Good morning. I'm rather later than usual today as I woke and dozed over a book for several hours. It felt great! Now I am up, the sun is shining and I can't feel any after effects of the dozes. No stiffness or headache, so that's good.
This will be short as there's not a lot to say really. A lazy day yesterday balanced with plans for a lazy day today. Very nice too.
I hope you all have a wonderful day, however you spend it.
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Saturday, 30 August 2014
Saturday
The Last Weekend has arrived. It's windy, quite cold and rather wet. Things might cheer up later but I don't really mind all that much. I've planned an indoors day anyway.
I don't have a lot to do. Checking over the planning, maybe a bit of weeding, some tomato picking (yes, they ARE ripening, just so, so slowly), a bit of kitchen stuff and I have a cupboard at home that needs a good clear out. If I can do it at school, surely I can do it at home as well.
Talking of school . . .
I left home at nine and got back around four and now my classroom is really ready. Really and truly ready. The children could walk in today and that would be fine (hope they don't though!). The reading display is up, the 'books are best bunting is up, the writing display is up. The maths display - er - isn't up but that's OK. My table is tidy, their tables are tidy and their table boxes are ready too.
I was tired by the time I'd finished but pleased.
With all the clearing out, I find I have a whole load of trays - the trays that the children put their things into - surplus to requirements. As storage is not wonderful at school and I have no wish to keep falling over a pile of trays in the bay, I have brought them home and they are stacked up in the garage. I have told the ground manager so if anyone asks for spare trays, he knows where some are. I think there are plenty around though - I've seen stacks all around the school, including grey trays that date back to before our first OFSTED, whenever that was. In those days you had months and months of notice of an inspection and one of the things that the then head did was replace all the manky grey trays with nice new coloured trays. For ages afterwards we called them OFSTED Trays!!
That's about it really. I now need to make breakfast - fried tomatoes and egg - and then decide whether to have a PJ day or get dressed. I think the latter, just in case I feel like going anywhere. Be prepared and all that!
I don't have a lot to do. Checking over the planning, maybe a bit of weeding, some tomato picking (yes, they ARE ripening, just so, so slowly), a bit of kitchen stuff and I have a cupboard at home that needs a good clear out. If I can do it at school, surely I can do it at home as well.
Talking of school . . .
I left home at nine and got back around four and now my classroom is really ready. Really and truly ready. The children could walk in today and that would be fine (hope they don't though!). The reading display is up, the 'books are best bunting is up, the writing display is up. The maths display - er - isn't up but that's OK. My table is tidy, their tables are tidy and their table boxes are ready too.
I was tired by the time I'd finished but pleased.
With all the clearing out, I find I have a whole load of trays - the trays that the children put their things into - surplus to requirements. As storage is not wonderful at school and I have no wish to keep falling over a pile of trays in the bay, I have brought them home and they are stacked up in the garage. I have told the ground manager so if anyone asks for spare trays, he knows where some are. I think there are plenty around though - I've seen stacks all around the school, including grey trays that date back to before our first OFSTED, whenever that was. In those days you had months and months of notice of an inspection and one of the things that the then head did was replace all the manky grey trays with nice new coloured trays. For ages afterwards we called them OFSTED Trays!!
That's about it really. I now need to make breakfast - fried tomatoes and egg - and then decide whether to have a PJ day or get dressed. I think the latter, just in case I feel like going anywhere. Be prepared and all that!
Friday, 29 August 2014
Friday.
End of the 'working' week. Today and one weekend to go. Where have those six weeks gone to, I wonder?
It might be a bit chilly this morning but it is lovely and sunny and looks to be a pleasant day, fingers crossed. I do hope so.
Yesterday was another at home day. I did a bit of gardening, made a delicious tomato soup (here) and some courgette and lemon jam (here) and generally just rested my knee and ankle and read. It was lovely.
Today's my last session in school. Lenka comes to clean and I will get right out of her way. Once that's done I'm not sure what I want to do today. Just chill, maybe . . . or pop along to Hobbycraft perhaps? I don't know.
I do know I will be picking runner beans though. They're glutting at the moment. I'm popping a few bags in the freezer but, nice as they are, they're just not the same as fresh picked. So guess what I'm having for dinner! :-)
Have a super day. I'm off to make my second mug of coffee!
It might be a bit chilly this morning but it is lovely and sunny and looks to be a pleasant day, fingers crossed. I do hope so.
Yesterday was another at home day. I did a bit of gardening, made a delicious tomato soup (here) and some courgette and lemon jam (here) and generally just rested my knee and ankle and read. It was lovely.
Today's my last session in school. Lenka comes to clean and I will get right out of her way. Once that's done I'm not sure what I want to do today. Just chill, maybe . . . or pop along to Hobbycraft perhaps? I don't know.
I do know I will be picking runner beans though. They're glutting at the moment. I'm popping a few bags in the freezer but, nice as they are, they're just not the same as fresh picked. So guess what I'm having for dinner! :-)
Have a super day. I'm off to make my second mug of coffee!
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Thursday
We really are on the countdown now. Four days to go, that's all. Just four. So it's a shame that after a rather pleasant day yesterday (sunny, warm but not hot) I should open my curtains and see rain this morning. I gather September is forecast to be pleasant with warm sunny days. I hope so, for the sake of my poor tomatoes.
When the carpet cleaners came, I showed them the job and then disappeared to school. At just before twelve, Beth and Alex turned up and we hopped off to the Flyer for a spot of lunch and a chat. They had been to the allotment and donated me three - or is it four - courgettes and a head of broccoli. I will have the latter for dinner tonight, probably with carrots and runner beans and maybe a few sausages.
The courgettes are because I was pointed in the direction of courgette and lemon jam and I thought I might have a go. People say nice(ish) things about marrow and ginger jam, after all. If it is not nice, it's not nice and that's all there is to it! I doubt it's something I would give as a gift, simply because of the name, so I can use my odds and ends of jars as I'm getting rather short of the nice jam pots.
After getting home I watched some stuff on the telly and got a bit irate at Bake Off, not because any supposed mis-doings but because of the 'clever' editing that pointed the finger, probably rather unfairly, at someone while someone else simply threw his rattle on the floor rather than making the best of things as another contestant did in almost the same situation. Even the preview shown daily through the previous week was craftily edited and didn't actually happen that way! Come on, BBC, you don't have to create stuff like that.
And . . . breathe!
As for today . . . I shall see how I feel about school. Right now I feel inclined to stay in and rest (and make that jam) but if I do go into school I would then not need to go in tomorrow. Decisions.
Better have another coffee while I ponder, hadn't I?
When the carpet cleaners came, I showed them the job and then disappeared to school. At just before twelve, Beth and Alex turned up and we hopped off to the Flyer for a spot of lunch and a chat. They had been to the allotment and donated me three - or is it four - courgettes and a head of broccoli. I will have the latter for dinner tonight, probably with carrots and runner beans and maybe a few sausages.
The courgettes are because I was pointed in the direction of courgette and lemon jam and I thought I might have a go. People say nice(ish) things about marrow and ginger jam, after all. If it is not nice, it's not nice and that's all there is to it! I doubt it's something I would give as a gift, simply because of the name, so I can use my odds and ends of jars as I'm getting rather short of the nice jam pots.
After getting home I watched some stuff on the telly and got a bit irate at Bake Off, not because any supposed mis-doings but because of the 'clever' editing that pointed the finger, probably rather unfairly, at someone while someone else simply threw his rattle on the floor rather than making the best of things as another contestant did in almost the same situation. Even the preview shown daily through the previous week was craftily edited and didn't actually happen that way! Come on, BBC, you don't have to create stuff like that.
And . . . breathe!
As for today . . . I shall see how I feel about school. Right now I feel inclined to stay in and rest (and make that jam) but if I do go into school I would then not need to go in tomorrow. Decisions.
Better have another coffee while I ponder, hadn't I?
Wednesday, 27 August 2014
Wednesday
Why is it that when I would like to (and have the time) to sleep in I awake bouncing and ready to face the new day whereas when I expect to get up early it's so hard?
Today, this morning, I am having my big carpet cleaned. This carpet runs from the hall, through the whole of the downstairs apart from the kitchen and the loo (it's semi open plan), up the stairs and along the landing so it's quite a big job. The cleaner said that they would move things around, etc, but I am sure he didn't realise how much 'stuff' there is on the floor. So I decided that as I always woke early, I'd do a bit of a clear this morning, before they arrive. So why am I tired and why do I want to go back to sleep? Sheer indolence, I suspect!
Anyway - yesterday. Well, it rained and rained and rained, only clearing up in the evening when we were treated to a little sunshine before it clouded over again. Today is supposed to be nice though. Fingers crossed.
I decided not to go to school (I have to get out of the house this morning so will go then) so I set to and used up the plum pulp from the jelly made on Monday, adding some stewed apple, sugar and allspice to make a cross between a sauce and a jam. It didn't make much so if it doesn't work it's not too much wastage. I've posted the recipe on the other blog.
That's about it really. I ought to get on with clearing the floor but needed my daily blog first! Oh, and a coffee!
Today, this morning, I am having my big carpet cleaned. This carpet runs from the hall, through the whole of the downstairs apart from the kitchen and the loo (it's semi open plan), up the stairs and along the landing so it's quite a big job. The cleaner said that they would move things around, etc, but I am sure he didn't realise how much 'stuff' there is on the floor. So I decided that as I always woke early, I'd do a bit of a clear this morning, before they arrive. So why am I tired and why do I want to go back to sleep? Sheer indolence, I suspect!
Anyway - yesterday. Well, it rained and rained and rained, only clearing up in the evening when we were treated to a little sunshine before it clouded over again. Today is supposed to be nice though. Fingers crossed.
I decided not to go to school (I have to get out of the house this morning so will go then) so I set to and used up the plum pulp from the jelly made on Monday, adding some stewed apple, sugar and allspice to make a cross between a sauce and a jam. It didn't make much so if it doesn't work it's not too much wastage. I've posted the recipe on the other blog.
That's about it really. I ought to get on with clearing the floor but needed my daily blog first! Oh, and a coffee!
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Tuesday
A very good morning to you. It's dark and gloomy outside and I am prepared for several months of waking in the dark now. I woke just before five and it was still very dark. At around 5:40 the sky is lightening but it's still too dark to tell what the weather is without stepping outside.
Yesterday was a very wet day here. I don't think it stopped raining once and my heating kept clicking on. Dismal for any August day but all the more so for a Bank Holiday. I wonder if today will be any brighter.
Fortunately for me I didn't have to go out at all apart from dodging the raindrops (unsuccessfully) to the shed or to pick the beans and pull the carrots and back again. That being so, I ended up having a PJ day and very nice it was too. I wasn't totally idle; I made some more onion marmalade after the success of the first lot I made and I made some plum jelly. Both recipes are on the other blog.
Dinner was lovely - turkey from the freezer with tomatoes, carrots and runner beans from the garden. Such flavour!
Today I am back in school to move tables, book trolleys and tray containers about to get maximum use of the fairly restricted space in my bay. By the time I get it right, it should have burned a few calories, that's for sure.
I probably won't feel much like cooking so I shall get a lasagne out of the freezer and have it with runner beans left over from today. That will be easy and taste great.
So now I'd better get the porridge on!
Yesterday was a very wet day here. I don't think it stopped raining once and my heating kept clicking on. Dismal for any August day but all the more so for a Bank Holiday. I wonder if today will be any brighter.
Fortunately for me I didn't have to go out at all apart from dodging the raindrops (unsuccessfully) to the shed or to pick the beans and pull the carrots and back again. That being so, I ended up having a PJ day and very nice it was too. I wasn't totally idle; I made some more onion marmalade after the success of the first lot I made and I made some plum jelly. Both recipes are on the other blog.
Dinner was lovely - turkey from the freezer with tomatoes, carrots and runner beans from the garden. Such flavour!
Today I am back in school to move tables, book trolleys and tray containers about to get maximum use of the fairly restricted space in my bay. By the time I get it right, it should have burned a few calories, that's for sure.
I probably won't feel much like cooking so I shall get a lasagne out of the freezer and have it with runner beans left over from today. That will be easy and taste great.
So now I'd better get the porridge on!
Monday, 25 August 2014
Monday
. . . Bank Holiday Monday too so, of course, it is raining. It doesn't rain every Bank Holiday but it does rain enough times for it to be expected and not too much of a surprise. When I was little it would have been the cue for a day trip somewhere - the coast, if possible, or visiting dear old relatives maybe. Nowadays people tend to set out on the Friday for a weekend away and Monday is travelling home day. Well, I hope the rain doesn't dampen too many spirits and that everyone drives carefully and safely.
As I anticipated, yesterday was a very good day. I made my plum and apple chutney although the fruits all disintegrated into mush and I was a bit exercised as to when it was ready for bottling. I hope I've got it right anyway. I also made two loaves, using up the last bit of a bag of wholemeal so my bread will be of the healthy variety for a few days!
Lunch all cooked well and, after doing his gardening, Alex devoured everything as if there was no tomorrow. All that was left was a small portion of runner beans which I can use today.
As for today - well, no school work, I have decided. After all, it is bank holiday. I have a kitchen to tidy after yesterday's efforts (before I mess it all up again with today's) and then I have a lot of plums to use up. I think I might have a go at plum jelly as these plums do seem to mush into liquid rather easily and jelly is easy to make. After that I will make some more onion marmalade. The last lot ended up absolutely wonderful after a few months' maturing and I need, definitely need, some more!
Something my bloggy friend, Diane, said yesterday got me thinking. Basically, she said she doesn't do much preserving as not may people in her home eat preserves. Now, I'm in the same boat because there's only me and there's a limit to how much one person can manage.
However, at school there are always so many lovely people who work so hard to enable us teachers to do our jobs properly. Office staff, cleaners, the caretaker, all the fantastic 'mummy and daddy helpers', not to mention a number of my colleagues with whom I work . . . and I do like to give a token gift at Christmas and at the end of the year. And, of course, there is always family.
At present, these little jars of deliciousness make a wonderful gift and that's what most of them are used for. I just keep a few apart for me and I thank my lucky stars that chutneys, at least, keep for many years, improving by the day!
But what shall I do when I retire? I love making my preserves. I love using food that would otherwise probably be chucked away - apples and plums that people give me, bless them. What shall I do when I retire? I shall have to think through that one!
In the meanwhile, there's breakfast to make and lunch to think about! I'd better go and check what's in the freezer!
As I anticipated, yesterday was a very good day. I made my plum and apple chutney although the fruits all disintegrated into mush and I was a bit exercised as to when it was ready for bottling. I hope I've got it right anyway. I also made two loaves, using up the last bit of a bag of wholemeal so my bread will be of the healthy variety for a few days!
Lunch all cooked well and, after doing his gardening, Alex devoured everything as if there was no tomorrow. All that was left was a small portion of runner beans which I can use today.
As for today - well, no school work, I have decided. After all, it is bank holiday. I have a kitchen to tidy after yesterday's efforts (before I mess it all up again with today's) and then I have a lot of plums to use up. I think I might have a go at plum jelly as these plums do seem to mush into liquid rather easily and jelly is easy to make. After that I will make some more onion marmalade. The last lot ended up absolutely wonderful after a few months' maturing and I need, definitely need, some more!
Something my bloggy friend, Diane, said yesterday got me thinking. Basically, she said she doesn't do much preserving as not may people in her home eat preserves. Now, I'm in the same boat because there's only me and there's a limit to how much one person can manage.
However, at school there are always so many lovely people who work so hard to enable us teachers to do our jobs properly. Office staff, cleaners, the caretaker, all the fantastic 'mummy and daddy helpers', not to mention a number of my colleagues with whom I work . . . and I do like to give a token gift at Christmas and at the end of the year. And, of course, there is always family.
At present, these little jars of deliciousness make a wonderful gift and that's what most of them are used for. I just keep a few apart for me and I thank my lucky stars that chutneys, at least, keep for many years, improving by the day!
But what shall I do when I retire? I love making my preserves. I love using food that would otherwise probably be chucked away - apples and plums that people give me, bless them. What shall I do when I retire? I shall have to think through that one!
 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)