Thank You and Photo Art Friday

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Just a note to say thank you for your good wishes yesterday. Of course I survived, as you knew I would. The beautiful consultant who did the procedure and his lovely staff were absolutely wonderful.
So many things became clear to me when I read the post procedure notes, not least of which are the many health issues I have, all connected with the Hiatus Hernia that was discovered yesterday.
It is now that I would normally apologise for being a wimp when I know others have worse and have more reason than I to be afraid, and for pouring out my fears especially in a blog post, but two things have happened, one yesterday and one this morning.
The consultant I saw yesterday talked to me about anaesthesia, what was available and what I could have, I asked for “everything and lots of it because I am afraid” He said, “yes I can see your fear in your eyes, of course you can have everything”. My goodness, the relief of someone who does hundreds of these procedures validating my fears was amazing.
And this morning I received my weekly post from Tiny Buddha
So no apologies, just grateful thanks to the staff at the BRI and to you for your love and support and a picture, of course.

Photo Art Friday

I am linking to Bonnies Photo Art Friday.
I had fun with this challenge: ‘A digitally-edited still life’ I did loads but this is my favourite because I like the colours and it was a happy accident. I put my hat on the worktop when I came in from work, looked at the pears to see if they were ripe, put them on the brim because I wasn’t really thinking and saw a lovely still life.

I hope you have a lovely weekend. The forecast is for a cold but dry day tomorrow, I hope it is where you are.

Simple Moments

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Sharing a simple moment today Thursday 15th November 2012.
My Mac tells me it is 16.54
It is dark outside my window: I haven’t yet drawn the curtains. All the windows in the house are closed to keep the sharp November chill out.
I can hear the boys talking downstairs and Pepsi is breathing softly behind me. My Mac is whirring, the radiator in my room is gurgling, as is its will.
My mind is occupied by the Endoscopy I am having tomorrow. I confess to being extremely anxious, not so much of the outcome as one way or other my problem will be fixed I am sure. It is the procedure that scares me. No matter how softly I tell myself, the information leaflet tells me, Paul tells me, my colleagues tell me “it will be OK” my mind won’t let go of the fear.
I am physically hurting as well today. Last night I had a really bad attack during the night: I was so very close to calling the paramedics but with the help of some music, some medication, a pile of pillows, the silky soft fur of my Pepsi lying close by and Paul stroking my back I was able to stay home.
Today of course I was unable to work. I stayed in bed until all the pain had passed, around lunchtime.
I spent a few hours this afternoon resting quietly trying to think lovely thoughts but the only thing that distracts me today is some craft. I am thankful for an absorbing hobby and for Alexa for having this lovely idea.
Writing down my thoughts, and fears is so cathartic.
17.04.

30 Days of Thankful

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I am joining Cathy Zielske with her ’30 Days of Thankful’ throughout November.

I decided to use Cathy’s template for this, not only because it is lovely but she has done all the work, and because November is always a very busy time at work. The month brings the annual nonsense of getting it done ‘before Christmas’ As if everyone is going to be working over the Christmas weekend working on what I have done ‘before Christmas’ Aaargh, my annual grizzle starts here….sorry.

I am loving putting this project together and find it restful to think about my day and what I am feeling positive about when I have finished work and cleared away our evening meal. For me November is a great time to be working on a thankful project. The month brings Remembrance weekend, a time of reflection. My dear friends birthday month, it is 6 years since she passed away. Christmas preparations begin and that always puts me in a reflective mood.

Here are my first weeks Thankful pages.

Today

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…my life looks like this

Outside My Window: Bright sunshine, white fluffy clouds, warm inside cold outside

I am hearing: the sound of my fingers on the keys of my keypad, a plane in the distance and the traffic on the road. The house is quiet today.

I am watching: the trees, they sway gently in the breeze but it is their colours which have me mesmerized. I don’t remember them looking this beautiful before.

A quote: There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun… Thomas Merton

I am thinking: about my friend, November was her birthday month. And like my mother, the pain of her going is less but the missing is more. I saw the quote I have this month on Bonnie’s post 7.11.12. I sent her a comment which said: This quote reminds me of my best friend who died with breast cancer. We knew, we sat in my garden, I held her and told her I loved her, and that she was and would always be a light in my life.

I am thankful: I knew her
I am learning:a new computer system at work
I am busy:
 with my November project ‘30 days of Thankful’ by Cathy Zeilski and some small Christmas projects for a craft evening next week
A few plans: I confess to thinking about Christmas. I have made an order with the supermarket which books the delivery slot I want. I have ordered some wine because it was on a really good offer. I have an idea for a gift for Ben but I need to research a bit more.
In the garden: Wet wet and more wet. We have had almost continuous rain for a couple of weeks. If there is a little dry patch I tidy whatever I can but the autumn colour is fabulous, what more can I need?

In the Kitchen:
A delicious Nigella meal for two.
Look away veggy’s.

Tagliata for two

300g sirloin steak
Some olive oil to brush both sides of the meat
250g small and beautiful tomatoes halved
For the marinade:
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes
Sea salt flakes
1 tsp dried oregano
30ml extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp’s red wine vinegar

And some fresh herbs to finish, Oregano or Thyme or Basil

Because this is fairly quick to put together, if you want some carbs you need to work out the timings, I didn’t, I have learnt!

1)Get your carbs cooking before you start to cook the steak
2)Mix up the marinade
3)Cook the steak
4)Marinade the steak
5)Add the tomatoes
6)Add the herbs
7)Serve
I served this with Waitrose Rosti potatoes because they are delicious, we love them, they are easy but take twenty minutes,the meat takes ten (ish)

Mix up the marinade in a dish that will hold the steaks snugly
Cook the steak to your liking. Nigella cooks for two minutes each side but I need 3-4 minutes each side, (I don’t do mooing!)
Put the cooked steak into the marinade for two minutes each side
Slice the cooked steak and put it onto a serving dish,
Add the tomatoes to the steak
Spoon the marinade over the steak and tomatoes
Serve
Enjoy, we did!
I made this recipe again last night for three. I kept the steaks in one piece this time. They were delicious. As I had another steak I wanted more of the marinade so doubled the quantities. Although the boys loved it I found it too sharp. Next time (soon I hope) I won’t double the red wine vinegar.

And a picture: Autumn Colour

The chrysanthemum has a Pixel Dust Photo Art Texture called ‘mon amour’ over it at soft light blending mode.

I am linking to Mandarin Orange Monday today.

LorikArt

There are always lovely pictures over here. If you have a moment, take a look?

Photo Art Friday

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Photo Art Friday

I think I’ll only just make it to Bonnie’s virtual gallery this week. The theme is Lines. I was sure I didn’t have anything to fit this theme and then I started to look and saw them everywhere!
Here are a few for you.

The Antelope at Longleat Safari Park, my favourite ‘lines’

Looking up into the canopy of a hot air balloon

Some autumn pictures in the park. I liked the lines in the steps which is why I took the photo but then, as often happens, when you put the picture on the screen you see so much more. I noticed the lines in the fence, the lines the moss is making and the lines on the pillars.

Lines of trees, lines of benches and lines of slats on the benches.

I like the lines the path’s are making

I just love the lines in the leaf, I added Bonnie’s new texture which has lines of text.

This was so much fun. Check over here to see some great interpretations of this weeks challenge.