Don't forget to pick the Daisies

Handmade felt with detached chain stitch, french knots and running stitch in tapestry wool.

Made for a friends birthday - I was inspired by the last line of a poem I recalled, which she wrote for her husband who is no longer with us:
"I'd pick more daisies,
I will pick more daisies.
Won't you join me"

Goodbyes

"Home is where the heart is"

This week has been one of farewell. A student at work has left and a good friend has packed up and is leaving for an exciting opportunity in a far away land. I don't know where they consider home, but I offer this additional life rule/proverb (of my own) "It doesn't matter where you are its who you are with that matters", whether that is yourself, loved ones, old friends or making new friends.

Dried Apricot Jam

This is the recipe for August which I would usually post on my stitching blog. Now I have a place for recipes I place it here:

Makes about 6lb

Ingredients:
1 lb dried apricots
1 oz almonds
3 lbs sugar

Method:
Cut apricots into quarters.

Pour over 4 pints of boiling water and allow to stand 48 hours.

On the third day bring it to boiling point and boil for 1 ½ hours.

Add sugar and almonds (blanched) and allow the whole to boil for another hour or until setting point is reached.

Pot and cover in clean, sterilised jars.

Wot no stitch?

Sorry, being geeky rather than stitchy at the moment. You may notice a little tweek to your left. No, no, no not the profile being cleared off - if you want to read that you are going to have to click the "About Me" link. The new Categories drop down list. It is not fully populated yet - I would have to go back and do a lot of re-posting. But it is something I can now add to for future interesting posts. Typical! as soon as I have it all figured out blogger beta comes along and provides labels properly! Anyway switching to that method now - less leg work in the long term.

I have also been out and about on my bicycle and down the allotment. I have also been a little more active in the kitchen.