21st January 2013

Today my life feels like this:

Outside My Window: it is dark, cold and more snow is forecast. I haven’t closed my curtains yet. I can see some snow covered roofs. I think the houses look pretty covered in snow and lights shining through windows. It snowed here last Friday: They say ‘if it’s hanging about, it’s hanging about for more’

I am hearing: home time traffic whizzing by, my Mac is humming and the rest of the house is beautifully quiet because I just turned the radio off. They were playing something dreadful on radio three. I found myself getting wound up so the off button was utilized.

I am watching: the blackbirds in the early evening, they seem to be doing an awful lot of squabbling and the gulls are here a lot at the moment. I don’t see the gulls low enough to be bothering the blackbirds. May be it is ‘next doors’ cat? I’ll look harder. Nothing interests me on the TV or the iPlayer these days.

I am thinking: about a couple of outings we have planned. One to Brighton, because I want to wander the Lanes. It will be quiet at this time of year. I know it will be cold but I have a hat, gloves, scarves, boots, a winter coat and there are plenty of coffee shops. The other is a weekend away for my birthday in February. Although I know we are going I don’t know the details…

I am thankful: that I have a few days to myself this week. Ben is working some ‘lates’ Paul is away ‘till Wednesday. I love a couple of evenings to myself.

I am busy:
 with work. There is so much to do before I leave. And I just don’t feel like it to be honest. I have a few photography memes on the go. I am keeping up with Katrina Kennedy Captue your 365 but I haven’t decided what I am going to do with them yet! May be a separate place on my blog? I don’t want to post every day. Flickr? Too many decisions.

A few plans: A birthday dinner out with the girls from work this week. Paul has made the weekend away plans this time I am busy making some plans post retirement date. I want to make some changes on my blog and some blog plans for the rest of the year. House cleaning and re-organising is moving further down the list…

In the garden: Wet, wet and more wet. Just the same as November and December except this week the soil and grass are covered in snow as well. Poor Pepsi, she doesn’t like being a dog and having to go out in it! I have a few beautiful icicles that I check on each day though.

In the Kitchen:
 I bought a slow cooker so have had a couple of meals from there. A lot of comfort food and, unfortunately, cake! I need cake at the moment…
The wonderful smell the casserole I put in the oven when I came in from work is wafting up the stairs. I’ll go and give it a stir. Oh, it’s beef in red wine and I’ll make some dumplings (roof as we still call it from Ben’s childhood) for when he gets in later tonight.

A basket of snow for you!

Hope your week is good.

19th December 2012

Today my life feels like this:

Outside My Window: Rain, cold dark, a miserable winter evening

I am hearing: the traffic whizzing by it is ‘home’ time and the road is busy

I am watching: on the TV, the last part of Last Tango in Halifax which has been wonderful. Everyone in the hairderssers was talking about it today
I am thinking: about the Christmas holiday, in a week’s time it will be Boxing Day! what’s left to do? must check the lists.
I am thankful: that I have finished work for the holiday and I have a little more energy today.
I am busy:
 with my December project The days of December by Shimelle Laine. I am making a Father Christmas: I wine bottle tube or box. Some black felt, some red felt, some white marabou or something to make the white button cover that runs down Santa’s middle. I wrapped the black felt around the tube and secured it with a few big stitches.
I then cut up a red felt Santa hat and wrapped it around the black. Because of the shape of the hat (triangle) some of the black felt shows which is lovely. Sew the seam of the red felt.
The box has a lid so make a hat using the left over bits from the red hat and re-use the white pom-pom. Sew the white Marabou down the front of Santa. Make a black Belt from left over black felt, design Santa a face, put a bottle of wine inside, pop the hat on and Ta Da!
One Santa bottle holder to go with the Snowman bottle holder that I bought Oh! so many years ago.
A few plans: Just Christmas prep. Why do I say just? There are many lists to consult, but as I love it all I suppose it feels like ‘just’
In the garden: Wet, wet and more wet. Just the same as November. I have some plants to pot up tomorrow, two lovely red Skimmia, a pretty dark pink Lenten rose and two cyclamen red or white, I can’t decide yet.

In the Kitchen:
 Cottage pie for Lotta – a special request. Cranberry, orange and port Sauce for Christmas, Lotta’s Christmas stars, Ben is making Strawberry Margaritas tonight to welcome my bother and his partner.

And a picture: Ben’s Snowman lamp, almost as old as he is.

I hope you are cosy tonight?

Today my life looks like this:

Outside My Window: the sky is grey; it is raining and has been for a few days now. The evenings are getting darker earlier.
I am hearing: the sound of my dog dreaming, she barks, it is the only time you hear her voice. She is, as always, right beside me.
I am watching: for the post, I am eagerly waiting for a new book.
I am thinking: about my mother, October is/was (I never know which) her birthday month. The pain of her going is less but the missing is more. The clocks alter on the weekend of her birthday and it will be Halloween.
I am thankful: for the peace in our lives. The news is not so good for some families.
I am learning: how to paint and draw, it makes me happy, my confidence is building.
I am busy:
creating a daily art project using Daisy Yellow Prompts. It ran through August & September but I couldn’t do it until now.
taking a photo of the sky everyday in October.
keeping up with a photo a day on my iPhone
A few plans: I want to pick up my fabric book again. It is resting just now, but I have put it on my desk, it is one step closer…
I want to start an art journal.
A quote:
“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” Marilyn Monroe. Someone sent it to me recently, I can’t tell you how loudly it resonates for me just now.
In the garden: I have three roses in flower, daisy’s brightening up the lawn, Verbena in full bloom, Weigela blooming again: the garden is confused.
In the Kitchen:
Summer in winter chicken. Chicken breasts stuffed with a herby soft cheese.
• Slice a pocket in the chicken breast
• Spread about a dessertspoon of soft cheese into the pocket and close up. It doesn’t really need string, just press it closed
• Put the stuffed chicken on the base of a shallow dish
• Cover the whole thing with cherry tomatoes, a little seasoning, and sprig of thyme
• Cover and roast in the oven for about 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast

I will serve it with tiny new potatoes and green beans tonight.
Quick and delicious.
And a picture: October morning

How are you?