Saturday: Day 32.

The texts from NHS Coronavirus keep popping into Messages on my phone, today the paper notification came from the surgery, somehow it seemed more real. More information than in the text, solved the problem of whether I should register my current situation as I have great support from Ian, he is isolating but does go into our front garden, forbidden to me according to the letter. I don’t touch the post, Ian carefully opens the letters and parcels, at first I didn’t realise what he was doing, felt miffed he’d opened May Country Living magazine. This morning our milk was delivered at 3am, Ian went downstairs, bought it in, washed all the bottles, the handle of the crate, it takes time and breaks his sleep pattern. The same cleaning with deliveries  from the greengrocer and the cheesemonger today, these are independent businesses in our local High Street, we will support them in person once this pandemic passes.

The post brought some paintings from the grandchildren, the rainbow has been put in the front window, the sheet quotes Charlie’s hand, saying “print me, colour me and pop me in your window to bring some happiness and rainbow love to the world”. #windows of happiness.

Although not as the printed outline of the cross suggests I think the circles of paint are rather artistic, reminds me of stained glass. The children were painting outside, the unpainted sheet in the foreground shows the outline for the cross.

Work continues on the crochet blanket, today I’ve ordered more 🧶, I think using trellis stitch rather than neat wave stitch has demanded more yarn, also I suspect my tension is a little loose so it is long and a bit narrow, more a blanket for a bed rather than for a sofa. Perhaps I shouldn’t crochet while playing scrabble, no wonder I lost, even by a small amount.

Wishing all the joy and peace this Easter, we will be gathering round an iPad for the live FB streaming of our church service Ss Philip & St James Whitton. As no one will be in the church building tomorrow Mrs Vicarage posted pictures of previous flora arrangements.

Healthy new year to all

Just a quick catch up because as usual I have delayed reading book group tome and I need to hurrying through it for Monday 9th meeting. Book is For whom the bell tolls so far as reading it to see if the pace speeds up and if my interest grows. Will need to curb hexipuff addiction until book is read.

It was a good Christmas, best thing about it was that we avoided all the bugs and germs, but other highlights include being with wider family on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Traditional pursuits included a Scrabble game with 4 of us on Boxing Day when the final score ranged between 119 and 112. It was a good natured game, with guidance given at the end on how I could have come second.

Yes, we went for it! We invited people in for tea and cakes on New Year's Day and some came. Others had good reason why not, after all we started the invites just a day before - very last minute. I think it was a success!  The noise levels of talk and laughter were loud at times - that was good and okay as neighbour was present.

Ian waiting for guests to arrive. At least we were ready, and so was the food.

Not that much consumed, so we are eating it up, especially attracted by the addictive cheese biscuits made by Martha. Ian's renowned chocolate brownies were enjoyed.

Since Christmas we have been SORTING OUT. To me it should be in capitals. Progress has been made. Ian is now aware he has other jumpers than the red one he's wearing in the picture. We have sorted his shirts and jumpers, a charity shop today has the benefit. I have a dilemma, I have loads of clothes, some I have had a long time, some I am bored with, but I feel guilty at passing on good things when there is no reason why I should not wear said garments even though I no longer like them, they are out of fashion, are tight round the middle etc. I think it is upbringing, can hear my mother in the background still. Does one's upbringing ever stop influencing behaviour? I think flat sharing, learning new ideas and ways, having children and the social contact they bring, contact with colleagues all affect one's way of handling situations but upbringing for me is still the strongest.

Paper work is the next big thing. There is an ominous pile, one item has gone back to be filed, the local rag for last April. Ian wanted to know why it was kept; showed him page 4 where there is photo of Martha with her London Marathon medal.

One item of lovely post, a new photo of Kristine whom I sponsor through Village Africa and a report where I learn that she was doing well in her subject [but] she prefer sports.

If anyone wants to support a child, and help the village, may I refer them to http://villageafrica.org/ . They are on Facebook.

Well, need to get on with domestic stuff, to release Ian for study. Also, the plumber is returning today, our bath/shower water still will not drain away, gurgle noises are heard, other times the water drains so so slowly.

More thoughts another time

Wet Saturday

Such a different Saturday as son and his fiancée are here for the weekend. Their visit involves retrieving our futon from his store so we have enough beds when they visit rather than using a camp bed. Then of course the fixings have been mislayed so phone calls made to Futon company. Thank goodness sainted Ian keeps every piece of paper from our purchases.

Have been baking a pineapple fruit cake for son and fiancée, the recipe for this is a Bailey family one, although not sure whether recipe came down from cousin's side of family or our side. Anyway, it's easy, melting method and long slow cook in the top oven whilst organic beef, red cabbage and carrots are cooking in larger oven.

We are very fortunate to have a local food hero 2009 in our suburban high street so we try to support him and his friendly and helpful staff. Not only meat, but deli items, preserves and vegetables are sold some of which come from his small holding in Chobham. Cannot understand why anyone would buy meat and these other items from the chain store across the road. The only item we cannot buy in Ellis' Fine Foods is skimmed milk so we go to Waitrose, M & S or Sainsbugs for this. Shopping locally in small businesses is so pleasant, one meets other members of the community too.

Ellis Fine Foods

Selling: Bread / Bakery, Cheese / Dairy, Drinks, Home-Cooked Dishes, Meats, Poultry, Preserves, Fruit & Veg
A Twickenham based family run business that has been offering customers its traditional butchery skills, knowledge and produce for over 18 years. Originally established as butcher’s shop, Ellis Fine Foods is now also a farm shop selling a wide variety of produce, including home grown runner beans, potatoes, onions, carrots, parsnip and other fruit and vegetables sourced from local and regional producers. There is also an assortment of dairy products, preserves, breads and drinks on offer. At the butcher’s counter customers will find organic meats, free range chicken, lamb, game, barbeque products, cooked meats, pies and much more! The owners and staff are extremely knowledgeable and are always willing to give advice on what to buy and how to cook it.
Address:
99 High Street
Whitton, Middx.

Back here after supper, beef was delicious, and son, his fiancée and sainted OH and I played scrabble. Son won. He is very competitive and plays tactically which we should expect from a chess player.