an important anniversary

Not ours! A kitty anniversary - one year since they came to live with us! We don't know their real birthday, since they came to us when they were already about 2 years old, so we made the date we adopted them their kitty- birthday. 

They loved the toys I made them for Christmas but I didn't have time to make mice again so I made little rag tassels from some scraps of fabric I had leftover from the wedding. I tied the tassels to little bamboo sticks with wool. Bobby was very interested!

Bobby has a real passion for string. I don't think he really cared about the tassel! He's also very partial to wool and twine.

Brucie seems to understand the concept a bit better, and has been dragging his stick and tassel around for the last week, in the hope that we will play with him.  

They had a special birthday tea of tinned tuna (their absolute favourite).

I know celebrating a kitty birthday is silly and we are very indulgent cat parents (the type I swore I would never become). I'm sure I will look back on this post in a few years' time and wonder how on earth I had time to make cat presents(!) but these two little naughties give us such a lot of pleasure everyday, and we're so happy we adopted them. 

And did they appreciate the love and effort we put into their birthday? Well of course not. 

Happy birthday Bob-bob and Brucie!

Chutney making

We had a glut of runner beans this year. I have stewed them, curried them, eaten them plain up with butter and pepper, made ratatouille, given them away to everyone and anyone....and still we had runner beans...!

There was nothing left but to make chutney! 

I got my sisters involved - we spent a lazy Saturday in the kitchen drinking tea, chatting and chutney-ing. To be honest, they are not the greatest chutney fans (why would you eat anything other than Branston pickle?) but they were happy to chop and stir. 

Luckily I had lots of empty jam jars hanging around (perks of being a hoarder). I sterilised them in the oven (10 mins at 180 degrees C) and boiled the lids. 

I used this recipe as a rough guide, adding bramley apple and courgette as suggested (courgette from our own garden, I may add). I halved the amount of vinegar though. 

I made them little labels and frilly hats. 

Now we have to wait for a month before it's ready to eat! 

Things making me happy in February

A few things that have been making me smile during February. Tulips and anemones catching rays of sunshine in these bright and cold February days. And sweet smelling hyacinths, perfume wafting around the kitchen.

Discovering a bag of lovely old fabrics that R's mum gave me and I had totally forgotten about

Making pancakes with my love. 

Putting up my star lantern, finally! (And curtains, yay!)

And catching this crazy shadow!

White roses from my lovely friend, Elonwy

Watching the kitties enjoying exploring our newly-decorated study.

My new crochet rug that reminds me of the 70s.







The kitties are very keen on it too:)



Our temporary (or not so temporary?) postcard wall.

Finally getting round to ombre-ing a paper lampshade. 

And feeling quite pleased with how it turned out. 

An understated Valentine's Day spent with friends.

A glass of wine (or two) in front of the fire. 

And these two, who seem to get naughtier every day. 

And everywhere you look, crocuses and snowdrops are poking up their little heads, the daffs are blooming and there is a distinct smell of springtime in the air, woo hoo!