Another day

Good morning all.  Well, the shed has gone and as luck would have it one of the guys wants the smoker so that is that problem solved. They also disposed of the dead tumble-drier and today I hope they will be concreting the base.  As luck would have it it looks like a fine day and it might just be dry. The dogs are a bit concerned with all these men destroying our property but as we don't seem concerned and keep giving them cups of tea it must be ok.  Dan occasionally wanders out onto the kitchen roof to keep an eye on things which surprised the guys when they realised they were being supervised. Anyway, I kept largely out of the way and have all but finished my embroidery and today will see it done and hopefully blocked and left to dry.  James has organised burgers for lunch and tomorrow is chicken curry and I must say he does make a lovely curry. I must say that I have been feeling a bit ropy for a few days and now I know why one of my sinuses is giving me some gip ...

Good morning all it is damp and miserable looking this morning and everything in the garden is dripping so we have had some rain overnight. Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes I am now inundated with flowers. The men are here and need my attention so I will have to close and go and see what they need.

Good morning all it is dull but dry this morning and the wind has dropped.  I am really getting excited as tomorrow is the day they start to demolish the shed.  I was hoping they would have a skip so I could throw some accumulated rubbish in it but apparently, they have a huge skip and will lorry the stuff back to their yard. The boys are going to clear all the stuff out of the shed and lose it in other locations not that there is a great deal in there now.  Somehow I am loathed to get rid of my smoker though it is unlikely that I am going to make smoked salmon again.  I think this is an age thing letting go of things you know in your heart you will not use again but somehow you still hope you will. James made a big salad yesterday and I had my Polish herrings with it.  They are not as acidic as rollmops as they are in a cream sauce and I absolutely love them.  It makes for an interesting lunch as the salad is shared but each of us can choose what they want...

Good morning all it is still October here.  We had a couple of really heavy downpours yesterday afternoon and it has been raining overnight so everything is dripping and soggy.  No doubt it won't be long before it is like the Sahara and we will be begging for rain.  Anyway, it's not a problem for me as I am quite happy pottering about indoors. I didn't get as much of my embroidery done yesterday as I had hoped, my heart wasn't in it and I know that is when you make mistakes so it is better to put it down.  I had a plate of fish fingers for lunch and then we had a Cumberland ring sausage and mash for supper.  I'm not sure what is on the menu for today but I do have some lovely Polish pickled herrings which are good served with some rye bread and dill pickle. I must admit I am getting excited about the shed renovations I have been waiting over a year for it to be done but the pandemic put pay to lots of plans.  If a delay to my shed is the worst that befalls ...

Good morning all.  Some very sad news this morning as Joy's father has died and being an orphan myself I do understand.  Losing parents is a huge loss but sadly one we all have to face at some point. The weather today is just right if it were October it is misty and wet and miserable and none too warm either.  Anyway, I console myself with the fact that it is good for the garden. Did I do my wardrobe? No, of course not, I can always find something more important to do.  Well somebody had to make the potato salad!  I am very good at rationalising my way out of doing a job I don't want to do. The boys are going to clear out the shed tomorrow ready for its demolition and hopefully, I will have a lovely new laundry room in its place.  We have discussed the dog issues with the neighbours and hopefully, we have it all organised. Today I think I will just concentrate on my sewing as I am fairly close to the end then I can put my new blocking mat into action. Anywa...

Good morning it is sun this morning after yesterdays rain of course this alternating sun and rain is just what the garden needs and all the plants are going berserk. We had a fridge clearing lunch with bits and pieces and a large salad and for supper is was sausage and egg.  The dogs on the other hand had organic chicken breast which James fried off in a little oil for them.  I know this sounds extravagant but at 50p it is cheaper than tinned dog food so Denzil buys it specifically for the dogs.  Anyway as you can imagine they are very happy to dispose of meat that is on the blink. Today we have a ham hock that needs boiling and no doubt we will have a selection of salads to go with it. I must say cooking in the summer is so easy as it is largely salads of one kind or another and cold meats cheese etc. So actually very little cooking mostly assembling. I think my current embroidery will only take me a few more days to finish and hopefully, I will have decided what to do n...

Good morning everybody.  Guess what it's raining, not that I mind, it will save me watering and as all the laundry is done it is not a problem.  We had the navarin of lamb for lunch and I did all the veg prep and James did the cooking.  I also made a German-style potato salad into which I chopped the last Polish sausage and a dollop of French mustard mayo so I guess it was European salad.  I must say that I feel very fortunate to have lived in a period where food from other cultures is available to us and the recipes on the internet are endless. I had to laugh as I looked up Polish food in Tesco and it came up with lots of things so I thought I would try searching for Spanish food and it came up with dog food.  A glitch in the matrix I think.  Talking of dog food my poor dogs had to clear up some venison burgers which had reached their sell-by date and so Denzil bought them for 30 pence for the dog's dinner.  Well, I would rather it went into my dogs t...

Good morning all,  it's another bright one with lovely sunshine.  There is still a load of washing on the line which has been out overnight.   A bit of good news yesterday it looks like the builders might be starting my shed on Wednesday 30th.  I can't see it taking more than a week or so.  Then I will have a laundry room instead of a shed but the best bit is that it will not need painting ever again. My meat delivery arrived yesterday and so we had the steaks for supper and today we are having a navarin of lamb as I also have some turnips to use up.  I had a glut of carrots which were in danger of ending up in the bin so I made a Japanese carrot side dish which actually went very well with our steak. Dennie blitzed through the house so we are all nice and tidy.  The centre of the dining table is a constant joke as it accumulates condiments that never seem to get put back in the cupboard.  Salt and pepper is one thing but then there is mango ...

Good morning all today has dawned with glorious sunshine and the garden is looking much better after the bay trees were given a haircut I didn't get around to deadheading the roses but as today is sunny I might just do that.  I did, however, paint my nails as I had bought a bottle of the nail polish used by the Queen.  It is inexpensive and is called ballet slippers anyway this is what three coats look like. It would be nice to have less elderly looking hands but at least they still function which is a bonus.  Anyway, Dennie has approved of the colour.  As she is here already I must cut this short and get some coffee going.  Have a nice day and I hope you to have some sun.  

Good morning all.  What a grotty day yesterday was cold wet and miserable. Today doesn't look much better but at least it is dry at present.  Keith the gardener is due today and I have a whole list of jobs for him. I have some shrubs which need planting and the bay trees really need a haircut.  The apricot tree actually has some fruit but I think it will be a race against the squirrels as to who gets it. James has some squid for lunch and also some really nice asparagus which will make a nice light lunch.  Tomorrow we are expecting a meat delivery as we have run the freezer down quite low.  Talking of meat I saw an advertisement on the TV for meat-free bacon isn't that like asking for vegetable-free carrots!  It just strikes me as ridiculous. I am eeking out my sewing and limiting how long I spend on it.  Because I am not exactly fit I do get very bored.  Anyway today I have lots of jobs to do before Dennie comes tomorrow as my bedroom is in a rea...

Good morning all it is very dull and overcast here with a brisk wind blowing.  Not a day for sitting in the garden.  The tomatoes in the greenhouse are going mad, and I have to tie them in every couple of days.  They are beginning to flower, so I am leaving the greenhouse door open for the bees to have easy access. The roses have taken quite a bashing and I must spend some time deadheading. We had a nice chicken curry for supper but the kitchen looks like a bomb has hit it as we left the washing up last night.  It won't take but five minutes to clear up once I get started.  The difficult bit is getting started and sitting here typing is a great excuse! Ok, the coffee cup filled and washing up done. It's a nice feeling once it's done and another job is ticked off the list.  I really wanted to have a big towel washing session but I don't trust the weather just yet. I am kicking myself for not doing it when we had the good weather but hopefully, we should get ...

Good morning all. We have had yet more rain overnight so everything is dripping and soggy in the garden. First my report on caramelized cabbage.  It does take ages to cook but is worth the effort and makes a very nice change from the usual boiled version.  Today we are going to snack for lunch and then James is making a curry for supper when Denzil is back.   I have been getting on with my sewing and I can see the end in sight so I was unsure how I was going to block such a large piece.  Amazon to the rescue I now have a proper blocking mat which is all nicely contained in a bag so it can be stored and doesn't take up lots of space. Today I am starting my stoic course and the book is laid out with everything you need sort of like a posh diary.  Anyway, I have to fill it in each evening so I will be writing at both ends of the day.  The course is set for 52 weeks but I expect I will lose interest before the year is up.  If it keeps me happy who kno...

Good morning all well it has finally stopped raining however it still looks very cloudy overhead.  I think it will take some time for the garden to dry out and I don't think the pots will need watering for a while. Everything has put on a spurt of growth and my bay trees have almost obscured the path. I was struck by just how many shades of green there are in the garden.  The word green doesn't really do it justice. Tomorrow I am starting a new project I have acquired a book which is a 52-week course in stoicism.  I thought I would give it a whirl and see if I like it.  There are bits of Buddhism I like and so I thought I would give this a try.  It is based on a very old idea and that is you can only change the things over which you have control which basically is yourself. Anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained.  I am still struggling through "The master and his emissary" which has a lot of neuroscience to wade through but it is quite fascinating. I belie...

Good morning all it is still raining as it has been for two days now.  We have had odd breaks of dryness but mostly rain.  I have just finished a section of my embroidery that has been very tedious and the thin leaf was really difficult to get the four colours to meld.  I think it will be ok from a distance.  Of course, the problem is magnified when you are looking at it very closely. I have now moved the ring on to a more diverse part with lots of colour changes and different stitches.   James is having a cooking fest and is making sweet and sour pork for supper and we are having some sort of black pudding and scallop mixture for lunch.  Apparently, I am needed to dismantle a pineapple so I had better stop scribbling and sharpen my knives.  However, before I do anything my cup needs filling.  Have a good day and I hope the rain is not a problem for you.

Good morning all.  The promised rain arrived yesterday evening which took the heat out of the day very nicely. It also saved me the job of watering and as far as a thunderstorm is concerned we had one huge clap directly overhead and that was it.  We now have slow steady rain which actually is the type that is good for the garden so I am not complaining.   James has gone off to do a big shop and he has plans for an array of dishes.  Today we have red mullet for lunch with salads I think.  I made a big bowl of potato salad and also cooked the turnips and sweet potatoes so they are ready as accompaniments. I think today I am on cabbage shredding duty.  I get all the peeling and chopping jobs but I really don't mind.  As you can imagine after all my years of cooking I am quite slick at peeling and chopping! The boys are happy watching the football at the moment and then the tennis will start at Wimbledon at least it gives us something a bit more inspi...

Good morning all it is another gorgeous sunny start to the day.  Yesterday was cloudy and not so hot which made a pleasant change but I do believe we are due to get some rain sometime soon.    I must say I am not unhappy about the delay in fully opening up the country I would rather be safe than sorry but my livelihood doesn't depend on it so it's easy for me to say. The vaccination centres seem to be going ahead at full speed and so we should have the vast majority vaccinated soon.  It might not be 100% successful but it does increase your chances of survival quite considerably.  Anyway, I am relatively happy to keep my head down for a while longer. James has organised a full English breakfast but for lunch which will make a change from the salads.  Denzil brought home some Polish pickled herrings which I had with my salad for lunch yesterday and I was most impressed they were really delicious, not as vinegary as the usual rollmops.  Well, I am off to...

Good morning all.  Yesterday was very hot but as it reached its peak someone turned on the fan and a lovely cool breeze appeared and the sky clouded over.    This morning is cloudy and overcast with a nice gentle breeze so it might be a more comfortable day.  I had a bad day yesterday as I had slept badly and was feeling very dizzy.  So much so that I decided to check my blood pressure which of course was fine. James had made a spaghetti carbonara and tomato salad for lunch after which I went for a rest and slept soundly for much of the afternoon and awoke to feel much better.  Supper was an assortment of leftover salads which made one of those never to be repeated meals. Once the sun had gone down I took the opportunity to water the pots on the patio.  I like to water in the evening as it gives the plants all night to drink in the water rather than for it to get boiled off by the sun. My vegetable box is due today so that will give us a whole new lot ...

Good morning all I am up at the crack of dawn but at least it is lovely and cool.  I believe today is due to be the hottest one yet so I am going to get all my chores done while it is cool.  We were lucky yesterday as we had a lovely cold breeze that blew at the hottest part of the day and took the edge off the heat. Being relatively close to the coast we do get some nice breezes off the water. Yesterday we ate an assortment of salads and I think today will be the same.  The heat tends to kill your appetite so bits and bobs out of the fridge seem like a good solution.  Slaving over a hot stove is not an option. James, who is a football fan, was in his element yesterday with match after match.  Personally, it is not something that interests me I am a rugby person however if England makes it through to the end of the competition I expect I will have to watch that match. Tubby's feet have healed well after his indiscretion on the flint beach.  Going bananas in...

Good morning all and it is a sunny start and according to the weather forecast, it is going to be a hot one.  We do seem to have a gentle breeze that keeps it bearable.  I had a good potter around the garden in the early morning and checked over the tomatoes in the greenhouse.  All but one seem to be flourishing it is the same with the tumblers all but one doing well.  Maybe they are just slow starters? I made the salmon pate yesterday and also the Palestinian halloumi salad with the dried mint.  Actually, it is rather the same as a greek salad but without the olives and a different cheese.  There is still a portion left so I think it will be our lunch today along with some of the salmon.  Today I think I will make a potato salad as we have some potatoes that need using up.   The book with the transfer patterns arrived and there are some lovely designs that I think would lend themselves more readily to silk embroidery.  I will have to us...

Good morning all.  This morning we have a sunny start after a couple of days of cloudy mornings.   It is nice and warm but not blisteringly hot which I hate so I am really enjoying these lovely days. The photinia arrived yesterday much to my surprise as both plants have come so quickly despite the order telling me they might take 28 days.  Anyway, I'm delighted and will keep them all in their pots for a bit before planting them out. They will be easier to keep watered that way.  It is amazing how fast the garden has picked up after all the rain and cold and is making up for the lost time. This morning I altered my routine and I haven't looked at the news headlines consequently I am not either depressed or furious with things over which I have no control.  James has a pasta and mushroom dish he wants to make for lunch and I fancy making the salmon pate which is always a good standby but first, we need a bit of shopping for some ingredients.  I was watch...

Good morning all.  In my morning routine, I usually read the google headlines but I think I am going to stop as there is so much depressing stuff it is no way to start the day.  I was very surprised that the pittosporum plants arrived yesterday.  They are small but will soon grow once they are planted in the ground. And as you can see the sage has gone mad this year so much so that I can't even see the pot it is in.  The square in the top right of the photo is the dog's personal door and surprisingly Dan fits in and out with no trouble. I had a quick tot up of the embroideries I have done since starting this hobby and believe it or not I have done 15 so far.  I was shocked when I realised I had done that many.  I am trying to make this latest one last and only doing one section per day.  I don't want it to become an obsession rather than a hobby! I now have a stash of yarns big enough to open a shop so I will have to look for some printed linens or may...

Good morning all it's another gorgeous morning with a bit of cloud cover so not quite so hot.  Dennie and I did a splendid job of the airing cupboard and I threw out two black sacks of old sheets and towels that were well past their best.  Now it is all beautifully organised and as I have three different size beds the sheets and duvet covers are organised by size.    The towels are also divided into hand and bath sizes I know this sounds obvious but it had got into a total muddle.  I also took the time to mark the corners of the sheets with an indelible pen so I can tell quickly which is which. Dennie then cleaned Denzils room which was a total tip and in the process, the curtain rod fell down so I took the opportunity to launder the curtains and they were dry and ready for him to hang when he got home from work.  As far as Dan was concerned, she was tidying his room and every time she straightened the bed he jumped into it.  She then told him to get o...

Good morning all.  It is another beautiful start to the day I have flung all the windows open to make the most of the cool air.   Dennie is due any minute and the gardeners came yesterday and have spruced things up.  I have ordered the photinia and also the pittosporum so hopefully the next time they come they will have some things to plant.  Then it will be up to me to keep them well watered until they are established.  It might even be sensible to keep them in their pots until the early autumn when the weather is a bit kinder. I have a sage bush in a pot on the patio and the bees absolutely love it, but I have had to shout at Tubby who thinks they would be fun to catch. He would be very sorry if he got stung in the mouth! I was so sorry to read that Joy's dad is unwell and in hospital, I do hope it is nothing too serious and that he makes a speedy recovery.   It is worrying that the covid figures are on the rise and it is the younger people who ...

Good morning all it is a lovely sunny morning and the windows and doors are wide open to let in the wonderful cool air. The roses are making up for lost time and are looking rather smart.  The tomatoes are also making some headway both those in the greenhouse and the tumblers on the patio.  The gardeners are due today and I noticed that a dwarf lilac has died and needs to be dug out so now I am thinking about what to put in its place and I think I will go for a photinia red robin there is also a gap on the other side and I fancy a pittosporum.  There is a lovely silver one called Irene Patterson which would look rather good.  I will have to try and source them now which might be a bit difficult this late in the season.   The landrover is back with us now and at least they had the grace to wash it after messing us about so much.   Len is also back home and is having intensive physiotherapy for his knee.  Fortunately, there was no sign of infec...

Good morning all.  It is sunny at the moment but if it is like yesterday the sun comes and goes as the cloud builds. We are not forecast any rain so tomorrow I will have to water which will be the first time this year.  I think everything is a bit behind after the cold wet patch in the spring but I think things are making up for lost time now. While I was trawling about on Youtube I came across a Buddhist monk called Gelong Thubten who speaks very well on meditation and makes it relevant to our everyday lives.  Apparently, he lectures to schools and businesses.  Anyway, I found his talk very instructive and it ironed out a lot of things I didn't understand.  He isn't pushing Buddhism his talk is very secular. Margaret rang to say that Len had been admitted so I was relieved that I had given the right advice.  He has a very swollen knee that has been aspirated and now it is a case of waiting for results.  However, it renders him immobile and Margaret ha...

Good morning one and all.  It is a lovely summer morning here with the sun shining and the garden well watered from Friday's day of rain.  I got the centre crown in my work finished and am pleased with the results.  It always helps if you feel pleased with the results.   I need to phone Margaret this morning as she phoned me to ask for advice about Len and I suggested the only solution was the hospital.  So I am eager to find out how he has got on but I don't want to phone too early in case they had a late night.   I am flattered that they always ring me for advice but sometimes professional help is the only answer besides I am badly out of date. James and I have discussed the menu for the day and we are going to have some gazpacho for lunch which will be arriving in our Waitrose order.  For supper, we have some jumbo polish frankfurters which we will have with mustard and salad. So no cooking required just a bit of chopping and slicing....

Good morning all.  It is dull and cloudy this morning but we are due some sunshine later.  Yesterday it started raining as soon as I had finished typing and continued for the rest of the day finally stopping at around 5pm.  It wasn't a deluge but that lovely soft rain that really gets into the ground so I was very definitely spared the watering.  The boys took the car over to Landrover and much to our disgust we are now without it until Monday apparently the mechanics don't work weekends, however, the sales personnel do.  I guess that says it all! James was furious as he had arranged it all so that it would just take one day when his brother could run him back and forth.  Anyway, they have been told to deliver the car back to us when it is finished.  They didn't have a courtesy car available until the end of July. I had a bit of a shopping splurge on the internet as Waitrose is back up and running.  We don't have a store nearby and there are some ...

Good morning one and all.  Yesterday went according to plan with Mark turning up half an hour early so just as well I was up and most unusually I was dressed.  Anyway, we discussed what is to happen with the shed which will become a utility room instead.   He is having a lot of trouble with getting supplies which I expect is a problem for many businesses as the aftermath of the lockdown slowly makes itself felt.  I have known Mark for many years when he was just a gardener and we always got on really well as his wife is Italian and so we had many things in common.  Before he left I gave him a very old cookery book which had been rebound and an even older copy of Dante with all the lithographic pictures which had belonged to my mother.  His wife was delighted with the gift and I was pleased that they had found a good home as I am sure that they would have ended up in a skip when I croak. The car got its brakes done and also has an MOT but it still needs...

Good morning all it is a bit cloudy this morning and the breeze is lovely and cool.  We have been threatened with thunderstorms but I see no signs just yet. Last night I was so hot I actually put my fan on for the first time.  My room acts as a storage radiator as it is in the sun from early morning until about 5pm when the sun goes over the roof and hits the front of the house, This morning is going to be busy as Mark is coming to look at my shed and James is taking the car to have its brakes done and an MOT so fingers crossed.   The meat arrived yesterday so we had faggots and peas with onion gravy for supper which is a very old fashioned dish but delicious nonetheless.  Today James has planned for some pork chops for lunch and Denzil will be working the very late shift and usually doesn't want anything when he gets home at midnight. If he is hungry he stops at MacDonald's drive-through which he passes on the way back.  The other night I was still awake a...

Good morning all what a fabulous day it was yesterday the perfect temperature, sunny all day with a gentle breeze and today looks to be the same.   James had a field day in the kitchen yesterday and made not only the curry for lunch but an assortment of things for supper which was lovely.  Today we are expecting a meat delivery so as we have faggots on order they will feature at some point depending on when they arrive.  It would be nice if they came early enough for lunch but if not then they will do for supper.  As you can see I am making progress with the sewing but it is slow going.  Actually, that is a good thing as it will keep me amused for some time.  I have to be careful not to spend too long on it or I give myself a headache. Yesterday I popped up to see Tak as she is suffering from a foot problem and James saw her at the hospital waiting for an X-ray.  She is still waiting for the results but is managing to put some weight on the foot a...

Good morning one and all and welcome to June.  This morning it is gloriously sunny and I am sitting by the open patio doors enjoying the morning air.  I went and checked on the tomatoes in the greenhouse and one plant is going crazy while the others are struggling.  Let's hope some heat and sun will perk them up.  James is making a prawn curry for lunch and already has the base simmering and the prawns defrosting and a cucumber raita in the fridge.   I was thinking last night about the anti-vaccine folks and thought through all the vaccines I have had which include flu, pneumonia, shingles, tetanus, smallpox, yellow fever, tuberculosis and polio and now covid.  What I don't understand is would they actually like to run the risk of these diseases reoccurring.  Or have they forgotten what life was like when they were rampant?   Anyway having witnessed Sandie come so close to dying I am a firm believer in the vaccine. Right I will get off m...