New Forest part 1: wild ponies
A group of ponies is called a string. Having recently experienced a string of ponies for myself, I can assure you this is an incredibly accurate, descriptive phrase. While driving out of the New Forest, I managed to see a running string. It really was incredible. You could almost imagine there was a string keeping them in line - like moving paper dolls (or ponies as it were). These were wild ponies - well free-range, to be exact - and it occured to me that tame horses that are regularly ridden (rode?) don't seem able to walk in a such a straight, tight line. But maybe it has to do more with the driver than the horse. Hmmmm....
Anyway, did you know there is also a band called A String of Ponies? Well, there is. I found them quite by accident when I was doing an online search to make sure that string of ponies was, indeed, the correct phrase to denote a group of said animals. And I have to say I like the sound. They're a bit more country than I would typically like, but then again, Neko Case is a bit country and I like her. And Alison Krauss. I think I could really get into A String of Ponies. Take a listen for yourself!
Anyway, did you know there is also a band called A String of Ponies? Well, there is. I found them quite by accident when I was doing an online search to make sure that string of ponies was, indeed, the correct phrase to denote a group of said animals. And I have to say I like the sound. They're a bit more country than I would typically like, but then again, Neko Case is a bit country and I like her. And Alison Krauss. I think I could really get into A String of Ponies. Take a listen for yourself!
New Forest part 2: Halloween
Look! The string of bats are behind Dave's head.
We spent Halloween in the New Forest. Well, not the actual 31st of October, but rather the celebratory weekend leading up to it. What better way to get festive than to make our masks and decorations? That's just what I thought: there is nothing better! So that's what we did. It was meant as an activity for the girls, but really, it was just as much for me and Dave as it was for them.
I made a spectacular string of bats (not to be confused with colony or cloud), which I was quite proud of. And Dave was on mask duty - skeleton face for himself and Frankenstein's monster for Mark. The girls were already dressed up as witches, so they didn't need a mask. We had a bit of a party and ended the make-shift event with sparklers. Which is a bit strange for me as an American, since we tend to keep sparklers holy, using them only on the 4th of July. But since I missed that holiday at home I thought it was a perfect
blending of cultures.
blending of cultures.
New Work.
close-up detail on my new skirt - isn't it lovely?
I DO have new work, but I lack photographs to prove it. Sorry not to have eye candy for you. BUT, just stay tuned - I have necklaces, earrings and crocheted necklaces in great new colours. And
it's on the top of my list to get pics of them uploaded onto the site within the next day or 2. Keep an eye on this space! Incidentally, I just got some lovely new threads from White Stuff (I LOVE that store) and I'm thinking my crocheted necklaces will go PERFECTLY with my new skirt! You should probably buy one or two to go with your own wardrobe. :)
it's on the top of my list to get pics of them uploaded onto the site within the next day or 2. Keep an eye on this space! Incidentally, I just got some lovely new threads from White Stuff (I LOVE that store) and I'm thinking my crocheted necklaces will go PERFECTLY with my new skirt! You should probably buy one or two to go with your own wardrobe. :)
New Recipes.
Two words: meatball soup. Yum. This has quickly become a staple favorite in our household. What's great about this soup is that it's nice and chunky and you can easily substitute any of the vegetables for what you've got on hand. It's great when you've got a banch of frozen veg to chuck in. It's a very versatile and yummy recipe. And perfect on an autumn day.
Meatball soup is best served with a nice loaf of homemade bread. This week I made a marbled loaf. I tried to find the online link to the recipe, to no avail. Basically it's a plain bread mixture, but you split the dough into two while it's still in the batter stage and add plain flour to one half and rye flour & molasses to the other half. Then you knead, rise, punch down and let rest before taking the individual dough balls from their bowls, rolling them out into long regtangles, stacking and rolling from the short side and placing in a pan to bake. It's a recipe I think I'll have to experiement with in the future....I could see doing a fruit version. Mmmmm....
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