Blogging

I'm new to blogging but one of my friends (Andamento)

 

has had a blog for quite a while, so I like to pick her brains.  She said, read other blogs, link to them, comment lots and get your face known.  I have had lots of fun the last few nights flicking through other blogs.  I like to pick one of her favourites and then look at one of their favourites and so the trail goes on.  New gems discovered, great ideas spotted.  I now feel the need to make some new things having seen so many pretty things.  As I have mentioned before, we have been rennovating (or rebuilding the interior) of a house for the last 17 months.  Crafting has kind of gone out of the window as general house maintenance and housework have taken over.

But I have decided 2012 is the time for change.  I plan to be more organised and get my butt in gear (so to speak!)  I'm a slacker but do have will power if I'm being stubborn about something.  Dressember was a case in point.  I could have worn trousers, but had decided to wear skirts and did (I even pushed the boat out and wore one on New Years Day).  I have been flitting along with Flylady in an effort to make housework less of a chore and more managable.  The general idea is that by de-cluttering and getting into a bit of a routine we can do great things and have time to ourselves to do what we like.  Sounds great, so I'm going to give it a shot.  Her mantra is that in 15 minutes you can achieve a lot, do the big jobs you put off a wee bit at a time and then they don't become big jobs.  I'm embracing it and already little things are becoming easier.


I may also join in the 'A Make a Month' challenge from The Felt Fairy.  Maybe that way I won't feel like I'm missing out on my crafting.  I already spotted a wee make that can be used as a tidy up, thanks to Annaboo's house.

 

I know I have alphabet stampers somewhere, if I can just find them...

So all in all 2012 is looking to be pretty busy already.  Mr H (Mr Habbie, the hubbie) gave me The List tonight.  We start one every year - all the jobs that need to be done around the house.  We pin it to the fridge and then ignore it till November, do a couple of the easy ones and then rename it, changing the year at the top.  Our last flat had the same, relatively unchanged list for 3 years.  It was like an old friend ;-)  I've just scanned The List and so far it just has people I need to phone on it, plumber, roofer, floor guys, local council and a van rental place.  Maybe I should have a leaf out of Fly lady's book and have an anti-procrastination day.  I realise there are only a few pics in this post.  Lets just say I'm trying out the links bit tonight (hope it's not been too boring - I do ramble sometimes) It do feel that by writing what I intend to do here, it may get done.

So there we are, no pressure!  all in cyberland can nag away

The wind is getting up again, let's hope we have no more flying sheds!  Another one for the 2012 List - put shed back in garden!

Goodnight

Chocolates

I just realised, the chocolates never made it to the last post. oops!  I always like to make a few Christmas presents but this year had decided that the house needed the time put in more.  However that was before I started playing about and making choccies.

Cream and chocolate, ready to nelt for the Rum and Raisin truffles

I decided to make 5 different kinds (3 using the same basic recipe) so it wouldn't be too complicated.  It also meant I could make batches that would be covered in the same coating of chocolate which made it quicker and made (slightly) less mess.

Mint creme centres, you make them up and leave them to dry out slightly, then cover in chocolate.  Did you notice the wee pie maker in the background?  My hubbie got it as a secret santa gift at work - best pressie ever.  We made chicken and mushroom pies for dinner, lovely crispy pastry and just the right size.  Anyway, back to the chocolate.

Here they are with their coats on.

Coffee creams, don't look too appetising now but...

With their coffee bean hats - an extra wee caffeine kick.

Now for something new and unmade before but using the same recipe. Lemon creams.  They are supposed to be ball shaped too, but I think I used too much liquid.  The joy of these is that once they have dried out a bit, you can shape them into balls.

I decided to coat them in white chocolate (which I personally am not a fan of, far too sweet) and it worked well, the sharpness of the lemon took away some of the supersweetness of the chocolate.

Here we have the chocolate from the first photo with the rum soaked raisins (and a few other bits and bobs added.  The smell was lovely, very Christmassy and they tasted pretty darn good too!

Rum and Raisin truffles with chocolate sprinkles.  I'm afraid a lot of these were left in the tin when the pressie bags were made up ;-p 
 

Ta da!  Here we have rum and raisin, mint, lemon, coffee and chocolate fudge

The last 2 bags, all the rest have been given out as pressies, I'll see if the recipients are still speaking to me after the holidays!

These were great gifts to make as they didn't take too much time and looked quite posh!  I have a few more recipes from the book that I'm eager to try, although I may have to wade my way through all the chocs and biscuits we were given over Christmas first.  I think I'd better start planning for Valentines day now.....

I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year, here's to 2012, let's see what it brings x