Monday, 31-07-23

Morning, everyone.    The sun emerged a few moment ago, looked around, didn't like what it saw and went away again - and I suspect that's how today is going to be!  Flippin' Gulf Stream!

A few garden updates.

A very odd cucumber indeed but it will probably taste fine. 

LIttle Runt is evidently appreciating the replant and the missing soil doesn't seem to be bothering him in the slightest!

And, seeing as Heir is nurturing several babies at the moment, Spare is coming to the fore with two that will be beauties in a few days.

Maybe I can use three courgette plants after all.  I gave away five last week, which is nice.

The tomatoes need sun though and I'm worried about blight with all this dampness.  

Today feels a bit busy although it isn't really.  I need to do my end of month finances although I already know it has been a heavy month what with new glasses, boiler service, a couple of annual subscriptions, etc.  Must try to be careful through August.

Also, I have two fitness classes today, Family Circuits and Personal Training.  The former is what I pulled out of last week because Lindsey had to use the Studio and had too many 'bodies'; today should be OK inside or out.
Personal training has moved from Wed to Mon through August.

So, what with them and all the usual stuff, the day feels a bit full so I'd better go and get started, I guess. 

Do you have a bust day today or do you have space for some R&R.  Whichever it is, enjoy it all!  xx

Sunday, 30-07-23

Good morning, everyone.  It's not exactly a sunny Sunday but it isn't bad and I reckon the sun isn't too far away - for a while anyway.  Rain is expected later on - which should save me needing to water.  

This weekend is very quiet.  I didn't do anything much out of the way yesterday and I won't today either.  In fact, the only remotely 'exciting' thing is a drive to the GP surgery to drop off the BP readings because I am not sure I have the right email address - these things change, don't they?  Mind you, it hasn't bounced back - yet - so fingers crossed.

Those who read my other blog will know I'm basing my meals for the week on recipes from the collection of Pinch of Nom books.  This is involving me in a bit more kitchen time than I usually need but I enjoy cooking at my simple level so it is no penance and I'm really enjoying what I've made so far.

And that's it really so I will love you and leave you with my hopes that, whatever is on the list for today, you have a wonderful time and enjoy pretty much every moment.
xx

Saturday, 29-07-23

Morning, one and all.  It is Saturday, the start of the weekend and, if you have employment, I hope you are able to enjoy a couple of days off - and if you teach, forget about the classroom and the books and the mess in the cupboards and the long term planning, assessment preparation, record sheets, reading through the new class' profiles, etc, etc, etc, and just chill!
After all, it is the weekend!

As always, Slimming World was a goodie, although my results were disappointing - I wasn't the only one though.  Maybe the scales were taking a holiday too.  :-)

It's never a problem nowadays and I have some lovely meals planned for this week so that's good.

For much of the rest of the day I felt really tired (I had woken up stupidly early) and, in fact, had a couple of shut-eyes through the day.  I pottered, did housework, a bit of weeding, etc, etc, etc., and went to bed very early after falling asleep in my chair.  It was worth it; things seem a lot brighter this morning.  :-)

Today starts, as always, with an online SET class at 8:30 and the diary is empty.  I have to send off a scan of the BP results for 'Nurse Karen' (that's what it says on the sheet and, fingers crossed, it won't show any causes for concern) and I need to get on with more weeding and dead heading.   Nothing too onerous.

I've now cut the first cucumber and, obviously, had a taste.  Very nice without a hint of bitterness.  I was happy to take a couple of courgettes for the Slimmer of the Week hamper yesterday and there's a couple more on the say including the first from Little Runt.  I've also picked a few tomatoes and they are so delicious!

Cherie - I have just watched your tour of your lovely garden on YouTube and it is absolutely fantastic.  

Well, better go, there's only an hour until my SET class.  Have a lovely Saturday, everyone.  See you tomorrow.  xx

Friday, 28-07-23

 Good morning, everyone.

Instead of a garden photo, I said I'd take a photo of the granny hexagons so here it is.  I think they are just so very pretty and really easy too.  I wish I knew someone who was having a baby - then I could make a nice shawl!

Yesterday was really good.
I started with the SET class followed by breakfast and the old BP measurement before setting out to Val's, collecting a tankful of petrol as I went.  I'd hoped to stave this expense off until Tuesday but didn't want to take the risk.  Oh, well, it's only a few days.

Once at Val's, we had a quick chat before setting off for the Blue Egg where we shared a ginormous and most delicious chicken, bacon and avocado sandwich.  You've heard of doorstep slices - well these pretty much defined the term and there's no way I could have ploughed my way through the whole lot, I'd have had to bring half home.  It was absolutely delicious though and, with more that substantial filling, kept me going until the evening.
Then we went around the barn, enjoying looking at all the goods on offer.  I just bought a few essentials but could have spent a fortune!

Then we headed off for the butcher Val uses which is right out in the sticks.  I can see why she uses it - a proper old fashioned place that cuts your meat while you wait.  I wanted some chicken thighs and, as they didn't have any, one of the butchers cheerfully cut the drums from off some legs so I got my thighs.  He'd have skinned and boned them too but I wanted them just as they came.
I also treated myself to some bacon (looked really good so fingers crossed) and a lamb kebab which was a bit naughty but it looked so good.
What with that and what I already have in the freezer, I don't think I will need to buy any meat through August, which is good.

Once home, I got the chilli con carne on for dinner and then chilled.  A good day.

It's still dark-ish outside but, after a wet day for most of yesterday, it's forecast to me much nicer today.  I'm off to Slimming World first, then I need to do just a little bit of tidying up for the cleaners and the rest of the day is my own.  Nice.

Take care, everyone, and I hope your day is as lovely as I hope mine is.  xx

Thursday, 27-07-23

Aren't courgette flowers beautiful? 

Morning, everyone, and welcome to a damp and slightly chilly Thursday morning.  The rain started early evening yesterday and, while it is dry at the moment, it doesn't look very encouraging.

I felt like I got a lot done yesterday - all the washing, drying and ironing for a start so that's all done and dusted until next week!

Circuits was great.  There were four of us and Lindsey took it all outside so it was very pleasant.  I was tired but energised afterwards which is always a good sign.

The blood pressure thingy is going fine.  No alarming numbers coming up so last weeks readings and the first day of home measuring must really have been white coat stuff.  Perhaps getting back to proper exercise classes this week has also helped.  Who knows?  Anyway, I think they will be happy with what they see and not need to 'call me back' (unless the blood tests show anything).

Today looks busy but it's all fun stuff.
First of all, it is a SET class online.
No chat with Chris.  They're home from their holiday but, unfortunately, came home poorly.  Bless her, she's really not feeling well enough for an online chat so we've left it until next week.
I'm driving over to Val's for lunch though, and we're going to the Blue Egg, a sort of barn/garden centre close to where she lives.  I'm looking forward to that.  Then she's taking me to the butcher she uses - I've been looking for a decent butcher so I have a Little List and we will see.  It's out in the sticks somewhere but not too far from home.
And when I get home, I need to catch up on the final of Sewing Bee.  I have no idea of the results at the moment.

It's the sort of day where it really doesn't matter if it rains which is probably just as well.

Stay well, everyone.  xx

Wednesday, 26-07-23

 Good morning, everyone.  Thank you so much for all the lovely comments on the Granny square top.  So very kind and very much appreciated.  xx

Coming on, isn't it?  I'm going to have an overabundance of cucumber - this one is pretty much ready to pick but I won't for a few days because I still have some shop bought cucumber in the fridge.  You can just see the end of another one and there's two more snapping at their heels on t'other plant.

I looked up cucumber recipes. 

I could quick pickle some and I'm having salad for lunch so will do just that.  My Nanna always served cucumber in vinegar (malt, in them there days) with sugar and salt, much to my parent's disgust as they preferred their cucumber fresh sliced.  We kids enjoyed it a lot though.

I also found a 'Greek Salad' on BBC Good Food.  It has the cucumber, tomatoes. red onion, olives and feta with oregano and extra virgin olive oil.  Nice!

Have you noticed how the nights are starting to draw in?  Round here, it is now pitch black by nine thirty and I'm drawing all the curtains again.  I suppose it does the same every year, and every year I am a bit surprised.  

I trotted off to Groove yesterday morning and had a really good time.  It's the only one of Lindsey's classes that is continuing at its usual venue, the St Andrew's Church Hall.  There were some different faces there (all classes are running on an ad-hoc basis through the summer) and I recognised one of them - I had her two boys in Y1 and she used to come and help for a short time each week.
She didn't recognise me though - not because I was forgotten but for the usual reason nowadays - I'm slim and my hair is short instead of long!  I suppose I do look very different.
We had an enjoyable five minutes chatting about her boys, now young men and married with families.  I love it when that happens.

The rest of the day passed as days do with housework, bit of gardening, etc, etc, etc.  I popped round to Beth's with three courgettes and the embroidery thread she wanted and had a quick chat but she was very busy so I didn't stay long.

Today is very similar.  Small Group Circuits first and then home for the usual.  There's a load of darks to wash, dry and iron so fingers crossed for the weather.  And I have discovered a new-to-me granny square - no, granny hexagon - which is quite pretty.  What could I make with hexagons though?

Have a lovely day, everyone.  Enjoy life  😎

Tuesday, 25-07-23

 Morning, everyone.

No garden photo today.

Lindsey posted this on Facebook and I think it is lovely and so very true.

Sharing it round.

Family circuits didn't happen yesterday - well, it did but not for me.  I knew how many would be there and I know how many Lindsey's studio is insured for.  It was going to be out in the garden where there are no restrictions but an hour before, down came the rain in torrents so I offered to pull out.  It wasn't really one that could be delivered online.  I gather it went well but the studio was pretty crowded.  Maybe next week.

I had my PT fix later on anyway and, as always, it was brilliant.

The rain put the clappers on drying clothes outside too - grrrr.  I did two loads, one for the tumble dryer and the other load is still in the machine, lazy me.  I'll have to give it another, short wash this morning.

I finished the granny square top - tunic, really.  Apologies for the bad light and I did give it all a steam press after taking the photo.  I'm actually quite pleased with it.

Didn't do that weeding though - it was either raining or drizzling or looking as if it was going to start raining or drizzling.

Today, I have Groove first thing and later on I am popping over to Beth's with some embroidery thread she needs.  The rest of the list is things I didn't do yesterday - weeding, washing, ironing, etc.  Just an ordinary day.

How's the weather your way?  xx