Monday

 Morning!  Another dry start to the day, not particularly chilly or windy and Beeb says we might see some sun today, as we did yesterday.

I had quite a busy morning getting the food ready for lunch before Beth and Alex turned up as well as making some freezer soups to use up slightly old veg.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself having them round - I think the last time they came round was New Year which, ridiculous as it sounds, is now a whole month away!  Oh, my word, where is the time going?

While Beth was there, we discussed all sorts of family things.  We took the first steps to booking a Greenwoods spa day at the end of March, when Beth has her next break from work and we decided that we will have a meal out at Prezzo that week too.  Nice.
(I tried to insert a photo of the spa here but Google didn't like it)

And that was it really.  I was very tired and had to fight to keep myself awake until a sensible bedtime hour.  I didn't have the energy to do any camera course and I even forgot about Throw Down.  Oh, well, I've got it on save anyway.

More wildly extravagant living.  I have taken  a year's subscription to 'Outdoor Photography'.  I blame Sharon really!!  ;-)
It would have been cheaper to take out a direct debit but I am awful at remembering to cancel after the year.

Today, being Monday is get-the-house-in-some-sort-of-order day so a bit of clearing, dusting, etc, there's things that need to go down to the garage and always the garden!  The snowdrops are starting to look pretty now.

There's circuits at Lindsey's today but no tuition.  It's my student's birthday today and the last thing they want is for me to come a-tutoring when you are celebrating being eleven!  I'm going tomorrow instead.  

I've started prepping today's meals (I always get as much done as I can first thing) so I guess I'd better go and see how it's all doing.
Enjoy your Monday and stay safe, everyone.  xx

Sunday

 Morning, everyone!  Welcome to Sunday.  We did get some sunshine yesterday but the wind picked up a bit too - nothing like more northern areas had it, just a bit gusty, and I do hope none of my readers have suffered any damage to property.  It is still, dry and clear right now but too early to tell is there's a frost although I wouldn't be surprised if there is.

I spend some time in the kitchen yesterday making a batch of savoury mince sort of bolognaise style, some hash browns and a few rather tasty meals.  The mince and the hash browns are now chilling in the freezer for use over then next few weeks/months.  The new wall fan did its job admirably, I am pleased to say.

You will be delighted to know, I am sure, that I finally got the ironing done - just in time for some new washing to go on the drying rack.  Never ending but I don't really mind that much.  Having such a selection of clothing is a privilege, isn't it?

It was just a nice, gentle, unexciting day, the highlight of which was popping over the cul de sac to Steve and Chris, new will, instruction sheet and pen in hand, so they could witness me signing my will and do the necessary themselves.  Then it went straight into the prepaid return envelope and it should now be winging its way back to James.  All done now apart from receiving my copy and paying the bill and it is a weight off my mind, for sure.

We had an interesting sunset.  It wasn't one of those gloriously red and gold affairs, it was more dramatic with the sun behind some clouds that were banking up on the horizon.  I was lucky to spot it; it didn't last all that long.  Obviously (!), I grabbed the camera, dashed out the back and clicked.  As always, the photo doesn't really do it justice but never mind!

It's a shame it was quite short lived because I could have played around with settings.  Never mind.

Today is going to be nice.  I haven't seen much of Beth and Alex this month so they are coming over for dinner today.  Roast lamb for me and Alex and a bean crumble for Beth.  I do enjoy cooking a Sunday meal!

They will stay for the afternoon - well, Beth will anyway, Alex might go home - and have various good things to talk about, including starting up our eating outs together again.  Two years ago, she and I had a lovely time at Zizzi's, taxis and all, and decided we would do this once a month when possible.  Then Covid landed so, of course, we never did.
Maybe it's time to start again, we will see.

Before then, I want to do a bit more camera course.  I'm moving on from ISO - I'm not sure I've truly got it but never mind.  The tick lists at the end of every chapter make me smile.  they all start with 'I know . . .' and I'm not entirely sure I do in that I'm most unsure I will remember it in two weeks' time.  I need loads of experience, that's the thing.  
Anyway, I'm moving on to The Exposure Triangle and it says it's the most complicated chapter in the entire book so what are my chances, would you say?
We will see!

What does your day look like?  Are you doing anything special or having a gentle homey day?  Have a lovely one anyway - be happy, warm and safe.  xx

Saturday

 Morning, everyone.  It's not that cold right now and it's cloudy but maybe it will brighten up a bit later.  You never know.

Yesterday was quite a lazy day.  In fact, when I think back, I can't remember doing all that much at all.  The day started with the Slimming World meeting which was really good and most enjoyable.  Most people weren't wearing masks (the chairs are distanced though and some were) and I have to say I found it all much more accessible - in other words, I heard a lot more.  Bad me, eh?

After that I walked home again, had breakfast and just idled the time away really.  I did some tidying but I didn't do the ironing so that really is top of the list this morning.
When the lovely cleaner arrived, I got out of her way by going out for a while; I went over town to Tesco as I've not been there in ages and I'm glad I did.

In five weeks' time, Lindsey is taking a group of us to Potters for a long weekend.  This is Potters . . .
https://www.pottersholidays.com/
When I say 'taking us' I mean she has organised it all and it's an activity weekend.  She has the use of a room Saturday and Sunday morning for her exercise classes and guests all have use of the gym and the pool.  I'm really looking forward to it.
Anyway, I was getting a bit concerned about what to wear in the evenings - I know that sounds silly but I gather people dress up just a bit and I don't really have much in the way of smart stuff.  I do have some nice tops though so I though if I could get a good pair of leggings, that would work.  And what did I find at Tesco but some nice leggings, slightly more expensive but much better quality that the ones I already have.
(and just about everyone was wearing a mask)
Shoes was another thing but I do have a pair of slightly more dressy Hotter shoes with a bit of a heel (around one inch which is as much as I can cope with) and I'm going to wear them for a while every day through February to get used to them.
And that will just have to do!

When I got home there were two parcels waiting - one was a pair of more robust looking secateurs and the other I had forgotten about, having ordered it before Christmas.  It was a Villeroy and Boch Christmas plate, supposed to be seconds although I can't see why so that's good.  It's a nice contrast to the brighter coloured one I have already.

Today looks like being another lazy day.  This morning I must do the ironing and this afternoon I am popping over to Chris and Steve's so they can witness me signing my will (which arrived yesterday too) before I post it back.  Once that's done I will be relieved.

Have a good one, everybody, and keep safe.

Friday

 Hi, everyone.  I can hardly believe it is Friday already.  This week seems to have raced by so, so quickly.

If feels chilly outside this morning and there's a little bit of frost.  I made my dash to the shed for provisions a quick one just now.  We didn't get much sun yesterday and it doesn't look as if we will get much today either, but we will see.

Chris and I had a good old chat first thing yesterday.  It's just an hour but we manage to pack a lot into that hour.  Won't it be nice when we can sit out in our gardens at these times like we did last summer?

Then I had some breakfast and looked up the way to the picture framing place.  It wasn't easy to find as it is part of a farm complex out in the country with several entrances, only one of which is open and the sat nav was no help at all.  I went up the wrong track first, wouldn't you know!
Anyway, I found it eventually and have left my lovely prints with him.  The cost was a bit eye watering but - you know - riotous living and all that stuff!   I asked and he said he frames fabric based work too - like cross stitch, etc.  I think I might dig out a bit of my old cross stitch if I am happy with what he's done.

The afternoon was spent doing ordinary stuff in ordinary ways.  I didn't get onto any camera stuff so that's fairly top of the list today together with some ironing and maybe a walk, once I come home from the Slimming World meeting.

Have a lovely day, enjoy everything you do and, please, as masks are abandoned right, left and centre, do take care and be safe.  xx

Thursday

Good morning, everyone.

After a very dull start to the day, out came the sun and it was absolutely lovely.  A gorgeous day's weather.  The wind seems to have got up just a little at the moment but it's not super-cold at all.  Beeb says sunny intervals and a moderate breeze which sounds pretty good to me.  Bring it on!

Yesterday was a day of bits and bobs.

It started early morning when I decided that instead of going to Morrisons for a few things that I missed on Monday, I would go to M&S/Aldi - just because I like it there.  So I did and, of course, came back with more than I planned for which is very naughty but there you go!

When I checked my mailbox, there was an email from James (solicitor) with attachments to read and amend, if necessary.  It wasn't, all seemed to be in order although I asked about one thing that wasn't clear - however he assured me that it was there, just wrapped up in the necessary legal language.
The proper will that needs signing will come by post, of course, as will the letter of wishes that goes with it.
So later on, I posted the 'accept' sheet back to him after having to go and get some more stamps - so I did go to Morrisons after all!
So that is all in hand.

At around eleven, Sharon Blackman came round to deliver three prints that she has had printed for me.  I can't remember if I've mentioned her before, I probably have, but just in case . . .

I first met Sharon when she had a mini craft open day at her then home, not far from here, quite a long time ago.  She has a very individual style in pictures created with fabrics and stitchery and, I think, they are absolutely lovely in their own way.   That sort of work/style appeals to me so strongly.  Anyway, at this sale Beth and I bought bits and bobs, enjoyed her excellent coffee and shortbread and generally enjoyed ourselves.  She is a very generous lady and threw in for free a lovely shopping bag which I still use - it's in the car at the moment but I'll try and remember to take a photo of it later.

(She still does - every order I have made with her has contained a few extra items for free and this latest one is no exception - two cards with envelopes and two postcards)

Since then, Sharon has started an Etsy shop where she sells prints of her pictures in various forms - cards, postcards, calendars, etc,   Her Christmas cards are fantastic, I think. She also has a Facebook page.

Here's a link to her shop - please do go and look.  She posts her work out very quickly.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SharonBlackmanArt

And I lifted this off her Facebook page - thanks, Sharon.

She brought round these three prints that I thought would look really nice in the guest room.  They are entitled 'blue jug and bowl', 'blue window box' and 'blue flowers' - see the common link for things going into the blue room?  They have been beautifully printed onto quality paper/thin card and now I have to find frames.

As they're not standard sizing, I looked for and located a framing shop just outside town.  I know where it is so either today or tomorrow I will drive over and see what they can do.
Photos will follow at some point!

Anyway, moving on - later on I drove around to Lindsey's for an hour of hard work, chat and laughter.  I always come away feeling invigorated and mentally refreshed.

Today * should * be a bit less busy but you never can tell.  I have the usual Thursday coffee and chat with Chris and I may drive out to that framing place - in fact, I probably will.  Their website says there's a ten to fifteen day turn around so the sooner I get them there, the sooner I will be able to put them up.
Also, I want to worry away at the ISO chapter a bit more.  I'm not finding it as easy to understand as it says I should.  I think it's all the numbers - I'm mildly dyscalculic and there's a lorra numbers in this part of the course.
And that's about it really for today.  I'm looking forward to it all.  

Take care, stay safe, masks or not, and be happy!  xx

Wednesday

 Good morning.  It's stupid o'clock but I'm wide awake and ready for an early start.  It's just the same as yesterday outside - chilly but not freezing (at the moment, anyway).

I  started my attempts at wildly riotous living with a trip to B&Q and The-Shop-That-Is-No-Longer-Wyvale.  How about that for living it up, eh?  I went to treat myself to some poor, unfortunate house plants (I don't have a good track record with house plants), some big ones that cost a bit more and at which I have always shaken my head and walked away.  To go with them, I also bought some pots to put the plant pots into.

I took a few photos using the Exposure Compensation thingy.  I like these - the one in the middle is the default and the one just to the right is, I think, about right for that situation.  It ranges from -2 through to +2 in increments of a third; I just did the whole numbers - -2, -1, 0, +1 and +2 but I'm going to do something similar but using all the increments and, probably, the tripod.
It's not strictly speaking ISO though.  I need to consult the online manual.  (I wish I could find my hard copy - it would be much more convenient.)  However, even if it isn't strictly speaking part of the chapter, I am learning a bit more about what my camera will do and that's what this whole thing is all about, isn't it?

I had my online meeting with the solicitor, James.  One is always terribly aware of how the clock is ticking where solicitors are concerned and, no doubt, the resulting bill will make my eyes water but it needed to be done and I'm glad.

I also did a bit of washing but there's more to do today - in fact I must put some in as soon as I have finished my social mediating.  And I didn't do any gardening - it was bleak and chilly and, come the afternoon, a little bit damp as well.  No rain, just a damp atmosphere.

Today feels emptier than it really is because normally the day is cut in half by my personal training session and for the next three weeks Lindsey has changed the time to later on in the afternoon because she is delivering some school based training in the morning.  It feels nice and I hope to get plenty of homey stuff done, the sort of stuff that never really goes away and renews itself regularly!

What are your plans for today?  Have a good one and stay safe and well.  xx

Tuesday

Good morning, all.  How are you all today?  It's chilly outside but not icy, as far as I can tell ,  and the forecast is for 'cold and boring'.
Yesterday was quite nice at times but not much sun.

It was quite a busy day, one way and another, and I was zonked by the end of it.  Everything went well though; nothing particularly exciting but no big problems either.  The biggest one was fighting to stay awake until a reasonable bed time!

Today is a complete contrast in that there's just one thing in the diary, a Zoom meeting with my solicitor who just happens to be the chap who is handling Dad's affairs too.  It's just to update my will, a sensible thing given some changed circumstances.  Once that's done, the day's my own.
There's washing, etc, to do, a certain camera course to work on and I might spend some time working in my rather scruffy garden.  I'm going to have to start dealing with the allotment again some time soon as long as the ground isn't frozen hard.

Have a good old day, everyone and, as restrictions lift, stay safe and well.  xx