HERD of a DIFFERENT COLOUR

Yarn Bombers have been busy in the small Co. Laois town of Mountmellick,

it is also rumoured that the men of the town will be suffering 

from cold feet this winter.
Well done to the Women of Mountmellick!

An Old Singer !

This seventy-six year old lady is still working well. In fact after having being given a good dousing of three in one oil recently on her moving parts. Her owner declared that she is better than ever.

Her Singer number is EB 326703 from which I was able to ascertain, that her birth was at

Kilbowie, Clydebank, Scotland in June 1937.

Mrs H bought her for £20 in London about thirty plus years ago. Inside the 'green box is a

Singer counterfoil (possibly the original) however, unfortunately the figures are ineligible.

I personally view this machine as a piece of art work and greatly admire the gold decorations that it has, them and the decorative cover plates which I think are absolutely splendid.

The Singer Sewing Machine model 28k

Shewing cover plate at business

end of machine.

An inverted pear shaped cover

plate.

I obtained details of year and place of manufacture from http://www.sewshop.com/date-your-machine.html and from them they have this to say :-

"Singer Sewing Machines were first manufactured in 1851. The manufacture dating provided here on our Web site is reproduced from the original Company register number log books. Because we have not been able to locate the log books, serial numbers for the years 1851 to 1870 are not available at this time. 

Serial numbers on Singer sewing machines manufactured prior to 1900 are numbers only. After 1900, the machine serial numbers have a single or two-letter prefix."

STRANGE BIRDS ....

We have seen these feathered friends feeding twice now on the dandelion seeds in our front garden and have been unable to identify them, we seek your assistance ? (What they are not is goldfinches)

                                                                 

Strange and inconsiderate parking by two lady drivers (birds) at the rear of the council offices in Birr

Goddess of Goodness

A surprise invitation arrived a few days ago from a friend, who has an exhibition of her ceramic inspirations, being held in Garter Lane in the City of Waterford. So this evening will see us driving to this famous waterside city especially to see the exhibition called Soul Sights. Waterford is mainly noted for crystal glass ware and differently, for me especially it hosts a retailer of Belgian Chocolate. For those mouth watering delights, I have been known to drive for two hours merely to indulge my taste buds.

Switzerland is another country also known for fine quality chocolate, that fact leads me on to Tuesday of this week. When a Swiss friend Ms. CW arrived on our doorstep for a visit; We had last seen each other during the summer of 1996. Unlike myself she had no visible facial changes, I had brownish hair then and now it is almost silver. Our talks were as you can imagine on all manner of subjects, including the afore mentioned dark delight. To which CW diplomatically agreed that yes Belgium is also a chocolate country.

Which will no doubt satisfy Marie P. a young friend of mine, whose culinary skills as a chocolatier produces a wonderful Belgian chocolate mousse, which she gives to her friends at Midwinter, a cheery dish whose every spoonful encourages me to have more!I Do hope that Marie is reading this and if ever she needs a reference, then my mere memory will effuse regarding her superior skills and beauty.

To be honest I have to admit that the Goddess of Goodness has given me many talented friends, companions and acquaintances. For only last Sunday when visiting The Farmers Market at Emo, Co Laoise. I met Sheila behind a stall named The Druids Pantry, (hadn't seen her for years) another talented person with culinary skills that whetted my appetite and I came away loaded with wonderful Dips. Namely Smoky Red Pepper Pesto, Caponata - a aubergine & tomato spread and a great Hummus containing Lemon & Corrinder - thus Sunday lunch for this veggie was sorted.