Good smells in the kitchen

Firstly thank you for the private messages regarding my last post, its appears I'm not the only one to feel the way I do and it also appears its a "woman thing" to feel guilty about not doing something.  So there you have it we are hard wired to beat ourselves up!!

On Tuesday I completed the baking of the Christmas cake, goodness the smell as it was baking.  Peter and I were sat in the garden, its been so beautiful this week, warm and sunny, and the smell coming from the open window was amazing.  Too bad we couldn't have a slice.  This will now sit in the cupboard all wrapped cosy, with the occasional "feed of brandy" until its time to give it a coat of marzipan and the final decoration with the help of Jess.

Talking of good smells, I also made a large carrot cake yesterday, alas not for us.  It will go to a charity bake sale that our daughter is having at work today.

I knitted this for the Chateau.  Each guest room will get a turn down service and a snuggly bottle to make their bed extra cosy.  It was fun and quick project to do.  I managed to get two bottles out of a 100 gram ball and Rebecca sourced these labels to sew on.  I think its a nice touch. Lets hope the guests will too

With the weather turning a touch cooler, especially in the evenings I thought I'd better get on and finish the ten stitch for Gus.  I'm thinking one more round after the one I'm working on.  It will fit his new bed nicely.

Plans for today.  The weather isn't going to be quite so sunny but we are heading into Cambridge to take a look around the Botanic Gardens.  Should be plenty of autumn colours on show. I'll be sure to take photos.

Autumn days .......

There is something I love about the light at this time of year. Restful and mellow. Those smells too, rich notes of decaying apples, wood smoke, leaves. Walking out yesterday afternoon, we ended up going further than planned, at times lost in thought about many things. Some of which are out of our control. A time for reflection and thoughts of the future, we didn't talk much just happy in each others company.

Retirement is a funny thing. Not what either of us expected really. It’s nearly the end of our first year and it’s been a busy one up till now. The first six months was spent living on a building site whilst the house was renovated, escaping every day to be out of the mess. Decisions to be made, planning to do. Busy busy. Then the day came when finally it was just us - we worked on the garden, then hid from the relentless sun,glad of nothing much to do in the heat. Then suddenly it’s “what do you want to do today”. To be honest most of the time I don’t know. I can remember sitting at work longing for a day to call my own. Now it feels somehow wrong to do nothing. When I say nothing I don’t mean an empty day, I can fill a day no problem. It’s just that sitting with my knitting or a book just doesn’t feel right, I should be doing something. I guess I find it hard to relax and get the fidgets. Don’t get me wrong, there are still plenty of jobs to do around here, it’s just being bothered to start on them.

If you are retired how long did it take to get used to it?  I don’t want to get into a routine, you know, it’s Monday, it’s market day. I guess we are lucky that we get to go to France every month where we are kept really busy and I suppose that in some way highlights the lack of stuff to do here. You’d think we'd be glad of a rest. I like to feel I’m being useful to someone. What do you do to fill your days without driving miles or spending unnecessary amounts of money. It’s amazing how those coffee and cake treats soon add up - please don’t suggest sandwiches and a flask - not to mention the effect on the waistline, hence the walking!  We belong to the RHS and National Trust - how retired of us!! Again don’t want to get into the habit of visiting garden centres etc where you just see more retired people wandering around. We'd like to travel a bit but hate hotels - though no burning desire for far flung places, don't like flying much either. Our cat is old and we are conscience of the effect our being away has on her.

The grandchildren are a welcome distraction and we do enjoy our time with them, but they are growing fast, school now and the baby is no longer a baby - now in a big boy bed - we've put away the cot for the last time, that in itself feels odd.  The end of an era..

So retirement tips would be welcome and maybe someone to give me a good shake

I’ll leave you with some cute photos of local alpacas from our walk yesterday

I call this "walking into the future"

Back home and its October!

Honestly where does the time go?  No sooner was it September and now October.  Seriously, life really does go quicker the older you get.

We are back from a recent visit to the family in France.  As usual it was a busy 11 days, the weather was glorious apart from one day, so no complaints there.  We achieved lots outside, but then there is a lot of outside to deal with. Went brocanting in the rain.  A Garden show in Le Mans.  The boys and men went truck racing at the race track.

I finished the socks

Helped wallpaper in the Garden Room

 Collected walnuts

Monty learned to swim

Our lovely boys

A selection of Rebecca's dahlias

Cast on another pair of socks

I've cleaned up a brass fender and 2 sets of old taps - I should have taken photos, cooked, cleaned and generally been kept busy.  Most importantly enjoyed being able to help.

We got back on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday was my monthly flower club.  I'm really happy with my arrangement

and with the leftover chrysanthemums I created this arrangement when I got home, with foliage from the garden

Sock progress

Jess and I made a start on this years Christmas cake on Saturday, she loves to bake, we made biscuits too

This weeks Farmers market haul

Little Gus who would eat cereal all day if you let him!

and last but not least Jess asked if Baby Darling could have a new outfit, so she chose her yarn and pattern and I've spent the day knitting

Tomorrow is the dentist and then a relatively quiet week, though I'm sure we will find something to make the week whizz by...... gardening, walking, ironing, shopping, knitting, see lots to do

Socks

Socks, I’m making socks. Tiny circulars seem to be working for me and first one is completed, with a wobbly Kitchener stitch finish but I’m sure I’ll perfect it. I’ve even got the second one on the needles so no fear of one sock syndrome this time

A moment in time

 This afternoon we spent a couple of windy hours at the beach. The perfect antidote after a visit to my mum in her care home. Life is short don’t waste a moment.

That’s all - enjoy life while you are able

Rouen

Rouen the capital of Normandy - a place we drive around on our way south to the Chateau - just had to get a plug in here.  We promised ourselves that one day we would stop and visit, so after dropping off the boys at the end of our beach week, two nights in its medieval heart seemed just about perfect.

We based ourselves right between the cathedral and one of the many churches so everything was within easy walking distance. Though if you aren't into walking there is a tourist train that will get you round the medieval city.  We loved all the architecture, stained glass, WW2 bullet holes, it has something for everyone. There was an amazing illuminations on the Cathedral which we watched on Saturday evening - the link takes you a some photos - seems to be a popular event in some of the big cities in France

We stumbled over a huge vide grenier/flea market/brocante which stretched over about 5 streets and along the river bank (appears to be a monthly event) and also an amazing Sunday market - hadn't got my phone as it was on charge back in the hotel - so no photographic evidence. Unfortunately, the weather was dull so the colours of the houses don't show up as well as they would on a sunny day.

So there you have it a selection of views around Rouen, we never did get to walk along the river as the markets somewhat hijacked that trip.  So maybe we will just have to visit again sometime