Good afternoon all,........

I am joining in today with Annie,s smiles. and last week brought much to smile about. I always go across the Pennines to Doncaster to help Julia Cotterill on her McMillan coffee day. (Some of you will remember her from our Do-craft days ) I went over Wednesday morning with a car full of stuff including soup for our lunch. I was put to work straight away with stiring, cooking, peeling, lots of washing up so we could use the utensils again.....I stayed over at a Motel opposite the racecourse....basic, but clean bedding and towels, lots of hot water and comfy bed. Ater all, I was only there overnight and an hour in the morning!! Thursday saw the start of peeling apples ready for apple pies, a production line, I roll the pastry, Julia does the filling and then friend Susan wets and sugar sprinkles and keeps an eye on browning.

Lots of laughs all day including which side of the Pennines is the best, a running joke. Trifles to finish, posh cakes to make..... she even shouted at me saying I was grating chocolate the wrong way !!! I ask you !! how can you grate wrongly,???? only one sharp side !!! she took it off me and showed me how it should be done..... I was pushing the chocolate and she was pulling it !!!! SAME END RESULT !! PMSL.....
On the day she is open 9am to 9pm...... Julia and the lovely Alan were 'Mine Host's'

Part of the jams and chutneys which Julia makes during the year... plus setting out cakes for sale and  there was a huge amount of stuff for sale on the craft table and more in the living room.....

I was in on a secret of Angie (from Do-crafts again) travelling 280 miles to be with us for the day, Julia's face was a picture when she opened the door lol....she brought with her so much lovely stuff made by her and her 2 boys !! Julia set her to work selling raffle tickets and she did a sterling job, selling over £100 worth.

I, of course was consigned to the kitchen! making tea, coffee, sandwiches and puddings and the never ending washing up..... a real life Cinderella! (but no prince charming...)
Julia also looked after her 2 grandchildren age 18 months and 2 years, made a cake for Peter's birthday on the Thursday as well.
Over 70 people came through the door and on the day itself she made £1147.38 the total will go up as she has orders to fulfil!!

These are 2 of the items I made, ragged wreaths and Christmas tree hearts,

 plus 2 baby quilts and other stuff.
Sorry for the long post.

Tilly x