If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: Always Start Simple. With this in mind, the first recipe I thought to try from Mrs Crocombe’s recipe book was for her Victoria sponge. It’s the sort of cake for which I’ve several recipes, and I have all the ingredients already in the cupboard… Continue reading Cooking with Mrs Crocombe: Victoria Sandwich
Recently Read: The Last Austen
January is generally my quietest month for reading and crafting. It’s the recovering from Christmas and setting myself up for the following year. Making plans, getting organised, that sort of thing. I had given myself a list of titles from my TBR pile to read. I read one, The Bear and the Nightingale, at the… Continue reading Recently Read: The Last Austen
Nature Notes: January on the Balcony
We began January with snow, and we’ve ended it with more. I’ve been a bit concerned that the plants might freeze, but they seem to have survived, so far. All the snow is not to say we haven’t had some sunny days too. I’ve even been tempted out for a lunchtime walk around the park… Continue reading Nature Notes: January on the Balcony
Stitch By Stitch: Restarting the World Map
I can’t actually remember when I began my world map. Or which Christmas it was that M gave it to me. Probably eighteen months for the former, and two or three years for the latter. At the start of the first lockdown, it was the two circles. I picked it up for a couple of… Continue reading Stitch By Stitch: Restarting the World Map
Notes From My Office: January 2021
I had thought to be back in the swing of work by this time, even if it was still from home. Full, busy days. Such, though, is not to be at this time, and probably not for several months yet, at least. Alas, alack. So upsetting, that I have half days here, two hours there,… Continue reading Notes From My Office: January 2021
TWIC: Gina the Giraffe
One of the good things about being a crafter is that Christmas usually comes with crafty things. In this instance, a crochet kit from Teeny Tiny Knits for a giraffe key-ring, which was just the sort of thing I needed after the numerous stockings I’d made before Christmas. Oh, I still have masses of yarn,… Continue reading TWIC: Gina the Giraffe
Fat Quarter Sewing: Making Tablecloths
After the success of my lovely Christmas tablecloth, I’ve decided to make more. Quite a few more, for each of the other seasons of the year. Especially now that I have time again, in between half-days of work. Not just other seasons, either. Other feast-days or birthdays or other such notable dates. Lots of tablecloths,… Continue reading Fat Quarter Sewing: Making Tablecloths
Life in Hibernation: Lockdown 3
Lockdown 3 began with the new school term. It’s supposedly tougher than Lockdown 2, though not as tough as Lockdown 1. But, given that it doesn’t affect my life too much, I’m going with the whole thing being Hibernation. Because I get to stay snug in my bubble, not having to leave the safety of… Continue reading Life in Hibernation: Lockdown 3
TWIC: The Spring Hedgehog
It isn’t quite Spring, not just yet, but January has such depressing weather when it isn’t snowing. I’m looking ahead and pretending there is sunshine. Easier to do when I don’t have to go outside and face reality. I know I have the map to complete, but since I haven’t actually done any stitching since… Continue reading TWIC: The Spring Hedgehog
Cooking With Mrs Crocombe
During the first lockdown last spring, one of the things that I found to help me through it was English Heritage’s Mrs Crocombe videos on YouTube. If you haven’t already discovered Mrs Crocombe, she was the cook at Audley End House in the late Victorian period, and English Heritage has a series called The Victorian… Continue reading Cooking With Mrs Crocombe
