Something different

 Christmas cakes are all baked, the spice smells have been wonderful, I do love baking these cakes. The smaller cake on the left, hubby and I are sharing, just a little treat, using the excess mixture from my smaller cake I bake for my brother, it's easier to make up the quantities on the recipe. Once cooled I always place the cakes upside down on the boards, I fill the gaps at the bottom with marzipan to smooth the sides. 

My Amaryllis bulbs are only growing leaves again, I rested the bulbs over the summer months and then potted them in new compost, they are a bit of a disappointment, I will leave them inside in hope a flower stalk might grow, I have 3 more bulbs to plant. In the other photo is my silk plants, the Orchid is real, the flower stalk is silk, the Poinsettia I have had for a few years, I can't grow them in these rooms, it's not bright enough to keep the leaves on the plant. 

In the front is my garden trowel, I have had it for many years and use it every time I'm outside, so I was truly disappointed when the handle snapped, hubby looked at handles, very few places sell them and saw this new trowel, it feel very sturdy, I have a selection of trowels, for different uses. I don't use or need many long handled garden tools, most of them are years old and belonged to my mum. I'm sure I will have years of pleasure using this new addition. 

This photo brings joy to my heart, Will loves to read, he is now reading as he calls them 'books with chapters', so hubby went to Mr Amazon and got a David Walliams book for him to read, The books are bigger with bigger letters, it does have sketches in, he asked to go to bed that evening, as he now likes to read to mummy or daddy at bedtime. Whilst I'm not a huge fan of Mr Walliams, our grandsons love his books.

Making the cakes have got me active again, I rolled six balls of yarn, using wool left over from knitting. I used my needle felting triple needle tool to blend the outer ball smooth and ensure it is round and secure. I think I will cover them in red, I have alot of that colour fibre, photo's soon, once they are finished. I've done a few sewing bits, added badges to neighbours son's blanket for scouts and renewed the elastic on hubby's kneeling pads, making them just like new. 

Sign group was fun on Tuesday, we did a session on families, we can get loads done in just one hour. Thursday there was another knit and natter in the afternoon at our local shop, again fun mixing with local ladies, I have started another pair of socks, just to have a project.

Thank you for your kind comments, my garden has always been good for me, I love the fruits I harvest each summer, and I'm excited to expand my production of veg, I am so lucky to have such a supportive husband, who does not run to the hills, when I suggest changes. I think he has enjoyed creating this space for me, he certainly got on with things. Spending so many weeks chatting together has ensured this new layout is working for us.