Monday 9 January 2012

Normality Restored!!!!!!

Well thats it, the house is back to its regular run of the mill, everyday, hum drum
but quietly satisfying day in, day out life!!!!!
The girls went back to school today (would I sound completely awful if I said a tiny "yayyyyyy") I know, I know what kind of mom am I????????
The Christmas decorations are all down & packed away for another eleven months & Spring is most def on the way. Such a mild Winter this year, almost feels like Spring already.
Sophie returned to Germany on Sunday morning, which I am not over the moon about, but hey its just for two weeks then her travelling days are over for the time being, at least until she finishes uni & thats a year & a half away. She has said though that there is no place like home & has learned to really appreciate Ireland especially after her last four months in Germany, no offense intended.


I began my exercise routine today, a good ol Tae Bo workout, which will def knock off cobwebs & i'm convinced some pounds as well. I used to do this work out a lot some years back but stopped, & i tell you i was pretty fit, so i'm determined to get back there again. Wishful thinking!!!!

Anyhoo i've started my first quilt of 2012, first of many I hope.
I wanted something Fresh & simple to start, so i've stuck to a sweet blue & white pattern.


Got quite a bit done today, must be all that exercise makes me feel like superwoman!!!!
Its gonna be a pretty big one, large enough for a king size bed I hope.
After that i'm gonna attack the Ruby fabrics at long last, can't wait :D.

Also on the go these last few days, a wee bit of simple hooking.
Bought two balls of the softest yarn in real cute colors & hooked up a quick cowl & set of wrist warmers for moi!!!!!


I know the photos aren't great, but those colors sure are cute eh!!
Oh my these are mega warm when I go out for my evening walk Mmmmmmm,
lovely & cozy :D.
Also couldn't resist these...........................


Ain't they so pretty, I want spring colors everywhere, pink, blue, lilac.......
thank God for cheap bunches of flowers in the supermarket, otherwise it most def would be cut out all around the house & how tacky would that be!!!!!
Oh yes a recipe....I was asked for  this from the previous post so here goes


Now before you read on, if you want a six pack like yer one in the pic above stop right now, & leave all such recipes out of your mind, ok!!!!!!!

Pear & Almond Tart
Ingredients
10oz plain flour
5.5oz caster sugar
1 tsp finely grated lemon rind
pinch of salt
5.50z chilled butter
1 egg
1 tbsp chilled water

Filling
6oz butter
6oz caster sugar
3 eggs
6oz ground almonds
2 tsp plain flour
1/2 tsp almond extract 
2 large ripe pears

1. Pastry, put flour, suger, lemon & salt in a bowl. Rub in until you have a fine breadcrumb type mix.
Combine egg & water, then slowy add to the flour mix, stirring with a fork until it comes together.
Wrap in cling film & chill for an hour.
2.Roll out to approx 1/8 inch thick & line a 10 inch pie tin. Bake blind for 12 mins at 200'c.
Remove from oven & prepare filling.
3. beat butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
Add remaining ingrediants (not pears) & mix until blended.
4. Spoon the mix into the pastry case, peel & slice the pears & arrange on top.
Bake for 25 mins or until centre is cooked.
5. Dust with icing sugar & serve with whatever you fancy.
I had mine with hot toffee sauce & whipped cream , slurp!!!!!!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!
Thanks for popping by
Lots of love Karen xxxxxxxxxx 

14 comments:

  1. Those are such pretty tulips Karen, fresh flowers always remind me of spring, which hopefully will be here soon - I just want to skip the last couple of Winter months! Good luck on your exercise regime too - I was quite good a few years ago but have totally lapsed and am so unfit once more. Would love to start getting fitter again but just too full of excuses and laziness!! You sound more motivated though so sure you will stick at it longer than I would. Love your new quilt too, how fresh and pretty it is. Thanks for your lovely comments by the way, so glad your girls liked their mirrors :) Jenny xx

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  2. Hi Karen, you certainly are launching into 2012 in a big way, crochet, quilts, cooking and......Tae Bo. I use to do that too, I wish I had the energy and inclination to do it now.
    Have a lovely week,
    Anne xx

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  3. Wow Karen, I think you are Superwoman!! I started exercising recently too and it does feel good. I think I have more energy. Love your quilt colors, it looks so sweet. Enjoy working on it. Love the tulips, spring right in your home, how nice!
    xoRobin❤

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  4. Hi Karen! I was all like holy macaroni she already finished a quilt in 2012?? Luckily, I went back and read in again and you STARTED a new quilt in 2012. That's much better :) Love the crochet too!!! Happy Tae Bo-ing!!!

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  5. I so glad I found your blog. I sure would like to give credit to a blog I hopped from. But like usual reading one blogs to reading another and you know how it goes. I love all your crocheting and got this wild idea - I haven't done granny squares in sometime. So off I went to my yarn stash. Guess What I found, so many unfinished projects that I had to blog about it on my blog. So keep up the good work Superwoman for I have to finish some before I can start a new in 2012.

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  6. Hello Karen! I love your new quilt colours, so fresh and pretty. The tulips are beautiful too, and the recipe looks delicious. Hope you enjoy a happy crafty week!
    Helen x

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  7. Hi Karen! Great post, I love all your projects. Your quilt is very pretty! I think I will go for an extra long bike ride today, so I can make the pear tart :)

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  8. Hi Karen, thank you very much for the hew years wishes on creJJtion! I am wishing you and the girls a wonderful, healthy and creative 2012!

    And tulips and the cake look yummy...

    Love, Maaike

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  9. Mmmmmm. patchwork, crochet, food and flowers, good combo. Tae Bo sounds ok too, so you can enjoy more cake!!!
    I am knitting some fingerless mitts...believe it or not, we have 13 deg today...last week 43deg. It is windy as, raining, thunder and lightening and my heater has stopped working, I am in jumper and woolie socks today.
    xx Sandi

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  10. Hi Karen....Beautiful quilt and that wool wow!! It's great to have the kids home but also to reclaim that quiet ,independent time.Hmm that Tart might have to be dessert at Saturday's lunch with friends!!

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  11. Hello Karen...I can see that you are having a wonderful start to 2012....Your quilt is so pretty...I love the fresh colours and your tulips are making me wish for Spring even more!
    My eldest daughter is off to Spain in September for a few months...I may be looking to you for advice ..I'm a bit worried about it all!
    Thanks for sharing your lovely recipe,
    Susan x

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  12. Lovely blog you have ! Beautiful crafts you make !
    Have a nice day.
    Hug
    Anna

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  13. Hi Karen,glad your feeling so well,'Superwoman'I wish ;o) Love the look of the new quilt,so clean and fresh,love the cowl and wrist warmers too.lol,juliexxx

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  14. Awwww, all things lovely, as always here!
    Beautiful colours for your quilt- very springlike.
    And you know me, I love chunky crochet- your cowl and wrist warmers are super-cute!
    Enjoy the rest of your week!
    Xx
    PS I had a little cheer when my number one went back to school too! X

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