heart warming

How nice is it to get unexpected presents through the post? I was not once but twice surprised last week when my lovely postman delivered those pretties to my door. Both parcels were so cute, and so me!

Firstly those arrived from sunny Spain on Wednesday, and I just find them adorable. Aren't they?

patchwork sewing project

This past Christmas I started a new sewing project (first steps in this post, and that one). A simple patchwork quilted mat with a very thick wadding. I am planning for this to be my baby's changing mat...let's see how practical it will be in real life!
Anyway, I decided to make my own bias binding for it last weekend to complicate things even more (I'd never done bias), and I have finally put the whole thing together. Ta da!

 

 

winter twilight

I could really get used to this - it's wonderful to be at home and see this kind of pretty scenery. It almost felt like a fairy tale! To celebrate the wintry weather we made a lovely boeuf bourguignon and a tarte amandine (one of my favourites, and so simple to put together). I wish I'd taken a picture or two but it was so yummy that it pretty much disappeared straight away!

For a yummy tarte amandine...

*Put a shortcrust pastry in a tart dish and prebake for about 15 minutes.
*Cover the pastry with pear halves (tinned are absolutely fine) and then prepare your almond mix.
*Beat together 3 egg yolks and 75g of sugar. Add 100g of ground almonds and a splash of your favourite tipple (pear liquor or Amaretto) and finally about 100ml of single cream.
*Pour over the pears and bake for about 30 min or until golden.

This is the ultimate treat - I really hope you try this recipe, it's the perfect dessert for this time of year.

snowy day

From the comfort of my warm sitting room, this is the lovely spectacle I have been blessed with today. The snow has gradually fallen since day break and has only just stopped now that the sun is setting. It has been the most wonderful day of rest and snow-watching - much needed I must say.

sweetest things

Turning another year is not such a bad prospect when I look at the sweet things and blessings that came my way yesterday. I simply love the homemade card, such a lovely touch!

Now all I need to top all this off is a big covering of snow outside my window. And I'm in luck, the weatherman says it might just happen in the next couple of days. Fingers crossed!

January Things

First of all a very Happy New Year to all of you! 

I don't know about you, but this year I have decided not to make any resolutions. I expect my life to be completely turned upside down in a couple of month when I become a mum for the first time, so the best I can hope for is to go with the flow, not get too stressed, and certainly not to worry about having to stick to a new year resolution ;)
So, instead I take things as they come, and this January I am loving...

 ...my lovely Cath Kidston trainers my husband put under the Christmas tree for me!

...eating a frangipane "galette des rois", the ultimate January treat!

...watching candles glow at twilight

...and seeing my second quilt evolve. I love watching the back - it took so long to hand quilt it, it's a great sense of achievement!