Smocking

On the Great British Sewing Bee this year one of the challenges was to created a smocked item of clothing for a child. They were using machine smocking. It created a little desire in me to try hand smocking, and today I started.  Oooh my!

The first step is either transferring dots to the fabric, or buying a fabric with regular spots on it. I chose the latter. It's simple enough, created a very regularly, tightly pleated piece of fabric by putting many lines of running stitch through the fabric. I am going into the fabric immediately before the dot, and coming out again immediately after it.

This is going to take some time!

Thor Is Displeased

At about 10.30pm last night, the skies lit up. There was fork lightening and sheet. It was amazing. Here’s last night’s map of most of Ireland, most of the UK, and well, the Isle of Man should be visible bang slap in the middle of the image.

I get the feeling someone, or something, has really pissed off Thor, Ba’al, Zeus, Jupiter, and Taranis.

Temperature Blanket May

Woo hoo! I'm back to the Temperature blanket, and I've started work on May. The little octopus created a bit of a diversion, but I'm back on track.  Although, I have no idea whether May and June will be finished by the end of June.

It's getting too hot to work on it as it grows larger. I'm ready to take the summer months off, and come back to it in the autumn.

New Computer

My previous laptop was finding life rather difficult. It was often running at 100% capacity, and was often hot. This is not too desirable for a device sitting on my legs. 

I'm now using a Jumper ezbook. It's a smidge smaller than my previous HP, and it's ever so lightly heavier, but it works so well for what I need. Most of the time I want a computer to access the internet, write blog posts, for creative writing, and writing patterns. There's might be a few puzzle games thrown in the mix too. The small size makes it perfect for taking to a coffee shop for writing sessions. And of course, the light weight makes it perfect for people with dodgy joints.

The keyboard is an American one. The " and @ signs were switched, and there's a few other bits of weirdness. One big drawback of me is the function keys have been printed in a soft blue, and for me, this makes them almost unreadable against the soft grey of the keys. I've set the keyboard to UK configuration, and the keyboard cover that came with the machine has the UK layout. A huge benefit it the keyboard cover is printed in white on grey. This has made my life considerably easier. 

There is one area of the keyboard where I will need to take great care, the power button is where the 'delete' was on my previous laptop. Care will need to be taken!

..., ..., Knees, and Toes

My knees are behaving a bit better, and my toes have been absolute starts. These glorious toes haven't caused any problems.

It feels as if I have the same level of pain, but it's now diffuse rather than concentrated in my knees.

I am a little bear who likes to get stuff done, and this weekend has involved painkillers, sitting on the sofa, napping, playing games, and watching youtube. Not much productive activity involved!  Ah well, there's another weekend coming up in a few days, let's hope I can get stuff done then.

Head, Shoulders, ... and Toes

There are times when certain body parts demand so much attention, and I just want to ignore them.

Last night, as I was rising from my chair to go to bed, my left knee started screaming at me. There wasn't much I could do to ignore it. Even whilst lying down in bed, my knees wouldn't stop screaming. They demanded a pillow underneath them for support, and a nice hot water bottle for comfort. 

I've no idea what I have done to offend them. They are still moaning about something this morning. My Saturday morning walk along the coast is not feasible today.

Steam Mop Pad

Yarn: King Cole Cottonsoft Baby Crush

Composition: 100% Cotton

Colour: Aquas

Needles: 4mm

This mop pad was made using the twin triangle method I commonly use for shawls. The outside edge has a row of eyelets, and through this a cord has been woven. This keeps the pad firmly in place whilst the mop is being used.

After use, I soak the pad in warm, soapy water, and then toss it into the washing machine with a pile of clothes. This cleans it beautifully.

My Little Octopus

A little while back I forgot to take my Temperature Blanket in to work, and needed a lunch time crafting distraction. The week before, a customer had brought in Women's Weekly; this had patterns for an octopus, knitted and crocheted. I saved the pattern for a colleague, and took a fancy to making an octopus myself. But the tentacles looked wrong. So, as per usual, I redesigned the whole thing.

Yarn: King Cole Giza Sorbet 4ply
Composition: 100% Cotton
Colour: Magical (white and lilac)
Size: baby
Hook: 2.5mm
Amount used: 50g
Started: 8th June 2020
Finished: 18th June 2020

Four Weeks Since Last Infection

It's now 28 days since there was a case of Covid-19 identified. We seem to have survived quite lightly. If this horrible disease hadn't made it into one of our care homes it would have been very light indeed. 

The danger has passed (for now), and the  focus seems to be trying to help the economy. We are planning an on-island holiday this summer. We have come out of this in a strong financial position, and I think it is important for those of us who can to spend money in the local economy. We'll rent a holiday cottage for a week, and our holiday spending will be centred around local products and produce.

Just Around The Corner

This is a photograph taken by a friend. She applied a filter, and the result is wonderful. It's not far from my home. It's a little moment of beauty. It promises home is just around the corner.

Watermelon and Feta Salad

This recipe is based on Mediterranean Watermelon Salad. I am not a fan of honey, nor lime, so I have substituted the dressing for a classic vinaigrette. 

Ingredients

2 slices watermelon

5cm cucumber

2 fresh mint leaves

2 fresh basil leaves

25g crumbled feta

1 Tsp vinaigrette

Method

Cut the watermelon into bite-sized cubes. Cut the cucumber into small chunks. Chop the herbs. Crumble the feta. Mix everything together with the vinaigrette.

Notes

I made an extra portion of Chicken in Mustard and Vinegar. The cold chicken breast was sliced and served along with the salad.

Food Shopping

I've just been on my first weekly food shop in almost three months. It felt weird, but at the same time so normal and good. 

The Beloved has done an absolutely fantastic job with the weekly shop. He has queued and queued waiting 2m away from his fellow shoppers, just to get into building. He has done this with almost no complaint. (He's not quite a saint.) 

Going shopping, selecting the foods on the shopping list, plus a few extras (watermelon, sugarsnap peas and baby corn) was good. 

Tomorrow, social distancing rules will be dropped. All of the tape on the floors in shops will be able to be removed. We will be able to eat in restaurants and cafés. We will be able to get back to "Shut Up and Write!".  If we were to hold quilting in a café we could return to quilting too. 

Slowly, surely, life is being resumed. It feels very good.

Pecan Pastries

Ingredients
1 packet (280g) Jus-Rol gluten free puff pastry
75g pecans
40g light muscovado sugar
1 Tsp maple syrup
15g butter, softened
1 egg, beaten
25g apricot jam
1tsp lemon juice
1Tsp boiling water

Method
Preheat the oven to 200C. Line a baking sheet with parchment, or a silicone liner.

Cut the pastry into 6 rectangles. Place the filling along the centre of each rectangle. Cut strips on the diagonal either side of the filling.Fold the strips towards the middle, alternating right then left, to create the plait. Tuck the ends under or cut them off.

Bush each pastry with egg wash and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden-brown.

Whilst the pastries aer cooking, combine the apricot jam and lemon juice with 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan. Slowly heat the mixture, stirring gently, until runny. Pass through a sieve and set aside. While the pastries are still warm brush them with the apricot glaze.

Starting To Wave Goodbye To Lockdown Weight

A while back I lost more than 13.5kg (30lb). Slowly the weight crept back on, and then leveled out at a lost of 8kg. I was okay with this. When the Beloved was in hospital, I felt I was ambushed, and weight piled on. Then in lockdown the whole amount returned.

However, this month I've been taking steps. With the decrease in tensions on my little Island regarding Covid-19 and a return to work, it has all become so much easier. So far this month I have lost 2.2kg (5lb), and plan to keep it up. Currently I'm retraining my taste buds not to expect so much sugar. My goal is to lose about a kilo each week. 

Some might throw their hands up in horror and exclaim, "What's the point?" That's a really easy question for me to answer. I felt so much at a lower weight, and I greatly enjoyed the food I was eating. Losing weight was an act of self-care and self-love. 

One of the really good things about having trod this path before is I know I can lose weight, and I know how to do it. 

(sings) We're Coming Out of Lockdown

That's 22 days since last person on the Island was diagnosed with Covid-19 . There are no active cases. Even more restrictions are being lifted. On Monday, we will be able to eat in restaurants and cafes, and social distancing will be dropped, apart from in care homes and health care environments.

This little Island has to be one of the safest places to live on the planet.

I'm so looking forward to going out for a meal.

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Ingredients

9 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
1/2 cup olive oil

juice of 2 lemons 

zest of 2 lemons

pinch of salt
1/2tsp black pepper
1tsp garlic powder
2 Tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp cumin powder

Method

Preheat the oven to 230C.

Place your potato wedges in a roasting pan. Pour the lemon juice, zest and olive oil over them.

Season the potatoes with the rest of the ingredients. Mix everything well. Roast the potatoes for about 30 minutes. Turn the potatoes to enable all sides cook evenly.

Notes

This recipe was based on Dimitra's recipe from Dimitra's Dishes.

Black Lives Matter

This is a photograph of the Black Lives Matter protest. Police estimate there were 1,500 people protesting. We were organised into groups of 10, and practicing social distancing whilst wearing masks and gloves.

It was a very powerful and emotional time being part of such a large group, gathered for a simple purpose, to stand up against institutionalised racism. It was the largest protest the Isle of Man has seen in over 40 year.

Temperture Blanket Chart May 2020

Gone are the lilacs of previous months, and only two days of aubergine! Look at the 31st, it's burnt orange! It's warming up, and I'm catching up.

Strawberry Napoleon

It feels like cheating claiming this is a recipe, but it does go in the oven. There's cutting, sifting, whisking and baking. It's a recipe!

Ingredients

1 sheet of puff pastry (mine is Jus-Rol gluten-free)

250ml double cream

5ml vanilla extract

12 strawberries

icing sugar

Method

Preheat the oven to 220C. Place the puff pastry on a baking sheet and cut into 12 pieces. Dock (or prick) the pastry to allow some of the steam to escape as it puffs up. Bake in the oven for 14 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Whip the cream and vanilla extract until it forms soft peaks. Hull the strawberries, and slice them.

When the pastry has cooled layer up the Napoleons: pastry, cream, strawberries, a little cream, pastry, cream, strawberries, cream, pastry. Sift a little icing sugar over the top and serve.

Notes

This dish needs to be served immediately after layering up, otherwise the pastry will become soggy. It's a very simple, but elegant dish. Making mini Napoleons rather than the traditional large one means it is far easier to provide each person with a good looking dessert. 

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The Offspring burst into the room and said "I thought you had taken a professional photograph from the internet and used it in your blog. I didn't realise this was the food you had made, and Cat photographed." A rather kind comment, especially as I know I could make a far slicker version of this dish.

Recent History For A Society

Alfred Blackburn

A while back on QI, there was a question about when the last American Civil War pension ceased. At that point it there was one person still receiving a pension, Irene Triplett. She died yesterday. Her father had fought in the American Civil War. He had been married a few times, and Irene's mother was 27 when Irene was born, and her father was he was 83 years old. As Irene had congenital deformities she was classed as a dependent, and received a Civil War pension.

This set my mind thinking about The American Civil War, and I gleamed it started because of slavery. The southern states where slavery was legal we concerned when Abraham Lincoln became President. They tried to cede as the Confederated States of America. Confederate Vice President, Alexander H. Stephens, described the confederacy's ideology as being centrally based "upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition".

My mind pondered, if the daughter of a Civil War soldier has just died, when did the last former slave die. I couldn't find a definitive answer, but came across Alfred "Teen" Blackburn. He is believed to be one of the last living survivors of slavery in the United States who had a clear recollection of it as an adult. He was a 'body servant' to his owner (and biological father) during the Civil War. He died in 1951. Its less than 70 years since the death of last person who was an adult during slavery.

This then led onto the question of whether children of former slaves were still alive today. On Quora, one person identified his grandfather as being a former slave. His grandfather was 77 when his uncle was born, and then 81 when his father was born. Both his father (90) and uncle (94) were alive at the time of writing (March, 2019).

For some slavery is only one generation in their past, either as slaves or slave owners. For more, its two or three generations. The whole concept of "the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery, subordination to the superior race, is his natural and normal condition" sadly did not die with the emancipation of American slaves. It is flourishing in lots of area. It is America's national shame that its President holds black lives so cheap.

Happy Wedding Anniversary, Beloved

The Beloved and I married on this day quite a number of years ago. I'm trying to think of little memories, and stories from our life together. So many of these little stories involve a great deal of silliness and playfulness. Just like my grandparents, we love, we laugh, and we play. 

I hope future generations will look back on us with kindness and have the same impression of us as I do of my grandparents. I love this man, and look forward to many more years of love, laughter and play.

Cakes for Cops 2020

This is the fourth year I've taken a selection of cakes along to the Police. Normally we are in TT, but this year, we've been dealing with Covid-19. Today's goodies are chocolate and pecan brownies, walnut cake, lemon cake, vanilla sponge, and two types of pat cookies, chocolate chip, and cherry and raisin.

Good News!

There's some seriously good news in my little part of the world. There have been no new cases in the last 14 days, and we don't have a single confirmed active case of Covid-19. 

Our businesses and shops are gradually opening. Each week more and more restrictions are being lifted. Today, I was able to visit a friend, in her house. It was wonderful to be doing such a normal thing.

Happy Birthday Grandma and Grandpa

Today is the anniversary of my Grandma and Grandpa's wedding. It's also the anniversary of their births. Grandma was born in 1916, and Grandpa in 1914. They married in 1939. They met, fell in love, and became engaged all within 4 weeks. Their marriage lasted until Grandma's death just a few weeks shy of their Ruby wedding in 1979. Grandpa lived on into his 80s.

They were both featured large in my childhood. When I was little, we lived 1.5 miles away in the next town, but in the summer when I was 5 we moved just around the corner from them. A year later, they moved into the house next to us. 

G&G were such an evenly matched couple. They loved and laughed. And their love was an encompassing, embracing, inclusive love. If someone turned up at a meal time a place was set for them at the table. If someone was in need, they would help out in the unobtrusive way. Kind-hearted, generous and loving, that's the best way I can describe them.

It's been many years since Grandpa died, and many, many for Grandma. I love them, and miss them. I would have loved for them to meet my children.

Protesting Is Important

When Colin Kaepernick knelt, they said, "This is not the right way to protest." 

When Martin Luther King marched in Selma, they said, "This is not the right way to protest." 

When people marched in the streets of South Africa during apartheid, they said, "This is not the right way to protest." 

There is no right way to protest because that's what protest is. It can't be considered "right" by the systems that it's protesting. 

Trevor Noah

-x-x-x-

What on earth can white people say about institutional racism? We can say we see what is happening, how black lives have so little value. We can say this is absolutely unacceptable. We can say people need to be held accountable. And we can say a systematic change is needed, and is needed NOW!

June Goals

1. Finish or donate 12 balls of yarn

2. Bring the Temperature Blanket up to date

3. Avoid impulse buys

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The three balls of yarn bought last month were impulse buys. I don't have projects in mind for them, and I'm going to return them to the shop, and instead take some chunky yarns. These will go, along with a bag of chunky yarns I was give, to a woman teaches crochet in prison. She was in the shop today, and was utterly delighted when I said I had yarn for her to use in the prison. An additional two balls of yarn are coming from my stash. This takes me to 5 balls donated. 3 were used up.

When I forgot to take my blanket in to work I picked up a hook and new yarn. The result was My Little Octopus. It took way, way long than I anticipate, and so the Temperature Blanket is not up to date. It's two months behind. But, it does mean a third of it has been completed, and in 10 weeks. The blanket will be finished at the New Year.

The impulse buys have been very few, and this makes me happy.