♥ Four Things ♥

Four Things that are making me feel warm and cosy this afternoon......

:: Thing #1 :: out of my window :: A perfect Wintry view ::

We only had a small flurry of sleety snow this morning, and most of what landed yesterday has now melted away. The surrounding hills are still dressed in their gorgeous winter-white coats though, it looks soo beautiful, peaceful and serene.

Thing #2 :: in my kitchen ::  The delicious wafting smell of tonights dinner cooking ::

I was recently given a super little book by my mother-in-law, and every recipe I've tried so far has been a terrific success. The book's called Easy Slow Cooker and I can highly recommend it. It's a lovely feeling to come home from the school run, open the front door and smell the dinner cooking away all by itself. Marvelous!

:: Thing #3 :: on my sofa :: A sweetly sleeping Little B ::

How I love my quiet, gentle after-lunch hour when Little B takes his nap! It allows me some breathing space in the middle of the day when I can just relax and be Me for a wee while. I love to sit quietly nearby with a hot cup of tea and and listen to the sweet sound of his rhythmic breathing. It's one of the most soothing sounds I know.

:: Thing #4 :: on my table :: hooky holly in progress ::

Yayyyyyyyyyyyy!! Holly leaves are happening!! Whilst Little B slept this afternoon, I sat in the bay window and worked like the clappers to get the holly leaf tutorial photographed for you. Just need to upload the thirty five pictures and write up the words to go with them, will try and do that this evening if I can.

Ps I've got this type of slow cooker and love love love it. I just need to remember to use it more often. Going to make a slow-cook curry on Thursday I think. Or maybe Moroccan lamb meatballs? Or maybe beef with cheesy dumplings? Mmmmmmm I love Winter cooking!

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Carmen]

Yay !! First one ! Ooooh Luce, just look at those scrummy rosy baby cheeks! The holly leaves look fab - por favor can we have the pattern ? No snow down south as yet, but we have pretty autumnal sky.We too have a casserole in the oven, there is nothing quite like it. Aaaaaah , the simple pleasures ! Happy hooking!
Carmen xxxx

[Gill]

Our first snowfall blew in with the sunset and all my smalls have run out to play in the dark!I managed to pick an armful of greenery and the last few rosehips just before the snow arrived. The fire and candles are lit and our kittens are befuddled by the whirling snowflakes!Time for tea:) Gill.

[Catherine]

How sweet your little sleeping one is! I dream of being a grandma sniffing their darling necks and cuddling in front of the fire. Looking forward to trying your holly leaves someday.

[Kate - The Garden Bell]

You know what...I just went to my freezer for some chicken to pop in my slow cooker today. Then, I too sat down for some early morning hookie time with a cup of coffee. I too am looking out my window at gray skies, minus the skiff of snow mind you. But.... I sure how have one of those chubbie little arm to give me a big hug this morning. So 3 out of 4, I guess, I'm not doing too bad. I'll carry on, now that I know I'm on track for a good day here.

[Colleen]

I love my crock pot, too! When we traveled around for 3 1/2 years in our motor home, it was always going. I even made a "scrummy" chocolate fudge cake in it :)

[Val]

Lovely :0)

[Kate]

Slow cooker- the answer to a maiden's prayer.Put food in in the morning when feeling rip roaring,efficient and ready to go, by late afternoon when I'm wilting,flagging and generally wanting to slump in a chair, dinner served! Brilliant.
I picked my real live holly this morning- three buckets full awaiting attention,very behind with festive preparations this year.

[Tina]

Winter food is the best isn't it...until summer comes along, then I'm crazy for summer food. I picked up the autumn issue of UK Country Living last week and we ended up making 4 variations of dishes in it. Delish!!!

[jane]

ahh there is nothing cuter than a little sleeping babe, and some time for you :) I love your very organized craft box x x x Jane x x x

[My Rosevalley]

WHat a great book. I have put it to my Amazon wish list. I used to have a slow cooker but I never figured out really how to use it... I sold it on a market... Now I feel inspired to get a new one and really give this a go. The most stressful dinners are the ones on the days I work... I try to prepare in advance but it is hard to come up with variations... I guess with a slow cooker I can prepare it in advance, cook it the evening before and just heat it up. Well, our rice cooker has been very well spent money. We use it all the time and it is fabulous. I never over or under cook my rice anymore. Thanks for sharing Lucy. ♥Annette

[Annie]

I found your wonderful site about 6 months ago. I love reading your joyful posts-the happiness just pops off the pages- whether it is about the crochet, the children or the breathtaking scenery. You are so lucky to live where you do. Thank you for sharing the scenes from your attic window!

[vanessa]

I don't really use my slow cooker for anything other than casseroles. But I make a lot of them when the weather is cold. You are right, nothing beats, walking through the door to hearty cooking smells. Funnily enough I saw a book the other day for lots of recipes for slow cooking. I did think about buying it as it would be nice to do something different in it. My friend cooks whole chickens in hers!

Love Little B......ahhhhhh....I remember the days when mine had naps, nw its just full on from morning 'til night!

No snow down south, but REALLY cold. Twinkle lights galore in my house!

Much love

Vanessa xxxxxxxxx

[Pattygloria]

My Dear Amiga Lucy,
Little B is so cute! He is perfect for modeling for your cozy blankets! Crochet and hand knitting is one way for me to relax. Just few minutes before retiring at night will relax my head and body, and allow me to go to sleep a little sooner, and while crocheting I usually plan about more projects. :o) I enjoy creating something from nothing in my favorite chair crochet hook, and a delightfully soft or colorful yarn. Your holly leaves are looking very festive! I use my pressure cooker for beans and all grains and my slow cooker for meats and they allow me some playtime in a busy day.
Take care. Hasta pronto,
Gloria x

[Edith van der Bol]

Hi Lucy,
So funny that you have a slow cooker. I bought one not so long ago and could do with a good book with recipes. And now thanks to you I know which one. :-)

[Jackie]

No snow here in the south but it's very cold
Your day sounds perfect and yes coming home to the smell of dinner cooking is just heavenly. I've just bought a slow cooker and oxtail stew is cooking for dinner tonight..... yummy Enjoy your chicken
Jackie x

[es]

Dear Lucy,
I'm glad that youe day sounds cozy and happy.
Wooo... such a precious photo of your sleeping Little B! I sometimes use a slow cooker on weekends so that I can have more hooky time.
And I made a Japanese curry with it last weekend.

[Donna]

Love catching up with your blog - it is always so jolly and colourful. Thanks for sharing.

[Maria]

Here in Queensland, Australia it is blowing a gale and is really quite cold. If I hadn't decorated my slow combustion stove for Christmas i probably would have lit it, but we are making do with layers. We should be sleeping in singlet tops and boxer shorts rather than flanny jarmies. Last night I cooked an easy YUMMY mince dish on the stove top and the smell was divine, much appreciated by the family coming in at dusk.

[Jackie]

Lucy ~ I love these posts and your Four Things are all fab. Your dinner sounds lovely ~ Enjoy!! :O)xx

[Marion]

Wow Lucy I just love to look on your blog and find that you have written a new one, feels like it is from someone that we know. Lovely photos as always. xx

[Felicity]

AH MY SLOW COOKER!

That's how to make delicious food this winter.

Thanks for the inspiration.

[Mo]

Delightful pictures as always Lucy. How I remember the joy of a little 'me time' when naps were part of the daily routine. Bliss. Enjoy it whilst you can :D

Those holly leaves look great Lucy. It just proves what using different yarns can achieve. I made some but with dk and the detail isn't nearly so obvious. You are so good at thinking outside the box. Well done. Looking forward to the instructions :D
Mo x

[heidi]

lovin' the snowy scenery! i live in a sheltered valley between a mountain range on one side and a river on the other. seems it is always a bit warmer here than other places. some other parts did get a powdering today, though.
we call those wonderful cookers 'crock pots' at home in the USofA... i always wanted one, thinking back at all the yummy stuff my mom would cook us in it. quite practical it is indeed! i should try to find one... i doubt i will have any luck here.
am really lookin' forward to your HOLY HOLLY! 35 pic tuto - egads! such a small item and probably the longest pattern you have ever shared! yep, it ought to be a winner to all of us A24 fanatic chickadees... so what you are using is embroidery thread???
lil B, such a sweetheart, did you see the sleepy pattern from the pillow on his cheek? and his lil hands... makes me wanna cuddle him right up. and your roses... ahhhhhh such a beautiful shade of reddish pink... isnt it wonderful? such a low cost delight! flowers around the place are just a MUST.
wishing you a nice evening lucy and to all the rest as well! xoxox

[Karen Dodgson]

I love reading your blog Lucy, so far I've crocheted a flower cushion and a mahoosive granny blanket which my DD spends most nights wrapped up in whilst watching TV! I'm putting your slow cooker book on my wish list, I have the exact same slow cooker as you! I've only used it a few times, and never had good results, so now you've inspired me to get it out of the cupboard and give it a second chance!
Right, ripple blanket and slow cooked stews are my New New Years Resolutions! Many thanks for the inspiration x

[mahek]

Hey Lucy!!!
I do not know whether you know me by now as I comment very often..
You are on my sidebar so I know whenever you put up a new post and I look forward to reading it , it never fails to brighten my day ..
It would be lovely to hear your reply once in a while I know its difficult to reply to all comments as you are so popular that there are many...
I will love to see this cooker on the kitchen counter top and also a recipe made in it..
Have not seen any food post in recent times looking forward to that...
Haven't you don't some baking recently and also gone on your retail therapy... looking forward to seeing you purchase some nice and bright things , off course you purchased a watch .. and I love it...