5 OS Pleasures in your Day Today part 2

Caterina

Hi all

Sorry I went MIA over the weekend, somehow there was never a moment to sit and type!

Ginger Snap, here is how you do Romanesco cauliflower with pasta: break the cauli into florets and chop the stalk and any tender leaves finely. Chop a couple of cloves of garlic and sautee in abundant olive oil (you need plenty as it is going to be the base of the sauce, at least 3-4 tbsps but we use more!). Add some chopped chili to your taste. If you eat fish, add a couple of anchovy fillets (we don't). Put the cauli in the garlic oil chili mix and stir, then add half a cupful of water, or enough to steam rather than boil the vegetable, cover with a lid and simmer. Meanwhile cook pasta. As cauli gets cooked, stir once in a while and make sure there is still a little liquid in the bottom of the pan. When it is tender, mash it roughly and if necessary add a few tbsps of pasta water. Drain pasta but don't make it too dry as a bit of pasta water helps dilute the dressing, then dress with mashed cauli and if you want you can grate some cheese on it (pecorino ideal, parmesan second best, any other cheese as third choice). I eat mine without cheese but my family go to town with the pecorino!

Dundeedoll - loved the cat picture, she is gorgeous!

A warm welcome to Introuble28!

Frith, best wishes for your boy's speedy recovery.

A mixed bag few days for me, argued a lot with DH and did not always feel full of joy. Luckily things got sorted (for the time being, as always ).

Very sad today as I heard that someone very dear to me (even if I had lost touch with her) died after a long illness. She was a wonderful person and really did a lot for humanity, so I am sad for her and for her family but also for the loss of her warmth and wonderfulness in her caring role.

Every time I hear of someone dying prematurely (e.g. not at a ripe old age) it reminds me of my mortality too and it gives me a jolt to live life to the full. So this is the only positive thing that came out of my poor friend's death.

Here is a handful of pleasures over the last few days:

1 - Both weekend days breakfast in bed courtesy of DH (even though we argued, he still kept the tradition, so I suppose there is some scope for forgiveness here ).

2 - A generous freecycler let me have his Teasmade. I have operated it once and it works but the tea tastes foul, probably because it was not used for a couple of decades! I need to clean it with water and lemon and then I am sure I shall get a nice cuppa - and DH will be delighted he does not have to trek it downstairs in the cold of winter for a cuppa, either!

3 - Even though we had an ongoing argument over the whole weekend, we agreed that although some aspects of our marriage are less than perfect, we are still very much in love with each other. Good to keep things in perspective.

4 - We attended a lovely surprise 60th birthday party, of an OSer's husband. It was a real heartwarming party with people from all ages and there was a lot of love and caring. (Thank you for inviting us if you read this, you know who you are!).

5 - Today I had two separate visits from two friends, one of whom I haven't seen for a long time and it was good to catch up.

Hope all is well with all of you, have a great evening x

beachbaby_2

I'm on a roll with pleasures the last few days,
1. Working with someone new. A lovely young lad (god, I sound old!) who had an awful start in life but seems really grounded for someone so young.
2. Cleaning my girls old dolls house to pass on to a friends daughter who will hopefully get as much pleasure out of it as my two did.
3. DD1 tidying her room without being asked (even though it will be a messy as usual this time tomorrow).
4. Going to the gym with a friend this evening - lots of nice young men to look at and I got fit at the same time!
5. Coming home to find DD2 had baked a jam sponge pudding. The house smelt gorgeous and it tasted fab.
Love to all. X

niksyg

Evening all!

Had a rather mixed day at work but have the following to be happy about:

1) OH took the dog out in the pouring rain this morning while I had a nice hot shower...hehehe
2) Have been booked on some useful training by my line manager
3) Had a funny email conversation with my course tutor from college - really surprised me but also made me laugh!
4) Finished my second book in 3 days which was a real corker!
5) Yummy sausagey thing for tea with perfect mash followed by jam roly poly mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!

frugalpam

Evening everyone!
Gosh - so many posts to catch up on, and it's only been a few days since I was on here.
Lots going on here - had to take my puddy tat to the vets and she has had to have a small operation Shes subdued at the moment, but am hoping she bounces back again soon.
So, pleasures from the past few days:-
1) Have just about got my head around Weight Watchers new plan - and it's going to suit me really well :j
2) Talking of which - I've lost another lb so that makes 10lbs lost
3) And, I can fit into a dress again that's been far too tight
4) Lovely to lie in bed on a cold, wet, windy morning and not have to battle out to work
5) My GP has agreed to me coming off antidepressants and we've worked out a gradual reduction programme. (I find out now that the tablets I've been on this past yr have contributed to my weight gain)
6) Looking fowards to a nice day out with a friend on Friday
7) Still can't believe I only have to work 2 days a week now - I soooo appreciate it

Pam x

Ladyhawk

Hello everyone,

I have had a really good day... except now I feel really ill. Really nauseous and icky _pale_

So lets see if I can come up with a few pleasures

1) My presentation to the company awards committee went really well and they said that they were very impressed with everything that they heard. So fingers crossed! I find out if I have won on the 25th.

2) The big boss was in the office and she popped out of her meeting with her boss (the Global Supply chain director) and I mentioned to her that my awards presentation went well so she summoned me into the meeting she was in to present same presentation to him as well. I am hoping to get seconded to the global team within the next 2-3 years so this was fantastic opportunity. That presentation also went well.

3) NSD

4) Went to collect my "new" sewing machine from a lovely freecycler. I really meant to take them a pot of jam but completely for it - so I am going to send them a thank you card.

5) Though I feel rough, I have a warm flat, a snuggly dressing gown and am tucked up with the kitty on the sofa.

You may recall I mentioned that a friend/colleague of mine previously had breast cancer and was worried about some lumps she had found. Well, very sadly it has been confirmed that it is definitely secondary cancer. I am not sure how to deal with her/it now. so any advice would be very welcome. Obviously I want to support her but I have never had to deal with anyone in this situation before. What is appropriate?

Anyway hope you all have had a good day.

L

Tealady_2

Evening

Caterina - Sorry to hear about your friend, even when we don't see people as often as we would like they are still in our hearts. Hugs to you.
Ladyhawk - When my brother was diagnosed with cancer he just wanted people to treat him as they always had. Sorry to hear about your friend and hugs to you both.

Pleasures for today:
1. Glad I had took a cup of tea in a thermos cup with me this morning as the train was late and it was cold and miserable at the station.
2. Lift back to my local office so no hour and half commute tonight, then a lif to the door so didn't have to walk home in the rain.
3. NSD
4. Being sent some rice cakes to trial and DD loves them so thats her snack for school sorted for the next couple of days. Also received Tesco vouchers today, have quite a stash now so just need to decide what to use them for.
5. Lovely dinner of Chicken wrapped in bacon with roast pots and veg with left over hm bakewell tart for afters
6. Bit more of the kitchen cleaned while dinner was cooking, will get it all sparkling and free of rubbish

Hugs to all who need them

Ladyhawk

Thanks Tealady - I just don't know how to go about saying to her that I will do what ever she needs me to do to help her and if she wants to talk about it she can and if she doesn't that's ok too.

alisong_2

Hi MMS, I think the only way with the pup is to tough it out, you mustn't react at all to his crying (very, very tough I know!!). He should be able to go through the night without needing to go outside as long as you take him out last thing at night and first in the morning(being in the crate will help as he won't want to foul his bed). If you do need to react to the crying, don't let him know it's you, sneaking downstairs and banging on the door can help with putting him off crying if you can bear to do it. Good luck!

ampersand

Tealady - do make sure you've redeemed your Mr T vouchers against deals before 6 December - after that they reduce to 3X face value, rather than the current 4.

Will attempt 'succinct'[on verra, these posts not known for such]-

1.Cabin fever as day ended yesterday and took self off to walk back field as sun lowered. Noted the deep plush crimson of wild berries[it's an exceptional year], wondered Who Dug This One? at 3 impressive holes and scrapes along ploughed edge, was lifted by a late flume of twisting starlings[never less than 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn'-affected by it] and suddenly, seeing movement distantly[60>80 yards away]across next field, spent next 30>40minutes mesmerised by 6 hares. I have always loved them. It was darkening quickly, sun doing that accelerating plunge which drills home the sudden realisation that Winter is imminent. In those last edgy seconds, two hares stood up, sentinels saluting full West, then bolted, at which 'signal' the others fled to a far ditched hedge, running low.
I have this for ever now. If you can take a nano-smidgeon of what this was from inadequate verbiage, please do.
2. Returned through back, aware that today's early gym start would mean going out same way this morning, as gate was still locked from outside.
It didn't matter in the event; there was further reward. Small morning start rustlings in hedge, a mallard-sized somebody flitting barely above ground height across winter feed, high sharp piercing calls from someone high in poplar...and still in gym by 10 to 7.
3. Extra day at Charity showroom[non-trading]to try and get somewhere with book cull[London recycler was due at 13h, arrived after 15h]and general sort, stock out etc.etc. in readiness for tomorrow. We are so busy that there's never time.
4. Because L. had main keys[and was still at least 35 miles away]found myself having long wait when he had mangled delay start to day. Crossed to another office to pay for call to check on eta and one thing led to another. Ended up seeing through their fundrasing section and immediately saw a stunning armchair and footstool[custom-made, on castors, beautiful quality, fine kelim/tapestry style upholstery fabric] and I am buying it tomorrow, very very very reasonable: £25. Even so, it will be a squeeze[many unforeseen hits this last month] but just can't not - perfect to take to France for X.
5. Dawned bitterly cold, wet, stormy and so remained all day long. While waiting this morning, was wishing I could make use of the time picking the rosehips which I've been watching week on week[ready now:we've had the first frost] but couldn't get at them until the compound was unlocked and, see no. 4... Having swapped to DT on Saturday[Boots £5 voucher giveaway]found a major section on hedgerow harvest with rosehip syrup recipe and other good ideas- perfect.
6. Wrapped self in snuggly rug to wait and started reading a John Buchan Omnibus, lovely old edn, 1938 - it's terrific - and then,
7...on Classic fm, came Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, stunning and perfect with the trees tossing and rain lashing. I love Barber's music. Feel some affinity and sense of possession with all his music and, in vanity, claim to myself his Capricorn Suite.
8. Can't believe I skipped AR last night, though i-player=no angst:T - just came to bed and read more of Rory McGrath's Bearded Tit, which is so much more than the sum of its often stunningly beautiful parts. Still funny though. Made me find my Gerard Manley Hopkins in some urge to do with the wild wind, the loud night, my unsettled state. It's staying close until I don't need it to.
9. Kitchenbunny - I, too, watched yesterday's Moto GP and wonder how Valentino will do next year. I want him to regain the title. Do you not think young Simoncelli is also a coming man? I do enjoy Charlie Cox's wonderfully droll use of language; he is a delight.

10. There you are, peasy - another short, quick, simple 5.......:o
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Bonne nuit.

p.s. Frith - no need to reply. It was just one to ponder, replacing a quietly brought tea, let us say, or simple hug and reassuring smile. Hope your young man is recovering. The one thing with childhood nasties is that speedy onsets and alarming symptoms are remarkably often matched by rate of recovery once the right antibiotic or similar gets to work. But it is frightening at the time and you're not long out of your own rough passage.

Kitchenbunny

To the person that requested the recipe for the sausage chilli - it wasn't a recipe as such. I used a packet of chilli con carne mix with some additional cumin, chilli flakes and some leftover fajita seasoning with some sausages cut into chunks. Along with extra veg, it was lovely.

Here's my pleasures for yesterday:

1. Certainly wasn't the weather. It was blustery and very wet - not very inspiring at all. But one pleasure was getting home into the warm!
2. Not buying more than I needed when I went to Mr Ms at lunchtime.
3. Cuddling up to DH and watching Grand Designs on 4od. Somehow every time the Sky box tried to record it, it failed.
4. Support from colleagues at work.

I can't think of a fifth. Have a good day, everyone!

KB xx