Our cat!

Having started my new job recently- it was difficult to take time off this Easter. I did ask but it was  too short notice for cover to be arranged so I worked - I didn't really mind as I can have time off later. My hours do mean that I do get to spend some daytime at home with the youngsters - so we can still get out and about and the youngsters have time away from me too!- much to their relief.

Hence I haven't done much crafting but I did make a throw for the back of the sofa

 Our cat spends a lot of time sitting on the back of the sofa sunbathing and watching the world go by!

 The back of the sofa is starting to wear and I thought I had better make a throw for the cat to sit on-

 I made it using lots of scraps I had in the cupboard. I tried to choose mainly nautical type colours as the summer is coming and I love red cream and blue!

 I patch worked the squares and then backed the patchwork piece with a cream and navy boat pattern

 The cat has given his seal of approval but is not very fond of having his photo taken - he has a resigned look on his face!

 He has used  this quite a lot - so hopefully the sofa may last a little longer

We did get a bit of a surprise yesterday when we heard rumbling in the chimney in the living room. We were confused as the weather outside was still and sunny. The rumbling was accompanied by soot coming down the chimney and eventually a bird appeared.

 Our feathered friend was equally as shocked as ourselves. Daughter squealed and flapped around and the cat was delighted to have a play thing and immediately went into hunting mode. We eventually managed to separate the cat from the bird and then encouraged the bird to fly towards an open window. The bird escaped and flew up onto the roof of a neighbours house to recover.

 Even after we cleared up the mess the cat kept prowling around looking for his prey!
Needless to say I think he has forgotten about it today - I think it was too much excitement in one day for an ageing cat!

Easter baking

One of my favourite things to do at Easter is to bake. In fact I do love to bake at any time. It fills a Mother's need to provide, care, nurture, and feed your children- in return the empty plate implies happy  satiated customers- a win win situation in my book!

 This is my stash of biscuit cutters. I have collected these over many years ( see I have always liked baking!) and even include some of my Mother's old cutters that she didn't want some years ago. There are a decent number of Christmas cutters amongst stash I do have  some Easter type ones too! I particularly love metal cutters ( we do have some plastic ones  which I am not fond of and I am trying to replace these with the metal ones when I find suitable alternatives)

 I haven't made Easter biscuits in a while  but I did some research - ( how I love the internet!) and used this recipe- Easter biscuits - the Mary Berry way. I liked this recipe because it included cinnamon and mixed spice and it was a mix that could be divided into two lots to make iced biscuits and ones with currants in. I didn't have any currants in the house so we made some iced ones and the some plain with caster sugar sprinkled on the top as they came out of the oven.

I had the cat and the rabbit cutters already. The girls and I treated our selves to two new cutters on a trip into Canterbury recently and the chick was one of our purchases! Isn't she cute?

 Half the mixture made quite a lot of biscuits-

 I love seeing them all cut out ready for their turn in the oven!

 The second cutter we bought was this happy dahlia - sun type cutter- It makes me smile and  makes me feel that summer is on its way - ( judging by the recent weather I think we maybe skipping Spring and head straight into the next season!)

 Second batch already to go!

 See - half the mix makes  a good number of biscuits!

 Already for icing:

 There was a little time between baking and icing and some were devoured before they were completed -this is all we have left for now!

 Younger daughter iced these - I just love the butterflies all jostling for the nectar!

 So we choose some pretty plates from my collection- Ones that reminded us of Spring and Easter!

 Daughter also baked and iced some cupcakes yesterday.

 Is your mouth watering yet?

 Already for tea time tonight!

Hoping your week is bringing you lots of lovely Easter treats to eat ...................

Happy Easter!

 Happy Easter! Its been a strange one this year. My daughter is still at Uni and isn't back until later in the week. My elder son went out to watch the touring cars with friends. Younger daughter worked in a local cafe which left Mr H, myself and younger son who said he had too much college work to do.

 So we have delayed the traditional Easter Egg Hunt until later in the week when we are all back together again.

 Mr H and I took advantage of escaping to our local National Trust place _ Hinton Ampner

 It was a grey old day though- it had started off with blue skies and plenty of promise!

 the vegetable garden looks ready for the new season!

 The daffodils were trying bravely to bloom!

 I just love the shape of the aged and gnarled espaliered ( I think as opposed to cordonned) fruit trees

 The forsythia is on the verge of flowering - just waiting for a warmer day

 This garden is king of hidden vistas - surprising you at every turn

 Some happier daffodils!

 The topiary was cut and standing to attention!

This little rabbit keeps appearing every where - telling me its time for tea !

It was a shame it was so grey - I took this about 2.15 pm

 Thses were the plant of the week Primula crescendo- very cheery - just a little tooo bright for me. I prefer softer yellows but they did add a lovely splash of colour

 There was a fun easter egg hunt going on with plenty of happy excited children chasing around!

 I just love these gates!

 I think these maybe  Chionodoxa  - aren't they pretty!

 Another vista with an obelisk at the very far end - you can just see if you squint a little!)

 View from the ha-ha away from the house

 View back up to the house from the ha-ha

 I spy another egg!

 and another child hunting an egg!

 and a lovely ginger cat bird hunting!

 I think he has spotted the blackbird ahead!

 The sheep were baa-ing away

 I so love these wire chairs and table _ they would look lovely on my little patio by the back door!

Hope you enjoyed the tour and you had a lovely day - We're celebrating all week - I read on someones blog that Easter wasn't just for one day - and for us it certainly isn't - have a great week !