Pink Green

Where did September go?

I can't quite believe that today is the last day of September. Time is whizzing by, probably because I am trying to squeeze so much into it. Life is such a juggling act - children, husband, dog, housework, my job at school, running an Etsy and Folksy shop, trying to maintain a social life, cook and eat well, shop...I'm sure you are all the same. Most women are very good at juggling it seems. It's very easy to compare myself to friends who seem to have it all under control, although I secretly suspect they are all paddling like fury underneath while calm as a duck above the water. I hope so anyway, because that's how I feel, but without the calm bit!

1930s Vintage Fabric Pocket Mirrors

I have been trying to be more proactive in getting myself organised. I am very aware that in a few weeks my job at school will finally finish (although hopefully I will still do the odd bit of supply), and I will have more time to devote to my new enterprises. Still, time is ticking on and Christmas is in sight (almost), so I have been making, photographing and listing loads new lines on Folksy. Please tell all your friends! These are just a few of the new bits and bobs available, with many more to follow soon.

1930s Vintage Fabric Button Necklace

Italian Paper and Vintage Button Necklace

1930s Fabric Button Magnets

Italian Paper and Glass Earrings

At the moment I have kept Etsy for the vintage items and Folksy for the handmade. Does anyone have any advice or ideas about this strategy? It seems quite complicated to get a second Etsy shop, although I may go down this route when I have more time. I'd be interested to hear about your experiences with both/ either and how it is working for you.

Thanks for dropping by,

Cathy XX

 

The Best Laid Plans...

Hello! It's been a while! Life really has the habit of taking over and making me busy, sadly leaving very little time for blogging at the mo.

We had a lovely Summer - spent with family, friends, then just us. We had fun in Leicestershire, Gloucestershire and Devon, with the highlight being a week in Dartmouth. Bodie discovered his sea legs, and we discovered the delights of the beach, the fish and chip shops, the boats and steam trains.

The main farmhouse - we were in the barn.

Dartmouth

The view of Dittisham from Greenways - Agatha Christie's holiday home.

Bodie fancied a swim, but eventually used the rope as a pillow for most of the journey.

So, back to reality - schools are back in full force. Ruthie has taken to Secondary school like a duck to water - she's made tons of new friends, kept some old ones, got the service bus every day, and even mastered the homework (sort of!). Gracie has started the term off well with an award for attainment which was presented at Gloucester Cathedral last week, along with her first performance with the senior orchestra. There have been lots of proud mummy moments in the last few weeks.

Aside from that, my plans for becoming business woman of the year have been put on hold slightly by being asked to go back to school for 3 days a week to work in Year 6 until a replacement can be found. It's fun, and I even dressed up in 1940s gear for a trip to the Swindon Steam Museum evacuee experience last week,  but it does mean that life is crazy with me trying to fit everything else in that I had planned to do. Hopefully it will be until half term at the latest.

I don't usually post photos of myself, but I was quite proud of the Victory Rolls (which stayed in all day!)

I have found time to update my Folksy shop though, and my Etsy shop has been ticking over very nicely. I'm also selling lots of jewellery in a new and fabulous shop in town called By the Yard. I am very proud to have my bits and bobs alongside some amazingly talented artists and crafters. I'm hoping to expand to other shops soon too, a bit further afield.

I'm still finding the time for cooking and crochet though. Our latest favourite Sunday pud (with leftovers for a Monday!) is a Frangipane Tart. I've been making it with plums, pears, apples, and this week was Pear and Blackberry. It's so easy, but looks like you've slaved (which is always a bonus in my book!)

Pear and Blackberry Frangipane Tart

This is before it went into the oven - it didn't hang around long enough for a post-cooking photo!

Ingredients

Basic shortcrust pastry (I often use Jusrol when short on time.)

1-2 Pears

A handful of blackberries

For the Frangipane:

100g butter

100g caster sugar

1 egg

100g ground almonds

1. Line a tart tin with pastry.

2. Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg then stir in ground almonds.

3. Spread frangipane mixture over pastry.

4. Peel and slice the pears - I get 3 slices out of each quarter if they are large ones. Arrange over the tart in a pretty pattern. Scatter over the blackberries. I usually sprinkle it with demerara sugar before it goes in the oven.

5. Bake in the oven for about 25 mins at 200^oC.

6. Serve warm with pouring cream. It is also pretty scrummy the next day cold with a cuppa.

Well, thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again soon. XX