Hi there.  I am not sure about you, but when life is busy it is the little things that count…..and a little bit of stitching, good food and lots of hugs...and a little more stitching can go a long way to maintaining one’s sanity!

This week I have finished my first sample blog of the Flying Pigs and Dancing Chickens BOM from Anni Downs.  This has been very popular and it is not too late to join in and be a part of it.  If you need some encouragement to complete it each month you could also bring it along to our Saturday wool class.  (The next one is the 18th March – more details on the class page of the website)

I have also been sorting out some things in the storeroom and discovered that we have a wee bit of an oversupply of Mundial scissors – so out they go with 20% off.  These are good quality 8 ½” sewing scissors at $16.00 pr.  (A girl can never have too many pairs of scissors!)

I was interested to read in the Press that mending is the new ‘in thing’ (I am sure my mother would get a giggle out of this.)  I thought that mending and making do was part of our heritage, but apparently these days very few people know how to (or want to?) sew on a button!  Maybe we should make this a challenge to make sure that our kids and grandkids have these basic skills.

If you are looking to hone your patchwork and quilting skills there are plenty of opportunities this year with enrollments still being accepted for our National Quilt Symposium in Christchurch later this year.  You can check out all the details on the website

https://www.quiltsymposium2017.org.nz/more/blog

This week’s recipe is a delicious and healthy desert and a great way to make the most of the abundance of pears that are in season at the moment.

Berry Poached Pears Spiced  (Makes 4)

• 3 c water
• 2 cups mixed frozen berries
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 cloves
• 2 star anise
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp honey
• 4 peeled pears

Place the water, berries, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, nutmeg, vanilla and honey in a large saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes.  Peel the pears and remove the core from the bottom.

Place the pears in the syrup and simmer for 20 minutes or until they are just tender.  Serve in individual bowls with the syrup and berries.