Hello fellow Earthlings!
Well, we made it. After the doom and gloom of the solar eclipse, when some predicted the end of the world....it turned out to be a slightly cloudy 10 minutes and the world kept on turning. I am relieved as I had a cake in the oven and it would have been a shame to waste the eggs, they are so few and far between.
All is ok here, it has been a bumpy ride, filled with operations (not me, but J), hospital visits (with me being a Londonphobe - not good) and plenty of dog walks, cleaning out hens, cursing stones on the new allotment, baking, jamming and no crochet whatsoever as I still can't do it. I have learnt many things over the past few months.
Number one - Don't leave a tube of Germoline to repair allotment related damage, next to your toothpaste. Ever.
#numbantisepticteeth
Number two - When cooking in a Rayburn at 6pm and placing a delicious Cornish pasty in the oven, set a timer. Otherwise you will find it at 8am the next day, Fossilised.
December. Yes, it was a long time ago that I last wrote my blog....I know I'm bad at this. So, a few pictures from Yuletide as I like them :0) and feel bad that I didn't post a single festive post.
A Christmas Cake for a friend. He's Danish (which isn't relevant, just explains the use of the Scandi ribbon).
My kitchen table with about 50% of the orders I made last year. That there's a lot of cake, jam and puddin's!
More cakes and German Spiced Almonds.. |
So, let me explain whats been going on. J had another brain tumour removed (lucky number 3)! and was due to spend 6 days in hospital. 8 weeks later, after many complications, (an understatement) he was finally set free! It was getting to the point that they were going to have to name a wing after him and to be fair, the food is enough to drive anyone insane.
A 2 1/2 hour commute each way for me, but I like to think I kept him from completely losing his mind.
He is doing ok, now, but 5 general anaesthetics have left him really tired. It will pass but he is doing really well.
Bento land is alive and well here. I am still trying to do one for work, but they aren't that healthy anymore. They are still better than crappy airline food though, so at least I'm trying.
and a new bento box for day trips....because I really needed a new one.
What with work getting in the way and hospital visits, I hadn't been to dog training in 9 weeks. Furface was getting a bit stubborn and to be fair, I missed going for the social aspect. I don't go out that much (aka I'm a hermit) so meeting up with the 'dog clan' every week was nice and I missed it. I was told that they had all lost weight since my absence due to lack of baked goods. I've made up for that since returning...hmmm, cheese straws.
The Allotment
I have been very busy with the allotment, (mainly going to the cash point to get money for the builder) but don't judge me. I am hopeless when it comes to building things. Unless it's a huge sandwich. The fence is up, beds in, shed done, painted by me and it is looking fab. I've had 11 days off so armed with a mattock (like a pick axe, but with a blunt end) and my new trusty lunch tin (essential), I started the back breaking task of digging over each bed. All 8 of them. HUGE beds. It has taken me all week with much muttering and cursing but it is done and I am over the moon.
Having received a fair few John Lewis vouchers, (thank you JL partnership Mastercard), I ordered a 'Yoga Bunny' mat. I was so excited when it arrived beautifully wrapped in that plastic shrink wrap, that I tried to rip it open....
And pulled a muscle in my back.
It could only happen to me. Or Mr Bean. The mat hasn't moved from the spare room since January. I still need to find a local yoga class. And a Kaftan large enough.
After a week of agony, I visited the new Doctor, (no wedding ring, just saying) and he prescribed codeine and diazepam. What a marvellous man he is. I love modern medicine. I floated for around a week.
The first two beds and amazing cold frame made by my neighbour from my old bedroom window -
Look at that soil! |
I managed to pick up a couple of rickety chairs from the local auction place for £10 each and I think Furface approves!
*cough, I need a cushion |
Everyone needs a lunch tin! And too many packets of seeds. My new addiction.
I am due back to work on Tuesday. Bleurgh. More trouble at t'mill, but won't go into that here. Needs must and I have a cute terrier to provide for. I've been so busy, the time has flown by. His 'Furriness' has been waking me at 6.30am every day, but I now get up, feed and walk him, get ready and head off to the allotment by 8am. Spend a few hours there, then back home, quick bite to eat and then take him for a 6/7km walk. Home by 2pm, resist the urge to collapse on the sofa and head off to the conservatory to get at least 2/3 hours of writing done. It is going well so far and I'm enjoying the work.
When I'm doing my writing, Furface is usually sparko under my desk -
The hens are laying again. TODAY, I actually got 4 eggs! Well one was broken and eaten by 3 deranged hens screeching, like banshees to get to the yolk. But you can expect thin shelled eggs when one of your hens is 6 1/2 years old. Pru, the Matriarch of the group is 7 now and laid today! A weird, torpedo shaped thing, but still an egg. Good girls.
It's now Sunday night, I'm listening to Michael Ball on Radio 2 (I'm so rock n' roll) and the little man is spread-eagled across 3/4 of the sofa. Snoring. And farting. *mental note to not add a few left over sprouts to his supper next time*
I will leave you with this adorable picture of him. I now I am biased, but just look at that face.
Night night Peeps!
C x x x