Has it really been so long since I waffled?. One of the things I have been doing of an evening since the cool weather is making a comeback, and thats reading a lot of different blogs. We all have our favourites but sometimes its nice to look around and make some new discoveries. In my travels I did notice something that really perplexed me, everyone is talking about Thermomix!!!!.

No, I dont own one, personally I think I can find a better use for such a large sum of money, but for many they are eagerly singing the praises of this kitchen machine. In some ways it reminds me of the bread maker, remember how everyone had to have one, the promise of waking to freshly baked bread was such an enticing incentive that domestic goddesses rushed out to purchase one, after all their family deserved the best bread on a daily basis, the same mantra seems to be chanted about the Thermomix. Think there have been a few kitchen gadgets that have received glowing accolades and can now be found at weekend garage sales for a fraction of the price.

What fascinates me with the Thermomix band wagon is how many domestic goddesses seem to feel they are missing out, they post comments saying how they wished they had one, or are saving hard, or trying to entice their husbands in seeing the advantages. Recipes are appearing at a fast rate on blogs/recipe sites all for this new gadget. Owners seem to be selling the benefits to all followers, constantly saying how its great they can now cook healthy meals, mmm what did they cook before?, funny how a new machine that weighs,stirs, heats, simmers etc suddenly changes ones habits. We can and do cook healthy meals without the use of this machine, I certainly make everything from scratch and shock horror I dont even own a dishwasher!!!.

Im sure it has its merits and no doubt suits many, but please if you dont own one dont feel as if your short changing your family. One of the funniest sites I read informed the reader of how they are now enjoying healthy family meals, but sitting on the bench was a large bottle of Coke, several blocks of chocolate and chips, guess snacks and drinks don’t enter the equation.

Maybe its time we all dusted of our cookbooks, discovered new found enthusiasm for our food processors, pressure cookers, slow cookers, rice cookers, and refrain from pre-packaged items and find the delights in cooking from scratch. Who knows you might discover that you dont need that new kitchen gadget after all!!.

Im beginning to wonder who has stolen a bit of time. Do you ever feel that there are just not enough hours in a day to achieve all you would like to do?. Between our backyard that is beginning to look great, making pillowcases and doing rugs, as well as those other household tasks, and squeezing in a bit of Pinterest my days become a little time poor.

My pillowcases have been completed and mailed, 32 of them, I can tick that off my list. It really felt good to make a big donation, it has emptied me out of fabric by the meter/yard but thats alright, as I now can look at purchasing more fabric with a clear cupboard guilt free.

Just so you know Im not telling porkies here are my pillowcases

If you look around your sewing room and you find you have some spare fabric think about donating a few pillowcases to a worthy charity, as no matter were you live there are a lot of worth while charities that could use a useful donation

Today the sun came out, even if it was covered by some dark clouds. In between the washing, dusting and other household tasks I did some appliquéing, its something I find very therapeutic, shall not mention that my cotton had to be the dodgy spool of the factory line, a quick trip to the little fabric shop here in town and balance was resumed.

As I was up at 4am this morning, the new Fat Quarterly magazine was out and ready for purchase. While enjoying several cups of coffee I oohed and arrhed my way through the entire 125 pages give or take. Need to show some restraint in the “I want to make that”realm, when I have my current tasks completed I will be jumping in with both feet.

Here are one of the houses from todays sewing time.

Hope everyones weekend was a good one, mine was productive outside, will confess that Mr Surprising has a week off shortly so no doubt time will be spent digging,painting, and chopping down a very over grown greenhouse, its a shame you cant hear the enthusiasm in my voice as I say it

My plan for the week is to churn out a few items, today I made pot-holders, they require the binding, that makes them close to done. Also printed out a few more paper piecing patterns which I will work on tomorrow. As I’ve promised myself, no purchase of fabric has been made, yes I’m giving myself a pat on the back

Here is a little picture of my pot-holders, any special sewing plans for you this week?.