Spring is in the air

I had a lovely Mother's Day yesterday. Full english breakfast, dinner cooked for me and some lovely cards. Look at this cutie from Raj:

Isn't it sweet.

Finally took King Winter off the table last week and I set up the spring table:

I noticed how many lovely things we have that are made by the children. Mother Earth (mine is being borrowed by Raj's class), a few snowdrop children and a yellow child that could be a crocus. For the last six years or so I've been meaning to make a daffodil child and finally last week I did it:

       
I then got the urge to make some more daffodils (in a pot with the dandelions I made last year):

The blossom fairies are up too:

If you want a pattern for those the link is here and the dandelions are here. There's also a reference here to dyeing with daffodils and here for dandelions. That should keep you all busy!

Last week some ladies asked me to show them how to make chapattis so I pitched up with some homemade dahl and my tava (which is like a griddle with a long handle) and we had a great time. I looked on Youtube and there are a load of videos if you want to have a look. I also made some lassi and I took along some Indian sweets that I'd made. They went down really well even though they were made with gram flour (chick peas) so had a distinctive taste. I thought I'd make some again soon and share the recipe with you. They are a bit like fudge but mine came out softer and not so solid. If you want to have a go, get in some gram flour, also called Besan (I found mine in the local mini Tesco), sugar, butter and some double cream (small carton).

I'll make some next week sometime.

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Talking of cooking - does anyone remember the name of the cookery book that was used in schools in the 70's in cookery/home economics lessons? The one we used in the Midlands was small with a light blue cover I think. It had very classic English recipes in it and I want to try and get hold of one.

Comments

[Liz]

Happy Spring! Good to see you back. Thank you for sharing your wonderful tutorials and thoughts.

[dottyspots]

I love the daffodils and faeries :0)

[Adrienne]

What a great spring nature table. Ours has looked lacking, and a few snowdrop children and dandelions will do the trick! I'm off to buy some yellow felt :)

[simone]

The daffodil child is gorgeous. You are certainly welcoming in spring with a table like that. We didn't use a cookbook at school. We just had typed up recipes. Our cookery class was called 'domestic science'!

[Georgia]

I Love your little spring fairies, so sweet. And that card from Raj must have melted your heart. Ah mother's day...I can't even remember when it is-different in all the places I've lived. I hope I didn't miss it in Aus. Good to have you back, both posting and posting things you've made...

[suna]

I love this table................and have put a link to it on my blog, hope you don't mind. I love the felt daffodils. I wonder if you use wool felt.

[[email protected]]

wow simmy I love your nature table. the felt flowers are wonderful. if you find yourselves in ashfield in the near future!! i am going to have to corner you for a hands on tutorial for the daffodils also! in the mean time i will work on the dandelions!! hope all is well. love t and z

[Scarlettina]

Might it have been a Bero book? Full of english pastry and stodge recipes - all delicious and school dinnery

[Hena Tayeb]

love the flowers.

[Holly]

Your nature tables are truly inspiring! We linked to your story today in our piece on Summer Solstice and Nature Tables here: http://sono-ma.com/5640/discovering-what-is-a-nature-table-on-summer-solstice-with-monica-ashley-designs/