Five Forty at Home

Thursday, April 29, 2010

My Friend, the Raven!

We have had a pair of ravens hanging around our backyard for years, they know when it is the dogs dinner time. The pair get the dogs leftovers.

This beauty, who I call Bird, or Biggie, came for a close up visit while I was out this afternoon photographing my new corduroy rug. Wow what a treat! They are such magnificent birds!!

raven

biggie..bird

Blue Birds and Blue Corduroy

I have been working on this blue, grey and black corduroy rug for a week or so. I was sidetracked by the Green Tradeshow here in town last weekend. I happily got back to my loom earlier this week.

I was not pleased with my first cord rug from this loom, it lies in my back hallway. It is a gorgeous rug, but it is woven too loose for my liking. It is two years old and is very durable, and stands up to abuse.

This is my third corduroy rug on this loom, I packed in the warp threads, maybe a few too many, as it is a warp faced weave, but I do like how dense and tight it is, It is such a thick rug, so cushy underfoot!! I am very very pleased with it.

I am not pleased with how many hours it takes to weave and finish a cord or denim rug. I will have to work on a different finishing technique, it's a challenge for me.

I got a new packet of enameled beads in yesterday,

I love these little blue birds!

blue birds .. enameled copper and silver earrings

handwoven recycled corduroy rag rug

blue bird .. enameled copper and silver necklace

Monday, April 26, 2010

I've been drilling pebbles!

It's been a long while since I drilled pebbles, I had run out of bits, and when I bought more I couldn't get into the room my drill press is in, as Mark was insulating. Yay for getting back to it, I must say I am a little obsessed with beach pebbles! They're so beautiful each and every one!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Earring Appreciation! Yay!!

Miss Baylee sporting her new recycled rubber tire bead earrings!!

Thanks so much for the photo!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Fruit Dumplings

This recipe was my gram's, it is old, and was very vaguely written. It has been a family favourite forever. I made them for lunch today and have loosely written down ingredient amounts. Loosely, there is always room for play, or for getting things to the way you would like them. I find them to be comfort food,

a very simple easy recipe.

Marcella's Fruit Dumplings

4 cups water ( I had to add a little extra water once I added the dumplings)

500 g mixed dried fruit, such as raisins, currants, apples, apricots, peaches, prunes, cherries..

what ever you have on had, cut into bite sized pieces

Boil together

Dumplings

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour, enough to thicken the dough

Mix together. Form into a 1" to 1 1/2" roll or log. My dough was a little sticky so I rolled the dough log in flour. Cut into small pieces and drop into the fruit mixture.

Add water if need be, so that all the dumplings are in the liquid. Boil gently for 10 minutes. When done add some milk to the mixture. I added less than 1/2 cup.

Serve, and I hope you enjoy!