Queue Jumper

I finished a book. Given how many pages I manage each night before falling asleep, it always sort of surprises me when I reach the last one. Feels good, clean slate and all, but instead of leaping into a new one, I'm keeping things light and short and indulging in a few magazines that I've been accumulating lately. I took this photo this afternoon with every intention of sitting down with a coffee, knitting a few rows and enjoying 'Mollie Makes'. It didn't happen. Blame the toddlers.

Having rejigged the sleeves on Lola's blue cardigan, I thought I'd move onto some other things on my to-do list. And then a little jumper jumped up the queue before my very eyes. It took me quite by surprise. I had been at a big fabric store to get something spangly to make a cape for a superhero (called Jupiter Girl) when I was drawn to the yarn section. There I found some very price-reduced wool in a pink I thought I could live with and that she would love. And suddenly I was knitting another top for her.

A queue-jumping jumper.

Joining in with the Yarn Along here.

Five

Better

Reminiscing, this night, about five years ago when the contractions were coming thick and strong.

And feeling a bit nostalgic for that last night before the world changed...

..but so glad it did.

(Also, on a practical note, very glad to have fixed these sleeves).

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

Via Soulemama.

Tart For Two

Half a packet of pricey goats cheese left over from this big meal. A couple of leeks in the crisper losing their enthusiasm for life. A bone-chilling winter's day at home with two toddlers and sandwich fatigue. 


Tart for lunch.

Start with the flakiest, shortest pastry. Add a creamy filling and cheesy top. Toss in some virtue with bitter leaves doused in balsamic. Ignore the toddlers and pretend you're eating out.

Leek and Goats Cheese Tart (For Two)

Shortcrust pastry (frozen will do, but I'll give you my recipe next week)

2 leeks

Butter

Olive oil

3 eggs

3/4 cup cream

50g, or thereabouts, of soft goats cheese

Line a 20cm tart tin with pastry. Blind-bake at 180 degrees until cooked. 

Meanwhile, wash leeks thoroughly, halve lengthwise, then chop roughly. Place in a heavy-based saucepan with a nob of butter and a splash of olive oil. Cook over lowest temperature, with the lid on, for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn't stick. You don't want it to colour at all, if possible. Once soft and succulent, season and set aside.

Reduce oven temperature to 170 degrees.

Whisk eggs and cream until just combined. Add leeks and stir through. Place shortcrust case, still in tin, on a flat baking tray and fill with egg mixture. Dot the top with goats cheese.

Bake for 35-45 minutes or until just set in the centre.

Eat at room temperature with someone lovely. Salad optional. Seconds not.

The perfect lunchtime tart for two...with just a tiny bit left over for a late-night snack for one.

Kid in Blue and a Button Sampler

A chunky knit in blue. Winter warm and easy-wearing for my preschool kid.

I thought it was done, but seeing it on her today I know it's not. The pattern calls for a crocheted edge. That won't happen. What will happen is those sleeves will be ripped back then done over with some shaping and a garter stitch cuff. And it needs a real block on a sunny day, not the rush job I gave it in front of the fire. Perhaps I ought to rip back the bottom too and give it a garter stitch edge.

A sample of big buttons from my favourite button dealer. I like the mix-and-match.

The book failed to make it into the photo again. Still with Alexander McCall Smith.

Ravelry notes here.

Yarn Along here.

Middle Crew

There's a few cousins above them, and a few below. These guys are bang in the middle.

They were born within the space of 10 months - one baby each for my sisters and I. In fact, Jack on the left was present for the birth of my Lola. (That's what happens when you're only a couple of months old and your mum is required for early morning "PUSH!" duty.)

They don't get together very often, but it's fun watching them when they do. The middle crew.

Christmas in June

They came, we gathered, we cosied in front of the fire, we danced, we drank and we ate.

On the menu:

 - Overnight slow-roasted pork. It went into the oven at 2am and stayed there for 12 hours. Worth every minute.

 - Crispy roast potatoes and sweet potatoes

 - Olive oil bread with tomato and parmesan

 - Braised peas with spring onions and lettuce

 - Green beans tossed with garlic and local hazelnuts

 - Roasted beetroot and goats cheese salad

And much, much later...

 - Rhubarb and vanilla apple crumble with ice-cream.

Cheers from the family!

Here's what we ate the last time we gathered for Christmas lunch.

this moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

Via Soulemama.

Hat, Stockings, Bag

1976

2012