Wednesday 29 June 2022

Wednesday

 Today's garden happy - because they have started growing up - well, out anyway!


Morning, everyone.  It's cloudy this morning but the clouds are high so I'm hoping whatever it is is just the edge of something.  Beeb doesn't say rain here so fingers crossed.  I'm loving this warm, dry but not too hot weather.

Yesterday started off with the new Groove block, the routines Lindsey recorded in the freebie session last week.  As always, it was good, although there were a few people missing this week, no idea why.

When I got home afterwards, I added lemon juice to the strawberries and jam sugar and made the strawberry jam.  I deliberately didn't make much and now I have two diddy little jars of deliciousness.  Strawberries are notoriously difficult to set but there were no problems this time, it had reached setting point the first time I checked.

There was a tiny bit of jam that I just couldn't squash into either of the jars so I had that under some yogurt for dinner dessert and it was scrummy!
(Thanks for the idea, Cherie)

Later on I also made the strawberry gin.  I've done it two ways, one way with the strawberries chopped as I usually make it, so they will go into the bottle, and the other way by pureeing the berries.
I suspect one will come out as a clear liqueur after straining and the other more cloudy but, possibly, with a more intense flavour.  We will see.
The bottles are now sitting on the side and every time I go past I will give them a shake until all the sugar has dissolved; then they can go into a cupboard for a few months so the gin and sugar can work their magic.

Later on, I headed off into town to Specsavers to pick up a few things and to let the audiologist know there are issues with one of my new aids.  The left one only holds its charge for about twelve hours before dying on me, which is nowhere near long enough.  Given that the same aid shows extreme sensitivity in other ways too, I though it worth mentioning and I'm glad I did because he's ordered some more for me.  I was a bit taken aback by this but fair enough - they are brand new, covered by warrantee, and should not be having any problems so early so the chances are it's a faulty one.  So I have to go back again, probably next week!
He also gave me back my older aids which have now been reconditioned with new batteries, etc, before their warrantee time runs out, plus a remote control I had ordered, some freebie batteries, etc.  So now I am incredibly well off for hearing aids instead of having a little nagging worry inside me all the time.

I take the new battery ones with me in my handbag in a neat little carrying box so that if there's problems, I can switch over.  Overkill, perhaps, but it's very scary and isolating without hearing support in public so better safe than sorry any day of the week.
And I am incredibly thankful and grateful for modern technology and the wherewithal to be able to afford this level of security.
(Sorry for going on - I'll stop now!)

Anyway, I then popped into M&S and got a few more things than planned, but I was very controlled and said no to a nice pair of white trainers that were calling to me because I DON'T NEED THEM (shouting to myself here).

That was the busy part of the day over and done.  I came home and pretty much chilled and pottered for the rest of the day and very pleasant it was too.

Today there is nothing in the diary but my personal training this afternoon.  I thought I might go raspberry picking at Lathcoats but I don't think I will, I still have raspberries in the freezer from last year.

So today is going to be housework day, I think.  Time to do a bit of work!  Has to be done from time to time, after all.  There's not a big mess but there are thing to put away and things to sort and, maybe, gift on.  I need to put my emotional foot down a bit.
Do you stack things up until you're falling over them and then tidy them in one fell swoop, or are you much more organised than I and put them away straight away?

The only other thing is that we're hoping to get some dates regarding Dad's house today so fingers are metaphorically crossed.

All the best, have a great day and, as always, stay safe, well and happy.  xx


18 comments:

  1. That looks so so scrummy - just thought I'd ask you have you been down to your allotment lately - I know you were thinking of giving it up - before you do that I know you had planted some trees and some fruit etc would it be viable to see if you could get somebody to work it for you / share it with you or before totally giving it up see if there is anything that you can dig up or transplant into your own garden - . Or maybe have a word with the site managers about options they can suggest ( or if there's an allotment society see what they can suggest )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I went down last week - no plums, only a few raspberries, lots of apple and I didn't notice the pears (didn't look). Assuming it's not been taken over, I'll go and pick come September sort of time.
      There isn't anything to remove really although we will remove the things from the shed. I really don't want to share, I'm happy to lay it down now. I've been thinking through why and I am at peace with that.
      Beth needs to talk to the allotment people because it is in her name.
      xx

      Delete
    2. Glad you've been and seen how things are . and that you're at peace with your decision . Allotments are now so hard to come by and , although is against the law to build on them - around here it has happened despite protests from the allotment holders ( the developers used some loophole in the law ) and now its just a building site ) Anyway as you say the ball is in Beth's court now . Hope you have a good day

      Delete
    3. Thanks very much, Jane. xx

      Delete
  2. I had a look to see if we have any PYO for raspberries anywhere nearby - but only 25+ miles away - too far.
    Have a good day - dull and overcast here this a.m

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That really is too far, I agree. That's a shame. xx

      Delete
  3. Summer desserts always look so good.

    I love raspberries, might have a look for a pyo, we do have a couple of bushes, but the blackbirds get up very early! I don't mind, the bushes were a gift and I love seeing the birds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The birds are just doing their own thing, aren't they? xx

      Delete
  4. Oooh, your little dessert looks tasty, yoghurt and jam go so well don't they, especially fresh strawberry jam.
    It sounds as though the Specsavers audiologists are treating you very well, it's reassuring to have back ups as well isn't it, especially for when you are out and about on your own, so very sensible to carry your spares.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, so well together. It really was tasty!
      I'm happy with their service, they do a really good job, I think. I'm happy to stay with them longer term.
      xx

      Delete
  5. I used to PYO at Lathcoats every year, as I never grew my own strawberries. How annoying about your hearing aids, but sounds as though you're getting good service. I did try to make strawberry wine, many years ago and what ever I did, it wasn't right as it wasn't alcoholic but it was a very nice strawberry drink! Now I'm married to a real wine maker who can make wine from anything, we've even had dandelion wine which was very sweet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strawberry wine sounds wonderful. I'm not into making drinks from scratch, I wouldn't know where to start, just flavouring (and strengthening) existing drinks. :-)
      Dandelion wine sounds intriguing.
      It is sort of annoying but I'm not without them. I wonder if they will take the existing ones back when I get the replacements, or leave them with me. Probably the former.
      xx

      Delete
  6. I'm glad they are replacing the hearing aid for you. I can only imaging how frustrating it can be for you if they aren't working properly but can understand the peace of mind you get from carrying your spare set with you.

    You were a busy bee yesterday making the jam and the strawberry gin. Is the gin for Christmas (sorry to mention that in June!) or will it be devoured as soon as it is ready? xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good question. If I hide it away, it might see Christmas - some of it, anyway. On the other hand, if I put strawberries in the freezer, I could always make some more at a later date. :-)

      I've just been given the option of an appointment to pick the new replacement aids up tomorrow afternoon. Amazingly fast. And they mentioned 'an exchange' so fair enough.
      xx

      Delete
  7. Strawberries say "summer" to me and I couldn't miss a visit to the farmer's market and fields. Your strawberry drinks sound delicious! Glad you got your hearing aids sorted. That was very good service.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, they are the epitome of summer.
      Yes, I was very impressed with the Specsavers service. xx

      Delete
  8. I'm glad that the hearing aids are being sorted. Sounds like they treated you well - good customer service is sometimes hard to find! It's strawberry season here too. Yum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Delicious fruit, especially the fresh picked ones - you can't beat the flavour,. can you?
      xx

      Delete