Hi there.

It is just a quick note this week as we are heading off to Auckland for the National Finals of the NZ Retailer Top Shop Awards…so as you can imagine, finding a posh frock and trying not to feel completely intimidated by the whole process is the order of the day!

Combining this with visits to some of our major suppliers while negotiating Auckland traffic is all part of the challenge for the next couple of days.Whatever happens I feel very proud of our team at Annie’s and the fact that we will be representing our store, Ashburton and shining a light on the quilting industry at a national event showcasing the best retailers in New Zealand.

In the meantime the girls will be holding the fort in the shop and hopefully selling lots of fabric to make room for all the gorgeous new stuff which has been arriving including these very versatile Ta Da Dots from Michael Miller to add to our range.These look fabulous with Kaffe Fassett fabrics or for bags as well as children’s quilts.

I am starting to hear murmurings about how many weeks until Christmas…or rather how many pay days which is all a bit concerning!But never fear, we have had some lovely Christmas fabrics arrive in including “Celebrating Christmas” from Anni Downs and some very nice gold overlaid prints in reds, greens, creams and grey which would make gorgeous mats, serviettes and table runners for the festive table.

Before I forget, the winner of the Annie’s $50.00 voucher for September is Marelize Feberwee of Ashburton.

This week’s recipe is one of the “fill the tins and some for the freezer” variety.

Milo-Choc-o-Nut Biscuits

• 250 g butter
• 2 c sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 c flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 6 tbsp Milo
• 1 cup of chopped peanuts
• ½ c chocolate chips

Cream the butter and sugar, add eggs.Add the dry ingredients and then add the Milo, chocolate chips and peanuts.Roll into balls and then flatten with a fork when they are on the oven tray.Bake for 180C for 18-20 mins.