Special treats

Last week I was off at the hairdressers to get my unruly locks tended to.  Having my hair done is a treat in itself as not only is my hairdresser a good friend, she also does a fantastic job.  I have to travel a little way to get to her but that doesn't bother me too much as not far from her is a Spotlight and a Bunnings store.  I went to Spotlight looking for a particular item which I found out they didn't stock but what I did come home with was this.

The most beautiful quilted coverlet and two pillow shams.  I love the colours and patterns, so appealing to the boho side of me.  The most amazing thing about this purchase was the price which was reduced by $100 so I paid $60 for the coverlet.  Bargain.  I couldn't purchase the fabric for that price.

I recently purchased some books from the Book Depository with money Mum sent me for my birthday.  I chose arty crafty books.  One is about making your own stamps and the the other two are books about creative lettering and mixed media art to help me with ideas for art journaling.

   

There is plenty to keep me busy in these books.

Work on the studio is continuing with hubby working on the roof and roof insulation.  Yesterday I continued painting the outside with the help of my niece.  The last couple of months my niece who is training to be a paramedic has been visiting us and we have been spending crafty days together.  We have so many interests in common and it is a joy to be spending time with her.  She stayed overnight Friday so we had more time with her which was lovely.  She made us the most amazing pecan and coconut slice which is delicious and perfect to have with morning coffee.  

Today it's raining so work outside has stopped and to be honest hubby and I are a bit weary and a quieter day is probably a good thing.

Have a fabulous week.

Anne  xx

Good old fashioned Jubilee Twist

The biscuit and cake tin are always asking to be filled and yesterday I decided to make Jubilee Twist.  I had some recently at my sister's home and thought why not make this old fashioned favourite.  Mum made them when we were kids and still makes them, they're delicious.   

JUBILEE TWIST

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups self-raising flour

1 - 2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup currants (I used mixed dried fruit)

1 tablespoon butter

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

a little lemon peel (my lemon peel was in the mixed fruit)

 

Method:

Rub butter into the flour, add all dry ingredients, then the egg and milk.  Roll out into two long rounds and twist one around the other.  Bake 20 minutes.  Boil 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon water for 3 minutes and put on twist while hot.  Sprinkle with coconut.

Recipe from The C.W.A. Cookery Book and Household Hints, 38th Edition.

I would recommend doubling the recipe when you make this as it doesn't last long.   However I wouldn't recommend you make a mistake with the quantities like me and end up making four instead of the two I'd originally planned.  It was a happy mistake though as I iced two for our family, another I gave to our friend who helped with the studio construction and one went into the freezer.

  I prefer icing made with a little water and a dash of vanilla essence rather than the syrup on my twists.  My oven is fan forced and I bake the twists at 180C for about 25 minutes as a like a crusty outside.

In other ramblings totally unrelated to baking, I decided yesterday I would learn the military alphabet as I recently had an experience trying to spell something over the phone and was struggling with appropriate words i.e. U for what......umbrella?!!  Whereas had I know the military alphabet I would have said U for uniform.  How much better does that sound!  So I've been practicing my new alphabet, in the shower, hanging out the washing, while drinking my morning latte.  So here goes without cheating......

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliette, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

I'm trying to teach this old dog new tricks!  :)

Anne xx

More studio building

Our weather forecast for today wasn't too promising but after some rain that came earlier than expected, we enjoyed a lovely sunny day.  That of course meant that more building work could take place on the studio.  We were fortunate to have the assistance of a friend who was able to help with some of the heavy lifting.  I can do it but I just don't have the strength of a male.

More walls going up.

 

Doorway panel and window panel in place.  Walls completed.  YAY!

Gables going up.

Roof struts in place.  Hopefully roof frame will go on tomorrow.

A glass door will be installed in the doorway and this will be the view.  Please excuse the washing on the line and other rubbish that can be seen.  The vege patch needs quite a bit of attention very soon.

I'm planning to have my table/desk under part of this window.

 The garden is looking nice with spring colour.

Adjuga

Wallflower

Euphorbia

Fuschia

Scabiosa

Azalea

Grannies bonnet

I took this sunset photo a few nights ago.  Unfortunately my camera doesn't show the true depth of the colours.

Wishing everyone a lovely week.

Anne xx