50/365

Here's one I made earlier ...

I'm on a roll.  However before you go thinking that I dashed these off today, I will confess that they were knitted sometime last year, leaving only the grafting of one toe to finish late last night.  Having produced a pair of socks and a cowl for my older daughter last week I thought her sister deserved something for herself.

I used a Red Heart pattern and a self-striping sock wool (Ricoh Superba Mexico in Green/Lilac).  I love watching the pattern emerge as I knit.  I don't want to stop.

49/365

When my older daughter was home for Easter she took a fancy to her younger sister's cowl.  So I said I'd knit her one.  I chose Jen Geiegley's GAP-tastic pattern on Ravelry and Sirdar's Big Softie wool in graffiti.  I had a day and half to finish it and I did it - just!

I hope it will keep her warm in her cold student flat until the sun comes out again.

48/365

Ta da!

My elder daughter, who lives in Glasgow where is it often cold and wet, requested a pair of thick socks to wear with her Doc Martens.  So I knitted her these.

I found the pattern on Ravelry (Sarah Moore's Snow Day socks which you can find here).  I used Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran, of which I bought three balls but used just over two.  They are a softer green than the photo suggests.

In contrast to all the other socks I've knitted these were worked from the toe up, which I think I now prefer.  The heel was a doddle to turn.

I love the way they slouch round the ankle.  So much so that I think I may knit another pair for myself!

47/365

and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
 and their spears into pruning hooks:
 nation shall not lift up a sword against nation,
 neither shall they learn war any more

If I had £100 billion would I spend it on ...

... building more hospitals, employing more doctors and nurses, ensuring that every child had access to a good school, investing in the public transport infrastructure, supporting individuals and their families with physical and mental needs, sponsoring medical research, providing shelter for the homeless, funding research into sustainable energy, ensuring that everyone is paid a living wage, eradicating extreme poverty ...

or would I spend it all on a nuclear deterrent?

Hmmm.

46/365

Alleluia!

A rather unconventional arrangement of marzipan balls on this year's Simnel Cake.  And the reason for this?  Well I took my eye off the marzipan as it browned under the grill.  It was easy enough to scrape the offending burnt bit off but it left an unattractive rough surface.  So I rearranged 'the apostles' in the the centre.  I think it makes them look more friendly!

45/365

One a Penny, Two a Penny, Hot Cross Buns!

Baking hot cross buns on Good Friday has become somewhat of a ritual, although they're never ready for breakfast.

This year The Great British Bake Off Easter special inspired me to swap Delia's recipe for Paul Hollywood's.  The dough was very sticky and I feared for them, but they turned out just fine - well risen with a distinct cross and a soft texture.  But I felt they needed more fruit and spice.

Anyway on reviewing the programme I discovered that some of the quantities on the BBC food website differed considerably from those given on the programme.  The measurements for the sultanas, mixed peel, lemon zest and cinnamon were halved!  No wonder they disappointed on the taste front.

So I emailed the BBC and await their response.  Maybe they'll send Paul Hollywood round to rustle up a replacement batch in my kitchen!  In which case I'd better get a move on with those dirty dishes!

44/365

The Tiffin has Landed!

43/365

Takeaway - Mumbai Style

This evening The Thali Cafe opened the doors of its latest restaurant, in the Tobacco Factory on North Street.  Which means that, not only will I be able to treat myself to one of their delicious thalis (Indian meal served on the plate from which it gets its name) without the prospect of a long walk home afterwards, but I shall also at long last be able to join their award winning Tiffin club.  Hooray!

The tiffin is a Mumbai lunchbox, lovingly prepared by a dutiful wife, packed in a multi-tiered stainless steel container, and transported across the city, via a network of bicycles and suburban trains, to arrive on her husband's desk at 12:45 sharp.  The system is so efficient that for every 6 million tiffins dispatched only one fails to arrive.  Beats a soggy ham sarnie or a greasy pastie any day.

The Thali Cafe tiffin is much less complicated but equally attractive.  £24.95 buys the container, filled with your choice of thali.  When you've eaten, instead of being left with a stack of containers for the black box, you have a receptacle ready for your next visit.  Bingo!

If it wasn't for the fact that today's a Fast Day I'd have been queuing outside the front door at 6pm.  But it won't be long before I'm trying out the new kid on the block,(especially as my husband brought home a voucher for a free thali)!

PS  For more on the tiffin carriers of Mumbai see this Guardian article

42/365

For days when you doubt it

41/365

Sound advice

37/365

North Street Green

You may have noticed that I have failed to post a photo a day in 2013.

Hey ho!

But I am resolved to have another go.

So here's today's offering.

I have also posted a few retrospectively here and here and here and here and here and here and here!

36/365

Dewi Sant

35/365

Paradise

34/365

Happy Birthday!

33/365

Add caption

32/365

Clydeside

31/365

Caerdydd

30/365

Ssshhh!

29/365

Toast

28/365

New Shoes