Bread

One of my lurkers - you know who you are - has asked for my bread recipe. My oldest son makes this once or twice a week and it makes a good breakfast. I also take a slice to work, instead of buying a muffin. And if it's a nut-free version I also add it to the boys' lunch boxes.

In the bread maker add 320ml of water (11 liquid ounces), four cups of (plain or bakers) flour and one and three-quarter tea spoons of dry yeast. Add a tablespoon of oil. Once the bread maker tells you it's time, add two cups of anything you like. I mix up chia seeds, linseeds, sultanas, dried apricots, dates, walnuts, cranberries, sunflower seeds, quinoa. I don't need to soak or cook the quinoa first. It softens up beautifully just in the kneading.

Ben's knight suit

We bought a new cheap dinner set yesterday. Ben has made himself a knight's suit of armour. Here's a couple of seconds showing his helmet.

Painting

I've finished painting Andrew's bedroom. Banana cream pie and a very dark blue. It certainly brings out the brights in his quilt, and it's the neatest his room has been for a while!

Done

Both quilt tops are pieced now, phew!

Top done

I've sewn the first quilt top. Thanks mum for Volunteering to do all the ironing!!

Second

First

Two

Both quilts on the design wall.

Pink

I have the first pink and green quilt up on mum's design wall.

Accurate

I've made 79 of these nine patch blocks now. Accuracy is the big thing for me. I've been so frustrated because the blocks haven't all been perfect - no matter how perfectly I cut, sew the quarter inch seam and press. I've finally worked out the missing link. Take out the pin holding the rows together just before sewing. It makes it so much straighter and the blocks are now turning out exactly eight inches square!