Sunday

The goal for today is to finish this sweater.  It should be quick and easy enough.  Just a matter of doing it!  I started two new hats and a pair of socks yesterday.  It's not like I finished any projects!?!

I dyed some yarn last night.  I boiled some avocado skins and stones to make dye.  I dyed some sock yarn with the avocado dye. The colour achieved was similar to old lady tights. I added some acid dye to four of the five skeins.  I partially dyed them, keeping some of the avocado dyed areas.  Maybe using avocados to dye fabric gives a more exciting result.

I am going to attempt this sleeve and watch the series Daniel Deronda on Netflix.  I just finished rewatching Downton Abbey.  It is such a shame that Netflix only has 3 seasons.

I am hoping to make some more chutney and use up some more apples.  I think I will try to make soup as well.  I made some chicken stock and really need to use it today!

Toys

Lexi got a stuffed animal at the car boot sale.  Her eyes light up and gets very attentive when there is a stuffed animal on the scene.  I decided to try her with stuffed toys again because before she used to destroy and eat them.  It wasn't good.  Now she is a mature lady of 2, she has just been playing with the toys the last couple of days.  I am still keeping an eye on her.

Socks are finished!  The Vestigial pair is finally finished.  I finished a plain pair of socks as well.  I almost finished the first sleeve of a sweater.  I also found a ball of yarn that I needed to find to finish a sweater that I spun and needed to finish the sweater.  Didn't even go looking for it and I wouldn't of found it.  It was in a project bag for another sweater.

Haven't sewn a stitch in a while.  Maybe this weekend.

I made applesauce.  It's my not favourite thing to eat but I had nothing to eat for breakfast.  I added too much sugar and it was like eating apple pie filling.  I added more apples.  Now I have lots.  I hope it's nicer now.  Going to make more chutney, hopefully this weekend.

Tuesday

Every dog barked in the neighbourhood.  When they fly over my parents' house, Molly (my parents' springer spaniel pointer cross) goes mad as well.  One of the days I was home, Lexi ran around with Molly and thought it was great craic.  Lexi thinks Molly is a superhero.  (so do I)

Seriously, need to finish a knitting project.  I keep wanting to cast on something new but keep resisting.  Not easy!  I want to knit all the things.

The last photo is of the chutneys and apple and pear curd that I have been making.  It's been a lot of work taking off the labels then yesterday, I had a hard time keeping some labels I made on!  That is why you can see rubber bands on some of the jars.

Recently, I cleaned out my kitchen cupboard and fridge.  I got rid of expired foods and used up a lot of things like half bottles of vinegar and half bags of sugars when I made chutney and caramelized onions.  It was a great clear out.  I also like using up food that I have, recipes are guidelines.  I don't think I will ever have as much items to throw out again.  I buy and cook in a much more practical way or so I like to think.

Apple Picking

I went apple picking.  It was so much fun.  We went last year and it was wet and a bit miserable.  It was still fun but my feet were soaking.

This year as well, I had more of a plan when it came to what I am going to do with the apples.  I am hitting the ground running!  I plan on eating 2-3 apples each day!  Not a hard resolution when they are so delicious!  I have already made 3 batches of chutney and I currently have a batch of apple and pear curd on the stove top.  Last year, I made mincemeat, chutney (two different types) and apple butter.  I don't think I will make apple butter and mincemeat again.  The chutneys proved to be the best option.  My house will smell like vinegar for the next while but it will be worth it to have a year long supply and gifts to give.  I would like to make a gluten free Christmas pudding if that is possible.

My 21st

I am now living 21 years in Ireland.  I am happy to report this.  Happy to be here and happy to stay.

I am cleaning my kitchen.  I can't wait till I am finished.  I am giving it a much needed tidy.  I got rid of many items I don't need and I also made a colossal amount of chutney.  It is the River Cottage Chutney.  It used up a lot of the courgette/zucchinis I got from home.  

I am going apple picking soon so I will be making more chutney using the recipes that I tried last year.  I will try a few more recipes this year as well.  I am cleaning jars.  Hate it.  It is so hard to remove the sticky stuff.

I much rather be knitting and watching Mad Men.