Psych

 This is without a doubt, my favourite TV programme-

 It's about 2 childhood friends who run a psychic detective agency, but the psychic is a fake, he is just very observant (normally, at this point in my explanation people mention 'The Mentalist'.)
This is MUCH better than that as it is genuinely quirky and funny.

Other things I love about it:

1. It has lots of recurring jokes
2. The one liners in it are great
3. It's funny but also touching
4. I have heard that there will be a 'Clue' themed episode and that Tim Curry may be back in it again
5. It's just a really fun programme with no other agenda other than clever funny writing that lets you enjoy yourself and cheers you up.
6. It has great guest stars

Unfortunately, in Britain, we are way behind, when we were in America this summer we saw the ads for the new series to come out there, I can't wait til it comes here!

Autumn Soundtrack

I don't listen to a lot of music, mainly it's just when I am in the car (apart from a bit of Elvis occasionally)
I find that if I listen to music at home, I can easily get melancholy and a bit fed up so I normally prefer to have the TV on as background noise.
Recently ,spending a lot of time in my kitchen, doing various makes and bakes, I decided I needed a soundtrack to my favourite Autumn days.
I originally bought the Crew Cuts CD as they are in one of my favourite films (Clue) and as I have recently discovered they are PERFECT for Autumnal kitchen pottering.

Kathleen's Crab Apple Jelly

Pick Crab Apples off tree.

Top and tail them, wash thoroughly, cut out any bruised bits.

Put in saucepan with enough water to just cover

Bring to boil then simmer 25 mins

pour into muslin strainer and leave overnight.

Take the juice and measure into a measuring jug.

HERE IS THE TRICKY BIT

You need to boil the juice with sugar at the ratio of 1 part juice to 0.7 parts sugar BY VOLUME

So for example: If you have 1 litre of juice, you then need 700mls of sugar
(measure it by volume in the measuring jug, NOT BY WEIGHT)

Bring to a boil and keep at a rolling boil for about 30-40 mins.

After about 25 mins, test the jam by seeing if it solidifies on the back of a chilled spoon.

When it does, pour into sterilised jars, put lids on while jelly is still warm.

Yum.

Crab Apple

 This weekend, I was in full Autumn mode, making crab apple jelly.


I love Crab Apple jelly, it is a memory of childhood for me. We had a big Crab Apple tree in our front garden and every year, about this time, me, my Mum and my sister would go outside and pick them. You are hopefully now picturing a blissful day where we are all laughing and rosy cheeked among the leaves.
Here is how it actually went:

I would insist on wearing a huge cowl neck hand knitted brown jumper that my Mum had made me, even though September is still WAY too warm for it (this jumper was VERY thick) so, about ten minutes after we started, I would have to go in and change.

At least once, either me or my sister would let go accidentally of the branch we were pulling down to reach the apples, pinging Crab Apples everywhere and nearly having each others eye out.

My mum would stand on a chair as she is very short and one of us would have to hold the chair steady so she did not fall (boring).

After about 15 minutes, me and my sister would get freaked out that spiders were going to fall on us from the tree as we were shaking it- thus abandoning the picking to go and make a cup of tea.

Leaving my lovely Mum outside on a shaky chair getting rained on by falling spiders.

See why I love it so much?

I'm off

Ok all- I'm off on holiday so I will see you all when I get back and tell you all my holiday tales....



See you soon

Mel

xxxxxx

p.s I have tried posting comments on all your blogs- but I am on a public computer and it won't let me!

I am still reading and loving all your blogs though, so sorry if I have not been able to comment!

Dream dress

I tried this Vivienne Westwood dress on recently..

Now, to start saving...

New Year Resolutions

Being a teacher, I consider September to be my 'New Year' and so naturally, at this time I begin to consider what I want to achieve in the year ahead.
This 'New Year' my thoughts are filled with the following....

Budget better and get some savings

Lose weight

Make exercise a regular part of my daily life

Reignite my love of making things, get 'crafty' again

Learn crochet