Blogging and Random Thoughts

Just felt the need for a quick blog today. Isn't it amazing how you get hooked. I keep looking just to see if I've had any visitors, in fact I think most of the hits may be me looking to see if anyone else is dropping by. Is that sad, or needy or what?








Also been to a meeting about K going off to Italy on a school trip. how exciting is that. Not the meeting. The trip sounds fab, wish it was me that  was going. Mind you, someone who needs to snooze like this..........

May find it hard to sleep overnight on a bus full of very excited teenagers.
Have been having a peek at lots of other blogs over the last few days. how on earth do you all manage to do these fatastic blocks of photos? Any hints and tips would be really appreciated.





Saw this bike advertising a local cafe and thought you might like to seeit. Summer in a bike if you can have such a thing!

Picnic Time

What more could you want on a sunny Father's Day than a picnic in the Scottish Borders. Yesterday we made the plans but as ever in this country it all depends on the weather. We struck lucky and went for it. We found a spot that we had kind of remembered from a trip years ago on the way back from Hawick. We were joined by some friends although unfortunately someone had to work. Medicine doesn't always fit in with sunny days.

The girls spent quite a while paddling in the river. Even older boys were drawn to the water but for a spot of dam building.

Later we all sat in the sun and compared the size of toes. The two small girls are also facinated by bugs and spent lots of time searching for them and making sure that I was suitably interested. This is quite hard, I really am not a bug kind of person, but some of them were very pretty.

Altogether a very good time was had by all. Sitting, eating, a bit of drinking pink wine mmmm......

The weather stayed kind as we spotted motorbikes by engine sound only. Y and B very good at this. I of course am hopeless.

Hopefully there will be lots more days like this...

Friday Flowers.

Yesterday was our Wedding Anniversary. 17 years, where did all the time go? Some beautiful flowers arrived during the day and were waiting for me when I got home. A  good surprise at the end of the day.

I have them on the hearth along with the flowers I treated myself to when I got the shopping last week. Not quite in the same league but nice all the same.

Today I was taken out to lunch but arrived in town just a little bit early after a well timed escape from work. Just enough time for a mooch around the local gift shop. And look what I found. Only looked though, no buying. Not that I wasn't tempted but looking was enough for today.

After lunch we decided to go to a new cafe / bar place for a coffee and spotted a new vintage store. possibly it's a second hand store but really well laid out and has lots of vintage clothes, shoes and house things.

Speak to you all sometime over he weekend. Hope it stays sunny where you are.

Wednesday

Well well, another day off. Could get used to this I really could. Work is much, much better when split into small amounts. Have spent the day blogging and cooking and generally pottering. Thought you might like this picture of Ducati. She was aquired in November last year as a very tiny kitten when I was just about to start my Chemotherapy. She really is very nosy and into everything. She particularly likes to drink straight out of the tap. 

Took a few minutes off and looked out my text books. hould really do some work but well there is always something else more interesting.  I am in the middle of doing my medical imaging (ultrasound) course but had to stop because I was off work for so long. Anyway I am back now and have to have an assignement in at the end of September. Hopefuly I will be able to get the images I need soon and then can get going with the written stuff.

Also came across this photo of a prickly pear. A bit of an odd thing to put in here you may be thinking. But our surname:.. Tzabar means prickly pear, so this is our very own plant. It could hardly be more appropriate. See you all again soon and thankyou to all who are following the blog.

The Weekend.

The weekend started out with making or rather finishing off the chilli jelly that I had started off on Friday. It is from Sarah Raven's new book and was really easy to do with very pretty results. Just the right amount of heat too, having taken out about 1/2 of the seeds. We should have enough now to last us quite a while!

Yesterday was Prom day and we actually managed to snatch a photo, admittedly not a very good one, as D is very anti paparazzi at the moment. Mind you he is getting to be pretty good at the business end of the camera, having been main photographer at the event.

Today, Y, K and I decided to go to Wallington in the North East . We had a really good, if slightly damp time exploring the house and gardens. The walled garden is extensive and has a huge variety of plants and walks. We also ventured out to the river walk which is very pretty, especially if you like tree tunnels as much as I do.

                                            We also spotted a couple of interesting signs.
The one above was stuck in the middle of a bush and k was the only one who could creep around to see what it actually said on the back.

A Day Off

Well well, a genuine day off. Not on "Sick Leave" or holiday but an actual day off. Mmmm could get to like this very much.

Let me introduce you to a very special family member...... Agnes.
She is just about secondary school age and replaced a much older Agnes who lived in the house before we did. This is where we do all of our baking and cooking. She also helps with the ironing and of course keeps the kitchen cosy. It is amazing how people gravitate to leaning on her when visiting. She wouldn't want it any other way.
This morning she helped me to make the Tea Bread posted on the recipe page. (So far the only post there but I will do more eventually).
Also managed a quick trip to town to get the Prom Suit fitted and collected as well as a snoop around the market where
I spotted these beautiful flowers. These are among the first that I've had to buy in over a year as, while I have been off work lots of people have been really generous and kept the house bright with flowers and plants. So far I have even managed to keep most of the plants alive so perhaps there is hope for me yet.
I managed to sneak in a little visit to the local wool shop too and bought some lovely soft yarn. Not real wool but very soft and pretty. Will let you have a look at the results or maybe even the beginings a bit later on.
Have a good, summery weekend.

Back to Work

Well today was the day. Time to go back to work. Only part time for the moment but in a couple of weeks it will be back to full service. Which probably means less time for blogging, making, cooking and everything else. Will just have to make the most of it while there is time.
Was getting very frustrated too with this blog earlier today. I could not (and still haven't) figured out how to put in images exactly where I want them or how to do nice blocks seen in clever blogs. Is there a tutorial out there? Updating the editor bit may help a bit though.

Outside it has been very drippy today, big fat raindrops. It has made everything beautiful and green, even the grass that I scalped yesterday. And the smell is so fresh. honestly you'd think I was writing an advert for fabric conditioner!
Just look what appeared on the wall when the sun did break through for a few minutes.

 Isn't it fabulous?  it looks like the wall is on fire. I'm quite taken with the picture although I'm sure I didn't do it justice.
Hope to see you all again soon for more notes and thoughts.

Wet Weather

As it has been soooooo.... wet today I thought I would take you on a little tour. First though let me show you how wet I mean. I know K shouldn't be on the trampoline in the rain and / or her wellies but as I looked out of the kitchen window this is what I saw and I couldn't resist a quick picture.

Now let me take you on the little tour.

First the Pantry. Well stocked but very messy. It really could do with a sort out.

As you can see I took the pictures on a whim and have not tidied up at all. AND I was probably a wee bit selective. (Ok no probably about it). I wouldn't want anyone to see the real mess although I do know that some of you are braver. Maybe in the future but not today.

A favourite light.

My Scottish roots showing up in here.

Will do some more another day. Maybe even get outside if everything isn't washed away.

Sorry to have been away for so long. I was away with K in Aberdeen visiting, getting spoilt, shopping and catching up with friends. We came back yesterday through torrential rain, to find a BBQ already in the making. A lovely surprise and just the thing after a long journey.

Stops were made of course, this time at the Scottish Antique Centre between Perth and Dundee. It is a fantastic place for a snoop, with lots of new things as well as the antiques. The restaurant is pretty good too with yummy cake as well

as meals and snacks. Well worth a trip if near enough or if passing on a longer jaunt. http://www.scottish-antiques.com/

Today has been all catching up and getting ready for school trips. This of course means shopping. BUT it also meant a trip to Waterstones. You have to stop for coffee sometime you know. And yes I did make a purchase. Sarah Raven's new book: Food for Friends and Family, begged me to buy it and take it home. The pictures are so clear and colourful with recipes that sound as if the family will eat the food. I have already started to make the crystallised ginger which looks great. Hopefully mine will turn out to look similar, just the thing for the ginger shortbread that I have been making recently.

I don't know about you but I have literally hundreds of cookery books.Some have been used time and time again whilst others are really more like picture books. Fabulous to look at but otherwise useless, either too complicated or things that just won't get eaten. Sooooo I've decided to mark off all the recipes as I actually use them. D also suggested that I should write in the changes that I make so that we (mostly he) will know about them in the future. Think I'll give it a go.

Outings

Today was a day for exploring. Although we live nearby we hadn'tyet visited the Priory at Lanercost. We had a lovely lunch in the tearoom before exploring the Priory itself. Of course the tearoom comes complete with the usual gift shop and also has a small but interesting gallery. The weather was a bit of a let down for the time of year, feeling more like March than May. There was a bit of a down-pour too just look at the size of raindrops on the leaves. It didn't stop us from having a good snoop about before it really did get too chilly. The aerial eating cows avoided us as well, although it might have been nice to see this new breed. After finishing at the priory we took a short drive to show our guest Hadrian's Wall which she had not heard of. The walk was a bit rough going so time to go home for tea.

Escapes

What a trauma we have had. One hamster (see over), managed to escape from his house. Or should I say a certain human left the escape hatch open and Nosy was on the run for 36 hours. he had managed to move in under the sink in our utility room. Traps were set and ignored. Anyway he re-appeared tonight, just in time to frighten my mother-in-law half to death by running across the living room floor. Re-capture was achieved and peace restored. All pleased, apart from one small cat, who thought she was on to a good thing and was just waiting for an opportune moment. Life in the fast lane!

Jelly and other Pursuits.

It has worked yippee!! Setting has been acheived. Maybe not everyone has will it or won't it moments when making jelly but I certainly do. Today I am the proud owner of several jars of apple and thyme jelly. Delicious with chicken, other meats and cheese.

I think they need some kind of fancy top, material like Kath Kidston or perhaps Ikea just to finish them off.

Odd Smells.

Can you guess what I'm up to? What is going to be made tomorrow?

The house certainly smells a bit odd at the moment. BUT by tomorrow evening it will be yummy (I hope). I will post the results very soon, even if it is a disaster.

I didn't spend all day doing this though, I actually went in to work for a quick meeting and stayed for nearly three hours catching up with all the news and making plans for going back.

Tomorrow is D's last official day at school before exam leave although he is going back into 6th form. It hardly seems any time atal since it was his first day. Still a great bonus is that no more school shirts will be needed for him. A smaller ironing pile, what more could a woman want?

I have even had time for a wee tiny bit of crochet. Slowly, slowly the blanket is growing. Maybe by the time winter arrives it will be big enough to use.

Summer definitely arrived at the weekend. We had girls camping in the garden, a sleepover with almost no sleep. Lots of tired but happy girls. This called for another BBQ and of course fruit salad.

I also spent some time making the fabulous Granola from Sue's recipe at The Quince Tree.

I don't think this is going to last very long, being very very good with yogurt.

Crochet also had a wee bit of a look in. I'm following the ripple pattern from Attic 24 but making the waves variable in depth. I decided to use mainly blues but with a vibrant pink and some white to give a bit of a lift. K is hoping that this will eventually end up in her bedroom as a blanket. Keep your fingers crossed.

Sunday brought a visit from a gentleman who lived in our house in the 40's. He was able to tell us lots about how the house looked when his family lived here. At the time his father was the Rector for the local church, it being sold in the early 50's when it became too expensive for the church to repair. He brought pictures too which showed that the house has not really changed very much although the garden worked much harder then. They also had live-in help but no heating so I suppose that's a bit of a trade off.

Today has been lots of catching up and visits to the doctor. To stay away from work for another couple of weeks. You know what I am not in the least bothered which for me is a bit weird. I am sure that by the middle of June I will be raring to get back into the thick of it all.

lemony pictures

I'm sure i"ll get the hang of this eventually. Actually getting the pctures and the words together

Salsa and Lemons.

Signs of summer are definitely here. Summer food is called for. Lemons and salsa spring to mind with the possibility of a BBQ later on. Lemon curd was the order of the day. Mind you, this is the first time in years that I have made my own. But lemony sponge just called for this vital ingredient. as you can see it went pretty well.

As for the salsa, this is a summer favourite with all the bright colours and textures. Just perfect for a BBQ with lots of fresh salads and some really good tuna and sardines.

No hair day

I was going to use this as my profile picture but haven't quite worked out how to do that yet. Actually my hair is begining to grow again anyway so maybeI should get a more up to date piccy to use. Quite good to remember what it was like though for when I get bad hair days in the future.

The begining

Having been inspired by Lucy at Attic24 and Sue at The Quince Tree I have decided to give this blogging game a go.

Having been off work for quite a while now I have really enjoyed catching up on all the news, crafty makes and tasty treats that have appeared in Blogs like the two mentioned above. So much so that I have spent quite a lot of time making things in my own cosy kitchen. Possibly my family may suffer from cupcake withdrawal when I go back to work next week.

Lots of summer ideas are springing up in my mind at the moment which makes a great change from worrying about stuff. So here is to new beginings, lots of colour and yummy things.