Dream Country Chat

FROSTY FINGERS AND FAIR DISPLAY

Last weeks golden bounty of leaves underfoot.

Yesterdays frosted offerings. We have certainly hit a cold snap with bright clear skies and crisp sparkling frost on everything. Idgy is madly making slides and falling over, the cats are refusing to go out at all, and l am tottering over to HQ and putting on the heater before l even go for a run in the morning.

Yesterday l worked on my display stand because the Fair Fairy didn't bother to visit. Even without small animals rushing about industriously and looking overly cute l managed to get it done. So here it is, first photo of the 2008 Christmas display stand. Ok not tweeked into perfection yet and without little price signs etc.

I just hope that it all fits into the space l have in London. Have managed to get quite a bit of the stock l am taking on to the actual display and there is a lot hidden hanging on the back and on the super slim Christmas tree, the rest is numbered and bagged up (l have even remembered to label the bags!) for the storage room. It seems wierd to see it set out as l have been imagining it for so long, l am rather chuffed.

Have a happy Hallow'een. We have done a pumpin lantern and Idgy is off to her friends to Trick or Treat in the village, l have the night off from witchery, hurrah!!

Karon  x

WHERE IS THE FAIR FAIRY?

 

Anyone coming into my house just now has to climb over the boxes and bags at the front door. As this is an old (about 200 years old) cottage the front door opens straight into what is my dining room. Well my dining room is now my mock-up of the Country Living Fair. I have the display stand set up (all looks very pretty), but oh the amount of stuff that is scattered about, piled up, stacked in what used to be corners and generally taking up the entire room. I am trying to organise it all, count out what is going on display stand and what is stock. I have pieces of paper (of course they started off in a folder, what folder, where?) all over the place with different lists and numbers on them, all of them mean something tho for the life of me l can't remember what.

I can't quite beleive (beleive it Karon, it's happening!) that this caravan of selling (l hope) starts just a week on Tuesday when l will be driving down to London ready to do the first of my 3 fairs. Am l ready, don't know, hope so, too late to worry now.

Once l have sorted out all the stock bags/boxes and have just the display in the diningroom l shall take a photo for you. I am hoping that this proud moment might just come today, l am determined to get this stuff counted and packed up this morning before l step on anything else, lose pens, paper, my mind, child and animals in the mess. This is when l could do with a Walt Disney moment when a special fairy (the Fair Fairy) will twinkle into the room in a glittery dress and sparkly hair. She will wave her magic wand and all of a sudden the lazy fat cats (Hank and Berti) and even lazier ferret will spring into action and take on a smiling demeanor and possibly even sing (maybe that's going too far) as they scurry around with miniature brooms etc cleaning and tidying and making the room all turn back into a normal diningroom again. While they are at it they will count out all the stock, neatly list it all and then pack it all up for me. If they whisk up a cup of tea for me as l watch gleefully from the sidelines l shall be eternally gratefull.

On that note l shall go and wait for my fairy, or maybe just get on with it myself..................

Karon  x

ESCAPE FROM WITCHING

All quiet on the Dunlop front, no news of the gristly goings on up on the moor.

On a more lively note, the village pantomime is going strong. Idgy (my dancing sprite) has now learned five different dances and is scouring the house for anything that could be pressed into service as costumes. 'Do you have anything sparkly Mum?', get serious, do l look the sparkly type. She will have to make do with sequins and glitter and a d.i.y. (hers!!) job. It is great that so many of the village children are involved this year, it is all they talk about.

No l am wrong there, Halloween is high on the chatter list right now. I am in the joyous possition of having my little darling announce (for the first time) that she wants to go to her friends' house in the village and do their trick or treating there. I was beside myself with joy when l heard this. Every year another Mum and l have had to load a car full of over-excited children and drive them round all the neighbouring farms while they 'do their thing' and collect embarrassing piles of sweets and treats. I know l will sound like an old codger when l say 'it wasn't like that in my day', but l am afraid that l really am a bit of a misery on this one, l always feel such an idiot standing there with a gang of kids, knowing damn well that the farmer would really rather tell them all to push off than go raid their buscuit tin, only for the little darlings to hop back in the car and moan that 'he was a bit mean, only custard creams, don't they know it's halloween!'. So you see l am thrilled that for the first time she is old enough to be going round the village on foot with her friend and leaving her old witch at home.

Don't think l have got off that lightly tho, oh no, the village school has organised a Halloween Dance for adults and children on Saturday night. Luckily fancy dress is not required for us larger people, it is just the little ones who have to dress up. Can't wait...............

Karon  x

MURDER MOST HORRID

Our sleepy Ayrshire village has hit the tv news, and not for any happy or glorious news. No l am afraid there has been a body found on the moor ourside the village and according to the news there is a murder hunt on. This is a little strange as all we have round here is a road block at the scene of the crime and not a policeman in sight. It has certainly got the tongues wagging and much chattering in the village. There are so many conflicting stories going round, it is a little like having an extra part in a 'Midsommer Murders' but without the lovely John Nettles and not knowing the plot, all a tad worrying really.

Back to the important stuff - the rosehip jelly/conserve is proving to be a disaster, in fact l have just thrown out the nasty mess from my jelly bag. This will not make a pretty piece for the blog or yummy addition to the storecupboard. I have higher hopes for the Hedgerow Gin l made the other day and the Fireworks Vodka.

Enjoying some lovely bright crisp Autumn weather, cold but beautiful. Am adding layers every day, will soon look like the Michelin Man.

Karon  x

SIMPLY WET

It has certainly been a wet old weekend, this is the field in front of the house, more like the lake by the look of it now.

Actually yesterday it cleared a bit and l decided to set to it and work in HQ since l seem to have had most of the weekend off. The basket of rosehips can wait an other day......

I sewed nice new blue striped  Linen Bags just as a change from my standard red striped variety. These have to be one of my biggest sellers and one of my favourite items. They are made from vintage mangle clothes (as are many of my goodies) and l think it is their simplicity that l like most. They are what they say they are, just simple little bags to freshen your linen and keep it moth free. Nothing fancy (oh well okay, a flower stamp and button trim) but really a seriously simple item that doesn't call attention to itself, look quirky or cute, just simple and useful.

It made such a change from all the colours and smells of Christmas. I had almost forgotten what my other herb blends smelled like!

Today it is back to the Christmas Cheer again.

Karon  x

A SLOW DAY FOR SLOES

The keen eyed amongst you will have noted that there are a mere 19 little black sloes in this basket of colouful rosehips - that dear reader is because our sloe picking mission was something of a wash-out. Not only was it seriously pouring with rain and the sloe bushes lurking in field that was one foot under water (l of course discovered a split in one welly that meant l had about a pint of freezing water sloshing about around my sock) there was hardly any of the little blighters there to pick. We gathered the grand total of 19 of the elusive little creatures, hardly enough for a miniature of sloe gin. However not to be completely defeated we picked a basket of gorgeous red rosehips instead.

We then went home to Rosemary's for hot and tasty homemade lentil soup and fresh rolls from the oven.That was a very welcome lunch l can tell you. After drying off we headed into Stirling to look round the shops and in the evening we sewed (oh yes l took some little bags and berries to Rosemary's as she has (in a moment of rashness) offered to help) and watched High Society on DVD and sang along to those old favourites.

The sun came out all too briefly in the afternoon and l had to snap this fabulous tree in Rosemary's garden, just look at the colour against the sky.

This morning we visited Bridge of Allan and popped in on a craft fair. Funny being on the 'other side of the fence' for a change. The fair was held in a comfortable and cosy type of hotel but the subtle lighting did no favours for the poor crafters whose goodies could hardly be seen even with their own table lighting. There is a lot to be said for the good old basic Church hall with its natural light and open aspect, plain it may be, but at least you can see what people have on offer.

I drove home this afternoon in the most horrific rain storm. Every driver had the gritted teeth determined look and white knuckles from clinging on to their steering wheels as the cars slewed around on the flooded road. Not a pleasant experience.

It has been a lovely little break, l thoroughly enjoyed spending good time with an old friend and really catching up. We ate far too much, kept the wine flowing and generally put the world to rights. Thank you Rosemary for a lovely weekend.

Home again to a flooded garden. My basket of rosehips is ready to be turned into my Rosehip Preserve tomorrow, and l have already taken a box of frozen berries from the freezer to add to the few sloes to make a sort of Hedgerow Gin tomorrow.

I have not even made it over to HQ as the weather is so horrid. It will all wait until tomorrow.............

Karon  x

REMEMBERING TO ENJOY

Today l am making my escape bid and l am off to Stirling to go pick sloes with Rosemary. The weather is still pretty hellish (not as dramatic and horrid as yesterday tho') so it's a case of major layers in the clothing dept to protect against rain, wind, cold and the fact that l will no doubt fall into a bush or two and slip in the mud. I now my clumsiness, l am prepared.

Jane (snapdragon) blogged the other day about how much she loves her job. I thought this was a marvelous post and l have to agree with her in her feelings on spending extra time with the business because you love what you do. I now l have moaned and groaned and been pretty pathetic about lack of time and not getting things done work wise, but l have to say l do love what l do. I love the fact that when l come up with some whacky idea at 3am and try to put it into practice at a more realistic 8am, it is actually my job that l am doing. Okay some ideas are not quite as successful as others. I have come up with some cracking plans for scenters etc, they seemed so great at 3am (doesn't everything) but alas by the light of day and the application of the sewing machine, they fall at the first fence and end up filed under bin.

I have always loved making things, for years it was horse sculptures and all things related to that. And for a brief spell of time l used to make collectors teddy bears. There has always been the mad crafter in me. With Dream Acres l just added my mad crafter element to the herb grubber, a combination that has brought me so much joy and satisfaction over the years. I will admit there are times of stress and difficulty. Fairs don't go as you had hoped, designs don't work out or sell well, greenhouse blows down, things like that. But when l think about the ideas, the designing, the quiet sewing, the herb gathering, drying and blending, the heavenly smells, the whole creativity thing - yes it is a good job to have and l love it.

So thanks Jane for making me stop and think about this one. Sometimes when you are up against the clock you just forget what you are doing it all for - the fact that you love it. You have to sort of rein back a bit and remind yourself that under the panic of the forthcoming fairs/orders etc, this is something that you really like to do.

I am always slightly amazed and very flattered when l get emails re my work, blog etc from people saying that they find me inspirational. That it helps them get motivated to 'give it a go' and things like that. Well, while l am far from inspirational in real life l  have one word of advise after all this thought of job satisfaction and enjoyment - ENJOY  - do what you enjoy doing, enjoy what you do, don't follow trends for something you think is the next best thing, stick with what you love doing even when things get pretty tough and that enjoyment seems far away. Sometimes it takes someone else to point it out to you again but hold on to it, your joy in what you do is the key and it will get you through.

Enjoy................

Karon x

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Ok forgive me for still harping on about the cows, l just couldn't resist taking these pix yesterday. Above we have a case of 'Line up the usual suspects' and bellow it has to be 'Prime suspect'.

Seriously nasty weather here today, the wind is howling round the house and rain lashing against the windows. Think of me dear reader as l run this morning. I am of course only showing this eagerness as it is Thursday and it is 'run to Wendy's day', amazing how the lure of coffee and a chat will get you out there.

Hope your weather is better than mine.

Karon  x

BT PHONE HOME...........

Late again (memories of school here) and again not my fault. Actually after phoning Demon again this morning to complain bitterly about the internet connection, the help desk person kindly pointed out that they could hardly hear me as my phone line was so bad and maybe it was a phone problem. Straight on the phone to BT and major hassles of finding another phone to plug in and try connection to make sure not phone itself. Phone back again. This time l have to dismantle the wall socket and plug in original phone to hidden plug point. Do this. Phone back, phone still nasty and crackly, help desk person points out that they are having difficulty hearing me, resist temptation to point out that that is why l am calling in the first place. Breath deeply and keep calm. They then inform me that they could send out an engineer but if the fault is on my property it will cost me an arm, leg and other bits of anatomy, and also an extortionate amount per hour of his time. Start to wonder if l am imagining crackle and lack of internet. Pull self together and risk going for the engineer. 'He'll be out tomorrow earliest' - 'Oh no he won't' mass hysteria on my part, lose ability to breath completely and calm is a thing of the past. Help desk person suddenly finds an opening in thier engineers diary for this morning. I await his arrival with baited breath (found it again and now it is baited), is the fault mine and will l be bankrupt by lunch time.

10am and engineer arrives. Takes one look and try with the phone and  declares the line hopeless. Hurrah it is their fault and not mine. Breathing becomes a normal activity again. Poor engineer now has to climb up various poles and fiddle with junction boxes and wiring all the way to the village. Re-appears back here at 2.45pm to announce that all now well. He is releived, l am releived. We are all happy at last! BT will not be happy as they have to pay his bill!

Now what was l going to chat about today. Ah yes, just received the flyers for the Country Living fairs, rather impressed that they arrived by courier. Unfortunately the poor chap had been lost all day finding the place, said he couldn't beleive anyone would live out here.

Anyway l am thrilled to report that my Crystal Star heart is featured in the Scottish flyer. Not only featured, it is pretty much taking centre stage. Whoopee, can't beleive it. I have tried to get into the fair flier every time l attend, this is a big moment. Should l celebrate by having yet another cup cake, maybe not, think l have rather overdone the cup cake eating in last two days.

So here it is in all its glory. Now best make some more hearts just in case.............
Karon  x

ROSEMARY OATCAKES

Rather late today l'm afraid, but not my fault l hasten to add. There l was blogging away nicely this but wondering why my oatie photos wouldn't upload. Much cursing later l realised that the internet and l were no longer at one with eachother. In fact we had parted company for quite a while and l had been blogging away to an empty cyberspace all on my own. Good old Demon (my server) have only just come back on line this evening, so here l am. Better late than never.........

With the weather so horrid yesterday, Idgy and l spent some happy time in the kitchen messing about with the eatables. I made my favourite Rosemary Oatcakes and thought l would share them with you.

ROSEMARY OATCAKES

3 1/2 oz wholemeal flour
1 1/2 oz medium or fine oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
2 oz butter
1 tablespoon muscovado sugar
1 tablespoon rosemary fresh (1/2 if dried)
Milk to mix

Mix the flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and chopped rosemary. Rub in the softened butter and the sugar. Now add the milk a little at a time, you only need enough to make a dough and no more.

Roll out to 1/8 - 1/4 inch thick and cut into rounds for a traditional oatcake shape. Place on baking paper on oven tray and bake in a moderate oven for approx 15-20 mins or until golden.

This recipe makes 15 nice sized oatcakes. They are just perfect with butter and cheese. Try them with thyme as well for a change. I do them for dinner parties to finish off the cheese course perfectly. They are also great made smaller and used with a dollop of cream cheese and  salmon as an appetiser.

Idgy made her favourites - cup cakes. These are flavoured with banana and walnuts and taste fab. Bit too fab really as l have felt obliged to eat them non stop.

So there you have it, the almost missing post for today.

Karon  x