Finally - Time to Relax, at Least till Tomorrow!

What a hectic weekend...

...Saturday

went to the antiques and bric a brac market at Tynemouth, (stopping off at Just Harley's for Dave to get some more useless useful bits for his bike).

Not a lot of bargains this time, but I did get more pillowcases - think I might just have enough now! and the book "Deadly Durham" by Terry Deary

Then back home to add the heading tape to the curtains I have made for Flic's room and to sand and prime the chest of drawers ready to paint.

The finished articles.

Sunday

Car booting at Hexham.

A much needed bed guard for when little one comes to stay - BNIB and only £3.

A 1945 Bakelite fruit bowl - £5.

A pink gingham duvet cover - 50p. This will be cut up to make cushions.

A Disney Princess Duvet Cover and Pillowcase - 50p. Dear granddaughter has been asking for a Disney Princess Quilt for her bed at home which is a toddler bed, so needs a half size quilt. I have already halved an old quilt for use on her bed along with altering a duvet cover to fit, but I have been on the look out for a Disney Princess one to alter, so was well pleased to get one at this price!

Then home  to add a coat of Farrow & Ball to the chest of drawers & make Pasta Chicken Enchiladas for tea - recipe on this fantastic blog full of Slimming World recipes.

Then evening spent altering said duvet cover and adding  a final coat of paint to the drawers.

To-day

First coat of Danish Oil on top of the drawers.

Delivered altered Disney Princess Quilt then ...

...off to B & Q for screws to put handles on the chest, but none in the right size so back in the car and off to Homebase, where we bought the last packet.

Chose and purchased new carpet for little one's room.

Filled up on fuel.

Back home, helped dear hubby clear junk out of the room so he could fit the carpet and put the handles on the drawers.

Sanded and primed an old dining chair that will also go in little one's room.

Dear son turned up - he hadn't realised it was a bank holiday and so the shop in our village is closed - he has nothing in the house - can I just run him into the next village for supplies?

Back home - prepare and cook Roast Lamb dinner including Yorkshire puds.

Second coat of Danish Oil on top of the drawers.

Make bread.

Iron two large vintage cotton double bed sheets and four pillowcases then change bedding.

Finally - so shattered can't think straight and my old bones and muscles aching and groaning, dragged myself into a blissful warm soothing shower.

Now I'm beginning to relax I've also treated myself to some of the Elderflower Champagne I made back in June.

I'll leave you with the picture that my other half has set as wallpaper on the PCs desktop to remind me of our holidays and help me to relax - Ahhh!

Ring of Brodgar - Orkney

Elderflower Cordial and Champagne

I have made elderflower cordial every year for about the past five years now but until last year I have never had the courage to try making the champagne. I think I've always felt a bit nervous in case the bottles exploded, but then realised that I could use plastic bottles so gave it a go.

I had only tasted elderflower champagne once before and that was when I was ten years old and I went to tea with one of my friends who lived on a farm. I still have vivid memories of that tea, it was a glorious sunny day and her parents opened a bottle of home made elderflower champagne - it was gorgeous and I never forgot the wonderful taste. So, it was with great anticipation that I tried the first bottle of my own, it was fantastic every bit as good as I remembered - success!!!

For the past week or so I've kept promising myself that I will get out and collect elderflowers to make cordial and champagne with, but either I end up running out of time or the weather turns against me. Do you ever get the feeling you're running to catch up?

Last night I determined to get out for a beautiful evening stroll in the sunshine and to collect the elderflowers. The evening was beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed my little walk, but best of all I collected enough elderflowers to make both ...

elderflower cordial

and...

elderflower champagne

The cordial only takes 24 hours so had my first glass tonight - yum! The champagne has another 24 hours before bottling then 5-7 days in the bottle -can't wait.

Recipes:

Elderflower Cordial

20 heads of elderflowers (don't wash them just shake them gently to remove any insects)

2 oz citric acid

1kg sugar

3 pints water

1 lemon sliced

Place sugar in a large bowl and pour over the boiling water, stir till the sugar dissolves. Add the other ingredients. Cover. Leave for 24 hours. Strain through sterilised muslin (just pour boiling water over it first) into sterilised bottles. You can make this without citric acid, but it won't keep too well, though it can be frozen.

Elderflower Champagne

6 heads of elderflowers

900g sugar

2tbsp white wine vinegar

4 1/2 litres of cold water

2 large lemons

Shake the flowers to remove any insects. Boil 1 litre of the water. Place the sugar in a large container and pour over the boiling water, stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the cold water, the lemons, thinly sliced, the vinegar and the flowers. Mix well and cover. Leave for 48 hours. Strain carefully and pour into plastic screw top bottles. Should be ready after 1 week. check the bottles every day or so as you may need to release some of the fizz.

Enjoy!!