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Wednesday 26 March 2014

International Woman of Mystery

I lead something of a double life. On weekdays, geeky scientist at the lab bench, and being a good girl eating healthily and exercising. Weekends are generally a completely different situation, country living, baking cakes, wandering wistfully in the fields...it can be quite a contrast. There are good things in both lives; I love beautiful Bath, I know the city so well and it really feels like home, but my actual house doesn't really feel like a home, and I miss the countryside and a certain gentleman that resides there. I have lived such a double life for quite a few years now, so the concept of a single living seems quite alien to me, although perhaps I will grow up eventually.

Musings of a sleepy mind, but the point, if there is one, is that inevitably many of my favourite pictures come from the idyllic country life. Here are some recent snapshots, most of which can be found on the dreaded instagram, helping me pretend that my life is some sort of picturesque perfection, although there is the occasional muddy bike pic if you fancy some entertainment!






Sunday 16 March 2014

Bows and Arrows

At the start of this year I gave the Grainline Archer shirt pattern a go. I know I should probably try and build my skills with more simple projects, but the fabulous sew-along and the rave reviews made me want to give it a go. I figure (possibly arrogantly!) I can achieve anything if there are good instructions and I take it slow. This is only wearable muslin status really, but I am quite pleased with how it turned out; I think the main issue is I used a pretty cheap polycotton so there are some frayed edges and it doesn't feel too nice to wear. I'll definitely be making another version in better fabric, and with shorter sleeves, it appears I have short arms!

Prepare now for some silly photos :)

Selfie, like all the cool kids


Not quite sure about my rear view, trying to show the very long sleeves!

 And some construction pics, I am excessively pleased with some of the neat top stitching I achieved!


 Hope you are having a lovely sunny weekend, it is beautiful here in Dorset :)


Sunday 9 March 2014

Winter Roast Veg Salad

After a rather indulgent weekend last week I felt the need for a good dose of vegetables. After a bit of aimless internet browsing I decided on a wintery salad, making the most of some in season root vegetables. This is a fairly standard Julia recipe, nice and easy! And of course completely flexible as to what veg goes in.


Ingredients (serves 2):
2 carrots
1 pack pre-cooked beetroot (not in vinegar), or could use fresh
2 parsnips
2 small red onions
Couple of handfuls of spinach
Handful of rocket
4 spring onions
Olive oil
Mixed herbs
2-4 Eggs

1. Chop the root veg into even chunks

2. Put in a sandwich bag with a tablespoon of olive oil and some mixed herbs, tie closed and give a good mix by shaking around. this is a nice and easy way of coating the veg in oil without using too much!

3. Empty the oiled veg into an oven dish, stick in a preheated oven (approx. 180C) until well roasted, stirring occasionally. I left mine for about an hour as I was on Skype, and they came out great :)

4. Serve on a bed of spinach, rocket and chopped spring onions, top with one or two fried/poached eggs. You could add some feta or goats cheese too.

 One on my eggs was seriously orange, it tasted good!