The lodger and I have just finished putting together a small set of swings for the twins - a present for their first birthday tomorrow. We'll be having a party* on Saturday, with 4 children of the same age from their swimming class. #2 son and wife had hoped to be with us but he can't get leave so she'll be on her own. After a little foot shuffling the lodger has confirmed that he and last year's bridesmaid are a serious item and so she'll be with us too.
ION the new au pair is settling in well, the "old" one is about to go off travelling for a couple of weeks before flying back to Sweden near the end of August.
*The small party has now grown to c24 adults, 6 c1 year old children plus 5 older siblings. 😳
Enjoy the party @TheOrganist. The main thing I remember from our son's first birthday was him trying to touch the candle flame.
We did some gardening this evening. In the winter we were all full of talk about spending our summer evenings in the garden. I think this is the first time we've actually done it!
FWIW, my 36th birthday coincided exactly with our next-door neighbour's daughter's 18th.
We didn't have a joint celebration (!) but a few glasses of WINE were drunk in honour...
Warm again, but often Cloudy, in Arkland the Stifling, where even a north-westerly Breeze fails to refresh.
Feeling a bit flaky after Monday's Pilates, I've been pottering about (with Restage in between Potterings), and the Wheelhouse is now nicely swept and tidy. Some shirts may be washed this afternoon, if I can summon up the energy, but Lunch (SALMON FILLETS n'Crispy Potato Flakes) must be eaten first.
A most pleasant excursion to Stratford on the train today. Lunch was lunched (fish and chips in my case, husband en rouge wanted PIE) and we went to see the butterfly farm, where I've never been before. Very nice place.
We went to visit a butterfly farm years ago. My wife couldn't cope with the fluttering around her. She's the same in aviaries with small birds, but loves birds of prey.
My late m-i-l would have agreed with Mrs BF; she didn't like things flapping around her. We went to a butterfly place when we were in Newfoundland, and it was lovely, but nobody had sent me the "wear blue because that's what they like" memo, so my friend J (who did get the memo) seemed to be much more popular than I was!
Another nice summer's day here; a little warmer than yesterday, but not too muggy, so really rather pleasant.
Fridge-clearing for supper: some ready-to-eat salmon, salads and half a small quiche.
Tomorrow I'll have to either shop or cook, or have BEANS on TOAST ...
I had BEANS on TOAST this evening for supper as Mr Nen was out. It's one of my favourite meals. If I want something a bit more substantial I do a jacket potato with the beans instead. That was standard wintertime fare when I was a kid and I always hoped it would be that for tea as I sat on the bus on the way home from school.
We've had a very nice day, catching up with friends we haven't seen properly for some years and then lunching with some others. We really are having a very sociable week.
Cancelled meeting this morning (boss was ill) so I spent the morning on admin and the afternoon skim reading books on the history of mental health ready for my MA dissertation year.
Tea was monkfish tails with lentil and veg dahl (which meant I could throw in the remains of last night’s coronation chick pea salad).
Very nice walk with the Ramblers this morning and a council meeting this evening. I came home, in the rain, from the meeting looking forward to a cup of tea and watching The Great British Sewing Bee only to discover I hadn't transferred my housekey back from my rambling backpack to my everyday one. My husband was out for the evening and we hadn't replaced the spare key in the key safe. I had to phone him up and hoick him back from his evening out. While I was waiting for his return I walked back in heavier rain to the nearest pub and cheered myself up with a glass of wine. Fortunately he didn't mind too much, it had stopped raining when I returned home and I still got to see the sewing bee.
BT, don’t take her to Paradise Park near Hayle in Cornwall - they have free fling macaws, the owls and birds of prey fly loose into the flying ground — it is off putting having an owl flying about 6” above your head - and you can go into the “flight of the rainbow “ - an aviary of a flock of rainbow lorikeets which you can feed from small cups of nectar. They will come and perch on your arm and head.
Going into a butterfly house was, I think, the last straw for youngest Rogueling and she has had a phobia about all insects ever since. I don't like them because I'm worried about squashing one inadvertently.
BT, don’t take her to Paradise Park near Hayle in Cornwall - they have free fling macaws, the owls and birds of prey fly loose into the flying ground — it is off putting having an owl flying about 6” above your head - and you can go into the “flight of the rainbow “ - an aviary of a flock of rainbow lorikeets which you can feed from small cups of nectar. They will come and perch on your arm and head.
I’m back from getting my car serviced. I had to wait as there is no means of getting home and back in the time slot. Very pleasant environment, and extremely courteous staff. Free tea and a good book helped to pass the time. The only annoyance was that my car seat position had been altered.
Now to tackle the cleaning needed before my French group comes here tomorrow afternoon. Not much time in the morning as I have a dental appointment, a chunk of tooth having fallen out, leaving a rough edge.
No one ever opens an Earwig House or a Woodlouse Farm, why is this I wonder?
I took the kitchen stool/steps into the garden and tackled the hedge, which is a mixture of beech, snowberry, escallonia, grapevine and, I discovered, blackberry. It's going on 7 ft tall, so even standing on stool, with the shears extended, I couldn't quite reach some of the shoots at the further edge. I'm hoping new downstairs neighbour takes the hint and trims his side.
I am now comprehensively puggled and will probably fall asleep in front of Garden Rescue.
When I wake, it'll be to make cheat's kedgeree for dinner.
... When I wake, it'll be to make cheat's kedgeree for dinner.
What's in cheat's kedgeree?
Another warm day here (22°), so I pootled over to Tessie's at lunchtime to top up the salad supplies. Quite busy at work, but got most things done, so happy piglet.
... When I wake, it'll be to make cheat's kedgeree for dinner.
What's in cheat's kedgeree?
Usual stuff, just a few shortcuts.
Soften onion in butter in a large pan (the conical rather than flat). Put an egg per person to hard boil. Toss in preferred amount of curry powder and fry for a minute or two. Add frozen peas and a packet of microwaveable long grain rice, and more butter. Dab the smoked haddie with butter and microwave for 2/3 minutes. Pour the haddie and its buttery juices into the pan with the rice and peas. Serve with the quartered egg.
... When I wake, it'll be to make cheat's kedgeree for dinner.
What's in cheat's kedgeree?
Usual stuff, just a few shortcuts.
Soften onion in butter in a large pan (the conical rather than flat). Put an egg per person to hard boil. Toss in preferred amount of curry powder and fry for a minute or two. Add frozen peas and a packet of microwaveable long grain rice, and more butter. Dab the smoked haddie with butter and microwave for 2/3 minutes. Pour the haddie and its buttery juices into the pan with the rice and peas. Serve with the quartered egg.
Substitute celery for the onions and I'd eat that very happily.
Last lip reading class of the academic year this morning, followed by usual bookshop shift.
I then managed to watch some Tour de France without falling asleep, but it was a close run thing.
The weather here has been much more overcast that I thought it would be, though far from cold.
The swings are a BIG hit with the grandsons, so guess who has spent most of the last two days pushing small people and/or helping them with the small attached side? This old man is feeling cream-crackered.
The lodger has just collected his girlfriend from our nearest big station and they're making lunch as I type this. #1 DiL's parents (my fellow grandparents) should arrive in time for tea and #2 DiL in time for dinner. They'll all be going home at the end of their stay with runner beans which are abundant this year.
Other than that, we have to prepare for tomorrow's birthday party so I'm sorting out a treasure hunt for the older children. 🙏
I had to get an (emergency, but not urgent) dental appointment to deal with a broken tooth and I must say the dentist was quite the pleasantest I have ever had. He seemed very skilful, and explained what he planned to do and then what he had done.
That’s two good experiences of customer service this week.
My French group is coming here this afternoon. I’ve had to buy food which will keep or which I can freeze anything leftover, as I’m going away on Sunday, though I did make a fruit loaf. I am quite happy to eat every crumb of that myself if they don’t.
Another garden onslaught - clearing out the hanging baskets, rooting out the gone-over poppies, red campion and foxglove, beating back the bindweed from next door.
There's still plenty of colour - scarlet crocosmia, dark pink clematis, pelargoniums, dahlia, fennel - but nevertheless the word 'autumnal' comes irresistibly to mind.
Lunch next, then try and stay awake enough to do some watercolour practice.
My former dentist (now retired) was a gentle, softly-spoken, slightly-built man. He apologetically explained one day that he was the Bad Thing that happened to Good People...
Another warm, cloudy day in Arkland the Sweat-Bedewed, with no Breeze to speak of. Never mind - some Wash Ing has been done, along with a tiny bit of Paint Ing - and some more of the latter may be attempted after Lunch.
Lunch is SPAG BOL with Garlic Bread, accompanied by (of course) Italian BEER. The Spag Bol is one of Tess Coe's ready-made meals for Sad Singletons, but they're usually quite palatable. IMHO, anyway.
The former Mrs BF used to make an exceedingly toothsome Spag Bol, which included Tomato Puree (as neither of us liked Tomato in a recognisable form!), along with Mushrooms, Carrots, and Celery! Not quite a genuine Italian recipe, I suspect, but O! delicious nevertheless.
Tea chez Nen is also Spag Bol with garlic bread. Like the former Mrs BF I make an exceedingly toothsome one; in fact, I've never tasted one I like as well as my own so I never order it when out or have it as a ready meal as I know I'll be disappointed.
Mr Nen and I went out just after lunch to talk to a local venue about celebrations for our Significant Wedding Anniversary next year, and after that I had coffee with a friend and a Very Hot Walk back home.
A nice day of not doing too much, and more falling asleep in front of the Tour de France. I did go into town twice, the first time for my philosophy group, where I discovered I'd got the date wrong and its next week. The second time I brought some plants to fill in a gap on one of the borders and to have some very nice soup from our monthly community soup stall.
This evening I watched half of an Ant Man film (my husband's choice) before I decided it really wasn't my thing and bailed out.
Comments
ION the new au pair is settling in well, the "old" one is about to go off travelling for a couple of weeks before flying back to Sweden near the end of August.
*The small party has now grown to c24 adults, 6 c1 year old children plus 5 older siblings. 😳
We did some gardening this evening. In the winter we were all full of talk about spending our summer evenings in the garden. I think this is the first time we've actually done it!
We didn't have a joint celebration (!) but a few glasses of WINE were drunk in honour...
Warm again, but often Cloudy, in Arkland the Stifling, where even a north-westerly Breeze fails to refresh.
Feeling a bit flaky after Monday's Pilates, I've been pottering about (with Restage in between Potterings), and the Wheelhouse is now nicely swept and tidy. Some shirts may be washed this afternoon, if I can summon up the energy, but Lunch (SALMON FILLETS n'Crispy Potato Flakes) must be eaten first.
Another nice summer's day here; a little warmer than yesterday, but not too muggy, so really rather pleasant.
Fridge-clearing for supper: some ready-to-eat salmon, salads and half a small quiche.
Tomorrow I'll have to either shop or cook, or have BEANS on TOAST ...
We've had a very nice day, catching up with friends we haven't seen properly for some years and then lunching with some others. We really are having a very sociable week.
Tea was monkfish tails with lentil and veg dahl (which meant I could throw in the remains of last night’s coronation chick pea salad).
Definitely won't go there! Thank you.
Now to tackle the cleaning needed before my French group comes here tomorrow afternoon. Not much time in the morning as I have a dental appointment, a chunk of tooth having fallen out, leaving a rough edge.
I took the kitchen stool/steps into the garden and tackled the hedge, which is a mixture of beech, snowberry, escallonia, grapevine and, I discovered, blackberry. It's going on 7 ft tall, so even standing on stool, with the shears extended, I couldn't quite reach some of the shoots at the further edge. I'm hoping new downstairs neighbour takes the hint and trims his side.
I am now comprehensively puggled and will probably fall asleep in front of Garden Rescue.
When I wake, it'll be to make cheat's kedgeree for dinner.
I've driven past (last week in fact) but I don't fancy visiting - especially the cafe!
Another warm day here (22°), so I pootled over to Tessie's at lunchtime to top up the salad supplies. Quite busy at work, but got most things done, so happy piglet.
Usual stuff, just a few shortcuts.
Soften onion in butter in a large pan (the conical rather than flat). Put an egg per person to hard boil. Toss in preferred amount of curry powder and fry for a minute or two. Add frozen peas and a packet of microwaveable long grain rice, and more butter. Dab the smoked haddie with butter and microwave for 2/3 minutes. Pour the haddie and its buttery juices into the pan with the rice and peas. Serve with the quartered egg.
Substitute celery for the onions and I'd eat that very happily.
I then managed to watch some Tour de France without falling asleep, but it was a close run thing.
The weather here has been much more overcast that I thought it would be, though far from cold.
The lodger has just collected his girlfriend from our nearest big station and they're making lunch as I type this. #1 DiL's parents (my fellow grandparents) should arrive in time for tea and #2 DiL in time for dinner. They'll all be going home at the end of their stay with runner beans which are abundant this year.
Other than that, we have to prepare for tomorrow's birthday party so I'm sorting out a treasure hunt for the older children. 🙏
I had to get an (emergency, but not urgent) dental appointment to deal with a broken tooth and I must say the dentist was quite the pleasantest I have ever had. He seemed very skilful, and explained what he planned to do and then what he had done.
That’s two good experiences of customer service this week.
My French group is coming here this afternoon. I’ve had to buy food which will keep or which I can freeze anything leftover, as I’m going away on Sunday, though I did make a fruit loaf. I am quite happy to eat every crumb of that myself if they don’t.
There's still plenty of colour - scarlet crocosmia, dark pink clematis, pelargoniums, dahlia, fennel - but nevertheless the word 'autumnal' comes irresistibly to mind.
Lunch next, then try and stay awake enough to do some watercolour practice.
It being Friday, beer, wings and corn on the cob.
Another warm, cloudy day in Arkland the Sweat-Bedewed, with no Breeze to speak of. Never mind - some Wash Ing has been done, along with a tiny bit of Paint Ing - and some more of the latter may be attempted after Lunch.
Lunch is SPAG BOL with Garlic Bread, accompanied by (of course) Italian BEER. The Spag Bol is one of Tess Coe's ready-made meals for Sad Singletons, but they're usually quite palatable. IMHO, anyway.
The former Mrs BF used to make an exceedingly toothsome Spag Bol, which included Tomato Puree (as neither of us liked Tomato in a recognisable form!), along with Mushrooms, Carrots, and Celery! Not quite a genuine Italian recipe, I suspect, but O! delicious nevertheless.
Mr Nen and I went out just after lunch to talk to a local venue about celebrations for our Significant Wedding Anniversary next year, and after that I had coffee with a friend and a Very Hot Walk back home.
Must remember to make a potato salad before I turn in, to take to my niece's BBQ tomorrow.
This evening I watched half of an Ant Man film (my husband's choice) before I decided it really wasn't my thing and bailed out.