Sunday

Pinch and punch for the first of the month and White Rabbits to you (because it is May 1st).

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . .

Having got that little bit of tradition in, can you believe it is May?  It's more like February, looking out, because there's a frost but if it's anything like yesterday it will quickly melt in the sunshine and become a glorious, Spring day.  It was really lovely yesterday and my young gardener ended up taking off his jacket as he was so warm!

I had a go at making some bread with oats yesterday.  Mixed success - the rising wasn't great but the flavour was amazing, especially warm with butter melting over it.  I think I shall try making soda bread with half oats today, just to give it a whirl and because I have natural yogurt to use up.   Given that both value flour and oats are very cheap, it ought to be pretty frugal and might work really well.  If it does work, guess what Beth and I will be having for lunch, to use up some cheese I bought for Friday's lunch with friends and didn't totally finish. Watch this space!

After my friend arrived, we settled to the next part of our Potter-fest and very enjoyable it was too.  She's off again this morning so the rest will have to wait for another time.

Today I have a kitchen to clear - it's not too bad but I didn't do it properly after cooking dinner yesterday evening (apple and chicken stir fry, recipe in Teacher's Recipes, absolutely delicious) and anyway I have two lots of bread to make, the attempt at an oaty soda bread and also some 'ordinary' bread as there seems to be little left in the freezer.

I also want to do out the cupboard under the sink.  It's a shocking mess and I've lost sight of what I actually have in there.  It's been several years since the last clear out so very long overdue.  If I get that done I will be a happier bunny!
Part of the problem is that while it is a very adequately sized cupboard, a good third of it is taken up with the water softener.  Oh, the problems of first world living, eh?
(Which reminds me, I need more granular salt.  Might see if I can get some online and delivered!)

It is possible that we might pootle off to the allotment to mow the grass this afternoon.  Beth emailed to say it's grown again.  How very dare it!!!  It ought to be a lot easier this time though - the first mowing last week was the first in a disgracefully long time so it was very long and took several goes.  If not today, then most certainly tomorrow, weather permitting.

I'm still close enough to my working life to feel a thrill of pleasure at the thought of a bank holiday tomorrow, even though life is one long bank holiday nowadays.  I doubt I will do anything beyond crafting but I will be sort of 'empathising' with all my colleagues both near and far, teaching, supporting or non teaching . . .
And . . . and . . . and . . . NO REPORTS TO WRITE
Yes, I'm still going on about that, sorry.  I think you have to have been in that position to realise quite how dominating and all pervasive they become at this time of year.

Today's food:
B: fruit, I think.  I have some that needs using up.
L:  Bread'n'cheese.
D:  I quite fancy some pizza with coleslaw and salad.  The pizza is from the freezer and I have some pick and pick again salad leaves sitting on the window ledge in the kitchen.

But first, coffee.  I NEED some!
Have a great first of May and hoping the sun shines on you!