A day at the Show....

Very busy week just passed.  Thursday was our Club day and we were expecting a talk, but the person did not turn up so it had to be board games.  Well I don't mind that, in fact I love games and today it was Scrabble. A couple hours fun with members.

On Friday I met up with a friend and we walked to the local cafe for morning tea, which then turned into lunch - how can two people have so much to catch up on.  Well it had been a couple months so that is our excuse.  We are both eager to reach our 10,000 steps a day, and this was no exception.  We walked so much but not actually going anywhere and reached our goal.  

Then yesterday - off to the Home Renovating Show at Sandown Park in Esher with a another friend - three trains to get there and almost a mile walk.

 Outside the Cafe Rouge on the main road and at the top of the road to the station there is this enormous milestone.  Carved on it is various places and how many miles the places are from here.

At last we have made it and now just a short distance from this gate is the Exhibition Centre, where we found lots of interesting stalls - from roofing - double glazing - insulation - bricks - and even more things you can add to your home.  Lots of information - just too much to absorb in one day.  

To break up the day we wandered outside - couldn't want for better weather it is was warm, but not too warm and bright sunshine.

I had been to Esher many many years ago, but never to the race course. 

My interest was the scaffolding and ladders today - and here we have someone demonstrating it for us. Well I thought he was but he wandered off.

Moving onto the ladders 

This is a good one, but I am not sure if I could climb a ladder now.  I should have had a go whilst there, but I chickened out. .

After we covered all the stalls, we went for a late lunch in the Food Hall - and was very surprised that food was good value for money, and very tasty.  Always thought these places were expensive, but it certainly wasn't in this case and the staff were so helpful and friendly.

And so....all done for the day ....we headed for home.

Today (Sunday) is about resting.  No 10,000 steps for me today - just the usual getting everything ready for another week.

Gooseberries....

 We have four gooseberry bushes in the garden and they grow in abundance.  I can't handle the pips and so it is the other half eats them in pies, crumbles or just on their own.  This time I thought I might try and make gooseberry jam.  

I found three recipes - all different quantities of fruit, sugar and water.    Which one to choose?  I have only made jam once and that kind of worked out OK.  So long ago now I can't remember.

Once cooked I decided to push the gooseberries through a sieve - that took some effort getting all the flesh included in the liquid.  I could enjoy the gooseberry jam now. 

Add the sugar and boil til it gets to temperature.  No jam thermometer in this house, so I had to do the old fashioned way and put on a cold plate to see if it sets.  Nope and nope again - well perhaps a little after an hour.  Oh well - gooseberry jam will have to be gooseberry jelly - maybe....we shall see.

All finished, cool and and not as set as I would have liked. Bit like runny honey - so instead of on toast, I will to be poured over ice cream or use under a steam pudding.  

So that is all done and now the task of sorting my table cutlery drawer in the kitchen.  I am so fed up with all sorts.  

I have a canteen with cutlery I got as a wedding present all those years ago and I don't think they have ever left the cupboard until now.

Started to unpack them, and now have them in the kitchen drawer instead.  

That is better - I am not sure if I like them, but oh so nice to have just a few to choose from.  

Here is another drawer full in the sideboard - I don't think I will be having a parties now.  So guess I ought to get stuck into getting rid of these too.

Well that kept me busy all morning, and this afternoon was spent catching up with a friend.  I only met her yesterday for a coffee in the local supermarket, so you would think we had nothing to talk about today.  Of course we did, we are planning days out and days away. 

The day started with....

Egg omelette with banana and prunes for breakfast.   Three eggs in a jug, beaten, a quick flick under the water tap, add a tablespoon of milled flaxseed, sunflower seeds, etc., mashed banana, pitted prunes.  

Place in a frying pan 

Add a Kiwi fruit and a teaspoon of local honey. 

Normally the omelette comes out the pan in a nice tidy shape, but today it decided not too. Not pretty, but tasted delicious.  

This plate is one of a set that I bought in the 1970's, our very first dinner service.  The cups are brown on the outside and orange on the inside.  I loved them so much that I put them away into a cupboard - until about six months ago - and now I don't like them. Very dated, very orange, very brown - but they do hold some memories....so they will do for the kitchen.

I was looking in the mirror today - and couldn't believe that there are more wrinkles.  How did they appear so quickly. 

I remember when my brother and I were around ten or eleven years old, there were two books in the cabinet in the living room.  One was "On Becoming a Woman" and the other "On Becoming a Man".  Our parents had bought these for us to read and understand.  I have never seen a book yet that says "On Becoming an Old Woman" or even "On Becoming an Old Man".  So I really don't know what to expect - and you can't ask your friends because they don't know either.....and you can't ask an even older person as they don't remember what happened and when....so we all have to find that road and follow it ourselves....

Today I attended an Art drop in group, with someone I knew who was a lot older and said she would be interested to come along.  Only half way the session, she was nodding off and kept apologizing she couldn't keep awake.  As she wasn't familiar with the area, I packed up my gear and we both left for the bus home.  

The Art group is for anyone, whether you are a professional or an amateur, it does matter, it is an informal group for you to meet and sit and paint or draw.  I am still trying to get the portraits right - still not happy with my attempts and now too embarrassed to show what I did today.  

Pleasant walk and games today....

Look at this beautiful under pass.  It was painted over a year ago, maybe two, the years go so fast and although there is some damage by person or persons, it still is such a beautiful art piece under one of the main roads..  

Mums stop and point out the animals - the stag, and something on the tree, and rock. The children love it.  

Off to the Board Game this morning - a scrabble table and a domino table.  Scrabble for me today, followed by a cup of tea and a piece of cake.  All good fun. 

Arrived home to find my parcel had arrived - a set of fine felt pens to try out on my Art.  Tried them out today.

So that was about it for Tuesday.  

Father's Day

I had no idea when Father's Day began, until now when I looked it up on the internet. It had been around as far back as I could remember, that is all I knew.  In Australia they celebrate Father's Day on the first Sunday in September, but here in the UK it is the third Sunday in June.  

Sadly my father died at the end of last year, and every day I think about him, and I think about him on Father's Day today and again in September.  Today our children came to visit, and  they always bring a little something for their Father, which is nice.

I also received a bunch of flowers - and for a moment was confused why I should get a bunch today.  But they both reminded me that it was for our Anniversary at the beginning of June and I hadn't seen them since May.

We often do not  have both our children visit on the same day, so today was rather special.  Because it was a special day, I make a special cake. 

I am no expert..  This is just a cake (if I cook a sponge, it is always too heavy.  If I cook a Victoria sandwich - its neither here nor there)  This is a cake, that is tasty.  Today I put double cream and chopped strawberries in the middle and lots of cream on top and those lovely chocolate with the segments and orange flavour as the final decoration.  

What idiot irons on a extremely hot day?  I did - I had washed two large curtains this afternoon, and I stood at the ironing board with the iron sweating bucket loads for over an hour. Guess I needed to burn some calories after that cake!

Won a prize in the raffle again....

The usual weekly Club - we generally have something different on each week.  This afternoon it was a talk about the past and present of a town.

We also have a book table, where members can bring in books and for a small donation take another to read.  Most of the books on the table are mine (I have over 100 to pass on and only manage to carry one or two every week).  But oh dear someone came in and said "I have two Dilly Court books here, you like hers don't you?"  Well with over 600 on my To Be Read pile I shouldn't, but I did.  

And then comes the raffle.  I only buy one and I can pick which number I want - you have five tickets on the strip but only one can win. I rummage in the basket for the one I think will win, and pop the 50 pence in box.  There are only small prizes like biscuits, Mr Kipling pies etc., but all fun.  

Whoo hoo my number is picked and I have won a packet of Rich Tea.

Well that was a couple hours of fun, meeting up with people you get to know over the weeks, and being able to plan other outings between a few of us outside of the Club days. 

I also took out a Subscription for the Leisure Painter - I have the July issue on loan for a week and there is some interesting articles in there.  Now I can look forward to my own copy each month. 

Lovely hot sunny day.....

Have a very large garden, with lots of trees and shrubs and they usually fend for themselves. But I would like some plants in pots (got loads of pots),so today I visited a DIY shop, and there on the trolley outside were trays of marigolds, nine plants in each for £1.00 a tray.  Can't resist a bargain.

Last week I finished painting an old metal computer table - used old paint which was slightly grainy with age, but it did the trick, the table looks a lot better than it was.

Our lovely green shed needs a re-paint, but could I find the colour I wanted.  Well not without a lot of trouble.  I was convinced Sherwood Green was available, but the member of staff in the DIY shop, said it is an old colour you can't buy it now.  The next shade is too dark - so I decided when I got home I would look up on the computer and yes they do stock the colour I want so I ordered it online and selected click and collect.

 Very quick service - within two hours it is now ready to collect from the store.  

 So - another job for the coming weeks.

 I have these tiny weedy looking plants on my patio all along the edge of house

 ....and along the edge of the fence

and in between the paving stones where the sand and cement are missing.  I did start to pull it out, but those flowers are so very pretty it seems a shame.  I thought it was a weed, but perhaps it isn't. To be honest I haven't a clue.

I decided to make some cakes this evening - and Flynn was asleep in the other room.  So that he didn't bark when I turned on the beater, I called out that I was making cakes!

Then this face appeared - there is nothing like good old home baking - well for this dog anyhow and although I don't like him having sweet things, he does have tiny piece to see if they taste OK.  He is a good judge.  

 ...and both Flynn and I are trying to cut our sugars - these are made with very little and this time they are Gluten Free.  

 No Flynn they are not ready yet! 

 Yes they are out of the oven Flynn, but still too hot to eat... ..

...now sit and wait.  Well he did and he had a small piece of cake.  Now he has gone to bed.  for the night.  

"To do" Lists....

 Hey....where did that twelve months go.  I have broken one rule at least. I haven't posted anything since the last one on 31st December 2014.

Lots has happened - given up one of my jobs just one month ago, I was spending long hours with very little in return.  I estimate I have at least 40 hours extra a week to do other things!

Let's look at the last  post in 2014, I had a "to do" list for 2015.  Can't say I accomplished much. 

Well lets see - 
1.  Join a local art group - there is one that is only a couple pounds a day (no tutor), just turn up.  Not done this yet.
 
2.  Continue to go to a knitting and natter group - really loving this - not that I can talk and knit, and since I don't do knitting at home, I just have to knit and not talk at the group.  Whoops gave this up on the first base.  Must think about that for 2016.
 
3.  Plan and build my retirement home.  Ha - a dream for years - I have lots of sticky notes dotted around the house of design sketches.  Will I achieve it - probably not, but we can all dream.  Nope not a dream entirely.  In the process of drawing up plans for an extension (larger kitchen).  We are hoping to build it ourselves. We did the roof extension twenty years ago, but were twenty years younger then.  This will be fun.....
 
4.  Use the buses - see how far I can get in a day. To Cambridge (twice) took best part of a day to get there!
 
5.  Visit friends by trains and buses - cars stress me out - and I don't like driving long distances. Have been in touch and met up with "friends" of the past, not seen for over 30 years.  That was fun. 
 
6.  More weekends away - just love the feel that I can't do anything because I am not there to sort the problems out. Not so much weekends, but a couple days in Cambridge and Weymouth and an overnight stay near Bristol.
 
7.  Clear the garden - accumulated junk, that was to be made into something, but never got round to it.  Ha Ha - I am sure it multiplies.  Lots gone, but still lots left!!
 
8.  Ebay - love it - I have cleared loads of stuff - over forty years worth, some have been packed in boxes and never seen for years til I got them out dusted off and offered on Ebay.  Gone gone gone....a great feeling and to be honest I can't remember any of it.  Yep more gone - some big stuff nobody wants so looking for other means of recycling. Lots gone to charity shops.  
 
9.  Get painting - all my projects in the garage just waiting....Yep still waiting.
 
10. Another trip to Australia to see family......no....to see Australia.  Really want to start from Perth and travel on the train to Sydney.  Then I want to do the East Coast trip.....again. I will call in to see family on the way past. Nope - not planned anything yet. 
 
11. Make my own bread in a breadmaker.  Need to buy one first. I bought one in January - a lovely red one to match the kitchen. I reckon I have baked 150 loaves to date.  I am afraid my own were awful, so gone for the packet bread mixes. 
 
12.  Grow more produce in garden and bake more.  The trouble is I love my own cooking, which of course is not good for waistline. Certainly done more cakes - tend to do ones in the cake cases - all flavours.  If I see something in the cupboard in it goes.  The only fruit we had an abundance of this year were apples (from two trees) and I have peeled, maybe, 20 builder barrow loads, and frozen them for making pies, etc.  No...nothing thrown away - these will last us at least two years. And yes there will be more yield next year. 
 
13.  Read more books - still have over 800 on the shelves to be read. Well I have to get a move on, I am still two down from last year.  I have culled some which now gives a total of 735.  The only author I keep is Mary Higgins Clark, the others go once read.  There is about ten I started and never liked, so they too have gone. 
 
14.  And finally post more often on the blog.  It certainly has lapsed this year and lots have been happening too. Ha Ha that I never did - but it will change I promise. 

Mmmmm.....room for improvement don't you think?  Lets first concentrate on No.14......!

Helloooooo......thought I best get one post in before the end of the year!

Its been a while since I posted on my blog.....the truth of the matter is that I have not had a moment spare for months and months. 

Back in August I went away for a 2 day break which was suppose to give me time to think of my future.  I had been so stressed for the whole of the year because I just had too much on my plate, before I could spend any time on leisure which to this point is almost "nil".

I have been running a business for almost ten years and decided that enough is enough, that I would tell all my clients that by the end of January I was retiring....that is going to happen, but......I will still be working for one person!!!!  NO never seemed to appear in my vocabulary.  

So, now we are at the end of 2014.  My family came to visit last night armed with late Christmas presents and I received a lovely hamper of Organic Food. 

  Oh yum...all sorts - two packets of minced pies, two chocs, shortbread, mint saunce, basmatic rice, mayonnaise, digestive biscuits, marmalade, chutney, white wine vinegar, honey, marmalade peppercorns, granulated sugar and some free from food too - gluten free xmas pud, fruit loaf, rich fruit cake, cherry bakewell tarts.

What am I planning for 2015.   

1.  Join a local art group - there is one that is only a couple pounds a day (no tutor), just turn up.
2.  Continue to go to a knitting and natter group - really loving this - not that I can talk and knit, and since I don't do knitting at home, I just have to knit and not talk at the group.
3.  Plan and build my retirement home.  Ha - a dream for years - I have lots of sticky notes dotted around the house of design sketches.  Will I achieve it - probably not, but we can all dream.
4.  Use the buses - see how far I can get in a day.
5.  Visit friends by trains and buses - cars stress me out - and I don't like driving long distances.
6.  More weekends away - just love the feel that I can't do anything because I am not there to sort the problems out.
7.  Clear the garden - accumulated junk, that was to be made into something, but never got round to it.
8.  Ebay - love it - I have cleared loads of stuff - over forty years worth, some have been packed in boxes and never seen for years til I got them out dusted off and offered on Ebay.  Gone gone gone....a great feeling and to be honest I can't remember any of it.
9.  Get painting - all my projects in the garage just waiting....
10. Another trip to Australia to see family......no....to see Australia.  Really want to start from Perth and travel on the train to Sydney.  Then I want to do the East Coast trip.....again. I will call in to see family on the way past. 
11. Make my own bread in a breadmaker.  Need to buy one first.
12.  Grow more produce in garden and bake more.  The trouble is I love my own cooking, which of course is not good for waistline.
13.  Read more books - still have over 800 on the shelves to be read.
14.  And finally post more often on the blog.  It certainly has lapsed this year and lots have been happening too.

So thats me for this year.....Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.