That time of year....for making stuff......

My first rag rug. A cushion cover. Neither perfect, both very satisfying though.


I've not ever really felt drawn to crochet before. But for some odd reason, I've suddenly got the bug. I've always felt it was dangerously tasteless....an unfair judgement. My Mum was a knitter, that's the only reason I can find, and so I wasn't much exposed to it as a craft. But in it's favour I find that it works up far far quicker than knitting, plus you can't drop stitches in the same way. I expect that is a really ignorant thing to say as a bit of complicated lace is probably just as easy to muck up or lose your place, but it doesn't run like dropped stitches in knitting do. You've mostly only ever got one or two stitches on your hook. More to come on the crochet fad for sure.

Other things that have been occupying my time.....

Making a couple of litres of plum vodka with the gorgeous Victorias that hang over my fence. The neighbour doesn't do anything much at all in her garden and I'm pretty sure she doesn't use the plums. Such a waste, though I'm always a bit foxed as to what to do with the few pounds I get on my side so.....this was the solution with what was left after the vodka.....

A plum and almond cake. Looks good, seems to be cooked through (it's very deep, like a fruit cake, and I am sure despite the evidence on the bamboo skewer that it will be a gooey undercooked mess in the middle).

Plus for giggles, a bumper crop of these....

....tiny Pink Fir Apples, that I planted last year and forgot about. I love this time of year!