I don't believe it

we have woken up to snow, my pet hate. Fingers crossed the M1 is accident free. It is going to be a slow journey up. The sky is still very heavy so I guess we are in for more snow anytime.

My cleaner is coming to help load up the car, we will then have a bacon roll each before we set out.

So cleaner came and helped us load the car, by the time we were ready to go the snow had started to clear. We did get several snow showers on the way up. Stopped and had a cup of tea, at one of the service stations. I always carry a flask and mugs with us when we go on a journey.

Machine was swiftly changed over at Woodseats and we were on our way. We called at The Forge for soup and a roll, when I went to pay for it I could not find my phone.....eekkk. I know it was in my pocket earlier as I had shown Tim the extent of the snow. Phoned Tim and promised to call on the way to the hotel, no sign of it in the shop. Went out to the car, and pulled out the seat belt to fasten it and the phone shot out. Phew..... it would have cost me an arm and a leg and caused untold misery if I had lost it.

So we are signed in and in a ground floor 'queen room'. We could not get the lights or anything to work, we had to put the entry card in to a slot inside the door and everything works ok. I have not looked at the XJ1 yet, might have a quick look before we go for supper. 

Several other ladies booking in at the same time as us,

 I think about 20 others were booking in for tonight, we have arranged to meet up in the bar later. I shall need a very large whisky, no water for me!!

So we are here, unpacked and everything put away. DB is watching Repair Shop.

Till tomorrow..........

Almost time

the bag is packed just needs closing, yesterday I went out and cleaned the cills and inside of the car, front and back windscreens and topped up the screen wash. The chap at the garage checked the oil and also the tyres, all hunky dory.

We are off into Melton to, see our friend, get some cash, a sandwich and then travel on to the dental techie, the wire that holds DBs bottom plate in has broken and left a sharp point. When we get back it will be check we have everything but computers etc ready and thats it till the morning. We aim to leave about 10.45.

Its dull and cold this morning, the temperature has fallen drastically.

Supper tonight is sausage and mash.

Tired

Bad night last night, woke just after 2am and then lat awake for 3 hours, overslept this morning.

Its very dull today, I have a load of coloured laundry in, hope it dries outside.

I need to get the tyres checked on the car, was a bit concerned about the weight of the machine etc and two people in the car, but I am assured it will be ok. Still need oil etc checked before we go on Thursday. My cleaner is coming to lift the machine into the car, I will put the car on the front so we can load it from the pavement.

Salmon out to defrost, need to get lemon from the shop, we will have it with salad tonight. I have a couple of bits of potato I am going to cook and make potato salad to go with it.

Most of the stuff for the retreat is ready, its the last minute bits like computer cables etc that I need and toilet bits and bobs. Have already decanted after shave and shower gel into small bottles,  I always  have spare toothbrushes etc in the toilet bag. kept for when we go away.

We have to go into town tomorrow for a couple of things and to see B. I need cash from the bank which I will leave in the safe.

Bright

the weather is due to change this week and return cold again. The sun is shining this morning, but not a lot of heat in it, will need my fleece on later.

No washing today, will do it Wednesday morning, hopefully it will dry outside. I need to read the meters today and again on Thursday morning before we go. I plan to switch off the electricity apart from the freezers, I will also turn the heating down so it does not come on until we get back a week today.

Very quiet yesterday. DB spent some time in the garden after his siesta, he has lost about half a stone since he started back in the garden.

Cleaner due this morning, she will also come first thing on Thursday to put the machine in the car for me. Once thats in it will be a case of cram the rest in as best we can!!

Not sure about supper tonight, will have to see whats in the freezer.

Thank you

for your messages yesterday. I received  an horrendous message from one of Mark's sons.......We will not be going to his funeral..........

DB's trip to the dentist yesterday was ok, he has an infection, prescribed special tooth paste and mouth wash. He had to go to three chemists before he managed to get it.

Visit to Lidl was ok, being Saturday afternoon there was a distinct lack of some items, but apart from melon I got what I wanted. I was gob smacked to have to pay 30p each for croissant. 

We are under cloud this morning and the temperature has dropped considerably, so the heating is back on. When we go away on Thursday I will read the meters and close off all the power except to the fridge, freezers and the lifeline. Our new rates for utilities comes into force on 1st April. I do not want an estimated bill thank you. Our monthly direct debit is already over double what we had been paying.

Supper tonight stuffed chicken breast with veggies.

I did not expect that either

I received a phone call from DD2 late last night to say that Mark, my eldest son had passed away. Details are a bit vague at the moment, it appears he collapsed on a train on the way home from Brighton, he passed away yesterday. He was an alcoholic and his liver was shot, I have not seen him for a number of years. He only came out of the woodwork when he wanted something. It is very sad, but he is at peace now.

We discussed not going to the retreat but there is nothing we can do, his girlfriend was named at his next of kin, so its up to her to sort things out. She never approved of me, so I am in a difficult situation. I will be damned if I go to his funeral, and damned if I don't. 

Yesterday was a lovely sunny day and quite warm, although it goes cold at night. More of the same today. Edwin has an appointment at the dentist today I think he has pyorrea, his gums are bleeding especially at night. His teeth have never been really good, a result of medication when he had rheumatic fever as a child.

I need to do a bit of shopping whilst we are in the town, just enough to see us through until we get home from Sheffield.

ADB tonight for supper.

Just 6 days to go

before we set off for Sheffield to collect the new machine and then to the hotel to settle in. We have arranged to meet some of the other retreaters in the bar on Thursday evening. The retreat starts Friday lunch time.

Yesterday I took delivery of 8 assorted ceramic pots, we are gradually moving over from plastic, apart from the really huge ones I use in the summer. The herbaceous bed although it does not look it at the moment is more or less full now. I have some plants I rescued from B's which I will slot in possibly in the front garden. Its a riot at the moment, all the grape hyacinths and tiny daffs are out in force. T trimmed back two of the bushes that are in there, B's rose she bought when Pete died us also shooting and the alstroemeria are also showing new growth. I split the plant I dug up and gave half of it to B's DIL.

The gardener will be here this afternoon, so I need to get out and see what we can move into the new pots. I may need to order more compost.

Supper tonight is fish and chips.

Shattered

As I expected, the moving of the old chests of drawers and transferring the contents took most of the day, by the time we had finished I was shattered, my back was aching for England. However I now need to photo the two chests and post them on the internet, but not until after we get back from Sheffield. This time next week we will be packing the car ready to go.

DB is spending more time in the garden just now. Yesterday he decided to empty one of the compost bins and found a set of keys in it, he lost them last year, a bit rusty but WD 40 will get rid of that. I have put the key on a new ring, am wondering about putting it on a lanyard round his  neck.

After yesterdays efforts I am planning on an easier day today. We are expecting a chap with 8 ceramic pots later this morning, we have plants to repot so they can go in the new ones which are frost proof. We then have to go to the tip with a couple of bags of excess plastic pots, I aim to keep the stone pots from B's and couple of the really big plastic pots, I also need to sort out the fountain, The stones need cleaning before they go back in and the fountain refilled. I am wondering whether to move it, the sun is what causes the green algae to grow, it needs to be in partial shade at least.

Supper tonight is belly pork with pilau rice, pork is defrosting......no dessert.

I was not expecting that!!

Some time ago I ordered new chests for our bedroom. Delivery was 4 - 6 weeks.......I rang a couple of weeks ago, but they had no idea when they would be delivered, but I would get an email.

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to my neighbour when a van drew up on the front. We carried on talking and then N said, 'I think that chap wants you' I turned round and he was delivering the 2 chests..... no email, so to say the least I was surprised. We decided to unpack them on the front, so the rubbish could go straight in to the bin and then M carried them in. So my job this morning is to empty the old chest drawers onto the bed, and then fill the new drawers when they are in position. 

Yesterday was a lovely sunny day and it did get quite warm, apparently we have more of the same today, although it feels chilly at the moment.

The clothes I ordered also came yesterday, I tried them on last night, I should really have ordered the shorter length trousers, but I will turn them up by hand, cut off the existing hem and overlock the edge and then hem them. The 2 tee shirts and the soft wool jumper I ordered fit fine, and for once the colours are ok too. So thats me set up for the next 10 years!!! It must be that long since I bought my last lot of trousers, so they will now be 'work trousers' and I will use the others for 'best'.

DB will be out in the garden later. The two chaps are here doing the coping stones on the roof, they rang yesterday asking if they could come earlier, no problem, at least I will not have to worry when we get the next storm.

So apart from sorting out the new drawers, that will be me for the day. I am taking my painkillers at least twice a day just now.

Casseroled beef and veggies tonight, no dessert we finished the raps in jelly last night.

The sun is a shining

to welcome the day with a hey ho come to the fair......except there is not fair. Lovely sunny morning and quite warm already, DB is itching to get out to the garden.

Yesterday afternoon we went to the garden centre for tea and cake, we put aside a small amount of money for a 'treat' now and then. We had poached eggs on toast just after 6pm with a small bowl of jelly.

It turned quite cold in the afternoon, so I put the heat back on, the laundry mostly dried on the line, I aired it on the radiators and shoved DB's track suit trousers in the drier for a couple of minutes. I do not have enough to do a white load it will have to wait till next week, possibly Wednesday.

The last of the bits I ordered for the retreat came yesterday, so thats all set, just have to sort out what clothes we are taking with us.

Not sure what I am going to do this morning, I need to check that I have everything that has to go with the machine. I rang and paid for the new one yesterday. We are exchanging machines at the shop on the Thursday morning before we book in to the hotel.

We were told yesterday that the 4th round of vaccinations were starting so we need to find out if we can get them before we go up to Sheffield.

Supper is smoked haddock and poached eggs, we will finish off the jelly for dessert.

We are promised another sunny day,

 Hopefully a bit warmer than yesterday.

Sheets dried on the line, it turned very cold in the afternoon, so the heating went on low. Its off this morning, DB assures me we are going to have a few days of warmer weather!!

Laundry is in and will be pegged out, I have a load of  thicker stuff, so two washes today, it should all dry.

Cleaner here this morning, am wondering whether to have her once a fortnight, she comes every week at the moment, will see how we go.

I guess DB will be in the garden later, we did have a frost last night so he will be going to check his plants.

Egg and chips tonight, the pork last night was delicious with the roasted veggies.

Sunny but Brrrrr

Lovely sunny morning, but its turned brrrrr, the wind has gone round to the north and its cold!!!

Bit of a fiasco this morning, our usual breakfast in bed, DB managed to tip his coffee all over the bed, so Good job it was fine, I stripped the bed and washed all the bed linen. Later, of course, I had to remake the bed, normally the cleaner would help me, today I had to do it on my own......by the time  I had finished, I was finished....had to sit down and let my back recover.

I have had to give in the last few days and take pain killers to allow me to get a reasonable nights sleep. I take them about 8pm, by the time we go to bed they have kicked in.

The meat delivery came today, so we have enough meat, sausage etc to see us through at least 3 months, including 2 joints, one of beef the other pork.

I made a raspberry jelly its a week or more since we had a dessert, I need to use the fruit up before we start getting strawberries etc. I still have several bags of raspberries in the freezer, as well as some rhubarb.

DB was out in the garden this morning. I am pleased to say the sheets etc dried, so another bag of linen to go off to my ironing lady.

I have most of the stuff ready to go to the retreat, hope its all going to go into the car........we will only know on 31st of March when we come to pack the car.

No plans for the rest of today.

Roast pork and veggies for supper, we will have some of the jelly, if its set with a splash of cream.

Promising day

We have a sunny day, but still a cold wind, its nice in the sitting room with the sun streaming in, it warms the room up nicely.

Visit to the farmers market, in the light of whats happening with the economy we have had to do some serious thinking. I am spending over £20 a week at the market, the fruit and veg is good quality and so very expensive. I think I am going to have to go back to buying from the supermarket. I am going to try lidl, I had an altercation with a cashier at Aldi, and I will not put money into a company whose employees treat customers with distain.

So next week will be our last Saturday at the market.

Gardener was here yesterday, we now have the new 'hot' composter by the back door, you can put waste food as well as the usual composting stuff in and it will break it down within a few weeks, you empty the compost and start again. T helped DB with a couple of things, we then had a conversation about where to put some plants from 'Bs'. We moved a Choisya into the front, and marked where we can put two standard roses that were in pots, they will do better in the ground. They will go in next week. The front garden was weeded and looks much better.

No plans for today, I had things come for the retreat yesterday, I also remembered where I had put the small cutting board, so thats waiting to go in. Still waiting for some clothes I ordered to arrive. I had to send two fleece cardigans back, they were like a coat on me, far too long.

Supper tonight is corned beef salad, using up whats left of the corned beef from last week, I might saute some potato slices in the Ninja to go with it.

Garden day

Friday is garden day, the gardener started back last week. DB has lined up several jobs a couple he needs help with, the rest is up to the gardener.

The towels dried well in the stiff breeze, just had to finish them off in the dryer for a couple of minutes. Thats this weeks laundry finished, we start again on Monday with the bed linen.

Another sunny morning, we did end up with more rain late yesterday afternoon.

I continued to get things ready for the retreat, I am going to check whats in the big bag, I think I have got most stuff in there. I have had to buy a couple of things to take, so no pocket money for me this month.

The rabbit I needed the pink felt for, is made in the hoop on the embroidery machine, you and also make dolls. I just fancied the rabbit, it looks cute, hope it turns out that way!!

Tonight is fish and chip night, no dessert.

 

After the rain?

 We had torrential rain yesterday for most of the day, this morning it is bright but with a cold wind. I have switched the heating off and opened a couple of windows.

I had a very bad night, I now have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, my left hand is worse, I had to take pain killers at 2am, it was driving me scatty, so slept in this morning.

Sad news at the coffee morning yesterday, one of the members relative had passed away at the weekend, he had been unwell for a long time, so it was a blessing in the long run.

I have gone a bit mad and ordered some new clothes, most of what I wear I have had for almost 10 years, so I decided to source some new ones. I am a classic type of person when buying clothes, these days its difficult. I could also do with some new shoes, I have had them 10 years as well!! Bon Marche has recently been bought over and the selection is so much better, I have ordered trousers and tops. Colours were a bit dire but I managed.

Sunny morning so the towels are in the washer, three loads this week, at least my machine does not use a vast amount of water, the machine weighs the clothes and takes in the required amount of water. They will go on the line to dry.

DB will be going out to the garden, we are back with the daily list of things to do.

Groceries delivered yesterday, sent back a packet of chocolate biscuits I did not want. They were a substitution.

I am at a bit of a loose end, have most of the things I need for the retreat.....2 weeks today we will be on our way  to collect the machine and go on to the hotel. Last minute things will have to wait until the night before. I am taking both my lap top and my tablet with me. One cable for the tablet also recharges my phone, so that cuts down the number of leads I will need, my lap top and DB's are the same, so again one lead will do. 

I have ordered a bulk meat delivery, should come either today or tomorrow, it comes fresh in an insulated box with heavy duty ice packs. So far what we have had has been excellent quality. The braising beef I cooked last week was melt in the mouth. I usually put the ice blocks in the freezer and then use them once an then discard them.

Supper tonight, sausage mash and veggies, we are still not having dessert except sometimes at the weekend. 

Coffee

morning at the little chapel. Its rather cooler than it was yesterday and overcast, it is supposed to rain later. It can wait till we get back.

DB spent quite a bit of time in the garden yesterday, I got all the washing dry, just aired it on the radiators when I put the heat back on late in the afternoon.

We got the list yesterday for the retreat, I have already put most things on one side, there are just a few things I need which I can either get at the retreat of before I go. Pink felt is one, I may well just get a 10 inch square, its just for the inside of a rabbits ears, and if I choose, the face of a doll. Doubt I will be doing that. There is a large choice of things to do, including making felt postcards, I will have a got at that and also making vinyl or felt key rings. I will need poppers for them but will buy them at the retreat.

Supper tonight is quiche, jacket potato and beans, we will have any left over beans for lunch tomorrow.

Washday

Yesterday was fine and sunny, but with a cooling wind. I switched the heating off for 6 hours in the middle of the day, the house was warm enough. All my washing dried and I have a load of whites out on the line this morning. It started off cloudy, but after breakfast the sky cleared and the sun came out.

DB is dittering in the garden. He phoned the council this morning, no one turned up to do the roof yesterday and the contractors did not contact us. We have another appointment for next week, fingers crossed. This is one of the main gripes I have with the contractors, they should ring us a re-schedule the appointment, it would mean so much less frustration all round.

I am suffering from a lack of sewing machine, just because its not there I want to sew. I have a bit of ironing which I will do later, a couple of tee shirts to mend as well.

The retreat is getting closer, I have packed some things away, we will start the clothes packing towards the end of next week, give me a chance to go through what we are taking and make sure everything is ok. The list of requirements should come through this week as well, one thing I know I will need.

Supper tonight is stovies.

 

Gone

to a new home, the janome machine was collected yesterday afternoon by a lady from Cheshire. I received a photograph of her in her new home, and she fitted the cabinet her new owner had. So a bit less to draw from my savings to pay for the new machine.

Its a very bright sunny morning, so the laundry will go on the line. The future forecast tells us we will have a spell of very hot weather towards the end of April, up to 30+c phew.

I am waiting for the list of what we need to take to the retreat, it should come this week. One of the organisers has gone down with covid!!!! So not sure if she is going to be fit enough.

No cleaner today, she has gone up to Derbyshire with her sister, so I will throw a cloth at the  wet room, blow the dust around and GTec the carpets over the week. The chap is coming after lunch to re-set the coping stones on the roof. Apart from that we are not expecting any other workmen. Its the coffee morning at the little chapel on Wednesday, so that is the extent of our going out this week.

Supper tonight is cold chicken and salad, 

Hooray!! Sold it

I have sold my Janome sewing/embroidery machine. The lady is coming after lunch to collect it. Had to take a cut on price, but at least its sold and a bit more towards the new one. Just 2 weeks to go until I collect it, can hardly contain my excitement.

Its a grey day, rain forecast for midday, will not be surprised at that. Early lunch as the people collecting the machine will be here around 2 pm.

DB out in the shed sowing seeds. M came round and got the box for the machine down for me, I forgot I had put the polystyrene back in the box.

Veggies prepped for supper, roast chicken, potato's and parsnip, cauliflower and calebrese with it. No dessert.

Its Saturday

The big news is I have sold the Janome machine, the lady is coming tomorrow to get a go on it and collect it, phew.....I was beginning to wonder. I decided to uncover it and have a go to make sure its ok, went through quite a few of the stitches and patterns to check. I have to admit its a very nice machine, actually worth more than I have sold it for, but you do not look a gift horse in the mouth. It means I will not have to empty the savings account quite so much.

Yesterday the techhie came and brought me a new lap top, Edwin now has the other one, and his has gone to lap top heaven. Brian smashes the hard drive and then takes out the bits he can use. As I expected, although his lap top is the same as his old one, we had shrieks and shouts when he could not do something...........

This morning we went to get veggies from the market, they seem to be holding their prices, but I still spent £15. I did an order for Morrison, some things have disappeared and then re-appeared at a higher price. I will have to keep a strict eye on prices.

Its sunny but there is a very cold wind, M has just come to give the grass its first cut of the season. T was here yesterday trimming bushes and generally tidying up ready for spring. Daffs and tulips are showing themselves, but the ground looks very bare just now. The clematis we planted on the arch are budding as is the rose on the other side.

I cooked belly pork casserole yesterday for tonights supper, we are having it with rice. I cleared the bottom of the veg basket in the fridge and made a pan of soup, enough for today and tomorrow, possibly also Monday lunch.

Its getting warmer

although there is quite a stiff breeze this morning. The temperature was up to 11c yesterday, we are not used to warm!!

Lunch went down well, we set off for Melton, I was staggered it cost me £21 for 2 sets of passport photos for our blue badges!! We nipped into Yorkshire traders and got a couple of things we needed and back to the car. Stayed with 'B' for an hour, talking was flagging at that point so we set off for the council offices.

It was a good meeting, it was strange though, we broke into 3 group to discuss points that had been raised, and one way or another we all made the same recommendations!! We have neen asked to attend a second meeting in April. Things will get altered but not overnight.

I managed to drive home with just one shriek from DB..... not that its something I will be repeating frequently.

I had made up rolls for when we got home, so a late supper.

Hopefully the gardener will be here today, I am also expecting the computer techie. The last of the big spenders, I am replacing the damaged computer that DB has. We have an expensive month coming up, The retreat at the end of this month and a few days away in the middle of April, then its serious, putting away cash time for quite a few months. I have to replace the cash for my new machine as well, so it will be lock the purse time. We do have another 5 days away in Norfolk in September.

Tonight is fish and chip night...... no dessert.

Arghhhh

Another sunny morning, but a strong wind.

DB and I have blue badges which allows us to park for free, to my horror they have run out, so until we get them replaced we  have to pay for parking in town, unless we are at the supermarket. Argggghh.

Not much to report this morning, they fitted the floor covering in the toilet at laong last, its has only taken the council 6 months. We still are waiting to hear if we are getting a new cistern for the toilet, or if we have to keep going with the olf one whicj id 30 years old and not in the best of condition.

We are going to have to eat at lunch time, we have an evening meeting at the Council Ofiices, starts at 6pm, I will have to drive home in the dark......not looking forward to that!!

So lunch is beef casserole and veggies, fruit for dessert. I will do a couple of rolls for us to have when we get back this evening.

Suuny?

The sun was shining when I woke up, it has now clouded over and windy. DB got blown over by the wind yesterday, managed to scrape his scalp. I had to get my neighbour to get him up. Apart from a scrape he is ok. I gave him Arnica tablets, helps to bring out any bruising.

So a quiet day yesterday, I need to go up to the PO this morning, also need to speak to the garage chap about checking the car before I drive up to Sheffield. The tank is full, but have a couple of visits to Melton over the next couple of weeks, so will have to top it up before we go. The journey up and back should use about half a tank.

More bad news yesterday re heating costs, our heating is on very low, I am seriously thinking of unblocking the fire place if things get much worse, at least we would have one warm room, it might be a case of staying in bed, its the warmest place in the house. I will have to look at ways of minimising the way we use gas especially.

Supper tonight will be baked haddock, with veggies.

Sunny

woke up to sun streaming through the windows, its a cold breeze though. I have alundry in hoping to get it dry on the line for a change. Might have to finish it off in the dryer.

I did just glance at the papers this morning, so very sad to see thousands of people fighting to get on a train away from the bombing. I did read a bit yesterday which said a captured Russian soldier had said they were not told they were going to war, the kremlin lied to them. Little matter we are still on  a knife edge. People are complaining that we are only taking a few people from Ukraine, ha ha we are running out of space thanks to the illegal immigrants Macron is allowing to cross the channel........far more than we have room, houses money or jobs for. Then they have the cheek to complain about conditions. I have my own thoughts about that and I am sure there are many others like me.

Off my high horse, I keep pulling bits and bobs together for the retreat. I have put out organza, I am going to take the Christmas ornament design with me, they are quick to stitch, I hoop the wash away stabilizer and then float the organza by running a basting stitch round to hold it down.  The table in the back bedroom is looking pretty full already and we have not got the list from the organisers yet!! So looking forward to it. I just hope nothing goes wrong between now and the end of the month.

Supper tonight is spag bol, I found some frozen sauce in the freezer, so another thing used up.

Brrr again

Very cold again this morning, its supposed to be spring.

Laundry in the washer, I have to dry it in the dryer, it will never dry on the line, we are due more bad weather.

I have not been reading the papers, because it makes me sad but angry at the same time. DB tells me this morning they are saying that Russia are not finding it as easy as they thought. I have my views on what should happen to P and they are not nice. People are being so generous but it is so expensive to travel with a vehicle to Ukraine, fuel has gone up so much over this last week, and is likely to go higher. Everybody is suffering in one way or another. Better get off my hobby horse.

Cleaner due this morning, so nice clean house later, not that its dirty. I do shove the GTec over the carpets during the week. The sewing room is shut up, starting to put things on the tale ready to pack for the retreat in 3 weeks time. I hope we can get it all in the car!!

Supper tonight will be egg and chips, maybe beans as well, will have to see.

Sun?

well it was sunny when I got up to do our breakfast, since it has gone cloudy and there is grey sky in the distance.

Veg prepped for supper, have also sliced the bread I made yesterday and also the gammon. We will have some of it tonight with veggies and mustard sauce. I am shattered now. I did make a large pan of soup yesterday, poured lentils in to liquor from the ham and recooked it. Enough for 3 lunches, so we will have some today.

Nothing much to report, My Janome did not sell, tried to edit the advert, no joy, why do they make these things so difficult to do??? I am going to delete it and re-enter it. Will copy all the slobber and then paste it into a  new advert. I am not prepared to let it go for less then 1599 Thats what the dealer said I should get for it. Its in very good condition all things equal.

Off for my morning tea and to rest my back. For some reason my left hand has started up again, very painful if I try to grasp anything. I still have pain across my chest when I cough, guess its going to be a trip to the Drs.

So tonights supper, roast gammon and veggies, no dessert.

 

Brrrrr

The rain has stopped but the wind is bitter, even down here in the vale. Visit to the market, did not want much this morning, just fruit, no melon, so pineapple and mandarins in the fridge ready for tomorrow morning.

I have just put a gammon joint in the Ninja, will use the liquid to make lentil soup for lunch with some toast. I also need to put the bread maker on we have used up all the bread.

DB is going out to the shed once he has drunk his tea, more clearing up on the cards. Gardener did not come yesterday it was pouring with rain. I need to try and get out and sort out the pots I want to keep that we brought from our neighbours.

Our Support worker came on Wednesday, apparently the chap who is moving in is a hoarder.......does not bode well for our neighbours especially if he starts keeping stuff in the garden. Hey Ho we will have to see.

So nothing planned for today really, I am not feeling 100% just very tired. DB kept me awake coughing last night.

Supper is ADB. we have some lemon cake so might have that for a dessert.

Wonderful

its raining again, the light levels are so low I had to have the lights on in the kitchen. Twels in the washer, they will have to go in the dryer, roll on the better weather so I can hang them out and retire the dryer for the summer. I cannot stand wet washing hanging about.

Not a lot to say really, very concerned about what is going on in Russia, I gave a donation to the Polish Church in Melton, they are doing their best to help the situation. A lot of people have donated clothing etc, but the cost of taking stuff out, especially with the rise in fuel prices is prohibitive, they are sorting out what they have been gifted and keeping it for any refugees that come, to help them set up home here. I know people in Poland and Germany are giving up spare rooms to families who have fled with what little they can carry. It is a truly awful situation to be in.

Supper is fish and chips, no dessert, we have eaten enough sweet stuff this week to put at least 2lbs on!!! It has to stop now.

Another day

when rain is forecast. I am so glad to see the earlier morning and later evening light. I hate the dark days and nights of winter.

So yesterday after the coffee morning we had a very light lunch, I went through and cleaned my brother machine, checked I had all the little bits that came with it, and packed it away in the bags. I started a pile, on the table where the embroidery machine had been, of stuff I need to take with me to the retreat. The table is almost full already.

Last night I watched a video on my tablet of the new machine, my goodness the things it can do. Almost made me want to start quilting again!! Soon stopped that thought. There are quite a few videos on You Tube, I will be watching those and may be will book mark them to refer to later.

DB is going to spend some time in the shed this morning, its forecast to rain from lunchtime onwards and the shed could do with a tidy. His computer is showing signs of strain, the lid is cracking at the hinges, it may be time to do a swap.......I am waiting for the techie to come to mine, I did something daft at the weekend and cannot find the bits now. Will see what he says about a new one and giving DB this one. I will have to set them both up.

Tonight we are having frittata sand salad, possibly fresh fruit for dessert.

Its raining

makes a change from rain and wind!!

We finished off the bits from Monday, the scones were delicious, but very filling, so we had cheese on toast for supper last night, the sausage and mash will be for tonight.

I made my badge for the retreat, its turned out quite well, I need to put it somewhere I can find it......I have a habit of putting things away and then cannot remember where I put them, house search ensues and quite a bit of thinking, before I remember where it is. It is complicated by the fact that I am swapping machines as well. Need to find out what they actually want me to take with the machine. I need to phone and find out.

Coffee morning, so a quick dash in the rain round to the little chapel.

Gardener is coming back on Friday to start off the gardening year, the bulbs in the pots are coming on, the tulips seem to be doing better than the crocus and daffs. The daffs, crocus and snowdrops are out in the front. There are 2 bushes in the front which will need a hard prune.

So tonights super is sausage and mash with the last of the raspberry jelly for dessert.

didn't they do well

yesterday was a fairly quiet day one way or another, lots of messages on facebook which was so nice.

We arrived for 'our tea' finding a table all set up with a lovely cloth, roses and china and a lovely spread. We had to have a goodie bag to bring quite a bit home, everything was delicious.

Needless to say we did not need any supper. We did have a small piece of victoria sponge with a cup of tea later in the evening.

Off to the post office shortly, need to put fuel in the car and keep it topped up, message yesterday to say it would be going up when they got their next delivery to £1.79 a litre.....that equates to just over £8 a gallon!! I have  never paid that ever.

Gardener due to start back this week, DB had a little list.......which might take 6 weeks to do!!

Supper tonight is sausage and mash we have some of the raspberry jelly to finish off.