You can never have enough...

[popeye333]

Morning everyone

I agree Cut that quilt OHH... The one time I ever knew of my mother going out socially with my father was to a work "Do" and she made a dress from a deep purple with sky blue accents Curtain fabric.. That was a very long time ago cos my father died in 1974...

So go for it OHH, life is too short to let what others think of you matter.

Have to admit to thinking just the same yesterday Kiwimade. MrP still has this pain in the head, the Dr saw him, did the F.A.S.T tests for a stroke and nothing showed.. I did that on Monday lol... So she has done bloods and put him on another antidepressant. Until the bloods come back. BUT he said he wanted to come home, this wouldn't have happened if he was at home..
I just thought Man I thought I was stubborn but he's just as good lol... But I just sat there thinking how much more is there to go through and that I've spent my whole life looking after other people, and now I've adopted more at the Home.... And What about ME,,,, Purely selfish but sometimes I wonder if Ill be 90 before I get "My time".

Have to admit Im also annoyed at those saying its the high cost of living blah blah blah is causing these idiots to do the Ram raids and robbing stores.... Its Not, they simply want something or to make money and dont care who they rip off to get it. No consideration of anyone else, just their wants.

Better put my soap box away before it gets me in trouble. lol

I did have a lovely time baking yesterday and will take some up with me today.. I hope to hear what Bobbie thinks of my shortbread. I always equate Shortbread with Scotland , although Im not sure why lol.

Have a fab day everyone.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I had to chuckle at that Stuff article about the vape store that had been rammed or robbed four times. Silly buggers, stupid business to be in if they want a quiet life...

[kiwimade64]

I'm killing time waiting for MrK... he insists on coming with me to pick up a borrowed trailer. He forgets I'm quite capable of hooking up a trailer! I drove from the Waikato to Wellington and back again towing a trailer not that long ago!

I think of shortbread as a Scottish thing too, popeye. I have a great recipe using melted butter and the shortbread is lovely and 'short'.

Those ram raiders really pi** me off. Everyone is trying to cope with the high cost of living and do we raid and steal? No, we get on with it. Always excuses for bad behaviour. As for those vape shops, I hate vaping but accept that there are those that feel the need to vape. A business should be able to be run safely without the worry of being attacked by a slimy member of the public. That poor cleaner at the mall the other day, she must of been terrified.

MrK is ready to go... finally

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Seems to me if a business is likely to be ram raided they should put in bollards and put that cost into their accounting. We have never been able to train the slimyness out of humanity, if we had we wouldn't have Putin, starvation, animal abuse or climate change to name just a few of the facts of life.

Still, it isn't going to rain today, so coffee and cake are on the cards and my mood will no doubt improve accordingly!

[popeye333]

Wow care to share the recipe Kiwimade?

The one I use is from a Sister in law I've been making for years.

Meant to say Our wax eyes came back yesterday, first time I've seen them and I too was thinking it was a little early. Need to get some seeds for them.

One of our dairy's was ram raided a few weeks ago. They have boarded up the front. but have put bollards in. I guess the glass will follow but I think it was the right way to do it.

[JanW]

Good morning chilly here but all the old codgers who gather next door and go off on their bikes to the Puketapu pub for lunch and cycle back in the early afternoon havenÔÇÖt been put off by the weather
The cleaner in the mall was lucky she got out of the way- never in her wildest dreams would she have imagined cars speeding through the mall .Problem the kids know there are no consequences- the police wonÔÇÖt come to the supermarket for something stolen under $50 and they wonÔÇÖt enforce trespass orders as they say they are wasting their time -the courts will just throw it out - the kids know it so they just return again and again .Now the security system is so complicated itÔÇÖs identifying them as soon as they step through the door - but the cost of the system was huge .Must say the group that carried out the mobile mall raid had planned well - its a pity their skills arenÔÇÖt being better utilised
Cut the quilt Hunni - a couple of years ago I made sundresses for the ladies at Mums rest homes and one of the staff gave me a pile of duvet covers she had picked up for a couple of dollars at the op shop - some of them were soft and light like the fabric we used to call lawn
Would love a piece of home made shortbread with my coffee

[kiwimade64]

the garden soil has been spread and it looks like I will need more. I've spread it for the lawn as we don't want to miss the lawn growing season. The rest of the garden can wait until spring. Went to borrow our friend's trailer to find the trailer wouldn't fit on the tow bar of our new car. No problem says MrK, I have another tow bar in the boot. As you do. lol. So a quick switch over and we were good to go

The recipe for the shortbread is very simple. Melt 250g of butter into a big pot. Mix in two cups of plain flour, one each of icing sugar and cornflour. Mix and knead into a ball. Roll out, cut, and bake. Or you can do what I do rather than roll out. I take spoonfuls from the pot. Roll it quickly in my hand, flatten it, prick it with a fork and put on tray.

[popeye333]

the garden soil has been spread and it looks like I will need more.  I've spread it for the lawn as we don't want to miss the lawn growing season.  The rest of the garden can wait until spring.  Went to borrow our friend's trailer to find the trailer wouldn't fit on the tow bar of our new car.  No problem says MrK, I have another tow bar in the boot.  As you do. lol.  So a quick switch over and we were good to go  

The recipe for the shortbread is very simple.  Melt 250g of butter into a big pot.  Mix in two cups of plain flour, one each of icing sugar and cornflour.  Mix and knead into a ball. Roll out, cut, and bake.  Or you can do what I do rather than roll out. I  take spoonfuls from the pot.  Roll it quickly in my hand, flatten it, prick it with a fork and put on tray.

Awesome. Thank you. Its the same ingredients as mine except melting the butter.
I used to roll into balls and do the fork thing , then when I made them at Christmas time for the lawn mowing family I rolled them out . And I get more that way lol..

---

MrP was happy with his baking, and had scoffed some before I left.

They gave him samosas and vege's for his lunch. I dont recall him ever eating them before.. Time will tell if he liked them.

Bobbie was in the dining room with the others and they all had some savoury looking mince.. That was after they actually had to go find a plate for Bobbie. They did'nt bring one around when everyone 'esle's was delivered. how do they miss meals is my question...

[Lilith7]

Yep, the garden can be a trap sometimes since there's always something needs doing, & then you spot something else & something else etc.etc.

Been out this morning & managed a quick library trip - why is it, that when you look for a book by a particular author there's never one on the shelves - or only those you've already read! Sod's law kicking in I guess.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

My 2am habit, reserving books I might not have read before...

[Lilith7]

My 2am habit, reserving books I might not have read before...

Yeah, sometimes that seems the only way to get hold of some books.

[kiwimade64]

morning ladies Another stunning day here today. Perfect for me to finish sowing the lawn seed.

We were talking to our son last evening. He has had to close his business thanks to omicron as most of his trade was from office workers who began working from home again. He's gutted but pleased he tried. And better to close before things really went pear shaped and bankruptcy loomed. This way his credit rating remains intact. He has a new job earning good money and a smile on his face. That's all we ask. And now he's looking at buying a new motorcycle. He's always loved his bikes but this time is going bigger. MrK used to ride bikes so totally 'gets' our son's love of motorcycles. I just don't want to know about any close calls. *buries head in sand*.

Last evening, well, probably more in the wee hours, a truck went by with a house on the back of it. Not the first time we have seen this on our road but it always makes us smile as we think of an excited family having their home delivered. And what an excellent way to upcycle rather than demolish.

Once I have finished sowing lawn seed, I'm going to sort another garden edging out. Tree roots are lifting the edging and nothing much grows thanks also to the trees. I thought if I enlarge the garden just a tad (I think you have heard this 'just a tad' bit before lol) and even out the curvy shape to one decent curve I'll have enough room to put pots of begonias under the tree. I already have one begonia there and it's doing very well. Will be lovely to have some colour there too. I just need my begonia cuttings to take root but that more than likely won't happen until spring.

I am hoping to do some work on my falcon. It's certainly a stop-start project. But while the weather is good, I need to get the autum stuff done outside first.

Happy crafting

[Mica]

Morning all
Another beautiful day

Puttered around yesterday, cruising on Internet for fabric and style ideas ,looking for inspiration.
Found stuff and my clicky finger did the rest

Put snaps on tshirt that I made for DGD from a merino t of or mums. Her dog had chewed the sleeves but I was pleased thatvI could get a garment for DGD out of it. One less bit of fabric in the merino bits and bobs bin.

Did a bit of knitting last night but have to monitor the time as one of my elbows is getting a bit sore.

Volunteer day this morning, hope to get dress pattern drafted from my blueprintvpattern this afternoon.

All this talk about shortbread might have to do some baking soon. Gluten free SB is not too bad

Have fun today

[popeye333]

Morning Everyone

Going to be a stunner of a day..

Saw MrP yesterday, he was a little better. But looking rough. lol They asked him to be Santa this year so he is in the horrible what I call lazy old man stage of growing his mo and beard. But it will improve and he has been Santa a few times now.

Im off for my Big Day out today. lol. Well not so much Big, the two medical appointments. But Im going to pop into a couple of supermarkets on a cat food hunt mission... And it will be soo nice to see the changes happening in the nearly Year since I have driven that way.

Mica Im starting to struggle with pain from crochet and knitting. I have to admit its both annoying me and getting me down too. Biggest trouble is its my thumb on my right hand and index finger on my left..

Im going to ask the cardiologist about anti-inflammatory's. I know when your on warfarin your not meant to use them. But if Im careful Im hoping he might consider it. If Id known I couldn't use them Id have opted for a pig valve and not be on warfarin.
Ive dug out the thermal fingerless gloves and put them in the car. They do help. Even tho I have the fan on right through the year, I like a breeze on my face when driving..

Kiwimade I reckon you need to transport your house to the Gardens in Hamilton lol, but then I know you enjoy your work in the garden.

Ive always loved seeing houses being moved. Ill never forget the one that moved from across the road from us in the other house. They had to come up on the grass outside our fence, they missed the fence by mere inches. In the middle of the night it was awesome to watch. Saw another being Lifted over another house to be put behind the front house. That was amazing too.

Have a fab day everyone

[Roma]

Morning all. 

A great day ahead ... lovely time of year to be outside. 

Will have a go with the melted butter shortbread next time. Yesterday I made peanut brownies,  an old fave.

Another disturbed night with my dog and her current tummy problem so off to the vet today. Hopefully get a bit of weeding/watering done and a look through my baby patterns, have looked online at merino wool ... such a range of colours to choose from ... doesn't need to be the traditional blue or pink anymore!

Enjoy the day all.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

When I started riding road bikes I was offered a place on a defensive riding course run by two of our local cops, who had done the Police College advanced course. My father encouraged me to do it despite the fact I was the only female rider in the group - he too had done an advanced course in the British Army and had been a member of a display team, doing hair raising tricks on some really clunky machines.

So, I did it. The experience was terrifying and enlightening, and so much fun. By the end of it I could do some pretty interesting things myself on my bike, learned how to avoid other road users interesting things, and it boosted my skills and confidence enormously. I was a better rider than my husband because of it, and I reckon things I learned saved my life a couple of times if not more. I still had some memorable and scary incidents, but I survived them.

I cannot recommend advanced road user training for riders and drivers highly enough. We simply do not do enough of it. We would have fewer families in grief if we made them compulsory. With refresher courses...

[JanW]

Good morning sun is trying desperately to break the cloud canopy .
Agree Hunni instead of expensive advertising campaigns for zero road deaths the money would be better spent on kids taking a defensive driving course - my grandson was extremely lucky it was part of his schools curriculum and I know it could possibly save his life - my kids both had motorbikes but I notice they have both steered their kids away from having one.Very proud of my grandson his parents lent him the money to buy what they considered a safe car - he has worked again these holidays for a demolition company and has nearly paid the car off - they have put no pressure on him but I think he listened to his granddad who used to tell him in many subtle ways about exploiting his privileged place in life with the family business .I can still hear him saying to him itÔÇÖs no good winning everything and being such a dick nobody likes you
Kiwimade my niece has had a similar experience to your son - just prior to covid they paid a good price for a lunch bar within a building leased by the public service for 15 years - the govt was their landlord so they put all their assets on the line and bought it - the public servants are still not back and are unlikely to come back to work so they have had no income but my niece is still having to pay her lease - they tried delivering to building sites etc but itÔÇÖs too sporadic - so the only way they can get out of the lease is to go bankrupt which is really heartbreaking as they had worked so hard to build up the assets they used and now they have a ruined credit history .So pleased your son will be able to have another go if he chooses to further down the track with an intact credit status

[kiwimade64]

Back from the garden and I need a breather lol.

Our son was saying if he does a defensive driving course on his bike each year, they will deduct $200 off his bike registration. And considering how expensive bike regos are these days, it's worth it just for that. And it's peace of mind for his mum!

Ohhh Jan, what a shame about your niece's business. I hope banks take into account the pandemic if they ever apply for another loan. Bankruptcy was in the back of son's mind when he shut the doors. He wanted to go out on his terms. His landlord let him walk away from the lease and even bought his assets. That was a win-win for them both. Son had the $$$ from the assets and landlord could re-lease his property as a going concern.

I'm starving, must be all that digging I've done lol. One good thing about gardening is I certainly don't need a gym!

[Oh_hunnihunni]

I'm doing windows. Long overdue, but it was definitely a mistake. I shall have to go out this evening when it gets cool and hose them all down. But at least the road dirt is gone, for now. Insides next. When I have recovered.

I have never regretted riding a motorbike. Even though it cost me big time in the life event stakes. We had such great times on those machines. I still love them and drool over the pretty ones...

[Olive]

Hello everyone. Forgive me for intruding without invitation; I am thinking of buying a sewing machine and am in need of advice, this seems like a forum with many sewing experts.

I used to sew a lot but gave my sewing machine (an Elna) and other equipment away about 25 years ago and apart from the occasional button haven't done any sewing since. The Great British Sewing Bee has revived my interest in up-cycling second hand clothing but I don't know where to start.

Can anyone recommend a sewing machine or sewing machine brand for me to look into? I wouldn't be attempting anything ambitious, most likely just hems, darts and repairs.