Wednesday 27 January 2010

Birds, Blocks & Bake.

I was in my kitchen cooking earlier watching the birds through the patio doors & it reminded me that I hadn't blogged my bird photos. In the Autumn I moved the bird table etc right outside of my patio doors as we only use the doors in the Summer. The downside of this is I'm forever taking photos through the glass when I should be cooking a meal :D
Robin.
I think this Blackbird decided that there were tastier morsels under the house so squeezed in there.
Mistle Thrush
Pied Wagtail
Not a great photo as I had to zoom to the end of the garden but this was a Fieldfare sitting on my bay tree as far as I'm aware we haven't had one of these in the garden before.
And my little Blackcap who I blogged about after seeing him for the first time on Christmas day, well he's been back every day since and there is now a Mrs Blackcap! She has only been visiting here for the last week & is quite timid although bossy, to the other birds, & very photo shy but I will get a photo in the end, incidently she has brown cap.
Now an update on the string quilt challenge, I really love making string blocks it is seriously addictive. I've cut strips from all of my patterned cotton fabrics these are mainly florals it has to be said!
And I've made 30 blocks so far, these are only roughly trimmed at the moment. I have a few things in mind what I'm going to make a few small projects and a quilt then I'm going to attack my Globaltex stash to make some cushions. Excuse the dull photos the light here is not good at the moment.

And for a change in the evenings I've started another crochet blanket this time I'm using Yvestown blog's pattern the inner circles are the same as my hexagon one and these will have another row to square them off in a very pale cream. I've done about 40 so far so I'm getting there, I know I should've finished my second hexagon & my ripple first but I do really love this one so simple too.
52 week recipe challenge - we've now done a creamy mushroom soup, which I did fiddle around with slightly, a delicious soup and I got a chance to photograph my latest CS find 4 soup bowls.
Then another bake this time a lemon cake with crunchy topping, this also went down a treat!
This weeks recipe is for a country cottage pie, which I made on Monday after looking at the ingredients and just guessed the method. I haven't got a photo as I had to make it ahead of a Governors meeting it had been devoured by the time I got home although they did save me some. All the recipes can be found at Debbie's blog here

And finally I'll leave with proof that Spring is on it's way Tete a Tete's in my kitchen and
snowdrops in my garden.
Now my hook is calling.

12 comments:

MelMel said...

Cute birdy pics....love the crochet and the sewing!x

Lalabibaby @ Dreaming of The Simple Life said...

Lovely birdie photos Bliss .... I daren't put our bird table near the house as it's just too much temptation for my moggies. It's down in the middle of my chook's part of the garden. Those strings are so addictive aren't they ... I even raided the wardrobes for some shirts and blouses to chop up !
You've made my mouth water too ... really haven't had time this week to bake but hope to use my Mrs Beeton's Afternoon Tea recipe book at the weekend x

Pixiedust said...

Thanks for the bird pics. I've really enjoyed watching the birds in my garden of late. And had spotted an unusal bird on the feeder and wondered what it was. Thanks to you I now know it to be a black cap. xxxx Pixie xxxx

Jen Walshaw said...

Wow lovley pics, plus I think the string blocks are great. Well done

Carol said...

I love watching the birds, my favourites (if that is allowed) at the moment are the goldfinches who are devouring nyger seed like it is going on ration and a pair of long tailed tits who started visiting 2 weeks ago.
Love the new CS soup bowls and as for the scrumptious looking lemon cake!!

Country Style Living said...

Great bird pictures! I am hoping to try the Cottage pie recipe too..

maryannlucy said...

Fab bird piccies, and a great idea to move the feeders near to the windows. Have a lovely weekend x

GerryART said...

I'm attempting to visit blog for our String challenge. Love your florals.

Callies Cottage said...

Great post- your lemon cake looked delicious!
If I had those beautiful birds outside my window I dont think I would get anything done! How lovely of you to look after them so well.
Warm Wishes,
Cally x

MarmaladeRose said...

Hello Country Bliss,
I really love those string blocks, I'm dying to have a go but I have my finger in too many pies at the moment. lol.

I have added you to my list of 20 Minuters. Glad to have you along. There are no rules, just a little promise to yourself to try and craft for at least 20 minutes every day. Obviously we'd all like to see what you get up to and if you have time, pop by and encourage the others. Good Luck.

Fi x

Kitty said...

Oh well done on the bird photo front - I'm still trying to get decent shots of the darned critters! I am going to look out for a nice bird table I think. The shed roof is all very well, but so hard to photograph!

All your cooking looks wonderful. x

Booklinks said...

Very lovely bird pics!
And I really like the string blocks, love the colours !
Have a nice day,Suzane
(a 20 minuters from the Netherlands)