I'm looking at flowers
In the bedroom
In the hall
In the corner by the wall
I'm looking at flowers
In the bedroom
In the hall
In the corner by the wall
I'm looking at flowers
Thursday 19 July 2012
Sunday 8 July 2012
Saturday 7 July 2012
Wednesday 4 July 2012
Sunday 10 June 2012
Friday 8 June 2012
Wednesday 6 June 2012
Change of plans
I feel like a 'proper' seasoned bike commuter now because after three commutes my bike has been nicked.
It feels like a rite of passage of sorts. I won't be buying a railpass quite as soon as I thought and I've had a little reminder that stuff is purely that, just stuff.
It feels like a rite of passage of sorts. I won't be buying a railpass quite as soon as I thought and I've had a little reminder that stuff is purely that, just stuff.
Tuesday 5 June 2012
Monday 4 June 2012
Bonus Monday
Oh I do *love* a bank holiday. The lack of Sunday evening dread and a whole extra day to do fun stuff.
So Hubster and I headed off on the train up to Liverpool. We hit the galleries and museums, like shop-aholics hit the stores, and loved it. I found modern art collections curated by Marianne Faithful and Philip Trecey tough going. I do try and 'get' newish art but I'm very much of the 'I like what I like' persuasion, but a yummy lunch at 'The Egg' cafe after was much easier to enjoy.
Then we went to the world museum, which has all kinds of natural history going on. Dinosaur skeletons, recreations of jungles and an aquarium just for starters. See? wibbly wobbly jelly fish!
To top it all off we played around with cameras on the way home and I lucked out with a couple of neat-ish 'arty' shots.
On the way home we were also lucky enough to stumble across a rural craft fair the local ranger service had organised. Basket weaving, wood turning, farm shops, ferret racing and a bird of prey display.
Tomorrow will have a different flavour, as Hubster is back in work. I'm getting to meet one of my best friends for lunch though, so the greatness continues.
Thursday 31 May 2012
Reflection prompts
A lady at work was asking me about my husband today, as she hadn't realised I'm married.
I then got into my car and the cd I grabbed from the mishmash was our wedding background music. As it played, and I drove a route I often take, my thoughts lingered on all the ways life fits together and just how blessed we are.
The universe throws things together to give you a prod every so often. These comments and the choice of cd were my prod. It's been nearly two years and life has a solid rhythm, a predictability that has dangers within it. Dangers of complacency, of routine, of numbness and feeling stifled when that isn't the whole picture at all.
The reminder to focus on what gives everyday meaning was well timed and appreciated, thank you universe.
(the soundtrack includes Venus by Holst, the feather theme from Forrest Gump and some of Craig Armstrong's compositions for love actually and Romeo&Juliet. I recommend any/all of them to soften your outlook when its been hardened by too many to do lists and everyday demands)
I then got into my car and the cd I grabbed from the mishmash was our wedding background music. As it played, and I drove a route I often take, my thoughts lingered on all the ways life fits together and just how blessed we are.
The universe throws things together to give you a prod every so often. These comments and the choice of cd were my prod. It's been nearly two years and life has a solid rhythm, a predictability that has dangers within it. Dangers of complacency, of routine, of numbness and feeling stifled when that isn't the whole picture at all.
The reminder to focus on what gives everyday meaning was well timed and appreciated, thank you universe.
(the soundtrack includes Venus by Holst, the feather theme from Forrest Gump and some of Craig Armstrong's compositions for love actually and Romeo&Juliet. I recommend any/all of them to soften your outlook when its been hardened by too many to do lists and everyday demands)
Sunday 27 May 2012
Look who's back
Tweet tweet!
I don't think they have any eggs in there yet. They only seem to be on the nest at night. I'll keep an ear out though for a tiny high pitched tweeting (of the offline variety) soon.
Saturday 26 May 2012
Sunday 20 May 2012
The week that was and the things I learnt in it
1. Charlie Chaplin was a prolific composer.
He composed most of the music for the films he appeared in, and when he was hounded by the McArthy anti-american trials he moved back to England, in part because he needed to be able to compose and a condition of the trails was that he stopped creative work.
I've been listening to bbc podcasts and classic FM a lot thanks the the broken radio in my car (a long standing issue) and an aching need for something soothing when I get home.
2. If I think its cold out then plants do too.
The french beans died, another batch of them. I can't face trying another load yet until the spring actually springs, so if I get any homegrown beans it will be around September time! As well as the weather part of the trouble is apparently the heavy clay soil we have in our garden. It stays colder for longer due to the higher water content.
3. Biking is *much* faster than walking.
We went on a lovely ride yesterday to Fiddler's Ferry, where there is a real ale pub hiding between the railway line and the river Mersey. It also serves fish and chips, of the fresh, hot, lovely and crispy home made variety. Which made a lovely send off marker for my dietary plans (explained below).
We also saw lots of wildlife; frogs, moor hens, coots, a pair of swans and their cygnets (7), 3 separate herons and possibly a yellow hammer.
4. Doctors don't know everything, or maybe they just don't care.
I've been having some low level health issues for a while. Nothing serious, more annoying and 'get you down'. Nagging headaches, nasal congestion, teenage spot breakouts and an on-and-off gippy tum. After getting my eyes checked, and new glasses just in case, Hubster persuaded me to go to the doctor to rule out scary things.
So off I (finally) went. Without focusing on the doctor's people skills (minimal) or apparent interest in any of my complaints (again, minimal) I came away with the suggestion I take an anti histamine. A stunning medical insight.
Which brings me to my new, self directed, plan. Anti histamines stop allergic reactions, if I need them it is reasonable to premise I am allergic or intolerant to something. Therefore I need to work out what, or at least try to.
So, for the next six weeks I do not drink alcohol. I do not drink caffeine. I do not eat or drink milk or milk products.
Alcohol because of the headaches, also its sugar content and work load it creates on your liver.
Caffeine because of the headaches, and I don't like black tea black!
Milk because of everything else, its a typical culprit in these situations, and other members of my family have trouble with it.
I toyed with the idea of cutting out meat and wheat as well but then thought it through. That's basically everything pre-made or prepared outside the home. And alcohol and milk will be a challenge enough. Given the symptoms that have been bothering me, and my family history (lactose intolerance) it seems a sensible place to start.
If things get better I will re-introduce each separately. If things don't get better I'll cut out something else (probably wheat *gulp*) for another 6 weeks. If all that makes no difference I'll go back to the doctors and crack some skulls, with evidence.
He composed most of the music for the films he appeared in, and when he was hounded by the McArthy anti-american trials he moved back to England, in part because he needed to be able to compose and a condition of the trails was that he stopped creative work.
I've been listening to bbc podcasts and classic FM a lot thanks the the broken radio in my car (a long standing issue) and an aching need for something soothing when I get home.
2. If I think its cold out then plants do too.
The french beans died, another batch of them. I can't face trying another load yet until the spring actually springs, so if I get any homegrown beans it will be around September time! As well as the weather part of the trouble is apparently the heavy clay soil we have in our garden. It stays colder for longer due to the higher water content.
3. Biking is *much* faster than walking.
We went on a lovely ride yesterday to Fiddler's Ferry, where there is a real ale pub hiding between the railway line and the river Mersey. It also serves fish and chips, of the fresh, hot, lovely and crispy home made variety. Which made a lovely send off marker for my dietary plans (explained below).
We also saw lots of wildlife; frogs, moor hens, coots, a pair of swans and their cygnets (7), 3 separate herons and possibly a yellow hammer.
4. Doctors don't know everything, or maybe they just don't care.
I've been having some low level health issues for a while. Nothing serious, more annoying and 'get you down'. Nagging headaches, nasal congestion, teenage spot breakouts and an on-and-off gippy tum. After getting my eyes checked, and new glasses just in case, Hubster persuaded me to go to the doctor to rule out scary things.
So off I (finally) went. Without focusing on the doctor's people skills (minimal) or apparent interest in any of my complaints (again, minimal) I came away with the suggestion I take an anti histamine. A stunning medical insight.
Which brings me to my new, self directed, plan. Anti histamines stop allergic reactions, if I need them it is reasonable to premise I am allergic or intolerant to something. Therefore I need to work out what, or at least try to.
So, for the next six weeks I do not drink alcohol. I do not drink caffeine. I do not eat or drink milk or milk products.
Alcohol because of the headaches, also its sugar content and work load it creates on your liver.
Caffeine because of the headaches, and I don't like black tea black!
Milk because of everything else, its a typical culprit in these situations, and other members of my family have trouble with it.
I toyed with the idea of cutting out meat and wheat as well but then thought it through. That's basically everything pre-made or prepared outside the home. And alcohol and milk will be a challenge enough. Given the symptoms that have been bothering me, and my family history (lactose intolerance) it seems a sensible place to start.
If things get better I will re-introduce each separately. If things don't get better I'll cut out something else (probably wheat *gulp*) for another 6 weeks. If all that makes no difference I'll go back to the doctors and crack some skulls, with evidence.
Thursday 10 May 2012
Wednesday 9 May 2012
Milestones
Hubster and I started dating six years ago.
A drop in the ocean in geology terms but modern society wise pretty long term.
I am in a long term relationship. You'd have thought the marriage would have been a clue but something about it has just struck me.
So, raise your glasses friends...to my hubster, and the fact we 'still seem to actually like each other'
A drop in the ocean in geology terms but modern society wise pretty long term.
I am in a long term relationship. You'd have thought the marriage would have been a clue but something about it has just struck me.
So, raise your glasses friends...to my hubster, and the fact we 'still seem to actually like each other'
Thursday 3 May 2012
Tilting a bit
This evening I've eaten chips in our sunny garden, tidied and sorted to an awesome soundtrack, written to a dear friend and planted out the beans (v2.0 thanks to a late frost)
And all in time for big bang theory*
*i'm watching two programmes on tv at the moment; bbt and Meet the Romans with Mary Beard. I also have Divine Women saved up. I love having tv to watch I really get something out of.
And all in time for big bang theory*
*i'm watching two programmes on tv at the moment; bbt and Meet the Romans with Mary Beard. I also have Divine Women saved up. I love having tv to watch I really get something out of.
Wednesday 25 April 2012
Wednesday is hump day...
...and the climb up the last peak to get over the top was a slog. A day of meetings, emotionally draining encounters and new protocols at work that taxed my brain more than algebra used to.
So I am glorying in a cosy night in, eating a sumptuous chorizo bean stew (that's been cooked for me) and a glass of red wine.
Here's to Wednesday evening recharging, and that it's something everyone gets (even if not always on a Wed)
So I am glorying in a cosy night in, eating a sumptuous chorizo bean stew (that's been cooked for me) and a glass of red wine.
Here's to Wednesday evening recharging, and that it's something everyone gets (even if not always on a Wed)
Monday 23 April 2012
Monday 16 April 2012
Chocolate Muffins : Live blog
Oooh, how exciting. Rather than sit and melt my brain in front of the TV tonight I've decided to use the time since my folks left to make some little cakes, and to tell you all about it.
So, the plan is chocolate muffins. I have flour, butter, eggs and other cake-making things (oven, baking tray, a cat - admittedly that last one is optional, and not always actually helpful).
6:58 The recipe
4oz margarine
3 1/2 oz caster sugar
8 oz self raising flour
2 large eggs
1 oz dark chocolate (melted)
6:59 root in the cupboards.
7:06 Melting. Mmmm chocolate.
7:07 Mixing.
Push the button Max. Jush-ing away; cat gone.
7:08 Putting out into little tiny colourful cases.
Check, only a tiny bit of quality control as it goes in. Honest (yum).
7:11 Into the oven. The mix looks like tiny piles of poo. Thanks to the wonders of chemistry that will soon change.
7:12 Wait
7:20 Still waiting.
7:26 as 7:20 The sensible thing to do is to tidy the kitchen while I wait. So I've started some pastry to make jam tarts with. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy baking. Must do more. And find people to eat the results. Volunteer in the comments - who wants a cake club? Living locally helpful.
7:27 15 minutes is up. Cakes! Out to cool, the ultimate test awaits.
7:40 And the winner is...whoever gets to eat the rest of these chocolate muffins (at least partially me).Yum.
Unfortunately the loser is whoever gets to clean the flour coated kitchen (entirely me).
Apologies if the read-through was dull. The cakes are not, I promise. If you know me off-net, live nearby and would like one (or a few) leave a message, otherwise feel free to try out the recipe for yourself.
So, the plan is chocolate muffins. I have flour, butter, eggs and other cake-making things (oven, baking tray, a cat - admittedly that last one is optional, and not always actually helpful).
6:58 The recipe
4oz margarine
3 1/2 oz caster sugar
8 oz self raising flour
2 large eggs
1 oz dark chocolate (melted)
6:59 root in the cupboards.
- Margarine and spread are basically the same - check
- caster sugar? like regular sugar only slightly smaller - stand slightly further away from the regular sugar - check
- self raising flour - definately got that one, I think. The label has fallen off the box, but the other box says 'plain' so sherlock-style detecting says - check
- eggs - check, bought today,so all fresh and recently of chicken
- dark chocolate - check, though surely a single ounce can't be enough. Will melt 2oz, just in case.
7:06 Melting. Mmmm chocolate.
7:07 Mixing.
Push the button Max. Jush-ing away; cat gone.
7:08 Putting out into little tiny colourful cases.
Check, only a tiny bit of quality control as it goes in. Honest (yum).
7:11 Into the oven. The mix looks like tiny piles of poo. Thanks to the wonders of chemistry that will soon change.
7:12 Wait
7:20 Still waiting.
7:26 as 7:20 The sensible thing to do is to tidy the kitchen while I wait. So I've started some pastry to make jam tarts with. I'd forgotten just how much I enjoy baking. Must do more. And find people to eat the results. Volunteer in the comments - who wants a cake club? Living locally helpful.
7:27 15 minutes is up. Cakes! Out to cool, the ultimate test awaits.
7:40 And the winner is...whoever gets to eat the rest of these chocolate muffins (at least partially me).Yum.
Unfortunately the loser is whoever gets to clean the flour coated kitchen (entirely me).
Apologies if the read-through was dull. The cakes are not, I promise. If you know me off-net, live nearby and would like one (or a few) leave a message, otherwise feel free to try out the recipe for yourself.
Sunday 15 April 2012
Where's Wally?
Having just spent a few hours at a child's birthday party with him, in his'n'hers fancy dress, I can confidently tell you he is 'always in the kitchen at parties' so if you're looking for him (outside the published books) that may be a good place to start.
No pics yet, but there is at least one in existence that I will try to acquire.Picture update!
It was great fun making the outfits; hats from stripey off cuts, with pom poms wound on car journeys, a little blue skirt run together in an evening. Hubster went all out though; making glasses from cardboard, tape and spray paint, a cane from molded plastic, and a super-striped t-shirt sprayed to chemically-stinking fulfillment. Full marks for dedication, creativity and our final impressive appearance.
We've been social butterflies recently, with more events planned over the next few weekends. That's my reasoning for such quietness online and the mess in our house. May is quiet (so far), with my cute baby second-cousin-in-law's christening and a trip to Sundays at Sudley the only fixed points during weekends. It feels refreshingly un-anchored and I've been investigating some things to explore and do, including creative me-time.
It was great fun making the outfits; hats from stripey off cuts, with pom poms wound on car journeys, a little blue skirt run together in an evening. Hubster went all out though; making glasses from cardboard, tape and spray paint, a cane from molded plastic, and a super-striped t-shirt sprayed to chemically-stinking fulfillment. Full marks for dedication, creativity and our final impressive appearance.
We've been social butterflies recently, with more events planned over the next few weekends. That's my reasoning for such quietness online and the mess in our house. May is quiet (so far), with my cute baby second-cousin-in-law's christening and a trip to Sundays at Sudley the only fixed points during weekends. It feels refreshingly un-anchored and I've been investigating some things to explore and do, including creative me-time.
Monday 26 March 2012
Sunday 25 March 2012
Dress Success
Finally!
An, on paper, very simple dress. Front and back pattern pieces drafted and cut, elastic through a channel to give shape on an empire-ish line. Lined to protect modesty. Gradually completed over about 18 months.
Saturday 18 February 2012
Cold hands warm heart
So I went to the doctor on Monday because a patch of lumpy bumpy bits had come up under the skin on one of my fingers. Probably nothing serious, but being a 'good girl' who is influenced by health ads I went to get checked.
Turns out they are a tissue reaction to the raynaud's attack that kept my fingers and knuckles swollen on and off for about five days the other week. The doc was very nice about it, in a not really anything to suggest except 'keep your hands warm', its highly unlikely there's a scary underlying cause kind of way. I felt it was churlish to point out that I'd managed to get these chillblane+ type things through two pairs of gloves and if I wrap up enough to keep my hands warm the rest of me boils.
The skin on my right hand is still feeling different to my left. More sensitive and tingly. And I didn't technically *know* I had raynaud's until the doc talked about it fait accomplit. Until 11.57 on Monday I had rubbish circulation, now I have a label. Maybe I come across as too calm collected and knowledgable, I seem too unphased, but he didnt seem to feel the need to check if I knew what was going on. So this is my little moany rant. I'm sure you've enjoyed its restrained grumbliness.
To move on from self pity I trawled the internet and have a new self-treatment plan.
Ginger. Cayenne. Ginko. Garlic.
Apparently all lovely natural things that help circulation. Lovely natural things I'll be trying asap, with the added benefit of scaring away an lurking vampires.
Turns out they are a tissue reaction to the raynaud's attack that kept my fingers and knuckles swollen on and off for about five days the other week. The doc was very nice about it, in a not really anything to suggest except 'keep your hands warm', its highly unlikely there's a scary underlying cause kind of way. I felt it was churlish to point out that I'd managed to get these chillblane+ type things through two pairs of gloves and if I wrap up enough to keep my hands warm the rest of me boils.
The skin on my right hand is still feeling different to my left. More sensitive and tingly. And I didn't technically *know* I had raynaud's until the doc talked about it fait accomplit. Until 11.57 on Monday I had rubbish circulation, now I have a label. Maybe I come across as too calm collected and knowledgable, I seem too unphased, but he didnt seem to feel the need to check if I knew what was going on. So this is my little moany rant. I'm sure you've enjoyed its restrained grumbliness.
To move on from self pity I trawled the internet and have a new self-treatment plan.
Ginger. Cayenne. Ginko. Garlic.
Apparently all lovely natural things that help circulation. Lovely natural things I'll be trying asap, with the added benefit of scaring away an lurking vampires.
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Project complete
I've started to really enjoy making little presents for the new babies that have started to arrive. I hope that they will use them and love them, and maybe this blanket will become a treasured possession.
Happy Valentine's day
I have given possession of the day to St Valentine himself, rather than all people out there celebrating our modern valentine-lite.
Show your love for others day to day friends and use today as an excuse for a superyum tea time treat.
Show your love for others day to day friends and use today as an excuse for a superyum tea time treat.
Sunday 12 February 2012
Welcome
Hello,
Welcome to my new little corner of the internet. Soon there will hopefully be all kinds of new posts about all kinds of things. For now there's not even a little picture to keep you going because I'm on a different computer than usual.
See you soon x
Welcome to my new little corner of the internet. Soon there will hopefully be all kinds of new posts about all kinds of things. For now there's not even a little picture to keep you going because I'm on a different computer than usual.
See you soon x
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