Wednesday 3 March 2010

New Arrivals, A Different View, and Bad Kitchen Management

Barney has arrived! (I was lucky enough to win Barney in OWOH last month) He was exhausted after his long trip from Oregon, but is settling in nicely with some of the other friendly residents. Isn't he handsome? Paula of On A Rainy Night is the clever person who made him. Thanks Paula! I don't think Barney is the type of gnome to sit around all day doing nothing though, so we may be hearing more from him in the future. But for now he just wants a rest! New and tiny little buds on one of the trees in Forest School. I am sorry to say I am not sure which tree this is though!
At one point in the afternoon yesterday, we laid down on the ground and looked at the blue sky and the branches of the tree. I was taking photos by holding the camera in the air. I got a couple of good ones of the kids laying down and this one up the hill into the sun.
It was such a peaceful moment, and unlike the other day's walk, was much quieter. Some noisy crows made a few appearances, and one of the girls, Maimuna, was doing a brilliant crow impression. The children also made see-saws, by putting long branches over the large climbing log. What fun!
The caramel I made the other day is now mainly in the freezer, awaiting inspiration-I thought maybe a sticky toffee pudding or something-though thanks Linda Sue for your idea. I did dip some nuts into it, though drew the line at making balls! I cheated and bought some shortbread biscuits, spread some (very spreadable consistency) caramel over it, then dribbled chocolate in patterns on top. Millionaire's Shortbread! Pretty tasty, if a little sickly. That was three days ago. The chocolate was still there when I got home tonight, and I was struck by how slovenly I am. I did wash up all the other stuff last night and the kitchen is fairly tidy, but somehow this defeated me! I do like the little spoon against the tiles though.
Is it wrong to buy oranges for their wrappers? I have saved them in my collage box. We had lovely ruby orange juice from two of these but the third one had gone off. Again, very bad management. To make up for it, I have just had some chocolate that needed eating up-no wastage there!



16 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh those oranges are aweseome. The gnome is so cute. Its wednesday woot woot...two days closer to the weekend he he he

xoxoxo

Paula said...

We don't have wrappers on our Oranges around here and I love them! No, not wrong at all to keep your orange wrappers!

So glad Barney arrived. Looks like he's already surrounded by new friends~

Linda Sue said...

The orange photo had me going for a moment- I didn't see it quite clearly but did see your finger- disembodied and thought OH MY GOD she's cut off her finger and had presence of mind to take a picture!
I was inspired by your caramel making and made some fudge again, this time I let it boil longer, Delish!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah - I think you will have to bring Barney for a visit, so he can meet Olaf, Gustav and Sven (although he might prefer to meet Ulrika, Frida and Agnetha!!!) Millionaires' shortbread sounds good to me - or just eat it with a spoon! Love, Anne

Lynne said...

Long time since I've seen orange wrappers. Mmm collage box, that's what I need to organise. At the moment I have little piles of foil wrappers from some little chocolate bunnies I bought, and ate!

jabblog said...

Love the teaspoon! I also like orange wrappers - they make the fruit seem so luxurious somehow. No, it's not wrong to buy something for the wrapper - I've been known to buy wine on the strength of a pretty label ;-)

BonnyBadger said...

I didn't realise we had oranges in wrappers in the good old UK! I would certainly have made the purchase based on wrapperage.

You are not slovenly. You are a very hard working teacher!!!!

BonnyBadger said...

PS Lynne - i have found that quality street cellophane wrappers are great for collage. Not sure if you get quality street in America though

snoopydogknits said...

LOve your little gnome. Looks like he'll soon settle in! Orange wrappers are always that lovely kind of fine tissue paper and always have intriguing labels on them. Yay! It's Friday tomorrow! Ros

Candace said...

That Barney looks like he is very capable of making friends and pronto! And the buds on the tree are so sweet. Spring is so tender -- just like a little kid.

Sometimes we have Asian pears in wrappers here. But the oranges? Not so far...

Look, your kitchen is fine. Some peeps would love that kitchen, trust me. You manage very well considering your schedule.
Now, about that chocolate --!
Say, thanks for the visit, too.
Much appreciated.
Candace in Athens x

Linda Sue said...

Cave painting- can't wait till you post those shots! Yes, header is Venice, last spring for three weeks. Paris is a great option- OH YES! Especially if you don't have much time- just pop over fro a quickie! YAHOO!

Janine said...

Lol...Sarah, I love that you buy oranges for their wrappers!

Unknown said...

Love the orange wrappers! Have a sweet day!

Jannie Funster said...

Did someone say caramel?? And toffee pudding? And Shortbread??!!
If so, that someone is totally speaking my language!!

It is, in fact... preferable to buy oranges just for their wrappers!!

xo

Chubby Chieque said...

Oh! those gnomes...& oh! those old books. Would you mind to send them to me, PLSSSS... §;-)

Yeah, love them! We have orange wrappers here in Sweden too, however I don't keep and save them. And saving them isn't wrong. It's a kind of hobby. I keep and save nice plastic bags, that GH (great hubby) is complaining--he--he...

Hope you have a wonderful week-end

Hugs as always & take care.

Anairam said...

Wrapped oranges - that is so weird! But very pretty wrappers, I agree. Hmmm, I can also not understand how you can be so slovenly - I would NEVER leave chocolate in a bowl. It would all have been scraped out and gobbled up long before!