The Beret & Ike comes to visit

This is the finished beret which looked like a pumpkin. I am very pleased with the result although I didn't write down all the pattern as I knitted. I was making up the pattern when I was sitting in the hospital with David and was sure I would remember what I had done...but no

On the left is Darwin and on the right is Ike. I couldn't get the dogs to stand still for a minute to get a good photo. Too much energy. Ike is to be the future man in Mopsy's life.

Mopsy in the collar

Mopsy had a trip to the vet and ended up having to wear an Elizabethan collar for a week. She coped well but David had to make a verandah on her kennel. It took Mopsy the full week to work out she could back into her kennel.

I make many knitted felted hats so decided to have a go at making a beret. This is the funny pumpkin shape so far but hope the pumpkin will turn into a beret after next lot of felting.

Now that David is home from hospital I am back to spinning my yarn called Curly Fleece. Sometimes I find an extra special fleece and its like spinning clouds. Today I have been dyeing Pencil yarn for a customer and Curly Fleece yarn for the market.

Tomorrow will be a busy day finishing felted hats, labelling yarn, packing for the market and also Jane, Mopsy's breeder is calling in.

Yoghurt Cake Recipe

This is the view looking out from my studio. This is the blue room where I spin, knit, make felted hats and have my library. One day I may show you the green room but definitely not today.

Darwin is Brie's dog. Darwin is living with us for a while and has a great time on the farm. If he misbehaves and I can't catch him all I need to do is open a car door. A car ride is such a treat for Darwin and Mopsy.

David gave me these flowers for my birthday. Such happy faces! And they smiled for over 2 weeks.

This is one of the huge bobbins I collected from the spinning mill. I have had more yarn spun and all I have to do now is wind the yarn into hanks and dye the yarn. Have to get some yarn ready for Sunday's market.

Recipe for the Yoghurt Cake

Line a loaf tin - 1 medium size or 2 small.

125gms butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs separated

1 1/2 cups self raising flour

Most of a tub of King Island Cinnamon & Honey yoghurt

Cream butter and sugar, add egg yolks. Beat well. Sift flour and fold in with yoghurt. beat egg whites and fold in lightly. It is a thick mixture.

Cook 180deg c for 50 mins approx. The cake will brown but don't be deceived and take cake out of oven too soon.

Now to be honest

I have made this cake and have been in a hurry so just added eggs ( not separate whites) and didn't sift flour - just ran a the spoon through flour. Tasted so good.

Icing

Sometimes I use chocolate icing and coconut or plain icing with a few drops of Orange Blossom water.

The cake freezes well so you can double recipe.

Use It or Lose It

As I have my blog working today I am blogging again. This is some of the yarn I have been dyeing. I usually wait until I have a days worth of dyeing now. I can then concentrate on the dyeing and just knit as I am waiting. I am also dyeing some handspun fleece which I call Curly Fleece Yarn. I have been spinning some English Leicester and Corriedale blend for Chunky Yarn. This blend has a silky feel and is lustrous. Great to dye

As mosy of my blog readers know I am "into" tea cosies. This is the latest tea cosy I have put on Etsy. hawthornecottage.etsy.com

The cool weather is here so I need to make more hats. A new cherry red hat, knitted and then felted . I have another 8 to finish this week. Must knit more orange hats as orange is one of the most popular colours.

More Easter cooking. I made some hot cross buns. Didn't get to glaze or put crosses on these buns. Also I didn't add any peel (allergies in this household) and managed to get the spices just right. Won't be waiting for Easter to make these again. I soaked the fruit for a couple of hours before making the buns - made the dough in the bread maker and then cooked in the oven. That is how I cook most of my bread now.

Brioche

At Easter I made this delicious brioche. The brioche always works in this sculptured cake mould. Must say I have has some weird looking cakes when baked in this cake mould so I'll just use it for brioche now.
Easter seemed to go so quickly. On Easter Sunday I went to Melbourne to sell my yarns at the Arts Centre market. Enjoyed the day. Some friends came to visit and sales were good.
This week is busy with volumnes of yarn to dye. There is quite a breeze today to dry the hanks. Must remember to bring in the yarn early to avoid the evening dampness