Sunday 18 September 2011

….and the earth moved…..again!!!

…..and I didn’t even know!!!

Apparently at 2.29am this morning, we had a minor earthquake, registering 4.1 on the Richter scale, south-west of Bowen.  Friends said they felt their bed move and the sound of a rumble, doors and windows rattle and dogs bark…..but me…..I slept on, oblivious to the phenomenon!!!  All’s well though….no damage….and my puppy slept on, just like me!

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Then this afternoon, whilst I was cooking up this beautiful score of fresh vegies which grow prolifically in our area…

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…into these yummy treats… (just ignore the dirty oven door!!! *cringe*) …

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another surprise awaited me in the hall…..

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Yes….it is a snake…..they’re on the move now that the weather is warming up and I think I’m going to have to dispose of that welcome mat….because THEY’RE NOT welcome!!!!

Thank goodness for paint tins and mops is all I can say!   Once he knew I was on the warpath, he slithered down the hallway into my DS’s room and behind the bookcase and, I don’t care what anyone says, I was not leaving it there!!!…..out came the bookcase, and I know wildlife people would be cringing but not as much as me, as I ‘gently persuaded’ him out with the mop and ‘slowed him down’ with the paint tin!   I know what you’re thinking….he’s not THAT big….well, no….

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…he wasn’t….but could you sleep with a snake roaming free in your house, I ask?!?!?!?!!  I just hope Mumma doesn’t come looking!!! *eek*

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What crafty things have I been up to???

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I’ve finished the last two ‘Snowhearts” blocks and I’m waiting for the final instructions for piecing the blocks.  You can still download them here if you’ve missed them, or click on the link on my sidebar.

I’m working on my Birdie Stitches and I’m up to here….

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Still quite a few blocks to catch up, but I’m waiting for some DMC’s to arrive…..using six strands at a time eats them up…..although it does look great!

And do you remember this flimsy?

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Well, I’ve stitched the black block in the top middle with this….

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Isn’t he cute???  It’s a quilt for a friend’s 50th, and as she doesn’t blog, I’m certain to be safe to share it with you!  She’s having a Halloween-themed party so what better way to remember the day?? I’m now working on the pieced backing and must hurry to sandwich and quilt it because, if you notice in the spider block, the date of her birthday is 30th September!!!!!  Can you guess what I’ll be doing this week???  LOL

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And I thought I’d share this yummy recipe with you.

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Sooooo easy, and soooooo delish!

Pineapple Slice

1 cup desiccated coconut,

½ cup caster sugar

1 ½ cups flour

185g unsalted butter, melted

1 tspn vanilla essence

300ml thickened cream

Pineapple topping:

440g can crushed pineapple

1 cup water

1 cup caster sugar

¼ cup custard powder

Grease 19cm x 30cm lamington tin, line base and sides with greaseproof paper, extending paper 2 cm above the sides of pan.

Combine coconut, sugar and flour in large bowl. Add butter and essence. Mix to combine. Press over base.

Cook in moderate oven (180 degrees C ) for 20 mins. Cool completely.

Pineapple topping: place ingredients in saucepan. Whisk until combined. Cook, stirring over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens.

Pour mix over cooled base in pan. Spread evenly. Refrigerate until set. Beat cream in small bowl until firm peaks form. Lift slice from pan. Spread with cream. Cut into squares to serve.

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I’ll need to take some with me tomorrow to our quilting guild’s special visit from Pauline Rodgers, the Gadget Queen!  I’m looking forward to learning some new tricks!

take care and

Sugary hugs

X Wendy :O)

9 comments:

Teresa said...

I heard about your earthquake on the news! Glad it wasn't bigger and you slept through it. I'm with you regarding the snakes. It's been so hot here today.. I'm hoping we can manage to keep them out of the house this summer! Love the quilt... what a brilliant idea for your friends 50th..she's going to love it. Thanks for the recipe.. I am definitely going to try that one.. xx Stay cool if you can! We've been so hot today, and covered in a smoke haze from burn offs. What happened to spring??

Bec Clarke said...

Ohh what sort of snake was it. I have started seeing them down south here too, we are having very warm weather for September.
I had an incident with a snake in my Laundry once and the only option was to kill it. Needless to say when I blogged it I got a few comments but people don't seem to understand that we live hours from the nearest town and sometimes there is just nothing else to be done, we don't kill them if they are outside.
thanks for the recipe too, it will come in handy for lunch boxes during harvesting.

Jan Maree said...

An earthquake you can sleep thru - that is fine with me - a snake of any size - that is not!

Jess @ Scrappy n Happy said...

Did you scream? I would have! That is something I dread, we get plenty of snakes here too. All the cooking looks delish and I will try out the recipe when we come back from our holiday....if I remember ;)

Marilyn said...

So pleased you saw the snake before he got to his hiding hole. Definitely needed to be coaxed outside - whatever it takes it needs to be done.
Your friend will love the quilt, it is looking amazing, and wow, that spider is HUGE. (but looks friendly.)
Thank you for the yummy sounding recipe.

Quiltin' Sandy said...

Hi Wendy, good to know you are ok, despite 2 shocks! I just commented to my DH the other day when I heard that Fiji had an earthquake, New Guinea had one recently as well, and I don't think Christchurch has stopped moving yet, that we are surrounded by earthquakes and I hope they stay away from Oz. I never want to experience one again. :(
Your work is lovely and you will be very popular with your friend for making such a gorgeous gift. I haven't started on my birdie stitches yet, but I decided to use "Bliss" instead of Sunkissed, and got some charm packs ready to go. I love those redwork stitcheries too,- will go and download them. Thanks. Have a beaut day! Hugs, Sandy.

Quiltin' Sandy said...

Looks like I missed the boat with the Snow Hearts- only block 9 to download, they are all in her shop now, so they must only be available for that month. :(

Allie said...

Ok, a small earthquake, not so bad - but a SNAKE?????? EGADS WENDY! And again, egads! I would have moved out until someone [else] killed it. Seriously - I left home one time because of a mouse.

Your stitcheries are all so beautiful, and I love that quilt - what a perfect birthday gift! The spider is cute, I'll take one of those over the real thing any day. Yes, I know, I'm a CHICKEN.

Anonymous said...

Your work is lovely! Are you like me, making gifts for everyone else and making almost nothing for yourself? I find it is my stress reliever, and can't wait to finish each project.
Snakes...so glad they are rare in northern Canada, only the odd garter snake. I would worry about poisonous ones. I don't mind mice, bugs, but snakes...I would freak!
Cynthia