"With Pomp, Power & Glory the world beckons vainly, In chase of such vanities why should I roam?While Peace & Content bless my little thatched cottage,And warm my own hearth with the Treasures of Home."*Beatrix Potter

Monday 30 November 2015

Winter's Here

Autumn has now lost her bright colours,
bare boughs stand tall against the clear blue November skies.
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This time of year is spent inside the cottage where books, knitting and fires are so tempting.
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The quiet beauty of December awaits us, along with the joy and business of Christmas.
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This is becoming a family favourite.
Ruth Motts boiled fruit cake.
I really recommend her Recipe Book which you can find second hand on line.
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The twins have two new 1930's bow scarves.
I love this vintage pattern and it is quick & easy so I might be making a few more over the Winter months.
They chose the colours to match their Winter coats.
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Mary & Kitty concentrating.
They love doing crafts, here they are making a wind chime & trinket box.
There were some sticky fingers & many beads on the floor.
I love having them at the table with me while I bake.
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Last Sunday afternoon we took a walk over the village farm fields.
The sun was glorious.
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Beautiful sunlight through the trees that line the farm lane.
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The young wheat seedlings have been planted.
The fields look beautiful with a glow of fresh green.
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Getting Sunday tea ready.
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It's lovely what you find antiquing.
Mary has a new puzzle that is full of snow!!
She has been having lots of help from the family & is nearly finished.
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Rocks Cakes.
This is a old recipe that we have used since we were married.
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Put 8 ozs of self raising flour & 3 ozs of white sugar into a bowl.
Then rub in 3 ozs of butter.
To this add 3 ozs of currants or raisins & mixed spice if you wish.
Mix to a very stiff dough with one beaten egg & a drop of milk.
Place heaps of the mixture on to a grease baking tray & bake for 20 minutes at 425of.
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Serve spread with butter & a cup of tea.
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I finally finished the 1930's cardigan I was knitting.
It did take a while especially as I had to redo the sleeves.
I would like to make a bright felt 1940's flower brooch to go on it, I have some lovely patterns to do these.
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Things are starting to look a little Christmasy.
There is always a lot to wrap.
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The twins advent calender's for this December.
I have had these since Easter and was so pleased to find the Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady calendar.
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Thank you dear readers for all your kind comments.
I just love this time of year with all the excitement & joy it brings.
Keep warm
Fondly Michelle
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32 comments:

  1. Michele, everything looks so delicious :0)

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  2. Michelle, I always enjoy my visit with you. Thank you for sharing your recipe for Rocks Cakes. Your afternoon tea time looks so lovely and inviting. The finished cardigan is so pretty and feminine. How nice to have found an Edith Holden Advent Calendar. Have a lovely season leading up to Christmas. xo ♥

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    Replies
    1. Hope you like the rock cakes, they are very English.
      Enjoy your lead up to Christmas too.
      Fondly Michelle

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  3. What lovely things you have made, to eat and wear. I do aa boiled fruit cake with a can of crushed pineapple in it, which makes it beautufully moist. I shall have to look out for that Edwardian lady calendar. I still love her watercolours and the country subjects.

    Those lights look lovely on your dresser, btw. I bet the girls will love their advent calendar.

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    Replies
    1. Oh they do, such excitement to open their doors.
      Thank you for for kind words.
      Fondly Michelle xx

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  4. I love your pictures, can almost smell the fruit cake and feel the sunshine. I can nolonger eat fruit cake or any cake and it will be my very first Christmas without...ever (sob sob). I am going to savour your pictures though. My husband brought home the big Turkey today and I just managed to stuff it in the freezer. Have been making Christmas cards and presents with my boys and playing carols. Blessings, Pam in Norway

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    Replies
    1. Oh that such a shame.
      Enjoy making your cards, I love homemade.
      Fondly Michelle xx

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  5. As always such an uplifting post, the fruit cake looks delicious. My mum always used to make rock cakes I haven't had one for awhile, I think that may be the treat for Sunday. Love the cardigan, it would look amazing with a brooch.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your lovely comment.
      Enjoy your rock cakes on Sunday.
      Fondly Michelle

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  6. Super blog! I will follow your blog from now on.
    Greetings,
    Barbara

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  7. You are such a talented knitter. Your creations are always so lovely. Wishing you a very merry season of Joy and Peace as you prepare for Christmas. ❤️

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    Replies
    1. Wishing you the same too Cathy.
      Thank you for your kind comment.
      Fondly Michelle ❤️

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  8. I always know when I click on your new posts it will be full of lovely photos of your kitchen and your makes and bakes. And yes it is again!

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    1. Thank you Sue for your kind words.fondly Michelle

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  9. Thank you for sharing your life and lovely home with us. I am amazed at the many many things you accomplish daily!

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  10. Hi Michelle. So nice to see a new post from you. I was thinking of you when I was adding to my pile of treats for the Xmas crackers. Are you doing them again this year?
    I love advent calendars too. Such excitement.
    Your knitting projects are so nice. You will have to post a pic of the girls in their new scarves. Have a wonderful Xmas.
    Mary

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    Replies
    1. I am not doing the crackers this year, I am going to make cornucopias instead for Christmas Eve.
      Enjoy getting your crackers ready fondly Michelle

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  11. So looking forward to your sharing photos of your Christmas Time. Since I didn't know you, last Christmas. But yes, I have seen them, here.

    Gentle Christmas hugs,
    Tessa

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    Replies
    1. Hope you have seen Christmas photos on Instagram Tessa.
      I love seeing your photos.
      Fondly Michelle

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  12. Thank you, my darling Michelle, to share every warm and confortable moment of your enchanted life !
    I didn't know anything about the existence of the advent calendar of the Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, I've had tried to get it !!!
    Sending much dear love on your weekend
    Dany

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    Replies
    1. Hello Dany,
      I hope you find the calendar, it is a lovely one.
      So glad you enjoyed the post.
      Fondly Michelle

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  13. It is a wonderful time of year and I can see that you embrace it all, dear Michelle.. Have a blessed season with your sweet family.. Loved your photos as always ...xo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Faye.
      Wishing you too a wonderful Christmas season.
      Fondly Michelle

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  14. It is a wonderful time of year and I can see that you embrace it all, dear Michelle.. Have a blessed season with your sweet family.. Loved your photos as always ...xo

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  15. You have a beautiful blog and I've loved visiting with you a while. I shall be back.x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Yarrow.
      Fondly Michelle

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