Kainga, where Roses bloom, life is lived at a gentler pace.Living Simply, doing all those good things like stitching, gardening, cooking and reading.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

"Living Life."

Hello,

Living life, that is what has been happening here. Blogging got put on the back burner for a while. Plus I haven't really been in the sewing room until a few days ago. Summer heat plus the Autumn heat we have been having has taken a toll on the garden so lots of pulling out of plants and trees has taken place. The good news is that we can review our plant selections and purchase new ones in the next couple of months.

I used up the last of our Cucumbers making a relish.


 I followed a recipe in the Country Woman's Association Cookbook. The only thing I didn't have was a chili which I left out.


 4 jars of beautiful Cucumber pickles. Now we all know that we need to leave them for about 3 weeks for the full flavour to go through the Cucumbers and Onions. I found that a certain person had opened the jar the next day!! Needless to say that jar didn't last long.


Ainsley and Julian brought Jacob up for his first big drive on the holiday Monday for lunch. I made up the Vanilla Slice recipe that Wendy had suggested to eat at the last sew in. I can tell you this was one delicious slice. I didn't worry about using the icing on the top because there was cream left over so that was spread on top then the Passion fruit syrup drizzled over this.


 With 6 of us it was the perfect number of guests to each get one big slice. Since making this no other Vanilla Slices that are available in the shops look as good and taste as good as this one. As Julian says I have raised the bar too high!



 On the sewing front a few more Elephants have been embroidered. This is a Elinor Peace-Bailey design. I remember meeting up with her and getting my photo taken with her years ago at a craft show in Perth that a girlfriend and I attended.


 So this is what the Elephant panels are attached to.Lots of tumbler shaped pieces.This quilt which I will probably use as a tablecloth has been a great exercise in using up scraps and making up the pattern as I have gone along.


 I plan to add some yellow toned ric-rac between the main piece and the embroideries.
The Elephant embroideries came from a site called "Cute Embroideries", you have to sign up to get the designs but they are free. The flower designs came from  the Cactus Punch Signature Series called Garden Grannie.


 There is always debate about Books versus Movies. I have watched both these movies and immediately went and bought the books. Lucy has read The Book Thief and said it contained lots more stories than in the movie so I am looking forward to reading that one. Ian and I saw Tracks on the weekend. This is a great movie with wonderful scenery and some great acting. I can still remember reading the West Australian newspaper back in the 70's when Robyn was tracking across the outback with her camels. In the movie it shows her reading the newspaper clipping.



Last night David Lucy and I went and had the most wonderful evening of laughter watching and listening to Alan Davies. We all love watching QI on TV so when we knew he was coming to Perth we were determined to go and have a good time.
Thanks Lucy and David for your company. While we were waiting for the show to start we got a text message from Ian to say that we had 4.5 mls of rain. We haven't had that amount since the beginning of October last year so that was great news.

Our love and prayers goes out to Ainsley and Julian and their circle of friends and the family they know that is waiting to hear what has happened with the missing plane.

Happy days.
Bev C

15 comments:

Sue said...

Loving your Elephant quilt Bev and I am just a little jealous of your Alan Davies show.
Like the rest of the world my thoughts are with family and friends of those on that plane.

Lin said...

Certainly lots of living going on! I love the elphants and the quilt is going to make a lovely tablecloth. I have noticed several Australian comedians on QI lately - glad you enjoyed the Alan Davies show. xx

Clare-Aimetu said...

I love the elephant quilt Bev, and yummy cooking too. We love Alan Davies over here too, have you seen Jonathon Creek?

Prayers for everyone - I hope there is news of the plane soon

Jeanette said...

Yummy cooking hapening at your place. Love the elephant quilt. Hugs, xx.

Michelle Ridgway said...

Lucky you seeing Alan Davies!!! That slice looks devine as does the relish. I love your sweet Elie quilt. I can't wait to see Tracks and like you remember her adventure in the '70s.

marina said...

your vanilla slice looks scrumptious.
love your tumbler quilt top and the borders. I recently bought a tumbler block template and can't wait to use it. Your top is tempting me to use it.
I like Alan Davies on qi too, great he is just as funny live.

Maria said...

Love to try that Vanilla Slice when I visit......
Your Elephant quilt looks great and how nice to go to the AD show with your kids...

Julie said...

Hi Bev - gosh your relish looks so delicious as does that vanilla slice - makes my mouth water. You sure have been busy both cooking & quilting - love how it is coming along. Yes still we wait for news of the plane & feel for the families & loved ones.

Sandi said...

Love it when you post all that food. Thanks for the origin of the relish recipe. Any chance of the vanilla slice recipe please? We are all awaiting the news of that plane; can't imagine what it is like for the families and friends. xx

Wendy said...

Hi Bev, the goodies from your kitchen look delicious! I love your elephant quilt, it's going to be lovely.

Terri said...

That cucumber salad looks so refreshing! I've always wanted to make that. Love seeing all the baking and sewing projects you're getting done, even during some hot weather.

I received The Book Thief for Christmas. I really want to read it before seeing the movie, since I heard the same news that the book is better.

Karen said...

The heat has taken its toll on a lot of gardens. Good luck with all the work getting it back in shape.
I like the tumbler quilt and the elephant border. It's lovely.
How lucky you are to see Alan Davies!!!

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Bev. Your vanilla slice looks very yummy. The Elephant quilt is loving great. Have a lovely Autumn. Hugs Judy

Unknown said...

Hello Bev...Thanks for calling at my place, I love it when I get a message from far, far away. I am waving back and shouting 'I will be back!' Eco Ethel xx

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Lovely quilt there Bev! I first read The Book Thief a couple of years ago and loved it and then the movie blew me away! I think it just captured the essence of that book and they didn't stray too far from the story...loved it!