It is surprising how many foods contain milk! – sometimes I really miss eating foods I used to enjoy, so when I found a recipe for vanilla cream biscuits I thought I would give them a try on Monday. Not quite the same as custard creams but a wonderful treat all the same – they lasted until Friday!
What I am reading
As the library is closed I downloaded the e’reader / audio app from the local library which has been incredibly successful. I think because you aren’t paying out for a book I feel more able to take risks – and this one paid off.
The Memory by Lucy Dawson
I look down at her, lying fast asleep – always my little girl, and so beautiful. She gives a low moan as her head turns restlessly on the pillow. It reminds me of the soft growl of a cornered animal. Where is my poor child? What is she dreaming?People always notice my daughter, Isobel. How could they not? Incredibly beautiful… until she speaks.
(from Good Reads)
An unsettling, little-girl voice, exactly like a child’s, but from the mouth of a full-grown woman.Izzie might look grown-up, but inside she’s trapped. Caught in the day it happened – the day that broke her from within.
I know why my daughter is the way she is. There’s nothing I could have done to save her… is there?An unputdownable psychological thriller about families and secrets,
I have to admit I did find it a little odd to begin with but the story does slowly build to a conclusion I have to admit I did not see coming. There is an air of mystery and strangeness about the house – things happen that give the impression of it being haunted, but it also seems very down to earth with the main character giving reasonable explanations for the so called ‘psychic’ goings on. This book kept me interested right to the very end. What was absolutely satisfying is how neatly all the loose ends came together.
I revamped my cane chairs in the studio – trying to use up my stash of fabrics – it was easier second time round but I am very pleased with the results. Can you believe I bought these two at the tip for £3 each over 10 years ago! they are delightfully comfortable! I might give the cane some Danish oil but they are holding up well.
My lovely Staffie, Barney had a new monkey which lasted 20 minutes (quite a record some only last a few minutes!)
I stitched this piece while we were away on holiday a couple of weeks back – it was simply a sampler to stitch in the quiet moments – little did we realise the second day we arrived everything would close down! I was so glad I had taken some stitching with me! I have spent this week stitching a design around the hexies in the blank spaces. I really love the way this has developed, I used a marker pen to outline the shapes and then stitched the centres with what ever took my fancy. It was so relaxing – just what we need right now.
We found this on Facebook market place – it is a bench made from old pews of a church, the ends actually hold umbrellas! It was quite a yellow pine colour so E painted it this lovely colour called seagrass. I know the trend for painted furniture is past, but I have always loved this style and won’t abandon it to the metal and rustic current trend, I want comfort and fabric. I thought I might add a little vintage French art as small accents as the arch is crying out for something!
There was a small bookshelf in the holiday Cottage – I could not resist reaching for this little novel about quilting! It was an easy lighthearted read – (don’t we need that right now?) but I found the story fascinating. A young woman goes to help out an older lady with housework and learns to quilt. Their friendship develops over the needle and thread – you learn more about the old lady’s life. It was lovely learning about the various blocks – what they were called and what the tradition was around them. The writer is a quilter and you can actually look up the quilt described in the book.
Our little holiday cottage was a cosy place to stay in during the unfolding health crisis, thankfully we got home before the shut down was announced. We spent peaceful happy days by the log burner, either stitching or reading. I am so glad we managed to have a holiday as work has been busier than ever since we came home, that rest has seen me in good stead!
keep safe and well x
Fred the Needle 