♥ 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

[Eve00675]

Love your blog - it's so colourful and creative. Brightened up my rainy dull day today.

[Şeyda (pronounce as sheida)]

Hello Lucy,I am from Turkey and wanted to tell you that I am a follewer of your blog and I admire you in everyway.You have such a creative mind.I have learned how to make ripple and bunting from your blog.I enjoy crochet ,knitting and sewing for my granddaugters.I am a retired teacher of English andI have a blog as well,if you like to visit.
Www.suchabusylife.blogspot.com
Love

[Romily]

What cotton did you use for the bunting? I can only seem to find cotton in pastel shades.

[Cassandra]

Hi Lucy... very nice post! Your little B. is awesome, of course, but i'm interested most of all in that great recipe on your book! That chicken and burley supper looks amazing... did you make it? Was the taste good as the apparence?? Thank you for the suggestion, i think i will try it this weekend! :)

[sue]

Yum your dinner smells gorgeous! I love winter cooking too, we just had chicken, ham and leek pie delish!
Can't wait for your holly tutorial I neeed to make my Christmas wreath. ♥

[angela-southern USA]

Nothing but rain here,for two days.I lOove my slow cookers(3)different sizes.For a quick chicken noodle soup recipe: 1 or 2(depends on how much chicken you like) 13oz canned chicken,drained. 2-14.5oz cans of chicken broth,equal amount of water,uncooked pasta of choice and one sleeve of saltine crackers,crushed.One small can of sliced carrots,drained. salt & pepper to taste.Dump everything in and cook on high 2 hours,then on low til pasta is tender.(4 hours tops)May need to add more water if too thick.Can double recipe too.I can my own meat and veggies and use them instead, but have made it with store bought canned food and its great.Nap time is soo sweet for you both:)Have a great day.

[Lorena Sonido Retro!]

You are very kind Lucy... those leaves look very real!
It looks very cold up north! I am glad I am in the South of England, still cold, though jaja!

[Heather Newbold]

ps - I have decided to ignore all my WIPS and UFOs. I've started a new christmas project inspired by the crochet you do and the felt autumn garland ... http://www.cherrymenlove.com/crafts-how-tos/2010/09/autumnal-felt-leaf-garland.html ... only I've used festive cookie cutters to make the shapes (trees, reindeer, bells, angels, baubles, and thinking I might free draw some letters - JOY? PEACE? NOEL? not sure yet. I'm quite excited, and keeping it a surprise from DH, DS1 and DS2, just hoping I can finish it before christmas when all the family descend on us!

[Heather Newbold]

Hi Lucy, I must confess I've been following your blog ever since I started maternity leave with my first born (he's now 2yrs 6mth!). I am addicted to your lovely 'postcards of your life' writings - the beautiful colours, the simple pleasures in life, the totally inspirational craft projects (my to do list is epic in proportion!) and just generally looking on the bright side of life even when things are not so rosy for you. You help me to keep my own life in perspective so I thank you in all sincerity.
Best wishes
Heather

[Esther]

Dear Lucy, beautiful landscape around you. I look forward to the pattern of the leaves to make them. This year due to back pain I'm home by bed rest and I have been making felt figures for the Christmas tree. Soon ripples blanket finish and I'm wondering what my next project. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. A hug from southern Spain.

[Allyson]

Wow! Those holly leaves are just too cute. Definitely going to have to have a go :)

[sew]

It's fab coming home to a slow-cooking meal - it's (almost)like somebody else has made it!
Looking forward to the holly tutorial - many of us with hooks at the ready methinks, but yikes Lucy - what a lot of photos you've had to take. Thanks in anticipation.

[Hahnsmum]

Theres nothing more special than watching ones own baby sleeping.. So precious.
As for the Slow Cookers..BEST invention ever..l use mine at least 3-4 times a week..l even bake a dinner in same.. Just toss all the meat to be baked & all the vegies in cooker..Slight drizzle of oil over meat.. When the vegies are cooked, take them out, put them all on a baking tray.. Then when you`re almost ready to serve meal, crispy grill both sides of the vegies.. So quick, & the best bit--SO EASY..
Best Wishes, Hahnsmum..

[Terrie]

I am soooo pining after a slow cooker at the moment. I've seen quite a few posts describing yummy sounding dishes cooked in one. Perhaps Santa will bring me one?!

[Nikki Relffe-Arnold]

I'm loving the Holly Lucy! - so delicate. That cookbook looks like a real find too :-) can't wait for the Holly tutorial. You already know how much I love your blog and I think it is because of the sheer variety of posts you make, I'm always amazed with such a busy life you manage to get something out there for us all so often. Puts me to shame with my blog...must try harder! Lol x

[Annemiek]

Oooohh.. the snowy photo is soo pretty and I wish I could still take naps in the afternoon like Little B :-) Another very nice peek into your lovely life! Thank you for sharing that :)

[Teresa Kasner]

Hi Lucy.. fun post.. I also saw the imprint of your crochet pillow on Little B's cheek.. was very cute. I might have to get that book as we have a crockpot too but both times we've tried it - the meal wasn't that good. Enjoy your snow, we haven't had any as yet.
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*M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Sandi Lee]

Oh, oh, oh I just looked up that book, the meals sound delicious, and I had to order it, it is my birthday very soon and my son doesn't know what to buy me........a slow cooker yay!!!!! I can get one quite cheap.
Your world looks and sounds very cosy :)
xx Sandi

[Carolyn]

Ooooh yes, I love slow cooking! Glad to hear it's filling the attic with wonderful smells today. : ) Definitely try the slow-cooked curry! I've made a few curry recipes and they always come out so tasty after simmering all day long... mmm...

[Susan from Oxfordshire]

Yes such bliss, I too love a slow cooker or a dinner in the oven- so muc more relaxing once it's in. Found you a few more followers today, showed them the website and shared the snowflake tute: they were very impressed!!! With YOU not me of course.Thanks for all the colourful cheeriness and the holly leaves look fab!

[delia]

At Christmas, we buy one family member a decent present for a set amount, after names are drawn out of a hat. Well, I have my niece who is in her 30s to buy for. I bought her the perfume she likes but still had a bit of money over. I just couldn't think what else I should get her. She has a slow cooker and works. So, I went to my local Dymocks bookshop in Queensland and they had one copy of the book ....for exactly the same amount as I had left over! Was meant to be. So, my niece in New Zealand will be receiving this great slow cooker book for Christmas. Thanks Lucy!!!

[Jill]

I so adore your little blog! I live in Texas but love the English turn of phrase. You make me miss my relatives in England. Have you mentioned the name of your little town? If not, I understand privacy issues. We travel to Thetford when we come. I truly love being in the English country side. I hope we get to go again in 2012 to visit the grand daughters. Thanks for all the inspiring posts and for giving me my British fix!

[Archie the wonder dog]

Love the sleeping Little B photo and the holly is looking great!

[One-oh-four]

Love slow cookering! We are having Chilli Con Carne done in ours tomorrow. And I love the way you can see the imprint of the crochet on Little B's cheek. Oh, and I love the holly leaves too, am thinking of making a set of napkin rings for the Xmas Day table....you are such an inspiration, thank you!

[Kiwi]

One day I will experience snow at Christmas. It's supposed to be summer here but the only evidence of it is humidity. I love your blog, I come here every day even when there are no updates, I'm having a winter Christmas through you :)