Cooking up a storm

The past week has been the coldest weather so far this winter, so it has been good weather for staying indoors and cooking. Apart from last week's 14 (14! - and Kevin doesn't eat jam) jars of citrus marmalade I made an orange cake which is very nice - recipe here, I can recommend its yummy taste and ease of making. Then this morning I made bacon jam.....oh my goodness, what can I say. This is seriously good stuff. A little would certainly liven up some plain old sausages and give new life to a burger, let me tell you. Or you could just try it straight from the jar. Which, being the cook, I had to do to see if it was all right........can't serve up stuff which is no good, can I?

Have also been doing a little cooking up in the sewing room. Last year before we moved I won Tammy's giveaway which included, among other goodies, a pack of Moda Garden Party charm squares. Not long before that Carol swapped me some patterns for some Aussie craft magazines, so the charm squares plus some lovely cream solid are being used to make a table runner from one of those patterns. The large flower centres are appliqued and now the flowers need to be joined into one long piece. It will give a touch of spring to the table when it's done.

Next Monday it's my turn to design the block of the month for one of my quilt groups, this is my choice - can't you see a flotilla of these little ships sailing along on a child's quilt? Our BOMs are used to make up quilts for the local Ronald Macdonald House. The colours are a little brighter than in the picture.
By gosh it has been cold this week, and frosty too. This morning's frost was the heaviest for a while, and yesterday I don't think we reached double figures despite the official weather numbers. It's a bit cooler up here on the hill than out of town at the airport weather station where readings are taken. But it's not too bad really, provides one wears warm clothes and doesn't sit in the shade for too long. Our back room is a sun trap and gets the sun for much of the day, to the cats' delight. And ours.

While our winters are nothing near as bad as winter in some parts of the world, and we sound like a bunch of wusses when we complain compared to those of you who have snow for months on end, it's as cold as I can happily cope with each year.

Last night and tonight one of my choirs is giving concerts, and I suspect by tomorrow I will be all sung out - particularly as we get together to practice on Thursday nights, so that's three nights' singing in a row this week plus Monday night with the other choir. Last night's concert went well, we in the choir had a great time, and the audience seemed to enjoy it too; at least they said complimentary words to us. Kevin thought we were very good, however tonight I will be going along on my own as he can't make it.

"A young lady should, if possible, avoid walking alone in the street after dark. If she passes the evening with a friend, provision should be made beforehand for an escort. If this is not practicable, the person at whose house she is visiting should send a servant with her, or some proper person - a gentleman acquaintance present, or her own husband - to perform the duty. A married lady may, however, disregard this rule, if circumstances prevent her being able to conveniently find an escort."

Isn't it odd that A Young Lady had to be escorted home, but a servant - presumably female - was allowed.....nay, compelled.......to walk alone by herself unaccompanied at night, as she made her own way homewards? The servant may have been even younger than the young lady, but because of their different stations in life that counted for nothing.. However as a married lady, I am able to find my own way home - just as well I know the way.

Enjoy your days!