Thankfully the aches and pains seem to be on their way but I am not going to push it by finishing the Arfur job today....I'll do it at the weekend.
It's cold and damp here today so I am ditching another salad and doing grilled bacon and tomatoes with scrambled eggs for tea. No rush to have it ready for when DD walks through the door as she wants a bath before tea which gives me an extra hour of sewing time...yay.
Sewing Bee bought back a few memories last night it being 70's week. They showed a piece where people used to make their trousers flared by inserting a triangle of fabric into the side seams at the bottoms of the legs and I remember doing that to a pair of purple cords I used to have...so funny.
No flares to sew here today....I'm still working on the aprons.
Hope you are having a good day despite the weather.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 28 February 2019
Wednesday, 27 February 2019
Pottering About!!!
This morning I attempted to finish the job I started yesterday but my body just wasn't having any of it....useless old bag of aching bones....lol....so instead I have been pottering about in the kitchen and made some little individual puddings with orange curd in the base and orange flavoured sponge. I am hoping that they will go down well with Miss Ruby who will be here for tea shortly.
It's really quite warm today so just a light tea of crispy chicken goujons and a mixed leaf salad drizzled with passionfruit vinegar should be nice and refreshing.
....and that's about all I've done today. Not much but I'll make up for it when the aches and pains have gone.
Hope you are having a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
It's really quite warm today so just a light tea of crispy chicken goujons and a mixed leaf salad drizzled with passionfruit vinegar should be nice and refreshing.
....and that's about all I've done today. Not much but I'll make up for it when the aches and pains have gone.
Hope you are having a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Just Call Me Arfur!!!
The morning started well. I had a bit of spare energy to tackle a big job and I was doing quite well until my hands and shoulders started hurting so I'm a bit of an Arfur Job today....I've done half of the job and the other half will get done tomorrow.
I've been de-cobwebbing and washing the ceiling down in the sewing room as it gets a bit grubby being next to the kitchen with no door in between...one of the reasons that all of my sewing stuff is kept in boxes.
I just need to wash up the lunch pots and then I am going to go and have a soak in the bath to ease my shoulders a bit and then I'll have a think about what I am doing for tea to go with some salad.
The herb table was totally cleared out yesterday and I just need to disinfect it and give it a bit of a scrub before I make some new liners for it. You can buy them but I can't remember the make of my table to get the right size for it.
OK.....bath....here I come....and I might take a cuppa with me too.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
I've been de-cobwebbing and washing the ceiling down in the sewing room as it gets a bit grubby being next to the kitchen with no door in between...one of the reasons that all of my sewing stuff is kept in boxes.
I just need to wash up the lunch pots and then I am going to go and have a soak in the bath to ease my shoulders a bit and then I'll have a think about what I am doing for tea to go with some salad.
The herb table was totally cleared out yesterday and I just need to disinfect it and give it a bit of a scrub before I make some new liners for it. You can buy them but I can't remember the make of my table to get the right size for it.
OK.....bath....here I come....and I might take a cuppa with me too.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 25 February 2019
The Sun Has Got His Hat On....!!!
.....and has done a much better job of burning off the mist than it did yesterday. So once Andy has been fed, watered and gone off to work I shall be donning a jumper and going outside to clean up the herb table ready for the spring.
A couple of sections will be left empty until I can sow some salad leaves in them.
Andy went ahead with mowing the back lawn yesterday which now looks like the poor ould sheepdog from the Specsavers advert but at least the sun can start to dry it out a little more.
There are leftover veggies from our Sunday lunch which DD and I will use up today for our tea. I'll cook a few new potatoes, make some lamb gravy and some mint sauce for one of our favourite meals which we call Sunday Dinner Soup......yum, yum, yum.
The fridge and freezers are all well stocked so no need to go out any night this week apart from Wednesday when we take Ruby home and as we will be near the supermarket we can pick anything up that we need then but that will probably be just salad, milk and bread which will make for a nice frugal week.
Have a lovely day in the sunshine.
Sheila-x-
A couple of sections will be left empty until I can sow some salad leaves in them.
Andy went ahead with mowing the back lawn yesterday which now looks like the poor ould sheepdog from the Specsavers advert but at least the sun can start to dry it out a little more.
There are leftover veggies from our Sunday lunch which DD and I will use up today for our tea. I'll cook a few new potatoes, make some lamb gravy and some mint sauce for one of our favourite meals which we call Sunday Dinner Soup......yum, yum, yum.
The fridge and freezers are all well stocked so no need to go out any night this week apart from Wednesday when we take Ruby home and as we will be near the supermarket we can pick anything up that we need then but that will probably be just salad, milk and bread which will make for a nice frugal week.
Have a lovely day in the sunshine.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 24 February 2019
Sunny Saturday!!!
Although I had no plans for going out this weekend I did end up going into the little town after doing a freezer sort out and finding some shortages on things I use all the time.
As we left the house it was misty and very cold but by the time we got into town it was like we'd travelled to another country and it was hot and sunny....absolutely perfect for a wander around the charity shops and the Maker's Market.
Iceland was visited first and the shopping left in the capable hands of the delivery man while we went and did our wandering. Bargains from the charity shops were purchased....books, two massive pieces of fabric for £1 and a blouse for myself for £1 so a good morning out.
Back home I did a little more sorting out in the sewing room until it was time to feed us all and then a very relaxing evening on the sofa watching Vikings....yes again....lol.
No lawns mowed yesterday as Andy says it is still too wet. We have very heavy clay soil and it does take a good while for things to start drying up.
Today DD is cooking lunch and once I have finished on here I will be sewing until it's time for Dancing on Ice and Call The Midwife so another relaxing day which should top up my energy levels for things I want to get done in the week.
I hope you are all having a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
Sheila-x-
As we left the house it was misty and very cold but by the time we got into town it was like we'd travelled to another country and it was hot and sunny....absolutely perfect for a wander around the charity shops and the Maker's Market.
Iceland was visited first and the shopping left in the capable hands of the delivery man while we went and did our wandering. Bargains from the charity shops were purchased....books, two massive pieces of fabric for £1 and a blouse for myself for £1 so a good morning out.
Back home I did a little more sorting out in the sewing room until it was time to feed us all and then a very relaxing evening on the sofa watching Vikings....yes again....lol.
No lawns mowed yesterday as Andy says it is still too wet. We have very heavy clay soil and it does take a good while for things to start drying up.
Today DD is cooking lunch and once I have finished on here I will be sewing until it's time for Dancing on Ice and Call The Midwife so another relaxing day which should top up my energy levels for things I want to get done in the week.
I hope you are all having a wonderful and relaxing weekend.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 22 February 2019
Un-Boxing Day!!!
My hands and shoulders are still a little uncomfortable this morning so I am going to have another gentle day. It won't be a lazy day just different jobs to those I had planned.
The sewing room is out of control and I need to get it sorted out and ship shape again so with that in mind I am going to be going through all of my boxes and condensing stuff down. I know there is one box that can pretty much all go to the charity shop which will give me room to stash other things away and clear the decks a bit. The untidiness is blocking my mojo and I am not even enjoying sewing the aprons.
So....on with the unboxing.
For Christmas Andy had some Amazon vouchers which he has just used to buy himself some new films for his collection.
The Hunt For Red October (not for me thank you), Das Boot (oh my gawd no), Christine (horror...so another no from me) but we have two little gems....This Happy Breed (1944 starring Celia Johnson, Robert Newton, John Mills and Stanley Holloway....brilliant film) and The Family Way (Hayley Mills, John Mills and Hywel Bennet).
We shall watch the last two tonight and eat fish and chips while we do. The rest of them Andy can watch on his own...lol.
Nothing much planned for the weekend this week. Nowhere I need or want to go although I might have a mosey up to the garden centre to have a look at seeds as I would like to grow some salad leaves this year and need to have a look at what is available.
Well....as I started typing this I couldn't see the back field for mist but now the sun has come out and burned it all away so it looks like it's going to be a nice day. If we get the same tomorrow I might get Andy to mow the lawns.
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
The sewing room is out of control and I need to get it sorted out and ship shape again so with that in mind I am going to be going through all of my boxes and condensing stuff down. I know there is one box that can pretty much all go to the charity shop which will give me room to stash other things away and clear the decks a bit. The untidiness is blocking my mojo and I am not even enjoying sewing the aprons.
So....on with the unboxing.
For Christmas Andy had some Amazon vouchers which he has just used to buy himself some new films for his collection.
The Hunt For Red October (not for me thank you), Das Boot (oh my gawd no), Christine (horror...so another no from me) but we have two little gems....This Happy Breed (1944 starring Celia Johnson, Robert Newton, John Mills and Stanley Holloway....brilliant film) and The Family Way (Hayley Mills, John Mills and Hywel Bennet).
We shall watch the last two tonight and eat fish and chips while we do. The rest of them Andy can watch on his own...lol.
Nothing much planned for the weekend this week. Nowhere I need or want to go although I might have a mosey up to the garden centre to have a look at seeds as I would like to grow some salad leaves this year and need to have a look at what is available.
Well....as I started typing this I couldn't see the back field for mist but now the sun has come out and burned it all away so it looks like it's going to be a nice day. If we get the same tomorrow I might get Andy to mow the lawns.
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 21 February 2019
A Night With Ruby!!!
Ruby did indeed come for her tea yesterday and also stayed over for the night.
She has not long been picked up by Mummy and Marlowe and they are now off to a park for a picnic lunch and a good run round.
Luckily the weather has turned out quite sunny and warm so they should have a lovely time.
As it is warm today I am thinking cold meat and salad for tea for a change but I will have to go and do a top up shop this afternoon for salad stuff as I haven't been keeping that much in over the last few weeks....just bags of mixed leaves as a side with a dressing.
I'm having an old lady day today.....dreadfully achy hands and shoulders.....so I think I'll take it easy for the rest of the day and start again on the housework tomorrow.
Hope it's a lovely sunny day for you all too.
Sheila-x-
She has not long been picked up by Mummy and Marlowe and they are now off to a park for a picnic lunch and a good run round.
Luckily the weather has turned out quite sunny and warm so they should have a lovely time.
As it is warm today I am thinking cold meat and salad for tea for a change but I will have to go and do a top up shop this afternoon for salad stuff as I haven't been keeping that much in over the last few weeks....just bags of mixed leaves as a side with a dressing.
I'm having an old lady day today.....dreadfully achy hands and shoulders.....so I think I'll take it easy for the rest of the day and start again on the housework tomorrow.
Hope it's a lovely sunny day for you all too.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 20 February 2019
How Lovely!!!
This morning while sitting drinking my first cuppa of the day I spotted a bird on the apricot tree pecking at one of the coconuts. It was beautiful and not one I had seen before. After a quick Google I have identified it as a Jay.
What a lovely start to the day.
Andy's discovery yesterday has me shuddering a bit. He was woken by some scratching up above him while he was sleeping and at first thought it was a bird on the roof but no.....it's a flippin' mouse up in the roof space which is behind an access panel in DD's bedroom. He will be going in and laying traps at the weekend.
I've not made a decision on tea yet today as I am waiting for a call back from DS to let me know if Ruby is coming or not. I haven't seen her since her birthday so I do hope she will be.
Until he calls I shall just occupy myself with a few little jobs that want doing and then if I feel like it I might bake a cake.
Loved Sewing Bee again last night....especially the dance costumes.
Although I do have a sewing room I would love to have a room like they have on the programme with bolts of fabric and endless haberdashery all on display to inspire me. Most of my stuff is tucked away in boxes which have to be pulled out and searched. I'm grateful to have the space though.
Well I had best go and get on now my coffee break is over.
What are you up to today?
I hope it's a good one whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
What a lovely start to the day.
Andy's discovery yesterday has me shuddering a bit. He was woken by some scratching up above him while he was sleeping and at first thought it was a bird on the roof but no.....it's a flippin' mouse up in the roof space which is behind an access panel in DD's bedroom. He will be going in and laying traps at the weekend.
I've not made a decision on tea yet today as I am waiting for a call back from DS to let me know if Ruby is coming or not. I haven't seen her since her birthday so I do hope she will be.
Until he calls I shall just occupy myself with a few little jobs that want doing and then if I feel like it I might bake a cake.
Loved Sewing Bee again last night....especially the dance costumes.
Although I do have a sewing room I would love to have a room like they have on the programme with bolts of fabric and endless haberdashery all on display to inspire me. Most of my stuff is tucked away in boxes which have to be pulled out and searched. I'm grateful to have the space though.
Well I had best go and get on now my coffee break is over.
What are you up to today?
I hope it's a good one whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 19 February 2019
Just Another Day!!!
It's a little dull today outside although the sun is trying to shine in between the clouds.
My tiny daffodils have at last started to flower and they look so cheerful. We just need to have a good tidy up out there now and see what else is sprouting. Last weekend would have been good but we were out and about so fingers crossed it will be as nice this weekend.
Today I am having a bit of a swish round with the cleaning cloths and poking in a few corners while I wait for the sauce to cook that will be made into a lasagna later and then I am going to get on the sewing machine and do some more aprons until Andy gets up and I can run the hoover round.
The Quilt & Stitch Village is coming to the racecourse again this year and DD will be ordering our tickets at the end of the month. Ruby wants to go again so this time we can order her ticket with ours. She loved it last year.
I mostly concentrated on the quilting side of the show last year but this time I would like to have a look at the embroidery displays too.
I've gone a bit chilly sitting here typing so I think I'll have a hot drink before I do anything else.
Hope you are having a lovely day today.
Sheila-x-
My tiny daffodils have at last started to flower and they look so cheerful. We just need to have a good tidy up out there now and see what else is sprouting. Last weekend would have been good but we were out and about so fingers crossed it will be as nice this weekend.
Today I am having a bit of a swish round with the cleaning cloths and poking in a few corners while I wait for the sauce to cook that will be made into a lasagna later and then I am going to get on the sewing machine and do some more aprons until Andy gets up and I can run the hoover round.
The Quilt & Stitch Village is coming to the racecourse again this year and DD will be ordering our tickets at the end of the month. Ruby wants to go again so this time we can order her ticket with ours. She loved it last year.
I mostly concentrated on the quilting side of the show last year but this time I would like to have a look at the embroidery displays too.
I've gone a bit chilly sitting here typing so I think I'll have a hot drink before I do anything else.
Hope you are having a lovely day today.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 18 February 2019
Another Weekend Gone!!!
Saturday to Derby........
Best make an early start as I haven't done cross stitch for years as my eyes don't like it. I have a good lamp and a magnifier though so that should help.
Onto The Works........
Sunday we went to Trentham to stock up on Balsamic vinegars, spice mixes and a jar of cider and horseradish mustard which I like to use in my hash jackets when I can get hold of it.
They also have a Works there and I picked up three more books so I now have enough to last me for a few weeks.
The lunch Andy cooked yesterday was gorgeous and just what we needed after a chilly walk around the shopping village.
I think the fresh air combined with the lunch knocked me out and I ended up having a nanny nap....lol.
Today I am doing laundry as I didn't make a start on it yesterday and I have extra this week as I have sorted out the coat rack in the hall. DD had four hoodies...yes four...... hanging in there so they are being freshened up before going up to her room. I had some cardigans in there which need freshening up which can then be hung in the wardrobe and a couple of light jackets are being washed before they go off to the charity shop.
The hall now seems twice as big as it was.
Another load has just finished so I'll go and sort it out.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Friday, 15 February 2019
We Stayed In!!!
Well the night out didn't happen last night as we had realised that it would probably be very busy everywhere with it being Valentine's Day. Instead we snuggled up in front of a DVD with scrambled eggs and beans on toast and really enjoyed it.
After a heavy frost to start the morning it has now turned into a beautiful day. It's a little hazy but the sun is out and I have just been watching a beautiful Buzzard soaring in the sky in search of his lunch.
The bird feeders are still busy apart from the new one Andy bought me last week. It's a window feeder but the birds don't seem to want to come near it which is a bit disappointing.
I have just put a huge pot of minced beef and onions on to simmer and it is smelling so good. Some will be used for our meal tonight and the rest will have various beans, tomatoes and chilli powder added to be put into the freezer for later meals.
The weekend will see me out both days. Saturday I am off to the market in Derby for a few sewing essentials and Sunday I am going to the food shop at Trentham Shopping Village to stock up on some things I have run out of.
Andy will be cooking Sunday lunch so it will be a nice relaxing couple of days.
Are you doing anything nice this weekend?
Hope you have a great one.
Sheila-x-
After a heavy frost to start the morning it has now turned into a beautiful day. It's a little hazy but the sun is out and I have just been watching a beautiful Buzzard soaring in the sky in search of his lunch.
The bird feeders are still busy apart from the new one Andy bought me last week. It's a window feeder but the birds don't seem to want to come near it which is a bit disappointing.
I have just put a huge pot of minced beef and onions on to simmer and it is smelling so good. Some will be used for our meal tonight and the rest will have various beans, tomatoes and chilli powder added to be put into the freezer for later meals.
The weekend will see me out both days. Saturday I am off to the market in Derby for a few sewing essentials and Sunday I am going to the food shop at Trentham Shopping Village to stock up on some things I have run out of.
Andy will be cooking Sunday lunch so it will be a nice relaxing couple of days.
Are you doing anything nice this weekend?
Hope you have a great one.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 14 February 2019
A Bit Of A Teary Day!!!
I woke up this morning feeling really sad and tearful. I still feel heartbroken that Smudge is no longer here and I miss him so much.
I know a lot of people would say..."oh God...it's only a dog" but after spending twenty four hours a day, seven days a week with him over the last eight years and nursing him through a mangled leg after two dogs attacked him, an operation for a growth in his throat, various other ops and also having to bathe his eyes every day he just felt like a little person to me.
I'm still finding it a shock to walk into the living room and him not be on his blanket or into the bedroom at night and not find him on his bed.
I am hoping that when Spring comes and we can scatter his ashes that I will be able to start and get over it.
Andy has asked if I would like another dog but I have said no. I wouldn't want a puppy and I'm not sure about taking on a rescue dog with issues even though I know people with rescue dogs that are fine.
My main thought here is the girls. They both knew Smudge all of their lives and I would be scared of anything bad happening with a new dog. Smudge was quite happy to share toys once he had gutted them and never snarled or snapped at the girls but there is just that worry there so I think for now it's better to be safe.
So I am just having a mooching day today. I have bought my old crafting carousel down from upstairs and got rid of all the dried up metallic pens and other stuff it held and filled it with sewing tools so that everything is all together and now I am off up for a bath as DD is taking me out tonight. I have no idea where....she just told me to be ready for when she got home and not to cook any tea so I will do as I am told.
Hope you are all having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
I know a lot of people would say..."oh God...it's only a dog" but after spending twenty four hours a day, seven days a week with him over the last eight years and nursing him through a mangled leg after two dogs attacked him, an operation for a growth in his throat, various other ops and also having to bathe his eyes every day he just felt like a little person to me.
I'm still finding it a shock to walk into the living room and him not be on his blanket or into the bedroom at night and not find him on his bed.
I am hoping that when Spring comes and we can scatter his ashes that I will be able to start and get over it.
Andy has asked if I would like another dog but I have said no. I wouldn't want a puppy and I'm not sure about taking on a rescue dog with issues even though I know people with rescue dogs that are fine.
My main thought here is the girls. They both knew Smudge all of their lives and I would be scared of anything bad happening with a new dog. Smudge was quite happy to share toys once he had gutted them and never snarled or snapped at the girls but there is just that worry there so I think for now it's better to be safe.
So I am just having a mooching day today. I have bought my old crafting carousel down from upstairs and got rid of all the dried up metallic pens and other stuff it held and filled it with sewing tools so that everything is all together and now I am off up for a bath as DD is taking me out tonight. I have no idea where....she just told me to be ready for when she got home and not to cook any tea so I will do as I am told.
Hope you are all having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 13 February 2019
Hurray For Sewing Bee!!!
I am absolutely overjoyed that Great British Sewing Bee is back on TV.
Some great characters for this series and I love the new presenter.
That's me sorted out for 9pm on Tuesday nights then.
My own sewing is coming along with two aprons cut out and two more to do (I couldn't make a decision between two fabrics so I went for both). The binding is basted onto one of the cut out ones and I just need to get the machine set up.
I don't know if that will be today though as I am late getting started after going into town this morning and I have a few little jobs to do before I can have any me time.
There was only a list of salad ingredients and a couple of things for Andy to be picked up but in T***o I splurged a whole 16p on four jars of mincemeat they had on yellow sticker (use by date is Nov 2020). I am going to use it to make mincemeat cakes for pack ups.
No Ruby today as she has a very busy social week again but we saw her Monday so I haven't missed out altogether.
It's quite warm today which is what prompted the journey into town for salad ingredients so I'll do some crispy chicken with a nice dressed salad and a small bread roll for tea.
Hope it's warm where you are for a change.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Some great characters for this series and I love the new presenter.
That's me sorted out for 9pm on Tuesday nights then.
My own sewing is coming along with two aprons cut out and two more to do (I couldn't make a decision between two fabrics so I went for both). The binding is basted onto one of the cut out ones and I just need to get the machine set up.
I don't know if that will be today though as I am late getting started after going into town this morning and I have a few little jobs to do before I can have any me time.
There was only a list of salad ingredients and a couple of things for Andy to be picked up but in T***o I splurged a whole 16p on four jars of mincemeat they had on yellow sticker (use by date is Nov 2020). I am going to use it to make mincemeat cakes for pack ups.
No Ruby today as she has a very busy social week again but we saw her Monday so I haven't missed out altogether.
It's quite warm today which is what prompted the journey into town for salad ingredients so I'll do some crispy chicken with a nice dressed salad and a small bread roll for tea.
Hope it's warm where you are for a change.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 12 February 2019
Scissors At The Ready!!!
At long last I am ready to get started on some sewing.
The pattern is cut, the fabric is sorted and my scissor hand is itching to get cutting. I just need to tidy the table before I crank it up to cutting height.
I am going to cut out two or three aprons to replace all my tatty old ones so that will keep me busy for a few hours. I also need to make some bias tape which is one of my favourite sewing jobs.
Not sure what I am doing for our meal tonight but it will be something simple like beans on toast. I'll see what DD fancies when she comes in.
Ruby's little tea party last night was lovely and DDIL had made the most amazing unicorn cake for her.
Marlowe kept reminding us that she will be having a birthday party next month and that she is having a unicorn cake too....so cute.
It's quite cold here today so I think I will go and put the heating on so that the house is warm when DD gets home.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
The pattern is cut, the fabric is sorted and my scissor hand is itching to get cutting. I just need to tidy the table before I crank it up to cutting height.
I am going to cut out two or three aprons to replace all my tatty old ones so that will keep me busy for a few hours. I also need to make some bias tape which is one of my favourite sewing jobs.
Not sure what I am doing for our meal tonight but it will be something simple like beans on toast. I'll see what DD fancies when she comes in.
Ruby's little tea party last night was lovely and DDIL had made the most amazing unicorn cake for her.
Marlowe kept reminding us that she will be having a birthday party next month and that she is having a unicorn cake too....so cute.
It's quite cold here today so I think I will go and put the heating on so that the house is warm when DD gets home.
Hope you are having a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 11 February 2019
A Computer Free Weekend!!!
Hello.....so sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend but my computer has been playing up....or rather the internet connection has.
I've only been able to get online in short bursts before it has gone off again.
It seems to be a little more stable since later on last night and so far this morning has been OK so here's hoping that it stays on while I write and publish this post.
Obviously as I had no computer to play with much I had to find other things to do so quite a few jobs have been ticked off both of the job lists plus I had time to think about my sewing project and sort out some fabric.
The duvet cover I mended the other day got put on the bed and changed again pretty quickly as I didn't like the feel of it. It was a very expensive one bought for DD some years ago and is very smart navy with white dots and a panel of a contrasting fabric. It's now been reduced to a heap of fabric and will be turned into aprons as I could do with some new ones.
No apron needed today for cooking tea as we are off out to celebrate my gorgeous Ruby's 9th birthday at The Doodle House.
To fill in the time until then I am off up to tidy out the old airing cupboard on the landing and then have a nice peaceful bath before I come down and start on cutting out the pattern for my aprons.
Hope you have all had a fabulous weekend.
Sheila-x-
I've only been able to get online in short bursts before it has gone off again.
It seems to be a little more stable since later on last night and so far this morning has been OK so here's hoping that it stays on while I write and publish this post.
Obviously as I had no computer to play with much I had to find other things to do so quite a few jobs have been ticked off both of the job lists plus I had time to think about my sewing project and sort out some fabric.
The duvet cover I mended the other day got put on the bed and changed again pretty quickly as I didn't like the feel of it. It was a very expensive one bought for DD some years ago and is very smart navy with white dots and a panel of a contrasting fabric. It's now been reduced to a heap of fabric and will be turned into aprons as I could do with some new ones.
No apron needed today for cooking tea as we are off out to celebrate my gorgeous Ruby's 9th birthday at The Doodle House.
To fill in the time until then I am off up to tidy out the old airing cupboard on the landing and then have a nice peaceful bath before I come down and start on cutting out the pattern for my aprons.
Hope you have all had a fabulous weekend.
Sheila-x-
Thursday, 7 February 2019
Rain Stops Play!!!
My plan for today was to put on a thick jumper and be out in the garden where I want to cut down the climbing rose from around the old apricot tree.
Well I won't be doing that as the wind is howling and the rain is absolutely thrashing down so I shall have to have a rethink and see what else is on the job list. No doubt it will be something that requires Marigolds and a cleaning cloth.
I took some chicken out of the freezer last night and will be attempting a chicken curry for tea. I don't make curries very often as I prefer Mexican or Italian flavours but Andy and DD love them so I'll treat them. If I don't like it I can always have beans on toast.
One very excited little girl arrived for her tea yesterday and I am not surprised she is excited. She has so much happening this week and weekend.
Tonight she is going on a late night birthday shopping spree with Mummy and Daddy will join them later for a meal out.
Tomorrow we are picking her up from school and dropping her home to get ready for a weekend away with Brownies and then on Monday which is her actual birthday we are having a birthday tea at her house after school.
She is a busy little bee.
Well I had best go and get myself busy....after a cup of tea of course.
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Well I won't be doing that as the wind is howling and the rain is absolutely thrashing down so I shall have to have a rethink and see what else is on the job list. No doubt it will be something that requires Marigolds and a cleaning cloth.
I took some chicken out of the freezer last night and will be attempting a chicken curry for tea. I don't make curries very often as I prefer Mexican or Italian flavours but Andy and DD love them so I'll treat them. If I don't like it I can always have beans on toast.
One very excited little girl arrived for her tea yesterday and I am not surprised she is excited. She has so much happening this week and weekend.
Tonight she is going on a late night birthday shopping spree with Mummy and Daddy will join them later for a meal out.
Tomorrow we are picking her up from school and dropping her home to get ready for a weekend away with Brownies and then on Monday which is her actual birthday we are having a birthday tea at her house after school.
She is a busy little bee.
Well I had best go and get myself busy....after a cup of tea of course.
Have a wonderful day.
Sheila-x-
Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Don't Be Scared!!!
It's only me.......
Chris at Up's and Downs has asked for an update on how my hair is growing back after Brave The Shave and here is how it looks nearly three months on.
It's at the stage now where I have to wet it in the morning or spend the whole day looking like a coconut.
It's a very strange mixture of colours....dark grey, lighter grey and white and right at the front I have some blonde. I don't know where that has come from as I have never been blonde in my life.....well apart from a disaster of a dye job when I was younger but we'll not go into that....lol.
I think I could live with it like this permanently as it is so much easier to look after although I'd maybe trim the top a tiny bit.
Andy wants me to grow it back to shoulder length but we'll see.
Today is Ruby's day to come for tea and I have changed my planned meal from sausages with mash, veg and gravy to sausage, egg, chips and beans......totally Pam's fault as she mentioned in her blog post that she and the SO had had that for their tea and it is one of my favourite meals when something comforting is needed and I think today is Ruby's day for Forest School. I expect she will arrive with rosy cheeks and a good appetite.
This is possibly the last time I shall see her as an eight year old as it is her birthday next week. I can't believe that she will be nine on Monday.
I just need to do a bit of tidying before she arrives and run the vacuum over when Andy gets up and that is all I'm doing in the way of housework today. I'll tackle something from the big job list tomorrow.
Have a smashing day.
Sheila-x-
Chris at Up's and Downs has asked for an update on how my hair is growing back after Brave The Shave and here is how it looks nearly three months on.
It's at the stage now where I have to wet it in the morning or spend the whole day looking like a coconut.
It's a very strange mixture of colours....dark grey, lighter grey and white and right at the front I have some blonde. I don't know where that has come from as I have never been blonde in my life.....well apart from a disaster of a dye job when I was younger but we'll not go into that....lol.
I think I could live with it like this permanently as it is so much easier to look after although I'd maybe trim the top a tiny bit.
Andy wants me to grow it back to shoulder length but we'll see.
Today is Ruby's day to come for tea and I have changed my planned meal from sausages with mash, veg and gravy to sausage, egg, chips and beans......totally Pam's fault as she mentioned in her blog post that she and the SO had had that for their tea and it is one of my favourite meals when something comforting is needed and I think today is Ruby's day for Forest School. I expect she will arrive with rosy cheeks and a good appetite.
This is possibly the last time I shall see her as an eight year old as it is her birthday next week. I can't believe that she will be nine on Monday.
I just need to do a bit of tidying before she arrives and run the vacuum over when Andy gets up and that is all I'm doing in the way of housework today. I'll tackle something from the big job list tomorrow.
Have a smashing day.
Sheila-x-
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
In My Kitchen Today!!!
Trying out my new casserole dish with a lovely beef stew today.
Later I will make some tiny herb dumplings to scatter over the top and put it into the oven for them to crisp over and then I'll serve it with some steamed dark green cabbage.
Note to self.....do not lift the lid of the casserole dish without using an oven glove as it burns......ask me how I know....lol.
My old one had a silicon type knob which didn't burn and this one is metal which does.
Still looking through the project books to find a little something to do but I have a headache and can't concentrate so it's not going too well.
Sad to see my neighbours 'sold' sign has gone up. We have been friends for over thirty years and neighbours for twenty three years. It's going to be very strange when she is not there any more.
.....and on that note I think I'll go and drown my sorrows in a nice cup of tea and put my feet up for five minutes.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Monday, 4 February 2019
Snookered!!!
The quilt top is out, the wadding is out but I have a huge fail on the backing fabric as I don't have enough so the quilting is snookered for today.
I went into town with Andy this morning and did look in the charity shops to see if I could find anything suitable but no luck.
Looks like a trip to Ikea will be happening soon.
It was quite pleasant out and about this morning.....nice and sunny and it did feel a little bit warmer than of late.
Nothing exciting bought.....apart from a new casserole pan and a top up on veg and salad for this weeks meals.
I have some chicken breasts marinating in some Cajun spices and will bake those later to serve with salad and roasted Charlottes. The salad will be dressed with a passion fruit balsamic vinegar.
I really must get in a trip to the food shop at Trentham to stock up on my balsamic vinegars as we are nearly out and they do the most amazing range there.
I think I may get some of my sewing project books out now and see if there is anything small that takes my fancy to make while I wait to go and buy some fabric.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
I went into town with Andy this morning and did look in the charity shops to see if I could find anything suitable but no luck.
Looks like a trip to Ikea will be happening soon.
It was quite pleasant out and about this morning.....nice and sunny and it did feel a little bit warmer than of late.
Nothing exciting bought.....apart from a new casserole pan and a top up on veg and salad for this weeks meals.
I have some chicken breasts marinating in some Cajun spices and will bake those later to serve with salad and roasted Charlottes. The salad will be dressed with a passion fruit balsamic vinegar.
I really must get in a trip to the food shop at Trentham to stock up on my balsamic vinegars as we are nearly out and they do the most amazing range there.
I think I may get some of my sewing project books out now and see if there is anything small that takes my fancy to make while I wait to go and buy some fabric.
Have a lovely day.
Sheila-x-
Sunday, 3 February 2019
Beauty With Teeth!!!
The view from the window this morning is just gorgeous.
It's bright and sunny and there are lots of birds visiting the feeders including Mr Bully Boy.....the jumbo jet sized magpie who scares all the little birds.
Walk out of the door though and that beauty has has the iciest coldest teeth and as I am in and out to the dryer today I doubt I shall get warm until I have finished the laundry.
I was going to go out for a wander with Andy this morning but I am so determined to sew tomorrow that I decided to stay here and work my way through some jobs that would normally be done on a Monday. I have also planned a quick and easy meal just to maximise the free time.
DD is at work today so lunch will be late but shortly the oven will go on and the house will fill with the smell of roasting lamb. I always say that I would prefer to have simpler meals on a Sunday but once the meat starts roasting I am won over.
With Game Of Thrones finished for the time being I had to find something for Andy and I to watch last night and chose his trilogy of Thor films. I really quite enjoyed the two we watched so we'll watch the last one tonight after Dancing on Ice and Call The Midwife.
I am on the hunt for another box set that DD and I can get our teeth into. We like things like Vikings and Rome so if anyone has any recommendations let me know.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Sheila-x-
It's bright and sunny and there are lots of birds visiting the feeders including Mr Bully Boy.....the jumbo jet sized magpie who scares all the little birds.
Walk out of the door though and that beauty has has the iciest coldest teeth and as I am in and out to the dryer today I doubt I shall get warm until I have finished the laundry.
I was going to go out for a wander with Andy this morning but I am so determined to sew tomorrow that I decided to stay here and work my way through some jobs that would normally be done on a Monday. I have also planned a quick and easy meal just to maximise the free time.
DD is at work today so lunch will be late but shortly the oven will go on and the house will fill with the smell of roasting lamb. I always say that I would prefer to have simpler meals on a Sunday but once the meat starts roasting I am won over.
With Game Of Thrones finished for the time being I had to find something for Andy and I to watch last night and chose his trilogy of Thor films. I really quite enjoyed the two we watched so we'll watch the last one tonight after Dancing on Ice and Call The Midwife.
I am on the hunt for another box set that DD and I can get our teeth into. We like things like Vikings and Rome so if anyone has any recommendations let me know.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Sheila-x-
Saturday, 2 February 2019
Saturday!!!
Well you won't need me to tell you that it's cold this morning but we do have some sun and pretty blue sky.
Yesterday was another fun filled day with little Marlowe.
We danced, she flew like The Snowman, we made rice crispy cakes, we watched the very short snow shower and we snuggled.
It was so lovely.
I was out early and home late so today I need to catch up on some jobs around the house and I have a duvet cover that has somehow got a rip in it which needs mending...only small but in a very fiddly place. I need to get my hands warm before I tackle that.
I've started the laundry today so that hopefully Monday will be free of too many household jobs and I can knuckle down and make a start on finishing one of the three quilt tops that are done but need layering and quilting. I really must get back into my sewing before I forget how to do it.
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-
Yesterday was another fun filled day with little Marlowe.
We danced, she flew like The Snowman, we made rice crispy cakes, we watched the very short snow shower and we snuggled.
It was so lovely.
I was out early and home late so today I need to catch up on some jobs around the house and I have a duvet cover that has somehow got a rip in it which needs mending...only small but in a very fiddly place. I need to get my hands warm before I tackle that.
I've started the laundry today so that hopefully Monday will be free of too many household jobs and I can knuckle down and make a start on finishing one of the three quilt tops that are done but need layering and quilting. I really must get back into my sewing before I forget how to do it.
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend whatever you are doing.
Sheila-x-