"Creative, oh was I glad that you decided to come ice skating with me, instead of going Christmas shopping last Monday.
We were having such fun, when the next thing I know, I went splat down onto the ice! I don’t even remember how it happened, only that I was dazed and felt such a fool in front of all those people.
 |
| Dizzy goes over! |
When I tried to get up, I looked at my left hand, to my amazement three of my fingers on my left hand where not lying flat with my palm, but pointing in the direction of the ceiling. They had started to swell and took on a shade of deepening blue. "
 |
| Creative comes to help |
"At the time I was thinking, ‘Oops!’ we were going to help our friends Jay and Carol with their workshops the weekend, at the Miss Ivy Event, All Vintage and Festive. I can’t let them down, there will only be three hands extra to assist during their busy and hectic taster courses, ‘the sewing will be interesting!’
After your speedy Torvill and Dean routine around the ice rink, when did you realise that I was no longer keeping up with you? Was it the lack of noise of me wheezing and gasping for a breather? or was it the heap on the ice surrounded by a small crowd?
 |
| X-Rayed and a little more comfortable |
You did your best to suppress your laughter and eventually you helped me up, you noticed my hand started to looked like a blue ski glove and my little glazed pale face. I’m not sure which of us was in the most shock.
Anyhow the staff on duty were marvelous, providing lots of cold compresses to help with the swelling, checking that I had mobility in my fingers, along with lashings of tea and biscuits for the pair of us. (there is always an up side)."
"We all agreed (there was a pretty sizeable crowd, by the time we got you to your feet!), that you should have your hand x-rayed to check out for broken bones - it was certainly swelling quickly! Your face was really ashen as well, I was quite worried."
The nurse and radiologist at our local cottage hospital were marvelous, and so friendly. X-rays and TLC all done in less than an hour, we were sent on our way home with no broken bones, just a badly bruised hand and injured pride.
"However, I noticed how “Creative” your driving is, but that’s a story for another day!"
"
Well, Dizzy - you certainly gave me a fright! I really thought you'd broken your poor hand. It's interesting to see the shades of blue and green emerging as the bruising comes out! What do you mean, my 'Creative' driving?"
 |
| Our lovely handmade crackers, some using recycled music |
 |
| A table to impress our London cousins! |
"I was worried that you would miss our cracker making day with Orchard Learning Studios (www.orchardlearningstudios.co.uk) but thankfully you were well enough recovered to help make our table decorations - I want our London cousins Boo and Bea LaCheste to see just what fine quality our beautiful handmade crackers are."
 |
| White Welly Duckling from the Dcuk Company |
" By the way - before we went skating I found a great idea for a Christmas pressie for our cousins - what about one of these little chaps from the
Dcuk Company (http://dcuk.cm/) ? Would bring a bit of Country to their London penthouse, don't you think?
Dizzy's Recipe of the week: Perfect to make as an extra gift
Last Minute Christmas Chutney
Ingredients:
·
2 red onions sliced
·
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
· 2 tsp
finely chopped fresh root ginger (or stem ginger in syrup, drained and finely
chopped)
·
200g/7oz ready to eat dried apricots,
quartered
·
150g/5½oz soft dried figs, quartered
·
100g/3½oz raisins
·
150g/5½oz demerara sugar
·
150ml/5fl oz white wine vinegar
·
¼ whole nutmeg, finely grated
·
1 cinnamon stick
·
1 tsp sea salt flakes
·
freshly ground black pepper
Preparation method
1. Heat the oil in a large non-reactive
saucepan and fry the onions over a low heat for 10 minutes, or until very soft
but not coloured.
2. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook
for a further 2-3 minutes.
3. Increase the heat slightly and fry for
a further 4-5 minutes, until the onions begin to brown, stirring constantly.
4. Add the apricots, figs and raisins
to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the dried fruit begins to plump
up a little.
5. Sprinkle over the sugar, add the
vinegar, spices and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Stir well and bring to a gentle
simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. (The
chutney is more likely to stick towards the end of the cooking time so pay
particular attention to stirring then.)
7. The chutney is ready when the liquid
has reduced to just 4-5 tablespoons, and the fruit looks plump and glossy.
Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. As the chutney cools stir it a
little to distribute the moisture.
8. Spoon the chutney into sterilised
jars.
Creative Says: "These jars look lovely with a circle of festive fabric tied over the top - but please, make sure you do your own washing up!!!!!"
Next Public Appearance: Moor Foreshore Craft and Gift Fair, Tavistock Town Hall Friday & Saturday 18th / 19th December. We'll be there with some fabulous last-minute discounts on special gifts, plus our very own pattern!
© 2013 Jay Hooper and Carol Kennedy. All rights reserved.
