Friday, 8 August 2025
Acquisitions and progress
Saturday, 2 August 2025
August Goals.
And so we are in to August.
What do I have in mind for the month? My Chookshed challenge written way back in December was to make a start on my Turtle Mandala quilt. A kit I purchased in Baradine in 2023. But that won't be happening as I re wrote my list in an effort to try and get rid of some works in progress, then as you know some squirrels hopped in.
So what do I plan for this month?
It's still very cold here in South island New Zealand, there is a good frost this morning so I'll be continuing with my crochet ripple blanket.
I'll also get on and complete the second blue green scarf.
Maybe I'll make a start on another crochet project using the off white yarn as I really don't want to put that in to the stash. Not that I really have much of a yarn stash.
I also need to get back to my Christmas ornaments.
Aside from the off white yarn, there will be no new projects. I'm only allowing myself to pick up WIPs that are listed in the tab at the top of the page. I'll need to add the Off white yarn to that once I settle on a project for it.
Oh and I need to share a recipe.
Friday, 1 August 2025
The July Round Up.
Lets take a look and see what went on in July here is Loulee world.
I rewrote my Chookshed challenge list, or what remains of it anyway.
I was supposed to be working on a scrappy eye spy style quilt top, but squirrels got in the way.
I was able to complete knitting a scarf that was started some time ago.
Thursday, 31 July 2025
A last minute Recipe.
Swedish Meat Balls in Creamy Sauce.
Meat Balls
500g Beef Mince
1/2 cup grated onion
1/4 cup Almond meal
1 egg
1/2 tea spoon garlic powder
1/4 tea spoon all spice
salt and pepper to taste
2 table spoons olive oil
1 table spoon chopped fresh parsley.
Creamy Sauce.
1 cup chicken or beef stock
1/2 cup cream
1 tea spoon Dijon mustard
2 table spoons Worcestershire sauce.
In a mixing bowl combine the mince, grated onion, almond meal, egg, garlic powder and all spice. Season with 1/2 tea spoon each of salt and pepper. Mix well to combine and roll into approx 20 walnut size balls.
Heat the oil in a pan and fry the meat balls in batches until browned all over. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Add the stock and cream to the pan and whisk over a medium heat. Add the mustard and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the sauce has thickened a little. Season with salt and pepper. Return the meat balls to the pan and simmer for another 2-4 minutes. Scatter with chopped parsley and serve.
You could serve this over pasta, but we don't bother, it's lovely on it's own.
There you have it, July's recipe.
Thursday, 24 July 2025
Not much has changed....
The cold winter weather continues here in Timaru, with a -4 C frost this morning. There are some spots around town that do not see the sun at this time of year and the frost gets a little thicker each night. Those areas that do get the sun sparkle very prettily for a few hours until it burns off. I put food out for the birds each day. Big pink fat balls with berries and bugs embedded in them. It is nice to see and hear the birds as they line up to await their turn on the feeder.
Work also continues. But it has it's benefits. A recent admission came bearing gifts. She was a knitter, sadly she now has dementia and can no longer knit. So her family donated all of her stash. A lot had to be thrown away as it was pure wool and had perished. What remained was offered to staff members. I was lucky enough to score nine skeins of a off white yarn. In Super fine kid mohair and merino.
Tuesday, 15 July 2025
A Focus Finish.
Friday, 11 July 2025
Three days off.
I've enjoyed my rostered days off. and Happy to say there were no phone calls asking me to go to work. I got to play with my crochet hook and my knitting needles. I ran out of sock yarn this morning, an hour before the postie called with a package.
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
A whole week has gone by...
And what do I have to show for it?
Yet another squirrel and an abandoned project. LOL
But first...
In my last post I mentioned that a squirrel or two had wandered by and that I was very tempted. Well I did it, I bought the mohair yarn! I didn't get the same colour, opting for a beautiful teal instead.
Wednesday, 2 July 2025
July.
How did that happen?
This month Deanna has selected number 9 for the chookshed challengers. For me that means I have to make a start on an eye spy quilt top.
I have a bundle of fabrics cut ready, I just need to sort out sashing fabrics.
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
The June Round Up.
As you know, the end of the month was taken up with ill health. There are some nasty bugs going around here at the moment and I caught one. It has proven to be quite difficult to shake off. Friends and colleagues have said the same thing.
That aside I did get some quality time in the month of June. Lots of that time was spent dealing with a good harvest of 'Joas as young Master Torstein calls them. We've had lots of 'Joa muffins and another batch of 'Joa jam. I have some different Feijoa recipes I want to try, hopefully soon. There are still a few fruits on the trees and next time the children are here I'll send them out with buckets or bowls to collect them.