No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

scottishminnie

mardatha wrote: »

No minnie pet it's not but it's good to send husbands out to play in all the same, they play happily for hours with their wee spades lol

How true - mine played happily today in the white stuff with his loading shovel. It was attached to a JCB though as he cleared the driveway. I wasn't expecting to be using anything bigger than my lightweight snow shovel just yet but hey ho, I guess it's winter:)

laundry all up to date and getting back to normal. Back to work on Monday so one of my chores for tomorrow is to inventory the freezers and store cupboards. Like most people here I like to use up supplies and spend as little as possible in Jan/Feb so I need to take stock. I may find some very odd things in the store cupboard so may well be looking for inspiration!

Enjoying a glass of wine tonight and having my fix of the seed catalogues which came in the post while we were away but I must sort through the leftover seeds from last year before buying any more. I have an exchange scheme with a friend - I have a pack of aubergine seeds which I won't use so hopefully she will and I'm sure she will offer something in return - perhaps a cutting off her raspberry bushes as both of mine died last year.

I'm wishing my life away thinking about spring planting when it's only mid January - must behave:(

hoglet121

Morning everyone,

MLW - oooh you've made me hungry reading through your achievements! I could easily devour some potato cakes for breakfast instead of my weetbix and blueberries.

SM - I do love to peruse the seed catalogues - makes it feel like spring is imminent whe the winter is dark and cold.

Cadlelight - I promise to behave! I've been out on it 3 times since Friday and quite frankly I'm still terrified of it! Yesterday I was very brave and let it run on some descents. I got up to 25 mph which isn't much in cycling speeds but is quite fast enough for me thanks v much!

The PYO blueberry place was fab, as always, although even busier than I've ever seen it I think. I got 4 kilos worth which should see me through about half the year. The bushes they let us pick on this time were particularly sweet and juicy - last year's were a bit chewy. The ice cream was as devine as ever though goodness knows how long the queue was.

Hardly any housework was done but the blueberries are all portioned up in the freezer. Yesterday's swap party has been postponed to next Sunday, so I'll let you know if I get any finds. Apart from blueberries, the weekend involved v little spending which was a definite positive.

Have a lovely evening everyone,

love Hoglet xxx

LaineyT

Good evening everyone,

Well, it's certainly turned a lot colder in the last few days but no snow yet. The brushed cotton sheets are on the bed plus an extra blanket so we are nice and toasty. Have also put an old blanket under my older dog's bed as the stuffing has settled a bit and despite shaking up seems a bit flat, don't want my lovely old lady to be uncomfortable.
Have managed to get out on Bill several times and getting the miles in, he steps out well and seems to enjoy the change in scenery, guess like us animals get fed up with the same four walls.

Main news of the week was that have had my first job interview in 14 years, went for a second one on Thursday and have been told will hear early this week. TBh am not entirely sure the work will be enough for me if you know what I mean and even though only part time don't want to be bored. Financially am lucky that don't have to take it but we will see, still if nothing else it's been good practice.
Had a lovely day today with my Mum, she invited us over for dinner and cooked up a storm with three courses all of which were delicious, did work for our supper as did a bit of gardening for her just to keep on top of things.
Not loads planned for this week, we still haven't got round to going to see the SW film so probably do that and generally just potter around. Really want to clean out my crockery cupboard and send some stuff out to the CS, half of the things in there never get used so silly hanging on to them.

Hope everyone has a good week, take care folks xx

scottishminnie

Back to work this week so it's all back to normality now:(

I had a few days in London. What a shock to my system to find it was just on freezing. We have this perception up North that as soon as we step off the plane south of the border we will feel the warmth and heat which we lack. Didn't happen this time though:)

I'm continuing the using up of freezer goods. I reckon there are 6 weeks worth in there so I'm going to plan this weeks meals tonight so I alternate things as there is a fair amount of multiples.
I defrosted 2 bags of apple slices earlier so I have a crumble ready to go in the oven for tonight's dessert. Might make some custard too,

I'm on the usual Jan/Feb frugality drive however I spent £2 in Mr A today on 3 hyacinths in a card pot thing. Hyacinths and hydrangeas are my absolute favourite flowers so I couldn't resist. I do see that my deer intruders have munched their way through my newest hydrangea while I was gone. It's going to be the freezer for those guys soon.- well, once I've made space!

I need to pop into Lakeland to pick up some muslin but have been avoiding it. I always seem to buy things I don't need and ultimately don't use from there. I want to make clootie dumpling, hence the need for muslin. I know I could make a microwave version but thought I would try the real thing first. My fathers birthday is next month and I ought it would be a change from birthday cake. MY sister in law attempted her first dumpling before Christmas and it wasn't a huge success. She claims it could have been used as a doorstop. She threw it out to the birds and said it took almost a week for it to be eaten completely:eek: her birds must be too well fed. The ones round here would have demolished it in no time.

My mending pile needs seen to tonight. Some hems down, a few buttons off and some socks which need darning. I also have a pair of high heeled shoes where the tip of the heel came off yesterday. It got stuck in a cobble stone. I think I have spare heel tips so will ask hubby if he can fix it rather than a visit to the cobblers. He has a state of the art heated workshop with all sorts of fancy gear but whether my shoe can emerge from there repaired is another matter:)

Our snow is now gone - yay, although there is something unsettling about it being 12 degrees in January. At this rate I may not have an excuse to dig out my full length fur coat this winter. I don't know the last time it got an airing. A few days cold would be enough for me to wear some of the things languishing in my wardrobe and justify keeping them then it can return to a slightly milder climate.

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the last of the weekend. I'm off for a cup of tea before I tackle the darning.

hoglet121

Hi everyone,

SM - mm apple crumble! Back to work here too :-(

We had an absolutely beautiful weekend, the sun turned its best on us and it's been a scorcher. DH did some fishing on Sat but caught nothing, and I went to the swap party at my cousin's. Only came away with a magazine so I was very disciplined. Rode there and back on my bike (12+ miles each way) so I'll have a day off the bike today, as I did around 20 miles on Saturday morning too and now it feels as if my legs are going to drop off.

The cats are hot and bothered and have taking to spreading themselves out in the most inopportune places - and I woke up with Socks sleeping on my shoulder which was rather warm too! I'm pleased the sun has finally arrived as it's been a damp start to the summer.

Not a huge amount else to report - the tomatoes have started now, but I don't think we'll have a glut this year looking at the plants.

Hope you've all had a nice weekend.

Love Hoglet xxx

candlelight_2013

Good afternoon all,

It is really windy here today and we have had a little rain but thats all.

We went to SM this morning to stock up on a few essentials, and we were pleased to come home.

I have a nail appointment tomorrow morning and Himself will carry on up to see DDafter he has dropped me off.

I went to the GP yesterday because he wanted to discuss results of recent blood tests. He has agreed to change my diabetes tablets to slow release. The ones i have been on for more than 3 years have very nasty side effects, so hopefully these will be more gentle on my tummy.

He was somewhat concerned about my kidneys, so I have to go for another blood test in a couple of weeks to see if everything has settled down.

DGD1 is fine she took her sister and a friend out for a meal on Saturday to Frankie and Bennys but it wasn't a success. The food was cold when served, and "unlimited fries" turned out to be a small bowl, and when asked for more these were not forthcoming, and evidently the waitress was really miserable. It was a shame because they don't manage to get together very often.

Hoglet I envy you the tomatoes, even though you might not have as many as usual. I love the smell and taste of home grown.

I am sorry the cats are suffering a bit with the heat. You would have thought sleeping on your shoulders would not have been the coolest place for socks.

SM I suppose the damage the deer cause is the price for living in the country. What a shame about the hydrangea I do love them, and the various colours.

Lyn your Nell is lovely isn't she to say she won't mind if she doesn't get the job because someone more qualified deserves it? I think that alone would make her my first choice.

AOT are you OK, I hope you are not suffering too much?

I don't think I have any more news, it is very quiet here but it usually is in January

Hugs and much love

Candlelightx

[Deleted User]

Hi CANDLELIGHT Nell is as sound as they come, she's a genuinely nice person I love her to bits. She will always be last in line because she lets others go first ever since she was tiny, she's kind, loyal, funny and likes people to be happy, she's a real good 'un! I had a call from her at lunchtime today to say one of the staff on the interview panel had asked her how she was today (she's got something fluey) and told her she'd interviewed very strongly and was an asset to the school and she said she thought he was just being kind and said it to cheer her up! As I said, we'll see!!!

candlelight_2013

Lyn, no wonder her pupils love her, and of course her Mum and Dad. She certainly sounds to be an asset to the school.

I do hope she is offered the post if that is what she wants, she so deserves it.

The wind is quite frightening here, I don't know about yourselves in the south.

Take care

Much love

Candlelightx

[Deleted User]

It's been raining since lunchtime, I managed to get Cookie walked before it was more than dripping but the wind is steadily rising now, great gusts every now and then and the rain is constant and getting heavier. I think we're all in for a wild old night. Tomorrows forecast seemed to put fairly heavy rain across us all day clearing from the north west to the south east then a better day for all on Thursday. All the outside jobs are done so we can just hunker down indoors for the duration, hope it doesn't get too bad for you, Lyn xxx.

LaineyT

Good evening everyone,

Sitting here snug and warm listening the wind howling round the house, the girls have had their final walk and are cosied up on their beds.

Have fingers and toes crossed for Nell Lyn, she sounds such a lovely person and is obviously the apple of her Mum's eye
Have had a good start to the week, following a second interview on Monday afternoon have been offered a job. The hours are more or less what I wanted, it's a bit further to travel but the company and people seem nice so am hopeful it will work out.

It was a bit brighter first thing so went over the yard to see my boy, he has got really quite hairy and with this mild weather can get hot so clipped him, will have to finish it off tomorrow but hopefully will make him a big more comfortable. He is a darling to clip, stands quietly and only fidgets if it gets a bit tickly.

Hope everyone is keeping safe and warm, take care x