14-04-25

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Monday's blog.  Did you have a good weekend?  We have had some beautiful weather here apart from a very brief shower yesterday early evening and I was expecting to wake up to rain but, no, the sun is shining and it looks to be dry all day.  No complaints for me, although a bit of rain might be a Good Thing for the parched ground.

Atter years of sitting in their pots, leafing but doing little else, at last I see some blossom on my  mini fruit trees.  Just two clusters on the pear - the - photo shows one of the two - but the mini apple looks as if it will be smothered in blossom, hopefully earning its space in terms of beauty, if not in fruit.  I'll take a photo when they are out.

Fingers crossed.

I'm not terribly sure about the focaccia - I had to leave it overnight in the fridge because, although it did rise in the bulk fermentation stage, it was so, so slow.  Maybe Squeak needs a bit of TLC to become stronger.  I think I might do some more regular feedings although, to be fair, I never get the hooch that indicates a hungry starter.

Or maybe it needs to get a bit warmer?

I finished the hexa-cardigan.  I'm not sure it's the right length but I think that is because I usually have longer ones that cover the bumpy bits and I need to get used to the fact that a) bumpy bits are OK and b) I don't have so much in the way of bumpy bits nowadays.

Anyway - I am on another mission to use up more stash bits and bobs and I am making a 'Joy and her Amazing Technicolour Hexa-Cardigan' which I will probably only ever wear at home when the weather is cold or when I need cheering up because - well, I'll probably look more like Elmer than anything else.  Maybe I should call it my Elmer Hexa-cardigan instead.

It will be good way of finding out how muck DK yarn (in weight) I actually need too.

I have a load in the washing machine as I type and, hopefully, I will get it dried outside.  I will be off to circuits in a while, there might be a focaccia to bake and, as it's Monday, I have housework.

There's enough there to keep me busy, isn't there?

Also, fingers crossed, I might possibly hear from Specsavers about my aids being ready for collection.  I do hope so anyway.

Have a lovely Monday, everyone.  Stay safe and be happy.  xx

13-04-25

Morning, all!  The weather might be about to turn but, right now, it is very pleasant outside and I've some downstairs with my thin dressing gown on.  Very pleasant indeed.

First of all - a goof-up.  Yesterday afternoon I got ready to go into town, changed stuff over from bag to bag, generally smartened up and grabbed my printout ticker so I was already to enjoy an evening of music - and ooooops, it wasn't last night, it's in a fortnight.  What a wally!!

Oh, well, at least I know what I'm going to wear and I was able to watch the first in a new season of Doctor Who adventures.

I did feel silly though!

Generally, yesterday was lovely.  I managed to get two loads of washing dried on the line and enjoyed the sunshine.  It was so lovely and warm, wasn't it?

I'm trying the focaccia today, having started the dough off.  I've also made more discard crumpets to take over to Beth at some point.  

I have ironing to finish and I think that is about it really.  A pleasant and easy day.  xx

12-04-25

Good morning, everyone.

Absolutely first of all, thank you so much for your ongoing kind and supporting comments over these last few days,  What a lovely lot you all are - I am so fortunate.  It is an ongoing and very worrying situation and your kind words are a help.  Thank you all.

What a glorious day it was yesterday. Bright sunshine and temperatures in the twenties C - a perfect summer day and I had to water my pots in the evening.  Today is supposed to be nice too before a change on Sunday/Monday.

Here you go - a selfie of the three of us in the Horse and Groom - and I hasten to say that there was nothing stronger than Diet Pepsi in that glass.  Beth took it on her phone, terrible light but you get the idea.

It was lovely.  I had a chicken and bacon sandwich in ciabatta with chips and what was hopefully called 'salad'.  Er - no comment there but the whole thing was tasty.  
I haven't been buying bacon since I started cutting out UPFs and trying to lower the cholesterol so I enjoyed this as an occasional treat.

When we came out, I dropped Beth and Alex home and then went to the Clock Tower (close by) to do my shop.  Then I went home a slightly different way to fill up with petrol as the red light was showing - I went to that one because it was the cheapest in town at 135.9p per litre.  It's awful to think that's 'good' - I remember the fuss when petrol broke through the £1 barrier - it doesn't seem all that long ago!

Anyway, I filled her up so now I am hoping it will see me through until the end of May.

By the time I got home, it was late afternoon so I unpacked and put away the shopping and then I chilled in the sunshine with my crochet.  I had two big balls of Aran in my stash, one left from Beth's Christmas cardi and one from the cardigan I have just finished.  They seem to go together so I am turning them into another hexa-cardi , a stripy one, and making it shorter and more boxy as a summer thing.  Well, that's the theory anyway.  This time, I know what I'm doing a bit more which helps so I haven't had to frog much.

So today is a day at home with, hopefully, more lovely weather.  I've watched an Elaine Boddy video on turning her master sourdough recipe into focaccia and I'm going to give that a go, first with all white to start with and, if it works as it should, with mixed flours.  I have plenty of good stuff to go on top, rosemary and oregano in the garden, olives, sea salt, sundried tomato - just thinking about it tingles my tastebuds.

Actually - I've just remembered I will have to start the focaccia early or do it tomorrow as it's the Lee Mead concert this evening.  Not a problem, I'll see how Bubbles and Squeak behave after their feed and in the warmth.  xx

Better stop waffling and get on with my Facebook duties and then the day is mine.  Such a nice feeling!

Wishing you all a lovely Saturday too with lots of lovely weather and good things happening.  xx

11-04-25

Good morning!  It's Friday and the skies are clear after days of cold and cloudy mornings.  Fingers crossed.

Thank you all for your good wishes for Beth.  Surprisingly and thankfully, she got an appointment straight away so that was good.  Now there are tests!

The sourdough loaf behaved perfectly until I turned it out of the banneton when it flopped rather and I didn't get as much rise - oven spring, I believe it is called - when it baked as expected.  Who knows, eh, but I  expect I should have moved things around in the fridge for the final rise.  It creates a firmer dough.  Or maybe the scoring wasn't deep enough.   I don't think it was over fermented and I think - think - it was shaped well enough.
However, the crumb is lovely and the flavour is great (I chopped a bit off as you do) so that's OK.

By the afternoon it was lovely and sunny so Groove in the Garden went ahead and it was just lovely!  There's two others in the group who are also part of the Tuesday morning gang so that was nice.

Just checking my diary and I have Slimming World followed by a small (I hope) shop and then I'm over to Beth's to pick her and Alex up and we're going for our Mothering Sunday meal out, assuming Beth feels up to it, I mean.  Fingers crossed.
Actually, I might leave the shopping until later - I hate a mad rush.

Again, thank you for your kind comments and I hope you all have a lovely day.  xx

10-04-25

Hi, everyone.  It is Thursday and it's about half past five so too dark to see if there's another frost this morning.  The heating has clicked in so it can't be that warm but it's nothing like yesterday when it really was cold first thing and then through the morning too.  I don't think my fingers warmed up properly all day.

It was a bit of a day yesterday.  After I had posted yesterday's blog, I checked Facebook and messages to discover that Beth had been taken into hospital overnight with a very high pulse and some pain.   After some messaging and at her request, I drove over to Broomfield Hospital to find her in what I mentally call the 'walking wounded room', officially the 'Ambulatory Majors'.   She'd had tests, hadn't slept, was now off her drip and waiting to be 'seen' before being discharged.  Long story short, her heart rate had gone dangerously high so she dialled 111 and was taken to A&E.

She was given a prescription for antibiotics, we had to wait for the pharmacy to open (we had a very nice coffee from one of the coffee outlets there), then we had to wait while they made up the prescription and I finally got her home around ten fifteen-ish.
No idea why this happened but, obviously, it's being followed up.

So that was 'exciting'.

I really couldn't settle to much after that and, as already mentioned, it was soooooo cold!

While we were chatting over our coffee, she said how much they had enjoyed the sourdough loaf I gave her and would be quite happy for more to come her way.  Yay.  You see, I want to practise and play around with different flours, etc, but there's only so much bread a Slimming World person can possibly manage and my freezer is full.  This way I get to practise AND do a good deed at the same time.

So guess what I am looking at right now . . . yup, a half and half having just had its long fermentation and looking remarkably healthy - in fact, it has grown since I started typing this and I must get it shaped and into the banneton - hang on . . .

. . . oh, yes, that's a nice dough!  It ought to now go in the fridge for the final rise but there isn't room so it will just have to go into a cool spot - behind the curtains, maybe. 

As for today, it's another quiet day.  Chris is round for coffee and chat and this afternoon I will go round to Lindsey's for Groove in the Garden (hopefully).

The rest is the usual stuff and I must start thinking about varnish, etc, for those tables.  And I will have a loaf to bake in a few hour's time.

I think it will be a nice day and I hope yours is too.  See you tomorrow . . .  xx

09-04-25

Good morning, everyone.  Guess what - the sun is shining.  Isn't that a surprise!!

(edit:  no it isn't - I thought it was but it is cloudy and cold this morning.)

Yesterday was definitely a Good Day.

Groove was great and, this time, I had plenty of energy, unlike last Tuesday.  That was  better.

I caught the eleven o'clock bus into town after a rather rushed breakfast and went straight to Specsavers to see if I did have an audiology check or not.
I did, so I pretty much went straight in and it was a very positive experience indeed.  A very thorough physical check and plenty of questions to answer - I think some of them were just to check how  - aware is perhaps the best word - of my hearing levels and difficulties and some were regarding any noticeable deterioration, exposure to loud noises.  All that sort of stuff.
Then I had the in-the-box-headphones thing and  the bone conductivity check as usual.
Turns out my left ear is the same as last time (good) but my right ear shows some deterioration (which I had noticed) but not that much.  So that was good too.
I said about the aids occasionally refusing to charge up and, in fact, as she was reprogramming them to match my current prescription, the right one did cut out and she couldn't get it started again so that was fortuitous.
They've gone off to be 'serviced' and, as they are still in the guarantee period, that will be free.  They should be back in a week and, in the meanwhile, I have my backups, which I took with me.

Then it was into the vision and eye health checks which took absolutely ages.  She spent so long doing the eye health stuff, I was starting to get a bit worried but, like my ears, it seems that my eyes are very healthy.  Phew.  Yes, there's that 'freckle' at the back of one eye and yes, there's early cataracts but the first is 'nothing' and the cataracts have not grown (or whatever the term is) since my last check so no worries at the moment.

As far as vision is concerned, one eye is the same, the other had changed a bit so I walked out having paid for two new pairs, one sunglasses and the other ordinary and the advice to get a pair of night vision lenses that I can wear over my normal glasses for night driving.  Amazon, it seems, does them.  Interesting.

What the glasses cost is what I more or less expected and had budgeted for and no, I certainly didn't need new hearing aids; I was really pleased about that

I had a good wander around town and found a nice (and cheap) dress in Primark so, all in all, a most successful time.

Come the evening, I was shattered.

I plan to get my housework done today . . . and some gardening too.  Hopefully.  There's nothing in the diary until personal training this afternoon so I have a clear run.  

Have a lovely day and stay safe and well.  xx

08-05-25

Morning - it's Tuesday and it is just tiptoeing out of darkness outside so I can't waffle on about more sunshine - but I bet there will be some.  It will probably still feel chilly but I am looking forward to our walk down the the hall for Groove in around three hours.

I was shockingly lazy yesterday and didn't really do all that much.  I didn't do the usual Monday housework and I didn't do anything in the garden either.  I did, however, sit and make great progress with my knitting which is now almost finished.  I did both sleeves at the same time and I'm doing both fronts the same way although I have had to work one side at a time at the very top because of shaping the collar being just a bit too muddling to do together, me being a bear of very little brain.  I should finish it in a few days, including the sewing up and then I will need to find a nice button.
And while I sat and knitted, I pondered what I want to try next with the sourdough thing.  Given that I have enough in the freezer to keep me going for weeks, whatever I make will have to be gifted on to someone.  As often with me, the fun is in the doing, the making.  Do you find that?

As I'm being so lazy with the garden at the moment so I have decided to adopt the tried and trusted strategy of half an hour a day.    By the end of the week, everything should be done.  Fingers crossed, anyway.  Having said that, I can't do today.  Oh, well.

What's on today?  Well, first of all, being Tuesday, Chris and I will be taking our usual sunshine walk down to St Andrew's hall for out Groove class and walking back.  Then I will have a very quick breakfast before catching the bus into town for my hearing and vision checks and a good nosey around the shops. 

Actually, I have a slight doubt about the hearing one because I have received no notification of my booking, unlike the vision test but no worries, I can book another one and, with a bus pass, going into town really isn't a hassle. 

I have a nice list of Shops To Visit so maybe I will find a summer dress, you never know.

So no gardening and no housework today.  Isn't that a shame!  😉

Right, well, better get going with the Facebook stuff for the day.  See you all again tomorrow and have a great day!  xx

07-04-25 and success!

Morning, everyone.  Another week starts and, guess what, the sun is shining.  That means circuits will be in the garden again this morning - lovely!

I have to admit, my heart sank when I came downstairs yesterday to a bowl of hot cross bun dough that hadn't risen at all.  Thank goodness the recipe did say that it was a heavy dough what with all the fruit plus the spices, etc, so I decided to just let it be and hope.  

At around half past two, seventeen hours after I did the last stretch and folds, it was ready, doubled in amount, lovely and relaxed.  I got six little buns and one mini loaf (it wouldn't stretch like focaccia and maybe I should have scored it, I don't know) from that half amount of the recipe.

I even did the flour and water crosses - I wasn't going to bother but then thought 'just give it a go'.

Obviously, I had to try one so I picked out the smallest one to have for my dinner dessert and wow, it was absolutely delicious.  I've made yeasted buns before and never had that much success but this is going to be an annual regular from now on.

It doesn't look all that fruity but it was, the spices were just right and the texture was gorgeous.

I now wish I had had the courage to just wait with the 100% wholemeal loaf instead of just rushing ahead.

The others are all in the freezer now with the mini loaf which I sliced.   One a day over the Easter period and I'm really looking forward to it.

And the lesson learned is - go with the dough!

If you're interested, this is the recipe I used, no adapting!    I did the white flour version but used Bubbles, the rye starter.

https://foodbodsourdough.com/hot-cross-buns-and-loaf/

Today the diary is empty apart from circuits first thing but Monday is usually housework day so I will have plenty to do and it will be nice to have a clean and shiny home come this evening.

Have a lovely day, everyone, and take care.  xx

06-04-25

Good morning again, everyone.  It's almost getting boring saying the it looks like we have a lovely day to come but I go with that kind of boring any day of the week.
How has your week been?

I forgot to tell you some happy news.  My friend, Diane, has definitely decided to do the Crete holiday with me and has booked it too.  Yay!!

I had a lovely morning at Braintree Shopping Village.  David picked me up at around ten and once there we parted company for an hour to do our own thing and then met at Pret for a very nice Americano before coming home.  I could have stayed for much longer but David was kind enough to take me so I wasn't going to hold him up - he is going to a wedding in a few months and wanted to get some things for then.

I looked at dresses, of course, and there were some nice ones but mostly more evening wear which is not what I want.  I want light summer dresses that are good for day wear but pretty enough to do for evenings as well.  I was tempted by a dress with beading but it was just a bit too dressy and 'heavy', if that makes sense.  I'm really glad I am starting to look a year ahead - just imagine having this with only two weeks to go!

I did, however, get these . . .

I went into Pavers because I know their shoes are very comfy, like Hotter and Sketchers and saw these.  Perfect for summer evenings and for more idle days too.  I tried them on and they are so, so comfortable.  

There were four different colours and I couldn't decide between the white and the black so - as you can see - I got both.
Now to keep them nice (as well as wearing them) until next year!

I wore them yesterday and they wouldn't be much good for a proper walk of course but I have some really good Hotter walking sandals for that - I wanted something lighter, pretty and that didn't make my feet look huge and these fit the bill.

Come the evening, after activating Bubbles earlier, I started the sourdough hot cross buns.  I came down this morning and saw that the dough hasn't risen much but that's OK because a) it is a heavy dough that needs time (said the recipe) and b) it's been a cold night.  The bowl is now stood beside a radiator and it's starting to move.  As we have said before, sourdough anything requires patience and working with the dough, not with the clock.

And it smells gorgeous!

I now have to decide whether I want it as buns, as a loaf or as a sort of focaccia type shape in an oven tray and sliced into rectangles.  I'll probably go for buns but make them smaller so the mixture makes eight rather than six.
What would you do? 

Today there's nothing in the diary and I plan to give the garden some much needed attention.  Things like dead heading the daffs, clearing some parts of the middle bed, scraping those weeds and, definitely, mowing the grass at the front.  My lovely neighbour did it for me a couple of weeks ago but everything is growing well now.

In between talking to the hot cross buns, of course!  😊

Have a great Sunday, everyone.  Enjoy the sunshine (assuming you have some, that is).  See you tomorrow.  xx

05-04-25, a bit of a garden tour and a bit of luck.

Morning all - it's Saturday and the start of the school Easter holidays - well, I suppose you could argue that really it is Monday, but I bet that sense of freedom is already bouncing around.  Two weeks until the Easter weekend - it really is very late this year - and then one week (I think) until the bank holiday weekend and four weeks after that it is half term again.    By then, my tomatoes will have started growing, maybe a few will be flowering . . . I can't wait!

I've just gone out to take a few photos:

The mints are coming up well again.  I'll give them another year and then I think they will need repotting with fresh soil.

The sage has been looking dreadfully scruffy and unwell but it picking up nicely in the warmer weather,  That's good.

The other herbs are doing fine too - the bay and rosemary thrive on neglect, I have to ruthlessly curb the oregano every autumn and the chives are coming up - potato salad ahoy!!

The thyme is looking very, very woody and I think I will replace it - it just doesn't look that good really.

This is the nicest part of the fig, which is two longish stems, one straight up and the other at an angle, with baby leaves at the top.  I am hoping that there will be growth further down as it really is most unattractive as it is.

I wonder about pruning it back to the lowest leafy thingy in the autumn and seeing if that encourages side growth.  Anyone reading this who knows - please advise . . .

The clematis is doing the usual thing, even though I forgot to cut it back at the right time.  I'll remember next Spring but this time I didn't have the heart to cut off all that lovely growth although there were some dead stems that I managed to trim.  Will the flowers be more/less/better/worse?  Watch this space.  

The lupin - and, yes, those are slug pellets, sorry.  The lupin in the pot had been nibbled to death when I looked this week so out came the pellets.  Hopefully it will recover - fingers crossed.

And finally - up come the raspberry canes again.  They are autumn fruiting so fruit on this year's growth, not last year's.  They were not great last year so I have planted some new canes.  It was a bit late so fingers crossed they will send up some new shoots too.

OK, yesterday - lovely warm, sunny weather after a bit of a misty start, a two load drying afternoon.  

SW was great and I am now back in my happy zone after losing two pounds.  

I did was I hopefully called a 'small shop' - ooops.  Oh well.

What I didn't do was plant out the pansies so that's on the weekend list.

I did feed Bubbles and Squeak so now have discard to use at some point.  This was with a view to having a go at hot cross buns today but I'm not sure it will fit in with some last minute plans - I need to re-read the recipe to decide.  Maybe tomorrow . . .

I glanced rather casually over what was coming up at the Civic Theatre in town and saw that one of the shows I was interested in but had shown as 'sold out' now had a 'limited availability' tag so I clicked on and there was one seat - just one - left in a really good position so I grabbed it!

It's the Saturday after my birthday so I'm calling it a birthday present to myself and here's some bumph I have copied. 

Celebrate the most beloved musicals of all time

In this spellbinding night of music celebrating the most beloved musicals of all time, The Phantoms take us on a magical journey through iconic shows such as Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph, and of course, The Phantom of the Opera.

Featuring former Phantoms direct from the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera alongside West End and TV star Lee Mead, the sensational cast take you on a journey through the best of the West End, Broadway, and beyond from modern day smash hits to unbeatable classics.

Plus, discover how Lee Mead went from the dressing rooms of Phantom to the living rooms of the nation on his way to winning BBC’s Any Dream Will Do.

With beautiful vocal arrangements, spectacular close part harmony as well as stand out solo performances you certainly won’t want to miss the music of THIS night!

Disclaimer – The Phantoms starring Lee Mead is in no way connected with and/or endorsed by Really Useful Group or Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Do you remember the programme 'Any Dream Will Do' when the prize was the lead role in the new 'Joseph' in London?  I absolutely loved it and voted for Lee week after week.
I am really excited to be going to this, parking isn't a problem in the evening if you allow plenty of time and I'm so glad I decided to take a random look . . .

I seem to have rambled on far too long so it's time to stop - I need another lemon water anyway and I think I will add a bit of mint too.  :-)

Bye, all, and have a great day.  xx

04-04-25

Hi, everyone.  So Friday rolls round again and hasn't the weather been amazing this week.  Not so warm at times but the sunshine . . . fantastic.

I did indeed go shopping yesterday and I did spend.  However, it wasn't an awful spend, it was things that were needed or which will be used quite a lot.

I went into Matalan and there were some really pretty dresses and skirts.  I tried things on and, sadly, the dresses were just too short.  Not mini, knee length, but that's not my length, not with short legs.  I like a high waist and calf length hem - they had the high waist but there was no way they could be lengthened so they went back on the rail.  However, I did buy this skirt, white spots and longer on me, size 10 (yay) and I have tops that will go with it.

Next week, I have to go into town for my sight and hearing checks so I can look in M&S, Matalan, H&M, Primark, Quadrant, etc.  If I have time, I might look at John Lewis, just for fun - I doubt any of their dresses will fit into my budget but you never know.

And there's Tu as well.

I just hope knee length isn't the new black.

I also got a new black back pack handbag, the zip having broken on my current one, sadly.  It was cheap!

I went into HomeSense and saw these beautiful bowls, very reasonable, and I just fell for them.  They are actually shades of green, the sunshine makes them look white.

I'm going to love using them.

And this notebook jumped into my trolley.  Yes, it did.
I'm a sucker for a nice notebook and this has everything - lined pages, thick gold foiling, on a Klimt-esque cover and cheap for a hard back - £3.60.

Finally, I had time to go into Home Bargains where I bought easy peelers and a bag - not a handbag, more a small sports bag - and . . .

. . . a tray of bedding pansies - so pretty and twenty for £2.99.  Can't leave them there for that as the saying goes.

None of my purchases will be wasted.

When I got home, the postman was delivering and, lo and behold, brought my new driving licence.  I only applied Sunday evening so that's pretty good going, isn't it?

After a late lunch using one of my new bowls - I swear food tastes better out of nice china - I changed and drove over to Lindsey's for Groove.  It was out in her garden and it was absolutely lovely and not nearly as much a challenge as it was on Tuesday - same routines but I just found it easier.  That made me happy.

And finally I got my chat with Chris after all - I went over around four at her invite and we had a great old chat.  Lovely.

On to today and it's Friday so it must be Slimming World.  That's all there is in the diary so I plan to spend some time in the garden, planting out the pansies, weeding, scraping and, when that's all done and assuming it is warm enough, I will snuggle in the egg chair and read.
Doesn't that sound lovely!  xx

03-04-25

Morning, everyone.  How is your week going?

Not a clear photo but yesterday I noticed that this year the blueberry bush is loaded, absolutely loaded with flowers.  Last year there were hardly any.  I know some won't mature into fruit, but it looks promising, doesn't it?  Nice.

Yesterday went well.  The implant is now in and it's all absolutely fine and comfortable.  I did some gardening - the sun was shining beautifully although there was a chilly wind - and I enjoyed personal training very much.

To cap it all, the Y3/4 show was fantastic.

A really pleasant day indeed.

Today, I am off to the Riverside Shopping precinct as I gather Matalan has some summer dresses in.  This may sound daft but I will need a few more summer dresses for Crete next year and, if I don't get them this year, it will all be a bit of a rush.

No coffee and chat with Chris - she has to do something else.

In the afternoon, I will probably go to Lindsey's for a Groove class - she's happy for me to swap the morning SET for the afternoon Groove, either online or at Shimmy Studio.

So today should be a really pleasant day all round.

Take care, everyone, and enjoy the good weather.  xx

02-04-25

Morning, everyone.  I'm a bit later than usual because of the dentist but it's all done and dusted now and I'm back home and enjoying my first coffee of the day.

I felt I was drinking far too much coffee so I've started having boiling water with a slice of lemon and, to my surprise, I really like it.  It seems to start the day off well; I suppose it is very hydrating which is always a Good Thing.

Anyway - yesterday.  It was a really nice day.  The days are sunny but there's a chilly breeze and I was glad of my warm coat as Chris and I walked down.  It's a new block now and Lindsey had a new playlist and new routines which were, to be honest, a bit like hard work; one of the routines really wasn't kind to my ankles and feet but I can always adapt if it doesn't feel any easier next week.  By the evening, I was aching all over, but it's OK this morning and should feel easier next time.  It's an eight week block this time so by the end it will be fine, I am sure.

Then it was home and I got going with the housework, after which I went out the the garden room and that is now all fresh and clean and ready for idle afternoons reading or snoozing.  Very nice!  

It's shady in the garden room so the photo isn't the best but the Moroccan style blanket looks really lovely and I can see it from where I'm sitting.  I haven't got the matching cushion(s) yet and will wait until this spendy month is over and past.  They had some likely looking ones in Longacres so - well, I will think about it.

Anyway, it's all good and clean and attractive again.

Today has been the dentist, of course, and it feels so nice to not have that slightly uncomfortable gap in my mouth.  I've just had an apple and the chewing is much better too (hope that doesn't sound silly) so I am very satisfied.

There's just one more gap I want to fill with an implant now.  Tony Clough looked up my scans and measured and so on using some very complex software on his computer and, yes, the gum is suitable, so I have an appointment at the beginning of July.

This is all part of my 'spending my money on myself' thing that Dave and Kay were on about (in a nice way) at my financial review.  I don't think that's quite what they had in mind but it is right for me and I can afford it so . . . I'm going for it, with gratitude and thankfulness.  I have neglected my dental health for much of my life and want to make the most of what's left, so to speak.

On the way home, I stopped off at Morrisons as I was right out of table salt and carrots.  I can't remember the last time I needed to buy table salt, I use it so rarely, so I got a bit caught out.  And I need daily carrots in my life

Later on today it is personal; training as usual and then, in the evening, I am off to school to watch the Y3 and 4 production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.  I'm really looking forward to that, even though I don't know any of the children nowadays.

So, all in all, it is going to be a really nice day!  Hoping yours is too.  xx

02-04-25 - March review and April's aims

Written 01-04-25.

I thought I'd get this written today and set to post tomorrow so there will be something out.

These were the aims for March in italics with progress in normal:

1. Resume the daily decluttering
   Hmmm - not really.  I've done some, just not enough.
2. Get to grips with sourdough starter and baking
   Yes - done and sort of dusted.  I have two starters that seem to be pretty robust and I'm trying out recipes.  I'm booked to go on a sourdough day course in June and, basically, it has all been jolly good fun!
3. Learn how to re-stain my coffee table tops - and at least get started.
   Started.  Two of the tables have tops ready for revarnishing and I've hidden some of the superficial marks with varnish pen.
4. Find another knitting or crochet project
   Done.  I've made several pairs of fingerless gloves for the drop off point or, maybe, the food bank but I'm holding on to them until later in the year.  I've started a cardigan and that's going great guns too.

The ongoing aims were:

needs only spending

Er - sort of, not entirely.  This month HAS to be better because of some big amounts that will go out - car insurance, dental treatment, the remainder for a weekend at Potters, the deposit for the Spain holiday next April, new glasses and, possibly, new hearing aids, depending what they say at the check up.

using what I already had

Still doing that.   Yesterday I made a list from one of the bags in the freezer and now have ten meals planned using the contents thereof.  This weeks food shopping should be pretty small, not the usual beginning of new month blowout!  I want to continue that strategy - audit and then create meals.

regular savings

No.  I had money left over but it has just carried forward into April for those big payouts.  That's fine, it's what these particular savings are for.

keeping up with the financial spread sheet

Definitely.  It's really good to know exactly where I am, day by day.

food bank donating

Again, yes, and intend continuing for the remaining months of this year and, all being well, beyond.

decluttering

As the weather improves, I am feeling the call again so this month should see quite a difference.  I hope!  :-)

weed scraping

Of course and ongoing.

So - aims for April:

1.  a substantial amount of decluttering
2.   get the varnish, etc, and do those two coffee table tops - I have to admit, I am a bit nervous about this.
3. be more frugal/economical this month so I can pay all those large bills without digging into savings much more.
4. to be back in my happy weight zone again and continue to eat Mediterranean style to keep myself as fit and well as I can possibly be

I think that will do.  Most of the ongoings have now become habits - things like keeping up to date with finances, food bank donation, knitting, weed scraping, and even frugality and saving, regardless of March and April.

By the end of April, I will be able to see my way forward in savings again, I will have paid for Potters in June, I will have new and improved glasses and reliable hearing aids again, and I will have enjoyed several meals with family and friends - out with Beth and Alex for Mother's Day, to Val's for lunch on my birthday and, the next day, Dave and Anna round for dinner.  Hopefully, also, some sort of birthday jolly with Chris and with Diane.

So there we are - March's review and April's aims.   Back again next month.  xx

01-04-25

Happy April 1st, everyone!

It was an absolutely beautiful day round here yesterday, a three load drying day with fence to fence sunshine and, after a chilly start, a warm rest of day.  Fantastic.  It is supposed to be very similar for the rest of the week, with Friday being positively summer-like around here.

I got quite a lot of stuff done yesterday including some outstanding things such as renewing my driving licence, getting my medication review date sorted out, etc, etc, and  I read the gas meter so that's done for another month.

Plus the three loads of washing, drying and ironing.

And I dusted and polished around downstairs but didn't sweep the carpets so that's on today's list as well as freshening up the Garden Room now that the weather has turned so lovely.

The only thing in the diary is Groove with Chris and I have made a note to do the finances because quite a chunk of monthly payments go out on the first and I want to check that the car insurance has gone too.

A short one today - things are just ticking over nicely at the moment.  I probably won't post until later tomorrow morning as I have a dental appointment at half past eight for the last session of implant treatment - and paying the rest of the bill - ouch!

Have a lovely day, one and all.  Stay safe and be happy.  xx

31-03-25 and remembering Mum.

Good morning, everyone.  Today starts off very like yesterday with sunshine and a chilly temperature/touch of frost.  Yesterday morphed into wall to wall sunshine and today is supposed to be similar - I do hope so!

For Marjorie and anyone else interested, yes, I have a sourdough crumpet recipe.

You use 230g sourdough starter discard and mix it with one tsp granulated sugar, quarter to half tsp salt and, after mixing that, add three eighths tsp bicarb.  It will all froth up and bubble - that's the bicarb.

Heat a griddle or other pan over a cool to medium heat, grease it and your crumpet rings, warm the rings on the griddle and then pour in the mix - it should make four crumpets.

Cook for five minutes until there are bubbles in the top and it is starting to set.  Then carefully flip them over, rings and all.  The rings should drop down the turned crumpets and can be lifted off (they will be hot!).  Don't try and take them off too soon - they will just stick.

Continue to cook for a few minutes until they top (now the bottom) is golden brown.

The temperature is the important thing, I have found.  Too hot and the bottom cooks before the bubbles set on top.  I now know what ring setting works best.

Yesterday's pizza dough worked much better and is now in two sort of circular bases (they have curved edges, that's all I am saying!!) in the freezer.  I have high hopes.

The 100% wholemeal was a puzzle.  It didn't rise overly in the second ferment and I am glad I did it in a loaf tin.  It rose a bit while cooking.  However, it came out OK and with a pronounced sourdough flavour which I think I like - it's a bit of an acquired taste, isn't it?

The crumb looks OK, doesn't it?

I'll try it again but add less water, I think.  Not for a few weeks though - I have so much bread in the freezer now and I don't eat all that much myself.  I didn't make the crumpets yesterday so will do them but nothing else now for a while.

Today, being Monday, starts with circuits and then it is downstairs housework.  It's also the last day of March so I must remember to read the gas meter at some point.  That, plus any washing and the crumpets, should take up a good part of the day and then I can sit and chill with my knitting.  Maybe even outside, if the weather permits - that would be nice.  I bet Lindsey has Circuits outside today too.

Today (as well as yesterday), I am also taking some time to think about my lovely Mum who passed away early in the morning of March 31st, 2019 which just happened to be Mothering Sunday that year.  I still have the card I got from me, John and Dave which I never gave her.
I was so lucky to have her for so long, wasn't I?

Myrle Daphne Cannell, nee Jarvis

19-10-27 - 31-03-19

RIP best of Mums and all-round fantastic lady.

30-03-25

Morning, all.  BST has landed and I have a few clocks to adjust today.  It will be so very pleasant to have the longer evenings again and I really won't notice the later dawns.  Good old summer time!

I'm sat here by the French windows watching a pair of magpies cavorting in the garden.  What dramatic birds they are, to be sure, all black and white as if they were going to some posh do at the Palace.  I gather they are very sociable birds too.   I know they scare away the little birds which is a shame.

They are seen as good omens.   Google tells me:

This belief stems from the fact that the magpie has been associated with prosperity, transformation, and wisdom. They are believed to bring their signatures to acknowledge that a person is on the right track, especially when starting a new endeavour or making crucial life decisions.

(photo borrowed from Google Images)
As the old rhyme goes:

One for sorrow, 

Two for joy,

Three for a girl, 

Four for a boy,

Five for silver, 

Six for gold, 

Seven for a story yet to be told. 

The full version of the Magpie Rhyme has a few extra verses added:

Eight for a wish, 

Nine for a kiss,

Ten for a bird you must not miss. 

There are different versions, of course, as with any old rhyme.  I saw two so that's nice!

On to more mundane things.

I had a go at the 100% wholemeal sourdough loaf yesterday.  Things seemed to be going OK but it remained very sticky and soft and wasn't rising all that well so I gave it one more pulls and folds before bedtime and left it overnight.  This morning, it had risen very nicely but was still soft and a bit sticky so it is now in a loaf tin rather than in a banneton as it would never hold its shape.

I think it will be OK as a loaf but it needs something to give it shape.

As for the pizza dough, I am sorry to say that Squeak didn't behave well yesterday and failed to double in size so I fed her again before bedtime and left her overnight and, again, this morning, she's much better.  The dough is now in a covered bowl and rising very nicely, much softer and nicer than the first go.  I think this one will work.

And I have a lot of discard since feeding both starters yesterday so I need to find something to make with it.  :-)

I tried to catch the partial eclipse, but it really wasn't much of a sight.  I got some photos but they only showed the slightest little dent in the sun, so small that it could just be imagination.  Did any of you do any better?

Apart from the bread, I have two things I must do today.  One is getting the finances sorted as I didn't do that yesterday and the other is to sort out a talk I am giving in the Slim Win live chat tomorrow.  And if the weather is anything like, I will go out for a walk too.

What are you doing today?  xx

29-03-25

Morning, everyone; welcome to a cold and frosty Saturday morning.  To be fair, it WAS cold and frosty earlier but by the time I had fed Bubbles and Squeak and cleared the mess, the frost was melting rapidly and it's all gone now, the sun is shining brightly and I'm looking forward to a very pleasant day with not an awful lot I HAVE to do.

SW was OK yesterday.  I gained a pound but I wasn't surprised as I've been a bit off track a few times last weekend and it didn't help that I dived face first into some cashews on Thursday evening.  Very healthy, yes, but not necessarily diet friendly, not the amount I managed to polish off.

Anyway, we move on, and I moved on to Morrisons for what I hopefully thought of as a 'small shop'.  Small it was, cheap it wasn't.  It never is nowadays!

I used the first of the sourdough bases to make this dinner with coleslaw on the side.

The pizza was, taken as a whole, really tasty but the base wasn't a 1--% success - the bits that weren't covered by topping were OK - quite solid and hard but OK - but the middle was really heavy and stodgy.  Edible, good flavour, just too heavy and, as I found out overnight, indigestible too.
Oh, well, you have to try!

I have another base in the freezer and I think I am going to try it as a calzone and see if baking it that way with a filling rather than a topping makes a difference.  Worth a go anyway.

(And while I am thinking pizza, I wholeheartedly recommend Mutti classico pizza sauce.  It's in a can, isn't cheap, is absolutely delicious and I have eight small pots of single portions for future pizzas, whether they be proper ones, or using a wrap or some pitta as a base - which make it much more economical than you would think at first).

I'm not giving in, mind you.  I think I will do what I should have done first time and follow the original recipe instead of trying to change anything.  And if that doesn't make any difference, I was write off that recipe and look for another one.  After all, this is a journey of discovery, isn't it?  A culinary education, part of lifelong learning.

I also found, just this morning, a recipe/detailed instructions for a 100% wholemeal sourdough loaf and I am going to follow it through, bit by bit.  

With these in mind, I have fed both Bubbles and Squeak to activate them and am trying both recipes, seeing as I have a free weekend and can be around.

The other thing I absolutely want to do today or, at the latest, tomorrow is go through March's finances.  I don't have any more expenses until April 1st so I can close that page.  There won't be anything to move into savings because of the extra expenses in April (car, hearing aids, glasses, holidays - eeeek) but I will know where I am and whether I can cover the costs without taking from short term savings.  Knowledge is power, isn't it?

Time to go so I will love you and leave you and wish you a very restful and/or enjoyable Saturday.  xx

Friday, 28-03-25

Morning, all.  It was a gorgeous day here yesterday, wall to wall sunshine and in that sunshine and out of the wind it felt quite warm.  Unfortunately, it does look a bit different this morning and we might get a bit of rain but it's supposed to brighten up later - so fingers crossed!

No sourdough news from yesterday apart from me finding a recipe for hot cross buns which I will try nearer to Easter, but I did have a go at a buckwheat and chia seed soda bread because buckwheat flour has minimal gluten and that's only because it's ground in a mill where flours containing gluten are also ground so Dove cannot guarantee that it is totally free.

Of course, I had to try an end crust and it is really rather nice.  Quite different but I'll make it again.  It's now safely tucked away in the freezer and I may produce some when friends, who need more or less gluten free food, come round for a meal.

I had two online classes yesterday and it was lovely - Lindsey did Groove out in her garden and I wished I could have been there but time was tight because the local Food Bank is only open on Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 so I needed to drop this month's donation off before Groove.  So that's done and dusted now too.

Today the only thing in the diary is Slimming World after which I need to pop into Morrisons to get a few things for the evening pizza.  I know I don't NEED pepperoni but I want it!  :-)  

So it should be another easy day.

Have a great day yourselves too - stay safe and be happy.  xx

Thursday 27-03-25

Thursday already and only a few more days until April lands.  Morning, everyone; how's the week going for you.
After last week's busy-ness, it's nice to have a more gentle week this week.  There's still plenty to do but nothing big or too exerting so I can potter a bit more.  Yesterday was no exception.

Usually, I would have gone to the other morning circuits class to replace what I missed on Monday but instead, I will be doing an extra Groove today.  
I did some washing - the cloths and tea towels needed a good hot wash so that's what they had before drying on the line.  They are now ironed and back in the drawer.  Yes, I know, I iron them because a) they fit in the drawer better and b) they're just nicer to use.

Waste of effort? - I don't think so!!  :-)

I picked Beth up and took her to the station and we had a nice chat about things on the way.  She is in London for a few days now while Alex holds the fort at home.

In the afternoon I went over to Lindsey's for my personal training.  We always have such a good chat, the time goes so very quickly and it is so nice to now be driving home in daylight again.

I had a go at the pizza dough.  I'm not sure - maybe it was a mistake to go for half and half straight away because it didn't seem to rise very much at the bulk ferment stage and felt very solid.  However, I may not get a super light and fluffy pizza base but it will be edible and won't be wasted.
I made quarter quantities and got two small to medium sized bases (just the size I want) which are now in the freezer.  I will take one out tomorrow and give it a whirl!!

And no more test results have landed in my NHS app so I am now starting to believe again that maybe they ARE all in and that everything is really satisfactory.  I now have to arrange the review appointment where I will find out for sure.  I might drive down today and see what the nice receptionist says.

Before then, I have an online SET class followed by Chris coming round for coffee and our usual chat.  Then, this afternoon, I'm doing my catch up class, an online Groove - I do enjoy the Groove classes!

Life isn't terribly exciting right now but very pleasant.  I'll take that with gratitude.  What does your day look like?   Have fun!  xx

26--03-25

 Morning, everyone!  The sun is shining brightly so fingers crossed it lasts longer than yesterday!.
Yesterday it started sunny, it was gorgeous walking to Groove, then the sun started fading a bit.
I got home, pegged out the washing, had breakfast and drove over to Aldi to ger this month's Food Bank donation.  When I came out - it was chucking it down.  Aaarrgghh.

Fortunately, back home, there wasn't so much rain on the ground and the washing wasn't that bad, just slightly damp.  The tumble dryer sorted that out while the second load dried on the rack - I have that to iron today!
I haven't been caught out like that for ages but it's bound to happen from time to time.

I've now sorted out both vision and hearing appointments (long overdue) so that's going to add to an already expensive April.  Has to be done and that's why I save every month.

The sourdough crumpet for breakfast was absolutely gorgeous.  I may never buy another commercial crumpet ever again.  It just needed warming up, no toasting required and under a 'fried' egg - wow!

And I've decided to have a go at focaccia next week.  This week I am making pizza dough for my Friday fake-away!  I found this recipe that I can make using Thermione and is easily reduced to a quarter amount.

https://www.pantrymama.com/sourdough-pizza-dough-thermomix/#wprm-recipe-container-4440

I've activated bubbles and, when she has risen, I'll have a go.  I'm doing it today because I want to see how the dough freezes and I will use 50-50 flour because I just like wholemeal stuff.

Today, I am having a leisurely start.  I wandered out into the surprisingly warm sunshine and snapped some of the hyacinths.

So pretty.

Later, I am dropping Beth off at the station as she can't take the Tiger (her wheelchair) and I have personal training in the afternoon.  Apart from that, it's all about the housework - isn't it always?

Have a good one and I'm wishing you sunshine like what we have got (as Morecambe and Wise would say).  xx

25-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  Do you have times when all the days feel like different days.  After going out on Sunday afternoon, which hardly ever happens and which made Sunday feel like Saturday, yesterday's not going to circuits made the day feel like Sunday so I woke up this morning thinking it was Monday!

Not for long though because I remembered I did loads of housework yesterday, which I hardly ever do on a Sunday, and we had our lovely Slim Win  online friends chat last night.

After a dreadful night's sleep over Sunday night, I was so pleased that I managed to stay awake through yesterday so that when I went to bed after a day when I did more than the usual Monday housework, I can't even remember turning the lamp off and slept solidly until 5:50.  Thank goodness for that!

The Bubbles, Squibbles and Squeak saga slows down now.  Squeak has been fed and is now in the fridge, Bubbles was already there and Squibbles is also there but her lid isn't clipped down.  The first two will have weekly feeds unless I want some activated starter and Squibbles will be added to and used as and when B and S have been fed.
I'm now wanting to  try various different recipes to see what works and what doesn't but let's be sensible here.  I need to find a 'bank' of people who won't mind me tossing bread in their direction although I am pretty sure Beth will be happy to take some.  

Maybe focaccia???  Hmmm - I wonder.

So - it is now Tuesday (nearly typed Monday)!  I've slept like a log, thank goodness, and all I have in the diary is Groove.  The weather looks to be pleasant so Chris and I will walk - and chat - there and back.  I have bedding to wash, etc, windows to clean and, assuming it isn't cold, I think I will freshen up the Garden Room ready for those warm days to come.  I'm getting on with that cardigan.  The back is done and I've started the sleeves; this time I am doing both at the same time on the same set of needles so I know the shaping is the same and I don't have to keep counting rows so much.

What are your plans for today?

All the best, happy Tuesday, enjoy your life and stay safe and well.  xx

24-03-25

Good morning again, everyone.  Monday, new week last full one in March - the year is racing away right now.  Yesterday's weather wasn't quite as bad as I thought it might be.  Not too much rain and when it did, it wasn't heavy.

The outcome of yesterday mornings bakery session (plus some sourdough crackers with are delicious but will need crisping up before eating.

The crumpets are much better than the previous one except that the bases are a little over-browned.  It's not a problem, I can just toast one side and they will be lovely topped with an egg and with tomatoes and mushrooms on the side for breakfast.  They're now in the freezer.

As for the half and half loaf, well done, Bubbles!  I left it wrapped in a clean cloth to cool and it sort of worked - the crust was still crusty but much easier to slice.  Apart from the end I tasted, the rest is now in the freezer.

The ballet yesterday was absolutely lovely.  You don't get a really bad view in the Chelmsford Theatre Studio, as it calls itself.  Ideally I would have liked to be a little higher and more central but that's just being fussy!  It was everything I wanted it to be and as well as the ballet itself, Darcey Bussell and someone else whose name I cannot remember, were interviewing people in the intervals and that was really interesting.  The buses worked so, really, everything was good.

Today I have a blank page in my diary.  I didn't sleep at all well last night and have pulled pout of circuits - I will make that up later this week - and once I am bathed and ready for the day, I will potter inside and get things in order for the week.  That should make me feel brighter.  :-)

Have a lovely day, everyone.  xx

23-03-25

Good morning, everyone.  It's a dull, damp weekend which is a shame after all the lovely sunshine but at least it isn't icy cold, thank goodness.

I had a quiet day yesterday.  The weather wasn't amazing so I stayed in and chilled.  I did a Lindsey SET online, some knitting, some reading, started a half and half loaf because I prefer to have wholemeal bread, didn't make the sourdough crackers and took half a loaf over to Beth in the afternoon. 

As Keats said, 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever' and maybe one could turn it round and say ' a joyous thing is always beautiful'.
This is my idea of something beautiful (in its own way).  My dough this morning when I came downstairs.
It's now been pulled, folded, shaped and is in the banneton and in the fridge until ten when I will bake it.  An oval one this time - much easier for getting slices.

I've also made some discard crackers which are currently baking in my new-to-me microwave using the convection function.  Fingers crossed.  And later on I want to make some crumpets for the freezer - lucky freezer! - and that will pretty much use up Squibbles.  Once the starters are established, they go into the fridge and only need feeding about once a week or less.   

As well as that, I need (not want!) to do some housework bits and bobs and, this afternoon, I am off into town on the bus (so it will rain, of course) to see a live film showing of the Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet, my absolute favourite ballet of all time.  The seat isn't great but I was lucky to get a ticket so no complaints.  And I might treat myself to a drink in the interval, seeing as I am not driving.  I've worked out the times - going is fine, coming back might be a bit more problematic but if I miss one, there's another about ten minutes later and, if all else fails, I can get a taxi as I don't want to wait an hour for the next one - not so many buses on a Sunday.

Despite the turn in the weather, it should be a lovely day and I'm looking forward to it.  

Wishing you as nice a day too.  xx

22-03-25 - bread and some really good news

Morning, lovely people.  Welcome to Saturday and the start of the weekend. 

Well, we did it.  After Slimming World, I got the loaf in the oven on a cold bake (no preheating the oven) which is a lot better because it's only five minutes longer and it takes fifteen minutes for my oven to heat up that high - cold bake is definitely cheaper.

And here we are.  I was so thrilled with how it came out - and the house smelled amazing!

Isn't it lovely?

And I had to check the inside, didn't I.  This isn't down the middle, I just cut a bit off the side.  And it was delicious!

I enjoyed that bit.

I cut straight down the middle, Beth is having half and the rest is sliced (with difficulty) and in my freezer.

The crust was very crunchy and I think for the next one I will wrap the hot loaf in a clean tea towel which should soften the crust and make it easier to slice.

Today I'm using some discard to make Vanessa's crackers and I am also starting another loaf, this time half and half wholemeal which will make it more SW friendly and more what I like - I do prefer wholemeal bread.

I have some very good news - good for me, I mean.  After my blood test, I looked on my NHS online app today in case anything was through and it said everything was normal, no further action needed, which I am assuming means the high LDLs have been sorted.  Woo hoo!!  No 'discussion' re taking statins now.  The blood pressure readings are good too - I need to get them into a table and send that off.

Have a great day, everyone.  xx

(oops, posted early but never mind - it's been a really good day so I am sharing early.  Just imagine it's Saturday if you read it Friday evening)

21-03-25

Morning, lovely readers!  How did your yesterday go?  It was glorious here, warm and sunny, almost summery, and when I went out, I just wore a cardigan, no coat was needed.

Chris and I had a good old natter before I got the bus into town to have that fairly long overdue blood test and, when that was done, I only had to wait a short time before a bus came along to get me back home again.  It was pleasant in the sunshine - I must go in a bit more often when the weather is good.

I drove over to Lindsey's and, apart from the personal training, the microwave combi is now on the side and cooked yesterday's dinner.  I have to get used to the temperatures and it operates very differently to my old one which was much simpler, but I'll get there and Lindsey sent me the link to the online manual so it shouldn't be a problem.

It has three main functions, microwave, grill and convection or a combination so it will be fun trying things out.

I woke Bubbles to start the first sourdough loaf which has been sitting on the side all night for the 'bulk ferment' which I usually call the first rise.  It really is a long and slow process.

After refreshing your starter and letting it grow, you put all the ingredients in a bowl and give it a good mix.  It looks very ragged but that's OK, you just leave it for an hour to hydrate the flour.  This bit was the hardest work, I think - I could use Thermione but wanted to do it all by hand this first time.

Then you don't knead in the conventional way, you do a series of pulls and folds over several hours, leaving it to relax, covered, between times before giving it a final pull and fold, covering it and leaving it on the side for the bulk ferment.  I gather, if it is very hot weather, you can pop it into the fridge overnight.

As I went through the pulls and folds, the dough became increasingly smooth and silky feeling - it felt so lovely and much less work than the way one kneads yeast bread.

So, after that last pull and stretch and re-covering (I used a shower cap!), I left it on the side and went to bed . . 

. . . and when I came down this morning, magic had happened!  I was almost shocked!!

Good old Bubbles.

I was a bit afraid it had over risen but no, it responded really well to one more set of pulls and folds , it didn't stick to my fingers and now the hopefully tight ball of dough is in the banneton.

Like this.

Now it is covered again and in the fridge as per the instructions where it should slowly rise and be ready to score and bake when I get back from Slimming World.  I'm doing a cold bake when you heat the oven with the dough already in.

The instructions have worked well so far so I am going to trust them in this too.  Fingers are crossed.

And, in the meanwhile, Squeak is being a good little sourdough starter, doing everything expected, and has just had her first discard and feed.

Tomorrow, or maybe later on today, I plan to make something with the mixed discards from Bubbles and Squeak.

OK, so that's that.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Today, being Friday, is Slimming World day so I will be there at 8:15 to help Heidi get set up.  I have a very small shop to do but I think I will come home after SW, do the baking, etc, and do my shop either this afternoon or tomorrow - or maybe both.  I want to go to Aldi for the food bank stuff but Morrisons for my shop because they have what I need.

And that, with the blood pressure readings, is what is happening today.  Plenty of time for housework - what a shame, eh?

Have a great day and take care.  xx