As of today Strandom has moved over to
I hope you'll join me for this new chapter!
Kathelle x
The sewing and life of a crafty mum with projects, tutorials, tips and strandom-ness! x
Tuesday, 10 March 2015
Thursday, 26 February 2015
A new home for Strandom
Hallo there!
I've been very busy working on a brand new blog and website (hopefully an online shop too!) the past few weeks. I will be posting over there from when it goes live (or launches...) and I'll leave the new address here for you all. It'll probably be another week or two before it's all done, but I'm looking forward to it! All the posts from this blog have been transferred over, so once it's all up and running I'll delete them here and leave the link to redirect people.
I'm so happy no-one stole my name before I needed it either, haha!
Kathelle x
I've been very busy working on a brand new blog and website (hopefully an online shop too!) the past few weeks. I will be posting over there from when it goes live (or launches...) and I'll leave the new address here for you all. It'll probably be another week or two before it's all done, but I'm looking forward to it! All the posts from this blog have been transferred over, so once it's all up and running I'll delete them here and leave the link to redirect people.
New website: www.strandom.com
I'm so happy no-one stole my name before I needed it either, haha!
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| A sketch of Queen's House in Greenwich, London - from a few years ago! |
Kathelle x
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Parsnip and Bacon Soup - Recipe
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There's nothing quite like a delicious, hot bowl of soup on a winter's night. I came up with this recipe a few years ago; it's easy, doesn't involve many ingredients or too much preparation (perfect for when the wee ones are demanding attention!) and it tastes even better the next day.
I've recently started making soups more often during the week to try and relieve some of the craziness of teatime with toddlers. It can all be done during the day or the night before and you just heat it up when you're ready. It's all too easy to reach for the pizza and chips when you're harassed but it's not always the best idea...
My husband takes soup to work with him most days in the winter to keep him warm as he works outside. Blended soups are also much easier to pour into a flask at six in the morning!
Parsnip and Bacon Soup
Ingredients
1 onion
250g unsmoked back bacon (roughly 7 slices)
600g parsnips (2 large ones or 4-5 small)
1/2 large swede
80g red lentils
1 1/2 litres chicken/vegetable stock (I used one chicken stock cube and one vegetable stock cube - you only need two or it'll be too salty, you normally need three for that amount of water)
Method
1. Dice onion and chop up the bacon whilst melting roughly a teaspoon of butter (or oil if you prefer) in a soup pan. Fry the onion and bacon gently for five minutes.
2. Add the roughly chopped parsnip and turnip and fry for another 5 minutes or so.
3. Rinse the lentils and add to the pan, giving it a good mix.
4. Add the stock, stir and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until the lentils are cooked and the vegetables are tender. Check and stir a few times to make sure the lentils don't stick.
5. Blend well and season to taste with black pepper and salt if you need it. Serve with a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of parsley. Enjoy!
I've recently started making soups more often during the week to try and relieve some of the craziness of teatime with toddlers. It can all be done during the day or the night before and you just heat it up when you're ready. It's all too easy to reach for the pizza and chips when you're harassed but it's not always the best idea...
My husband takes soup to work with him most days in the winter to keep him warm as he works outside. Blended soups are also much easier to pour into a flask at six in the morning!
Parsnip and Bacon Soup
Ingredients
1 onion
250g unsmoked back bacon (roughly 7 slices)
600g parsnips (2 large ones or 4-5 small)
1/2 large swede
80g red lentils
1 1/2 litres chicken/vegetable stock (I used one chicken stock cube and one vegetable stock cube - you only need two or it'll be too salty, you normally need three for that amount of water)
Method
1. Dice onion and chop up the bacon whilst melting roughly a teaspoon of butter (or oil if you prefer) in a soup pan. Fry the onion and bacon gently for five minutes.
2. Add the roughly chopped parsnip and turnip and fry for another 5 minutes or so.
3. Rinse the lentils and add to the pan, giving it a good mix.
4. Add the stock, stir and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 20-30 minutes until the lentils are cooked and the vegetables are tender. Check and stir a few times to make sure the lentils don't stick.
5. Blend well and season to taste with black pepper and salt if you need it. Serve with a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of parsley. Enjoy!
Friday, 16 January 2015
2015 To Do list... as opposed to resolutions!
I shouldn't have mentioned diaries in my last post, it was bound to be a few months until I'd be back on here, haha!
2014 was quite a tough year for me for many reasons, so I hope to make 2015 what it could and should be. I have a few updates to post in the coming weeks on previous projects and some new ones as well!
I've also ventured into the world of dressmaking... My To Do list is as long as ever, so here's a snippet of what's on it and what I plan to work on in the near future, DV.
I have six PDF patterns from The Peekaboo Pattern Shop on Etsy to work on, four of which I have done or intend to do soon. (I got them for Christmas!) These four are:
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| The Hampton Hoody for myself |
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| The Classic Sweatshirt for Miss EJ |
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| Alex and Anna Winter PJs for both DJ and EJ |
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| Oopsy Daisy Overalls Jumper for Miss EJ |
I also got the Classic Chinos and the Classic Oxford Button Up Shirt patterns for when required... It was so hard to stick to just five or six. I think they'll prove very useful and wearable with potential for variations. The great thing about the kids patterns especially is that they have such a great range of sizes, a lot go up to age twelve! You could definitely get your money's worth with these.
Also on the To-Do List (no, that's not enough...) is finish piecing DJs "Double Crossed Quilt" by Amy Smart of Diary of a Quilter. I chose similar colours to those in her quilt, with added cars and planes and diggers for a vehicle mad little boy! It's the twin size I'm working on, so there's no major hurry as such... ahem...
Last year, I purchased the Moneta dress pattern by Colette and really wanted to get started but can't decide what fabric to make it in... it needs three metres of jersey and I really want to love my choice before buying anything.
Oh and on a slightly urgent note, Mr P. needs work shirts!
There's probably more ideas lurking in the far corners of my brain and Pinterest, but that should keep me busy for now! My lists are legendary.
I'll be posting updates on my 2015 To Do list to keep you informed on my progress.
What's on your sewing list? Please comment if you have one too :)
Kathelle x
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