Millionaire's Shortbread Illustration...PPF

Hello there... phewph it's been a busy day, but I'm super excited because I've actually managed to finish off my week 4 assignment for #risedesignandshine ahead of time! 

I know...I may have to go for a lie down now.

This weeks assignment was to illustrate a favourite recipe and I chose an old family favourite which is quite appropriate as I'm now residing in Bonnie Scotland.

It's shortbread (which is a huge favourite in Scotland) but not just ordinary shortbread...it's gorgeous Millionaire's Shortbread. 

Have you baked it before? 

It's incredibly easy and as it was featured on last weeks 'The Great British Bake Off' I thought it just had to be my choice for this assignment.

My hubby and son think I need to bake it following these instructions just to make sure I have it all illustrated correctly.

They're calling it research...I have another name for it!

If you'd like to see more... I posted a slightly different version of the recipe on my blog... way back in January 2012, when we lived in Melbourne. 

(Click here) 

Oh boy looking back at some of these old blog posts, I baked an awful lot back then.

So as usual I'm linking up with the Paint Party Friday gang.

Thanks Eva and Kristin for hosting once again.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and thanks for your visit today.

It's always great to see you and I'd love to hear from you.

Inktober challenge and PPF

It seems that I've got into an unintentional pattern with my blog posts. 

I did intend to post mid week, but where did it go?

But never mind where has the week gone... how the Dickens can it be October?

I suppose it should have sunk in really because the farmers 'made hay whilst the sun shone' working well into the twilight hours, with the heavy droning sound of their combines. 

I have to tell you that that sun was toasty, so they must have been very happy.

Don't laugh but last week the weather reporter announced that Aberdeenshire was the hottest in the whole of the UK!

I'd even go so far as to say it was one of the best weeks we've had all summer.

But then the rain and fog arrived as a timely reminder of what's to come... along with the unmistakable sound of the geese leaving us before winter arrives.

I love the see and hear them fly overhead, in their formation whilst busy chatting away... but it's a sad sight. I'm already longing for them to return. 

I did see one lone goose trying desperately to find his flock. 

He must have been sleeping when they all took off... poor thing. 

I do hope he found them in the end.

I've even heard them fly over at night in the pitch dark. 

Now that's an amazing skill.

I mean we can get lost driving at night with headlights and GPS!  

Anyway, I digress... it's Friday and it's time to party, so as usual I'm linking up to Paint Party Friday.

Eva and Kristin host a gathering of talented artists to a show and tell link... so why not follow the link to see some amazing art.

So here's my desk where I'm still working on 'My Week On A Page #5'.

(see the rain on the window pane... yuk! 

I brought Muffy's bed up to the studio to paint it which initially confused her, but she soon settled into it... and I'm watching the 'Extra Slice' programme on my kindle. 

It's an additional spin off from the GBBO - the Great British Bake Off)

I'm taking far too long to complete these projects because they're taking more than two weeks for me to complete instead of the week, but I'm loving creating them. 

I think I need to remember to keep loose and not spend so much time on them. I'm learning so much.

I'm also still working on the Koi Carp, so hopefully I'll be able to show you the two completed. 

Even though these are unfinished, I have been spending more time in the studio... so I'm happy.

Now I'm on a roll, I've also decided to join in with the InkTober challenge. 

Every October, artist from all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge by creating one ink drawing a day for the entire month.

I only heard about the challenge on the fifth day, so had to post some of my old zentangles to play catch up. I love to draw with ink, so I'm having fun with this challenge.

Here's number 7... I felt it had to have an autumnal theme.

I adore trees and although it's strange to have an autumn scene without the autumnal colours, I think it still works. 

I'm a little rusty with this kind of design, but hopefully as the month progresses I'll get back into it.

And here's #8 in honour of the Great British Bake Off series finishing.

I watched the emotional final last night and was pleased with the outcome.

Don't worry there's no spoilers here.

But I will say there were a few tears and even Mary shed one or two. 

Anyway... here's my design

Sorry for the lack of colour, but I promise that they'll be lot's next week.

Have a great weekend everyone... with lots of fun!

Happy Painting 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hot off the press.... I completed My Week On A Page #5 this afternoon (only a few hours late)

So why have I painted these particular items?
Here's a brief explanation....

• The Virginia Creeper (the red leaves) has crept up one of the walls of the house which provides a fantastic wall of colour... especially when the morning sun set's it alight. 
• The washing line is to pay homage to the last few days of being able to let things dry outside. 
• Muffin's bed and blanket went for an airing which too some planning because it had to go out and be back before she needed a snoozelet. 
• The apples were taken from my sister's apple tree when we went down to visit recently. It's produced the best crop ever this year.
• And finally my hair scrunchy. I know it's a strange thing to include but it's all part of the winter preparations. I've grown my hair to be able tie it up. When the temperature drops you need to keep your winter coat on!

And that's it for this week... I can rest easy now.
Have a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends and followers.

Let's eat cake

I feel I've neglected my blog lately, but then something has to give I suppose in this game of spinning the plates to maximise each day. 

I've been tinkering into the Instagram world, both with mine and Muffy's account (yes she has one) and I have to confess, I'm a little put out because she now has over twice my followers! 

But if it takes photo's of me in the bath or having to rub disgusting things on my skin... well you can forget it! I'll let her reign supreme, although she'll never stop rubbing my nose in it.

Eww... enough.

Also, I'm trying to spend more time painting and there's always to garden calling me.

Sometimes, I get daunted with so much that I want to post that it then seems too much of a task or would take too long, so I put it off. 

What you might call a world class procrastinator.

Does that happen to you? If so, how do you overcome it?

I'm thinking if I just write brief posts then that might be better

 (HA! Be brief... Me...that's a laugh in itself)

So let's start... 

How about a cake? 

I know I haven't shown any baking for quite some time. 

Mainly, because I've just been baking what you might call my screensaver. 

The boiled fruit cake 

I have to say this IS the easiest cake to bake and stays moist for days. 

A great treat to produce if you have unexpected guests. 

(here's the link to the recipe)

We've been enjoying the new season of The Great British Bake Off - season 6.

It's finally inspired me to get baking once again... but nothing fancy or time-consuming just yet.

My son's been requesting his favourite banana loaf for some time, so what can you do when he passes his exams but.... 'BAKE'

(by the way that was in Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc's voice - the hosts of the show)

It's a great way to use up any bananas that may be getting too ripe.

I also included some walnuts inside and pine nuts on the top to decorate.

Can you smell that? Mmm... good eh?

I'm not sure if it should have a crack showing... (that's a little joke to viewers in the UK)

but there it is anyway, so thankfully it's not going up before Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood. 

I'm off to pop the kettle on and to do my own taste test.

Num...num...num...

I'm linking up with T stands for tea time today.

Have a wonderful Tuesday and I hope to see you soon.

Possibly a few pounds/kilo's heavier!

My Week On A Page #1 (PPF)

I know I left a snippet of what I've been creating in the studio earlier this week, but amazingly I'm now able to show you the whole thing today.  

Here's a snippet from my previous post, just in case you didn't manage to see it. 

If you'd like to see the post then click here

I took the idea from Tracey Fletcher King (with her permission of course) and it's just perfect for me. I often struggle to find a subject to draw/paint, but this idea of creating a page containing things that have been part of my week is just ideal. 

It's just a snippet of my week but quite fun to pick which things to include.

So for this first week I've included Gardening Gloves, Gardening Tool, Summer Slippers, Home Grown Peas, Telephone and Mobile phone, a Baking Spatula and a book with a idea bubble.

The gardening gloves have certainly earned their keep since I returned from being away for a few days, along with my magic wand... well it's almost magic, but unfortunately it needs a little input from me. I'm absolutely thrilled that along with some strawberry's and tomatoes I've managed to grow some beautiful sweet garden peas. They are so gorgeous I'm hardly managing to bring any into the house... popping the pods and enjoying they're gorgeousness before I reach the kitchen. 

You don't get fresher than that!

With the weather improving, although not quite where I'd like it to be, I've brought my summer slippers out into the light from the dark recesses of my wardrobe. 

Fool-hardy perhaps but it is August after all. 

The phone is always a big part of my day whether it's the landline or my mobile phone, so I felt I had to include them. The book is something I'm mulling over and have been for the last year.

Hey, I'm world class when it comes to procrastinating!

And finally the blue spatula... which is from a Donna Hay baking range. 

I got it along with an oven glove when I purchased one of her books when I lived in Melbourne. 

I wanted to include it because baking has taken off here in a BIG way this week.

The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) is back. 

WOOHOO!!!

I just heard that the viewing figures have been incredible for this new series, but rightly so. 

The programme airs at 8pm on a Wednesday evening and is an hour of pure entertainment for me.

I've even baked a cake this week in it's honour.

I could go on about it, but I fear I might lose some of my audience... especially if you've never seen, heard or even like baking... so I'll shut up!

I'm noticing quite a change in my painting style and it's certainly loosening up, which is thrilling for me and something I've wanted to do for some time.

Thanks Tracey xx

Because it's Friday I'm going to link up with Kristin and Eva and Paint Party Friday

I have guests coming to stay so must dash. 

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you have planned and thanks for visiting my place.

Whipped up Windy Wet Wednesday

Hang on to your hats peeps...it's blowing a hoolie here today!

Yesterday was a barmy 19 degrees (which I have to admit was a little spooky) but today we've lost 10 degrees and the North Wind Doth Blow. 

If you have heard that expression before, then you'll know what that can mean, but just in case you haven't...'they' (whomever 'they' are) say if the North Wind Doth Blow...We shall have snow!!! EEK!

I heard some stupid remark on the radio yesterday, saying it was only 10 weeks or so to Chr***mas. Fool, they must have meant 10 months surely?  

I can't even bring myself to say the word! 

But going back to yesterday...

If going by the weather here has anything to do with it, then we were still in summer! 

I made the most of it and stayed outside from dawn to dusk. 

Maybe upon reflection that's why I couldn't get out of bed this morning. 

I feel like I'm the Titan Atlas from Greek mythology carrying the heavy weight of the world on my shoulders and that was only to get out of bed to go to the loo and back! 

I even had my eye pop with the pressure from bending, pulling weeds and planting up a boarder. 

Instead of the whites of my eyes I now have crimson! It's a strange look and not one for young children to witness. I suppose thinking about it, it might be okay with Halloween coming up, but I'm not sure I want it to last that long. 
Bending double obviously doesn't really work for me.

Anyway here's a vision for you...me with hair like Medusa (keeping in with the Greek theme here did you notice?) stooped with aching back and a blood shot eye like Cyclops (Yay...I got a Greek mythology hat trick ) 

No wonder my hubby went out to work before day-light! 

That way he didn't get the fright of his life seeing me lumbering around. 

But I now have a weed free boarder that looks afa bonnie (as they say) with hopefully beautiful surprises to come in Spring...that is if the bunnies and squirrels don't uproot and eat my bulbs! 

So that's an update on my gardening...although McMuffty is driving me crazy. 

She has to survey the whole garden numerous times a day tracking...yes tracking...I think she's moved on from being a Shih Tzu and now thinks she's a hound dog! 

Nose to the ground twitching insanely on the trail of heaven knows what? 

It's amazing really (or annoying might be a better word) that when her nose is working...her ears aren't! 

I can shout, call, grunt, growl or impersonate any living creature and she's oblivious. 

The neighbours must wonder what kind of a minajory we have here by all my impersonations!

But nothing will stop her when she's tracking! 

Yesterday, she definitely followed a line of scent that went all around the peripheral of the garden, even squeezing through a tiny gap between the fence and wall from the side garden into the front garden...across the front lawn, under the hedge...across the driveway...(are you still with me?)...and over to the other lawn to the boundary fence! 

She would have carried on into the field if I hadn't stopped her. 

As you can imagine, she was not impressed that I'd spoilt her fun and she didn't get her man as it where! 

I'm hoping this latest past-time will stop when the weather turns. 

I'm thinking she's finding all the mice living in all the nooks and crannies. 

She nearly got stuck just after I took this photo. 

See the gap at the base of the palette...she squeezed in and was desperately trying to get to the other side. 

If only she hadn't had that last piece of chicken she might have made it! ^..^

And then to top it all yesterday, the fun didn't stop because my son took her for a walk down one of the lanes that has newly laid tarmac on it. 

Yep, you guessed it. 

He walked her through it (didn't think to pick her up ~ D-ah!) and she now has black boots! ^..^ I've tried to cut out as much out as I can, but she's a devil for having her paws touched and more so if you try to clip them! 

Miss Wriggle Bottom Champion 2013 even with two of us holding her down!

There's a huge list of to-do's today as normal, but I'm going to watch 'The Great British Bake Off' with my cuppa first. Are you a fan? Do you see it in your part of the world? 

I am enjoying it so much and even though I swore that I wouldn't buy another thing for my kitchen...I'm finding a strong compulsion to buy yet more baking tins!

I mean have you seen some of them that they have been using?
I have the same oven, so I'm hoping that I will be able to produce some of the fantastic results that they have. I won't mention too much in case you are watching it and aren't up to me. 

No spoilers here.
I think Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins do a fantastic job of presenting the show...and then there's Mary Berry! What can I say...she's a God! 

And that Paul Hollywood ain't bad either  

It is starting to get rather serious now, as it's the very grown-up quarter-final. Lots of tears, trials, tantrams but thankfully triumphs too.  

It's wonderful to catch up with what I want to watch whenever I want, because I record my programmes in the evenings when footy or sport is on...then I can watch them whenever I'm free! (which isn't often so I have to be choosy)

Our new telly we bought when we got here, seems only to show sport or news somehow?

 It's a 55 inch with all the bells and whistles on it, so it's like being in the ground or right there where the action is apparently...or so I'm told! (yawn )

Before I go I'll leave you with a spectacular sight from yesterday. 

I love the sound of the geese flying over...on their way South.

Their calls can be heard for miles and miles. 

They must have known what was coming weather wise today, so took flight!

Lucky things off to warmer climes...I hope they come back soon...please! 

I miss them already. 

And on that note, I'll love and leave you for now.

Toodleloo