Our new arrival.

Here is our gorgeous new grand daughter.......



.....Her name is Maryann Jane. She was born on 20th June and weighed 8lbs 3ozs.
Mum, baby, and dad are all well and very, very happy and so are we.
Linda.

Happy days

Well we've had some gorgeous weather of late haven't we? Not that I'm complaining, it's so nice to be able to eat outside in the garden. In fact we've spent quite a bit of time in the garden over these last few days, when we haven't been at work. It's all coming along nicely and the plants we've put in are all thriving, but dare I say it, we do need just a "spot" of rain to keep everything flowing nicely.

We still have a lot to do though, we know it'll take time as it's really a major reorganisation of most of the back garden, but we'll get there, eventually.


On the crafting front I've finished all my baby knits, for now and am just sewing up the last one.


The next thing yarnwise is a surprise gift for our daughters inlaws, a keepsake to celebrate their first grandchild. I made something similar for my cousin and his wife when they became grandparents for the first time. They loved it, but more on that at a later date.
I've just bought some gorgeous pink patterned fabric to make myself a summer dress.


This whole pink theme is still carrying me along, but I did also buy some lavender coloured fabric too. This one being plain, but I intend to do some embroidery on the bodice of the dress once it's made.
It's hubby's birthday on Tuesday and I am already working on his birthday card, and I still have four more to make for other occasions in the next three weeks. So much for my idea of being organised with my card making.
I've just finished two cards, one with an oriental theme and the other had a music theme.


I do try to make cards to suit the recipient, but sometimes this can be difficult if you are making them for someone else.
It seems tomorrow is going to be a wet day, ( more than the spot of rain I was thinking of) so I intend to spend a few hours baking. I like to get a batch done at a time, this way it seems to save on time and energy. I'd much rather fill the whole of my oven than just one shelf. Besides, I do have birthday cakes to make.
Speaking of food, whilst we've been having such glorious weather, everyone seems to have been barbecuing. I have to admit that we don't posses one, it's something which has never appealed as neither of us are keen on barbecued food. But I do have a Remoska, and this is a little "wonder cooker" as far as I'm concerned. We've had ours since last October and it's been a real time and money saver.
We have the standard size, and have both the full and shallow pans for it.
Last week I cooked lemon chicken and it took just 30 minutes. Here's the recipe.

Lemon Chicken
4 chicken joints
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic (optional)
1 large lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon thyme ( fresh or dried I used fresh, chopped)
pinch of groung black pepper.
Method
Put chicken pieces into large dish, slice onion and add. Chop and add garlic at this stage if required. Finely grate lemon rind, sprinkle over chicken, mix together the lemon juice and olive oil and add the thyme and pepper. Pour over chicken, cover and leave in fridge for at least two hours.
Once marinated for required length of time put chicken pieces into Remoska, put lid on and switch on, leave for approximately 25 minutes, check to see if the chicken is cooked, ( juices running clear).
Serve with salad and new potatoes. Enjoy.
Cooking in the Remoska saves me time and money, and there is very little to wash up at the end.
If you're not sure what a Remoska is email me or you can find information at
www.hoorayforhomecooking.com
I shall be posting more of my recipes on here, sweet and savoury in future posts.
Now I'd better get back to my card making.
Have a good weekend, Linda