Project 365 #43 {End of term!}

Finally, it is here, following a long term for the little ones they have a week off.
A well deserved break for them, and me!
Now I plan a relaxing week with my own kiddos.

Project 365 #43

Day 292
A bit of playing around with the 'proper' camera today with close ups. I was trying to capture the girl's curls.
Day 293
I got out the sewing machine today and made a strap cover for my 'proper' camera. For more see here.
Day 294
A walk to school, and around the garden, in the sunshine to collect some leaves before the rain came.
Day 295
My kiddos finished school for the half term yesterday, but I still had two days to go, so it was a day with dad today and pumpkins were purchased.
Day 296
A great training day at work today - Forest Schools. I love this approach to learning and dream of working in this environment all of the time.
Day 297
The girl was desperate to sew today and she managed to sew a square cushion cover - which is now pride of place in the lounge
Day 298
A walk was needed today - Wiltshire sure does have some beautiful areas to explore on foot.

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

Beef & Three Bean Slow Cooker Chilli

Now that the nights are drawing in, and I await the cold crisp Autumn days, my thoughts turn to hearty stews and warming chillis.
I have had a slow cooker for a few years and have used it only a handful of times.
This year I vow for that to change.
I blew the dust off it this week and had a bash at a slow cooked chilli using the available contents of my cupboard.
Such is the joy of slow cooking - just chuck in what you've got, cross your fingers and switch it on!

I used:
500g beef mince
1 onion
1 red onion
1 red pepper
1 green pepper
1 tin kidney beans
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin kidney beans
1 tin butter beans - drained
1 tin baked beans
1 tbsp. tomato puree
1 tbsp. hot chilli powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. salt
a few twists of black pepper

Simply brown the mince in a frying pan, drain the fat and add to the slow cooker with all of the above.
Mix well.
Cook on low for about 8 hours.

This made 4-6 tasty servings with just the right amount of punch from the chilli for adults and children alike.

x x x

Autumn Days....I Mustn't Forget

 

Autumn days when the grass is jewelled....

 

The grass today was a bed of Autumn leaves following the winds.

 

..and the silk inside a chestnut shell.

Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled,

All these things I love so well.

So I mustn't forget...

 

The last two days have given me time to myself; time to reflect and time to look ahead.

I blew the dust of the sewing machine and dug into the depths of this blog for some sewing and craft ideas. I spent some time reading through past posts, and with a change in blog name, have noticed a shift in focus - I miss my sewing and craft, and I miss the writing.

I mustn't forget that I love these things.

   

Having finally stepped out into the world of photography beyond my mobile phone camera I wanted to personalise my prized possession. I made a camera strap cover for a blogging friend back in 2012 and posted a basic 'how to' here - which I am glad to say I managed to adapt to make it fit for me.

My girl wanted to do some crafty bits with me too last night so we scrolled through my craft blog posts and found the fabric flowers. She wants to use them to make her own fabric bookmarks for her teachers for Christmas. Again, looking back on the blog we found the perfect tutorial for those!

 

So, some good can be found in looking back and there is nothing wrong with repeating some things.

But now I am going to look forward - do those things again that I used to love, find some time to sew and create, find some time to write.

 

x x x



Project 365 #42 {A nondescript one}

It has been one of those nondescript, wet, counting down the days to half-term kind of weeks.
The weather isn't helping.
Everyone is tired and ready for a break.

Project 365 #42

Day 285
We are desperately trying to sort out the garden. We moved the chooks onto some fresh ground but we need to think carefully about where to plant some Spring bulbs.
Day 286
A letter writing day today with some outgoing #postcircle #snailmail. Just need to actually post them now.
Day 287
I had a bit of a move around of furniture at the weekend and now the amp is in the dining room. It doesn't get used much and is more of a statement piece of musical art!
Day 288
I had to dig out the trusted Authentic Wedge DMs today as my prized Elena boots have developed a leak. A very sad moment indeed.
Day 289
We heard a strange noise from downstairs last night and couldn't work out what it was. When I got in from work today I discovered Ronnie had fallen off the wall. Luckily he was ok.
Day 290
Leaving the house this early is never good and the wet mornings are not helping my mood. Thankfully I love my job.
Day 291
A dash into Bath for some school shoes for the girl. We parked up on a hill and had a nice walk in and out to the shops. I love the Bath houses but am not sure if I could live there again.

Linking up with the lovely The Boy and Me...

x x x