Eight-by-Six

If you knit and need a new scarf or want to knit one for a present why not try this link  Sirdar one hour scarf  I bought some in green and they offer free delivery!

We had a very long walk in Cobham Woods  this morning and its the best place to find chestnuts. We don't have an open fire but you can roast chestnuts using this simple method in the oven. The weather was just perfect, sunny and not too cold and we collected 2lbs! We walked around for about 3 three hours stopping once for a coffee out of my flask and Moss enjoying his water! I can't think of a more perfect thing to do on a Sunday morning. Now I'm off to have an afternoon nap!

Just popped in to say have a great weekend. I'm currently concentrating on Christmas crafts for presents and the plan is to have a crafting afternoon. I've almost finished three pairs of fingerless gloves and I need to get on with some bunting for a friends present in Holland. There just isn't enough time is there? I was thinking of giving a pair of gloves and some nice handcream as a small gift to some friends at work, what do you think? Would you be happy to receive a hand made item? You put a lot of effort into making something and I'd hate to think the receiver thinks its a dull gift. Anyway enjoy your weekend, Sunday looks like the more promising day weather wise, so we are off for a long walk in the woods. Amanda x

I popped into Homebase on Friday and found three chilli plants heavy with fruit for 20p each, well you just can't let a bargain like that go. So I plan to make some pickled chillies and found a Jamie Oliver recipe. I planted up two of the plants into pots and have put them in the dining room where its south facing. Hopefully I can continue to get chillies, who knows. The other one has been striped of its chillies and planted outside for now. PICKLED CHILLIES 600g/1lb 5oz medium green chillies 15 black peppercorns 5 bay leaves (fresh from my garden) 3 tablespoons coriander seeds 5 teaspoons salt 6 heaped tablespoons caster sugar 1 litre/1¾ pints white wine vinegar or rice vinegar For this recipe you must use perfect green chillies without any blemishes (you can use red chillies, but they will be slightly hotter). Carefully score from the stalk end to the tip on one side only and remove the seeds (use the handle of a teaspoon for this). Pour boiling water over the chil

Newbold Tunnel The lighting is lovely and we went through here twice. Well we are back from a fantastic holiday, would recommend it to anyone. The slow pace suits me and I didn't even get any knitting done but I did almost finish a book, rare thing for me. And I came back to good news, a local pig farmer has contacted me and they are on for the Nov farmers market, how cool is that! I'll give more details once I have confirmed everything including their web site link. So onwards and upwards and now to tackle the washing pile. Have a great day whatever you are up to.   Our hire boat Tarrys 74, named after a bridge A rare sight, a steam engine. We had to stop to se this after we saw lots of photographers on the canal path! I had one chance to grab my camera and this is the shot, amazing!

I'm feeling very positve this evening, might have something to do with going on holiday this Friday! Yesterday we held our October farmers market, my fourth since the village hall committee took over running it with a local resident and caterer, Dave Manning. It's been hard work taking over a market that originally started over 18 months ago by another local resident, but it's been a very rewarding experience. Each month I concentrate on contacting existing stall holders, sourcing new ones and marketing and taking the money (which all goes back into the village hall). Because I already write for three newspapers freelance, I can advertise to local people but we also do leaflet drops and advertise in our own village newsletter and local shops and businesses. Yesterday we had people attend from a little further afield, so it's good to know our advertising is working. I am having to turn away craft stalls because we really need to keep a better balance and offer more f