Still Voices by Maria Barrett

 

Still Voices by Maria Barrett - finished at last.  A very light read - a crime but no real violence which is what I needed as an in between read from my favourite genre - crime/psychological thrillers.  I would say 3/5.  I have read better ones by this author.

On one fateful night three lives are changed forever....Young history professor Charles Meredith may be researching a book about Victorian crime of passion, but passion is something lacking to his own life.  While his partner, Mia is desperate for children, Charles worries that agreeing is a commitment too far.  For Lotte Graham meanwhile, her children are the main reasons her marriage has lasted so long.  But when he discovers the awful truth of her husband's deceit, she decides its time to act.

Student Claire Thompson is a loner, who fills the gaps where her friends should be with fantasy.  And on the night she boasts that her professor Charles Meredith is taking her to supper, she disappears....
As Charles searches for the woman who can prove his innocence, as the police-hunt for Claire intensifies, Lotte struggles for independence, help comes from a silent voice, a voice tht speaks from the grave.....

As a child I took life for granted......

and now that my own children have grown up and have children of their own, and my work life is coming to an end, I have a little more time to think of some of the vivid memories of my childhood. Our holiday on the Beach.  This was around 1958 when my father and mother packed up the car and we travelled to the coast. 

In those days, there were very few plots of land sold, and so the journey towards the beach was quiet scary, certainly for me as a child, as I could only see the headlights bouncing off the trees - there were no other lights around. 

Eventually we arrived and my father parked right outside the log cabins which were just about 2.5 metres from the edge of the sand.  There were three log cabins - the first was to be our parents bedroom, the second (middle) was the kitchen and the third was the children's bedroom.  I remember that they were iron beds, very hard mattress and wooden floor.  There was no glass windows - just huge shutters that opened from the outside.  At the back of the cabin was the toilet and shower - very primitive by today's standards.

We would play  on the beach, making sandcastles, doing cartwheels, paddling in the sea, skidding our feet through the sand (crocodile walk) and making baby foot prints with our hands, baiting worms with a piece of meat on the end of string and swirling it amongs the waves to encourage the worms to surface (bait for our sea fishing).  Playing amongst the sand dunes....amazing what imaginary games you can play creeping around on all fours up and down the dunes, around the shrubs growing from the sand. 

The freshwater lagoon (the water from the hills) into the sea held many insects and crayfish, plenty for children to do wading in the water and catching these creatures in a net.  Then there was the swimming in the lagoon and catching the waves in the sea. 

Our treat was also to go out in the boat with our father and catch fish.  I remember I got very seasick, but I did enjoy dropping the line and hook (with a sinker) into the water and catching the fish - the worse memory was that what I caught I had to eat and I hated fish. 

We also spent days walking around the rocks on this beach and other beaches where there was mainly rocks and looking in the rock pools and finding young sea creatures caught in the pools until the next tide helped them back into the sea.  There were small octopuses fish and crabs. 

We were allowed to wander around the coastline, over the rocks as far as we wanted to, as long as we were back before the tide came in, as you would be stranded or caught up in the sea.  I don't think we ever wandered off more than a mile.  Most times we clambered across the rocks in bare feet, as we found our shoes did not grip the rocks so well. 

At the end of the day, when we were in our beds, we would lay there with sand in our toes under the sheets and listen to the sea all night.  The shutters were never closed and I can hear the sound even now. 

That was the only holiday I ever remember.............but it is one that will stick in my mind for the rest of my life.....

Lagoon in foreground - cabins in distance

I have only had the opportunity of visiting the Beach once since and that was back in 1993.  But many people through the years have enjoyed this same beach and from photos on other peoples blogs (two shown above)  it really hasn't changed that much.

Now I must not ponder on those days, but look forward to new adventures in the future......

Out with the old and in with the "new"......

My friend and I went off to a Jumble Sale this morning - long gone are the days when the hall was packed with people pushing and shoving.  Hardly anyone goes these days, it is a great shame.  Loads of lovely ladies, gents, childrens clothes - all sorted by the volunteers - that you never find anything that has holes or paint on the garments - and never that whiff that you had of second hand clothes of days gone by. 

I "attached" myself to one end of the table and dragged the garments from right to left, picking out a skirt - no that is too small - that is too big - and then a lovely cotton blouse came my way, three quarter sleeves, lovely condition - (as she pulls it away and over the arm).  Next - a lovely striped cotton blouse, a little big, but it will do (over the arm), and a pair of shorts.  Oh my goodness I haven't worn shorts since I was a teenager........never mind (over the arm it goes).  Oooh thats a nice piece of fabric - see through - flowery with a little glitter - not sure what I will do with that (over the arm it goes).  "Excuse me I have four items here..".  20 pence each you really can't go wrong with that........in they all go into my bag (yes good to bring your bag with you - amazing what you can fit into it). 

Now where shall I go......mmmmm Oh look.......books......no mustn't.  With 879 books on my to be read pile, do I really need more???  Just a peek......oh look all those crime thrillers that I like so much - I will have that one - Alex Gore - not had one of his - oooh another one by Alex (in my left hand they go), oooh a Erica Spindler - something "pink" I don't think I got that one (in my left hand it goes).  Further along is audio books - I flick through the titles - oh dear all classics - Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, another one by Georgette Heyer - can't remember the title....No not for me.

My friend comes along and says "You don't want those books do you, with your to be read pile, you won't have time to read them!!!!"  Trust her to spoil it.....I put all the books back in the box and move away with her.  Aaah she has gone, just sneak back and pick the pile up again, except when I get there they have gone!!!!!!  Someone else had taken them......so I picked out just one and paid my 20 pence. 

 White blouse

 Shorts - I think their mens, never mind I am not fussed!

Stripe blouse

Fabric - its black really

That was an exciting hour........now I am home I have washed the garments (haven't tried them on yet) and am thinking which old ones will I throw out.  Mind you they are in the loft.....so can't throw them out til they come down on the 1st May.  Yes thats when I bring down my summer clothes and my winter clothes go back up. 

Ebay - isn't that a wonderful site......all that stuff you collect over the years and when you turn 50 (or 60 in my case), you think do you really need it?  The answer is always No!  You don't make a lot, but what a wonderful feeling when suddenly there is space.  

I collected brass lady bells for years - I had about 30 different ones - I remember taking about 12 of these on long journeys with our grandson  when he was a baby and to amuse him I "rang" the bells as we went along the motorway (of course I wasn't driving!).  Each one had a different tune.  He absolutely loved it.  But they have now all gone!  And I don't feel a thing.....I also had a collection of owls - wooden ones, ceramic ones, plastic ones, onyx one - I think I still got the onyx one as a memento, but the rest have all gone! 

I buy from Ebay too - not anything....things I will use - so it is a bit like swapping really - I have got rid of things I know I will never use and yet I have bought some wonderful practical things that I will use for years to come....

Ah well thats another "mile" gone by.........

One of those days.........

when everything gets on top of you and all you want to do is scream and walk out!  Well I am having one of those.  It really started a couple days ago, when I accidently left something in the washing machine.  I had set the programme for “Silk 30 degrees” because I wanted to wash a small crochet blanket but I did not want it to go through too hot in case it shrunk.    

I live in a household of “all men” and I get a call from my husband to say that my washing has been put in the dryer, as Guy A wanted to use the washing machine.   I went ballistic!!!!  “That washing is dripping wet” I yelled, and promptly slammed down the telephone and raced from the office up the garden path to the house to fish out the washing from the dryer.  What stupid person can think that you put dripping wet washing in a dryer!!!  The men do!!!  I just could not believe it. 

Then last evening, Guy A goes to the sink, with a teaspoon, takes down the washing up liquid and squeezes the liquid into the spoon (yes a whole spoonful) to what??? To wash the spoon.....just the spoon........nothing else!!!

My anger has now over spilled to the next day when I open the detergent drawer of the washing machine, to find it full of powder.  I just thought Guy B had put it in there to wash his clothes and decided not to.  I thought its his loss and I added my Washing Gel  on top and put the washing into the machine, turn it on – nothing!!! The washing machine is not working!!!  No problem for most if it was the only time, but I have had this machine less than three years and it has had so many new parts - the simplest way would have been a new machine, but oh no....the insurance company says fix it.  The worse is that it takes the  company seven days to send out an engineer......back goes my dirty washing into the washing bin......Grrrr...

By this time, I am really angry – and anyone that gets in my firing line gets it.  I wondered why I hadn’t seen my husband much today, who can blame him.

A few days ago I complained about a litter bin which had been strapped to a post outside on the verge.  This bin is an obstruction for anyone in a car coming out of my drive or the neighbours drive.  I complained to the Council and asked for it to be removed.  My telephone answer machine today – “when you back out on the main road, the bin is not in the way it is the other side of the car, we do not intend moving it and it will remain where it is”.  I flared up again – I thought, and I don’t think I am wrong – that you cannot back out of a drive on a main road, it is against the law!!!  My complaint was – you cannot see pedestrians because this bin is an obstruction, you cannot see cyclists because again the bin is in the way and you certainly cannot see the cars on the road unless you pull right out in the road.  After another telephone call, I was told it would depend on the  traffic management inspector, he will be out today....no sign of him yet!  No doubt the guy on the Call Centre has warned the Inspector not to knock on my door, as I am not a very happy chappy ...... 

And so my day ends..........Earlier I took a photo of the bin and the front of my washing machine with the intention of giving you a picture to look at rather than me raving on like a lunatic....but guess what???  I plugged in the lead, transfered the photos from the camera to the computer, erase the pictures on the camera, and then....oh yes.....I erased the pictures from the computer too.......and to be honest I just can't be bothered looking for them, even if they are still in the "Recycle Bin".............there is always another day........

Bad day yesterday......better today

I went out with the "Girls" on Tuesday evening to a lovely Italian Restaurant.  Back in 1997, I worked at (but not for) the local College in a tiny office at the back of the main building, which only had one window,  a tiny one  way up in the roof.  I was on my own with a computer, telephone and filing cupboards.  The boss went AWOL, and I worked hard for an outside committee on my own.  Some days I would gaze up to the window and hoped that I would at least see a bird or a helicopter, but often not.   One day I had dropped off to sleep at the computer when suddenly the office door opened and a head appeared to ask if I would do a favour - photocopy a document.  Even though it was not my job to do so, I always hoped I would have this distraction to go out of the office for a change of scenery. 

One day, I had enough of the loneliness and I found my way into the main building, up on the second floor into a large office, where five ladies were working away........I did not know any of them, but I openly invited myself to their morning coffee break - and for one year whilst in that job I left my dingy, tiny office for the five minute walk for a coffee break with real people. 

It was here that I was invited to their get togethers, every two months, at a local restaurant, which has now been going for 15 years!  We have changed from middle aged women to pensioners.  And I cannot remember when that change took place.

Anyway the evening was great, but yesterday I could not move from my bed - I felt terrible, headache, achy limbs, so so tired, so my whole day was wasted by trying to get well again.

Today is brighter, the sun was shining and we went for a drive.  Now I did take the camera with the intention of snapping these workman we saw last time, whilst stuck in a queue.  One workman had a water spray and the other held a bollard whilst it was being washed!  Today, I just could not resist, whilst in the traffic queue to ask this young workman peering into an imaginary hole. "Excuse me Sir, did you find what you are looking for??".  I wonder why he gave me an odd look. 

Too late!  I forgot about the camera I had ready - I didn't take it.....How annoying so no pictures for today either......Back home and I am now in my Office catching up on the admin I should have done this morning........there is always tomorrow. I guess

Pancake Day......and other things this week

The day before Ash Wednesday which is the start of Lent.  Pancake Day is when you use up all your food, like flour, milk and eggs before Lent. 

I never remember celebrating Pancake Day as a child, but I do remember in the 1960s whilst away at school, we had a Lent Box, and the idea was that you had to give up something during Lent (e.g. sweets) and the money you saved went into this box.   At the end of Lent it was handed into the local church. 

I have tried to celebrate Pancake Day since my children were young (now all grown up) by making a batch on the day.  At first my husband was not keen as he always felt ill when his mother made them, and so a taste of my pancakes was a huge surprise as he had no ill effects.  It transpires that his mother put a load of fat in hers, which turned out to be rather heavy in texture.  Since I make good pancakes (never tossed one) I am reminded at breakfast on the day "Don't forget the pancakes!". 

Now its done, we had them for lunch with lemon & orange juice and sugar (I also put Chocolate and Hazlenut spread on mine) - and sorry no picture as they were gone in a flash.  I make mine with 8 oz Gluten free, non wheat Self Raising Flour, a piece of melted butter, one egg and half a pint of milk (although with gluten free flour I find you need a tad more milk), whisk and ladle into a heated greased frypan (I don't have non-stick), and wait. 

***

I finished the book this week - Ambush by Paul Carson.  If you like thrillers, then you may like this.  I absolutely enjoyed the fast pace action.

One wintry Dublin morning, a hired killer unleashes a deadly ambush.  His targets;  a Government Minister campaigning against drugs and his medical spokesman, Dr Scott Nolan.  But the attacks go horribly wrong, and in the bloodbath that follows, Scott's wife Laura is killed by a bullet meant for him.

Fuelled by guilt, grief and revenge, Nolan enters into an uneasy alliance with Laura's brother, Detective Mark Higgins.  Together they embark on a highly controversial convert mission to track down the assassin.

But their target is vicious and amoral - are Nolan and Higgins prepared to put their own lives on the line to catch him! 5/5



My stairs - not happy with colour.  Good idea to use up left over paint from other projects, but not such a good idea to use these colours for the stairs. 

The first day I painted every other step and the next day the other steps.  I left a note on  the step that was newly painted so that the guys knew which ones were "wet (tacky)" .  The comment was the steps are dry but the colours "tacky". That was not a compliment.......so off to the DIY to buy another tin of paint in another colour (not gloss as it is also too slippery).  Doesn't say much for me recycling....The other picture is looking up, the masking tape still in place.  Its going to stay like that until I find that alternative colour.

The rails will eventually be painted too and then the walls.  But for now I just got to get these stairs looking good.........



Boiled Pineapple Fruit Cake

Boiled Pineapple Fruit Cake -  Many years ago my Aunt gave me a recipe, but like all things I have misplaced it - so I googled for another. I do not always follow recipes word for word, mainly because I might not have one or two of the ingredients. 

In this case the recipe that I followed by a contribution on a food site, was a bit muddly with amounts.  One minute it was grams, then it was cups and the last was a third of 375 gms.  I just have not the patience for that and anyway the crushed pineapple in my tin was 435 gms and the recipe said 450gms.

When it was cooked it was lovely and moist, a little heavy but certainly not dry and packed with fruit.  I had used almonds and not pecan nuts and I changed the measurements slightly - "a cup" I exchanged to 4 oz. even that is odd when the rest of recipe says gms, but it worked OK for me.

This is the recipe:
450 gms crushed pineapple   (I used 435g)
375 gms mixed fruit (I only had sultanas)
One third of 375 gms raisins (I could not work that out and as I only had a few raisins I just made it up to 500 gms)
1 Cup of Sugar (I did 4 oz)
125 gms butter (I used an alternative)
1 teaspoon Biocarb soda
1 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Mixed spice
1 cup of SR Flour (I did 4 oz)
2 Eggs
1 cup of Plain Flour (I did 4 oz)
Pecan nuts (I can't remember the measurement, but I threw in a handful of almonds)

1.Grease a square tin (I used a loaf tin)
2.Add to saucepan - crushed pineaple, mixed fruit, raisins, sugar, butter and bring to boil (I actually added a little water too)
3. Leave to cool
4. Add the flour, nutmeg, mixed spice, biocarb a little at a time with the eggs and stir well with spoon..
5.  Add the nuts and stir and pour into greased tin.
6.  Cook for 1.5 - 2 hours on medium heat (I have an electric fan oven and cooked it for 1.5 hours on 180 degrees) til skewer when pushed into cake comes out dry.
7.  Leave to cool before taking out of tin and cool on rack. 
8.  Place in an airtight tin with padlock! (its so good it might not last long!) 

And as my husband said it even tasted good as a pudding with custard and/or cream.

My plants are also old......

My Christmas Cactus is a cutting from a very old plant which belonged to my Nan.  Nan bought the Cactus in the early 1970s and when she died about 20 years ago, I retrieved from the dustbin and bought it home.  It grew to about three feet high and six feet wide from tip to tip.  There was just nowhere to keep it and since I already had a cutting, I gave it to my daughter for her small flat.

I am not the greatest with plants, most just die on me - but then Christmas Cactus are so easy to look after, they don't complain if you just give them a drop of water now and again.  The flowers are not so plentiful as my Nan had, but then she talked to the plants, which I don't!

Then I have this strange one - another cacti sort of plant, no idea what it is, but it is over 25 years old.  Started off as a tiny tiny plant in a cane kettle about three inches wide, a present from my Aunt.  It grew out of the cane kettle and I replanted it in this pot.  Now this is another one who is happy for a watering now and again.  Its leaf shapes have changed every year, but it still flourishes.

Then there is this one.  No idea what it is.....but I retrieved this from a friends dustbin in 2001.  She no longer wanted it - and again it gets a watering and leaves stripped off now and again.  Looking a bit sad at the moment, that is because I just gave it some water this morning, it must be months since I watered it.  Poor thing.

And my Peace Lily, I received this as a gift from one of my jobs in 1997.  I have no idea how this has survived, but it has, but it never produces any white flower.  It never grows much then that is probably my fault as I rarely water it either, hence it looks a bit limp at the moment.

Now I am almost retired I am determined to "like plants" as well as put a few pots out on the patio to grow strawberries and herbs.  Couldn't believe my eyes whilst in the DIY store this week, how expensive a strawberry plant was!  I had been given two last year and they produced 3 whole strawberries between them.  Unfortunately I left them out in the frost, and will need some tlc to bring them back to life.  So now is the time to do some reading on "Gardening"........

A day of rest.....

Except it did not exactly turn out like that.  I was cooking for an extra two - so I decided for something simple - like a beef stew and mashed potatoes.  The "stew" was delicious, except that having simmered it for over 3 hours, it looked more like broth with a few lumps (meat pieces).  Then we followed that with pear and blackberry crumble. 

Both were our own produce from the garden last summer, prepared and stored in deep freezer.  We have one lovely pear tree that never lets us down with big fat juicy pears, and along with that one that struggles every year to give us hard skin small pears - they are still tasty but not so easy to peel.  The blackberries are self sown.  Each year we cut them down to the ground and even pull them out, but up they pop again somewhere else and the berries are so big and juicy.  So the crumble with custard was enjoyed by all.

Then for a game of Rummikub with my daughter - I just so love this game and yet it was only just before Christmas that I learnt to play it and now I am hooked, but I have to wait weeks before I can have another game.

I also finished the book Hard Girls by Martina Cole.   This is the fourth one I have read, and I wonder if I should have read them in order of publication as in this book it refers to the characters from her last books.

Danielle Crosby had a body to die for. A body she sold to the highest bidder. But she ended up paying for it with her life.

When a prostitute's body is found lifeless, mutilated and brutally raped, DCI Annie Carr has never seen anything like it and never wants to again. Kate Burrows, retired DCI now consultant, has plenty of experience when it comes to murder - after all she caught the Grantley Ripper and broke the biggest paedophile ring in the South East. She is determined to help put the killer behind bars. But whoever it is won't be easily caught. And when another girl's body is found, even more horrifically disfigured than the last, it's clear the killer is just warming up...

In a ruthless world where everyone's out for themselves, Annie and Kate must dig deep if they hope to catch a callous serial killer who knows no limits and makes no mistakes. For some, prostitution is seriously big business. But how many people will pay the ultimate price?

I did not enjoy this one so much as the other three I have read.  I found that it was a bit repetitive in places and long winded when speaking about the Kate/Pat relationship, I found myself skipping these parts so I could catch up with the plot in hand.  The story line was good though and it did end as one would expect. 

So now I must plan what I am to do for the rest of the week........

Its Friday........

Its Friday.........a day you can start to wind down for the weekend.  Of course if you are retired, then most days are the same.  But as I haven't 100% retired I just like a day I don't have to do anything and take my time doing it. 

This morning I awoke to more snow......with the sun shining it did look pretty. 

Most of the day was spent debating which way to install the new toilet in the bathroom make over.  The current toilet has been in the house soon after it was built and we are reluctant to get rid of it as it has served many years of "flushes" and the toilet is still white as the day it was put in.  The mechanism in the cistern is 60 years old - works brilliantly and never let us down until  recently the metal plunger mechanism inside the cistern (under the water) where it meets the rod of the handle has worn an irreparable groove.  Ideally we would like this piece replaced, however it is so rusty and the bolts holding it together are rusty too, that I doubt we could even get it apart.  So sadly it will have to go to a more modern suite with a modern flusher, which are generally rubbish and forever needing attention.

So apart from that we were also talking about electric wet heating for the home.  There is no gas supply.  We have been thinking about this for over 10 years, since we had coal fire central heating that went terribly wrong and we had to have it removed.  How have we survived all these years you may ask?  Well I wonder myself, we do have a couple convector heaters,  and with several layers of clothing, good wholesome food, and a hot water bottle at bedtime - we have........but since we are now approaching "old age" we need to think about a better form of heating.

Now to end my day I shall pick up the book I am still reading "Hard Girls" by Martina Cole.  Very near to the end  and can't wait til it is finished and I can move onto the next book.  With nearly 880 books to read - that certainly will be a challenge to complete in a life time! 

More books on my book shelves......

I managed to paint two treads of the stairs before I had to go out.  I chose Dulux Country Beige for the risers and Dulux Samba for the treads.....both were old tins of paint left over from a kitchen makeover about 15 years ago.  Apart from a thick skin on top of the paint, it was fine after a good stir.  So far I like my handiwork, but then that is not everybody taste - may not even be mine when it is finished.  But I have to say it is an improvement on bare wood.

Painted just two treads you may ask?  Well I was off to collect three big boxes of books from a Freecycler.  This is always an exciting couple hours for me when I bring the books into the hall and sit on the floor and read some and sort into piles - that pile goes to my favourite Charity - a Hospice for Children who are terminally ill, that pile to another Freecycler and that pile for me.  My husband always says that I am always quiet for those couple hours.   I acquired ten.....no - eleven - I found another one as I was packing the remaining books into a box to put on my doorstep for collection.

I also did a telephone survey this morning. Two questions I remember put a smile on my face.

 "Do you work"? she said.    "Yes".  I said.  "What is your occupation?" she said.  Well I had only been thinking about that last night what to call myself, never gave it a thought til now.  I do a mixture of things, so there is not an exact title to what I do.  So I said "I don't know".  "Oh - so you are retired"!! she said.  "No!" I said......I am not really sure what she put down for that. 

Next question - "What do you think of the high funeral costs?" she said.  "Pardon"? I said.  I thought I heard her, but was not sure.  She asked me again - "Do I have any worries about funeral costs?" she said.

"Oh no" I said.  "I have instructed my family to dig a big hole in the back garden and just drop me into it"!

She wasn't amused.......

I cannot believe that this afternoon, I was exhausted - well I was sorting books, maybe that was it!  But I did not give in - I went onto the computer and e.mailed some of my dear friends....then I got out the vacuum cleaner and gave the house a good clean, did some washing, hung the clothes on the line and cooked the evening meal. 

And that was the highlights of my day......and I have already planned what to do tomorrow......

Temporary memory loss.....

Well this sure has been a day for losing your memory.....forgetting more like it!  Was called out on a job, which happened to be near where we both lived in my early 20s, and he all his younger life.  So we took the opportunity on our way back home to "relive" memories of how it used to be - when the roundabout was built, where the clock once stood in the town, what the bus fare was from A to B, where I lived, where he lived, on and on as we drove down the motorway only to realise that we had left something behind! 

Whoops, which meant we had to come off the motorway at the next exit, find which lane we should be in to get back on the opposite side!  Except we took the wrong turning and ended taking an extra half hour to end up back to where we started, picked up the item and got back on the same motorway home! 

If that wasn't enough.  we visit the local DIY on Wednesdays because we get discount for being over 60.  He says "Have I got the list?" - Yes I say.  "Have I got the car keys" - Yes I say.  And so on our way we go with a heated debate how we want the bathroom to look........and within yards of getting to the store - I said "did you bring the discount card" - He says "No - I thought you had it". 

So back home we go.......thank goodness it is only 5 miles....... Our intention was to buy the wall tiles for the new bathroom.  When we arrive at the store I said "Did you measure the bathroom walls, how many boxes of tiles do we need?".  He says "I thought you were going to measure the walls"!!!!!

So after all that we came away with just a couple small items.......

At least this morning I did remember to paint the risers on the stairs....now the next stage is to paint the treads.....just hope it is a better day tomorrow....

Busy day today.....

It wasn't worth writing anything for the past two days as I didn't do a lot as it was sooo cold.  Amongst other things I did do some crocheting of the blanket - a couple more rounds.  Almost ready to unpick the next garment to put into it.

Today....well I just did not sit still for a minute.  Well that is not completely true, I did get a chance this morning to sit and read my book "Hard Girls" by Martina Cole with a cup of coffee.....not sure if I like this one as much as some of her others...but more of that later.

First of all - I have decided to paint the stairs!  Its always been stained wood stairs - no carpet.  Got this wild idea of having either black and white or red and cream.  My husband thinks I have gone a bit mad.  He prefers carpet.  Nope I am sticking to it and if it does become a complete disaster, one thing with carpet it will cover the stairs completely without a worry.  I sanded down each step to remove marks  and gave it a coat of undercoat.   Not looking forward to the prospect of sanding down the banisters, they were stained and varnished when "dark wood" was the "in" colour years ago.....That took me the best part of the morning.  Not much to look at the moment, but wait til I have finished it!

Then it has been baking day - not that I have any particular day to do baking - but today I thought I would make a Boiled Fruit cake.....now where did I put Grandma's recipe.  Nan, as I called her had this fantastic boiled fruit cake recipe and as she got too old to bake herself, I made one for her every week.  It was sooo light and scrumptious. 

Unfortunately over the years I have misplaced my Gran's old recipe and had to resort to the one in the Ladybird book - "Packed Lunches", which never tastes the same as Granny used to make.  Well its done, slightly burnt, took it out of the tin too quick and "dropped" it onto the side of cake cooler and broke a chunk off.  Oh well as long as it is edible I guess......

This is not all I have done today, but these are the highlights of my day - and now I am exhausted. 

Now what shall I do tomorrow.........???

Crocheted blanket.....

My grandmother never had the chance to finish one of her many crocheted blankets. She died nearly 20 years ago and I acquired the unfinished blanket. Nothing fancy, just the type you crochet round and round and round with odd balls of wool. It is cosy and warm, but unfortunately barely fits the top of the double bed.

So I decided a few weeks ago to finish it! I had not been shopping for wool for years, and was shocked to see the price per ball. I was wandering around a local store and there was a sale on for this unknown apparel. No idea what they are - you either have to be extra skinny for it to be a top, or it just meant to fit round your neck.  Well they were in the sale, so I bought three for £3.00 which came to about 350 grams per garment. 

Took me 30 mins to unpick one of and wind into a ball.  The fringe has been tied together with tiny knots which really won’t notice once they are crocheted in.   So today I have been busy crocheting away and completed about inch and half all round so far.   

The fibres from this cheap acrylic did get up my nose though and tickle........so looking for a protection round my face the next time I do more – or just don’t breathe!

Finding my "Road"

Last year I decided to retire in 2012.  Here we are in February, and I am still working, albeit part time, but I am still working, but because I work for myself I can pick and choose which days I want to work.  Which suits me fine as there are other things I want to do in my life as well.

One thing I need to do is keep busy, not only for the exercise, but because I like to fill the day with a lot of activity and know I have achieved something.

January came and went, and during that time I thought about starting a blog on my "road to retirement and beyond.......".

On this "Road" I want to cover a lot of things........reading, flower arranging, painting, crocheting, knitting, sewing, cooking, refurbishing furniture, woodwork, decorating, DIY, gardening, walking, swimming, cycling, travel, writing, etc.  A bit of everything.  I never had the opportunity of trying out all these as family and work got in the way.

I will add pictures of my attempts, achievements and disasters, as I go along and hope that others will find this Blog interesting.....or even funny.