Sunday 24 November 2019

Sunday

Good morning.  Apologies for the lateness but I overslept and then got started on other stuff.  It's a gloomy old day, not cold, now warm.  A nothing sort of day really.  I thin k I prefer those crisp and frosty mornings, even if the heating does have to work a bit harder to keep me in the warmth to which I have become accustomed now that Matt has sorted out my radiators.

I got my trip into the town and had a really good old wander around, looking here, there and everywhere for those perishing dried cherries.

I went into Holland and Barrett but no luck there.  All sorts of dried fruits including some I'd hardly heard of but no cherries.  I decided to take a detour through the Riverside Centre because I haven't been there for ages and, lo and behold, we do indeed have a Grape Tree shop.  A lovely place with all sorts of things, including some not-so-sweetened cranberries (which I got) but no cherries.  I asked and she looked a bit blank.  Surely I can't be the only one?
(I bought some dried pineapple, thinking it would be a nice substitute, if necessary).

I tried M&S although I was sure they wouldn't have any - and they didn't.  They did have some Christmas loo paper though so guess what!

Along the way, I picked up all sorts of other bits and bobs.  A nice ribbon for the cake, some white baubles for the bedroom tree (there's spoiling for you), some white acrylic paint for the clay decorations, some poly bags in Lakeland, oh - all sorts of bits.

To get to my preferred bus stop, I have to go through the market.  I stopped off at the haberdashery stall for some lace and then was just turning into the pathway to the bus stop when I remembered that there's quite a good little wholefood stall.  Herbs, spices, pulses, fruit, grains - really, all sorts of stuff, loose so you can get the amount you need (within reason).  How could I have forgotten?

So I went there and, finally - YESSSS - he had sour dried cherries, just what the recipe had ordered.  It was lovely and old fashioned, 100g (not that old fashioned) scooped out into a paper bag can carried home triumphantly.
Those biscotti had better be the best ever.

In the afternoon, I got on with knitting the Dickensian mouse I had started (as part of a rather late order) and this morning I got her finished.  A cook, holding a Christmas pudding on a plate.  I think she's really cute; what do you think?


Onto the next one now which will be the main focus of my day!  Tomorrow's tuition is all planned and ready so I can concentrate on crafty things.  Should be a really nice day.  I hope yours is too! xx

15 comments:

  1. Oh she's just lovely, Joy! I do admire people who have the patience to do such little fiddly things - I wouldn't have. So glad you got the dried cherries. I like Grape Tree, I get a lot of things there....how odd that they didn't have the cherries, though. xx

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    1. It's a nice place, isn't it. I enjoyed looking around. I love places like that and may very well do back to stock up with good things before Christmas. I only just avouded some very delicious roasted cashew nuts - which I love!
      I'm really pleased with how the mouse has come out and hope the customer is too. These things are never perfect and, as you say, can be incredibly fiddly, but I do like the results.
      xx

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  2. Hi Joy,
    I bought these some time ago and they were rather nice I seem to recall:

    https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/260165769

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    1. Thank you very much. I really looked hard when I was there on Friday but couldn't see any. It's very odd. I've got some now so that's good - they weren't essential, I suppose, but I'm glad I can stick to the recipe.
      xx

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  3. The little mouse holding the Christmas pudding is delightful. I admire your patience because I can see how fiddly it must be.

    I hope you enjoy your lazy day xx

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    1. Thanks, Eileen. I'm now onto the mince pie seller mouse. Very cute.
      It's been a good day, thanks. How has yours gone?
      xx

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    2. I'm feeling completely relaxed thanks Joy. It's been a lovely, restful day.

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  4. I love your little mouse! I picked up a set of hand knitted nativity people in Oxfam recently whilst on a break in Whitby. Someone went to a lot of trouble with them all - Mary/Joseph/ baby Jesus/3 wise men/ 2 shepherds for not a lot of money. After seeing your mouse, I'm regretting not picking up the Dickensian mouse carol singer complete with lantern that was also for sale! !

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    1. It sounds as if they are the Jean Greenhowe figures. I've knitted a number of sets and they are lovely. You got a real bargain there, I am sure.
      The lantern holder is really cute. :-)
      xx

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  5. I didn't know dried cherries were a thing - it's the sour word that's off putting. Love the mouse

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    1. I know what you mean but really they aren't sour at all, just not sickly sweet. Theyt're delicious!
      xx.

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  6. The mouse is lovely! I'm sure the biscotti will be well worth all the effort

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    1. I hope so because they are for pressies! I will use any leftover drioed fruit to make some muffins, I think. They'll go down well.
      xx

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  7. Mrs. Cookmouse is adorable but oh my, how fiddly! Don't think I could or would! Glad you managed to find the dried cherries!

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  8. The little mouse is so lovely. X

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