It is amazing to have so many sunny days on the trot.
I went out this morning to get some rolls and some creme fraiche to go with the rhubarb that I intend cooking later on. I just went to the near by small supermarket and they didn't have any, so I got some Greek style yoghurt instead.
Afterwards I went to the car wash, a very good one not far from here. It is a jet wash (and not a do-it-yourself one). I am proud to say that my car has never had a brush on it. I never used to worry about that sort of thing until I heard the man at the garage who sold me the car saying that he got one back in after the 3 years contract hire, and the driver was so proud that he had the car washed every week.
However you could barely see what colour the car was supposed to be as the brushes had gradually scraped all the paint off.
I reckon a sponge and bucket must be almost as bad as the sponge will drag some of the dirt across the paintwork.
Showing posts with label sunshine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunshine. Show all posts
Saturday, 7 June 2008
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Visit to Daughter
Today dawned bright and sunny. Now I always say that daughter does a rain dance for my visit so I decided to wear my jumper and carry my fleece too. This should also keep the weather nice here too, so I hope my neighbours are suitably impressed and grateful.
As you will gather from the above, I went to visit daughter for lunch. We had a pasta salad served with crisp French bread and a fruit drink. We ate lunch in the garden and her younger son was there too
We then went through to the dining room and chatted while she did the ironing. I iron as little as possible, but she irons much more - some of it essential with having a man and 2 sons (one virtually a man, at least in terms of size) to iron for as well, of course, as her smart clothes for work.
After that we again went into the garden for a cup of tea and a biscuit before I set off for home.
When I got here I found the mail inside the door and picked it up. 2 items were obviously just mail shots, but the third one was in a red envelope which looks like the sort of thing to enclose a birthday card or something of that ilk.
So I actually looked at the front before opening it, and I am so glad I did as it was addressed to a gentleman with the same surname as mine. I immediately took it to the appropriate door and the gentleman said it was for him as he had a birthday in a couple of days. I was glad to have that sorted out as there is another gentleman with the same initial and surname as this gentleman. (Keep up there at the back!)
Still the sun is shining.
Long may it last.
As you will gather from the above, I went to visit daughter for lunch. We had a pasta salad served with crisp French bread and a fruit drink. We ate lunch in the garden and her younger son was there too
We then went through to the dining room and chatted while she did the ironing. I iron as little as possible, but she irons much more - some of it essential with having a man and 2 sons (one virtually a man, at least in terms of size) to iron for as well, of course, as her smart clothes for work.
After that we again went into the garden for a cup of tea and a biscuit before I set off for home.
When I got here I found the mail inside the door and picked it up. 2 items were obviously just mail shots, but the third one was in a red envelope which looks like the sort of thing to enclose a birthday card or something of that ilk.
So I actually looked at the front before opening it, and I am so glad I did as it was addressed to a gentleman with the same surname as mine. I immediately took it to the appropriate door and the gentleman said it was for him as he had a birthday in a couple of days. I was glad to have that sorted out as there is another gentleman with the same initial and surname as this gentleman. (Keep up there at the back!)
Still the sun is shining.
Long may it last.
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Continuing a Sunny Day
This morning I made Pea and Pancetta Soup having been stimulated to do so by the frolicking foodie. I had it hot at lunchtime and chilled in the evening.
I have posted the recipe in my recipe blog, so won’t repeat it here.
After that I ventured into the “garden” and added fertiliser to the bay and the rosemary, then I went and filled up a watering can, added some Baby Bio and watered all my recently planted begonias.
As I was taking the watering can back, I was very glad to have a helping hand as I was starting to find it difficult keeping my balance.
After that I made potato salad to add to some lettuce, Marks and Spencer 4 Mediterranean salads, tomatoes and cucumber.
The sun has shone all day and the temperature has been really warm. I kept the top half of the French window open all day. I can’t remember the last time I was able to do that.
I do hope it lasts…….
I have posted the recipe in my recipe blog, so won’t repeat it here.
After that I ventured into the “garden” and added fertiliser to the bay and the rosemary, then I went and filled up a watering can, added some Baby Bio and watered all my recently planted begonias.
As I was taking the watering can back, I was very glad to have a helping hand as I was starting to find it difficult keeping my balance.
After that I made potato salad to add to some lettuce, Marks and Spencer 4 Mediterranean salads, tomatoes and cucumber.
The sun has shone all day and the temperature has been really warm. I kept the top half of the French window open all day. I can’t remember the last time I was able to do that.
I do hope it lasts…….
Sumer is icumen in,. Lhude sing cuccu..
This morning I wakened and thought I had slept in as the room was so bright.
In fact it was quite early and what was causing the brightness was...
... wait for it...
SUNSHINE.
It is a beautiful day with blue skies and the sun fair splitting the heavens.
I may even be able to get out and feed the bay and the rosemary; the former is looking rather yellow (jaundice anyone???) and the latter is flowering. Both are in pots, and would probably do better in the soil, but I like to keep them handy by the french windows.
TBSITW has promised to come and put my two busy lizzies into the border. They have become top heavy for their pots and even blew over in the wind. I now have the pots jammed in amongst other pots.
As I looked looked up from the monitor and out of the window, I saw a small bird hopping in around the branches of a rose bush. It kept it up for about 5 minutes.
In fact it was quite early and what was causing the brightness was...
... wait for it...
SUNSHINE.
It is a beautiful day with blue skies and the sun fair splitting the heavens.
I may even be able to get out and feed the bay and the rosemary; the former is looking rather yellow (jaundice anyone???) and the latter is flowering. Both are in pots, and would probably do better in the soil, but I like to keep them handy by the french windows.
TBSITW has promised to come and put my two busy lizzies into the border. They have become top heavy for their pots and even blew over in the wind. I now have the pots jammed in amongst other pots.
As I looked looked up from the monitor and out of the window, I saw a small bird hopping in around the branches of a rose bush. It kept it up for about 5 minutes.
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Of Returns and Mixed Weather
This morning I was on the phone to Lands End as I discovered I had ordered the wrong item by mistake (in fact 2 of them in different colours)..The girl at the call centre couldn't have been more helpful and between us we tracked down exactly what I wanted. I chose a black fleece, but didn't really want any of the other 3 colours; however the girl said that they did in fact have some in a creamy colour, which will be nice for summer (if we get summer). She said she had one in that colour and really liked it.
So I now have the two incorrect ones parcelled up for a full refund, and await the new ones.
She asked me what the weather was like here, so I opened the bedroom curtains and said it was wet and horrible and promptly closed the curtains again!
I should point out that my computer and so on are at one end of my bedroom, (making a bedroom/study) so I am up, showered and dressed, often for quite some time before I open the curtains!
Later, the best sister in the world came with her three legged friend, who had just been to the vet. We had a grand chat and a cup of tea (and water and biscuits for the dog) and then when I saw her out to the car, I discovered that, not only did the day look nice, but also it was really warm.
Summer again.
Mark it well in case this is the last day of summer!
So I now have the two incorrect ones parcelled up for a full refund, and await the new ones.
She asked me what the weather was like here, so I opened the bedroom curtains and said it was wet and horrible and promptly closed the curtains again!
I should point out that my computer and so on are at one end of my bedroom, (making a bedroom/study) so I am up, showered and dressed, often for quite some time before I open the curtains!
Later, the best sister in the world came with her three legged friend, who had just been to the vet. We had a grand chat and a cup of tea (and water and biscuits for the dog) and then when I saw her out to the car, I discovered that, not only did the day look nice, but also it was really warm.
Summer again.
Mark it well in case this is the last day of summer!
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
I've Been A Very Naughty Girl!
Today I was sitting at my jigsaw and looking out into the small patch of land that I call a "garden" . Huh, it's not even big enough to call a "patio".
However, many of last year's pots were looking rather sad, with dead old growth not cut back.
And it was such a lovely day........
So, even although I can't really manage to do this, I found a pair of secateurs, a rubbish bag and my stick and ventured forth.
I should also have done a bit of weeding round the pot plants (moss and the usual suspects),but I really don't manage bending down very well, so I left that for another day.
Now all my pots have the dead stalks removed and the bay (which is really thriving) is trimmed back.
The whole place looks so much better, and as far as I can see I have suffered only a couple of scratches.
A great feeling of satisfaction.
However, many of last year's pots were looking rather sad, with dead old growth not cut back.
And it was such a lovely day........
So, even although I can't really manage to do this, I found a pair of secateurs, a rubbish bag and my stick and ventured forth.
I should also have done a bit of weeding round the pot plants (moss and the usual suspects),but I really don't manage bending down very well, so I left that for another day.
Now all my pots have the dead stalks removed and the bay (which is really thriving) is trimmed back.
The whole place looks so much better, and as far as I can see I have suffered only a couple of scratches.
A great feeling of satisfaction.
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.
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.
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!)
Monday, 18 February 2008
Bridge
Another beautiful day.
So off to the bridge club as is usual on a Monday afternoon. I arrived at 12.45 for a 1pm start and, to my surprise, was first. I stood in front of the door basking in the warmth of the sunshine.
I really enjoyed playing today, once again with the trainer as my partner. Sometimes my head spins trying to absorb a lot of new information!
On arriving back at the ranch, I was in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble players.
So off to the bridge club as is usual on a Monday afternoon. I arrived at 12.45 for a 1pm start and, to my surprise, was first. I stood in front of the door basking in the warmth of the sunshine.
I really enjoyed playing today, once again with the trainer as my partner. Sometimes my head spins trying to absorb a lot of new information!
On arriving back at the ranch, I was in time for a cup of tea with the Scrabble players.
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Must be Feeling Better.....
...as it is back to wash day once more. Of course it all mounts up when you are under the weather. Hope the shrink now has his brand new washing machine. I haven't done family sized hand washes for more years than I care to remember. I have got the white wash and the black wash done (do you think I view the world in black and white rather than in shades of grey - never mind in all its multi-coloured glory?)
My weekly cleaners, who enable me to cope , and who are unfailingly cheerful and helpful) will be here shortly and will change my bed, leaving me with a further wash.......
It is a beautiful day here today with the sun shining and just a little wind in the trees. I love days like this.
On a.'s advice am now reading Fred Vargas "Have Mercy On Us All" - looks promising!
Must get around to taking out shares in Amazon.....
My weekly cleaners, who enable me to cope , and who are unfailingly cheerful and helpful) will be here shortly and will change my bed, leaving me with a further wash.......
It is a beautiful day here today with the sun shining and just a little wind in the trees. I love days like this.
On a.'s advice am now reading Fred Vargas "Have Mercy On Us All" - looks promising!
Must get around to taking out shares in Amazon.....
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Birthday Treats
Today best friend S. had a significant birthday, so we went to the hairdresser together - we share the same hairdresser but it is quite rare for us to go together. When I went to book my next appointment for 6 weeks on, I discovered that that was when I would be away to visit son and daughter in law again, so made appointment for 5 weeks on .
After, we did some shopping. Eat your heart out, Tesco, I was able to get the Noilly Prat from Morrisons that I failed to get in Tesco's last delivery. In fact I bought the whole stock of 5 bottles and a bottle of rather inexpensive Tio Pepe (to make it 6 bottles for the 5% discount - well seen I am a Scot!), then we came home for tea and pressie opening. Many of the presents had a story to go with them as to why - and often when - I had bought them.
It is rare that I go out specially to buy presents, but it is amazing how often I just see something on my way round numerous places that appears to jump up and say "hey I would be perfect for ....) I collect these presents in two places in my flat, a drawer in one of my chests of drawers and on the floor of the wardrobe.
We were very lucky to have a beautiful, warm, sunny day. The sun is still shining. It would be wonderful if we were to get a spell like this to set us up for winter.
After, we did some shopping. Eat your heart out, Tesco, I was able to get the Noilly Prat from Morrisons that I failed to get in Tesco's last delivery. In fact I bought the whole stock of 5 bottles and a bottle of rather inexpensive Tio Pepe (to make it 6 bottles for the 5% discount - well seen I am a Scot!), then we came home for tea and pressie opening. Many of the presents had a story to go with them as to why - and often when - I had bought them.
It is rare that I go out specially to buy presents, but it is amazing how often I just see something on my way round numerous places that appears to jump up and say "hey I would be perfect for ....) I collect these presents in two places in my flat, a drawer in one of my chests of drawers and on the floor of the wardrobe.
We were very lucky to have a beautiful, warm, sunny day. The sun is still shining. It would be wonderful if we were to get a spell like this to set us up for winter.
Thursday, 23 August 2007
Summer Days
Yesterday, the sun was splitting the heavens and it felt like summer – we appear this year to get only the odd day of summer so have to take full advantage of it when it comes,
So what is this silly old fool doing but sitting at her computer, when the phone rings. It is sister inviting me to visit. You have never seen me move so fast. I was out the flat and in the car inside 5 minutes!
It was a lovely afternoon catching up with all the gossip (slightly difficult as she leads such a busy life and never has time to read my blog and I keep forgetting whether I have told her something already or just blogged it.)
We had tea and wonderful home-baked cake, then sat in the garden in the sunshine, giving me plenty time to enjoy baby puppy. He is so lively, though still at the jumping up stage and, when he isn’t licking you to death, he is exercising his sharp little teeth!
Got a present of home grown lettuce, spring onions and courgette, so I bought some tomatoes on the way home and made potato salad for tea.
So what is this silly old fool doing but sitting at her computer, when the phone rings. It is sister inviting me to visit. You have never seen me move so fast. I was out the flat and in the car inside 5 minutes!
It was a lovely afternoon catching up with all the gossip (slightly difficult as she leads such a busy life and never has time to read my blog and I keep forgetting whether I have told her something already or just blogged it.)
We had tea and wonderful home-baked cake, then sat in the garden in the sunshine, giving me plenty time to enjoy baby puppy. He is so lively, though still at the jumping up stage and, when he isn’t licking you to death, he is exercising his sharp little teeth!
Got a present of home grown lettuce, spring onions and courgette, so I bought some tomatoes on the way home and made potato salad for tea.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Family revisited
Yesterday was a beautiful day with the sun shining, white fluffy clouds in a blue sky, temperature rising to what it should be for summer, so when daughter phoned to invite me over I dropped everything and drove the shorter but slower and scenic route. It is good to see the countryside so green (one benefit of all the rain we have been having).
Unfortunately, not only was the route scenic but also it was made much longer with a proliferation of roadworks: the march of the cones continues and traffic lights leap out of the ground in myriads of new places. Still that also gives more opportunities to look around at the scenery, and it is the scenery that I love - fields and hills, with trees and crops and farms close by. It is good to see the wild flowers flourishing in the verges too. There are several villages and one small town on the route as well.
Arrived at daughter's home and was greeted with great joy by, not only by my daughter, but also by two grandsons. One of them is quite a bit taller than I am now. How time flies by...
Boys disappeared off, the younger one to play and the older one along with a friend to play golf, so I didn't see him again. Younger grandson dashed in for some lunch and out to play again, so I only saw him again when I was leaving.
This gave daughter and me plenty time to catch up with all the news. Heard about their recent holiday on Gran Canaria, and am waiting for photographs to be emailed to me. Older grandson went karting on the adult track by pretending to be 17 (instead of 14) and put in a very good performance. She likes the chance to catch up with things like ironing while we chat as she doesn't notice the time passing.
Drove home via the motorway, which was not too busy, thank goodness.
Enjoyed such a good lunch of cold roast lamb sandwich that I could not eat any tea. This has to be good for the diet (surely?)
Unfortunately, not only was the route scenic but also it was made much longer with a proliferation of roadworks: the march of the cones continues and traffic lights leap out of the ground in myriads of new places. Still that also gives more opportunities to look around at the scenery, and it is the scenery that I love - fields and hills, with trees and crops and farms close by. It is good to see the wild flowers flourishing in the verges too. There are several villages and one small town on the route as well.
Arrived at daughter's home and was greeted with great joy by, not only by my daughter, but also by two grandsons. One of them is quite a bit taller than I am now. How time flies by...
Boys disappeared off, the younger one to play and the older one along with a friend to play golf, so I didn't see him again. Younger grandson dashed in for some lunch and out to play again, so I only saw him again when I was leaving.
This gave daughter and me plenty time to catch up with all the news. Heard about their recent holiday on Gran Canaria, and am waiting for photographs to be emailed to me. Older grandson went karting on the adult track by pretending to be 17 (instead of 14) and put in a very good performance. She likes the chance to catch up with things like ironing while we chat as she doesn't notice the time passing.
Drove home via the motorway, which was not too busy, thank goodness.
Enjoyed such a good lunch of cold roast lamb sandwich that I could not eat any tea. This has to be good for the diet (surely?)
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