Tuesday

My bloggy friend, Rachel, did a mega Q and A thing on her blog so, for a bit of self indulgence, I've copied and pasted, deleted her answers and put in my own.

Here we go.

Weight Watchers or Slimming World?
Neither, thank you. They don't work consistently - they can't possibly or they'd be out of business by now.   I'd sooner use my money on something with a bit more return/result.

Chocolate: Milk or Dark?
Neither.  Chocolate isn't my besetting sin.  Now, if you'd asked plain, salt and vinegar or smoky bacon . . . or stilton, brie or a good strong cheddar . . .

Prosecco: Overrated, overpriced fizz or new favourite tipple?
Yes, please.
I love bubbly things whether it be soap, people or drink.

Gerard Butler or Tom Hardy?
Who?

New James Bond: Idris Elba or Tom Hiddleston?
Not my thing so I have no opinion.  They should have stopped when they ran out of books!  Ir even better, when Sean Connery stopped playing the part.

Holidaying abroad or in the UK?
In the UK, every time.  There are so many lovely places and everyone drives on the correct side of the road.
Actually, I would like to holiday a bit further afield at some point, but not on my own.

Farm shop or Supermarket?
Supermarket because it's close by and farm shops can be very pricey.  Actually, I don't know of a farm shop close by.  There must be one, surely?  I must google and see.
(Later:  I Googled and, of course, Lathcoats Farm is a farm shop as well as a PYO - and I love their apples!)

Europe: Are you an Inny or an Outty?!
Not saying, so there.  The issue causes enough rows between people as it is.  I ain't adding my two penn'orth to the anger.

Favourite month? 
Well -  it used to be December because I loved all the school celebrations but now - April/May perhaps, because the world around me springs into life again, I'm not really sure.  I seem to be happy most of the year round and every month has its own characteristic beauty.

What is your favourite meal?
Do I have to choose just one?  I honestly don't have just one favourite.  I like such a lot.  I guess it takes a lot to beat a really well cooked fish and chips.

Do you have a party piece? If so, what can you do?
Not really and if I did I wouldn't be likely to do it at a party!

Do you sing in or out of tune? 

I sing a little bit flat nowadays.  I do have good pitch and musical dictation used to be one of my fave things at school, sad person that I am!

I used to sing OK and loved choral singing.

What was your 'best bit' today?

Waking up?

It's too early to say really.

What was your last 'good turn'?

Another one I'm not saying . . .  :-)  I prefer my good deeds to be done in private really.

Are you social or anti-social?

Not sure what that actually means.  I am shy and don't like crowds too much.  I prefer to be with one or two people.  I'm happy with my own company and need time to my self very regularly.  Does that make me anti-social or just socially-neutral?  Or just someone for whom hearing issues has social impact?

On the other hand I hate rocking the boat so maybe that makes me social?

What is your most annoying habit?

You need to ask someone else that, not me.  I'm sure I have loads but they obviously don't annoy me or I wouldn't do them.

What is your least favourite food?

I'm not keen on shellfish of any kind and the thought of eating snails makes me feel sick.  I hate pickled onions.  Apart from that, tI like most things - unfortunately.

Dieting or not dieting? 

The problem with 'dieting' is that it is something you 'go on' and, by implication you then 'go off' again.  I prefer healthy, balanced eating to dieting.
I ought to live up to my beliefs then, oughtn't I?

Name one form of relaxation that you enjoy.
Reading, sewing, knitting, crochet, other crafting, watching telly . . . oh, it said 'one'!  Well, any of those, take your pick!

How many different homes have you lived in?
Er . . . counts on fingers . . . eleven - no, twelve!  That sounds an awful lot but some were very short stay, especially around the college, first job era.

I've lived in this home for over 30 years now though, nearly half as long as I have lived.

The first record/CD you can remember buying?
An LP of Carmen.  It was beautiful and I more or less wore it out.  My second was highlights from Swan Lake.  That was beautiful too.  I still have them somewhere.

3. A memorable holiday in this country? 

Streele Farm, any of the times we went: such very happy memories.  Our first holiday at Center Parcs runs it a close second though and I remember a fab holiday in Blackpool when I was a teenager.

Favourite job if you could choose?
What a question to ask a retired lady!!

I loved teaching, I really did.  I wouldn't have wanted to do anything else, ever.  However, being a lady of leisure is rather good so I think I will stick with it!

Worst ever road journey?
Any journey when I get lost.  I have a phobia - well, severe worry anyway - about getting lost.  It stops me from doing things and going to places, sadly.

Last meal out? 

The Hare with my friend Al.  I had a toasted bacon and brie ciabatta and they forgot the bacon which is not like them.

The station your radio is usually tuned into?

That's the one in the car and it's tuned to Classic

The colour most featured in your wardrobe?

Black.

The oldest thing in your house?

Me - and my teddy bear!

Best boot sale/jumble sale/charity shop bargain recently.

I got ten balls of yarn for a tenner (thank you, Jen) recently and I bought two nice dining chairs for £20 off a Facebook selling page.  I want to rub them down and paint them and make nice cushions for them at some point.

Most hated domestic task.

I'm not keen on any of them really but I don't think I actually hate any.  I guess cleaning the oven comes pretty close though.

Knitting or Crochet.

Do I have to choose?  Both!  And sewing . . .

Favourite Film genre.

I like musicals but I'm not a great film goer anyway.  My absolutely fave film is West Side Story.  The music is amazing.

Jewellery wearer or not.

Not.  Mind you, if someone were to offer me ropes and pearls, diamonds and other precious stuff, I might be persuaded to say yes!

Book or E Reader.

I know they take up space and get battered but, for me, books every time.

Adventurous cook or plain and simple.

Adventurous in a limited way, I would say.  Lack of knowledge is a drawback and one day, maybe, I will go on a cookery course or two.  I'd like to.

Walking or Gym.

Swimming, actually!  With my wonky ankles and knee the others are quite problematic but I do love being in the water..

Pets or not.

No way.  They make messes, need looking after and die on you!

Fresh Oysters or no way Jose.

No thanks.  Smoked salmon instead, if you please.  With chilled champagne.  That would do nicely.

And today's food, just because . . .

B:  blueberry pancake and yogurt

L:  soup, natural yogurt

D:  chicken with mange tout and broccoli, small brownie

Monday

Bank Holiday Monday.  Rain, queues, tailbacks, barbies smoking us out of house and home . . . oh, what fun!  As often happens, it is too early to tell how the day will be but it is cloudy, there's quite a stiff breeze and I have not opened the windows to air the house as the heating would likely click on!

It's stupid o'clock again and I have already stripped the bed, put the sheets in to wash and made a batch of bread which is now rising.  When I was working I used to get mighty frustrated at waking quite so early at times but now, when I can't blame work pressures, unfinished stuff, the need to go over the day's lessons, polish resources, etc, I am slowly accepting that it's just me and I try to make hay while I can, so to speak.  Going to bed later doesn't seem to make a huge difference but it isn't a problem.

Yesterday became the perfect drying day when the clouds lifted and the sun came out.  There was a fresh breeze and I managed to get four loads washed, dried outside and - wait for it - ironed!  Amazing!  I love pegging the washing out and bringing it again smelling of sunshine and breeze.  It's still a novelty after so many decades of squashing it all into a weekend that probably wasn't helpful weather anyway.  I now use my indoor rack mostly for airing, rarely for drying.  Looking at the way the wind is tossing the leaves on next door's tree, I shouldn't have any problems with drying today either (unless it rains, of course).

Beth didn't come round for lunch yesterday but Alex did.  It's lovely when your young adult grandson chooses to come round and share a meal with his old nan, isn't it?  He didn't leave much either: just a little bit of salad which I will have today or tomorrow.  I drove him home and stayed to have a chat with Beth and say hi to her cats.

As for today - goodness knows.  I won't be going out anyway, that's for sure.  Everywhere will be packed.  I will likely sew and knit, I think, and do a fair amount of social media stuff.  I don't even have to plan ahead for the tutoring sessions on Thursday as we're not having it this coming week, not that that's any kind of problem.

I'm very proud of Beth - she's finished and submitted her last level 3 assignment.  All she needs now is a few level 1 points so she can really pick and choose what she wants to do.  This last one has been the biggie and her final degree classification rests on the outcome so she's worked so, so hard over it.  My fingers are now crossed and hers are probably tied in knots!

Today's grub plans.
B:  bran flakes with raisins, natural yogurt, grapes
L:  chicken, salad and balsamic dressing
D:  cottage pie with a sweet potato topping, broccoli, a sort of yogurt blueberry Eton mess.

Sunday

I'm up at stupid o'clock today, not surprisingly, as yesterday was a 'tired' day and I went to bed much earlier than I usually do nowadays.  It's not a problem any more, I don't worry about getting super-tired during the day or not being able to do the job properly - I can just sit down and snooze.  Very nice!

It's too early to tell the weather but it looks dull and gloomy out there just as yesterday was most of the time.  No rain, just not much sunshine.

The last tomato plant arrived and is now in the bed.  I have to say, the poor thing looked a bit sad in its little box but seems to be perking up a bit more after a good night's sleep.  It is a Giulietta, an Italian plum.  The photo is copied from the Suttons web site.  If it looks half as nice as the one in the photo, I shall be very pleased and it will more than earn its cost, I am sure.

That's pretty much my garden sorted for the summer really.  There's just a few more things to do, move or put in and the front to sort out, but the front is a tiny strip in front of the house so won't take long at all.  

Now it is just the caring bit - watering, pruning, dead heading, etc - to keep it all good and healthy!  Next week the allotment must take precedence.  The corn, beans and courgette are all ready to go in and the grass must need a haircut by now, not to mention a good hoeing over for the soil.

Today I am hoping that Beth and Alex will come over for lunch.  That would be nice but if not there will plenty more times so no problem.  For the rest of the day I intend to sew and knit, finish off the viral shawl with an edging and generally enjoy my retirement life.  I am getting to be a lazy old so and so and very nice it is too!

Menu!

B:  yogurt with blueberries and granola (yum)

L:  smoked salmon pate, rice cakes, carrot sticks and salad, fruit

D:  chicken in tomatoes, cabbage, new potatoes, strawberries and yogurt

Have a wonderful day, wherever you are and whatever the weather!

Saturday

Firstly, apologies to all grammar nerd readers for the random apostrophe that escaped and hid in yesterday's entry.  It has now been banished!  Cheeky so and so!

Welcome to the Bank Holiday weekend.  I'm staying very much at home, are you.  Already there are reports of dreadful queues on motorways as people try to escape.  I think I prefer to stay at home and that's just what I am doing!

Yesterday Beth came round and we had a lovely chat.  She's been very busy with her end of module assignment so it's well over a week since we last caught up with stuff.  She's nearly finished now, this is the last assignment and then she just has a level one course to do to get her degree.  I am incredibly proud of her.  It's been a long, hard slog with an awful lot else going on to complicate things, so many ups and downs along the way and she's just stuck at it through thick and thin.

In the morning I popped round to Aldi, not for food shopping but because I am running out of things like washing up liquid, washing capsules, shampoo, conditioner, etc.  I get all that from Aldi now.  Not only is it a lot cheaper, it is also great stuff and works well for me.  I'm now stocked up for several weeks.  However, there was no bread flour.  I don't know if they've stopped doing it or if they are just out but aaaarrrggghhh.  I shall have to check Lidl now!

After dithering about when to put the little tomato plants out I remembered that I always get them out just before half term (report writing avoidance, to be honest) so I set to and now five little tomato plants are looking remarkably happy out there and I swear they have grown since last night!  I am waiting for one to arrive.  The five now out are sungold and the one I'm waiting for is an Italian plum.  I love them for cooking - lots more flesh on them, you see.  I just had sungolds last year and missed having a choice!

That's about it as far as my own garden is concerned.  I just have the tomato and the delphinium to plant when they arrive and then it is a case of feeding, watering and generally cossetting in hopes that they will reward me well in a few months' time.

Today I have to pop into town quickly for a few buts and bobs.  Then I have a friend coming over for a girly chat.  She's staying overnight and the guest room is all ready.  It should be a lovely day.

Food today:
B:  fruit and yogurt, rice cake and cottage cheese
L:  hummus with oatcakes and crudites, lettuce, tomato
D:  salmon with mange tout and new potatoes, fruit jelly and yogurt.

Friday

I'm definitely still a little bit in school mode from time to time.  Half term has started for our children.  Today is report writing day.  I'm feeling buzzy!   Of course, my school mode won't stretch far enough to cause any guilt about not writing reports; I seem to be retaining all the nice feelings and fairly easily discarding the less pleasant aspects of the job except in a 'thank goodness I don't have to do that any more' kind of fashion.

In a way it is a holiday for me too - I won't be going in to hear readers and I won't be tutoring my two tutees (is that a word?) next week so we're all having a break.

After a dull start yesterday, out came the sun and, when you were in it, it was nice and warm.  When you were in the shade there was still a bit of a chilly feel and the evening was cool.  It was very pleasant though and I got quite a lot of gardening done.  Weeds out, runner beans in the right place, a trimmed rosemary and some general tidying up.

Last week I bought a little saw for the rosemary.  It's very old now and pretty woody at base (the rosemary, not the saw!) and the secateurs just weren't winging it.  I've taken cuttings and it really ought to be replaced but I am rather dreading the job.  I might do what I did with another bush and saw it right back to ground level, leaving the roots to rot.  Maybe . . .

To make room for some the runners I had to dig up a few strawberry plants and they sat in the strawberry planter looking sorry for themselves.  Goodness knows if they will survive, I thought, but never mind, give them a chance!  I've just looked out of the window and they've perked up nicely so you never know.  The big question for me now is what do I do with all this year's runners?  Strawberries produce so many offspring it's a surprise the world hasn't been completely taken over by them!

Also the bush that doesn't think it's a tree (yet) is in its forever pot now looking small and sweet and as if it was meant to be there from the word go.  Butter wouldn't melt in its mouth but I know better!  The problem is that it flowers on the previous year's growth so one has to prune carefully and knowingly rather than just hacking it about.
It was a lot easier to put in than the redlove apple was to take out, believe me!

And then I went online to Thompson and Morgan to replace the delphinium that just didn't survive and noticed that I could order six mini alstroemerias for 6p so I did.  They might have to go in a pot because of space but, hey, you can't turn down an offer like that, can you?  You just can't.

It was nice to spend some time out of doors.

Maybe, today, I will sort out my little patch at the front.  I have a couple of pots of hyacinth bulbs to deal with and I think I want to plant a couple of hardy fuchsias in a space created after something else had to come out (too old and woody).
And then there's the weeds!  Not too many, thank goodness, but they need dealing with before there ARE too many.

Today's food.
B:  yogurt with blueberries
L:  greek salad with a bit of smoked salmon, yogurt
D:  turkey patties, new potatoes, side salad, fruit

Garden

I really MUST spend some time out there today!

It's the annual 'are they ready to plant out yet' thing.  Maybe another week or so.

The Christmas cactus is budding up after a year and a half of idleness.  Maybe it needs some therapy!

The irises have been absolutely wonderful this year.

LOADS of berries but not a red one among them - yet!

Slow, so slow, but steady.  It WILL live.

I'm really good with weeds.

I think the runners have to be planted out - they're tangling around each other.

Ditto for the bush that thinks it is a tree.  It needs its forever home now.

The herb and foliage bed is looking lovely.

Garden creativity, here I come.

Thursday

Yesterday was a lazy day, just like the weather really!

Today looks like being much the same.

I like lazy days.   I'm feeling quite tired on and off at the moment so time to rest is a real blessing.  Maybe it is empathy - after all, it is half term next week!  :-)

Today's food:
B:  pancake with blueberries and yogurt
L:Tuna and cucumber mix, beetroot, crudites (posh word for pepper, celery and carrot sticks!, soft cheese and oatcakes
D:  Baked chicken breast with soy sauce, roasted veg, fruit