Steamy Sunday

 

A shorter walk today (4.8 miles) as I was time limited due to making our Christmas puddings.  I oven steam which is easier than doing on the hob, but you still need to keep an eye on in the water levels. I use a fairly deep pan so can get around three hours before needing to top up with boiling water.  It’s surprising how quickly the time goes when you are up against the clock.  It was a quick sprint for the last half mile but luckily it hadn’t boiled dry.  Eight hours steaming and they are out of the oven and cooling.  In the morning I will change the baking paper and foil and tuck them away until needed. One for this year, one for next.  Same recipe since 2002. Tried and tested

Let them eat cake

We started the day with seven bags of horse manure!  Just on our way out of the village when we spied it.  Quick turn round, collected and off to the allotment. We couldn’t leave it in the car so just dumped it out of the bags in a heap. Luckily we managed to stay clean and also had hand wipes in the car.  

We met Rachel and the children at the Farmers Market and firstly went for coffee. The children chose to go to Oanas for Chimney Cakes. I will say that when you see the photos these weren’t all eaten and a fair bit got taken home for later by them. 

There was a cinnamon one with a variety of dips, a coconut one (Jess) and a sprinkles one (Gus) and yes Gus is wearing a Christmas sweater!

We got a good haul from the Farmers Market, lots of vegetables, three bunches of chrysanthemum and four bottles of apple juice. A quick whizz around Waitrose then home.

This afternoon, a walk around the Meadows, along the river and into Houghton.  Tea and cake at the Houghton Tearoom, very civilised. Not that we needed more sweet stuff but they do a very good Bakewell tart. 

You can really see that autumn is setting in, the hedgerows are starting to turn. The geese were congregating in the meadow, woodsmoke in the air, a slight chill when the sun hides definitely big cardigan weather

I need to go and get my washing in.  Peter has prepared a chicken traybake for dinner and there’s an Aperol spritz with my name on it.  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend 

Getting things done

As predicted we woke to very soggy gardens today so a trip to the allotment was off.

I decided that I would paint the ceiling in our porch so that Peter could then put up the new light fittings.  I now remember why we paid someone to decorate the whole house once we finished renovating. I hate painting, even just a small space. I find that looking up, working with my arms above my head and concentrating for any length of time makes me feel sick. Add to that the smell of paint and it’s miserable! It’s done though and looks lighter and brighter.

Peter has been putting shelves up in the garage so we will have a final sort out and hopefully be neat and tidy and be able to locate everything without pulling out piles of stuff.

Next job on the list is to sort the rails in the built in cupboards. Lots of wasted space which we want to utilise. Always something to do.

This afternoon we ventured out into St Ives for some exercise and fresh air and managed to avoid any rain from the threatening clouds.  Fortunately it was so windy that the clouds blew over quickly. The autumn weather is certainly settling in. 

Time to go and sort dinner, I have chicken breast out so just need to decide what to do with it, maybe a curry? Indian or Thai?

November 30th

And here we are at the end of yet another month. Another month of restrictions, doubts, fears and life I’m sad to say, we are slowly growing to accept. One where we check our pockets and bags for masks and sanitiser before leaving home. Where you make a wide berth on the footpath rather than brush passed someone. Also where you no longer worry if the house is a bit messy cos hey no ones coming round!!

Today we walked into St Ives for the market. I wanted some plants and that was really about it. We didn’t check the forecast before leaving figuring we were just in for another dreary day. Wrong! I’d just picked up the plants when it started to rain. Neither of us had a hat or umbrella so it was a soggy walk home. 

I got the sweater for Rufus finished, not a great photo as the light was so bad. I sent a photo to him he was very happy. I’m now working on a scarf for Laurie. Children are funny with their requests, I felt sure Laurie would want a sweater too but no just a scarf. 

Yesterday we took a FaceTime call from Gus who asked if I would listen to him read - he started school in September so I wasn’t expecting too much, but got a real shock when he sat and sounded out, then read each sentence of his reader. To say I was impressed would be an understatement, long may his enthusiasm last. Jess also read her book too me and again the change in pace and fluidity was remarkable. We are so happy that all the grandchildren have a love of books and the elder three a passion for maths (not sure where that comes from).  I know both sets of parents struggled with the home schooling but to be honest it doesn’t seem to have caused too much harm. I also think that they gained in some respect by learning practical skills and spending more one on one time with both parent rather than predominantly their mothers. 

It looks to be a reasonable day tomorrow so we shall be heading off out. Then I planned on making some mince pies and a panforte as the cake tin is empty again!

Goodness 2 in a week

Just when you thought I'd disappeared I give you 2 posts in a week!  I have also updated the pages which you can find along the top bar.

The slipover for Gus is now completed.  I love it.  I used Berroco Comfort and there is more than enough to make a top for Jess.  I have cast on Mud Puddles , and plan to add a couple of bands of the same pattern long the lower part, so they are sort of matching

 Jess here modelling a hat I made a while back, also one of her many cardigans.  I love her curls

and of course Gus in his bobble hat

Oliver Cromwell was sporting a "hat" in St Ives on Monday, I guess he wouldn't have been too pleased

Spending time with all the grandchildren on Saturday, so hopefully I can snap a few more hand knits in action.

December sunset

We have had a lovely, though chilly walk into St Ives today. A spot of lunch and a pint or two. A quick hello and happy New Year to the Dolphin knitters; then home in time to catch this beautiful sunset.

The photos are in reverse order, as the sunset was the most important.

Hoping for a trip to the coast if the weather holds out, so I will make sure I take my camera.