Making orange and Lemon curd

Thanks to my neighbours, who have orange and lemon trees, we received a bag full of them, so I decided to make some orange and lemon curd, with the help of Dave.. I zested three lemons, and half a dozen oranges, and Dave juiced them all. To this mix, which was put into a heatproof bowl, I added a mug and a half of sugar, a half pound of butter cut into cubes and six eggs. This was then placed over a pan full of simmering water.

The mix was whisked, and the butter slowly started to melt

very slowly over the course of about twenty minutes, the butter melted, and whisking the mixture continuously,  over the simmering water, it began to thicken

It was then poured into sterilised jars and sealed. We ended up with nine jars of delicious curd, which I hope my friends will appreciate. The first couple of jars will be given to Carmen.. :D

The weather has continued to be mild and sunny, and we have been sitting on the terrace enjoying  it most afternoons, I even needed to water the plants today, as there has been no rain.

 Then I decided to paint a watercolour, practising painting trees.

The light is very different when there is no shade, but it turned out ok I think  :D

Merry Christmas

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year to everyone who has been kind enough to visit my blog over the year.
Dave and I are celebrating by ourselves, as our Daughter and her Fiance have only recently been over to visit us, so it will be a quiet one.
The weather is being very kind to us, and even the Spanish neighbours are saying how unusual it is, as it is normally very very cold here in Andalusia, and/or raining, so we have been lucky this year to be able to sit on the terrace in the sunshine.
Feliz Fiestas a todos

Beautiful views and a bit of sunshine

Christmas is approaching very fast, so despite looking around the shops I decided on an alternative style christmas tree this year. It is fashioned from a bunch of willow twigs, and instead of decorations, I am using christmas cards, which are hung from decorated wooden clothes pegs... The fairy lights are also not on the tree, but in a vase, Oh and there are also a few patchwork stars (home made) hanging around too.

 The knitting club had its final meeting for the year :( but at least Ana's mother has finished knitting her jacket so she can wear it when she begins her new job in London, so she is very pleased indeed with it,and at least the pattern is being recycled by another Spanish lady now. :D Faviola has also crocheted enough granny squares to complete her dog jacket, and is now sewing it up too.. Well done everyone.

 Patchwork class was also the last one of the year, but I was interrupted by Dolores, who called out that the coast of Africa could be seen really clearly. The dark line of the horizon shows the Atlas mountains. We are so high up in the mountains here in this part of Spain that this is visible on really clear days (proven via google maps)

 So when class finished I took these photos from the terrace of the sunset and view as I was bringing the washing inside.

The weather here at the minute is also really sunny and warm too, so here I am sitting at the top of our steps at about 4.30 pm, doing a bit of knitting, not quite short sleeves as I was sitting in the shade. We had our front door open until about 5 o'clock.

Watercolour and knitting

The knitting club proved to be busy on Monday, one lady, who is making a poncho for her grand daughter, had knitted too much on one side, and unfortunately we had to pull a bit out to make it into a square, but I think it will work now. (we did not have a pattern for this)...and then we grafted the stitches of both sides together so the seam would be invisible.
Another girl was trying to follow a chart for crochet to make a scarf, which we managed to sort, while another girl was mastering the art of making granny squares.
I have been busily painting views of the tower to complete an order.

 The layers of watercolour are taking a while to dry

 As you can see, the nature of the paint makes each one totally different, and I will be doing a bit more work to complete them both.

To relax in front of the television, I have begun to knit an Aran tunic for myself, complicating the patterning by using a different centre for the middle panel. I intend to make it quite close fitting, with raglan type sleeves, and a cosy polo/cowl neckline. This is the back, and I just need to decide if I want pockets in the front or not?

Christmas market in Competa (and watercolours)

Yesterday was the Christmas Market here in Competa.
I had packed all my things the day before and only had to get up at seven o'clock to get myself ready.
The organisation is getting better and Dave and I were surprised at how smoothly we managed to set up the table and the display despite the wind. Helped by several pins, and a brick wrapped in a plastic bag to stabilise the earring board

Here is a view of the stall \after we first set up the display, showing  the  placing of my watercolour paintings 

And this photo shows the new earring display board, which worked really well, as the earrings were suspended from very thin elastic, which made it easier for customers to select their choice  

Here is another view of the stall, after we discovered a way to gain vertical space by standing watercolours up at the back.

 The day proved to be very successful, and I sold most of my watercolour paintings, as well as lots of necklaces and earrings.
One lady, who bought one of the 'flamenco dancers' to take back to England with her, was kind enough to say she was  ever so happy to get the opportunity to meet the artist too. I had to pinch myself when I realised that she meant me..

Here is a view of the stall for the patchwork group T D Jazmine ( of which I am also a member) who also did a roaring trade in selling aprons and getting donations  to make heart cushions to give to ladies suffering from breast cancer

Also due to customer requests at the market, I have included a selection of watercolours I have painted previously .

Ready for the Christmas Market

After changing the display board in the shop this morning,I got all the things packed and ready for the Christmas Market, which is being held tomorrow in the place of the traditions, next to the Church.
The jewellery is all polished, and I even got some battery operated fairy lights to lend some Christmas spirit.
Dave and I did a bit of shopping today as we normally do the weekend shop on a Saturday because as we do not have 'jobs' to go to, we can shop every day, as the locals do for the freshest produce.

Here are the boxes ready to transport.

Getting ready for Christmas..

I managed to finish the two watercolour paintings of the church tower, and I am glad to say that the person who ordered them both will be taking them over to England to give them as presents :D

 Yesterday at the knitting club, we had a small tea party, where we all took something to eat. This was varied between English Spanish and German food which was all delicious, and I was glad that the sleeve pattern I worked out for Anna's mother actually fitted !!!! Whoopee!!!

And this is the Santa motif I have been sewing onto an apron for the patchwork group to sell.
This Saturday is the annual Christmas market here in Competa, so I have been getting prepared for that too!
Hopefully the weather will be good to us?