Just musings

Well I've been asked why I don't post more often. Partly time and inclination, partly because obviously there are subjects, opinions, projects,  about which I will not blog. Also, as I found when I attempted to post for 31 days on one subject the reading matter became boring to write and to read.

Can tell you about our theatre visit on Tuesday, we went to the Rose Theatre in Kingston, kind of package deal where one ate a three course meal from a limited menu in Carluccio's and attended a performance afterwards. Worked well, saw The Vortex, amazed that Noel Coward was aged 23 when this was written for it shows an understanding of human nature, if slightly exaggerated. The Rose Theatre seating is unusual, some seats are double bench style, no armrests, plenty of leg room. 

As I have used a template sometimes, will do so now I think and integrate it with some jottings I made in a shorthand notebook. It may have even been the notebook given as part of a package from a course or a conference. Am thinking it may have been from the Society of Indexers 2001 Sheffield conference.

I am wearing ...   Burgundy cord trousers, burgundy Joules cardigan, cream Thomas Pink shirt, pink Rivulet cowl (knitted by me). One of my notes was about clothes and the cold weather, modern fabrics don't have the weight in them so there is much layering up. I have a warm duvet style coat bought in Italy many years ago, in a warm winter it languishes in the wardrobe, it's windproof so been worn these past few weeks. Am just longing to wear different lighter clothes for a change.

I am reading -  well will be, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mandel, handed out at the reading group meeting last Monday.

I am creating ... the Forest canopy shawl, so pleased I have reached the border.

Next hurdle will be to block this so it will be bigger and show the pattern detail.

I am listening ...  to Ian chatting and laughing on the phone to our son.

I am watching ...  well watched last night a programme about the Sea King helicopter,  another about part time employment an episode of The Planners. Unusual for me to watch so much, perhaps more listening than watching as I was knitting the shawl too.

On the menu ... nothing planned, perhaps will use the new food processor. We went to Lakeland to buy a mincer and came away with a processor, it didn't cost much more and does so much more. We had given our old mincer to daughter-in-law and our processor to daughter. New one is good, chopped onion and mushrooms to make a quiche, one of Delia's recipes from Book 1 of her original 3 volume work.

On the calendar ...  cat sitting for friend this weekend. 

Well, the other jottings will wait for another time, perhaps when that's about all I can write.

Musings

Well, have learnt more about the design of blogs and how to move material around, I suppose that fulfils my aim of acquiring more knowledge and skills.

So, a productive day in that all the ironing is done and all marmalade has been made for this year. The last two batches were slightly different, the third one of about 15 jars I have called L O L - Lime, Orange and Lemon and the fourth and final batch of about 14 jars is Oranges and Lemons as there are more lemons than one would usually use. These last ones need lids on the jars, both sets require labels, the design of which are in the hands of Ian, although we subscribe to the KISS principle in labelling our produce (keep it simple stupid!)

The other day (one of Ian's favourite expressions, always suitably vague as to which day is meant) I praised Freecycle and am reminded when we put waxed circles on top of the marmalade that the circles were another Freecycle gai. Not sure whether it was two or three packs of 200 circles but we have certainly used a number of them, always puzzling why some one would give these useful discs away.

However, we have advertised items for others benefit - including our furniture nearly a year ago, TVs have gone to be viewed elsewhere, many years ago I gave a huge tin of buttons for some one to use for craft work, copies of Vogue went to a fledgling jewellery designer.

Oversleeping means we are eating our breakfast long after the Breakfast TV has finished so I have succumbed to such programmes as Wanted Down Under and the property shows. Not that I have any intention of emigrating or moving house but certain aspects of these shows puzzle me. Firstly, why is the beach such an attraction? I know one can sit on the beach, sunbathe, read, play volleyball or beach cricket but most of these activities can be done elsewhere in considerable more comfort? Why is the beach so important to emigrants when viewing properties down under? Another puzzling aspect, is none of the people in the shows ever carry a bag, or if they do they are never shown with a bag or a jacket. No mobiles. Why? Surely a lady carrying her handbag, maybe a guy with a rucksack looks more natural if they are out for the day, or looking at the work opportunities? If I am out without a bag, say to collect our newspaper it would be because I'm wearing clothes with pockets to take my puffer, handkerchief, the voucher, keys, any way will be out of the house for just a few moments.  

The family would say this is one of my problems, everything has to be realistic. Apparently I am hopeless to take to the films, I say things like "that would never happen", or "that is the wrong train colour for the West Country", "no one wore clothes like that then" etc. Nothing new about this, when I was a child my father bought me one of the early copies of the Enid Blyton magazine. I remember it was a February issue, there was an illustration of a girl wearing a short sleeved jumper, for me that was impossible in the winter. Well in a house where the only heating was the Ideal grey boiler in the kitchen and a coal fire at one end of a long narrow room it was always going to be cold in 1950s winters so the integrity of that magazine was damned!

I said nothing changes, in my 1962 diary for 25th January I noted "Did crossword. Hard." Same today, we couldn't complete the quick crossword in the paper, we have decided we must look at the completed cryptic crossword on the iPad to see the mind set of the compiler.

Now must go and check the bread dough, it is taking a long while to prove so I fear a late night and thus a sleep in and late breakfast again.

Simple woman's daybook written 20th December

FOR TODAY Monday 20th December

Outside my window...cold, grey, icy, messy.

I am thinking... about writing the last few Christmas cards to be hand delivered, already temperatures are dropping so won't be till tomorrow.

I am thankful for...being able to stay indoors, but have missed church, Nine lessons and carols and a party yesterday but just know it would not be wise to venture forth on the ice and in such low temperatures.

From the kitchen...haven't done so much Christmas baking this year. Ian for some reason I cannot fathom doesn't wish me to make mince pies so he has bought them instead. Will make trifle, brandy butter but they are not really baking. Only made cake, and that was Waitrose's Delia Smith with all ingredients ready measured. The banana loaf I made Saturday was a great success, added sultanas to recipe from my mother's All colour Cookbook. Such a classic, with lurid colour illustrations. The index is good, it is by recipe number rather than page number.

I am wearing...old warm grey trousers; blue striped Thomas Pink shirt, navy blue round neck M & S jumper and blue, pink and white socks. One day I may wear socks I have knitted myself, well that's the plan.

I am creating...pink beret with Rowan alpaca yarn left from jumper.

I am going...to be helping with Christmas lunch at our church hall for guests who would otherwise be alone. Either I or daughter will collect and return a client; Ian will drive a lady who will be happier in the Picasso, easier to get in and out rather than in a 14 year old Corsa.

I am reading...nothing at the moment, took two days to read the Saturday papers.

I am hoping...the temperatures will rise suddenly and so all those who wish to travel may.

I am hearing...husband talking to son on phone. Son's business closed early at 3pm, he works in a hilly area, transport is difficult.

Around the house... tree up and decorated; lights on when curtains are open.

One of my favourite things... yesterday evening as Ian out singing at church so it was a Mummy-and-Martha evening. She looked after me very well, we drank tea, she made toast from home made bread which we had with home made jam and watched TV including the tear jerking Noel Edmond's Christmas presents. Not my usual viewing, but loads of feel good factor and do gooding. Could knit at same time too. A good, relaxing evening.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Gas fire to be fitted tomorrow then tidying up and preparing for Christmas. Plans depend on the weather.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

View from back bedroom window, shows the pruning our trees had last week, completed just before the snows came.  Does make the downstairs lighter.

May I mention the Simple woman's daybook blog and offer a link back to the main page of this blog.http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ 

Christmas greetings to all, PixieMum