POLKADoT Farm

Painting new products while the sun shines....

 

My Aunty Ros recently returned from France with these gorgeous old style lemonade bottles. She had seen craft shops in France selling them as decorative olive oil bottles, and asked me if I could paint some similar for her instead of forking out 25euros in a french craft shop. It is a glassware product that I had never thought of selling, but after painting these I think I am going to add them to my collection. I like the idea of having nicely decorated olive oil bottles lined up on my shelf, especially as it is an ingredient that I use daily. So I am on the search for old style bottles that I can paint. I have a feeling Ikea sell them, but I'm not too sure of their quality.

Peek A Boo!

 

After a busy few months at work, my contract has finally finished on one of the most hectic jobs of my life.It always takes a week or so to adjust to not having to get up really early and drive into work, and it also takes time to learn to unwind and relax. I have been so tired this week, the simplest of tasks  seem to take up so much energy and effort. I have had a walk each day to get some exercise as well as some fresh air. Now that I am away from the stresses of work, I can take time to stand back and take in my tranquil surroundings, and realise how lucky I am to be able to escape to the gorgeousness of our countryside. Today I noticed how much our beans have grown, and how they have started to display their beautiful flowers.

 

I also noticed how suddenly, with all the sun and showers we have had over the last few weeks, how my garden is starting to bloom in all sorts of colours. I love the vivid lime green of the creeper against the deep purple of the ornamental thistles.

 

I also noticed the beauty of weeds! Amongst my 'meadow'/rough patch in my garden there are lots of dockins.... and they are starting to turn such gorgeous autumnal colours. They look like they have been marbled.

 

Finally to round up this weeks happenings, I have a broody hen...Joan. She has been sitting on 1 of her eggs for over a week now. Here's hoping its been fertilised. She will probably be sitting for another 2 weeks, then we'll see if there is a mini joan?!

A lovely walk to St Ninians Cave

 

This weekend I was down at my Mums for a lovely relaxing break. On the Saturday we went on a super walk to St Ninians cave, by Whithorn.

The walk down to the beach where the cave is, is so enchanting. The path starts off in a bluebell wood, then finishes off on a gorgeous open beach, full of stones varying from small pebbles, to large boulders.

 I could have spent ages beach combing collecting different shaped stones, with wonderful patterns and stripes running through them,  

 

Along the way we kept finding interesting stones, so we tried to create Andy Goldsworthy inspired art on the beach!

 

 

We finally made it to the end of the beach where the cave stands. The rockface of the cave is engraved with many initials, names, quotes, dates and crosses. There is meant to be some original crosses carved by St Ninian himself. Whether this is one of his carvings, we'll never really know!?

 

Tweed & Voluptuous delights

 

Last weekend,at the country fair at Cardross, I took time out from the terrier racing, and managed to browse a few of the craft tents. I was particularly drawn to the tweed tent. They had a mixture of cushions, throws and upholstered stools as well as a stunning cushion that I was instantly attracted to. I fell in love with its array of colours and bumpy textures. It was nearly  £100...!.. so i placed it neatly back on its shelf, and walked away, telling myself I didn't really need it!!

 

Something I did buy that day off Amazon, was Sophie Dahls 'Voluptuous delights'. I had read about the recipe book on Miss Pickerings blog, that I found through Primrose Hill. It has so many scrumptious salads in it, I can't wait to try them all out!

The 1st of many...hopefully!

 

Today has been tropical! Unfortunately I have been working all day, so haven't had the chance to be out in the sun much. Luckily when I got home, the weather was still glorious, and warm, so we wheeled out the BBQ! We only got to use it once last year, as the weather was so shockingly awful throughout the summer, so my plan is to use it on every sunny occasion this year! Tonight we had minute steak and beefburgers home grown on my mums farm in Galloway, and they were delicious!

Banana Bread gone wrong!

It has been funny weather this weekend, so I feel I haven't had the chance to get out in the garden or go on as many walks. I was working on Saturday, so I had a limited free time over the weekend. After cleaning the cottage on Sunday morning,  I had time to kill before we set off for the BASC country Fair at Cardross Estate, which is only 2 miles from us, so I decided to turn my blackish bananas into banana bread. After mixing everything together I popped them in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Unfortunately our friends arrived to take us to the country Fair before the banana bread was ready, so I left them cooking in the oven, knowing the oven would turn itself off after the set time, and we would be welcomed home to the gorgeous smell of cooked banana loaf. Well this was not the case.....

 

I don't know what happened in the oven...but when I got home, they were both as flat as a pancakes! They still taste nice, they're just not spongey. Unfortunately I was too embarrassed to give a slice to our friends when they came back for a cuppa. So we had choccy biscuits instead! I have used this recipe sooo many times, so I know that was not to blame! Any ideas??

We had a super time at the country Fair. It was very muddy, and the showers didn't stay away, but we still managed to watch some falconry displays, terrier racing, and  gundog displays! We have a clay pigeon trap at home, so we didn't partake in any shooting activities! We enjoyed a gorgeous roast beef roll, and a local Ashers ice cream cone, and then finished off the day by sampling, and purchasing the most gorgeous whisky liqueur i have ever tasted called Bruadar! You must try if you get a chance. I'm not a whisky drinker, but this tipple is perfect for an after dinner drink. It is a unique blend of malt whisky, honey and sloes. 

The Wee Green Market

 

Last Saturday I had a stall at the Wee Green Market in Killearn selling my glassware. It is always a nice market to do because it is a great opportunity to catch up with lots of people as well as sell a few bits and bobs! The market is still pretty new to Killearn. It sells home grown vegetables,homemade lavender products, freshly baked cakes, hand crafted cards and much more. It has a great selection of Organic products and local Scottish crafts!

A local farmer, Jane was there selling her eggs. She has the most amazing selection of hens eggs which are all different colours and sizes as well as  duck eggs and goose eggs! I bought my hens off Jane nearly a year ago, so I was planning my next hen purchase on Saturday...I'm hoping to buy 2 more!

 

The market wasn't too busy this weekend, but there was still a good buzz about the place. I sold 2 summer lanterns,and three T-Lights. So enough to cover my costs, and treat myself to a few bits and bobs, including a gorgeous woolen heart knitted by Lynne from My Baboo. These are her cute rabbits above.

 

My other purchase was a cafitiere cosy (for a gift) from Suzanne at 'Fieldy'. She has a gorgeous selection of Harris Tweed Products. Including Peg Bags, Draft Exluders and Brooches.

Painting, Labelling & Packing...

Tonight I'm busy painting, labelling and packing up my glass, ready for the Wee Green Market in Killearn tomorrow. It's the first one I have been able to manage this year. So here's hoping I have enough glassware! Most of the stuff I'm taking is my new summer design range, which includes a few new colours, and lots of polkadots and hearts. Fingers crossed its a busy morning!