Naming Day Gift

What do you give a little boy for a naming day gift? We live in a small town, and the limited selection of traditional gifts (in our budget!) would likely already be turning up. So I did some sewing and made him a travelling art folder - inspiration and instructions culled from a myriad of finished items/tutorials on blogs (and Pinterest........). I can't remember them all - but I did refer to this tutorial when actually making it.

It turned out quite well - but I wish I had used some iron on interfacing on the lining fabric -or even added some wadding - I didn't think it would need it as the outer fabric is denim, but the folder is a little floppy. It should be possible to use the art folder for colouring pencils instead of crayons as there is enough length.

I hope it gets used and abused - chucked in changing bags etc - always handy for those unexpected long waits at the Doctors, in a cafe...... once he's old enough to hold a crayon that is!

Autumn is coming

The summer has long gone it feels - the nights are drawing in, there is chill and dampness in the air (and the doors are starting to stick again, sigh). But interspersed there are warm and sunny patches.

Our new climbing rose is blooming, looking beautiful with the not-so-early morning dew that autumn brings.

The Littlest Wednesday thinks it smells of raspberries.

A Caravan Cookbook

Here is one of my latest purchases (good old Book people!):

Sadly we haven't been out in the caravan since I bought it - but we have tried out some of the recipes at home - I can highly recommend the whole chicken in cider (though as we don't have a slow cooker in the caravan - and won't be getting one - it will remain a cook at home dish.)
 The spaghetti bolognese was also extremely good - it had an unusal ingredient in the form of adzuki beans (or in our case a tin of aduki beans that had been sitting in the cupboard so long it was dusty). We have also made the sausage,leek and mozzarella rolls - very yum.
I do struggle to think of things to cook whilst away in the 'van - and there are some things in the book that I wouldn't attempt in a caravan kitchen (or the ingredients are just a a step too far for the children's conservative palettes), but I'm hoping the food on our next trip away is going to be a bit more interesting...

If I actually try to make one of the bread recipes I'll let you know, but don't hold your breath.....

Fathers Day Popcorn

Ok - I confess - it is because I wanted to eat it, but Father's day was a good excuse!

I found a recipe for cinnamon pecan caramel popcorn and that was it - I needed to make it, and I did.

It was delicious, but suprisingly rich - and I think next time I would leave out the white chocolate. I have plans for a nut free plain caramel version, and maybe using the caramel on just nuts........