A Horse, a Horse my Kingdom for a Horse!

A Horse’y Obsession – In my youth I was a very keen rider, working at a local riding school and involved in training young horses. I always used to draw horses when I was younger and have resumed that habit! My new venture in 2011 is to open another shop with my artwork – but I don’t just do horses…..In the meantime I will be regularly featuring some of my work.

SO... here’s a selection of Horse inspired items from the Folks at Folksy!

Striking Collage Horse Picture by Mangle Prints, for more info click http://www.folksy.com/items/760053-Folk-Horse-Paper-Cut-Collage

A rockin’ rocking horse by CherryLoco Jewellery, for more info click http://www.folksy.com/items/589273-The-Horse-of-Rock-necklace

Cute little orange horse from Court&Spark (reminds me of my carousel fabric) , for more info click http://www.folksy.com/items/851077-Dala-Folk-Horse-Decoration-Pale-Orange

A stylish lampshade from Zedhead LTd , for more info click http://www.folksy.com/items/689925-Horse-Print-Lampshade-Cream

A bit of a Red,Black andwhite theme

Some of the lovely Red/Black/White things on Folksy

‘Love’ artwork by Pen and Ink, beautiful work, I bought ‘Singer’ for my Mum http://www.folksy.com/items/600373-Love-Ink-Drawing-Print-

A fun ‘True Love’ necklace by Cherryloco http://www.folksy.com/items/835385-True-Love-Necklace

Pendent by NRJevelleryDesign , fantastic jewellery click http://www.folksy.com/items/792321Tiger-eye-pendant

Red flower necklet by Uniquely Yours - you can’t have this one because I bought it but have a look at her other lovelies ! click http://www.folksy.com/shops/uniquelyyours

Autumn Harvest - Apple Curd

If you've loads of apples like us you might like this? It make a good Xmas pressie as well though you'd have to make it later on in Dec.

APPLE CURD

1/2 lbs Marg or butter
2 lb Apples
2 eggs
1/2 lbs Sugar
Juice of 1 lemon

Boil and pulp apples on pan, add sugar and margarine/butter. Reduce heat to gentle simmer slowly beat in the eggs. Cook gently for 1/2 hour add lemon juice. Cook and fill clean ( ideally sterililzed) jars. This will keep for 2 months - a bit longer if kept in fridge. You could spice it up a bit with cinnamen.

September Stars for w/e Fri 17th

Some of the lovely things listed by the ‘September Stars’ on Folksy

(September stars is a daily listing group – the idea being to list something every day in Sept)

By Pants and Paper click http://www.folksy.com/items/813201-Brooch?shop=yes

By Whimsical Wren click http://www.folksy.com/items/814173-Alice-in-Wonderland-Charm-Bracelet-2-?shop=yes

By Odd Girl Creates click http://www.folksy.com/items/814513-CUTE-STUD-EARRINGS-Black-Cat?shop=yes

By Miss Bohemia click http://www.folksy.com/items/814849-The-Mermaids-Song-Oberon-Fantasy-Necklace?shop=yes

A Cascade of Cushions

As part of Folksy "September Stars" , list an item a day challenge I'm going to working may way through listing this little lot! ( and that's not ALL my cushion - oh no....) Don't they look fab together?

Chocolate Courgette Loaf / Pumpkin Loaf

Hi all, a few people have been asking me for these recipes. The Pumpkin Loaf recipe was orginally given to my by a fellow Allotment holder on my old plot in Enfield. I've adapted it for courgette as well.

This is a DAIRY FREE recipe, keeps well and freezes beautifully - I usually make 2 at a time, one for now and one to freeze. I've also used the same recipes for muffins just reduce baking time to say 20 mins.

Need: Loaf Tin 9" by 5" , ideally loaf tin liner/greaseproof paper, Oven pre-heated to 175 C

Ingredients:
FOR PUMPKIN LOAF
8 oz Plain Flour
1 teaspn baking powder and 1 teaspn bicarb of soda (Baking soda)
1 teaspn of cinnamen
1/2 teaspn of salt
8 oz Sugar
6 fl. oz of Olive Oil
2 eggs
8oz of mashed/cooked Pumpkin (which equals 12oz when uncooked)
6 oz raisins ( or chopped apricots or apple whatever)

FOR CHOCOLATE COURGETTE LOAF all the same BUT:
1. Replace pumpkin with uncooked grated courgette (zucchini) 250 grams
2. Add 2 or 3 heaped table spoons of Cocoa
3. Raisins are fine in this but chopped apple or raspberries are even better

TO make:
Combine sugar and oil then add beaten eggs
Add dry ingredients
Add your choice of pumpkin/courgettes/fruit/cocoa
Bake for approx 1 hour - CHECK - may need another 15 to 20 min depending on your oven

ENJOY!

At the Stratton Show - Bank Holiday Monday

Me and a 'friend' at the Stratton Show. This lovely event was brilliantly organised the Stratton School PTA. We had had a great time at the show - lots of live music, stalls, reptiles( !) and circus tricks. There was also the Annual Stratton and Baunton Horticultural show - lots of huge veg and lovely craftwork.

Had lots of fun selling on my stall and did quite well. It was a very busy show with lots for the kids to do. Hardly saw mine all afternoon !

Came first with this entry and in 2 others in the painting/craft sections of the Horticultural show. No veggie entries this year as my allotment has been sadly neglected - too much decorating to do after the building work