Life beyond the kitchen....

It's that time of year when a girl has to spend a lot of time in the kitchen dealing with the bounty from the garden.  I bought some oranges and made yet another batch of marmalade. I took some to work for the residents and there was a flurry of messages this morning telling me how much the residents enjoyed it. Hmm, there may be requests for more. LOL

One thing there was definitely a request for more of is rhubarb cake. When I pointed out all the rhubarb in the garden Tony requested that I make one. 

So of course I obliged.

I don't just spend time in the kitchen though, 

As you know I've been playing with my batik scraps and my grocery receipts. I started off by producing some multi coloured strips, you can see those in this post. 

I mentioned that they might become placemats. Then a lightbulb came on and I separated out the left overs from the seaswept quilt and focused on them.

I pulled a few larger pieces out of the stash for sashing strips and borders, today I started to put things together.

I love them, such beautiful colours.

I have just enough of the blue and green triangles left to make two more the same. Fingers crossed the fabric I have selected to use as binding is large enough.

I have also been busy with my hand sewing and have completed the first of my Christmas ornaments. 

Then made a start on the secret ornament.

I might show another progress shot of this one, or maybe I won't.

I've also been getting in some time on my crochet.

My 15 minutes that I promised to spend on my EPP has been spent on cross stitch or crochet.

But at least I have been creative.

Is it OK to change my commitment for the month? LOL

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As I go out of the laundry door and walk to the washing line or the veg gardens I pass by a long thin garden that we have planted with some low shrubs. I have put lily bulbs in too and have been excitedly waiting for them to flower. This one popped up and made sixteen buds.

So beautiful with a lovely scent.

My mother in law was thinning out in her garden and gave me some of her thinning.

Not such a strong stem and only one bud per stem, but another beautiful perfumed flower. There are about six of these. I'm sure as they settle in to my garden they will become stronger and produce more flowers. Mothers look stunning. 

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I have to work this weekend, but hopefully between chores and shifts I will have time to play with needle and thread.  I hope you have time to play too.