SIPIDI! ~ January

I've been having a rethink of the way we eat as a family and myself in particular. I was a vegetarian before I had my children and really it's just laziness that has kept me eating meat. The effort of cooking two separate meals became too much, with a challenging toddler and a small baby to look after as well as a part time job.

We've had "Meat Free Monday" for several years now and we quite often have a second meal during the week that is vegetarian and fish on at least one day. The Mechanic cooks home made chips on a Saturday. I have egg and mushrooms with mine, while everyone else has a meatier option.

That's four days covered and it doesn't seem quite so daunting any more. There will be some days when I'll eat vegetarian and the rest of the family will have their usual fare and other days when we will all have the same. To that end I'm looking for meals that I think my hardened carnivores will love. The Sweet Potato Quesadillas above were a big hit.

As was the Ultimate Chilli from The Happy Pear. I've also made this soup, found on their YouTube channel, to use up my vac-packed chestnuts. I only added 2/3rds of the stock suggested as I like my lunch soups nice and thick. On the strength of these two recipes I've ordered the cook book and I'm looking forward to trying a few more new things this month. I'll keep you posted.

All these recipes are on my Meat Free Meals board and you can find more information about SIPIDI! here.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #344

It's a whole month since I last managed to show you my work space. December sort of swallowed me up, with too many demands on my time. Blogging just had to go. This was the state of play, at the kitchen table, yesterday afternoon. Evidence of the mad dash to prepare for class today.

When I woke up in the morning I had no idea what we'd be making. Not a comfortable feeling. I picked one stamp set, four ink pads and got started. Five hours later I had four card samples and a pile of kits. Phew! I've always worked best under pressure, but this was a little too close to the wire even for me. Not an experience I'll be repeating any time soon.

Here's one of them. A card to send to old friends, who didn't get the usual Christmas card greetings from me. That turned out to be the straw that broke the camel's back this year. At least it would have been, if I hadn't given myself permission to pack them away so they didn't keep looking accusingly at me from their spot on the dresser. On the bright side I'll be well ahead next year.

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers. Looking forward to catching up with you all.

Memorandum Monday ~ Nuts!

The first Monday of the year and Sian has come up with a revamp of Me on Monday. Ideal for a quick and simple post, to kickstart a fresh new year of blogging.

You might know this already, but it was news to me. Soaking nuts in water for a few hours before eating them increases their nutritional value. It makes total sense, when you think about it. The nut wants to hang onto all its goodness, while waiting for ideal growing conditions. That's not in a bag in your cupboard. Who knew?

Happy New Year!

I went out for a walk in the late afternoon yesterday. The rain was taking a short break and I took this shot as the sun was setting over the tracks and on 2015.

I always enjoy reading Neil Gaiman's New Year wishes. He didn't write a new one this year, instead here's last year's wish.

Be kind to yourself in the year ahead.

Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.

Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.

Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them.

Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.

~ Neil Gaiman

Wise words.

Pairs ~ The Circle of Life

Sharing a pair, with Helena, for the last time this year.

We lost a beloved family member, back in February.....

.....and welcomed this handsome little chap into the fold three days ago.

I've enjoyed looking at all the pairs of photos throughout 2015, despite being a somewhat sporadic joiner inner myself. Thank you Helena, for providing us with the idea and a place to share.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #340

Today's work space is the ironing board. Pressing some of my Christmas fabric for a couple of projects I have in mind. More about those on Friday. Hoping I haven't jinxed myself by saying that! The blog has had to take a back seat for a couple of weeks, while I've been driving 400 plus miles between Thursday and Monday, rescuing my boy from his hellish flat share to get some sleep.

I've got a couple of cards from last week's class to share.

Those lovely Wonderland trees again, along with a sprinkling of Falling Snow and my favourite Woodgrain background, finished off with a spindly word die cut.

Two of the same stamps used here, with a punched tag and a little bit of glitter. The first example may be a little more work than you want for a Christmas card, but not too bad if done in a batch. Although, unlike me, you've probably made all yours.

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers this early Wednesday morning, before heading out in the dark with my girl. I'll be looking forward to visiting with a nice hot cuppa on my return.

What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday #338

On the kitchen table today, a few things ready to be traced and/or cut out. Some booties and a bib/apron for the new baby, due next month. My niece has chosen a grey and white colour scheme for her nursery and I thought these fabrics would fit.

I bought a copy of Love Sewing this month, because there was a pattern I wanted, and found it much improved. It's quite an expensive magazine at £5.99, but worth that just for the Megan Nielsen Kelly skirt (full size paper) pattern which was free inside and the cute red wool coat ornament from Posie Gets Cozy. There are lots of others, including dresses, children's clothes and festive makes.

I made this pair of cards for a class, back in October, but it was just too early to share them here. I cut the little houses on a hillside with an edgelit die, stamped a sentiment and added a punched glittery star. It doesn't get much simpler than that for mass production.

I liked the negative and, by cutting a full size mat in white, I realised I could make two cards with one cut. To finish off I embossed with falling snow and added the same sentiment as before. I do like making cards that require a lot more effort, just not at this time of year!

Linking up with Julia and the Deskers, after a missed week due to that pesky migraine. Hoping for some festive inspiration when I go visiting later. Happy Wednesday.