Five OS Pleasures in your day today

helyg

1. A big bag of runner beans from the inlaws garden, enough for 4-5 meals for the 5 of us. Have kept out enough for tomorrow and Monday, and frozen the rest.

2. Eggs from OH's friend, he lives just up the road and charges £1 for a dozen of the yummiest eggs ever, as long as we provide an egg box to put them in.

3. Beautiful jam from one of OH's colleagues. He competes in all of the local shows, well and the Royal Welsh for that matter, and is very very good. When he show them the judges just take one spoonfull out to taste and he is left with the rest, so he hands them out to friends and family. Currently enjoying a very nice Greengage jam!

4. My eldest's first football practice with the 7+ age group (how quickly they grow up!). And of course my 5 year old went to the under 7's. Free and within walking distance of the house, what more could you ask for in an activity? Plus it didn't rain on me while I was standing on the sidelines!

5. Finishing my eldest's knitted Footballer mascot for Christmas. Just a Ballerina and a Shaun the Sheep to knit now...

Olliebeak

Hello everybody

Phew at last the strong winds and driving rain have stopped the for last couple of days - makes such a change not to hear the howling and windows whistling (thorugh those air-vent thingies on the d/g) all night.

billy858 - an extra :wave: for a fellow northerner . All these lucky southerners, with their good weather - they just don't know what they've been missing . Isn't it great to suddenly hear from someone after a long time .
Louba - Unfortunately nothing could be done about the guy's bank account - he should have notified them about the cheque book going missing at the time - but it's jolted his family into getting more involved with him and his welfare. They've finally realised that he's getting older and needs to be accompanied for major shopping trips - PLUS they've all chipped in some money to tide him over. When a man gets to 79, has heart problems, is deaf, and has FIVE adult off-spring with cars, he should NOT be going for a month's shopping on his own and coming back in a taxi with it all - no wonder the poor fella got flustered and lost his cheque-book! Hopefully they've all learned a lesson by it. Hope you enjoy your holiday when it arrives - you certainly deserve it .
bella - I also struggle with laptops - just can't cope with the k/boards at all. Like many others, I trained as a typist (Remington/Olivetti/Imperial 66) and got used to 'banked' keys' - laptops are just TOO FLAT;). Well done at resisting the craft shop bargains.
Reverbe - what a wonderful haul from your Focus Group - I'm another who never lets a 'freebie pen etc' get away . AND some good freebies through the door as well .
newlywed - those Heritage Days are great - went to some things in St.Helens last year (unfortunately not enough time to be able to do everything). Good to learn something we don't know about our home towns. Hope you get your plant for the border.
Caterina - Phew thank you! - I'm so glad my comments didn't come across as totally moaning . It's calmed down here yesterday and today and we can actually get into the garden to use the washing lines . Hope you have a good trip next week - good to hear that you and DH (;)) are looking forward to this together :heartsmil.
Blimus - sorry to hear your camping trip didn't take place after all - my son has been camping this weekend in Penmaenmawr - he said it hasn't been too bad - though Thursday night wasn't good . I was cheering for Siavash as well - but there ya go! - I very rarely get it right when it comes to BB!
Kittikins - Hope you and DD are enjoying your holiday in Portugal .
sparrer - Sounds like you've enjoyed your visit oop north . You're going to Saddleworth Moor - it is soooooooo bleak! Every time I pass, I can't help but think of those poor children who were buried there. Did you get to Haworth and Bronte Country - never been there myself but would love to go one day . Hope you are now enjoying the comfort of your own bed/doggie cuddles again now
cycling yorkie - Hi - planning on 1st November for c/h here (gave in a couple of days earlier last year, but we'll see .......) - will all depend on whether or not the dgk's are around .
savingforoz - well done getting on with your plans for the future - big brave adventure ahead of you . Please give your 'foster puss' a cuddle and stroke from his Auntie Ollie - really missing 'cat cuddles' here.
Patchwork - well done on the jams and veggies :T - great harvest there.
helyg - another one with a great harvest of goodies - well done you :T. Well done to your ds's as well - I've got a dgs who is football crazy and has joined a team too .

Had a busy day yesterday1
1. Calamity Jane (DD) has finally moved house - at long last! Removal man plus my OH spent three hours (two trips with a large transit van) lifting, carrying, shoving, pulling, cursing.

2. Landlord arrived and told us that the tv aerial system is NOT linked to one on the roof but to a 'cable box system' which DD will have to pay for herself. She can't even connect a 'freeview aerial' to it :mad:. At the moment she has fitted an 'old indoor aerial', but it looks like we'll have to get somebody to fit an aerial on the roof so she can have Digital Freeview.

3. Bought a badge for dgd's school uniform to find that it's WAY too big to fit on the breast pocket of her school blazer (M&S one). Now struggling to find a way round this without having to buy a new blazer :mad:.

4. OH paid for chippie tea for us all yesterday evening - awwwww.

5. Need a trip to Asda today - want to check out the school blazer pockets to see whether or not should buy one and take the M&S one back to the shop!

6. Also need to get some bleach - dgs1 (age 8) went to his 'old school' for two days last week and came back with red ink on 2 of his new school polo shirts - two shirts with red ink in two days :mad: :mad:!

Oh well need to put more stuff on the washing line and then go for a shower and get to Asda.

Hope we're all having a good weekend - love Ollie xxx

Louba

Morning all! Oh afternoon well seen it's the weekend!

Olllie - glad some good has come of the cheque book incident.

1 - lots of lovely clean washing hanging up to dry
2 - organising my clothes and stuff for hols and realising I only really needed to buy sun cream, yay more to do nice things with when I'm away!
3 - buying a lovely notebook to use as a food diary, I thought if it was pretty I might use it!
4 - a good book and an early night
5 - might take myself off for a walk along the sea, the wind and rain have died down so should be more pleasant!

Lx

ceridwen

Hi

Well...more like O.S. pleasures over the weekend actually:

- at an event yesterday and spotted a nun (Buddhist persuasion - but that doesnt matter to me - coulda just as well been a Christian or whatever persuasion:D) looking longingly at the list of refreshments available where I was queueing to buy the drink I wanted for myself and having enough money these days to just be able to turn round and say "I'll have this for myself and whatever-this-lady-wants for her" (non-stimulant of any variety I hasten to add.....)

- her surprised/pleased reaction to this - as she chose the drink she wanted for herself and I saw her subsequently walking round obviously liking it (a rather young nun - so I think she wasnt yet used to the idea that "laypeople" give to support them...but its obviously in my D.N.A. that if a nun/monk of any religion is nearby that I make sure they are fed/watered at the same time as I am - so I automatically do so)

- preparing some food for myself today from foraged food and then going on to start preparing some food for a social event my local Transition Town group is holding in a couple of weeks time.

- it doesnt matter that its taking hours (and hours) to prepare that food - as I have the time available and am enjoying listening to classical music whilst I'm doing so

- grinning as I'm planning to dig out some candles to scatter round at said local Transition social event to make it look a bit nicer

Its just nice sometimes - when there is a bit of money and time available spare - to do something just for pleasure and because you know there will be a smile on the face of someone appreciating it later....and its nice to find some likeminded souls at such things - as I do get depressed at having to spend so much time amongst people who dont care about the environment/want money for the sake of it/etc.

sparrer

I did have a lovely weekend, thank you Ollie, and yes Saddleworth Moor was bleak and eerie, not a place I want to visit too often. Had I not known its history I may have thought it wildly beautiful. I collect my dog on Tuesday so have another couple of fur free days for me and my carpets

Holiday weekend blessings...

1. We went to Haworth and saw the main street which will be amazing during the run up to Christmas, Sowerbridge where we saw the Rushbearing Festival with Morris Dancers, Mummers and the Peace Artistes (I had to think about that one but only for a second ) and the rush cart being pulled through the streets, we visited moors, canals and beautiful villages to numerous to mention...it was such a lovely area to visit. I want to go back - when I've got some thermals :rotfl:

2. My lovely friends wouldn't let me lift a finger, not even to wash up as they have a dishwasher. I did manage to sneak one bowlful in when they weren't looking though. I just love washing up, how weird is that? (for that I'm expecting several bowlfuls to land on my doorstep from 5 OS Pleasures contributors )

3. I spilled a bottle of water and it saturated my mobile :eek: so I bought another one. However the tip I was given to take out the battery and sim, put it into a tub of rice (uncooked of course :rotfl:) and leave it in the airing cupboard for a couple of days worked, I've just looked at it and it's working perfectly, just a tiny stain in one corner of the screen. The new one is being put by for a little girl's Christmas present (but if the original should go wrong I've got it to use as a back up)

4. Journey home this afternoon was smooth on my side of the A1, I felt for the poor souls queuing for miles northbound after a lorry had overturned and they had to close the carriageway. I did try to practice economy driving but I really just wanted to get home

5. A warm and noisy welcome from Yang, my boy cat, and the usual aloof look from Ying, his sister. Have now fed them and she's almost forgiven me...sitting on the back of my sofa but not quite ready to come down onto my lap yet :rolleyes:

So looking forward to my bed that it's a very early night for me - night night n God bless all

S x

Caterina

Hi all

Thanks for greetings and kind words!

Quick sneak into computer after DH looked at weather forecast and here are pleasures for the day:

1 - Due to severe hangover from yesterday's attendance at party and several glasses of champagne (I don't normally drink at ALL!), had a super-long lie-in and DH brought me loads of white buttered toast with marmite, incredibly self indulgent treat that I normally would never allow myself. But it was great and it (almost) cured my hangover.

2 - Friend from Canada who we used to know when both our children were in same school came to visit (I went to the garden in dressing gown and dark glasses to say hi).

3 - DD and her BF drove me to Mr S to get food for trip tomorrow, so I did not have to stagger there and back on buses. Very grateful!

4 - Juiced carrots, celery and cucumber for lunch with squeeze of lime juice, very detoxing, made me feel much better. DH also liked it but DS found it a bit "too healthy" LOL

5 - Dinner was veg soup with 70% veg from our garden, the rest from veg box. Friends came and shared dinner with us and brought some homemade bread mixed with samphire that they had picked on the Norfolk coast.

6 - My friend's son, who is having a severe mental breakdown, has now agreed to eat and drink so he will not need to be sectioned and he will instead have a psychiatric team care for him at home. What an amazing relief, both for him and for his mum (and for all of us who know and love him)! I pray that he gets back to full health soon.

7 - Not long now, tomorrow 5am start - and DD's BF offered to drive us to the underground station, that's so kind of him!

Not sure when I shall be online again, love to all and catch up as soon as I can!

Patchwork_Quilt

Well done Ceridwen

1) Had a lovely group in Sunday School, some of whom are just about to go into Reception. I took the clay table today, as no-one else ever seems to want it, and we made walls, worms, pizzas and a rhinocerous
2) Home made soup for lunch from a stretchy chicken
3) Have started my Christmas cupboard and managed to get some bubbly, some beer and some chocolates on special offer so far
4) An afternoon at the allotment. Was offered some spring cabbage by our neighbour but I've no netting and apparently, the pigeons are eyeing his up already. Spoke to our next-door neighbour, who I see infrequently, and was able to pass on some seeds and strawberry runners
5) Introducing DS's gf to china tea cups at tea time. She was rather dubious about the whole cold salad and tea stuff at first but soon warmed to it

Sleep tight, everyone

Olliebeak

Morning :wave: - Looks like quite a promising day though still a bit chilly. Still got my back door open though to allow the fresh air into the kitchen/diner (where the comp is).

Louba - wow - only needing suncream to complete your holiday shopping. We usually go to Scotland at this time of year, so that has NEVER been needed - more likely to be waterproofs for us . Hope you both have a good trip .
ceridwen - isn't it great to be in a position to 'share' our good fortune when we can? I'm not 'well-paid' by any stretch of the imagination BUT I'm in a better position than I've ever been in my life before and passing some on occasionally, is my way of 'being thankful' for what I've got in life. Love the sound of your 'Transition Town'.
sparrer - I'm sure that Haworth (and the surrounding areas) advertise 'Victorian Christmas Evenings' in the run up to Christmas - so should be spectacular. :rotfl: at your cats - so very typical.
Caterina - What a great detox day following your night on 'the plonk' . Hope you're now feeling suitably recovered for your trip today. Hope the young gentleman can remain at home for his treatment - and that he makes a good recovery.
Patchwork - I've got a Christmas cupboard going as well at the moment . Started with an ExtraSpecial Christmas Pudding (use by March 2010!) back in January for 50p , 2 jars of ExtraSpecial mincemeat that were half-price and 2 large boxes of Paxo Cranberry Stuffing for 10p each and I've been stocking up on my usual baking ingredients with long shelf life. Well done on your trade off with your neighbour :T - I passed on some 'food packaging trays' to one of my elderly neighbours and he was highly delighted - just the size he needed for seed sowing.

1. Phone call from DD yesterday as she was feeling 'lonely' in her house - the dgk's were still with their dads and everywhere was quiet lol.

2. Had a trip to the local Asda to check out the school blazers, but they all had tiny breast pockets same as the one that DD had already got. Managed to find a few whoopsies while I was there - so all was not completely lost.

3. Sat in the Asda cafe with a sandwich, cup of coffee and the Sunday paper - made such a change NOT to have one of the dgk's with me .

4. Finished off DD's laundry and got it all dry. Soaked dgs1's school polo shirts in bleach for a while and got them sparkly white again - I'd BAN all red pens from schools.

5. Visited DD early evening and sewed that darn school badge onto the blazer. Finally aligned it with the top of the pocket, but the remainder of the pocket is completely covered. Have done it with tiny tacking stitches, so if it needs to come off again, it can do. At least dgd1 can go to school with a smile on her face on the first day.

6. Got a lift back home again from DS1 who had called on DD on his way home from a camping trip to North Wales - saved the busfare and it was good to see him again .

7. dgd1 is coming here straight from school for tea this evening and to collect the remainder of her school stuff.

8. Need to sort out something for evening meal - yesterday was yet another 'butty day' as I was 'in and out' of the house so much.

9. Oh well - wonder what THIS Monday morning will bring for the day .

speak again later - love to all - Ollie xxx

bellaquidsin

The weekend's pleasures:-

1. Going over budget in Mr. S. NOT a pleasure but the fact that I had enough money in my 'emergency fund' in the back of my purse was. I did buy quite a few extras with pending visitors (all at the right price of course) and the festive season in mind and do try to put some aside each week for this purpose.

2. A HM 'ready' cottage pie from the freezer for an after shopping lunch.

3. Meeting up with lots of old friends on Saturday evening.

4. Mmmm roast lamb for Sunday lunch.

5. Watching Escape to the Country on iPlayer and being thankful that I don't have to make the decision on how to spend £400.000. It seems to demonstrate to me that no matter how much we have we still want more.

Bella.

newlywed

Hi all, here's mine from the last few days....

1. Drying 3 lots of washing on the line on Saturday
2. My plants still being alive
3. Repotting my xmas cacti houseplants
4. Buying more damsons and making 2 more pies for the freezer
5. Borrowing some freezer space from mum for said pie
6. Making my first proper loaf of bread by hand (thanks to thriftlady for making it sound easy - it was!)

7. It being edible
8. Making banana caramel blondies (olive mag)
9. Making ratatouille ready for tonight's tea so it'll be quicker.
10. Getting kippers from my mum as she has too many in the freezer.
11. HM bread, toasted with (bought) damson jam for breakfast.
12. Having more bread flour left for more experiments with dough next weekend (if I can wait that long ).
13. Stepson saying we should enter "come dine with me" as he said I'd win :rotfl: (highly unlikely but still a nice compliment ).


Edit: Hmmm damson pie, banana blondies and HM bread - no wonder I'm not losing any weight