Yesterday was the first day that we woke up to a really heavy frost. Always so pretty. There was even a few flakes of snow in the air. There is nothing like a drop of temperature to encourage me to reach for some of my favourite Winter comforts. To warm the soul, as well as the body.
Step one – Gingerbread (recipe) not only tastes warming, but the kitchen is filled with the wonderful scent. The children love coming home to it. I couldn’t resist decorating the gingerbread with a little edible gold glitter. Making it that touch more special for the after school crew.
Step 2 – put a warming winter stew in the slow oven to cook for a few hours. Colourful and tasty dish ready to serve up once every one was home. Youngest even had seconds.
Step 3 – Winter coats. Time to dig out the winter coat I started to make last year. I’d forgotten I’d cut out a skirt from the surplus fabric. It’s cashmere and feels wonderful to work with. I’m hoping it will be a delight to wear too. The coat is half finished and the skirt will only take a couple of hours to sew up.
New coats for all the children. The days have gone when the coats could just be handed down to a younger sibling.
Adding time in the morning too, for hat and glove searching/matching/decision-making.
Step 4: Chimney swept and first fire of the season in the log burner. Dogs are negotiating with each other over the best spot in front of the flames.
Step 5: Big Duvets – all the duvets on the beds have been swapped for higher togs. Although now the problem is getting the children up in the morning.
Slipped a bit of needlefelting in over the weekend. Following on from my Herdwick sheep success, I thought it would be fun to make a sheep’s brooch. I’m unsure about the finished product. The head turned out as expected. The problem came when I pinned it on. It looks like I’ve torn the head off a toy and pinned it to my coat. Once the thought was there, it was difficult to shake off.
My husband suggested adding front paws, to make it look like it was bursting through the coat. I’m not sure he’s taking this seriously.
Back to the drawing board on this one. Might need to make a body for the head. While I munch on a bit more gingerbread.
Are you getting into Winter mode?
Lovely photos …very yummy and cosy.
We totally get the pet competition for warmth..the collie takes the view if the cats can fit so can I …which results in canine limbo wriggling..
I love the Sheep badge …actually I think the trying to escape the coat edition of front feet would be fun!
Don’t encourage him!! I’m not sure sleepy Somerset is ready for me turning up in the playground, on the school run, with a sheep escaping from my coat! Although…..it would be fun!
Another fab felt creation, love it! My other half made gingerbread a few days ago and i was just deciding whether to go and eat the last piece when i opened your blog post. I think it’s a sign that i should, so off to eat it now…
Absolutely a sign. I’d read it no other way. Especially if it is the last piece. Saves all the “who should eat it?” debate.
Personally I love the sheep brooch 🙂
But if in doubt you could always add a ribbon, and turn him into a decoration for the Christmas tree.
Too true. I might just try that. Or else make a few more to go on the tree.
ha! your husband offers the same kind of helpful advice that mine does 🙂
what would we do without them?!?
i think it looks cute, but agree with the comment above that it would make a cute ornament too!
Always available to keep me down to earth, but you are right – what would we do?!
Still undecided about the sheeps’s head. It’s still pinned to the front of my unfinished coat, but every time I see it, it does make me smile.