pilots

A child looks up to a beckoning sky,
dreaming a dream of one day to fly
The child grows up to live in the dream
Aviators and sky, an inseparable team
They touch the clouds of white and of grey
...They see from on high the breaking of day
They see from above mountain, desert and sea
and know in the blue the meaning of free
Some may grow old with their soul in the air
Some may be called too soon to be fair
Those gifted with wings, who from this life move on,
have already seen heaven before they have gone....

Happy Easter

What a great day.....Happy Easter!

We got up eyewateringly early to attend the dawn service over Pegwell Bay at 06.00. It was a lovely service, and Doug took his camera and got some brilliant shots of the beautiful sunrise over the Bay.

This allowed us to get home and collect Polly to go for a walk along the seafront before the masses descended. It was so pretty at that time in the morning, and quite cool, so Doods took full advantage by running herself ragged!

Home for a bit of breakfast, and then out into the garden before 9.
I trimmed my bush (!!!) and planted some small shrubs and a couple of fuschias at the front of the house, and Doug tackled the fascia's and the windows. Everything looks much cleaner, and like the house looks loved again. He took the jet washer to the patio, and revealed several different coloured slabs on the patio. Who'd have thunk it?

I made a Goan prawn curry from scratch which was just yummy, and we sat outside for our first al fresco meal of the year. We then indulged in a slice of Chocolate and Pear Cake with ice cream which was delicious.

I even managed a small siesta in my hammock as an added bonus.

Don't you just love Bank Holiday weekends?

Spring

What a beautiful day! So much to pack into a glorious weekend

We've got the heating engineer coming to put in new radiators in the house, and to move the boiler upstairs. They are going to rip out the old back boiler, and I'll have a lovely new fire in it's place. Then Richard and Co. start on fitting the new kitchen and tiling the entrance hall, then the new windows and double glazing are going in at the back of the house. Lastly a new bathroom upstairs with an integrated monsoon shower will finish the major work, hopefully in time for my holiday.

I'm getting a hammock for the garden too, as I have always wanted one, but my other garden was too teeny. It will make reading all my research papers for my next assignment all the more tolerable!

We spent much of this weekend in the garden. I've made up two hanging baskets for the front of the house. At present they look like a rather sad salad bowl, but I'm sure they'll flourish. Doug fixed the new fans in the lounge, whilst I was being dragged behind the petrol lawnmower (gotta love that mower!!). Lawns back and front look much more respectable now.

Next week we have a long weekend, so I'll be planting out my veg pots, and dibbling in the greenhouse.

Four more big sleeps xx

New (but very familiar) Home

It's been a time of new beginnings over at The Clifftop....we're now more of the Cliffs End, literally!

We moved into our lovely new home in mid March, and have been busy organising a major refit, from a new kitchen with integrated appliances

(sqweeeee!! I get to have a floor to ceiling fridge and freezer)


through to new beds



with a smattering of redesign here and there.

We've picked out a new gas fire and fireplace to replace the rather dated one that my dear parents had, and have ordered new ceiling fans for the lounge and two bedrooms.

Doug has been busy painting the upstairs bedrooms which look much brighter for the freshen up, and I'm currently trying to decide on the bedspread colours to compliment the new bed.
I love these two in particular, and think that each room will look slighty different with a cottagey feel to them because of the shape of the ceiling, which is curved.
This one makes me feel all squishy, and I love the colours

This one is just so pretty......Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

We're going for unusual blinds for the windows, which means no curtains (hurrah!). These will give a feeling of airiness (real word!) to the rooms, and also compliment the wainscotting in the lounge and stairwell.

Alot going on, and hopefully all done by the summer!

Polly is loving her new garden, and keeps a lazy eye out for pesky birds whilst relaxing on the lawn!

Eeeep!

Prune Muffins (from allsorts recipes)


Looking woefully in my baking cupboard for some inspiration, I spotted a bag of pitted prunes. Prune muffins????

Why the hell not!!

Ingredients

140g plain flour

140g wholemeal flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 pinch salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg, beaten

50ml vegetable oil

80g honey

350ml semi-skimmed milk

15 pitted prunes, finely chopped

4 tablespoons demerara sugar

Preparation method
1. Preheat oven to 200 C / Gas 6. Line a muffin tin with paper cases.

2. Mix the plain flour, wholemeal flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl.

3. In another bowl, mix the egg with vegetable oil, honey and milk. Add everything to the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. The batter may be a little lumpy.

4. Fold in the chopped prunes and spoon the batter into the paper cases, filling 2/3 full. Sprinkle demerara sugar over the tops of the muffins. Bake for 20 minutes until a skewer comes out clean and muffins are golden.

Thumb twiddling!

So here I am on a rainy saturday, twiddling my thumbs, not knowing what to do!

I've packed my crochet *grrrr* because we're waiting to move house. I have no assignment to do either as that got handed in yesterday *yay!* and I've been banned by my DH from buying anything in the thrift stores before we move!

I think I'll do some baking later on, and then settle down on the sofa with a good book!

My new favourite friend

http://vonlipisfavorites.blogspot.com/
My new and most favourite find!!

This lady has some SERIOUS pyrex issues....which I L.O.V.E!!!
She's having a giveaway of some delicious spring pyrex which would go oh-so-well on my breakfast table....but alas, she's all the way over in Canada.




I'll have to find my own bowls, and then blog back to her about my finds!!Please go and say hi, and drool over her wonderful pictures xx

Busy Holidays

So it ended up that the weather was kind enough to allow mum, dad and aunt Molly to spend the holidays with us. They arrived on Christmas eve, and it seems to have been a blur of meals, snacks and presents for the last three days. Doug and I were exhausted!

We began the festive period by going to the cemetery and laying some flowers for mum and dad, our second christmas without them both seems almost impossible. As is usual for my siblings, not one of them had bothered to visit and leave any flowers, but I've given up being disappointed now.
I noticed on our return, a small envelope had plopped through the door. I opened it, and found a card with a small crocheted angel inside two layers of tissue paper. On the card it said 'This was made by my nana, Katherine MacDermid, maybe herself an angel in disguise' It had been posted to me by my cousin Heather in Alberta, and I was delighted to hang the precious angel on my tree. She had made it all the way from Canada in time to spend Christmas with us. How blessed were we??

This is a picture taken when I was about 3 years old, with mum and dad when we went to Canada. Heather is the little girl on the left of the picture, and her brother Graeme is the good looking dude in the middle. Also pictured are their mum and dad, and their nana (the lovely lady who crocheted the angel)and grandad.

Ma and pa M arrived and brought with them everything for a good time. We had an abundance of wine, beers, food, party prizes and good cheer!
Doug, Polly and I spent a very comfortable night in Bette, where we were able to escape to and drink tea quietly, whilst planning the christmas day meal. Bette was a Godsend, a little haven in all the excitement.....and decked out in her very best christmas finery too!
Christmas day was spent mostly in the kitchen, preparing a feast fit for a King! Starters were prawns and scallops with a butter/paprika/lime juice sauce with salad and balsamic vinegar oil dressing. This was followed by Roasted rib of beef, crispy roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, brussel sprouts with bacon, red cabbage, peas, maple syrup roasted parsnips and carrots, bacon wrapped apricot stuffing, and the tallest thyme yorkshire puddings you've ever seen and not forgetting the greatest gravy known to man!! It truly was the best dinner we've eaten since our former family christmas meals. We said a little prayer, and toasted absent friends, remembering especially mum, dad and uncle Len. We unwrapped presents which were given from the heart. We framed some of Dougs photographs which looked stunning, and gave handmade gifts which were well received. I think the spirit of christmas can be lost sometimes, and to give tokens which are thoughtful rather than expensive is much nicer. We retired pooped but happy to Bette for the night and slept like logs.

Boxing day was no less busy, with an evening get together for 12 people to prepare for. My best friends mum popped in to say hello and exchange gifts. I gave her a Cranberry Hootycakes gift jar and a handwarmer, and I received some lovely handmade chocolates in a beautiful box that she had made.
Our guests arrived at 5 o'clock and the whole evening was spent playing 'Outburst' (boys v girls) and charades and other party games, and picking from the (srsly) vast buffet that we had prepared. I stood back at one point and just watched everyone interacting, and thought 'this is what it's all about'. Watching family and loved ones having such a splendid time....and we made it happen. We made people smile, and allowed them to forget their worries for a few days. It was exhausting, but so worth every minute.
All too soon it was time for our guests to leave. Ladened with presents and prizes, we waved them off and got down to the task of reclaiming our house.
Now as I sit here in the quiet, I am thankful for everything I have in my life. For my husband, my wonderful friends, my extended family and for the gift of being at peace with myself.

A truly wonderful Christmas.

Scuppered

Well, things have gone a bit wonky this last couple of days.
Looks like ma and pa M will not be able to make it down for Christmas after all, which is a great shame, as we were looking forward to seeing them.
However, in true Clan spirit, we have decided to make the best of it (meaning we get two christmas dinners) and plod along regardless!
Our new plan is to go up to the cemetery on Christmas Eve afternoon and lay some flowers for mum and dad. We'll probably go to the evening church service and then back home for an Egg Nog and some Christmas TV.
Christmas day will be spent unwrapping presents over a smoked salmon bagel, and then off for a jaunt with Polly in the late morning to work up to Dougs beef-en-croute with all the trimmings. Lal has asked us over on christmas night for a get together, and boxing day will be as planned with all of the Readies for a buffet and some party games.
Ma and Pa M will be down in the new year, when we'll do it all again...tree and all!

When life gives you lemons..........!

Cranberry hootycakes and infused vodka

We're REALLY getting in the christmas spirit at the Clifftop Corner.
We put up the tree yesterday which looks so lovely. The tree was owned by mum and dad, and I have photo's of me at the tender age of 2, unwrapping my presents, dwarfed by this almighty tree. They bought it in 1969 n the States. We took it down from the loft and assembled it....and it is every bit as glorious as I remember it. I last saw the tree about 18 years ago, but it still took my breath away to see it in all of it's finery.



Today we busied ourselves making some hand made gifts. I loved the idea of 'Gifts in a Jar' so we made up some jars (two pictured) of the Cranberry Hootycake variety! We filled a Jaimie Oliver Jar with the ingredients in layers of flour, oats, sugar, white chocolalte chips and dried cranberries, topped off with chopped pecan nuts. The look fantastic, and I can't wait to give them as gifts.



Another handmade gift we're making is Cranberry infused vodka and Blueberry infused vodka. I marched to the shops and bought the hoooogest bottle of Voddie I could find, and Doug and I pricked the little berries all over before covering them with Vodka and a smidge of sugar. We're calling it 'Saintski Augustines Cranberryski Wodka'! I bought some lovely bags for them to go in (4 bottles on completion), and these too will make great gifts for the gentlemen on Boxing day.

All of my gift shopping has been done, we have prizes for the party games, silver crackers for the table and the rib of beef for christmas day has been ordered. I even managed to find some shredded horseradish so that Doug can make his own horseradish sauce (guaranteed to make your eyes water!!).

Phewy!