Well, what a surprise! After the Jack Petchey award ceremony about which I wrote several weeks ago now, I went online and filled in a questionnaire about it. At the end it said if I wanted to be entered for a prize draw, to fill in my email address. I nearly didn't, not ever having had any luck with things like that but, at the last moment, thought 'oh, what the heck' and did.
I only got an email yesterday telling me I have won £50 of High Street vouchers! How lovely.
I have no idea which shops they cover but there's bound to be somewhere I shop.
After that bit of good news, here's the rest.
It was a funny old day, weather wise, yesterday. Sunny, then raining, then damp and slightly misty. November without the cold. I didn't have to go out until evening though, so that was OK. I ploughed my way through a whole load of marking and levelling and can see light at the end of the tunnel now.
We have an addition - no, additions - to the family. Beth's tonkinese cat, Indigo, has had six beautiful kittens. All very exciting and mother and babes are doing well.
In the evening we went out to a place called the Millstream and had a very pleasant meal. A very pleasant waitress gave us plenty of attention but it was hard to keep serious over one bit.
Me: I'd like a black coffee, please.
Her: Would you like milk with that?
Me: er - no thanks!
Civilisation is a wondrous thing!
Today I'm off for some serious shopping. But first - more work! Better get going.
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Thursday
It was probably just as well I couldn't see out yesterday morning because it turned out to be a most dull and dismal day with some heavy rain in the afternoon. Today is supposed to be better, fingers crossed. It's too early to tell yet.
I have almost finished the little jacket: just the button band and collar and then the sewing up, which is often the hardest part with the need for as flat a seam as possible. Maybe today will see it done apart from the buttons which I have to buy.
I also got on with more marking and levelling which has to be done. Again, it went well, it just all takes time!
I had some fun (sad, I know) looking up recipes. However did we manage before Internet came along? Anyway, I found some likely looking ones including a chestnut soup which I want to try out at some point soon. I have a couple of vacu packs of the little beauties that must need using up by now. If it's anything like as delicious as it looks, it will join the list of 'useful Christmas recipes'.
Sorry to use the dreaded C word, but I have a friend coming to stay very soon and will be doing her a Christmas dinner, turkey and all, so it's in my thoughts right now.
Overall, yesterday was a lovely, restful day and, hopefully, today will be the same. I like half term breaks!
Wishing you a safe journey, Diane . . .
I have almost finished the little jacket: just the button band and collar and then the sewing up, which is often the hardest part with the need for as flat a seam as possible. Maybe today will see it done apart from the buttons which I have to buy.
I also got on with more marking and levelling which has to be done. Again, it went well, it just all takes time!
I had some fun (sad, I know) looking up recipes. However did we manage before Internet came along? Anyway, I found some likely looking ones including a chestnut soup which I want to try out at some point soon. I have a couple of vacu packs of the little beauties that must need using up by now. If it's anything like as delicious as it looks, it will join the list of 'useful Christmas recipes'.
Sorry to use the dreaded C word, but I have a friend coming to stay very soon and will be doing her a Christmas dinner, turkey and all, so it's in my thoughts right now.
Overall, yesterday was a lovely, restful day and, hopefully, today will be the same. I like half term breaks!
Wishing you a safe journey, Diane . . .
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Wednesday
Good morning!. I've taken a peek out but can't see what the weather is doing as it's too dark. It's supposed to be very wet all day according to various forecasts so I will snuggle down indoors and get on with some marking and levelling. After all, it has to be done and this is an opportunity.
I heard back from Morrisons who said 'I have passed this on to management and they will be looking to sort this out'. They're also sending me some 'goodwill gesture' vouchers. Can't say no to that, can I? In this day and age, even a free fiver is well worth having and I doubt it will be much more than that! I shall be keeping an eye on things though and will be back in touch if they don't sort out those paving stones. 'Looking to sort this out' doesn't sound as definite as I would like.
I'm getting on with that knitting although I made a very silly mistake yesterday. For small items, I like to knit both sleeves together, on the same needles using two balls of wool, obviously. Well, I did the wrist and increased for the main part and found that one sleeve didn't have enough stitches - I had cast on too few. Talk about feeling silly. So I now have to rework that bit before I can carry on. Fortunately it is small and won't take more than a short time.
Before all that though, I need coffee . . .
I heard back from Morrisons who said 'I have passed this on to management and they will be looking to sort this out'. They're also sending me some 'goodwill gesture' vouchers. Can't say no to that, can I? In this day and age, even a free fiver is well worth having and I doubt it will be much more than that! I shall be keeping an eye on things though and will be back in touch if they don't sort out those paving stones. 'Looking to sort this out' doesn't sound as definite as I would like.
I'm getting on with that knitting although I made a very silly mistake yesterday. For small items, I like to knit both sleeves together, on the same needles using two balls of wool, obviously. Well, I did the wrist and increased for the main part and found that one sleeve didn't have enough stitches - I had cast on too few. Talk about feeling silly. So I now have to rework that bit before I can carry on. Fortunately it is small and won't take more than a short time.
Before all that though, I need coffee . . .
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Tuesday
Good morning! I have no idea what the weather is like as I've not looked out. I'm being very decadent and typing this on the laptop in bed which feels very lazy. Shame I don't have a maid to serve me my coffee, isn't it?
I started on my freezer audit yesterday and managed to get the contents of the front opening freezer sorted, more or less. That, of course, is the easier of the two but it's the one I tend to put the soups and meals in so it was very helpful. All I shall say is that I shouldn't need to do much meal shopping until way after Christmas.
I rootled in the chest freezer a bit and found a chicken I was looking for months ago. I think I will have that next weekend. I also found some packs of beef mince so must have a think about that to make with that. I might keep it until Christmas and make something to contrast with the turkey.
I also started on my next knitting project - a little cardigan/jacket made in a nice basket weave stitch that took me ages to get into. It shouldn't have, it is dead easy, but I was very tired. Got it now so should make progress today!
The aches are lessening, thank goodness. I slept well which is the big thing. I'm hoping to go shopping today, with friends, so can't let a few aches and pains get the better of me.
But first - coffee!
I started on my freezer audit yesterday and managed to get the contents of the front opening freezer sorted, more or less. That, of course, is the easier of the two but it's the one I tend to put the soups and meals in so it was very helpful. All I shall say is that I shouldn't need to do much meal shopping until way after Christmas.
I rootled in the chest freezer a bit and found a chicken I was looking for months ago. I think I will have that next weekend. I also found some packs of beef mince so must have a think about that to make with that. I might keep it until Christmas and make something to contrast with the turkey.
I also started on my next knitting project - a little cardigan/jacket made in a nice basket weave stitch that took me ages to get into. It shouldn't have, it is dead easy, but I was very tired. Got it now so should make progress today!
The aches are lessening, thank goodness. I slept well which is the big thing. I'm hoping to go shopping today, with friends, so can't let a few aches and pains get the better of me.
But first - coffee!
Monday, 27 October 2014
Monday
It's Monday morning, past 7:30 and I am still in my bed clothes with an empty coffee mug beside me. Yay!!! It seems to be sunny out there from what I can see through the crack in the curtains and it feels great!
Yesterday was a day of happenings.
First of all, I went to Morrisons almost as soon as it opened. As I neared the trolley shed, I stepped on a very uneven couple of paving stones, over went my ankle (as it tends to do), then it sprang back, unbalancing me, the knee of the other leg (the knee that's been causing me problems) wrenched and I fell headlong into the end of the trolleys, fortunately grabbing one as I fell and banging my face on my hand, not on the handle. Ouch - and one feels such an idiot. I've had any number of falls from my dodgy ankles in my lifetime and it is still embarrassing. After doing my shopping I went to talk to the youngster in charge. Well, he looked like a youngster but then doesn't everyone when you get to my age? I showed him the uneven surface and whinged but, to be honest, my main concern is for the elderly folk who live in accommodation just over the road and who use the shop regularly.
I got a very polite response and a promise to have it logged but when I got home I contacted 'Central Office' or whatever it's called and now I await a response.
Unfortunately, through the day the aches got worse and worse. I think I wrenched my back when I grabbed at the trolley and then twisted as my face hit my hand. So now it's ouch, oooh, inhale and hold, etc! It'll easy off in time but I shall have another whinge when Morrisons gets in tough and even more if they don't.
That was the drama of the day. The rest is nice.
In the interests of getting some rationality into the freezer I took out some mince (which turned out to be pork mince), some mixed veg, some chickpeas, some of the rather over chillied tomato sauce made a few weeks ago and, with bits and bobs that need using up in the fridge, made some pork and chickpea chili. It tastes good and that's six portions in the freezer for easy evening meals.l
Beth and Alex came round and had coffee while Alex did his hour. That was nice. Then, in the evening, we all went out to the Hare for a meal together. That was also lovely.
So a bit of a day. Today should be nicer, fingers crossed.
Yesterday was a day of happenings.
First of all, I went to Morrisons almost as soon as it opened. As I neared the trolley shed, I stepped on a very uneven couple of paving stones, over went my ankle (as it tends to do), then it sprang back, unbalancing me, the knee of the other leg (the knee that's been causing me problems) wrenched and I fell headlong into the end of the trolleys, fortunately grabbing one as I fell and banging my face on my hand, not on the handle. Ouch - and one feels such an idiot. I've had any number of falls from my dodgy ankles in my lifetime and it is still embarrassing. After doing my shopping I went to talk to the youngster in charge. Well, he looked like a youngster but then doesn't everyone when you get to my age? I showed him the uneven surface and whinged but, to be honest, my main concern is for the elderly folk who live in accommodation just over the road and who use the shop regularly.
I got a very polite response and a promise to have it logged but when I got home I contacted 'Central Office' or whatever it's called and now I await a response.
Unfortunately, through the day the aches got worse and worse. I think I wrenched my back when I grabbed at the trolley and then twisted as my face hit my hand. So now it's ouch, oooh, inhale and hold, etc! It'll easy off in time but I shall have another whinge when Morrisons gets in tough and even more if they don't.
That was the drama of the day. The rest is nice.
In the interests of getting some rationality into the freezer I took out some mince (which turned out to be pork mince), some mixed veg, some chickpeas, some of the rather over chillied tomato sauce made a few weeks ago and, with bits and bobs that need using up in the fridge, made some pork and chickpea chili. It tastes good and that's six portions in the freezer for easy evening meals.l
Beth and Alex came round and had coffee while Alex did his hour. That was nice. Then, in the evening, we all went out to the Hare for a meal together. That was also lovely.
So a bit of a day. Today should be nicer, fingers crossed.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Sunday
Good morning. It's a dull, slightly damp morning but maybe it will clear up a bit later. I haven't yet checked the forecast for the day so have no idea what may happen.
It was clocks back overnight, of course. I woke early so it was extra early today, which is great because it gives more more time. No, it doesn't really, of course, it just feels as if it does. So the bread is proving and the many chopped tomatoes are slow roasting in the oven ready to be sieved into gorgeousness when they have thickened down.
After picking such a load of tomatoes last weekend, I left them and sure enough, most of the ripened. A few bad patches appeared and they have been cut off and chucked, but it is amazing how many I had to roast. There's still a few more to pick and sort and I am going to ask Alex to do that today when he comes over to do his hour. Then I can deal with them this week.
I had a soup session yesterday as followers of my other blog will realise. I had made some lentil and veg soup and decided to thicken it up a bit so I added some frozen mixed veg, a chopped up chicken breast and some orzo (rice shaped pasta) and gave it all a boil up and, my goodness, it made a most delicious tasting thick, chunky soup. A full meal in its own right and most satisfying. I shall do that again. There's several portions frozen as well as what I had last night.
I also got stuck in to some knitting and managed to nearly finish a little garment. Not going to say what, in case, but it is very cute!
Today is a Special Day. Beth's birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH! Have a lovely day.
Must check if the bread is ready to bake. Have a good day, everyone.
It was clocks back overnight, of course. I woke early so it was extra early today, which is great because it gives more more time. No, it doesn't really, of course, it just feels as if it does. So the bread is proving and the many chopped tomatoes are slow roasting in the oven ready to be sieved into gorgeousness when they have thickened down.
After picking such a load of tomatoes last weekend, I left them and sure enough, most of the ripened. A few bad patches appeared and they have been cut off and chucked, but it is amazing how many I had to roast. There's still a few more to pick and sort and I am going to ask Alex to do that today when he comes over to do his hour. Then I can deal with them this week.
I had a soup session yesterday as followers of my other blog will realise. I had made some lentil and veg soup and decided to thicken it up a bit so I added some frozen mixed veg, a chopped up chicken breast and some orzo (rice shaped pasta) and gave it all a boil up and, my goodness, it made a most delicious tasting thick, chunky soup. A full meal in its own right and most satisfying. I shall do that again. There's several portions frozen as well as what I had last night.
I also got stuck in to some knitting and managed to nearly finish a little garment. Not going to say what, in case, but it is very cute!
Today is a Special Day. Beth's birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BETH! Have a lovely day.
Must check if the bread is ready to bake. Have a good day, everyone.
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Saturday
. . . and a very early start, despite it being half term break. Sometimes this early waking irritates the socks off me and sometimes it's very useful. I'm not too annoyed this morning and will probably go back up for another snooze in a little while.
What does feel nice is the lack of that 'pressing' feeling - the need to plan, mark, evaluate, etc. With nine days ahead of me, there's no urgency. I will do a bit, of course. For a start I have Big Writes to mark and that can take for ages, but there's time and enough for that, thank goodness.
Today's plans are both definite and rather indefinite. The house is clean (thank you, L) and there's meals and plenty available so I don't have to think too hard about the coming week. There's knitting to do, ironing (shame), washing and drying (and I put them in that order because I'm afraid the ironing has built up again), a bedroom to tidy (when isn't there?) and a fridge to clear (more soup on the way?). I may or may not get all of that done, depending on how long I sleep and what's on the telly. It feels good.
I've just thought of another diversion - I had Jack Monroe's new book, A Year in 120 Recipes' on order to be delivered the day it came out so on Thursday I arrived home to be greeted by a package on my doormat. Yay! I didn't really have time or energy to do more than a flick through although I have several already marked for trying out.
I went bonkers yesterday and made some soup early morning. You see, I had these carrots that were going off and I had a bit of time and a Thermomix! It turned out jolly good so I've written it up and will post it on the recipe blog. Guess what I'm having for lunch today!!!
I'd better get the second mug of coffee made and the bread on. I know man cannot live by . . . etc, but it certainly helps! A couple of weeks ago Morrison's had strong flour reduced so I bought several bags of the stuff. Unfortunately, now I have run out of my Dove yeast, the sort you can buy in bags, so I really need to take a trip over to Lathcoats to get some more. Isn't life hard sometimes? While I'm there I might just be tempted by some fresh eggs (must remember to take the egg boxes with me) or some of their own apples. Oh, the hardship!
Now for that coffee!
What does feel nice is the lack of that 'pressing' feeling - the need to plan, mark, evaluate, etc. With nine days ahead of me, there's no urgency. I will do a bit, of course. For a start I have Big Writes to mark and that can take for ages, but there's time and enough for that, thank goodness.
Today's plans are both definite and rather indefinite. The house is clean (thank you, L) and there's meals and plenty available so I don't have to think too hard about the coming week. There's knitting to do, ironing (shame), washing and drying (and I put them in that order because I'm afraid the ironing has built up again), a bedroom to tidy (when isn't there?) and a fridge to clear (more soup on the way?). I may or may not get all of that done, depending on how long I sleep and what's on the telly. It feels good.
I've just thought of another diversion - I had Jack Monroe's new book, A Year in 120 Recipes' on order to be delivered the day it came out so on Thursday I arrived home to be greeted by a package on my doormat. Yay! I didn't really have time or energy to do more than a flick through although I have several already marked for trying out.
I went bonkers yesterday and made some soup early morning. You see, I had these carrots that were going off and I had a bit of time and a Thermomix! It turned out jolly good so I've written it up and will post it on the recipe blog. Guess what I'm having for lunch today!!!
I'd better get the second mug of coffee made and the bread on. I know man cannot live by . . . etc, but it certainly helps! A couple of weeks ago Morrison's had strong flour reduced so I bought several bags of the stuff. Unfortunately, now I have run out of my Dove yeast, the sort you can buy in bags, so I really need to take a trip over to Lathcoats to get some more. Isn't life hard sometimes? While I'm there I might just be tempted by some fresh eggs (must remember to take the egg boxes with me) or some of their own apples. Oh, the hardship!
Now for that coffee!
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