Well, today, around 4pm my Stepper arrived. When I looked on-line to track the progress of the delivery, I found the seller had given a wrong Internet address; however a quick Google search got me to the correct address. When I typed in the tracking number there was a message to phone, so I did (especially as it was a freephone number. Anyway I was told it would be with me by 4pm.
Shortly before that I happened to catch a glimpse of a fellow in an orange shirt walking along the front of our building clutching a rather large parcel.
So, I opened my French windows and asked if he was coming to me.
He was.
It is amazing how many people cannot work out how to use the entryphone!
So, today's exercise involved opening the large parcel and flat-packing it and taking it to the paper bin, then opening the outer packing of the product itself., flat packing it and taking it to the bin.
So, I have had a look at the instructions, and need to make a place to put it. There is a belt (rather like a fan belt) that requires to be oiled - and a vial of oil is enclosed, so I need to find something to put underneath it. Fortunately, I have some spare carpet in the hall cupboard, so with help, I shall cut that t0 approximate size and get it going.
That might all be tomorrow's exercise!.
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Ne'er Cast A Clout.....
Well, as they say (and who are they anyway?) Ne'er cast a clout 'ere May be out.
There is some debate as to whether that is the month of May or the may blossom.
However, yesterday saw the removal of all my thermals (I know, I know, but I am a cold person)
In the middle of the night I was too warm and removed my pyjamas.
Then, back in bed, I realised that the night store heaters would come on soon, so I went through to the living room to turn it off. I had not shut the curtains in the living room, of course........
However I reckoned that if anyone was around at that time of night they would get a bigger fright than I would. After all, what can you do, but wave?
Today I have been punished for this as it is a rather wet day.
However, The Best Sister In The World called round with canine friend, and we had a cup of tea and a biccie. She also changed the light bulb in the hall for me (I am forbidden to do such tasks in case of a fall).
I am having rather a struggle with my current jigsaw. This serves me right for choosing a difficult one for sister's birthday..... I am in need of something of a breakthrough and then it should take off a bit better.
Sis and friend came in through the French windows, and I could gather that the temperature is still good. It is drier outside and the sun looks as though it is trying to struggle through.
There is some debate as to whether that is the month of May or the may blossom.
However, yesterday saw the removal of all my thermals (I know, I know, but I am a cold person)
In the middle of the night I was too warm and removed my pyjamas.
Then, back in bed, I realised that the night store heaters would come on soon, so I went through to the living room to turn it off. I had not shut the curtains in the living room, of course........
However I reckoned that if anyone was around at that time of night they would get a bigger fright than I would. After all, what can you do, but wave?
Today I have been punished for this as it is a rather wet day.
However, The Best Sister In The World called round with canine friend, and we had a cup of tea and a biccie. She also changed the light bulb in the hall for me (I am forbidden to do such tasks in case of a fall).
I am having rather a struggle with my current jigsaw. This serves me right for choosing a difficult one for sister's birthday..... I am in need of something of a breakthrough and then it should take off a bit better.
Sis and friend came in through the French windows, and I could gather that the temperature is still good. It is drier outside and the sun looks as though it is trying to struggle through.
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Weather and so on......
What a beautiful day - a veritable scorcher! (especially compared to what we have been used to. Thermal undies off and even fleece off. Is this a first, I ask myself? It was all of 13.5 Celsius sun shining, blue skies.
I refuse to think about the forecasts of rain to come.
Off to the Physio exercise programme again this morning, and into Kwik-Fit on the way home.
No, the wheel is not in yet.
This afternoon to my GP to discuss a number of issues but chiefly the falls. I went in to his surgery and said "God afternoon, and now is your cue to take a deep breath, sigh and say what is it THIS time?" He is always such a gentleman, although I did raise a smile with a description of the Meehan Streak cartoon that comment derives from.
He checked everything he should and went over my medications, and reckons that as much as can be done is being done. I explained that it was Occupational Therapy who referred me on to him. However he is going to refer me properly to the local Falls Responce Service, which means that they will have to visit and assess me and my flat. While I was there, we discussed another couple of issues that had concerned me, and I am afraid I rabitted on too long.
I refuse to think about the forecasts of rain to come.
Off to the Physio exercise programme again this morning, and into Kwik-Fit on the way home.
No, the wheel is not in yet.
This afternoon to my GP to discuss a number of issues but chiefly the falls. I went in to his surgery and said "God afternoon, and now is your cue to take a deep breath, sigh and say what is it THIS time?" He is always such a gentleman, although I did raise a smile with a description of the Meehan Streak cartoon that comment derives from.
He checked everything he should and went over my medications, and reckons that as much as can be done is being done. I explained that it was Occupational Therapy who referred me on to him. However he is going to refer me properly to the local Falls Responce Service, which means that they will have to visit and assess me and my flat. While I was there, we discussed another couple of issues that had concerned me, and I am afraid I rabitted on too long.
Monday, 28 April 2008
Bridge again.
Today I went to the Bridge Club. I looked at the book to see how well my partner and I had done, especially as we came top the last time we played together.
However, this time we came bottom.
Oh the shame of it!
I played today with a gentleman whom I have seen at the Club but with whom I have never played. He said that I had drawn the short straw, but I said that he had.
As usual I have no real idea how we have done but all will be revealed next week.
After sitting for several months with a very small credit balance on a credit card I was thinking of closing, I finally did something about it. I asked if they could close the account and transfer the credit balance to my bank account (same bank).
But no.
However they could, and did, send me a cheque.
And today I paid in that cheque in the vast sum of £2.55.
However, this time we came bottom.
Oh the shame of it!
I played today with a gentleman whom I have seen at the Club but with whom I have never played. He said that I had drawn the short straw, but I said that he had.
As usual I have no real idea how we have done but all will be revealed next week.
After sitting for several months with a very small credit balance on a credit card I was thinking of closing, I finally did something about it. I asked if they could close the account and transfer the credit balance to my bank account (same bank).
But no.
However they could, and did, send me a cheque.
And today I paid in that cheque in the vast sum of £2.55.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
I just had to share this with you.....
Quite recently, but I can't remember where, I saw a short video clip.
The background was that this lady had found a lion cub maltreated and undernourished. She took the cub and gave him appropriate nourishment and lots of affection. (Stop thinking "Born Free")!
However the time came when she had on her hands a male adult lion, and you can't really keep them as pets, can you? So, as it had been around humans too much, she felt the best course of action would be to give him to a zoo.
Some months later she went to the zoo to see how he had got on.
I almost turned away in fear and trembling at this point.
What happened was, as she approached the bars of the den, and spoke to the lion, this big beautiful animal came to the bars to meet her, stood up on his hind legs, put his fore legs through the bars, and held her just below the neck in a hug. He kept this up, stroking gently at her shoulders, and laid his face alongside her face.
It was such a lovely show of genuine affection on the part of the animal.
Fair brought a tear to my een.
The background was that this lady had found a lion cub maltreated and undernourished. She took the cub and gave him appropriate nourishment and lots of affection. (Stop thinking "Born Free")!
However the time came when she had on her hands a male adult lion, and you can't really keep them as pets, can you? So, as it had been around humans too much, she felt the best course of action would be to give him to a zoo.
Some months later she went to the zoo to see how he had got on.
I almost turned away in fear and trembling at this point.
What happened was, as she approached the bars of the den, and spoke to the lion, this big beautiful animal came to the bars to meet her, stood up on his hind legs, put his fore legs through the bars, and held her just below the neck in a hug. He kept this up, stroking gently at her shoulders, and laid his face alongside her face.
It was such a lovely show of genuine affection on the part of the animal.
Fair brought a tear to my een.
The Last Sunday In Easter....
...and what's more, the weather is appropriately lovely; a blue, blue sky with a few fluffy white clouds, and scarcely a breeze.
Today our minister is still on holiday and there, as expected, was our associate minister, with someone beside him.
Who he?
Well our associate minister started off after the call to worship and the introit by telling us that there was only one thing better than a minister recovering from cardiac surgery - and that was two ministers recovering from cardiac surgery!
The associate minister always gives a good children's address, and this time he carried in a supermarket green box full of props.
Judging by the laughter among the adult population around, it was a good address. Sadly, however, he wasn't "wired up" to the t-loop system and I couldn't hear the address. The rest of the service came across loud and clear.
I passed comment to him at the end of the service that I was disappointed that he wasn't 'miked-up' for the children's address as I was unable to hear it. Turns out that it was not working, and this had been discovered at the early morning service. They had tried a 'fix' but obviously it had not been successful.
Today our minister is still on holiday and there, as expected, was our associate minister, with someone beside him.
Who he?
Well our associate minister started off after the call to worship and the introit by telling us that there was only one thing better than a minister recovering from cardiac surgery - and that was two ministers recovering from cardiac surgery!
The associate minister always gives a good children's address, and this time he carried in a supermarket green box full of props.
Judging by the laughter among the adult population around, it was a good address. Sadly, however, he wasn't "wired up" to the t-loop system and I couldn't hear the address. The rest of the service came across loud and clear.
I passed comment to him at the end of the service that I was disappointed that he wasn't 'miked-up' for the children's address as I was unable to hear it. Turns out that it was not working, and this had been discovered at the early morning service. They had tried a 'fix' but obviously it had not been successful.
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Road works
I see that I noted on 10 April that there were road works going on in our car park. Today is 26 April and we have just got use of the whole car park again. When the car park was constructed the material was these fancy road bricks, you know, the kind they use in driveways, and they used a darker colour brick to indicate the edge of each parking bay.
So the Electricity Board have relaid the bricks but without any indication of the width of each bay.
I forsee problems ahead..........
So the Electricity Board have relaid the bricks but without any indication of the width of each bay.
I forsee problems ahead..........
Stepper
Well, now that I have put the trauma of that, small, prang behind me, I am moving on to be my usual self.
I am really enjoying my physiotherapy exercises, but these follow on classes will also come to an end and all too soon.
I have been walking the corridor outside my flat and find that of some value. Unfortunately, people keeep stopping me to talk which rather reduces the value. I am also somehwat nervous that someone (and there is ALWAYS someone) will complain that I shall wear a hole in the carpet.
This is a puzzlement.
Walking is the best exercise, but I am afraid to walk away from walls to catch me if I lose my balance unless I use my stick.
But that really slows me down and undoes a lot of the good of walking.
At this follow-on class, they have introduced a piece of equipment called a stepper. It has 2 foot shaped pieces on either side and incorporates a counter to tell you how many steps you have taken.
I am now up to 50 steps, and am "stepping" faster than at the start.
It is also small enough to fit in even this small flat, and I can use it in my hall, which does not back onto any other flats, and so gives me privacy and does not annoy anyone else.
Even in the short time I have used it at the classes, it has improved my stair climbing.
Oh for the day that I can walk up stairs without needing a banister to pull on...
So, as you guessed already, I have ordered one.
I am really enjoying my physiotherapy exercises, but these follow on classes will also come to an end and all too soon.
I have been walking the corridor outside my flat and find that of some value. Unfortunately, people keeep stopping me to talk which rather reduces the value. I am also somehwat nervous that someone (and there is ALWAYS someone) will complain that I shall wear a hole in the carpet.
This is a puzzlement.
Walking is the best exercise, but I am afraid to walk away from walls to catch me if I lose my balance unless I use my stick.
But that really slows me down and undoes a lot of the good of walking.
At this follow-on class, they have introduced a piece of equipment called a stepper. It has 2 foot shaped pieces on either side and incorporates a counter to tell you how many steps you have taken.
I am now up to 50 steps, and am "stepping" faster than at the start.
It is also small enough to fit in even this small flat, and I can use it in my hall, which does not back onto any other flats, and so gives me privacy and does not annoy anyone else.
Even in the short time I have used it at the classes, it has improved my stair climbing.
Oh for the day that I can walk up stairs without needing a banister to pull on...
So, as you guessed already, I have ordered one.
Friday, 25 April 2008
Oh, no, not another one
I hate memes in the same way as I hate chain letters. They clog up the internet.
However I don't like to let down a new reader of my blog, Sage writes a most interesting blog, which I recommend. Unlike many others on my favourites list, this is a non-medical one and I like a change of air.
So here are my 6 random things about myself, but I am sorry, I shall not tag anyone else.
I am VERY old (well, not really)
I have 3 lovely grown-up children and 4 lovely grandchildren
And the best sister in the world
And a very caring brother
I love reading detective stories, from many countries
I love cooking and am building up a recipe blog (you can see the link to the right of this post)
However I don't like to let down a new reader of my blog, Sage writes a most interesting blog, which I recommend. Unlike many others on my favourites list, this is a non-medical one and I like a change of air.
So here are my 6 random things about myself, but I am sorry, I shall not tag anyone else.
I am VERY old (well, not really)
I have 3 lovely grown-up children and 4 lovely grandchildren
And the best sister in the world
And a very caring brother
I love reading detective stories, from many countries
I love cooking and am building up a recipe blog (you can see the link to the right of this post)
The Car.....
Went to that nice Kwik-Fit as arranged for them to look at the wheel to order a new one in; they also checked the steering which was fine.
But they found the wheel was out of alignment and fixed that.
Just got a phone call to say that the new wheel won't be in until Tuesday, so I shall call in on my way back from physiotherapy classes.
On my way home, I popped in to the small Asda and found, to my horror that, not only did I not have a coin for the trolley, but that I did not have my purse. (Glad I did not find that out when I reached checkout with a full trolley!)
Came home and found it hiding under a book I was reading yesterday. It had got put down on the stool after I entered any credit card statements into Excel, then had later put the book down on top of it.
Silly me...
but successful shop done.
But they found the wheel was out of alignment and fixed that.
Just got a phone call to say that the new wheel won't be in until Tuesday, so I shall call in on my way back from physiotherapy classes.
On my way home, I popped in to the small Asda and found, to my horror that, not only did I not have a coin for the trolley, but that I did not have my purse. (Glad I did not find that out when I reached checkout with a full trolley!)
Came home and found it hiding under a book I was reading yesterday. It had got put down on the stool after I entered any credit card statements into Excel, then had later put the book down on top of it.
Silly me...
but successful shop done.
To All Wordpress Bloggers
All right to my two readers who blog on Wordpress.
Today I get a message from Internet Explorer any time I look at a blog in Wordpress saying there was something in it that was slowing my computer down - Exit Now? Yes/No
Well that was the general gist of it.
Maybe you will be able to stop it happening from your end.
Today I get a message from Internet Explorer any time I look at a blog in Wordpress saying there was something in it that was slowing my computer down - Exit Now? Yes/No
Well that was the general gist of it.
Maybe you will be able to stop it happening from your end.
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Just a quicky...
... two people came to the door before I was fully dressed this morning. The first one told me I had a flat tyre, the second that I had left one of my car windows open.
And it was raining.
So out I went and dealt with the one thing I could do, which was to wind the window up.
Saw that I had, not only a flat tyre, but missing wheel trim. I doubt that that will be lying where it came off, but I can't really go and look for it with a flat tyre.....
Seen the day when I would have set to and changed the tyre myself.
So I called these nice tyre fitters (the ones dressed in blue who dance in their ad) and am going this afternoon after the cleaners leave.
Don't want to be out when they call, and am not sure there would be time to get it fixed before they arrive.
LATER
Sister called and told me off that I could NOT drive the car with a flat tyre. At her suggestion, I called the insurers who told me to call the RAC. A very nice man was there in less than an hour, and changed the wheel. He also had a loook at the steering and said it should be safe. I think I am going to need a whole new wheel rather than a new tyre, so am going round to the tyre place tomorrow.
Not fit to go there today as I am still somewhat shaken.
And besides I have a nice pot roast simmering away on the hob!
And it was raining.
So out I went and dealt with the one thing I could do, which was to wind the window up.
Saw that I had, not only a flat tyre, but missing wheel trim. I doubt that that will be lying where it came off, but I can't really go and look for it with a flat tyre.....
Seen the day when I would have set to and changed the tyre myself.
So I called these nice tyre fitters (the ones dressed in blue who dance in their ad) and am going this afternoon after the cleaners leave.
Don't want to be out when they call, and am not sure there would be time to get it fixed before they arrive.
LATER
Sister called and told me off that I could NOT drive the car with a flat tyre. At her suggestion, I called the insurers who told me to call the RAC. A very nice man was there in less than an hour, and changed the wheel. He also had a loook at the steering and said it should be safe. I think I am going to need a whole new wheel rather than a new tyre, so am going round to the tyre place tomorrow.
Not fit to go there today as I am still somewhat shaken.
And besides I have a nice pot roast simmering away on the hob!
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
A Happy Wednesday - almost.
This morning I went to visit daughter for lunch with her, M and younger grandson. I did threaten not to visit again if she kept on doing a rain dance in anticipation. Lunch was home made tomato soup served with home baked rolls made with pizza dough - deliciously chewy.
After lunch we viewed the slides and videos she and M took on their recent trip to New York.
I did not realise how many skyscrapers there are in NY, not just in Manhattan.
Trumps Tower is, as expected, in seriously bad taste....
One particularly interesting sight was Katherine Hepburn's brownstone house, sandwiched between 2 skyscrapers.
On the way to visit daughter, the weather was awful, just chucking it doown.
Fortunately on the way back it was clear.
On the way home, called in at a factory outlet and had a successful shop (apart from one thing.) I get very tired trailing round one of these places.
And so to home...
... apart from when I was almost there. I was coming down a narrow road with walls on either side and no pavements. On my side there were little triangular mini-buttresses at ground level.
So, of course, for the first time - having driven that route so often - I clipped one of the buttresses with my nearside front wheel on my way down.
Fingers crossed, but I am now too tired to go and have a look....
After lunch we viewed the slides and videos she and M took on their recent trip to New York.
I did not realise how many skyscrapers there are in NY, not just in Manhattan.
Trumps Tower is, as expected, in seriously bad taste....
One particularly interesting sight was Katherine Hepburn's brownstone house, sandwiched between 2 skyscrapers.
On the way to visit daughter, the weather was awful, just chucking it doown.
Fortunately on the way back it was clear.
On the way home, called in at a factory outlet and had a successful shop (apart from one thing.) I get very tired trailing round one of these places.
And so to home...
... apart from when I was almost there. I was coming down a narrow road with walls on either side and no pavements. On my side there were little triangular mini-buttresses at ground level.
So, of course, for the first time - having driven that route so often - I clipped one of the buttresses with my nearside front wheel on my way down.
Fingers crossed, but I am now too tired to go and have a look....
Later Still.....
.....
errm
the doctor's appointment is for next week. The receptionist did offer me an appointment with the locum, but I waited over 2 weeks to see a particular doctor, so I declined with thanks.
Still no parking bay.....
errm
the doctor's appointment is for next week. The receptionist did offer me an appointment with the locum, but I waited over 2 weeks to see a particular doctor, so I declined with thanks.
Still no parking bay.....
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Later.....
After the exercise class, which I must confess I found rather an effort today although I completed almost everything in the list, I paid a visit to the very large garden centre at the edge of the town. First off I found a disabled parking bay - hurray! - and then I grabbed a trolley; these make an excellent substitute for a zimmer frame.
To start with I went to the food hall and had a chat to the butcher, deciding on a bit of silverside for a pot roast and a chicken breast slit and stuffed with haggis then wrapped in bacon. I shall cook this tonight, eat half then keep the rest.
This would be easy to make at home as you can buy haggis in small quantities, as you just make a slit on the longest side, stuff it with haggis and wrap streaky bacon round it to cover. To cook you would just wrap it in foil and put in the oven at 180 Celsius for about 40 minutes.
I also bought 3 bottles of wine and 2 slices of banana and toffee pie. I went to eat some when I got home but it was SO rich I could not finish one portion. Daughter may fall lucky.
After the shopping I went for lunch; it was so good having room in the trolley for the tray, so I was able to be indepent while I chose lunch, (salad with ham and an assortment of cold salads) with a bottle of lemon refresher. Ate it while looking out at the sunshine.
Got back home and all the parking places were taken, but managed to find a space in front of someone's window.
Got a doctor's appointment to discuss my falls. I am pretty sure there is absolutely nothing he can do, but when you get sent to Occupational Therapy by the ambulance service, and sent to your GP by the OT you just have to go through the motions.*
*for all nursing and medical readers, these are not brown.....
To start with I went to the food hall and had a chat to the butcher, deciding on a bit of silverside for a pot roast and a chicken breast slit and stuffed with haggis then wrapped in bacon. I shall cook this tonight, eat half then keep the rest.
This would be easy to make at home as you can buy haggis in small quantities, as you just make a slit on the longest side, stuff it with haggis and wrap streaky bacon round it to cover. To cook you would just wrap it in foil and put in the oven at 180 Celsius for about 40 minutes.
I also bought 3 bottles of wine and 2 slices of banana and toffee pie. I went to eat some when I got home but it was SO rich I could not finish one portion. Daughter may fall lucky.
After the shopping I went for lunch; it was so good having room in the trolley for the tray, so I was able to be indepent while I chose lunch, (salad with ham and an assortment of cold salads) with a bottle of lemon refresher. Ate it while looking out at the sunshine.
Got back home and all the parking places were taken, but managed to find a space in front of someone's window.
Got a doctor's appointment to discuss my falls. I am pretty sure there is absolutely nothing he can do, but when you get sent to Occupational Therapy by the ambulance service, and sent to your GP by the OT you just have to go through the motions.*
*for all nursing and medical readers, these are not brown.....
Organic Vegetables
Expecting the delivery to be made some time after 8am, I set my alarm last night to go off at 7.15 this morning. For once I wakened before that and was up, showered and dressed by 7.15am
Just as well.
The delivery arrived shortly before 7.30!!!
So, I got it all unpacked and put away into a clean fridge drawer, the fridge or a fruit bowl.
I had potatoes, about 8 large carrots, onions and 2 turnips (Swedes), along with a large bag of beetroot, a huge bag of purple sprouting broccoli and 3 leeks. The fruit this time was 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 kiwi fruit, and a banana. Also of course arrived the usual 6 eggs.
So here I am at 7.55 am with all that dealt with and back at the computer.
Off to the physiotherapy class at 9.30.
Just as well.
The delivery arrived shortly before 7.30!!!
So, I got it all unpacked and put away into a clean fridge drawer, the fridge or a fruit bowl.
I had potatoes, about 8 large carrots, onions and 2 turnips (Swedes), along with a large bag of beetroot, a huge bag of purple sprouting broccoli and 3 leeks. The fruit this time was 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 kiwi fruit, and a banana. Also of course arrived the usual 6 eggs.
So here I am at 7.55 am with all that dealt with and back at the computer.
Off to the physiotherapy class at 9.30.
Monday, 21 April 2008
Bridge Again
Off to the Bridge Club this afternoon. When I arrived I said to "the boss" that I wondered if they would let me back after all the mistakes I made last week. She was so full of apologies for shouting at me - anyone would think it was her fault!
What was really funny was that, in spite of everything, we were not last - just second last!
This week I was partnered with someone I had played with only once before. She is a strong player, so I really didn't want to let her down. It was somewhat ironic that she has difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath and I have difficulty hearing. I told her she could say anything about me that she wished and I would not know!
Arrived back at the ranch in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble group.
Shortly after returning home, there was a ring at the bell and one of my neighbours making an enquiry about my cleaners as she is now finding it more difficult to manage. She was delighted to join me in a Noilly Prat - shows how much I like her that I am prepared to share it with her...
What was really funny was that, in spite of everything, we were not last - just second last!
This week I was partnered with someone I had played with only once before. She is a strong player, so I really didn't want to let her down. It was somewhat ironic that she has difficulty speaking due to shortness of breath and I have difficulty hearing. I told her she could say anything about me that she wished and I would not know!
Arrived back at the ranch in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble group.
Shortly after returning home, there was a ring at the bell and one of my neighbours making an enquiry about my cleaners as she is now finding it more difficult to manage. She was delighted to join me in a Noilly Prat - shows how much I like her that I am prepared to share it with her...
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Special Saturday
Yesterday I went to the best sister in the world for dinner and a sleepover. This time she did all the cooking rather than Le Chef.
We started (after a glass or so of Noilly Prat for me and a G&T for her) with sliced wood pigeon on toast. For the main course we had roe venison with mashed potatoes and sprouting broccoli. Both courses were served with red wine.
I really envy them their wine glasses, which are small, so that you drink less than you think you are.
Pudding was sticky toffee pudding (home made) with local ice cream, served with a little sweet wine.
A good chat was held, in spite of the fact that Dozy Dinah (me) had forgotten her hearing aids.
The two dogs were very affectionate, especially the younger one, who has covered my trousers with hair and drool!
After all that I slept like a log till 8.30 and sat down to a glass of orange juice followed by a wonderful breakfast of crisp bacon, poached egg and tomatoes served with home made (by le chef) french bread.
I now know how to make proper poached egg. The secret is in some vinegar in the water, so the egg white puffs up and stays in one place, unlike mine which spread out all over the pan and fall apart when served up, leaving some of the white in the pan.
So back home on a really sunny day with a cold wind.
We have a "rule" of no presents to the adults now, but I said that if they did happen to be thinking of getting anything for me I would really like a photograph of the two of them and of the two dogs (separately or together) to add to my "rogues gallery".
I am going to make this same request to daughter and M and to elder son and wife. (I already have a lovely photo of younger son and wife in the gallery).
The gallery currently contains the aforementioned photo of younger son and wife, one of the best sister in the world and me, 1 each of the four grandchildren, and a group photograph.
The group one was taken in July 2001. I can date it almost precisely as I am sporting a sticking plaster on my neck.
If you look very closely you can see that it has a picture of a frog on it.
I liked it, because if any of the children asked me what it was for I would tell them it was because I had a frog in my throat.
In fact, it was covering my not-quite healed tracheostomy "hole"!
You can see why that photograph means so much to me.
We started (after a glass or so of Noilly Prat for me and a G&T for her) with sliced wood pigeon on toast. For the main course we had roe venison with mashed potatoes and sprouting broccoli. Both courses were served with red wine.
I really envy them their wine glasses, which are small, so that you drink less than you think you are.
Pudding was sticky toffee pudding (home made) with local ice cream, served with a little sweet wine.
A good chat was held, in spite of the fact that Dozy Dinah (me) had forgotten her hearing aids.
The two dogs were very affectionate, especially the younger one, who has covered my trousers with hair and drool!
After all that I slept like a log till 8.30 and sat down to a glass of orange juice followed by a wonderful breakfast of crisp bacon, poached egg and tomatoes served with home made (by le chef) french bread.
I now know how to make proper poached egg. The secret is in some vinegar in the water, so the egg white puffs up and stays in one place, unlike mine which spread out all over the pan and fall apart when served up, leaving some of the white in the pan.
So back home on a really sunny day with a cold wind.
We have a "rule" of no presents to the adults now, but I said that if they did happen to be thinking of getting anything for me I would really like a photograph of the two of them and of the two dogs (separately or together) to add to my "rogues gallery".
I am going to make this same request to daughter and M and to elder son and wife. (I already have a lovely photo of younger son and wife in the gallery).
The gallery currently contains the aforementioned photo of younger son and wife, one of the best sister in the world and me, 1 each of the four grandchildren, and a group photograph.
The group one was taken in July 2001. I can date it almost precisely as I am sporting a sticking plaster on my neck.
If you look very closely you can see that it has a picture of a frog on it.
I liked it, because if any of the children asked me what it was for I would tell them it was because I had a frog in my throat.
In fact, it was covering my not-quite healed tracheostomy "hole"!
You can see why that photograph means so much to me.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Just a Normal Friday
This morning I was up really early and managed to get showered, dressed and down to the laundry room with two loads, one all my bedding and so on (which is a very bulky wash) and the other with my towels, which is also fairly bulky.
Despite getting there before 8am (you can't start a machine before 8am) someone was already there and had a remarkably small load in the big machine, so I had to cram my washes, 1 at a time into one of the smaller machines. I wasn't best pleased.....
Never mind, carried on starting to prepare my evening meal, which is a salad.
Eggs on to hard boil, then plunged under a cold tap.
Potatoes peeled (while eggs were coming to the boil) and put on on the timer.
Beetroot rubbed gently under the tap then put on at the same time as the potatoes, although they would take longer to cook.
In the middle of all this, the best sister in the world arrived. Left the potatoes on a timer while I made a cup of tea. Took potatoes off hob when timer went off, and plunged them under a cold tap.
Put timer on beetroot.
Enjoyed cup of tea and a chat.
Best sister in the world then did 3 jobs which I find difficult, starting with putting in an earring and affixing the back. She also brought a shoehorn.
Later:
Went to mix all the ingredients of the potato salad in mayonnaise. Discovered there was only a little left in the jar in the fridge and NONE in the store cupboard.
I shall just have to make do.
Can't face taking the car out and running the risk of not finding a place when I return.
(Expletive deleted) Scottish Power digging up half the car park. Finding a space is not easy at the best of times, but with all this work going on it has become almost impossible.
Despite getting there before 8am (you can't start a machine before 8am) someone was already there and had a remarkably small load in the big machine, so I had to cram my washes, 1 at a time into one of the smaller machines. I wasn't best pleased.....
Never mind, carried on starting to prepare my evening meal, which is a salad.
Eggs on to hard boil, then plunged under a cold tap.
Potatoes peeled (while eggs were coming to the boil) and put on on the timer.
Beetroot rubbed gently under the tap then put on at the same time as the potatoes, although they would take longer to cook.
In the middle of all this, the best sister in the world arrived. Left the potatoes on a timer while I made a cup of tea. Took potatoes off hob when timer went off, and plunged them under a cold tap.
Put timer on beetroot.
Enjoyed cup of tea and a chat.
Best sister in the world then did 3 jobs which I find difficult, starting with putting in an earring and affixing the back. She also brought a shoehorn.
Later:
Went to mix all the ingredients of the potato salad in mayonnaise. Discovered there was only a little left in the jar in the fridge and NONE in the store cupboard.
I shall just have to make do.
Can't face taking the car out and running the risk of not finding a place when I return.
(Expletive deleted) Scottish Power digging up half the car park. Finding a space is not easy at the best of times, but with all this work going on it has become almost impossible.
Thursday, 17 April 2008
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Today is another lovely sunny day, but cold in the wind. Never mind, it is always so good to see the sun shining...
... and now my flat is shining too as my 2 cleaning ladies have come and rubbed and scrubbed and washed and polished.
I have done my hair today for the first time since the new cut, and sadly, but as expected, haven't got it to look as good as the hairdresser did; I found it much easier to manage, as I had hoped.
Two parcels arrived from M&S (taking advantage of their free delivery offer; they are both hopefully awaiting the best sister in the world to give them her dexterity, which I sadly lack.
The postman arrived and I nearly had a heart attack. It was an official looking envelope which looked as though it was from the factors.
It was far too soon to have heard a positive response from the insurance company.
Panic over - it was an acknowledgement that they had received my direct debit form for the alarm pendant.
okay, so nothing very bad, so I shall have to allocate the good to my cleaners, and that leaves the ugly for.......
I bet both my readers will be whistling that (once heard, never forgotten) theme music.
... and now my flat is shining too as my 2 cleaning ladies have come and rubbed and scrubbed and washed and polished.
I have done my hair today for the first time since the new cut, and sadly, but as expected, haven't got it to look as good as the hairdresser did; I found it much easier to manage, as I had hoped.
Two parcels arrived from M&S (taking advantage of their free delivery offer; they are both hopefully awaiting the best sister in the world to give them her dexterity, which I sadly lack.
The postman arrived and I nearly had a heart attack. It was an official looking envelope which looked as though it was from the factors.
It was far too soon to have heard a positive response from the insurance company.
Panic over - it was an acknowledgement that they had received my direct debit form for the alarm pendant.
okay, so nothing very bad, so I shall have to allocate the good to my cleaners, and that leaves the ugly for.......
I bet both my readers will be whistling that (once heard, never forgotten) theme music.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
My Wonderful Hob
Almost exactly a year ago I had an induction hob installed in my kitchen. It is my pride and joy (and cost far too much money, too, for an old age pensioner). Shortly after installation, it was damaged on the right hand side; I am not quite sure what happened, but suspect I did it with my super gigantic saute pan. It might have been a supermarket delivery, but I doubt it. No problem, after I plucked up the courage to call the factors, they got in touch with the insurers, who okayed the replacement hob to go ahead.
So today, I peeled and chopped the potatoes and carrots for my tea and also trimmed the ends of the purple sprouting broccoli. So I washed and dried the board and slid it into the gap between the oven and the top cupboards, beside all the others.
However, this particular board is circular, so no doubt you can guess what happened.
Yes, it rolled back out and fell, hard, onto the opposite edge from last time.
So I called the factors, and they have asked me to get a quote from the kitchen company.
I cut myself investigating the damage, but I think I will live.
Unless the factors or the insurance company kill me off before I can do any more damage!
So today, I peeled and chopped the potatoes and carrots for my tea and also trimmed the ends of the purple sprouting broccoli. So I washed and dried the board and slid it into the gap between the oven and the top cupboards, beside all the others.
However, this particular board is circular, so no doubt you can guess what happened.
Yes, it rolled back out and fell, hard, onto the opposite edge from last time.
So I called the factors, and they have asked me to get a quote from the kitchen company.
I cut myself investigating the damage, but I think I will live.
Unless the factors or the insurance company kill me off before I can do any more damage!
Hair Cut
Today I went to (Big City) for a hair cut. Before going, as I had an early start, I managed some shopping, and had the car filled with petrol. All my fears of a 20% surcharge for cancelling an appointment were as naught. In fact, I was greeted, as usual, very cordially. He said, as usual, "just a wee trim then", and I said,"ummm, well, actually I had been thinking of getting a fair bit off the top." He always makes my hair look so good, but I can't manage the top, which is quite long. As I said, if I don't like it, I can always grow it back in again.
Coming home was a whole nother matter; as I tried to go round the roundabout to get on the motorway, things did not look too good. The west bound lane of the motorway was completely closed. Some eastbound traffic had been diverted onto the outer lane of the westbound carriageway, and there was an enormous queue of traffic coming from the roundabout to an alternative route home. A nice policeman asked if he could help, but when I told him where I was going he was most apologetic that he could do nothing.
It was stop, start (but mostly stop) from then on until I was almost home. A journey which usually takes 20 minutes or half an hour took over 2 hours.
Felt quite shaky on my pins as I unloaded the car and came in for a belated lunch.
However after a M&S sandwich and a small glass of sherry, feel fine again.
Coming home was a whole nother matter; as I tried to go round the roundabout to get on the motorway, things did not look too good. The west bound lane of the motorway was completely closed. Some eastbound traffic had been diverted onto the outer lane of the westbound carriageway, and there was an enormous queue of traffic coming from the roundabout to an alternative route home. A nice policeman asked if he could help, but when I told him where I was going he was most apologetic that he could do nothing.
It was stop, start (but mostly stop) from then on until I was almost home. A journey which usually takes 20 minutes or half an hour took over 2 hours.
Felt quite shaky on my pins as I unloaded the car and came in for a belated lunch.
However after a M&S sandwich and a small glass of sherry, feel fine again.
Tuesday, 15 April 2008
More Physiotherapy.
Having missed 3 weeks due to the Easter break, and also having fallen last week, I was a bit concerned about how much I would be able to do.
In fact, I managed remarkably well, even increasing some things. On the "walk", I had to give up early, as at the end of every nine-metre length, I had to turn through 180 degrees and started to get a bit dizzy and stumble. No point in having another fall!
On the way home, I went to the local farm shop (not the organic one) and bought a ball cabbage (honestly, not a cauliflower this time) and purple sprouting broccoli, a carrot and 2 quite large white carrots, together with an iceberg lettuce and some tomatoes on the vine. Also got some fruit: 2 MacIntosh Red apples, 2 plums, 2 kiwi fruit, some grapes, strawberries and raspberries.
All this for £6.05!
Came home and found there was no parking place in the car park (now greatly reduced in size because of roadworks here by Scottish Power), so went across the road and parked in a disabled bay. I am not happy about leaving it there for long, especially overnight, so I shall try to move it later.
Later: found there were 3 parking places here, so crossed the road and collected my car. By the time I came back, there were only 2 (non-adjacent) places left. Managed to reverse park between 2 cars. Wow!
In fact, I managed remarkably well, even increasing some things. On the "walk", I had to give up early, as at the end of every nine-metre length, I had to turn through 180 degrees and started to get a bit dizzy and stumble. No point in having another fall!
On the way home, I went to the local farm shop (not the organic one) and bought a ball cabbage (honestly, not a cauliflower this time) and purple sprouting broccoli, a carrot and 2 quite large white carrots, together with an iceberg lettuce and some tomatoes on the vine. Also got some fruit: 2 MacIntosh Red apples, 2 plums, 2 kiwi fruit, some grapes, strawberries and raspberries.
All this for £6.05!
Came home and found there was no parking place in the car park (now greatly reduced in size because of roadworks here by Scottish Power), so went across the road and parked in a disabled bay. I am not happy about leaving it there for long, especially overnight, so I shall try to move it later.
Later: found there were 3 parking places here, so crossed the road and collected my car. By the time I came back, there were only 2 (non-adjacent) places left. Managed to reverse park between 2 cars. Wow!
Monday, 14 April 2008
Bridge once more, and a touch of reality
This morning The Best Sister In The World came and picked up all the stuff I had dropped under the tallboy, and changed a light bulb. Elder son and I had come across energy saving bulbs in the “golf ball” bulbs, so it will be interesting to see how long it lasts!
Two weeks ago my partner and I came first out of 5 tables at Bridge. Wow!
Last week I played with yet another partner, and we came in at 4th pair (out of five)..
This week, every thing that could go wrong did go wrong.
I revoked TWICE. This is a cardinal sin. In other words, if someone leads a suit (say a spade ( you must play a card of the same suit (unless you have none)
You lose a lot of points doing this and your partner gets exceedingly cross.
A sort of excuse is that the room was very hot – until I got a radiator switched off.
But more is that I was definitely off form, (and what's more I did it twice!)
Don’t want to give up, but will certainly have to get my act together.
Two weeks ago my partner and I came first out of 5 tables at Bridge. Wow!
Last week I played with yet another partner, and we came in at 4th pair (out of five)..
This week, every thing that could go wrong did go wrong.
I revoked TWICE. This is a cardinal sin. In other words, if someone leads a suit (say a spade ( you must play a card of the same suit (unless you have none)
You lose a lot of points doing this and your partner gets exceedingly cross.
A sort of excuse is that the room was very hot – until I got a radiator switched off.
But more is that I was definitely off form, (and what's more I did it twice!)
Don’t want to give up, but will certainly have to get my act together.
Sunday, 13 April 2008
Church
Today is another beautiful day, with the temperature reaching 7.5 Celsius. As there was only a light breeze, there was really no wind chill.
Went to Church this morning. We had a new preacher, a lady - although our usual minister was there to introduce her. I got the impression that she was there for an appraisal as there was someone else sitting beside her. She spoke as though she were addressing the balcony in a theater, but failed in her use of the microphone for the t-loop (for the hard of hearing) - she kept turning to address the far side of the church from the microphone, and I completely lost what she was saying.
This was a great pity.
Our minister is away on holiday for the next two weeks, and the usual associate is coming to cover. He is excellent, and I always have no difficulty in hearing him.
After church, went to the bank and took out some cash, then went to a near by post box and posted a card to someone who has a significant birthday very soon.
Came home to have some (roe) venison pate on oatcakes. When Le chef makes this, he always makes a small pot for me. On the top he makes a "face". The eyes are two juniper berries, the mouth looks like part of a bay leaf- don't know what the nose is, though.
Later: now I have been told that the nose is star anis.
Went to Church this morning. We had a new preacher, a lady - although our usual minister was there to introduce her. I got the impression that she was there for an appraisal as there was someone else sitting beside her. She spoke as though she were addressing the balcony in a theater, but failed in her use of the microphone for the t-loop (for the hard of hearing) - she kept turning to address the far side of the church from the microphone, and I completely lost what she was saying.
This was a great pity.
Our minister is away on holiday for the next two weeks, and the usual associate is coming to cover. He is excellent, and I always have no difficulty in hearing him.
After church, went to the bank and took out some cash, then went to a near by post box and posted a card to someone who has a significant birthday very soon.
Came home to have some (roe) venison pate on oatcakes. When Le chef makes this, he always makes a small pot for me. On the top he makes a "face". The eyes are two juniper berries, the mouth looks like part of a bay leaf- don't know what the nose is, though.
Later: now I have been told that the nose is star anis.
Saturday, 12 April 2008
Farmers Market
Up bright and early (well, early anyway).
Every picture tells a story, and if you had seen what my duvet looked like when I got up, you would seen that I had a restless night.
However things got better when the best sister in the world and le chef came to take me to the Farmers' market.
So, I bought a salmon steak (this salmon is seriously good) for my dinner tonight, a pack of pork sausages and some bacon bits (from a seriously good piggery - certainly famous around central Scotland), a pack of chicken drumsticks and chicken livers from a local farm, they are all free range, corn fed chickens, a pack of cheese scones* and a serves one quiche Lorraine, Isle of Arran cheddar and brie which I shall be interested to try and some parsley to round it off.
I don't know how I resisted some smoked trout - they were being smoked at the market and the smell wafted all around.
We were really lucky today as the sun is shining.
TBSITW noticed that I had lost the back of an earring, so she took the front part off for me. When I got home I found a back that would do, but, with shaky hands, could not manage to fit it on to the back of the earring. Additionally, I managed to knock the lid of the box which holds earring backs onto the floor under the tallboy
If you remember Watergate affair and the tapes of President Dixon when in office, an appropriate comment here would be (expletive deleted), which was a recurring theme of the transcripts.
* I had the cheese scones with my morning cup of tea on my return home. My excuse is that I didn't have breakfast.
While eating I felt the telltale signs of an impending cold sore on my bottom lip.
(expletive deleted).
So, now I have put the sausages into the freezer split into 3 bags of 3, also the chicken and the chicken livers.
Everything else is in the fridge and I feel somewhat full.
Every picture tells a story, and if you had seen what my duvet looked like when I got up, you would seen that I had a restless night.
However things got better when the best sister in the world and le chef came to take me to the Farmers' market.
So, I bought a salmon steak (this salmon is seriously good) for my dinner tonight, a pack of pork sausages and some bacon bits (from a seriously good piggery - certainly famous around central Scotland), a pack of chicken drumsticks and chicken livers from a local farm, they are all free range, corn fed chickens, a pack of cheese scones* and a serves one quiche Lorraine, Isle of Arran cheddar and brie which I shall be interested to try and some parsley to round it off.
I don't know how I resisted some smoked trout - they were being smoked at the market and the smell wafted all around.
We were really lucky today as the sun is shining.
TBSITW noticed that I had lost the back of an earring, so she took the front part off for me. When I got home I found a back that would do, but, with shaky hands, could not manage to fit it on to the back of the earring. Additionally, I managed to knock the lid of the box which holds earring backs onto the floor under the tallboy
If you remember Watergate affair and the tapes of President Dixon when in office, an appropriate comment here would be (expletive deleted)
* I had the cheese scones with my morning cup of tea on my return home. My excuse is that I didn't have breakfast.
While eating I felt the telltale signs of an impending cold sore on my bottom lip.
So, now I have put the sausages into the freezer split into 3 bags of 3, also the chicken and the chicken livers.
Everything else is in the fridge and I feel somewhat full.
Friday, 11 April 2008
Oh Well Then.......
As advised by the kind ambulance men who got me to my feet on Tuesday, I phoned the local Occupational Therapy service this morning.
Basically, the answer was that they could do nothing to help and recommended that I ask my General Practitioner .
This is starting to feel like The Continuing Story Of Peyton Place.
Does anyone out there remember that?
So, I have called to make a GP appointment, and got one for 29 April.
Basically, the answer was that they could do nothing to help and recommended that I ask my General Practitioner .
This is starting to feel like The Continuing Story Of Peyton Place.
Does anyone out there remember that?
So, I have called to make a GP appointment, and got one for 29 April.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Sisters, Sisters.....
.....never were there such devoted sisters.
Think of the Beverly Sisters (if you are old enough)
This morning started bright and early with a trip to the local District General Hospital with friend J, who had an outpatient appointment.Not long after that, Best Sister called bearing gifts (Timeo danaos et dona farentes?), in fact she brought a bottle of Noilly Prat, which is my favourite vermouth, which she bought in a big store in big City which is not so rapacious as the one beginning with a T or the one beginning with an A (neither of which stock it.)
We had a great blether, which extended over two cups of tea and a golden krispie cake together with a slice of chocolate cake from J.
Here, I found road works going on in our car park (of which we were not notified) and which are seemingly due to electricity cable laying. I thought this had been done over a year ago, but apparently that time the job was not done properly. Hope it is done properly this time as a number of new residents have come with cars, so that the pressure on the car park is increasing. The car park is too small to have designated parking places, sadly.
NOTHING!
(That is what my sister says as saying "nothing" loudly)
After the best sister in the world left, J came down to tell me how she got on at OPD. She was there for an hour and a half, and it has now been agreed that she is to join a group for treatment, though there will be a waiting list , probably of 10 weeks or so.
It is a long time, but still at least a positive response.
Think of the Beverly Sisters (if you are old enough)
This morning started bright and early with a trip to the local District General Hospital with friend J, who had an outpatient appointment.Not long after that, Best Sister called bearing gifts (Timeo danaos et dona farentes?), in fact she brought a bottle of Noilly Prat, which is my favourite vermouth, which she bought in a big store in big City which is not so rapacious as the one beginning with a T or the one beginning with an A (neither of which stock it.)
We had a great blether, which extended over two cups of tea and a golden krispie cake together with a slice of chocolate cake from J.
Here, I found road works going on in our car park (of which we were not notified) and which are seemingly due to electricity cable laying. I thought this had been done over a year ago, but apparently that time the job was not done properly. Hope it is done properly this time as a number of new residents have come with cars, so that the pressure on the car park is increasing. The car park is too small to have designated parking places, sadly.
NOTHING!
(That is what my sister says as saying "nothing" loudly)
After the best sister in the world left, J came down to tell me how she got on at OPD. She was there for an hour and a half, and it has now been agreed that she is to join a group for treatment, though there will be a waiting list , probably of 10 weeks or so.
It is a long time, but still at least a positive response.
Wednesday, 9 April 2008
All Systems Go....
... well more or less. Slept very well last night (can't think why!) and got up as usual this morning. I am a bit sore, particularly my knees (from the carpet burns) and my back.
I was planning to have a day of rest to recover, but then reckoned that, if I ws going to feel a bit under the weather, I might as well get my washing done.
Having got it washed, dried and put away, I don't feel any the worse for it, and I don't need to worry about the next washing for a few days, which is good.
I went to the Bridge Club on Monday, to discover that my partner and I last week came FIRST!!! Played with another different one today. It would be nice to have a regular partner so you get comfortable with each other's bidding, but it is also fun with different partners.
I was planning to have a day of rest to recover, but then reckoned that, if I ws going to feel a bit under the weather, I might as well get my washing done.
Having got it washed, dried and put away, I don't feel any the worse for it, and I don't need to worry about the next washing for a few days, which is good.
I went to the Bridge Club on Monday, to discover that my partner and I last week came FIRST!!! Played with another different one today. It would be nice to have a regular partner so you get comfortable with each other's bidding, but it is also fun with different partners.
Tuesday, 8 April 2008
Oh No, Not Again!
That Cauliflower Gratin was so good, but far too much for one, so I went to get a smaller casserole dish to hold the remainder for re-heating tomorrow.
Never thought a thing about it, but had to bend down and slightly across to get the dish.
So, I lost my balance and landed on the floor.
Even at that I wasn't concerned, but I tried to get upright using both the settee and the bed, without success.
I was pretty tired and sore by this time with all the effort, so I just lay down for a bit.
In all I spent an hour trying to get upright with no sign of success.
So, I called for help using my pendant alarm.
And (as I explained that nothing was wrong with me except that I could notget upright again) an ambulance eventually arrived.
And got me upright.
One of the guys even knew of Tom Reynolds!
So, here I am, carpet burns again, but otherwise unhurt.
Never thought a thing about it, but had to bend down and slightly across to get the dish.
So, I lost my balance and landed on the floor.
Even at that I wasn't concerned, but I tried to get upright using both the settee and the bed, without success.
I was pretty tired and sore by this time with all the effort, so I just lay down for a bit.
In all I spent an hour trying to get upright with no sign of success.
So, I called for help using my pendant alarm.
And (as I explained that nothing was wrong with me except that I could notget upright again) an ambulance eventually arrived.
And got me upright.
One of the guys even knew of Tom Reynolds!
So, here I am, carpet burns again, but otherwise unhurt.
Farm Food and more
This morning the organic vegetable box arrived and brought potatoes, carrots, onions, celeriac, round cabbage, spring greens, 3 leeks, bag of small beetroot, 2 apples, 2 oranges, 2 pears and 6 eggs.
Also arrived this morning was my knife block, true to the promised next working day delivery.
So that's all the worktop stuff sorted. I really ought to get down to the cutlery drawers!
I still had a cauliflower left from my visit to the farm shop so I am making cauliflower gratin using a variation of the organic farm’s recipe: (I am also publishing this recipe on my recipe blog)
Ingredients
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small cauliflower
1oz plain flour
Little butter for frying
½ pint skimmed milk
3 oz Scottish mature cheddar, grated
Method
Place the onion and garlic in a heavy based pan and sauté in a little oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Break the cauliflower into florets and add to the pan, continue cooking with a lid on, so the vegetables cook partially in their own steam while you make the sauce.
Place the flour and butter in a saucepan over a moderate heat to make a roux, gradually add the milk, stirring between additions.
Remove from the heat and add the cheese. You can also add mustard and black pepper to give it a nice kick.
Place the cauliflower mixture in an ovenproof dish and cover with the sauce, sprinkle more cheese over the top and bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
It is amazing how much dirt gets under your nails when you are preparing mushrooms for freezing; my thumb in particular is black! However that is about half a pound frozen. I had meant to use them in some mince, but they had reached that stage where they were better frozen than kept in the fridge.
I have also peeled and cut to size 1 large potato and 2 purple carrots together with one pale yellow one, all to be boiled together. I have prepared the last of some Savoy cabbage to go in the steamer over the potato pan.
Getting the organic vegetable box has really changed my eating habits. How often was I sure I would not like things, without even trying them? Such as balsamic vinegar (because I hated malt vinegar), Savoy cabbage, that ugly, but delicious celeriac, leeks as vegetables on your plate (instead of only in soup) and so on.
The organic vegetable people usually send out a recipe with the delivery and I plan on trying today’s one soon. I shall report back!
Also arrived this morning was my knife block, true to the promised next working day delivery.
So that's all the worktop stuff sorted. I really ought to get down to the cutlery drawers!
I still had a cauliflower left from my visit to the farm shop so I am making cauliflower gratin using a variation of the organic farm’s recipe: (I am also publishing this recipe on my recipe blog)
Ingredients
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 small cauliflower
1oz plain flour
Little butter for frying
½ pint skimmed milk
3 oz Scottish mature cheddar, grated
Method
Place the onion and garlic in a heavy based pan and sauté in a little oil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Break the cauliflower into florets and add to the pan, continue cooking with a lid on, so the vegetables cook partially in their own steam while you make the sauce.
Place the flour and butter in a saucepan over a moderate heat to make a roux, gradually add the milk, stirring between additions.
Remove from the heat and add the cheese. You can also add mustard and black pepper to give it a nice kick.
Place the cauliflower mixture in an ovenproof dish and cover with the sauce, sprinkle more cheese over the top and bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
It is amazing how much dirt gets under your nails when you are preparing mushrooms for freezing; my thumb in particular is black! However that is about half a pound frozen. I had meant to use them in some mince, but they had reached that stage where they were better frozen than kept in the fridge.
I have also peeled and cut to size 1 large potato and 2 purple carrots together with one pale yellow one, all to be boiled together. I have prepared the last of some Savoy cabbage to go in the steamer over the potato pan.
Getting the organic vegetable box has really changed my eating habits. How often was I sure I would not like things, without even trying them? Such as balsamic vinegar (because I hated malt vinegar), Savoy cabbage, that ugly, but delicious celeriac, leeks as vegetables on your plate (instead of only in soup) and so on.
The organic vegetable people usually send out a recipe with the delivery and I plan on trying today’s one soon. I shall report back!
Monday, 7 April 2008
Shopping!
Perhaps it had something to do with the frustrations of yesterday that I sat down at the computer in the late afternoon.
However the story goes back a bit. I had a magnetic strip rack on the wall to hold all my knives. Unfortunately it came away from the wall at one end and all efforts to replace it failed. The problem is that it is a hollow wall and the bit of 'wall' where it was was only plasterboard.
So, the knives were lying on the top of the microwave, but this was not a satisfactory solution as I keep them sharp, so they could cause a nasty accident.
I went to big supermarket and bought a steel circles cutlery holder; unfortunately the tips of the knives went through the mesh at the bottom threatening my worktop. So I put all the kitchen cutlery (ladles, spoons, spatulae and so on) which had been in a big stoneware jar into the the steel holder and the knives in the stoneware jar.
Then, as this was not satisfactory either, I went on-line and ordered a knife block. It is rather a nice one, with a flat back to sit against the wall.
Started thinking about making the kitchen look even nicer (to live up to the new black-mix worktop and white tiles with country-ish picture tiles, and terracotta floor tiles, not to mention the redecoration (with thanks to generous elder son and daughter-in-law))...
... and thought that it would be good to have a kettle and toaster in brushed steel to go with the microwave, alongside which they sit.
So off to the Comet web site where I put up 4 of each to compare, selected the ones I wanted and ordered them on-line for collection today.
Got to Comet bright and early and chose a different kettle (after he had brought the ordered one out for me, and then chose a different toaster.) He was very patient and cheerful with me.
And I managed not to look at digital cameras.......
So, I reckon that all it needs is a bit of what we in my family call flubbadub to fill the holes left and a touch up of paint (and I just happen to have a tube of that in my cupboard.)
Now got both installed in the kitchen and they look good.
However the story goes back a bit. I had a magnetic strip rack on the wall to hold all my knives. Unfortunately it came away from the wall at one end and all efforts to replace it failed. The problem is that it is a hollow wall and the bit of 'wall' where it was was only plasterboard.
So, the knives were lying on the top of the microwave, but this was not a satisfactory solution as I keep them sharp, so they could cause a nasty accident.
I went to big supermarket and bought a steel circles cutlery holder; unfortunately the tips of the knives went through the mesh at the bottom threatening my worktop. So I put all the kitchen cutlery (ladles, spoons, spatulae and so on) which had been in a big stoneware jar into the the steel holder and the knives in the stoneware jar.
Then, as this was not satisfactory either, I went on-line and ordered a knife block. It is rather a nice one, with a flat back to sit against the wall.
Started thinking about making the kitchen look even nicer (to live up to the new black-mix worktop and white tiles with country-ish picture tiles, and terracotta floor tiles, not to mention the redecoration (with thanks to generous elder son and daughter-in-law))...
... and thought that it would be good to have a kettle and toaster in brushed steel to go with the microwave, alongside which they sit.
So off to the Comet web site where I put up 4 of each to compare, selected the ones I wanted and ordered them on-line for collection today.
Got to Comet bright and early and chose a different kettle (after he had brought the ordered one out for me, and then chose a different toaster.) He was very patient and cheerful with me.
And I managed not to look at digital cameras.......
So, I reckon that all it needs is a bit of what we in my family call flubbadub to fill the holes left and a touch up of paint (and I just happen to have a tube of that in my cupboard.)
Now got both installed in the kitchen and they look good.
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Breaking News....
So what happened after I was unable to get to Church.
You are right - the snow stopped falling and the temperature rose enough to melt all the lying snow.
So after not getting to Church, I sat down to watch the first disc of 24 series six.
And then I found there were no subtitles.
I think it was Adrian Mole who said Chiz, chiz, chiz.
The next step was to wrap up the disc ready for returning to Amazon and to cancel all the rest of that 24 series.
This is so frustrating as I rent dvds only because of the subtitles......
You are right - the snow stopped falling and the temperature rose enough to melt all the lying snow.
So after not getting to Church, I sat down to watch the first disc of 24 series six.
And then I found there were no subtitles.
I think it was Adrian Mole who said Chiz, chiz, chiz.
The next step was to wrap up the disc ready for returning to Amazon and to cancel all the rest of that 24 series.
This is so frustrating as I rent dvds only because of the subtitles......
Fear Of Flying
(or, more accurately, fear of falling.)
Got up and dressed in my clothes for going to Church, opened the curtains and what did I see?
Snow, piled on the parked cars and lying on the ground. I am sure the roads are clear, but doubt that the long walk to the Church is completely clear.
My GP told me to stop putting myself into harm's way following one of my falls. I try, honestly.
So I am worried about the walk from the car to the Church. If I were to fall, I could not get back on my feet by myself, and I would hate it if some of the rather elderly gentlemen were to try to get me up and in doing so hurt themselves.
I looked briefly at yesterday's post before typing this one. Sorry folks, I think it might be my fault that the weatherman is throwing all this snow at us. It has resumed snowing and it is falling quite fast.
Got up and dressed in my clothes for going to Church, opened the curtains and what did I see?
Snow, piled on the parked cars and lying on the ground. I am sure the roads are clear, but doubt that the long walk to the Church is completely clear.
My GP told me to stop putting myself into harm's way following one of my falls. I try, honestly.
So I am worried about the walk from the car to the Church. If I were to fall, I could not get back on my feet by myself, and I would hate it if some of the rather elderly gentlemen were to try to get me up and in doing so hurt themselves.
I looked briefly at yesterday's post before typing this one. Sorry folks, I think it might be my fault that the weatherman is throwing all this snow at us. It has resumed snowing and it is falling quite fast.
Saturday, 5 April 2008
Poubelles de Table
This is another beautiful day. I do hope it lasts as I think we deserve some better weather after the consistently awful weather of March.
I first came across the very useful implements of the title many years ago in France, so in my family they have always been called by their French name, regardless of what country we are in.
I have been prompted to write this brief post by what I ate for lunch today; it was such a simple repast that it certainly does not warrant a post on my recipes blog. What I ate was merely apples and brie - 4 English Heritage apples (they are rather small) and the rest of an opened pack of President brie.
So I sat at the table and chopped the apples into four, then removed the cores, which then got transferred to the poubelle, as did the wrapper of the brie. (On other occasions I use it for fish skins and/or bones, chop bones and so on.)
It was then very easy to transfer the contents to the kitchen bin.
My poubelle de table is a 5 litre cylindrical chrome colour lidless bin. Sometimes, especially if I am going to use it for messy stuff, I line it with a plastic food bag(re-using, of course). By contrast my kitchen bin is 30 litres.
As well as using it at the table, I keep it by the sink when I am preparing food, so that vegetable peelings and so on go in prior to being transferred to the bin.
No, living here in a block of flats, I cannot have a compost bin!
I first came across the very useful implements of the title many years ago in France, so in my family they have always been called by their French name, regardless of what country we are in.
I have been prompted to write this brief post by what I ate for lunch today; it was such a simple repast that it certainly does not warrant a post on my recipes blog. What I ate was merely apples and brie - 4 English Heritage apples (they are rather small) and the rest of an opened pack of President brie.
So I sat at the table and chopped the apples into four, then removed the cores, which then got transferred to the poubelle, as did the wrapper of the brie. (On other occasions I use it for fish skins and/or bones, chop bones and so on.)
It was then very easy to transfer the contents to the kitchen bin.
My poubelle de table is a 5 litre cylindrical chrome colour lidless bin. Sometimes, especially if I am going to use it for messy stuff, I line it with a plastic food bag(re-using, of course). By contrast my kitchen bin is 30 litres.
As well as using it at the table, I keep it by the sink when I am preparing food, so that vegetable peelings and so on go in prior to being transferred to the bin.
No, living here in a block of flats, I cannot have a compost bin!
Friday, 4 April 2008
Down - And Up Again...
...physically and metaphorically.
Wednesday evening I hung up my jacket on the back of the hall cupboard door, lost my balance and went down on my tail end. No harm done and quickly up again using the arm of the settee.
Yesterday was overcast, but still pleasantly mild. I did my usual of up, shower, wait for hair to dry then finish dressing.
Then I made my Golden Krispie recipe.
Sweet and crispy at the same time, who has the willpower to stop eating before they get sick?
Well
Just.
My wonderful cleaners came yesterday, and now the flat is sparkling. They also did the time change on my kitchen clock and re-hung it – a new hole was necessary, as the nail kept getting pushed through into the hollow wall.
One of them is a brand new granny. She was showing me a picture of the baby who looked just so gorgeous. I could almost get broody again.
But there are several very good reasons why this is unlikely in the extreme!
They also changed my bed for me.
After they left I went through to join the exercise class having their cup of tea (in the hopes of scrounging one too!) I took along some of my krispie cakes but the tea was over and only the two washers - up were there. Still they greeted the krispie cakes with glad cries of joy.
This morning it is another beautiful day, white fluffy clouds in a blue sky.
So why have I gone and got a sore throat?
Never mind, I got on and did the washing, falling lucky and getting the big washing machine and the big tumble drier.
Outside it is beautiful in the sun, but the breeze is quite strong and cold. Typical good spring day.
Wednesday evening I hung up my jacket on the back of the hall cupboard door, lost my balance and went down on my tail end. No harm done and quickly up again using the arm of the settee.
Yesterday was overcast, but still pleasantly mild. I did my usual of up, shower, wait for hair to dry then finish dressing.
Then I made my Golden Krispie recipe.
Sweet and crispy at the same time, who has the willpower to stop eating before they get sick?
Well
Just.
My wonderful cleaners came yesterday, and now the flat is sparkling. They also did the time change on my kitchen clock and re-hung it – a new hole was necessary, as the nail kept getting pushed through into the hollow wall.
One of them is a brand new granny. She was showing me a picture of the baby who looked just so gorgeous. I could almost get broody again.
But there are several very good reasons why this is unlikely in the extreme!
They also changed my bed for me.
After they left I went through to join the exercise class having their cup of tea (in the hopes of scrounging one too!) I took along some of my krispie cakes but the tea was over and only the two washers - up were there. Still they greeted the krispie cakes with glad cries of joy.
This morning it is another beautiful day, white fluffy clouds in a blue sky.
So why have I gone and got a sore throat?
Never mind, I got on and did the washing, falling lucky and getting the big washing machine and the big tumble drier.
Outside it is beautiful in the sun, but the breeze is quite strong and cold. Typical good spring day.
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Oh What A Beautiful Morning....
....Oh what a beautiful day. (with apologies to Oklahoma.)
Yesterday as a contrast from the day before was a lovely day with the sun shining from a clear blue sky and temperatures up to 14.5 C. I needed sunglasses on and the air conditioning on in the car.
The Best Sister In The World came for a visit with a lovely 3-legged friend. She popped out to the shops and got me the toffee and marshmallows that I would need for my golden krispie recipe, along with some other goodies including to-die-for millionaire shortbread pieces. It is very dangerous to visit Thorntons…..
While she was out I went to finish some stuff on the computer, and when I went back, my 3-legged friend was lying looking very comfortable on the settee. I hadn’t the heart to push her off, and in fact didn’t mind at all. I decided to take a photograph, but before I could sister returned and she hopped off. Sister was most surprised that she was able to get up there, but I can promise she got no help from me.
After she left, I went to big supermarket that I don’t like, but needs must, and got the bun tin, a new roasting tin (mine was a disgrace!) and a couple of storage containers as well as some household and cooking things (like caster sugar and icing sugar as well as apples and brie.
It is so good to sit looking out at the sun shining on the honey coloured wall opposite. Hope it lasts.
Came back from said supermarket and realised I had forgotten a couple of things. So off I trudged (in the car!) to the near by supermarket and got the shopping finished. If the weather hadn’t been so good, you would never have tempted me out again.
So, what with 2 visits from sister (and 2 cups of tea) a successful shop and such lovely weather, it was a really good day.
Had a salad for my tea including my famous potato salad.
(Ran blog spellcheck . It does not like didn't or hadn't!)
Yesterday as a contrast from the day before was a lovely day with the sun shining from a clear blue sky and temperatures up to 14.5 C. I needed sunglasses on and the air conditioning on in the car.
The Best Sister In The World came for a visit with a lovely 3-legged friend. She popped out to the shops and got me the toffee and marshmallows that I would need for my golden krispie recipe, along with some other goodies including to-die-for millionaire shortbread pieces. It is very dangerous to visit Thorntons…..
While she was out I went to finish some stuff on the computer, and when I went back, my 3-legged friend was lying looking very comfortable on the settee. I hadn’t the heart to push her off, and in fact didn’t mind at all. I decided to take a photograph, but before I could sister returned and she hopped off. Sister was most surprised that she was able to get up there, but I can promise she got no help from me.
After she left, I went to big supermarket that I don’t like, but needs must, and got the bun tin, a new roasting tin (mine was a disgrace!) and a couple of storage containers as well as some household and cooking things (like caster sugar and icing sugar as well as apples and brie.
It is so good to sit looking out at the sun shining on the honey coloured wall opposite. Hope it lasts.
Came back from said supermarket and realised I had forgotten a couple of things. So off I trudged (in the car!) to the near by supermarket and got the shopping finished. If the weather hadn’t been so good, you would never have tempted me out again.
So, what with 2 visits from sister (and 2 cups of tea) a successful shop and such lovely weather, it was a really good day.
Had a salad for my tea including my famous potato salad.
(Ran blog spellcheck . It does not like didn't or hadn't!)
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Swiss Jumper
Yesterday morning I was sitting at the computer (as you do) which is on a desk under my bedroom window. Options are limited here as I live in a one-bedroom flat.
I was feeling rather cold so I went to the wardrobe to put on a warm jumper on top of the several layers I was already wearing. On my way back to the computer I noticed all the plants and the trees moving fast, and realised that the wind must be very strong.
However, looking at the colourful jumper brought back memories of a marvellous holiday that I had with The Best Sister In The World. We went to Switzerland and, before travelling, bought a Swiss Pass, entitling both of us to unlimited travel in Switzerland by rail, boat or bus. The only exception was the train to Jungfrauhoch, but even then we got a deduction.
We bought a first class pass (nothing but the best!), and spent our first week in Interlaken, which was a good touring centre and did much exploring, sometimes just going to the station and taking the next train out. Wonderful things Swiss trains, they always run on time. At one of our stops up into the Alps, I saw this brightly coloured cardigan - black background with green, turquoise, purple and a tomato red – in the window of a shop. I had to have it, and I have it still.
We had televisions in our rooms and could watch the broadcasts from Schilthorn and Jungfrauhoch (often nothing to see, so no point going that day.) We went first to the Schilthorn (where part of one of the James Bond movies was shot – the one with George Lazenby and Diana Rigg – I think it was On Her Majesty’s Secret Service). Another day we went to the Jungfrauhoch, the highest station in Europe. The views were amazing, and of course we sent lots of postcards saying we were at the top of Europe and feeling on top of the world.
As an addendum
When we got back to our hotel, my sister phoned me from her room to tell me to switch on the news. I asked “Which channel?” and she said “ANY channel”
I did.
It was 11 September. (9/11).
That day the world watched in horror and disbelief as events unfolded. I never want to see anything like that again.
R.I.P.
I was feeling rather cold so I went to the wardrobe to put on a warm jumper on top of the several layers I was already wearing. On my way back to the computer I noticed all the plants and the trees moving fast, and realised that the wind must be very strong.
However, looking at the colourful jumper brought back memories of a marvellous holiday that I had with The Best Sister In The World. We went to Switzerland and, before travelling, bought a Swiss Pass, entitling both of us to unlimited travel in Switzerland by rail, boat or bus. The only exception was the train to Jungfrauhoch, but even then we got a deduction.
We bought a first class pass (nothing but the best!), and spent our first week in Interlaken, which was a good touring centre and did much exploring, sometimes just going to the station and taking the next train out. Wonderful things Swiss trains, they always run on time. At one of our stops up into the Alps, I saw this brightly coloured cardigan - black background with green, turquoise, purple and a tomato red – in the window of a shop. I had to have it, and I have it still.
We had televisions in our rooms and could watch the broadcasts from Schilthorn and Jungfrauhoch (often nothing to see, so no point going that day.) We went first to the Schilthorn (where part of one of the James Bond movies was shot – the one with George Lazenby and Diana Rigg – I think it was On Her Majesty’s Secret Service). Another day we went to the Jungfrauhoch, the highest station in Europe. The views were amazing, and of course we sent lots of postcards saying we were at the top of Europe and feeling on top of the world.
As an addendum
When we got back to our hotel, my sister phoned me from her room to tell me to switch on the news. I asked “Which channel?” and she said “ANY channel”
I did.
It was 11 September. (9/11).
That day the world watched in horror and disbelief as events unfolded. I never want to see anything like that again.
R.I.P.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
Recipe Blog
Thanks to missbliss for leading me astray with her wonderful recipe blog which she keeps separate from her main blog, I have decided to do the same. It is going to take a while to find all the recipes I already posted, quite some time to go back and put them on to the food blog, but I shall get there. There is a link on the right hand side of the screen, but my recipe blog is here.
Apart from that, yesterday was bridge again, and another new partner. We played well together, but hardly had any points in our hands all afternoon. At the end our leader told us she had set up some hands so there should have been some slams in there.
Hah!
All we can hope for is having our opponents miss their slams.
Came back to a cup of tea at which one of the Scrabble group produced a chocolate cake. Bet it wasn't as good as missbliss's!
After that finished cooking cottage pie, ate half and left rest for tonight.
This morning went into the shower and put my hand out to test the water.
And it was cold.
Quick wash only today. Once again one of the green lights was out on the boiler, so I pressed the reset button and the second one came on. I put on the switch to get some hot water for dishes, etc as otherwise it would not start heating until tonight (it is off peak).
Apart from that, yesterday was bridge again, and another new partner. We played well together, but hardly had any points in our hands all afternoon. At the end our leader told us she had set up some hands so there should have been some slams in there.
Hah!
All we can hope for is having our opponents miss their slams.
Came back to a cup of tea at which one of the Scrabble group produced a chocolate cake. Bet it wasn't as good as missbliss's!
After that finished cooking cottage pie, ate half and left rest for tonight.
This morning went into the shower and put my hand out to test the water.
And it was cold.
Quick wash only today. Once again one of the green lights was out on the boiler, so I pressed the reset button and the second one came on. I put on the switch to get some hot water for dishes, etc as otherwise it would not start heating until tonight (it is off peak).
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