~Simple Pleasures of the week~

As the pennies are tight at the moment I say *hurrah* for the simple pleasures of day-to-day life (the ones that don't cost the earth and make you smile even though you feel stuck wading through the treacle of life...)
My simple pleasures of the week....

Having a chutney-making day - using ingredients I already had plus some green tomatoes from the garden...

Knitting a tea cosy for a small teapot ...

Teapot 50p charity shop, wool from my stash

Blooming roses in the garden, not decimated by 

rain...

Rosa 'Life Begins at 40'

Rosa 'The Pilgrim'

Baking my favourite double-chocolate brownies on the cheap...

Sainsbury's Basics Chocolate 30p a bar

I used 3 bars of chocolate, which cost less than a pound. It's Belgian chocolate with 52% cocoa solids and tastes as good as always (there were tears fighting over it I can tell you!)

And...

...getting all the washing dry on the line.
(Sad but true; it's a simple pleasure for me.  In my opinion tumble-dryers should be un-invented. As should plug-in air fresheners...grrrr....just open your windows and get some fresh air circulating...whinge over...)

Hope you're finding some simple pleasures in your week too...x

~Thrifty weekend & joining a knitting circle~

I've really tried to cut down on my food shopping bill - which is hard with a hungry OH and 2 growing children-  but I do try to take on board all the fab advice from frugal and thrifty blogs.  I'm not brand-loyal or supermarket-loyal; for a big stock-up shop I just go where's convenient at any one time, or as I see special offers.  However, for the last month I've had Sainsbury's vouchers for £8 off a £40 shop each week.  I've used the voucher every Saturday and have concentrated on spending as near to £40 as possible, on some fresh items, staples such as tins of beans and tomatoes and also Christmas food & wine that has been on offer. I've used the local Sainsbury's in Tadcaster, which is only small but costs me less in petrol.
On the Christmas pressie front, I've used my Boots Advantage card points to pay for aftershave to give as a present. I'm still on with my knitting too...if I know you and you're female, then you're either getting a homemade teacosy...



Another Christmas Pud cosy made from leftover wool, machine sewn felt holly leaves and felted holly berries.
On a vintage thrifted teapot.

 ... or wristwarmers (I've made a few pairs now).  Also this weekend in the supermarket frozen raspberries were 3 packs for £5, 1.2kg in weight. With a 1kg bag of jam sugar and 300ml of port, I've made lovely festive jam, by the method I've blogged about before,  in the microwave - quick and easy.    It made 6 and a half small jars which will be presents too.

I also resisted the temptation to shop, albeit at a Vintage Fair in Leeds.  Even though I love this particular fair I stopped myself by thinking about the cost of petrol, frosty roads, needless spending on stuff etc. 
Instead I did something good for the soul and went along to a knitting circle whilst I was in Tadcaster, at Needlecase . I'd chanced across this lovely wool and craft shop last month...

Needlecase is run by Jean and Judith, who are mother and daughter, and are passionate about knitting and needlework.  They also offer crochet and knitting workshops see here.

 Lots of lovely yarns and patterns, plus haberdashery, kits and craft supplies, and some ready knitted items to buy...

I had a lovely chat, cake and cup of tea and did a fair bit of knitting (only went wrong once because I was nattering) and will definitely go again.

Needlecase Limited,
22 Kirkgate, Tadcaster LS24 9AD
01937 830 422 
Open 9.30 - 3.30.  Closed Wed and Sun.

~Fat Quarter Giveaway~

After a busy week last week I finally managed to finish off my Christmas pudding tea cosy.  As I knitted it in moss stitch, it hung off the teapot like a poor-fitting frock in need of support.  Foundation garments in the way of wadding and lining were needed! I bought this 1940s fabric at a Vintage Fair, and have wondered what to do with it as I didn't want to waste it. So it now has a purpose - keeping my Christmas brew warm.

I'm hoping it will become a tradition to get it out every year. Maybe it will become a family heirloom!

Anyway, Giveaway time again - this time it's fabric from my stash.

To enter the draw to win a fat quarter of pretty craft fabric, please leave a comment below before 10pm on Friday 18th November, stating which fabric you'd like...

Navy sprigged cotton (left) ...or the cotton lawn (right)

P.S. Good luck all!

P.P.S. Many thanks and welcome to all the followers of my blog x

~Great minds think alike!~

Anne, a colleague of mine from a few years ago who keeps in touch, has a lovely new blog called Marmalade & Catmint, which I know some of you have already visited. Reading Anne's posts about vintage treasures (I love it Anne, you blog just like you're talking to me - fab!) I realised we must both be feeling nostalgic at the moment. I read a bit further and realised - crikey - Anne had made this...


Anne's Tea Cosy

This Christmas Pud Tea Cosy is for S (I think she will be very pleased!)  Read about it here

So what do you think...strange but true I finished this 2 days ago...



My Tea Cosy for Christmas tea drinking



Great minds think alike!