My small contribution

The only way I can help at the moment - this pile of hats is ready to be packed up and sent off to a collection point to be taken to Syrian refugee camps, for the children over the winter. Please help if you can https://www.facebook.com/SavethebabiesSyria or via Save the Children

Prickly customers

Here are my newly re-potted cacti   :)   I'm not a huge fan of cactus and succulent plants, truth be told, but I picked these up at the tip about 3 years ago, saving them from being tipped into the compost skip, poor things. They came in wee blue ceramic bowls, which they seemed happy enough in. I put them outside this year for the summer and they've really grown on well, so decided to re-pot them to see them through the next couple of years.  I bought cheery wee striped buckets for them and think they look great. Not sure I'll ever be adding to the collection, but I like these well enough now :)

Might be time....................

.......  to do some bottling!

Autumn kitchen

Hyacinths ready for storing away in the dark  for a few weeks; tray of roasted tomatoes ready for soup making ( locally grown tomatoes in our local community shop, mixture of plum and round ); crochet snowflakes made in between cooking, from a free gift with my crochet magazine; Sunday breakfast

It's here!

I was doing a spinning demo at a needlework festival a few weeks back, which generated a lot of interes - lots of folk stopped to talk about he wheel, wool and all sorts. One coupled had a wheel they were looking for a home for, so I expressed an interest. It was picked up for me today, and is now sitting here in my kitchen.  It is unique.  Made in 1946/7, just after the end of the war by this mans father for his mother. he used what wood was available, said J, and it looks for all the world that some parts may have been a chair.  It's a beautiful wee wheel and I'm really looking forward to giving it a try out at the weekend. Cost was £20 plus some eggs, redcurrant jelly and a jar of marmalade :)

Quince time

I  have a good crop of quinces this year, and have just picked the first test quince Nicely ripe and well-scented, destined for quince brandy and membrillo. Looking forward to winter!

Getting ready for winter

I know there's still a bit of autumn still to go, but I'm always looking ahead, while living in today. With this in mind, I tidied up my wee sitooterie and gave it a sweep, sorting plants and bringing some back indoors.  Looking forward to a few more cups of tea there before the weather turns.