Yearnings!

Every so often I would get a very strong yearning for a John Watts quilting frame and probably a new machine to use on it.
And would check out eBay or be very envious if one of the Scquilters had one for sale (cos they were upgrading to a long arm. Or worse - they hadn't used it...sigh). But there wasn't ever any money anway.

A couple of weeks ago I found one on eBay with a Juki machine, almost unused, and for half the cost of a new setup. There was just an hour left on the bidding - AND NO BIDS!!! I talked to My Best Sister Noela after and she said she would loan me the money if I wanted to make an offer. I did, but didn't hear anything. And then the seller re-listed it.
So I sat chewing my nails for a week and then in the last three minutes bid for it. Again, the only bid!
And now Noela and I own this (it is only about 2,000 kms away at the moment!):

Cooking

I haven't been around much lately I know. Been sick, and birthday partying, and sick and tired and stuff like that.
But here are some recent photos. This is a lovely truck and trailer load of firewood my darling biggest little brother and his wife brought me for my birthday present. The BEST present!!!






And these are my pickled lemons in a great big jar. So easy to do. Cut lemons into 4 lengthwise, and layer in a jar with coarse salt. Put the lid on and leave them for a few weeks until they go gooey and get that lovely oily syrup at the bottom.










And then you can use them for all sorts of things.









One of them is this yummy leg of lamb my Best Sister brought from Tasmania last week - another birthday present (from their own farm, there will be a sheep hopping around over there now).
It is in the oven now, with branches of mint from the garden and two bulbs of garlic.