Wantobe Quilter Campaign

 Madame Samm over at Sew WE Quilt is starting an incredible campaign to get more people quilting.  It involves 3 months of giveaways 5 days a week.  It starts tomorrow, August 1.  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are for newbies and Tuesdays and Thursdays are for those who know their way round the a block. To participate in the giveaways, you need to register first.  So head over there now by clicking on the button above.  It looks like it could be a lot of fun! For a sneek peek of what you can win, click here.

July Mosaic

July is drawing to a close

the month when we moved home and had a fabulous holiday

when we celebrated my mum`s birthday

August is set to be a different month altogether

one of the hottest months in Morocco when temperatures routinely hit the mid 40 Cs (115 F)

it also brings a new moon

and the month of Ramadan

a time when people here reconnect spiritually
and turn over new leaves

a time for family

for fasting from sunrise until sunset

15 hours without food or drink

a time for frayed tempers

...it also brings my birthday

what will August`s mosaic look like?

During the month of August, I`m participating in The August Break 2011.

Shadow Shot Sunday - Summer Evening Cycling

The only time it`s possible at the moment to cycle on a shiny red bike (with one flat tyre) is in the evening. Otherwise it`s just too hot. Linking up as usual with Tracy at Hey Harriet.

Perhaps it was the heat or a rush of  blood to the head but yesterday I was over at uber-talented Nicolette`s blog, Dutch Comfort and read this post about the Camelot quilt by Trish Harper. I thought it was absolutely gorgeous although anything Nicolette does is amazing (check out her lollipop trees, tile quilts, Dear Baby Jane and farmer`s wife blocks on her flikr page).  Anyway, I digress. I thought the design was beautiful and to cut a short story even shorter, I ordered it.  Far too ambitious of course.  I have a couple of pressing things to finish but hey, it`s something to do in the winter months.  When it`s cooler. When Zaki is at pre-school.  Yes, something to aspire to.

Available for purchase here.  

I have just realized that I purchased the pattern from Lizzie Broderie whose candied hexagons quilt was the inspiration behind Lynne`s HAL.  Now there`s synchronicity.

Joy Pockets

When it is 29 C  (84 F) at 8.30 you just know it`s going to be a scorcher. It`s been so hot this week that we have barely been out of the house and so I`ve had to look harder to find those pockets of joy - you know, those small things in life that make you smile?

Play-Doh moments

looking at the weather forecast and seeing that the temperature will drop in a few days
my son`s impersonation of me when seeing a gecko scamper down our kitchen wall

water pistol fights

a cool breeze in the early hours of the morning
buying new fabric

an afternoon at the pool with friends

contemplating buying a satellite of NASAlike proportions to pick up the BBC again

my mum booking her flight to come visit us in October

Linking up with Monica  at Bohemian Twilight.

A Tart

Tuna, Leek & Mint Tart

I don`t really follow foody blogs (apart from Sue`s The Quince Tree) although don`t get me wrong...  

I.LOVE.FOOD. 

I think it might be the temptation thing.  You see there are many ingredients you can`t find here although by way of store cupboard items, slowly things are getting better.  People eat with the seasons here and basically if it isn`t in season you don`t find it or you pay a hefty premium.  So when I find a recipe I can find the ingredients for and tastes delicious, then I have to make it and share it with you.

So the other day I came across Emma`s blog called Frog, Goose and Bear and found a recipe for Pea and Tuna Tart.  I know.  It sounds unlikely. Now I am no big tuna fan but the mixture of ingredients sounded intriguing.  Tuna, mustard and mint?  In a quiche?

So last night with my carniverous husband away, I made my adaptation of this quiche and it was very very good.  Here  is my take on it.

Tuna, Leek & Mint Tart

Shortcrust pastry (I made mine and used 200g flour and 100g butter and a little cold water to bind)

2 sliced and cleaned leeks sauteed in a little butter

1Tub creme fraiche

3 eggs

1/2 cup grated cheese (I used Edam as that is what I had)

1/4 cup chopped mint (mint is easy to find as it is used here for tea)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (the mustard I used was Tarragon Dijon )

1 x 185g can tuna in spring water

1. Preheat oven to Gas Mark 3, 190 C or 380 F . 

2. Line a tart tin or quiche dish with pastry.

3. Blind bake for 10 minutes.

4. While blind baking the tart, saute the leeks gently in a little butter.

5. Whisk the cream and eggs together in a bowl.

6. Add the cheese, mint, mustard, tuna and stir. 

7. Put the sauteed leeks on the base of the pastry case.

8. Pour the mixture onto the leeks and pop it into the oven  for 30 minutes or until set. 

Serves 6 or 4 greedy

It is so delicious and tastes of summer - the tuna is mild tasting, the mint delicious and the mustard adds a piquancy.  Thanks so much to Emma for the recipe!  Go visit her blog  - there are some great ideas for all sorts including lunch box ideas.

I am entering it in Annemarie`s Summer Fair. I came across it this morning and so took a photo of my lunch. Click on the button below to take you over there.  For a chance to win prizes, you can enter one quilt (it doesn`t have to be a new one) and or one recipe and there is a linky up thing so you can go visit and find new blogs, get inspiration, discover new recipes and gain the odd follower...may be.  Win. Win.

Wordless Wednesday - The View

The Pharmacists` Club, Marrakech

Linking up as usual with Faith Hope & A Whole Lotta Love.  For more wordless posts, hop over there.