Today I've been using up some lovely lemons - a combination of some I got from our friends a couple of weeks back and some that I bought from the local second hand store - yes everyone is selling them this time of year. We don't have a tree but I've thought for a while that I'd buy some from the local op shop. Everytime I go though someone has beaten me to it. The little shop I found in Dairy Flat was a complete accident - I mean I knew it was there but hadn't actually realised what it was - a treasure trove! A bit more expensive than your average op shop but in no way hugely so - and with similar treasures. I got myself three coffee/tea/sugar cannisters to replace the ones I bought from the op shop the other day to replace the Moconna jars (which I have plans for). They all match and are replicas of the little Milo one I bought. I liked that better than the mismatched jars and the coffee one was too big to pick off the shelf with one hand, Marty was thrilled when I replaced it. Not quite sure what I'm going to do with the replaced jars but I'm sure I'll find something. I also got some neat wool that I'm going to make into a dolls wig, a "Best Friends" ornament for Zoe, a very retro half completed dress in a fabric that is going to make a very cool fairy dress for Zoe - and the lemons!!!
So today I've made two batches of lemon honey and a batch of lemon cordial from the Shortly Stitches blog. I have plans for lemon meringue pie tomorrow night but will have to shop for supplies and I can't wait to attempt my very first neenish tarts. I LOVE neenish tarts. I am the self appointed taste tester for these and sausage rolls at most bakeries I encounter. The bakery at the bus stop in Silverdale, right next to the post office does very well with both of these but they put a little too much onion in the rolls and the pastry is a little too flaky. The bakery at the intersection of Oteha Valley Road, East Coast Bays Road and the road that leads to Browns Bay has the very best sausage rolls of all but I can take or leave their tarts.
As well as baking I'm also pulling myself together. I've listed all the Jobs - as in employment type roles - I have and am getting myself prioritising and organising them. Life is too much all over the place and I think this will help. I only have one swap left to complete and am restraining myself from getting into any more.
HOWEVER I have been tempted by a sunhat swap on TNN so I'm going to include it in my "Selfish Swaps" - ie I'll make them for my own kids rather than for someone elses. I'll try and stick as close to the deadlines as I can however if I don't manage it there won't be any pressure. I'm stalking the thread for patterns - have come up with a few and one in particular I Googled that is so so cute.
So I'm focusing on my Christmas decoration swap. I've got ten items to make although only eight of them are for others people. I've cut the separate components almost completed for five of them - a few more bits and then I can put them together. But with the second five I've been constructing as I go and have completed two. I'm aiming on completing one a day but if I have time I make up some more components so hopefully by day four I'll have all the components made for the construction of the final two. Or at least I'll have them all done by day seven or eight - don't hold your breath though. I was SERIOUSLY considering another Christmas decoration swap but smacked my hand hard with a ruler - NO JJ, NO! The items I'm making for the other swap are from a set for an advent calendar. I was thinking I could make another couple of items from it, in duplicate for the swap. STOOPID idea! I mean instead of working away on a dozen items - six of each - why don't I just MAKE 12 different items for myself FROM the pattern - reduce pressure on yourself you silly girl!!!
Oh and I'm really keeping my fingers crossed that I win this giveaway over at Little Bluebell. I SO love quilting fabrics - especially little print ones - yummy. Head on over yourself if you feel lucky.
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