Another day

 Good morning all it is another gorgeous sunny day.  Denny arrived at the crack of dawn and I had only just woken up so it was all a bit of a rush.  Thank goodness I tidied up a bit yesterday and James had given the kitchen a tidy too so we are not in the usual mess. He made a nice chorizo and pepper stew for lunch and a leek and potato soup with croutons for supper. Today he is doing something with prawns I think it will probably be a main course size prawn cocktail as we have some little gem lettuce. I have some goose eggs on order which I hope will arrive in time for supper and I am looking forward to boiled eggs and toasty soldiers.  It's funny how childhood things still please even after all this time. I have a passion for eggs in any form. I haven't much to say life is just chugging along which is better than drama but doesn't give you much to write about.  Anyway have a lovely day what ever you have planned and make the most of the sunshine.

 Good morning all today it is summer with warmth and sun.  The washing machine is working overtime and everyone is bright and cheerful.  I had another rotten night and was still bouncing around at 3 in the morning. I did a fabulous recipe yesterday which I would recommend to you all as it is so versatile.  This is the actual recipe  https://youtu.be/GuUVu36CMtE however I only had a piece of leftover salmon to use up so I bodged the recipe but it was still really delicious and would be a good recipe for many occasions.  I had it just as a sandwich filling but I can see it would make a lovely light lunch with a salad, or a great starter or for nibbles with drinks. I’m not sure what is on the menu for today the boys are organising it so it will be a surprise.  Denzil’s car has gone in for its service so fingers crossed all is well and it doesn’t cost him a fortune. I have intentions of getting on with my sewing sitting outside in the sun.  Angela was...

 Good morning all I spent most of yesterday finishing off another feather and ended up with a backache.  Anyway, I am pleased with the results. The hour change threw my careful sleep organisation into chaos, so I have slept in this morning it is hard to believe what a difference an hour makes. I have never been a creature of habit but having established a new one I was completely thrown. Yesterday we had some really lovely salmon which I pan-fried then gave it a splash of white wine and a lid to let it cook through.  Cooking fish can be a bit of a gamble for me but I got it just right more by good luck than good judgement.  It seems to me that it takes milliseconds to go from raw to overcooked and dry. Today we have sunshine and it is warmer than yesterday with it's icy blast from Siberia.  I am led to believe summer is on Tuesday this year. Denzil came home pretty poleaxed yesterday and his back was complaining which really isn't surprising.  Anyway, he is...

 Good morning all it's very blustery and overcast this morning gone is yesterday's brilliant sunshine.  I have been setting my alarm clock for 10 pm at which point off goes the TV and I start my bedtime routine.   Crazy as this sounds I have found that I am sleeping much better.  If there is anything I want to watch later I just set it to record and watch it the next day. This is advice from Matthew Walker's book Why We Sleep. I am not a fan of big pharma but I was so sad when I read that AstraZeneca is giving their vaccine away at cost price so it is affordable for even poor countries.  However, as they have been used as a political football they have seen a marked drop in their share price.  They are charging around £3 per dose while the others are charging between £15 and £28 per dose. That will teach them not to be altruistic and heaven help us next time. Right, that's today moan over with. Today it will be just James and I for lunch so it will be a san...

 Good morning all it is a beautifully sunny morning which is very uplifting.  I had a really good nights sleep which also makes a difference I am much less crotchety if I have slept well.    James was up early and has made a chicken curry for lunch. Denzil will be home from work and I hope he manages to work without hurting his back.  I know with my back if it starts to kick up I just stop whatever I am doing but you can't do that at work. It has to be one of the benefits of being retired. I have been cracking on with my sewing and so far I am pleased with the results.  I watched the last rugby match last night and it was quite a thriller. Irrespective of the outcome it has been a wonderful season of exciting games with no single team winning the grand slam. I was sad for Marjorie and Remi as France lost to Scotland in the dying minutes. Well the clocks go forward this weekend and we loose an hour of sleep which sadly means an increase in heart attacks and ...

 Good morning all.  It is a bit mixed in the weather department with sun, cloud and a strong breeze but ominous clouds approaching.  I had intended to do some laundry but I think the weather is too dodgy maybe tomorrow.   I had a rotten night but only myself to blame as I slept soundly for 4 hours yesterday afternoon. So this morning I have a group of gerbils doing a clog dance in my head.  I have boned out the chicken thighs ready for whatever James has in mind for lunch.  I think I will just sit quietly and embroider until I regain my composure. Today is the last rugby match but I find myself in the unenviable situation of wanting both sides to lose so I am bound to be disappointed.  I can't decide whether to watch the match or not.  I know Marjorie will be supporting France for her husband Remi. So if push comes to shove I guess I will be happy for them if France win. Denzil is back to work tomorrow and I hope he can organise light duties as hi...

 Good morning all it is a beautiful sunny start to the day. I am now the proud possessor of a lovely new carpet from the front door and the whole dining room, which is more of a living room.  The colour is difficult to describe it is a sort of ash grey but in certain lights, it has a mauve glow.  It must be fibres of multiple colours.  Anyway, it soft underfoot and quiet, the dogs have given their seal of approval by charging about like lunatics chasing each other round and round the table. I have managed to complete one of the feathers and believe it or not there are four colours In the shaded parts.  James has the catering under control and lunch will be some fish and a portion of chips from the kebab shop up the road. We find one portion is ample for the three of us and it saves the smell permeating the house. He is defrosting a large packet of chicken thighs which I have been tasked with boning.  I don't mind a bit of surgery and the bones will make som...

 Good morning all. It's a sunny morning and quite chilly and it has rained overnight as there are some puddles on the kitchen roof.  Today is an exciting day as the carpets are being laid this afternoon. I can't wait to see the back of the hard floors. My neighbour is going to put panel fencing all down the dividing side which I am also delighted about. I had been thinking of doing it but this will save me the trouble and expense.  I also wrote to the Crewel Work Company and sent them a photo of the very faint print and they are going to send me new linen so I will not have to struggle with this one but can keep it for practice.  The boys are going to do the shopping this morning and as the kitchen will be full of furniture we are going to have a sandwich lunch and a takeaway supper.  Isn't it nice when things go right for a change? Everything is on the positive side at the moment. Denzil is going back to work on Saturday as he is much improved after his visit t...

 Good morning one and all it is a lovely sunny one a bit chilly but bright. I chuckled down and got my sewing finished wetted and blocked so hopefully it will be ready to post off by the end of the week.  I then opened up my new one which has a lovely pallet of soft colours. However, as you can see the printed linen is incredibly faint and I am having to run over it with a pencil so I can see it. The boys have shifted all the furniture ready for carpeting tomorrow.  Our next-door neighbours have asked if they can erect a new fence on our side and I am delighted it saves me having to do it.  At the moment it is a chain-link fence so I hope they are going to put up a wood panel one in its place.  It might just stop their dogs barking at us whenever we set foot in the garden. Dan is unphased by their dogs and just looks pityingly at them however Tubby would dearly like to kill them.  He tolerated a bit of barking then loses it completely. James has organised l...

 Good morning all.  Another good nights sleep and no headache. Yesterday's head cleared with a large mug of coffee and no medication was required, I hate dosing myself unless really necessary.  Today it is dull and overcast at the moment but at least it is dry if a bit chilly. Denzil put his cookery skills to the test and made both lunch and supper. Nothing exotic but in my opinion anything you don't have to cook yourself is a bonus. He is supposed to be getting a sick note from the doctor but I think he is ready to go back to work.  He has found out how boring it is being trapped at home. It is only a couple of days now and we will be recarpeted it is quite exciting as I haven't seen the carpeting yet and have no idea what it will look like so it will all be a surprise.  Denny packed away all the ornaments on the welsh dresser so that will be easy to move and all the oddments of furniture can be shifted to the front room or kitchen.  They are due some time...

 Good morning all.  I have woken with a thumping headache this morning following a pretty bad day yesterday.  James was in a foul mood and as usual, I get the brunt of it which as I get older I am less and less able to shrug off. Then I was looking forward to some good rugby but found myself on the losing side of all three matches. However, the games were very exciting and well played just the wrong outcome from my perspective. So I went to bed disgruntled and disappointed which may account for this mornings headache.  Denzil, bless him, has organised lunch and brought me a mug of coffee in bed which is a real treat and I am hoping that the caffeine will deal with the woolly head. At the moment I am avoiding James until I know what sort of mood he is in. We filled in our census form online which was nice and easy and the news had one piece of good news we have now past the 50% vaccination mark which should put us well on the way to herd immunity I believe it needs t...

 Good morning all.  I have just awakened from a blissful 8 hours of sleep having paid strict attention to my sleep hygiene now that I realise just how important it really is.  I now understand why I like my door open and a cold bedroom it all makes perfect sense. Last night there was a feature on the news about how Italy is suffering badly with its third wave and only 9% of adults have been vaccinated we, on the other hand, have over 30% vaccinated.  It is very easy to scare people but much more difficult to unscare them.  I remember the idiot who claimed that vaccines caused autism and just how much effort it took to reassure people especially as most had never seen the devastating effects of childhood illness. Today I am on catering duty and have some lambs kidneys to prepare. I usually serve them with rice and a cream and dijon mustard sauce. Then later I will be glued to the TV for the Wales v Ireland rugby match which should be very exciting and I know Marj...

 Good morning all, I was convinced it was Friday yesterday with Denzil at home I have totally lost track of the days.  He had his vaccine yesterday and according to what I have read even one dose gives 80% immunity.  However, I now know just how important a good nights sleep is even to the efficacy of a vaccine.  I have been stunned at just how much damage poor sleep can cause and that this is not known despite all the research confirming it.  It plays a part in heart disease diabetes and obesity to name but a few. So if you are dieting you will eat not only more but also the wrong things if you don't get enough sleep. It is also involved in Alzheimer disease.  Both Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan only slept for 4 hours per night and both got Alzheimer's which is not a coincidence.  Sorry, I am at risk of typing the whole book for you. However, I do urge you to read it or at least watch Mathew Walker on YouTube. The book is called Why we sleep a...

 Good morning all it is at least a dry start to the day. Denny blitzed the dining room and dismantled the Welsh dresser so that it is easily moved when it comes to carpet laying. Denzil has gone to have his vaccination and sort out his sick certificate.  The surgery sent him a text yesterday afternoon telling him he needs a doctors appointment so he ran and of course they were closed. We really must look at a change of GP a surgery which is only open two and a half days per week is pretty useless. Tubby is making good progress and we have removed the cone of shame as he is showing no interest in his wound.  He has a course of antibiotics which are huge tablets so James has bought him some chicken and bacon pate to hide them in the poor dog!  He goes back to the vet tomorrow to have his wound looked at. I must say that despite falling asleep I am learning so much about the importance of sleep and just how busy your brain is while you sleep.  It now makes perfect ...

 Good morning all we had a miserable wet day yesterday but Tubby is back home a bit confused and wearing a cone of shame which we have just removed and replaced with a bandage.  He is not showing any inclination to worry about his stitches.  Amazingly the vet's bill was halved when they realised we were paying not an insurance company.  Just like garages do with cars! Denny is here feeling better after her twisted ankle and a bad reaction to the vaccine, she is prone to allergic reactions and has to take regular antihistamines.  Anyway, she is delighted with her embroidery and hopefully the next time I see her it will be framed. My new embroidery has arrived so I have been able to make a start which is lovely as I have missed having something to do with my hands. My book on sleep is fascinating but the reader has a very soporific voice and I keep falling asleep while listening.   James didn't get much sleep last night with Tubby fidgeting but they are both ...

 Good morning all, it is another dull damp day as we are under another blanket of cloud however that means it isn't too cold. We got rid of one of the turkey thighs yesterday as James made a broth for some gnocchi he had made. Once the maximum flavour had been extracted the meat was in rags and it will be for the dogs for their supper.  Tubby is nil by mouth and is off to the vet at 11.30 to have his lump removed.  So he will need a good supper this evening.  You can tell my dogs are spoiled brats and I am to blame.  The roast chicken came with giblets so I offer the dogs the liver raw that was not to their liking so who is the idiot that cooked it for them. I got to the end of one book and have started “ Why we sleep” by Matthew Walker the book starts by permitting you to fall asleep while reading in fact you are encouraged so to do. I did, halfway through chapter one. However, it is terrifying when you realise the harm that lack of sleep inflicts on the human ...

 Good morning all sorry to be late but I had a very bad night with my mind whirring ceaselessly. I tried ever trick in the book but to no avail so now I am wide awake but feel as if I have been under a steamroller. I had such a lovely day yesterday with flowers and lunch and supper made for me. The rugby was exciting and the result pleasing. So I have no idea why I had such a sleepless night.  I used to be able to manage on little sleep but now it poleaxes me. James is in the catering department and organising faggots and peas for lunch and using one turkey thighs to make some soup for gnocchi for tomorrow. The weather is horrid cold and wet so definitely a day for staying indoors.  Denzil’s back is making progress and should be better by the time he gets to see the consultant. As usual Sod’s law is operational. I have no real plans for the day just pottering and sleeping if and when I can. I am still waiting for my embroidery to arrive which will then give me some focus....

 Good morning all it is another bright start to the day just as it was yesterday however yesterday ended up with multiple showers including a bid hail storm as I was watching the rugby.  It made so much noise I could hardly hear the TV.  I took a quick snap to show Marjorie as we were chatting on line as she is a big rugby fan.  The kitchen roof was soon white.  It was a fantastic match with England prevailing over France in the dying second.  Today we will be on the same side as Ireland play Scotland. My meat order arrived and to my dismay I must have pressed a wrong button and I now have 8 turkey thighs.  I foresee lots of turkey pies, curry and soup.  Fortunately I had sufficient room in the freezer to cope with the error. Guess what we will be having for Easter? Today we have a roast chicken for lunch and I will divide up the bolognese I made yesterday and get that in the freezer which will free up my instant pot so I can make stock with the c...

 Good morning all it is a lovely bright start to the day but there are dark clouds overhead so I think we might get a few showers. Yesterday I cashed in some audible book credits and downloaded the new Jordan Peterson book Beyond order which so far I am enjoying.  I also got the Gulag Archipelago, Why we sleep and the Craving mind. So that should keep me out of mischief for some time. It is all pretty heavy stuff but it is easier if all you have to do is listen which means you can peal potatoes, do the ironing or some sewing at the same time. Today I am expecting a meat delivery so I will no doubt be on vegetable preparation ready to make a big pot of bolognese. So lots of carrots onions and celery finely diced.  I have no idea when the meat will arrive so I will just get on with the veg in anticipation. I also have a Tesco delivery coming this morning which is all boring stuff like dishwasher tablets and salt etc. James has defrosted some sausages for lunch so that is ni...

 Good morning all it is a wet start for us this morning we seem to be having March winds and April showers combined. The boys have sorted out the carpeting apparently it is a mottled brown colour.  I haven't seen it but the price is sensible and if they like it I'm happy I just hope I don't absolutely hate it. One thing is for sure I won't hate it as much as the hard floor and I am thankful that I didn't spend a fortune only to discover I don't like hard flooring. I have put in a meat order for delivery tomorrow which will have a kilo of good meat for bolognese sauce which is so handy in the freezer. There is also a big chicken which we will have roast.  The meat isn't cheap but the quality is excellent so I don't mind paying for it.  Yesterday's oxtail came from them and it was beautifully prepared with most of the fat removed. I have no idea what is on the menu today but I'm sure a rummage in the freezer will produce something.  Denzil is makin...

 Good morning all, Denzil went to A&E at 7.30 am and was seen and dealt with in 30 minutes he has been referred to a musculoskeletal specialist and basically told keep taking pain killers which he is reluctant to do. Of course, the simple answers would be to MRI his back to check for a prolapsed disc but that would be too easy. Anyway he is feeling better in himself and is delighted he has been called for his vaccination and as James is only 2 years younger he will get his soon. I must say the vaccine rollout has been a huge success and they are really cracking through the population at speed. Today is bright and sunny but with a stiff breeze.  My new embroidery is on route so I hope to receive it soon then I will have an excuse not to do the housework.  I have put an oxtail in the pressure cooker and it will be served with tons of buttery mash.  Real comfort food for me. This evening the carpet guy is coming and I have told the boys it is down to them to sort it...

 Good morning all, I actually have a bit of news this morning.  Denzil is off to the hospital on the advice of his GP as he has a significant area of numbness and James is running the taxi service.  Denny rang to say she has twisted her ankle and it is too swollen to put a shoe on so she isn't coming for which I must admit I am quite pleased as I had a bad night and really am not in the mood for cleaning. I had a wonderful surprise yesterday Sandy dropped in unexpectedly just as I was finishing off the lunch.  It was lovely to see her she actually looks well but doesn't feel as she looks but she is so lucky to be alive it was really touch and go if they were going to get her off the ventilator.  She did make me laugh she said in all seriousness “ I feel like a little old lady” well pushing 80 she is a little old lady but I kept my trap shut and said nothing. Instead, we just tore Megan to bits as we both agreed she is a nasty piece of work as my grandmother woul...

 Good morning all it is a beautiful sunny morning. Denzil is going to ring the doctor this morning as he is not making progress and now has numbness which leads me to believe it is nerve rather than muscle pain. His work also want a doctors note.  Tubby is booked in to have his lump removed on the 16th.  I am fine!  However, I sat up and watched a Jordan Peterson talk which took me past sleepy to my second wind and then I couldn't get to sleep. On the menu today I am making a steak and kidney pie and James is making French onion soup for supper.   I have organised a carpet guy who is coming on Thursday evening to talk over what is required and give us an estimate. I have tasked the boys to choose then it will be their fault if they don't like it and I really don't care I just want carpet.   The bluebells are done and drying and now my ring is empty. What a sad sight I am now waiting for the printed linens to arrive.  Thank goodness I have some cooking ...

 Good morning all, it's another cold start and we have had the odd shower but also plenty of sunshine.  Today I will finish the bluebells and get them blocked then when Denny comes on Wednesday I can ask her if she would like them framed. Tubby has a trip to the vet this morning as he has a lesion which we think may be a granuloma from a tick bite.  His appointment is at 11 am so he doesn't understand why he is not getting his usual bonio for breakfast just in case they decide to remove it straight away. Denzils back is marginally better he is fairly sure it is a sprained muscle rather than a trapped nerve so the only treatment is rest and gentle movement.  I was going to make a steak and kidney pie for lunch but as Denzil is off his food we are going to eat up some of the cold stuff in the fridge.  If by supper time he is feeling better we may have a takeaway curry. It is largely a case of playing it by ear. I am also going to phone the carpet guy and see what...

 Good morning all, another cold start with some frost but hopefully the sun will take care of that soon.  I spent most of yesterday sewing.  I have gone mad and ordered both the rabbit and the cushion which will keep me occupied for some time. I have finished the bluebells so now I just have miles of stem stitch to finish it off.  I am quite pleased with the results so far. As this is a gift for Denny I will ask her if she would like it framed in which case I will have three to be framed.  Denzil is still in a lot of discomfort but rest is helping.  James wants to make a mushroom risotto for lunch and I am happy to hand over the catering to him.  And supper will be scrambled eggs on toast with some smoked salmon. I have cooked some tongue which I will set in jelly today the boys aren't keen but I love it.  I had a chat with Elaine and she has given me the number of a good carpeting guy so I will give him a ring on Monday and get a quote for the di...

 Good morning it's another cold start but yesterday turned into a cold but very sunny day however we seem to be under a blanket of cloud today. Sadly I have Denzil at home in bed with a very sore back and blessed work woke him at 6 to ask why he wasn't at work so he told them it was because he phoned in sick yesterday. This only the second day he has been sick in 5 years.  We are treating his back with lots of rest, strong pain killers, and got baths.  I know you will all understand as I know we have all had back problems at one time or another. It's just miserable. James made his Korean fish cakes and I managed to get a quick snap before they got eaten. They look like deep-fried chocolate eclairs.   They don't look like much but they are made from prawns, cod, and squid and dipped in sweet chilly sauce they are truly delicious. My embroidery problem is solved as Angela has asked if I would do the rabbits for her so that will keep me quiet for a while.  You do r...

 Good morning all it’s a chilly start to the day but we have lovely bright sun shine.  Yesterday went according to plan.  The brisket was nice and was served in true British style with carrots, mash and gravy. A very old fashioned meal but really very tasty.  There was leftover gravy which the dogs had on their biscuits so they too were happy.  Today James is on duty in the catering department and is making his Korean fish cakes and as I have a lettuce I will make a salad accompaniment. I am trying to do my sewing slowly as I don’t want to finish before I have thought what to do next.  I quite fancy a larger piece which wold make a good cushion and will take me longer to complete.  It is called tumbling feathers. What do you think? I think it might keep me occupied for quite a while.  I really enjoy doing the work but I don’t really want the end product. It is quite a conundrum as I now have a massive stash of yarns. Anyway it has kept me sane so ...

 Good morning all, we actually had a splash of rain yesterday and it was a grim cold day. I spent much of the morning on my embroidery while James got on with his sausage casserole.  I have the put a chunk of brisket in the pressure cooker and intend it for today’s lunch with some of a huge pile of carrots that need to be used up. Life is pretty boring at present but soon it will be spring and with any luck almost everyone will be vaccinated and we will have a bit of freedom again.  I do feel desperately sorry fo those whose employment has been damaged by this crisis and I am making what efforts I can to support our local businesses.  One thing is for certain I have kept the delivery drivers in business.  All my embroidery stuff comes from a small firm so I guess they are happy. Well that’s about it time to go and sort out the brisket and peel a few carrots.  Have a good day and fingers crossed we all make it through this perhaps a little wiser and certainl...

 Good morning all today is misty and cold but hopefully the sun might make an appearance later.  The gardeners came an did a general tidy up and are looking to redo my raised beds which are surrounded by rotten timber.   James made a lovely curry for lunch.  I deboned the chicken thighs and the dogs got rid of the bones.  It is quite scary when you see them make such short work of a thigh bone you realise your fingers wouldn’t stand a chance.  It’s a good job they are such nice boys.  Dan made us laugh when Denzil threw a packet up the stairs for James and Dan promptly retrieved it and brought it back. He is such a character he greets Denzil when he comes home by presenting him with an old bone which Denzil has to take and then return. James was in cooking mode so he has made a sausage casserole for lunch today and we have a fridge full of assorted cold meats and cheeses which make for a nice easy supper. I guess I will spend the day sewing and listeni...

 Good morning all it is a chilly start today but will soon warm up as the sun gets going.  I had a very pleasant day yesterday I sat and finished my sewing while I listened Tom Sharpe Porterhouse Blue. Lunch was just a case of reheating a shepherds pie, however Denzil had come home with a pile of chicken drumsticks which I cooked and have made soup for today and the dogs got a nice supper as well. I spent some time blocking the embroidery and mounting up the next one which Denny chose for herself.  It is a simple design and I don’t think it will take long to do. At that point I will have three to frame. I am quite pleased with the results and unlike the swallows I actually like the design and it is the first one I have done without any instructions. I spoke to Shiona on the phone and she is having lots of fun with the thermomix she is a very good cook and we often end up talking recipes. Well that’s about it for today James is making a curry so I will get on with the sewi...