Another day

 Good morning all.  We have been forecast rain but as yet it is the usual dull nothing weather. The bamboo is murmuring so there is a tiny breeze. Today James is making arranchini with the left over risotto from yesterday but he has hit a problem the risotto is too wet so he has spread it out to dry off a bit. I must say he is brave to try, it’s not the easiest thing to do. However just as he ate my mess ups I too will eat his.  Today I am going to give my room a bit of a birthday and tidy up all the bits of yarn that are liberally scattered around making cleaning impossible and Denny is due tomorrow. The new design is nice but it has acres of stem stitch in close rows to fill in large areas which is tedious to sew.  Anyway I will leave it until this afternoon this morning will be devoted to a shower, a bed change and put on a laundry load. I don’t know about you but it is Groundhog Day in this house.  For those who haven’t seen the film the main character wakes...

 Good morning all. We are still stuck in our cloud but it is a bit less foggy today.  Today is Denzil’s long day so it is just James and I and he is going to make us a mushroom risotto as we have some mushrooms on the blink.  My menu plan is eat it before it goes off!  I had intended to get on with my embroidery but the light is dreadful I will have to have the lights on all day I think. I had few few fruitless hours trying to get my hearing aid to connect to my phone but although the Bluetooth can see it it refuses to connect.  I have given it up as a bad job for the time being. My only reason was so that I could manipulate the volume from my phone. Well that is it for today another thrilling day in prospect.  Our COVID levels are very bad and things look like they will get worse before they get better.  Have a good day if you can.

 Good morning all.  It is damp and foggy this morning but not too cold. Yesterday was a successful shopping tip for James.  I am keeping a low profile as the infection rate here has become quite a problem and they are going to start mass testing in December.  We are abandoning Xmas and are just going to hunker down and eat and watch garbage.  To that end James bought a nice large panettone which is necessary for my Xmas morning coffee before the kitchen duties take over. I turned my hearing aid down as Joy suggested and it was much more comfortable without the screeching sound of the higher pitches.  It seems that the higher pitches on the TV are the major problem.  I have no problems with speech. I was chatting to Sandy and we were both moaning about the fireworks.  Her youngest dog is now terrified of all loud noises.  Not much good on a shoot if he is now gun shy.  It is so distressing to see the terror but be completely unable to giv...

 Good morning all, another boring day in prospect, no sun and no weather just deep grey clouds. James has taken a drive to Macknades to buy coffee as we are desperately low. I have waited in for a delivery from Waitrose.  There are some bits that only they stock so my orders are infrequent and we don’t have a store nearby.  This must sound ridiculous we have Tesco, Sainsbury, Morrison, and Asda you would think that would do.  However Waitrose stock a read made gazpacho which is Spanish in origin and as good as I can make myself.  We all love it. It is not exactly the weather for a cold soup however it still makes a good starter.  Denzil is a day off so he is relaxing and catching up on missed programs.  In my order there were some lamb burgers so they will do for either lunch or supper. This has reminded me that I caught up on the rugby, sorry Marjorie but Ireland look like they have a good team in the making. I have no plans for the day just more hear...

 Good morning all. Another no weather day here not even the bamboo is stirring.   I slept in late as I had a poor night.   James is busy in the kitchen making a chicken curry for lunch.  I on the other hand am getting on with some embroidery.  This latest effort is proving rather more of a challenge. It comes from a different company and the instructions are not as easy to understand.   I am trying to make sure I practice with the hearing aid but I must admit it isn’t easy.  The magnified sound can be quite off putting. Who new their hair is noisy?  Anyway like most things a bit of perseverance is required. Life here is pretty boring and thank goodness for the telephone and the internet at least we can stay in touch even if we can’t meet. Have a good day and stay safe.

Good morning all.  Well I am now wired for sound.  I am finally the proud owner of a shiny new hearing aid.  I had it fitted at the hospital and wore it for the rest of the day.  It is going to take some getting used to as of course it is an amplifier and magnifies all sound.  I think it may take some time for my brain to readjust.  Anyway I had my TV volume much lower so everyone was happy. We have no weather today just a deep dull greyness.  The gardeners came and basically just tidied up the fallen leaves.  Not that it stays tidy, the first gust of wind and the garden has a new layer of leaves. James is making a chicken curry for us today.  We are very fortunate that one of the corner stores is run by Indians and they have a large Indian section which means we are never short of spices etc. And we all like curries. There is no further news at the moment we are just hunkered down waiting for time to pass and things to improve. James tried t...

 Good morning all.  Sorry about yesterday but I got my self involved in other things and the clean forgot. My new embroidery is more difficult and as such need more brain power and levels of concentration.  However, I do like a challenge.   To day is medical day Denzil has a blood test, James has to pick up a form from the doctors and I have to go to the hospital for my hearing aids. I think lunch may be a fridge raid.  One thing I have discovered now that I have reintroduced carbs is that I have also introduced wind which was largely absent when I was carb free. Well not exactly free but as low as I could manage. The weather is mild and dull but currently dry.  I’m not sure when this current lockdown ends but as I don’t frequent pubs and restaurants it makes little difference to me.   Have a good day and stay safe and warm.

Good morning all.  Thanks for your kind comments about my sewing.  It has been a life saver during the lockdown.  It takes a lot of my limited concentration so it fills in the tedious hours.  James seems happy cooking now that he feels better so I am happy to hand the baton to him.  Today for lunch we are having smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.  Last night I had a chocolate mousse it was delicious but it is the first dessert I have had in months which made it a real treat.  Because I am so un used to sugar I can taste in unexpected places like smoked mackerel which has been cured in a salt and sugar.  Commercial bread tastes like Madeira cake. The rugby was exciting and I am not commenting on the results as it may be televised in France today and as it was England v Ireland I would hate to spoil it for my French friends. Well my coffee cup is empty so time for a refill.  Have a lovely day we are dry here but very dull and overcast.

 Good morning all. It is a dull day and looks like rain there isn’t even a glimmer of sunlight.   I got my latest embroidery finished and blocked and it is now drying.  I think that the wetting allows the fibres to relax and evens out the tension. Once dry I usually put an iron over the edges where they are marked by the ring. The new embroidery is now mounted and I have made a start. This new embroidery is from a different company and is a step up in terms of stitch skills. This is proving to be quite a steep learning curve.  However it does keep me occupied and before I know it 4 hours have elapsed. James is much better and he made a very nice cottage pie yesterday using up the last of the veal joint. What at first I thought was an expensive piece of meat actually has kept the thee of us fed for thee days and I have put my name on the last portion of pie which I will have for lunch today so when you divide it up it is actually not expensive at all. This is the new ...

 Good morning all.  Sorry about yesterday but I just got side lined and then forgot.  I could see the end of the embroidery so I got stuck in while I had daylight.  Fortunately we had leftover veal and today the last of it is going into a cottage pie for supper.  James had also made a big pot of vegetable soup which was very substantial but it’s all gone now.  As a family we all like soup and there isn’t much you can’t make soup out of. Given that everything is so deadly dull at the moment I find that I don’t have much to write about, the days just roll into each other with the usual things that you need to survive.  I am not cooking anything exotic.  I spend a lot of time on the embroidery which is a good thing at least it is stopping me going crazy.   I have brought us all on to the same food I just don’t eat the carb component or at least very little of it which I hope means I shouldn’t put on too much weight.  However I have every in...

 Good morning all.  The sun is shining and it is relatively mild.  Yesterday went according to plan and I managed to get in the back door of the hospital but they won’t let you in until 10 minutes before your appointment time.  Sadly I have to return next week when finally I should get the hearing aids. However I am pleased that my hearing hasn’t deteriorated since last year.  I think the boys will be pleased as I’m sure my tv is very loud for them. By the time I came back from the hospital no one fancied eating so the veal has been put off until today’s lunch.  I have some curly kale and potatoes to go with it.  There will be lots of leftovers so a tuna sauce is called for so with that in mind I am off to hard boil some eggs.   Have a good day and I hope you get a bit of sun to brighten your day.

Good morning all, it is still dark so I can't see what the weather is like but I hear no rain.  Dennie is coming today though I didn't expect her because of the lockdown.  Anyway, I have no problems with a clean house.  The lounge is currently draped in wet washing after yesterdays laundry day. I normally leave the washing for after Dennie has been as she uses lots and lots of cloths which I put in the next batch of laundry. I got on quite well with my embroidery, I must say it is an ideal occupation for the hands while you listen to a good book being read.  The best of both worlds I think. Today I have an appointment with the audiologist but I know that the hospital is in lockdown so I am not looking forward to the experience.  Audiology is as far from the main entrance as possible so I am going to try ducking in the back door which is very close. I would like to spend the minimum amount of time in the hospital and spend the minimum time mixing with others if t...

 Good morning all.  It is quite mild this morning and so far it is dry and once again I am glad we are high above the water line so we are safe from flooding. Quite a few lower lying places are under water.  You would have laughed at me trying to change my duvet cover, some how I got it all wrong and then after much struggle I decided it was the same as when you reverse into a space wrongly.  There is no putting it right you just have to start again. As tomorrow is our Sunday lunch day I have taken a nice veal joint out of the freezer which will be slow roast with garlic, lemon zest, rosemary and butter.  The vegetables arrive tomorrow so I should have a good selection to choose from. As yesterday was so awful I got on with my sewing and have now managed to organise the lights so that I can see to sew when there is no sunshine.  I also sat up late watching a great film “The man who would be King” Rudyard Kipling staring Sean Connery and Micheal Cain. I have...

 Good morning all.  It is hosing down with rain this morning and looks pretty bleak outside. It looks like it is going to be a sewing day.  By the way congratulations to the Irish rugby team on a well deserved win.  The tv schedule is very strange you don’t expect rugby on a Friday.  Every thing this year is strange!   Denzil is working a long day and we have some chicken for supper when he comes home. Lunch will have to be a fridge raid. Have a peaceful day and stay dry.

 Good morning all.  The weather looks pretty miserable this morning.  I had a chat yesterday with my poor friend who has had a terrible fall and done significant damage to her right hand and arm.  She has asked if ai would do an embroidery for her niece.  Of course I agreed nothing like an excuse to do another embroidery.  The one I sent to France has arrived and I hope it is reasonable as I am just learning so I hope to improve. This one still has a way to go but I think a week should have it finished. Fortunately we have some leftover cauliflower cheese which will do for lunch.  Interestingly, since putting some carbs back in my diet I now get ravenously hungry.  It is one of the best parts of the Keto diet that I never felt hungry.  At the moment it is just too much hassle.  I would still like to loose another few pounds but it is not a priority. Well that’s about it for the day time I got on with the sewing.  Have a lovely day d...

 Good morning all.  Well yesterday was a good day my ears have stopped messing me about.  However the best bit was when Tak sent me down some delicious fried chicken Japanese style. The dogs were very disappointed as there was not a morsel to spare. I also managed to get some embroidery done.  I had had to postpone it while I was feeling nauseated.   The consensus decision is to try and manage without  the tumble dryer to which end I have ordered a second drying rack so all our laundry can be accommodated.  I have held off putting my clothes back in the wardrobe as I am not convinced that all the fireworks are over yet. I managed to get a delivery from Tesco so I have topped up my supplies.  All diets are on hold for the time being while everyone gets on an even keel.  I also pushed the boat out and bought some ready made bone broth and was delighted as two teaspoons in a mug of boiling water and you have a delicious soup to enjoy. I have a l...

 Good morning all.  I feel so much better today yesterday was not too bad and I even got some embroidery done.  I have a Tesco delivery coming this afternoon nothing exciting just the usual things like soap powder and dog biscuits.   James has just taken himself to the hospital for a blood test but currently ambulances are waiting up to 5 hours to hand over patients so we hope to see him around Christmas.  In the meantime I had better organise something for lunch.  At the moment all diets are off while we recover our composure and get ourselves on an even keel.  At least I feel well enough to throw a few ingredients together so the first port of call is the freezer. I must say though I don’t really approve of take away or ready meals  there are times when they can save the day.  We are very lucky to have a kebab shop at the top of the road and of all the takeaways I think grilled meat and salad must be the healthiest. The lads that run the pl...

 Good morning all sorry about yesterday but I was none to good and decided to spend the day lying flat which kept the nausea at bay.  I slept well and this morning I feel almost human.  I haven’t been able to sew which is frustrating but I have watched almost all seven series of Star Trek Discovery.  James made some vegetable soup which was heavy on mushrooms but was very delicious and exactly what we all needed.  Last night we had a Chinese take away so no one had to cook.  I hope today will be better and I think the fireworks are dying down now.  Only a few went off last night and the dogs managed well.  I wonder if their terror was made worse as the pack was missing a member.  Who knows how dogs think? Anyway I hope this has brought you all up to date I am now going to see what I can rustle up by way of food for the day. Stay safe and have the best day you can.

 Good morning all.  I had a bit of a rough day yesterday me ear is playing up which generally means I am dizzy and nauseated.  I will keep this short as I seem to be better lying down.  I hope a bit of rest will see this pass.  In the mean time have a good day and stay safe.

 Good morning all it is very damp and misty but the sun is trying to break through and it is much milder. Last night the house was battened down ready but the fireworks started before dark and just kept going, it was like living in war zone.  You can’t explain to a dog that they are not bombs and bullets. I can confirm that the tumble dryer is dead so now I have the choice do I try to get it mended or just buy new.  In the mean time the house is draped in wet washing. As the dogs completely trashed my wardrobe I have had to put everything out to wash.  However, it does give me the opportunity to do a bit of clearing out while I am at it. Denzil is working a long day so it is just me and the dogs who are exhausted and still sound asleep. I am hopeful that we may get some news regarding James after the doctors have been around on Monday morning. Well the sun has made an appearance so I am going to take advantage and get some embroidery done so first fill up the coffee ...

Good morning all, yet another night of fireworks but though the dogs took cover I think they were less afraid.  Dan took over the wardrobe and Tubby hid in Denzil’s room.  I don't want to be a killjoy but night after night is getting a bit much and of course, now it is the weekend, great.  It is so annoying that almost every item in the wardrobe will have to be washed clean of dog hair.  As far as I am aware James is hopeful of discharge on Monday but I guess that will depend on how he has fared over the weekend.  I am much less concerned as they are talking about discharge I hope he will be a bit more communicative when he gets home and is feeling better.  In the meantime, I have leftovers for lunch today.  I got some sausages out of the freezer and didn't realise it was quite a large pack so its leftover sausages and leftover vegetables.   The American election has as usual turned into a soap opera which I must admit I am trying not to watc...

Good morning all it is very cold this morning.  Last night was miserable the dogs were very distressed and as Denzil was working I was trying to manage both dogs. Tubby finally chose a book shelf he deemed safe and Dan was in the wardrobe. Needless to say there is a bit of a mess to clear up this morning.  Books all over the floor upturned waste baskets, clothes scattered far and wide.  Not much fun for anyone. James rang last night to speak to his brother but he was working. He didn’t want to talk to me so I am not much wiser.  He has some liver problems though that is insufficient information for me. I am finding it difficult with no information but I’m sure I will find out in time.  Sadly I am still the wicked witch may be when he starts to feel better I might get promoted! Denzil is off today and I have made a sort of vegetable mixture which we will have with sausages for lunch.  I must say I am really pleased with the results of the water fast the 3.5 ...

 Good morning all cold enough for frost last night and this morning we have no weather no sun, no wind, no rain.  Last night was dreadful with both dogs in a dreadful state.  In the end they both managed to climb into the bottom of the wardrobe.  Needless to say there are hangers and clothes scattered far and wide in the end Dan fell asleep exhausted half in and half out of the wardrobe.  I sincerely hope we are not plagued by fireworks tonight which is bonfire night but also lockdown.  It is horrible to see the dogs so distressed and there seems to be no way to comfort them.  At first I tried to stop them getting into the wardrobe then I realised “resistance is futile” to quote the Borg so I gave in and let them hide in there.  I think I might move a few things so if they need to hide tonight it will not be as chaotic. No news on James but at least I know he is in the best place.  Typical gone are the day when there was a bit of joined up th...

 Good morning all.  I had a lovely brunch with Elaine and got home around 12 midday to find Denzil had taken James to hospital with chest pain.  They discharged him via a GP service so probably indigestion rather than heart problems.  However, we are in the dark because he didn’t come home last night so I am assuming he went to stay with a friend.  I rang the hospital this morning and this is all the information I have.  As you can imagine I am pretty worried but he is an adult so I mustn’t chase him he can do as he pleases. Both the dogs were in melt down again last night even before we heard any fireworks I don’t know if their hearing meant they could hear them when neither Denzil nor I could hear anything. Strange! I might be deaf but Denzil isn’t. Well I guess I had better get myself sorted out and get something for lunch underway.  I always forget to take things out of the freezer the night before.  Microwaves are great but I need an instant ...

 I have made a big mistake I reached out to my sister and sent her birthday greetings but it has resulted in yet more vitriol.  She always thinks I am up to something and is paranoid where I am concerned.  I guess I had better not try again and accept I am the wicked witch of the west.  Oh well nothing venture nothing gained. It was a mistake. to poke a hornets nest. She is still too angry to approach.  I sincerely hope she has not found this blog. Or I will be getting threats of legal action again.  I feel very stupid I should have let sleep go dogs lie. Any way I thought I would write tonight as I am out to breakfast in the morning and may not have time.  Have a good day.  I will tell you of my breakfast treat in the next edition.

 Good morning all.  Last night was quiet apart from one bang thank goodness for wind and rain.  I really didn't fancy another night with the dogs so distressed.  However, I know we are not out of the woods yet. I have an invitation to breakfast at Elaine’s tomorrow so I am deciding if I should water fast today then I can eat with a clear conscience.  If I leave it till after the event I might chicken out or find some rational excuse to avoid it altogether.  It should be easy enough all I have to do is miss one meal. I made some keto scones yesterday and played about with the recipe so that they contained lots of cheese and ham.  They have the added advantage of staying moist because they are made with almond flour.  So if I get desperate there is always a scone. I must say I am very surprised that none of you has questioned my sanity. It is very self-indulgent to play like this just testing various theories to see what works for me. I am a firm ...

 Good morning one and all.  It's still blowing here but the rain has stopped. There was a feast of Rugby on the box yesterday which finished off the six nations championship for last year.  Sadly things got a bit difficult as soon as it was dark.  Fireworks damn fireworks both dogs went into melt down.  Tubby was in such a state he managed to get inside my wardrobe looking for safety.  Dan decided he would dig a shelter but the bedroom carpet was very unforgiving.  There are so many contradictory ideas of how to deal with this.  It's a bit crazy when you can fire a 12 bore and Dan dosen't even flinch.  However, just one banger and he goes into meltdown. It must be something about the sound of fireworks that maybe we don't hear not forgetting that dogs can hear higher pitch than we can. Nothing seems to comfort them. I tried hugging Tubby like a thunder shirt but all he was determined to do was to stand on my bedside table.  Needless to s...