Saturday, July 23, 2011

Morning Needs

O God, the author of all good,
I come to Thee for the grace another day will require
                        for its duties and events.
                I step out into a wicked world,
                I carry about with me an evil heart,
                I know that without thee I can do nothing,
                            that everything with which I shall be concerned,
                                                   however harmless in itself,
                                  may prove an occasion of sin or folly,
                                  unless I am kept by thy power.
Hold Thou me up and I shall be safe.
Preserve my understanding from subtilty of error,
                my affections from love of idols,
                my character from stain of vice,
                my profession from every form of evil.
May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore Thy blessing,
          and in which I cannot invite Thy inspection.
Prosper me in all lawful undertakings,
           or prepare me for disappointments;
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with food convenient for me,
           lest I be full and deny Thee
           and say, Who is the Lord?
           or be poor, and steal, and take Thy name in vain.
May every creature be made good to me by prayer and Thy will;
Teach me how to use the world, and not abuse it,
                       to improve my talents,
                       to redeem my time,
                       to walk in wisdom toward those without,
                           and in kindness to those within,
                       to do good to all men,
                       and especially to my fellow Christians.
And to Thee be the glory.

"Morning Needs" from  The Valley of Vision (A collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions) by Arthur Bennett

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Look what I got!

For which I am so very grateful and pleased.


The whole haul. That bright sunflower? From the Queen of Sheba.



Close up on the books - a wonderful collection of what my life is (and a bit of what I wish it only was) - God on top, some sewing, some cooking, some knitting and domestic organisation.



And this? This is an AMAZING halterneck apron, covered in Nasturtiums designed and made for me by the Kindred Spirit.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Tea

Among the delights - Devil's food cakes, made to a 1920s recipe that uses only the yolks...

So that I could use the whites for macarons

Cherry cupcakes, to my own recipe, which look like they escaped from the 1970s

"... that newly invented luxury for ladies, so indispensible for their happiness, and so ruinous for their health - a forenoon tea"
Chapter 11 "Tea" from The Victorian Kitchen by Jennifer Davies

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Easy Bacon, Pea, And Broccoli Soup

Very easy, ideal for tired post-work brains.

Ingredients:
200g chunky bacon or ham pieces
200g broccoli florets
100g frozen petit pois
50g little pasta shapes
1.5L water
2 teaspoons bouillon powder
1 heaped tablespoon cream cheese 


1. Place all ingredients, except the cream cheese into a saucepan on a medium heat and bring to the boil.
2. Boil for 15-20 minutes.
3. Take off the heat and stir in the cream cheese.
4. Blitz in a food processor or with a handheld blender.
5. Serve.

Now, if this was an artisan food blog, the picture would have an artful swirl of cream on top.


But it's not.

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Beauty

"Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8


And God said... " When I bring the clouds over the earth, and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh" Genesis 9:14+15

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Dreams Of Silken Half-hours

Two and a half metres of red silk, shot with black


An old trusted McCall's pattern (M4460 for those who want to know)



Two weeks of joyous snatched hours and half hours.


Grey acetate lining, with hand understitching.


When I find someone who can capture the beauty of the finished object I'll show you all of it.