Needles, Pins, And Cottonreel!

Two blogs I enjoy dipping into are those of Bluebell and Cottonreel. I knew these two ladies were good friends. Last week Bluebell moved – into the village up the road where Cottonreel lives. Then I discovered that every Thursday they come over to my village, and go to my friend Ann’s house, to sew together. Ann is the quilt expert at our church, who has sometimes been to Sewing Club to encourage the girls and teach them techniques.

So yesterday afternoon, after I’d been to a committee meeting, I called in and found a crowd of happy ladies stitching away. Ann is standing behind Cottonreel, and Bluebell is opposite in the red cardi.

They made me very welcome and showed me their stitching. Look at this lovely project bag which Ann is holding up [if I remember what they told me correctly, Cottonreel made this as a gift for Marlene, the lady sitting 2nd from the right]

I love the tabs with the different vintage buttons, and the blanket stitched flowers. A lovely mixture of colours and textures.

The angel is fun too

Ladies, I am in awe of your quilting and sewing skills and the fabulous results. [see Cottonreel’s latest piece of work here]

What a lovely way to spend one afternoon each week, stitching and chatting together – and enjoying tea and biscuits. “When you are retired, you can join us” they said.

That’s a long way off yet, I think

It is always good to meet up with blogfriends ‘in the flesh’!!

What The Dickens Is This?

I know I am supposed to be using up my Great Wool Stash, and not adding to it – but I saw this in a basket of oddments by the door in the Samaritans Charity Shop, and thought “Nobody else will want that” so I bought it. For the fascinating label if nothing else.

This skein of sock yarn [1 ounce in weight] is mysteriously labelled “Little Dorritt” with two ‘t’s – even though Dickens’ eponymous character only had one ‘t’ to her name.

Furthermore, I thought Little Dorrit [real name ‘Amy’] was famed for her sewing, not her knitting. I really ought to read the book, to find that out.

The reverse of the label is full of wonderful information. These “scientifically blended knitting yarns were introduced to the British public in 1949 …the wearing property of this yarn is acclaimed by thousands of satisfied users in all Countries of the World. From our own tests we have evidence of 2 pairs of men’s socks made from our 4ply sock wool which have been worn alternately for over 18 months without requiring any darning or strengthening.”

I presume the “Pioneers” are the manufacturers, George Raw, Limited, of Bingley in Yorkshire- but efforts to find out more about them have failed thus far.

I did find a photograph of a Little Dorrit Triple Knitting Counter here. published by the owner, Linda Spashett. She thinks it dates from the 20s or 30s. But that spells Dorrit as Dickens does. I believe that King Cole Yarns once produced a ‘Little Dorrit’ range too.

The pack is 8” long, 2” in diameter.

I have just noticed another message down the side of the label

“A new and novel pack that can be used from the handbag or pocket. No ravelling - no waste, use either from inside or outside”

I love the heathery tones – the wool looks grey – but there is beige, blue, lilac and sage green in there. But 1oz of yarn is not going to make a very big sock is it? Any suggestions for what I can do with it?

Baptist Cliché Bingo

I am home from the Assembly, where I listened to many, many gifted speakers. I am grateful for the wisdom they imparted

However I took careful note of the words they used.  I just noticed my box on the dressing table

now I have

unpacked it

so I can think outside the box

as we journey together

going forward

in this time of transition

not afraid to leave our comfort zone

[next year, please can we have the cliché bingo card sent out with our delegates’ papers?]

And by the way, here is a photo of my punch

For those who were at Blackpool and had not heard the quote from Robert Louis Stevenson before [“punching holes in the darkness”] may I politely point out that he was talking about a lamplighter, carefully doing his job illuminating a clear path down the darkened Edinburgh streets – and it is all about crafting, not boxing!

Surely we should be using our tools [God-given gifts] wisely and prayerfully as we seek to ‘Be the Light’ – not violently “Bible-bashing” people into submission?

The Stevenson family certainly knew all about ‘Being the Light’, as they were probably greatest lighthouse builders ever.

Brightly beams our Father's mercy from his lighthouse evermore

But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore

Trim your feeble lamp my brother, some poor sailor tempest tossed

Trying now to make the harbour, in the darkness may be lost

The Teacher Set Me Some Homework!

Last weekend I met up with my good friend Eleanor from Beckenham. I hadn’t seen her since the last assembly. She reads the blog, and says it frequently makes her laugh out loud [a number of people said that over the weekend. Is this a good thing?]

It was the recent post about the Dutch Baby, aka The Bismarck which had amused Eleanor recently. She said “You have to go and do some more research, Angela, because we know a Bismarck as something else entirely – it is a large bun, with layer of marzipan”

Eleanor explained that many years ago, she and her husband Andrew used to buy these delights from Ainsleys of Leeds [I think when they were both students] and that genteel ladies sliced them up and ate them in small pieces, but Andrew would happily demolish a whole bun just like that! [E&A are still both remarkably slim and haven’t changed much in the 30 years I have known them. Must be all that bicycling, and tandem-riding]

Sadly the old family bakery company, Ainsleys, has gone into administration and been bought out by Country Style Foods. I cannot find any reference to Bismarck on the website.

I did find one or two forums where people had asked “Can you still buy Bismarcks in Leeds?” but no clear answers were given.

I also came across this unexpected definition

bismarck {North America] A dessert pastry

1. (Manitoba) A doughnut filled with cream, often with chocolate icing
2. (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northern US, US Midwest) A jelly doughnut, a doughnut filled with jam and coated with sugar
3. (Midwest US) A fried cruller, or a sort of pancake [see also Dutch Baby]

So depending on which part of the USA you live in, a Bismarck can be various sorts of doughnut. But these didn’t sound quite like Eleanor’s description. I understand that a Bismarck is also a type of bun/roll in Canada [Jane and Chris, please elucidate!]

Ainsley’s Bakery was also sited very near Bismarck Street in Leeds – is there a connection? I found these pictures

This is a chocolate Bismark [note the lack of ‘c’] from the Chicago Gourmet Wholesale Bakery [here]

This is a Marcona Almond Cherry Bismarck – but I haven’t been able to discover where this is from.

 

And these are Bismarck doughnuts from West’s Bakery in Rhode Island 

 

 

 

 

So do you have any experience of Bismarcks in any shape or form?

Are they known in the UK outside of Yorkshire?

Are they named after

• Otto, the German Chancellor
• the Battleship [named after Otto]
• the state capital of North Dakota

does anybody out there know?

One thing I am certain of – whatever sort of Bismarck you eat, it seems likely to be oozing with calories!

[Please Mrs Jones, have I done enough research here?]

There’s A Famous Seaside Place…

…called Blackpool

And over the weekend, about two thousand Christians met there for the Annual Baptist Assembly. We stayed in the Norbreck Hotel

I will not say too much right now about the NH – other than at every evening meal, we were served something which Bob referred to as “John Lewis Vegetables” because they were “never knowingly under-cooked”!

I was remarkably lazy about photography – Bob took this picture

This is me with my very dear friend Elsie- who is 92. Last time I saw her was in Blackpool two years ago

I think she looks very good for her age [but I really must get myself a different jacket before next year’s assembly – this pink one was £8 from a PerUna sale in 2005!] Read more about Elsie here

I saw loads of friends, and was especially delighted to meet up with cousin Ollie and her husband Phil for the first time in ages. They were there to see this guy, their brother-in-law, Rev Ernie Whalley, become the President of the Baptist Union  [no, my cousin is not called Ollie Whalley, that would just be silly]

As with all good conferences, it takes a little while for everything to fall into place- we heard some great speakers and came away with lots to think about. I have all sorts of random notes in my Filofax about things to do, people to contact.

I am very grateful to Christina Carter and her team for working so hard to raise the profile of Connexion and keeping on with things, despite the loss of our dear friend Christine Jones a few weeks ago. We really missed her smiling face and her loving encouragement.

There were some high points, and low points, and some very funny moments. We sang one of my favourite songs from childhood on Sunday night

Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong;
they are weak but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

I have retained my fondness for this one, as I have remained small of stature. But then we sang another verse – and I confess I did poke Bob in the ribs when these words went up on the screen…

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in him.

I will probably say more about our weekend later. I hope all of you had a good Bank Holiday Weekend too!

I’d Like A Small Isthmus Please…

I just love the fact that as you travel from Blackpool to Leicester via Stoke and Uttoxeter, you pass the JCB World Parts Centre

It makes us smile every time. Which ‘world part’ would you buy?

The building adjacent to it is equally amusing…

If this is heavy products, is there a smaller one round the back called light fittings do you think?

Cutting Edge Technology

The Fiskars Ironworks was founded in Finland in 1649 – that’s a mighty long time ago! They made farm tools and household implements. Then in 1967 they made the first plastic handled scissors – and by a strange quirk of fate, as the prototype went into production, the machinist decided to finish off the orange colour he had in his machine before putting other colours in. So the prototypes were made in four different colours, red, green, black and orange. A choice had to be made. An internal vote was taken at Fiskars, and the result gave birth to Fiskars orange-handled scissors.

In 1969, my parents bought me a pair of Fiskars scissors for my dressmaking – I still use them regularly.  I am very fond of my Fiskars Scissors, and over the years have added the small precision needlework scissors, the sewing snips, the Softgrip craft scissors and the kitchen scissors to my collection. Check out the Fiskars website for their full range [and project ideas]

Then my friend Susan brought her scissor sharpener along to Sewing Club. It was brilliant! So when MoneySupermarket awarded me some dosh a couple of week’s back for my £1-moneysaving-tips post, Bob suggested I treat myself. So I now have my own sharpener

It is so easy to use, you just slip the blades into the two slots and ‘cut’ [whilst gripping the left hand side of the gadget] and your scissors are supersharp once more.

I am extremely pleased with the gadget and have been pottering round the house sharpening all sort of pairs of scissors. You cannot use it for pinking shears, serrated blades or left handed scissors – [sorry Steph!] Now where’s Johnny Depp…

A Prayer For ‘If’

Lord Jesus

You came that all might have life in abundance

When you fed hungry people, everyone ate and had enough

We know that there is enough food for everyone

IF we don’t look the other way

IF we give the poorest people the power to feed themselves

IF we use the land for food not fuel

If we stop poor farmers losing their land

IF taxes are paid where they are due

So Lord Jesus,

direct our attention to see beyond our own needs

Strengthen the hungry, the poor, and their rights

Preserve and protect the land that brings forth food

And contend with us for justice

Amen

[more about the IF campaign here]

The Greatest of These Is …

Thoughts and prayers with Gabriella and Richard getting married today – sorry that we cannot be there with them on their Special Day.

Sink The Bismarck!

Do you remember this thrilling film set in WW2 [script based C S Forester’s book] about the last days of the great German battleship?

But did you know that a “Bismarck” is also a type of pudding? I only discovered this last week – but it looked worth a try, so as the oven was going to be hot for something else, I made one. Dead easy…

• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup SR flour
• ¼ cup milk

Preheat oven to HOT [200ºC or thereabouts] Mix all the ingredients till smooth and lump free [by hand, in a blender, or with a hand whisk…however you like] Chill 30 minutes. Put a knob of butter into an oven proof skillet [20cm size] and heat in the oven till sizzling. Pour in the batter. Cook 20 minutes. Serve immediately [serves 2]

We cut this in half, I sprinkled caster sugar and lemon juice on mine, Bob drizzled runny honey on his.

The alternative name for this dessert [the name Martha Stewart favours] is “Dutch Baby” [a corruption of deutsch  - betraying the German origin]

It was quick, cheap, and easy [for 4 portions, double the quantities and use a 30cm skillet – you may need to cook it for 25 minutes]

But whether you call it a Bismarck, a Dutch Baby [an alarmingly cannibalistic moniker, I feel] or a ‘David Eyre Pancake’ [after the American writer who died in 2008] it looks suspiciously like a large Yorkshire Pudding to my simple English eyes!

No More Soggy Bottoms!

Liz read my post last Saturday about having a damp cycle saddle – and thoughtfully posted me this…

…a plastic showercap for my saddle. Also in the parcel was this cover

Yes, it is a genuine Cath Kidston rose print fabric cover.

The label inside assures me ‘this fabric will fade beautifully with washing’!

I’m feeling very special to have this – it is one of 6000 saddlecovers placed on the London ‘Boris bikes’ last week

Cath Kidston said: “On the brand’s 20th birthday, we wanted to do a fun thing for Londoners as this is where I started the brand 20 years ago. It’s just a small way of saying thank you to our customers and inviting them to celebrate with us. Hopefully we will bring a bit of cheerfulness to their day.”

Liz, Jon, Steph and Mark all pedal round the capital on their own bikes, but occasionally use the BorisBikes. It is very generous of Liz to send me her CK cover. She has suggested I make some similar ones to sell at coffee mornings and craft events. Thanks Liz!

Buccaneer Bag!

Another project from this great book, using a very piratical print

One of my students has just finished this…

I need to get making some more bags myself, I think! [btw, we had some fabric leftover…I think there maybe some small items produced from the scraps sometime soon]

Consumer Choice

I think I must have misunderstood something somewhere along the way. This week, lots of bloggers have been doing the Live Below The Line Challenge – managing on a £1 a day food budget for 5 days.

The website says Live Below the Line is challenging individuals and communities to see how much change you can make out of £1. By living off just £1 per day for food for 5 days, you will be bringing to life the direct experiences of the 1.4 billion people currently living in extreme poverty and helping to make real change.

I have absolutely no problem with that, and I am absolutely thrilled that so many people are being sponsored by friends and raising thousands of pounds to alleviate poverty. But what is bothering me is the way that this challenge is turning into an episode of this…

People are sharing their recipes and menus for various meals which cost below £1 – using all the tips which Mrs Moneypenny and friends have been sharing. Things like ‘buy value brands’ ‘shop at Markets’ ‘shop in the evening, look out for yellow-sticker-reductions’ etc. That, in itself, is brilliant – I was scrimping before Mrs M’s sidekick Harry Wallop was born – honest!

But surely, if you want to ‘bring to life the experiences of people living in extreme poverty’  then there should be some more rules, not just ‘spend less than £1 a day on food’?

What about the fact that in the 3rd world, people have far less choice about their diet. It is always rice or manioc porridge, or some basic carb. [and maybe a little dirty water to drink] Day after day after day…

Having something different at every meal is a sign of affluence.

This is the UK and almost everybody has access to potable water from the tap – but there are still many living in extreme poverty in our nation. So I looked at the suggested menus and thought how they might use them [although living in EP they may not have access to the internet] to achieve a low cost, varied diet.

A recipe requiring ingredients from Asda, Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury's to hit the budget target is all very well if you live close to these four shops, but…

It is a 3 mile round trip to my nearest Sainsbury ‘Local’ and 10 miles to the ‘Superstore’. [The other ‘big three’ supermarkets are even further] A Mum with a buggy could probably walk to the former – but the latter cannot easily be reached safely by pedestrians. And the little ‘Local’ stores carry a very limited range of the “Value” varieties. And a young Mum who has to put children to bed is unlikely to be in the store at 8pm when they are doing the ‘late night’ reductions. And an OAP may not want to go out at night to shop, even if they can get to a big shop with their free bus pass.

But what bothers me most is that politicians [like Ian D-S] will use these budget recipes to justify their welfare policies. “I could live on these benefits – and so could you if only you managed your money properly” they will say. Back in the 80s, in the days of the Iron lady, some charities did not want Bernadette Lawrence to publish her book, fearing that the Government would say just that.

Nevertheless I applaud all those who are doing the £1 challenge – especially people like Sue, who has gone to just one shop and planned a week of fairly repetitive meals.

A harder challenge might be “Spend just £1 a day on food, but only from shops you can walk to, during daylight hours”.

I must continue to ask myself these questions –

Have I

• given thanks for the food I have on my table today?
• given thought to those who will go to bed hungry tonight?