Make Do & Mend Curtains and Cosy Evenings

Hello there all you kindly people!

Hope you are having a good week and getting prepared for the snow they are promising us - well, we in good old Blighty that is..... we still get all excited about the weather!

Well the nights are well and truly in, real 'Winter evenings' now, where the only warm place is around the fire, snuggled with a blanket around my knees.

I like a little candle light too, I find it soothing and gentle on the eyes..... no good for sewing or reading mind..... but nice for contemplation!

Busy busy here this week ~ I had a 'that's it - can't stand it any longer' moment.... the 'it' being the tatty paintwork in the sitting room..... well all the house really - but lets break it to Hubby P gently!

I rummaged about in the shed to see what paint we had, and came out with some large tins of 'Farrow and Ball' - posh paint...... indeed expensive posh paint. Obviously it was a 'find' from a carboot sale - there is no way I would or could afford Farrow and Ball prices.

Sooooo - ever so posh ere now with our posh paint on the walls!

Of course new paintwork makes everything else looks a bit sad and worn - still its homely and warm.... and its paid for!

I've been searching for weeks for my thicker 'Winter' curtains - I've put them away somewhere 'safe' - I can't find them.... anywhere!

So I looked to my stash of fabric and found some really rather nice, very old, heavy-ish cotton barkcloth curtains, 1940/50's I should think.... very very nice.

First of all in the spirit of Make Do & Mend I had to find some header tape - so I unpicked some from an old curtain (a rather nice Laura Ashley curtain as it happens - I think it may become a door curtain, so I can sit and look at it, and it can hang and look pretty!).




As you can see I have finished and hung the first curtain ( I really must get on with the other).

I just so love this pattern, and the muted old fashioned colours are just lovely.

Of course some of us ..... namely Charlie the cat.... didn't lift a paw to help!

xxx Keep warm..... Take care for now xxxx

Stocking Up For The Chilly Days!

A quiet, thoughtful, winding down sort of day at the Allsorts.

The days are getting chilly and our thoughts are turning to snugly times by the fire.... I just hope its not too long and cold a winter.

This morning I donned my new carboot 'find' - how do you like my 'new' Vintage Gardening Gloves.... I must admit I was highly thrilled to spot them in a box. They remind me of the sort Margo Ledbetter wore in the TV series 'The Good Life' .... anyone remember Margo? wasn't she just Splendid!!

Anyway preparations were for the delivery of this wonderfully scented stuff!

Luckily Richard was at home - Hubby P having taken himself off to earn a crust..... a full load would have been a lot for a Girl to stack on her own... and anyway can't get my new 'Margo' gloves too mucky!




A good start to Winter preparations.

Richard had a good session raking up the leaves, I helped with the brushing bit .... the Margo gloves of course made all the difference..... adding a touch of style to the occasion!

I had the camera with me too, the sun was lovely, shining on the front of the house, and brought out the pretty colours of the few remaining flowers.

This simple sedum looked so striking.

A last few flowers, braving the cold.

I tried to capture the green of this pine .... it was so fresh and bright.

Piles and piles of leaves... surely they must be all down off the trees by now.

The sun was low in the sky and soon the rain showers drove us indoors.

But its a nice feeling to be prepared for whatever the Winter months may throw at us.

Hope you had a good day!

xxx Take Care xxx Bye for Now xxx

Frugal Food ~ Scratch Meal!

I gathered together all the odd bits and bobs - nothing to be wasted!

Cheap and cheerful - instant mash ( Hubby P's favorite - can't stand it myself, so I just make up half a packet for him - thus half a packet in the cupboard) ~ half a packet of stuffing mix ~ tail end of a sorry looking cabbage, shredded ~ bits of peppers ~ an odd potato ~ shrivelled garlic cloves ~ and a couple of onions.

Fry up onion peppers garlic, quick boil potato and cabbage, mix together stuffing and mash with knob of marg and hot water.

Drain and mash cabbage and potato, mix everything together with a tbsp of flour.

Make little little balls of mixture, put in a roasting tin with oil and flatten balls (patties?) slightly with back of a spoon. Roast in oven turning to brown both sides.

Serve with the last of the salad - or in Hubby P's case baked beans.

And very tasty it was too!

The North Wind Doth Blow - and Boy Does It Blow!!

Bit windy ere!!...

Well more than a bit - pretty awful, I am so glad I haven't had to go out in it. I hope everyone is taking care out there.

This pesky wind is finding every little nook and cranny which will let a nasty cold draught in the house. I have so many clothes on to keep warm, I can hardly move!

Thank goodness I am lucky enough to have a nice log fire to keep me warm, I dread to think what some poor folks go through if they are homeless, or indeed just cant afford to heat their home.

I'm glad a chose yesterday to do some jobs outside, it was a pleasant day if a bit cold.

The leaves are coming off the trees thick and fast, I no sooner pick up a heap, then the ground is littered with a fresh fall.

Heaps and heaps of them!

I spent some time tidying around the chicken shed, and putting down Rat poison - just seen the odd one, its all part and parcel of keeping hens - the rats are attracted by the food scattered about for the hens.

The 'Girls' are looking a bit worse for ware at the moment - a bit moult-y, shedding some of their feathers.

Here they are enjoying a bit of cabbage.

I gave their quarters a good clean out and put them clean shavings down, all nice and cosy.

Ahhhh bliss! What more could a Girl want ... full tummy and snuggled down in soft clean shavings! Bit like I feel when I slip into a freshly made bed, with a cup of tea on the side and a nice magazine!

A last dash of colour, a fading rose, the pink standing out against the battered looking green foliage! Are we ready for this winter?

I'm off to raid the cupboards now - groceries are down a bit, I need to shop but I can't face going out in this wind. I think it will be a real scrape together meal tonight - real frugal stuff, I will let you know what I manage to cobble together!

xxx Take care for now xxx

Little Catch up! ~~ Frugal Doings!!!!

Well hello there!

Are you all ready? the layers of clothes are going on in the Allsorts household - Hubby P has his long johns and extra long - up to the knee, super dooper thermal socks on! -I know Girls! - just don't let your imagination wander.... it would be just too much!

Yes, its getting chilly, have you stocked up on your wood/logs, hotwater bottles and maybe even some of that luxury stuff they call oil - I believe its an awful price.

We have the snuggly blankets out, the woodshed stocked and I even have some grit/salt from last winter - all prepared if we have another icy spell. I know it all sounds doom and gloom but I like to be prepared. Especially now Hubby P has finally parted with the company he had worked for for - a long time...... too long probably ... you know what they say 'all work and no play'! Anyway he is now his own man ... much happier and working where and when he chooses. But of course we no longer have the luxury of a set amount of money every week - so I - being me - 'like to be prepared '- and stock up where and when I can.

I'm sure its a trait ingrained in me from childhood growing up in the wild moors of Lancashire - no shops, we had to stock up, we were often snowed in for weeks during the bad winters.

Stock up and be Frugal - that's my mantra at the moment.

Waste Not Want Not .... Make Do And Mend......

Richard received a parcel to day, it came in a useful cardboard box, I seized upon this useful ebay packaging and snaffled it away, and inside there was lovely white clean tissue paper - another useful wrapping ... I tell you nothing is wasted!

I gave it a quick iron to smooth it out - and chose a pretty little stamp to liven it up a bit. I thought it would look pretty enough as wrapping with a bit of ribbon around it.

I have my old hatbox of stamps handy, they serve me well, had them for years.

I've started on the Christmas wrapping paper, I just use any old interesting plain paper that comes my way.... adds a bit of that 'Special homemade/especially for you' to the gifts I give.

So the big C is hurtling towards us ..... have you made a start on your homemade gifts?

I must admit I quite like the making and the giving bit... the thinking of who would like what....the gathering together of bits and bobs to make with.

Made a bit of marmalade and whatnot..

And found this lovely basket on the carboot .... a nice hamper for someone maybe.

Of course Christmas always means needing extra cash - so good old ebay usually supplies the extra. I've been sorting through my fabric again - some has gone to the car boot - Hubby P has a stall every Sunday now and of course we have our Emporium which is open on a Tuesday. Choice pieces of fabric I will put on ebay.... and thus turn into Christmas gifts... bit like magic .. Tra laaaa!

I put this pretty little number on ebay tonight - how pretty is this... of course I've kept some for myself... nice cushion I thought.

And this other .. this bright, bright, in yer face! Retro!.. how wonderful is this!

I just loved this so much! Its a cover from the base of a vintage Silentnight bed - well you can see the label. I am keeping the label bit to make myself something - probably a bag - a 'in yer face Retro' bag! lol! Think I shall leave the label on too ... talk about carrying your bed about/on your back!

This other bit is on ebay .. lets hope someone likes it too.

Just a quick Thank you to Twiggypeasticks for the award - hopefully I will get around to sorting it out soon.

I don't seem to have time for anything these days - Ooooooo you should see the cobwebs ere!

xxx Take care for now xxx

Meet Neville!

Just sat here thinking of you all, so I thought I would just drop you a line - or two!

We're having a nice evening with Dean Martin - he was such an impossibly handsome man - and the voice! Tis' almost a Sin!

Anyway Hubby P did well and found me a whole boxed set of records, they are like new, in fact I would say they have never been out of the box. Perhaps they were an unwanted present - or maybe? just maybe? - the lucky lady receiving this little slice of the handsome devil couldn't trust herself to play them!

Well Ya Knooooow! We ladies of a certain age!?

(Mind you this is not one of the best pic's of him)

Enough of the nice music - I want to introduce you to a special visitor.

Meet Neville.....

Neville showed up a few days ago - he tells me he is an Internationally renowned Adrenaline Junkie.

He is on a Gap Year - too much study you know - makes a snail soooo boring!

Anyway he thought he would use the year to travel - see a bit of the world and visit the 'Wild Washers of the West (this translated I gathered to be washing machines of North West Wales).

Apparently we have a washer with a 'wild' spin cycle - I know the machine throws itself around terribly when it spins - I didn't realise this was a sought after feature for your everyday 'International Adrenalin Junkie'!

I must say it is impressive to see him in action - riding the spin! he hasn't once fallen off!

I was introducing him to Richard (Son No 3) this afternoon, and suggested he just wait and watch - see Neville in action! - he was daft enough to stand there watching for ages but got a tad bored! I mean! - everyone knows these adrenaline junkies wait for 'The Big One' - the biggest wave or biggest spin! These young people - no staying power!

I don't know now long Neville is staying, you know how these 'hip' characters are - he may just up and away at anytime - I keep you posted.

Back to the mundane - I haven't spent all my time watching the washing machine go round, I have pickled a bit more beetroot.

I thought it best not to press more beetroot soup onto Hubby P. His is an old fashioned 'system' and soon goes a bit 'wonky' - and causes us all a bit of consternation - too many baked beans have the same effect!

So pickled beetroot it is - there is only really me that eats it - but I do so like a bit of pickle!

That's enough waffle from me - take care for now xxx

How Goes Your Preserves?!!

Well Hello!!!

And Cheers!!!

Here's a Welcome to the Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness!

Are you all ready? I hate to say it but the nights are drawing in, there is a damp chill in the air, how is your Preserve shelf/cupboard?

I do like to make the most of Mother Natures bounty, although I never do as well as I might - full of good intentions but - well - you know how it is, Life just gets in the way!

Hubby P is still off work and life pretty chaotic - or rather 'different' should I say. Any kind of shoddy 'routine' I may have had when he was out at work - as far as housework-y tasks - has rather gone out the window.

But Hey! I managed some squirrelling away of Autumn-y goodness.

Cheers! Here's some nice healthy/Good for You/Flu fighting Elderberry Cordial.

As you can see Hubby P and I gather lots of Elderberries - the trees were so heavily laden, lets

hope the old folk lore is wrong. The one that says that if the trees and hedges are laden with fruit and berries we are in for a very hard winter.

They looked so pretty - like tiny jet beads - just bursting with goodness!

I gave them a good simmering with lots of nice spicy things (nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and the like) - strained through a cloth and heated up with sugar and honey - added some Brandy, and bottled. ( Let me know if you want the proper recipe).

Elderberries are supposed to be excellent at fighting or preventing colds and flu. A Lady virologist (I forget her name - hopeless with names!) has done lots of research into and around the flu - and her research suggests Elderberries have all the best flu fighting whatnot's!

The cordial - it is recommended, should be taken as a hot toddy last thing at night - sipped from a pretty glass/china cup in bed with a good book (well it did say taken last thing at night, as a hot toddy and in bed - but what the heck - a pretty glass and good book must just help a Girl relax - thus immune boosting and flu fighting!

I have honestly made some effort with the Preserve cupboard although I must admit I have not picked a single Blackberry this year - shame on me! And now its too late - the Devil is in them all (folk lore again - no picking blackberries in October - the pectin is greatly reduced, no good for jam, or so the saying goes).

I pulled a few of the jars out of the cupboard to see what I had achieved - a paltry selection I am afraid! - and Please!! don't look at the shoddy, hastily written labels - or no labels at all!

I managed a few jars each of Strawberry jam, Damson jam, Apple Mint jelly, the Elderberry cordial and a bit of pickled beetroot. Its just a good job we have the luxury of shops and all year round availability of all foodstuffs - or our diet this winter would be dire!
Housewives in the 'olden' days - or wartime even must have been so organised, puts us to shame!

Of course Hubby P not able to work at the moment does have implications financially - that's a nice way to put it!

Frugality, thrifty snippets, make do and mend - all needed to help ends meet.



We went shopping this evening - just around the time they were reducing the price of today's bread and whatnot - how I just love those little yellow stickers!

Just the thing to have with my Beetroot soup! Have you tried it?

If not I urge you to - a funny colour I know - Hubby P took some convincing (and was a little disconcerted - to say the least - the next day when he 'hum - went to the little boys room' - beetroot does come out the other end still pink!) - but he's a convert now.
It really is rather yummy and so easy to make - real hearty, Autumn-y soup!

And to finish - just a 'real pic'. I know we on Blogland all like to show pretty pic's - and its a delight to see them, but we are all real - or I think we are?

We all have down days - weeks - months? life takes over/gets on top of us - just look at the chaos I am living in at the moment!

This is my sewing corner - my poor sewing machine is buried!

Oh for an hour to sew!

Mind you I will have to find the machine first!

At least we are all hale and hearty - here's wishing you all well -

xxx Take care for now xxx