Virtual Tea Party

Welcome, dear ones! So glad to “see” you this month!

A word before we begin . . .

I know many parts of my  country are in varying stages of reopening, but my city’s mayor, concerned about rising numbers, has mandated mask wearing. And social distancing. All of which makes it a bit diffy to eat and converse.

So let me welcome you  to this virtual feast, and let’s pretend our conversations are in person instead of in the Comments section.

What a month it’s been over here.

I thought twice about this tea party, but decided everyone might need a moment to gather together and enjoy the singular pleasure of a cup of their favourite hot or cold beverage, and a bite of something decadent to go with.

I’ve mixed up a slight variation on the Wacky Cake recipe, and I think I like it better that my family’s recipe. (It has more cocoa. 🤣)

Alas, I’ve scraped the bottom of the whole wheat barrel, and wasn’t able to do our usual bread & butter, but there’s always scones!

Had difficulty deciding what recipe to make, but in the end, since there was already a sweet, decided on a savory recipe. I’ve made these olive oil and herb scones before, and they’re delightful, especially with a hunk of cheddar on the side.

Chatter on amongst yourselves. In my little world, it’s been difficult to decide who to pay attention to. However, there’s no doubt as to what I shall ignore.  Honestly! Anyone who insists on spouting outrageous lies doesn’t deserve anyone’s time.

I’ve been doing lots of research-style reading, and will write a bit more about that later this month. Su (Zimmerbitch) sent interesting links to a New Zealand virtual film festival! But everything I wanted to see is not available in this country. Pooh! I understand why, but am still disappointed.

There is a short about one of the films that I found fascinating. If you’re feeling sad and would like a change of perspective, take a look.

Oh! Lynn (Tialys) mentioned The Clangers this week. Anybody  heard of them? Adorable episodes are available on YouTube!

Su will be out of town next month, but I plan on being here, so everyone is invited up here. I warn you, it’ll probably be hot! And might be rainy. But we shall let the good times and conversations roll on!

Cheers, everyone! Please go gently with all, especially your own lovely selves.

xx

(not so) wordless Wednesday 😉

In looking over my spare summer wardrobe before MeMadeMay I remembered a red Renfrew almost never worn.

Neatly-removed sleeves revealed where I’d cut to the seam line when easing in the sleeves.

Mind you, we’d already had several days flirting entirely too closely with 90℉ when this Renfrew came to light. But would I wear it?

NO!

I doubt I’ve worn it more than once or twice since completion several years ago.  😱

Why? It’s a solid medium weight cotton knit and the fit is snug. But in heat & humidity anything even slightly heavy or snug doesn’t get worn. It was forgotten during cooler weather.

Enter some Snug Hug rayon bias tape, stitched to those neatly trimmed seams where short sleeves used to be.

Would that be enough to put this back on the wearable list?

Happily, it was! And it’s been in constant rotation along with some stretch denim shorts made from leftovers of my (2014!) denim winter maxi skirt.

This is why we keep a fabric stash!

 

silent Sunday

Paper trimmings

The cutting table with pattern pieces ready for fitting measurements & Ankara fabrics

Remaining pattern pieeces (mostly for dress & looong)

Save the date: Thursday 18 June

I’m a bit remiss with this month’s Save the Day for our Virtual Tea Party, and hope you’ll forgive me.

Here is Su Leslie’s lovely photography and invitation, with her kind permission to reblog.

As Su is in New Zealand, her June 18th will come before ours — assuming I’ve got that straight — and you’re welcome to attend both!

Zimmerbitch

Virtual Tea Party; an invitation

Yep, it’s that time again; a virtual afternoon tea to which everyone is invited.

The figs are finished, but I have lots of citrus on the trees, and the persimmons are good right now, so I’m sure they’ll make an appearance somewhere.

My tea-time will begin while lots of you are still asleep, but rest assured that in the blogosphere you can arrive at any time, there will always be plenty to eat, and tea never goes cold.

View original post

Zooming into the Weekender

Click to go to post and see full details. It’s online this year, so anyone can attend. Proceeds from ticket sales entitle you to everything, with monies going to various charities.

 

Hello, everyone. It’s been somber, grateful, and quiet the last 2 weeks here at CnS HQ.

This is what 13 pages of patterns looks like when they arrive from the printers. (PDFPlotting.com is great!)

I’ve been doing a lot of reading and digesting, besides getting ready for this weekend’s Sewing Weekender. It’s been a busy time.

Just thought I’d do a quick update on the program being used to connect us sewers world-wide. It’s Zoom, which has a mixed reputation.

(Portions will also be available during and after this weekend on YouTube and Instagram.)

Here are a few things to help you decide whether or not to use Zoom. I hope they’re useful.

Oh, might be a good time for you to check for any updates to your operating system, just to make sure everything’s up-to-date.  Just a suggestion… 😉

❤️     ❤️     ❤️   ❤️     ❤️     ❤️

• On Wiki
• Zoom’s YouTube channel
• Zoom adds … security updates  (ZDNet magazine)
• Zoom security: Your meetings will be safe & secure if you do these 10 things   (ZDNet magazine)
• Zoom won’t add end-to-end encryption to free calls so it can keep aiding police    (CNet magazine)
• 6 things never to do during Zoom or other video chat calls   (CNet magazine)

MeMadeMay 2020

My final efforts, which may seem silly, stupid, or trivial.

I don’t want to allow other people’s inhumanity to darken my thought.

The ancient ideas are practical:

“Love thy neighbour as thyself.”

“Gratitude is riches”

I hadn’t thought much about these things. They’re not worth much. Most are second- or handmade.  But to me they have beauty, and beauty is worth appreciating and sharing.

MeMadeMay has taught me a good lesson this year.

❤️  ❤️  ❤️  ❤️  ❤️     ❤️  ❤️  ❤️  ❤️  ❤️     ❤️  ❤️  ❤️  ❤️  ❤️

wordless Wednesday

Just to say all’s well here, but busy!

wordless Wednesday

Come for Tea!

Quality Control: Everyone’s favourite spice cake

Chiming in with the North American edition of Su’s Tea Time in the Blogosphere.

Welcome! It’s good to see you! Hope you all have been keeping well and are ready for a gentle entry to your weekend.

If tea seems a bit sparse this month, flour is getting worrisome yet again, so I’ve included an unusual ingredient, and we don’t usually feature a cookie.

The South is teetering on the brink of summer heat & humidity today, but don’t worry! The air con is working, so we can talk up a storm in comfort.

What’s happening in your world? What “stage” are you currently in? How’s that being interpreted? As usual, feel free to bring your latest completed or in-progress project to show off, or work on whilst having a sit down and a bite to eat.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes, or until pale gold.
Store in air tight container up to two weeks. Can also be frozen. Makes about 4 dozen.

A special request: Only honest opinions on the cookie, please!

Personally, I’m of two minds. Corn meal isn’t a particular favourite, but when I tried a sample of today’s cookie with tea, without thinking I dunked it.  Then another.  They didn’t disintegrate, and kept the distinctive corn meal crunch. So dunkers, please give it a go and let me know your verdict!

Made the batter Thursday, rolled into 2 logs and froze them overnight, then cut & baked this morning. Knife does need to be sharp.

I should report I didn’t have any cane sugar, so used dark brown sugar instead, and not the full amount the recipe calls for. Corn is naturally sweet, and American recipes in general tend to have more sugar than necessary, imho, so you can go scant on that if you liked these.

(That reminds me – This corn meal’s use-by date is next month, which begs two questions: 1. Are people not buying it so it sits on the shelves; and 2., Has it gone a bit stale as a result?  Am not a connoisseur, so haven’t a clue, but am keeping the remainder in the fridge just in case. )

Cookies do not spread so I loaded up the cookie sheets and let them bake a tad longer.

My recipe, used in the dim & distant past, is from an old issue of Sunset magazine, a California publication. I’ve a caveat for the link: Sunset asks you to allow all their adverts & still inserts some if you decline. BTW, the recipe is exactly the same as the one in my photo . . . 😉

Whoops! “Times winged what’s it” to quote the murderess in Christie’s Hallowe’en Party. Better get out the china, put on me tea frock & a bit of flash & glam. Early birds get to help set table and taste test!

Note: If your oven’s hotter in one spot, turn your cookie sheet round half way through baking. I forgot, and had to “dispose” of several overly browned ones. 🤣

(not so) wordless Wednesday

Catching up with my Memademay vow to wear bits of glitz.  (Though I did take Sunday off. hehee!)

Might be called the brass & glass period… wha’cha think?

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