Five on Friday

I've seen some "Five on Friday" posts on a few blogs recently. I did a quick search and it would seem there is more than one source, some have slightly different names or themes, so I'm not going to try to link up to them. I don't want to do it every week but today it seemed like a good way to round up a week of random bits and pieces.

 

1. Knitting

 

 

I finished another Little Cotton Rabbits bunny last week, as a Christening present. It's amazing how much knitting you can do on the train journey up and down to London... and also amazing how much space it gets you on the train. People don't seem to be keen to sit next to a woman knitting. Maybe they think I'll stab them with my needles!

 

2. Sewing

 

My first job this week was to complete this commission for a tea cosy. It has been on my "to do" list for quite a few weeks but as it is meant to be a Father's Day present I thoght I'd better get on with it. It is in the post and on its way to Devon.

 

3. Gardening

 

I've not been gardening this week but we were out all day on Saturday and when we came home we were greeted by this scarecrow guarding my vegetable patch. Joe wanted to try his hand at at some veg growing so I let him have one of my raised beds. He has grown corn from seed, planted it out and has now made a scarecrow to keep the pigeons off. He thinks he's a farmer (Joe, not the scarecrow)... bless! I only hope it grows.

4. Baking

 

There have been two cakes this week. A lemon drizzle for us which I spruced up with some good shop bought lemon curd, a dollop of creme fraiche and a few blueberries. It made a good pudding.

 

The second cake was a commission. A smallish chocolate cake for a 50th birthday gathering... but it turned out enormous. I hope they don't mind. No one's going to complain about too much cake, are they?

 

The plan was to decorate it with fondant ribbons but it was so warm in the kitchen last night they kept collapsing. So there was a quick change of plan and I taught myself how to make fondant roses instead. Serendipity!

 

5. Reading

 

I'm a bit late with this month's "Year in Books" post so I'm tagging it on the end here. I finished last month's choice, The Lacuna and loved it even more in the second reading. This would be my desert island book of choice - there is so much in it. The main character, Harrison Shepherd is one of the most believable fictional characters ever. And there will definitely be more artwork inspired by this book.

 

I also read Nick Hornby's A Long Way Down about four totally different people who meet on top of a tower block on New's Eve with the intention of jumping off. I found it to be most disappointing with totally unbelievable characters... one review says "Jump and take the book with you" I tend to agree!

 

My Year in Books choice for June is Dear Life by Alice Munro, which also happens to be our village bokclub choice this month. I'm not keen on short stories generally so we shall see!

 

Joining in A year in Books with Laura at Circle of Pine Trees.