. The order arrived and OOPS there were 8 items missing. The 4 bottles each of cider and red wine vinegar, of course I wanted both of these tonight, the cider for my carrot and garlic chutney. The mix has to be soaked overnight and finished off in the morning. The red wine vinegar is for another batch of chutney, requested by a friend. Now I was stuck, the only thing for it was to drive into Carmarthen as the nearer supermarkets do not stock either. I have sent Asda an e mail, on their order form they ask for your phone number in case they need to contact you about your order, needless to say nobody rang me.
I am not happy, it will be the last Asda shop from me. I made sure to stock up on both vinegars while I was out.

To console myself I am having a cheese and tomato toastie for dinner, then something with custard. I did consider chips but resisted without too much trouble.

Reasons to be grateful.

1.  A great stack of fabrics to play with.

2.  A roomy travel bag pattern to work out and craft.

3.  lots and lots of pretty fabrics for me.

4.  Ben is tired from his play and then his walk and is snoozing beside me.

5.  I have been invited out to lunch tomorrow.

I have found my Pilates DVD, and my yoga mat so a bit later i will be watching and planning a routine to help my hips and lower back. I forgot to tell you that my X ray results came back, there is no sign of arthritis, I am so relieved. I am hoping that some specific exercises will help to diminish the pain.

I have dug out a bag of granny squares and have started to make the throw that they were intended for. I hope to finish it in a couple of evenings.
That,s enough for tonight, I need to eat and relax, I am still steaming over my Asda order.

Toodle pip, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

                  TTFN                                                 Pam






25 comments:

  1. I only tried an online food shop once some years ago, was not impressed so much was missing I had to go and do a shop I havent done one since.
    Lovely collection of fabric you have there I am looking forward to seeing what you do with them. :-)

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    1. I have done several shops with both Asda and Tesco with no problems. They are good for stocking up on the basics that are heavy and bulky. I am busy looking through my patterns and books for inspiration to use those prints. I have ordered some books from the library as well.

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  2. The big supermarkets don't offer online shopping here although it would be nice to have that option in the dead of winter. Your new fabrics look fabulous, I'm sure you'll have a great time playing with them! I saw this on facebook today and thought of you because of all the colours. Check it out.
    http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/crafts/yarn/crochet/free-crochet-patterns/sophies-garden-large-crochet-square-photo-tutorial/

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    1. i checked this out, droolworthy to the highest degree. Guess I will have to look through my yarns. Thank you Jan

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  3. What lovely fabrics to receive!
    I`ve also been out with my granddaughter today. We also came home with 1.5 kg of blackberries. I made a lattice flan, 4 jars of apple, blackberry and rum jam for DB, and we had a blackberry crumble as dessert tonight.
    I must say, I`ve never tried this online shopping, and from what I`ve heard and read it would positively turn me off it as well. I`m afraid, I`m the old style shopper who wants to see, feel and make the choice of produce in the shop.

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    1. I would not buy fresh produce online, it is great for a stock up shop of basics. I can shop carefully and save much more than the delivery charge and save the time and petrol for the journey. My nearest Asda is at least 15 miles away and I will not go out of my way just to shop. each time I take the car out it has to multi task to get the best value for money and time. I pressed the pulp from my jelly bag through a sieve and made Jampurelly, a recipe from Frugal in Norfolk. It is glorious on toast, in cakes and puddings and even better straight off a spoon.

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  4. Lovely fabrics x I keep meaning to go blackberry picking, we've got tons over our local field x

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    1. Blackberries are organic and free, the latter is the most important to me, and i love the deep rich taste, I do not like the pips though.

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  5. Love your fabrics, and now feel the need to pick blackberries, my plant in the garden has failed again this year, the trees suck all the moisture and the plant just survives. Never done on-line shopping, my daughter uses all the supermarkets and is always complaining about something missing or poor quality.

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    1. I used to have them in my garden in Lincs, a variety called Black Bute. These wild ones are just as big and even more tasty, no problem with them drying out in Wales, some of the time they need water wings.

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  6. Hi Pam,
    Love the fabrics in both bundles, Will you show us the bag when you've made it please?
    Have found my sewing mojo again & to get back into it, I'm making nighties for myself.
    Hopefully, I'll have a try at patchwork soon.
    Your crochet basket is wonderful too, so bright & sunny, will cheer up many a winter.s day whilst you are crocheting

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    1. I will be sharing every thing that I can squeeze out of the fabrics. They are on my table at the moment so that I can shuffle them about to get the best combinations. I found some lovely full length cotton nighties in a CS, I managed to get a waist slip and knee length nightie out of each. Just a slice with the rotary cutter, a press and a but of sewing and threading of elastic.

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  7. Thanks for popping over and sharing your tomato reactions with me, I find it really helpful. I'm stopping coffee then I will be moving on to the nightshades. Like you tomatoes are the base of most of my meals so it will be really difficult x

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    1. I had my last real coffee Saturday, I will have 1 instant each day for a wek then every other day for a week. Hopfully that will prevent the headaches. I am going to roast some peppers, very cheap in Lidl this week, whizz them in the processor and try them in place of tomato, if it works there will be some going into the freezer.

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  8. Such lovely fabric, I'm sure they'll be turned in to something wonderful. I've never shopped online before but I know many people who do. That's bad service missing out a part of your order, I hope they offer you some kind of compensation. Glad to hear the x rays came back without any sign of arthritis, that must be a weight off your mind.

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    1. I have jet to hear back from Asda but expect to within 2 days. I can not tell you the feeling of pure relief at the x ray results. I was not looking forward to the prospect of surgery.

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  9. Such pretty fabrics. I can't wait to see what you make with it. It is always frustrating to not have good service. Glad that the x rays show no sign of arthritis.

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    1. I was so angry, if the delivery driver had not been so nice and apologetic I would have sent the lot back, and of course I needed some of the delivery then. Needless to say I will not be using them again.

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  10. hello pam,
    i love your fabric! Ihave blackberries in my garden and I pick up each day a big bowl
    Many windfall apples are waiting of me.I will made apple jelly and blackberry with apple jelly.I crochet a few granny squares for my blanket.
    Wish you a wonderful week,
    regina

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    1. I make rosehip and apple jelly and elderberry and apple also. I am joining granny squares for a throw and planning another blanket, a ripple this time. Enjoy your fruits from the garden.

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  11. Hello Pam,
    I wanted you to know what a lovely gem your blog has been!I can see we have many shared interests.
    I was saddened to hear of your child dying,then parents and husband.This is beyond unfair and you are very gracious.
    If I am nosy,say so or ignore me,are your family nieces and nephews?You have a continuity I don't have.
    I too was a food stylist/home economist before training in environmental health,now that's another story.

    Very best wishes,
    Ann Marie

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    1. Definitely not nosy, not in any bad way, it is always good to know a little about people. My family in Wales are not blood, James and Francesca are brother and sister, they are like my own children to me, Cerys is James,s partner, they are engaged and plan to marry next year. They have 2 children, Junior who is 4 and Kaitlyn who is almost 2. They are as big a part of my life as I am theirs.

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    2. Hoe lovely for you Pam!My daughter and I ended up alone(married a controller/bully).She is now in her own place and settled in her career ,so all good.No serious b/f,so no grandchildren ..i live in hope.

      Thanks for sharing,you're a talented lady and pleasing writer.

      Best wishes

      Ann-Marie

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  12. Nothing new on the blog in a few days, are you OK? Just worrying a little since it seems to be my job to worry for all those people who never worry themselves. :-)

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  13. Well my comment disappeared on clicking publish? not sure why. Hopefully you wont get it twice.
    Love the new look blog, love the fabric and would love to see the finished tote. We don't shop online for delivery anymore to many missing items bad substitutions. Would you mind sharing your carrot and garlic chutney please, Mr B makes many varieties but not that one it sound delicious.
    So pleased to hear your tests came back negative, take care

    Peg x

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