Small gifts

Sunday was market day, rugged up in my coat and with my umbrella I set off early to obtain a good parking spot.  After nine o'clock it is really busy and difficult to find a car space.   I was on a mission to find something small, something I could post interstate to my mother-in-law for Mothers Day.  Of course. the first stop is always the coffee van, especially important on wet and cold days to have a hand warmer.  While roaming between all the stalls I came across some gorgeous little hand made pots, these look very Middle Eastern and so beautiful.  I was won over and bought one.  With all my shopping done I was off to meet my friends for a warming breakfast and to catch up on the latest news.   While sitting there chatting I showed my friend the little pot which she thought was beautiful,  I then decided to buy another one for myself.   Would you believe when I went back to the market I couldn't find them,  the stall had packed up during the rain and left, I missed out. Oh, well maybe next time.  

On my last blog I gave you a link to a blog, where I found the instructions for some cute fabric tissue holders, perfect for a handbag and for little thank you gifts.   I also found them on Pinterest so I've pinned them for future reference.   I sewed nine of these in an hour by chain piecing them.  I gave two of them to friends as thank you's, I put one in the parcel for my mother-in-law and I'm not sure who will receive the others.  Sorry about the photos I have taken recently, I'm having a few problems with my camera after my grandson played with it.

A stuffed pumpkin

Since recovering from my cold I have had no energy, I just feel tired all the time.  No sewing, no preserving, and no house work done this past week.  The pumpkins are still on the outside table under cover so I'm sure they will be fine for a bit longer, but, while thinking about what to eat on Thursday night I decided to bring a small one inside to cook.  Amazing what you can come up with when you just don't want to go out and shop.   I cut the top from the pumpkin and scooped the seeds and some of the flesh from  inside and made up a stuffing from the leftover cooked brown rice I had in the fridge, chopped some vegetables, garlic, parsley, nutmeg, cubed tasty cheese and to bulk it up a bit more some fresh bread crumbs.  Basically what I had left in the fridge.     It took about an hour and a half  to cook in the oven, although I could have left it a bit longer, because as I cut into it I found it still a bit firm. It was very tasty though and  I had a large wedge for my dinner.   I then cut a small wedge to have with some chicken the next night,and gave a slice to my daughter to take home.  With the remainder I peeled the skin and blitzed it in the food processor with a cup of chicken stock to make a soup for lunch today.

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 Like I said I have done no sewing, but I have just read http://retromummy.com/2014/05/03/making-tissue-holders/ and have decided to sew one to add to the gift pack for my mother-in-law for next Mothers Day.  This gift will be posted interstate, so this will be perfect to add to what I have.