#Project52 - Week 5 - Cheese Making

Week 5 of #Project52 is another food based task!

(Don't be surprised if many of my tasks over the remainder of the year end up being food based!)

We were recently given a Big Cheese Making Kit so we could learn how to make our own mozzarella and ricotta. Cheese making is something I have always been fascinated by, but have never tried - so top marks to my sister-in-law for buying us this kit!

Let the cheese making adventures begin!

 I won't go into detail about how the cheese is made - as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who decides to have a go themselves, but suffice to say, it really does work, and as it says on the box -

'It's fast, simple and the results taste great!' 

Handmade mozzarella balls!

 The handmade mozzarella was added to a handmade pizza base, and with the help of a few bits of chicken and a handful of sliced olives, THE MOST DELICIOUS pizza EVER!  

was created and a new Saturday night tradition was born!

I can't wait till the Summer when the tomatoes and herbs are growing in my garden 

so I can make a pizza using only home-grown and handmade ingredients!

#Project52 - Week 3 and 4 - Taking Time Out

Working from home definitely has many positives but having the 'office' in your personal space can sometimes mean that you accidentally end up working for far longer each day than you should...

This is something that I am definitely guilty of, and this year I have decided to pay attention to my work/life balance a bit more. After all, I am the boss of me - and I say it's OK to cut myself some slack!

To this end, my 'tasks' for week 3 and 4 of #Project52 were to take some time out!

During week 3, me and the other half made the most of a mutual day-off and spent an arty, retro themed day in Sheffield. The day started at the end of the tram line in Hillsborough - at Cupola Gallery who were holding their annual 'Under the Bed' Sale (on until 1st Feb).

I couldn't resist snapping up a pair of linocut prints by Lyn Hodnett!

Cock and Hen enclosed in Ribba frames on my kitchen wall!

The rest of the day was spent tram and bus hopping across the retro haunts in the city, in the hope of finding a record player. Stops included the vintage, arts and craft emporium that is The Nichols Building in Shalesmoor, as well as the multi-various shops that Sheffield Antiques Quarter has to offer.

Alas, a record player was not forthcoming and so we went to The Rude Shipyard to drown our sorrows with a steaming mug of tea (there may well have been cake too!)*

*There most definitely was cake!

Week 4 of #Project52 was spent on holiday, visiting our families in Kent for a belated Christmas celebration.

There is nothing that perks up a cold, wet, miserable January better than re-visiting Christmas dinner. Sprouts, crackers, bad jokes, pigs in blankets, the works...

And it's even better when you get to do it twice! In two days!

Then on 'Boxing Day' there was a visit to picturesque Whitstable for pickled cockles, and a walk by the sea.

The only time the sun came out while we were on holiday!

All in all, a lovely relaxing couple of weeks.

I really think I could get into the habit of Taking Time Out! ;-)

#Project52 - Week 2 - Clear-Out the Garage

My challenge for Week 2 of my #Project52 was slightly less fun than my first week's challenge - and considerably less edible!

After 5 years of neglect it was time to... 'Clear-Out the Garage'

'Before' - Potential contender for H&S nightmare of the year!

Over the years a lot of items have been relegated to the garage as they no longer fit inside our little house or are no longer needed. Many of these items we have hung on to, intending to do a boot fair.

But guess what?

We never did one.

Didn't even get as far as booking a pitch!

So my challenge for this week was to fettle through the piles, throw away or recycle anything that was actually junk and sort out any saleable items to send to the charity shops (As we really are never going to get round to doing a boot fair!)

At the end of 3 hours I had managed to fill our rubbish bin, and our cardboard recycling bin.

More importantly I had 2 bags of clothing and 5 boxes of toys, games, books and household items that I could donate to the local charity!

But... I have a slight confession to make.

The day I chose to do the this challenge was very cold. And I'm afraid after 3 hours, the need for tea and biscuits defeated me. I left the building, closed the door, and haven't been back since...

However, even though Week 2 of #Project52 is a bit of a work in progress, I am still pleased with what I have achieved! A job I've been meaning to do for the last 3 years has now been started - and therefore seems much less daunting. The garage is no longer a contender for health and safety nightmare of the year. And to top it off I have a significant pile to donate to charity!

You'll just have to stay tuned for the 'After' photograph!

Introducing #Project52

Hello! Welcome to my first blog post of 2014

Every year I promise myself that I will write more blog posts, but you know how it goes - one thing drives out another and before you know it it's been 3 months since your last post...

But do you know what? I think 2014 might just be the year that I manage it!

Why...?

Well - this year I have decided to create my very own #Project52

Every week this year I want to challenge myself to enjoy the simple pleasure of planning some time off to do something for myself - and then make sure I do that thing (what ever it may be!)

In this busy, busy world that we live in, it can be so easy to focus only on the 'bigger' pleasures in life - counting down to your summer holiday or maybe to Christmas - that you forget to plan, enjoy and cherish the smaller, simpler things like 'Fish & Chip Friday' or cooking a new recipe.

Inspired by my cousin who has set up her own Facebook Page "to take up the challenge and make the most of 2014" I have decided to share my own #Project52 experiences with you here. But don't worry, there won't be lots of 'worthy' pontificating - just a few pictures and a few words each week.

I'm hoping that these blog posts will act as virtual postcards - each one sent as a signpost to my memory so that at the end of this year I can look back and say "2014 - what a wonderful year!"

You can find the original inspiration for my #Project52 here: www.facebook.com/fiftytwoweekchallenge

Click here to find out about #Project52 - WEEK 1 - Corn Beef Pie

 

#Project52 - WEEK1 - Corn Beef Pie

#Project52 - WEEK 1 - Corn Beef Pie

Taking into account how much I like eating pie, it was easy to decide on my first personal challenge of 2014 - to learn how to make a pie...

But not just any pie - a double crusted pie with homemade pastry!

Only the best ingredients go into making a pie!

 My first ever pie has an uncanny resemblance to Gizmo the gremlin

No soggy bottom here!

And even if I do say so myself, my pie was a triumph!

#delish

If you would like to have a go at making this pie for yourself 

you can find the Paul Hollywood recipe here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/corned_beef_plate_pie_41244

To find out more about my #Project52 click here:
http://thoughtsbylolly.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/introducing-project52.html

made by lolly SALE NOW ON!

In case it wasn't clear....

the made by lolly end of season sale is now on!

A large number of my felt flower brooches have 25% off their previous selling prices

It's the perfect opportunity to finish off your Christmas shopping...

most of the reduced items come in under £10 so are perfect for Secret Santa or Stocking Filler Gifts!

OR - Why not treat yourself?

Many of the colours and designs in this Collection will be retired in January

This may be your last chance to buy one of your favourites!

SHOP NOW!

Win Free Tickets to the Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate!

Did you know... 

that I am going to be appearing at this year's Country Living Christmas Fair taking place in Harrogate?

 

From Thursday 28th November until Sunday 1st December, you will be able to find made by lolly in Hall C of the Harrogate International Centre on Stand F34A. And that's not all...

I have 5 pairs of FREE tickets to give away!

If you would like to win one of five pairs of tickets to get into the show for FREE on either Thursday, Friday or Sunday (unfortunately these free tickets are not valid on Saturday) then follow the instructions below:

1. Pop over to my website - www.madebylolly.co.uk
2. Have a lovely look round
3. Come back here and post a comment telling me which item you are most looking forward to seeing at the fair

And that's it!

The competition is only open until Wednesday 20th November 2013 at 9pm, so make sure you get your entry in quick! Feel free to share this competition with your friends - but note that the only way to enter is by leaving a comment on this blog post. Only one entry per person.

Please make sure you have read the full T&C's at the bottom of this post before entering

Best of Luck!

Laura x

EDIT 20/11/2013: The draw has now taken place!

I used a sequence generator from Random.org and the first 5 numbers out of the hat were 13, 2, 3, 11 and 5 

 

This means that the winners are John, Kiki's Umbrella, The Handkerchief Tree, Marilyne b and Jah

 

Please email me at madebylolly@hotmail.com with you postal address so that I can send out your tickets!

 

 

See you in Harrogate x

Terms and Conditions:

1. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me which made by lolly item you are most looking forward to seeing at the Country Living Christmas Fair
2. Only one entry per person. Multiple comments will be deleted, and only the first comment accepted.
3. Feedback is welcome at any time, but only comments received between now and 9pm on Wednesday 20th November 2013 will be accepted for the prize draw
4. Each comment will be assigned a number, and a random number generator will be used to pick the 5 winners
5. I reserve the right to delete comments and exclude from the prize draw any persons that leave comments that are excessively rude or contain spam content
6. The winner will be announced via this blog during the evening of Wednesday 20th November 2013, and the prize of one pair of tickets to the Country Living Show Harrogate will be posted free of charge to each of  the winners within 2 days of receiving confirmed address details.
7. After the draw has taken place, it is the winners' responsibility to email me at madebylolly@hotmail.com with their address details. If the winners have not claimed their prize by Tuesday 27th November at 9pm, I reserve the right to withdraw the prize