I had to read A trip to the market this morning has provided quetsches (a sort of plum). A tart is in the oven. Main course will be meagre (a fish similar to seabass). twice, @la vie en rouge as my first thought was "well, you wouldn't want a large main course if there is Plum Tart for afters!
We have been getting our organisation in place for the new school year. This morning we went to a thing the Town Hall puts on where you can meet all the local sports clubs. We've signed Captain Pyjamas up for swimming on a Saturday afternoon. He's been saying for a while that he wants to do dance, so he's going to do a trial ballet lesson on Monday at the same cultural centre where he already does theatre. (Why yes, boys can do ballet. If he likes it, it could also be excellent for his dyspraxia, because it involves a lot of working on your balance.)
After that we got lunch in a Lebanese restaurant. We got mezze to share, then I had quails. They were tasty. Husband en rouge was originally going to make something involving macaroni for dinner, but given the hefty Lebanese meal, I think it's now going to be FOUP.
On the name of that fish - in French it is called maigre, which literally means "thin". Thus, rather delightfully, you can ask your fishmonger for un gros maigre (a fat (or big) thin).
Dancing is a Good Thing - I never did ballet, but I used to be able to shake a mean shoe IYSWIM - so I hope Captain P enjoys it!
A fine day in Arkland the Autumnal, with warm Sun-Shine, but I'm beginning to notice how much chillier the evenings and nights are becoming. No need to wake the Dragon from his estivation yet, but it's time to investigate the Chimney, and to sweep it if necessary. I have one of those special Chimney-Cleaning Logs to use, which may well suffice, but Neighbour S is on hand with his trusty set of Brushes.
A light lunch of Sweet n'Sour CHICKEN (to be eaten by today) may be followed later by the second FISH CAKE from yesterday, and the rest of the MUSHY PEAS.
I am a very pissed-off piglet. The fragility with which I was afflicted last night turns out not to be due to Bacchanalian excess, but to a Nasty Cold. It's the sort that sneaks up on you: you sneeze a couple of times and suddenly you've Got A Cold.
I woke up feeling absolutely rubbish, and decided that going to the Scottish Voices rehearsal day would be very unwise, not least because I didn't want to share my germs and misery with everyone. Talk about bad timing ...
So it's been a downie day, and I didn't even eat anything until about four in the afternoon.
Sympathy and virtual hot toddies will be gratefully received.
Hurrah, the pack of fondue fuel arrived. As did an order of yarn that's been coming from Ontario since 22nd August.
Miffed to find, due to some upstream logistical disaster, no Guardian available.
Went into the garden to see if I could harvest the Hawthornden, to find it being strangled by invasive bindweed from neighbouring garden. I don't understand: they've been there at least 3 years, their wean must be a toddler, why no effort to make a safe play area or hot weather amenity? I'm sure there's many cooped up on stairs this past summer would die for a green space.
Thankfully the lorries, diggers, drills and steamrollers have moved further up the road and almost out of earshot.
Hope you feel much better tomorrow @piglet.
We went to our nearest National Trust property that is having a community weekend so not only is it free there were lots of stalls from community groups and local craft people. It was a really nice couple of hours, specially as we accidentally found the only cafe on site that wasn't heaving. A lazy afternoon including nappage followed as I'd had a crap night and am still suffering from a dodgy hip and a general feeling of malaise. I have an appointment with a physio at my doctor's on Monday so hopefully that might help or at least get me in the system for further investigation.
Tomorrow neighbour and I are off to wool festival at our local show ground then in the afternoon I'm off to the induction of the new parish priest for our town.
Tea was pasta and pesto featuring home grown basil, garlic and green beans.
@Sarasa I’m very impressed at your determination. Despite a rotten night’s sleep and hip pain, you not only get out to your NT property, but you have another couple of engagements tomorrow.
An example to us all!
Mr Heavenly and I went down with presumed food poisoning on Tuesday and it has taken all week to recover. Today is the first day I have felt fairly well. Mr Heavenly now has a sore throat, and I am developing the same.
A lazy day recovering, though I have also done some studying (exploring Roman dress to understand how a variety of ancient sources might present evidence and their reliability). I was pleased to see a key source was a Roman sarcophagus, as this is my main area of interest in my studies.
Mr Heavenly made tea, with was herby pork escalopes with a roasted carrot, chick pea and paneer salad with citrus dressing. I didn’t manage to eat my meat though.
So sorry you feel rubbish @Piglet - but posting about your cold has prompted me to book my flu jab (for the start of October) so at least it's having a good influence!
@Heavenlyannie poor you and Mr Heavenly - food poisoning is so miserable. Your studying sounds very interesting, I only know a little about Roman dress from the Horrible Histories books.
So sorry to hear of those feeling poorly; have an early night and I hope you all feel better tomorrow.
Having been awakened early by an unexplained Smell of Smoke (commented on by the estate's WhatsApp group as the day wore on), coupled with my adventure to Fairly Nearby Town, I'm feeling Pretty Exhausted. Mr Nen has had a Grand Day Out and is similarly exhausted... I asked him whether my watch has stopped as it said 8.15 and he said it definitely had, the real time is midnight.
Accordingly I shall be heading to bed forthwith. We are out all day tomorrow so it'll be another tiring one.
@Heavenlyannie - sorry to hear about your food poisoning - sounds horrid! Hope you and Mr H don't get the cold too badly on top of that!
@Pomona - I got an email from the health centre inviting me for a flu jag; I thought at 64 I wasn't old enough. Maybe because I'll be 65 before the end of the winter? I'm not complaining: I shall pootle along on the appointed day.
After all the choral society shenanigans this week our Librarian has resigned from Committee but plans to continue to do the job for the rest of this year, and the Chair has apologised, so for now we take a deep breath…..
On Friday it was a pleasure to discuss in French group how we would spend our millions for the benefit of our town if we won the lottery.
Yesterday a friend and I visited a small museum then walked in the nearby country park. It was a perfect summer’s day.
At the museum the tea came in a pot with a jug of milk and a proper cup and saucer, waitress served. In the park, tea came as a tea bag in a cardboard cup with hot water, DIY the rest using a wooden stirrer. Both cost £2.50. No prizes for guessing which I preferred.
Church this morning, with me on tenterhooks lest I needed to rush off at the end to collect daughter from the station after their long flight back from Australia. I didn’t as her son was free. No other plans for today.
The visiting priest was a pain. She kept questioning everything, wanting to “ fit in with our ways.” She waited for someone to read the Gospel, which the priest normally does, so after more questioning the reader of the Epistle stepped up. She was a drama teacher so did a good job.
Better a priest who wants to “fit in” than an overbearing bully with a “ my way or the highway” POV (note: brung up RC so single male clergy with “man set apart” mentality. Count yourself lucky even if said priest is liturgically clueless; there is always room for improvement!
I just felt the frequent questioning interrupted the flow of the service, at best.
I’d rather she did her thing and we did ours ie sit/ stand/ join in as we are used to doing. She doesn’t need to ask us if we usually sit at this point, or instruct us how to exchange the peace. And as for asking at least five times if she could be heard……
In the usual way of things, doesn't the priest always read the Gospel?
A lie-in with extra snoozage has been accomplished, and I mustered up enough energy to get up, have a shower and amble along to the purveyor of BACON ROLLS.
I shall probably continue with topping up the zzz quota as the day goes on, and I suppose I ought to put a laundry load in.
Got up slowly and we too didn’t have time to do a wash and peg it out before church (this seems to be a recurring theme).
Church was followed by the monthly bring’n’share lunch, which used to be every week but since our church moved few of our newcomers have “got the drift” of bringing some sandwiches or a cake. How do you break this kind of thing to people?
It sounds like the priest was a bit nervous @puzzler. If she is there for a while maybe a chat about the way things are usually done might help.
Neighbour and I had a very nice time a a wool and knitting show this morning. I now have a pattern and the wool and other bits to make me a pair of winter slippers and I've just started knitting a cardigan for a friend's expected grandchild. Now off to the induction of the new parish priest at our town's parish church.
As an occasional "visiting minister" I get quite nervous when taking a service in an unfamiliar church. A good briefing from the Churchwarden or Church Secretary, preferably in advance by email, is really helpful.
Yes, normally the priest reads the Gospel and we have no deacon. This priest has been before, but no doubt goes to several churches. She used to be Area Dean before she retired but she seems to have lost her confidence. Fortunately we are a fairly relaxed congregation.
We don't have a deacon either, so the priest reads the Gospel.
I now seem to be at the "sweating it out" stage of the cold: I went over the road and got scampi and chips for supper (they tend to come in rather smaller quantities than f&c), but now I'm Uncomfortably Warm (in fairness, it was 20° earlier, so it's not just me). Large quantities of water are being consumed, which I'm sure will do me good, and I'll probably take a Lem-sip before bed.
The laundry didn't get done, but it can wait until tomorrow.
I did think of everyone this morning as we cheerfully sang the hymn of our current thread title.
I tend to do the briefing on the day with visiting clergy with the church warden having emailed them with orders of service beforehand, along with my email if they want to know hymns or more detail beforehand. I'm an organist with a reasonable clue about liturgy and what we usually do.
I do usually say something along the lines of "This is what I've observed is usually done, but we're fine with you just getting on with what you do."
Got up slowly and we too didn’t have time to do a wash and peg it out before church (this seems to be a recurring theme).
I have taken to doing a wash in the evening, then leaving the damp items folded and ready for hanging out before breakfast.
I took a risk on Friday and hung out a duvet cover overnight as the forecast was dry.
Got away with it - it had not been bombed by the seagulls
Thanks Pomona - it hasn't really. I got up and went in to work, but was still feeling a bit rubbish (coughing, snuffling and blowing hot and cold), so I cleared the work that had been left over the weekend (mercifully not very much). Then buggered off home via Tessie's where I picked up some butteries for breakfast*, a ready-made curry for supper and some grapes, because Not Well.
Did I remember to get some more honey? Of course I bloody didn't ...
* I'd completely run out of breakfast comestibles due to not feeling up to shopping at the weekend.
Going home sounds sensible @piglet, though I hope the cold buggers off soon.
Duvet-bombing seagulls sounds a pain @Roseofsharon. There are advantages to living a long way from the sea, though we do see the occasional gull here.
The induction service for the new parish priest was lovely, though being told two minutes before the service started I was expected to welcome him on behalf of the town was a bit of a surprise. The gospel reading was the Good Shepherd from John 10. My Quaker husband has the impression after that and the sermon that the Church of England is obsessed by sheep.
Today I have an appointment with a physio about my dodgy hip. I also have a speech to write for Sunday. I promised long-suffering husband I'd have a first draft for him to listen to by the time he gets back from the gym so I'd better crack on.
So sorry you're still feeling poorly @Piglet and hope you benefit from Restage today.
Sounds busy @Sarasa , I feel tired just hearing about all you're doing at the moment.
We were out all day yesterday seeing friends in Place Where We Used To Live. I went to the service at our old church, where a change of leadership is planned and much conversation and thought and prayer is going into that. Then we had lunch with a group of friends we see every few weeks and discussed a chapter of a book we're reading together . Got back here around 6.30pm, totally exhausted as I'd hardly slept on Saturday night. Last night was better but I'm still feeling a bit spaced-out and bleary-eyed.
Overcast here this morning with the briefest of mizzly rain earlier.
Rather cloudy in Arkland the Dull, and humid with it . Rain is forecast for tomorrow morning, and will no doubt begin to fall just as I set out for my weekly Pilates session...
Tess Coe has been visited, and Essentials laid in for the next few days. I find that I can now cope with only a single Expotition per diem, be it to Tess Coe, the village Co-Op/Farmer Sea (almost next door to each other), the Arkland Orfis, or Pilates. Any one of these wipes me out for the rest of the day, so feak and weeble have I become.
O well. At least I'm still warm, breathing, and above ground. The time is coming when I may have to think about having Groceries delivered, but there are logistical problems, as in high tides, security gate closure, and not much storage space on the Ark.
Where has today gone? I had planned to put in a little bit of work in preparation for the first rehearsal of my ( auditioned) choir but this morning was spent catching up with my daughter, seeing her photos of Australia and this afternoon a friend came to pick some pears off my tree but inevitably we had a lot of local choral society matters to discuss. She has resigned from the committee but is continuing as Librarian without the interference from the Chair. @Sarasa she was at the installation service yesterday and said you were lovely, very welcoming. Well done!
I'm getting my flu jab next week. I'm just 62, but I became eligible when Dad was terminally ill, and I seem to have remained eligible because I am the daughter of a nonagenarian. I'm not a carer, but I'm a potential carer.
@Puzzler I know where today went. It was/is Monday and we look after our youngest grandson while both Mums go to work. We retired folk rise at 6:15, get to their place by 7:30 and we are usually relieved at about 17:15. He has a couple of sleeps most days but he is a happy chap. Still feels like a days work, but we are appreciated.
Comments
After that we got lunch in a Lebanese restaurant. We got mezze to share, then I had quails. They were tasty. Husband en rouge was originally going to make something involving macaroni for dinner, but given the hefty Lebanese meal, I think it's now going to be FOUP.
On the name of that fish - in French it is called maigre, which literally means "thin". Thus, rather delightfully, you can ask your fishmonger for un gros maigre (a fat (or big) thin).
A fine day in Arkland the Autumnal, with warm Sun-Shine, but I'm beginning to notice how much chillier the evenings and nights are becoming. No need to wake the Dragon from his estivation yet, but it's time to investigate the Chimney, and to sweep it if necessary. I have one of those special Chimney-Cleaning Logs to use, which may well suffice, but Neighbour S is on hand with his trusty set of Brushes.
A light lunch of Sweet n'Sour CHICKEN (to be eaten by today) may be followed later by the second FISH CAKE from yesterday, and the rest of the MUSHY PEAS.
I woke up feeling absolutely rubbish, and decided that going to the Scottish Voices rehearsal day would be very unwise, not least because I didn't want to share my germs and misery with everyone. Talk about bad timing ...
So it's been a downie day, and I didn't even eat anything until about four in the afternoon.
Sympathy and virtual hot toddies will be gratefully received.
<sniff sniff cough cough>
Best keep away from church tomorrow, too.
Miffed to find, due to some upstream logistical disaster, no Guardian available.
Went into the garden to see if I could harvest the Hawthornden, to find it being strangled by invasive bindweed from neighbouring garden. I don't understand: they've been there at least 3 years, their wean must be a toddler, why no effort to make a safe play area or hot weather amenity? I'm sure there's many cooped up on stairs this past summer would die for a green space.
Thankfully the lorries, diggers, drills and steamrollers have moved further up the road and almost out of earshot.
If it's any comfort, it's fairly fast-moving. I've reached the howking phlegm stage, no snivelling or coughing to speak of.
At least, if it doesn't actually cure the Cold, it gives you other things to think about...
I hope Firenze's prognosis is right: I don't feel as rough as I did this morning.
I would normally agree with Sioni about curry for a cold (with beer rather than cider), but I'm not sure I've got the ingredients or the energy ...
We went to our nearest National Trust property that is having a community weekend so not only is it free there were lots of stalls from community groups and local craft people. It was a really nice couple of hours, specially as we accidentally found the only cafe on site that wasn't heaving. A lazy afternoon including nappage followed as I'd had a crap night and am still suffering from a dodgy hip and a general feeling of malaise. I have an appointment with a physio at my doctor's on Monday so hopefully that might help or at least get me in the system for further investigation.
Tomorrow neighbour and I are off to wool festival at our local show ground then in the afternoon I'm off to the induction of the new parish priest for our town.
Tea was pasta and pesto featuring home grown basil, garlic and green beans.
An example to us all!
Mr Heavenly and I went down with presumed food poisoning on Tuesday and it has taken all week to recover. Today is the first day I have felt fairly well. Mr Heavenly now has a sore throat, and I am developing the same.
A lazy day recovering, though I have also done some studying (exploring Roman dress to understand how a variety of ancient sources might present evidence and their reliability). I was pleased to see a key source was a Roman sarcophagus, as this is my main area of interest in my studies.
Mr Heavenly made tea, with was herby pork escalopes with a roasted carrot, chick pea and paneer salad with citrus dressing. I didn’t manage to eat my meat though.
@Heavenlyannie poor you and Mr Heavenly - food poisoning is so miserable. Your studying sounds very interesting, I only know a little about Roman dress from the Horrible Histories books.
Having been awakened early by an unexplained Smell of Smoke (commented on by the estate's WhatsApp group as the day wore on), coupled with my adventure to Fairly Nearby Town, I'm feeling Pretty Exhausted. Mr Nen has had a Grand Day Out and is similarly exhausted... I asked him whether my watch has stopped as it said 8.15 and he said it definitely had, the real time is midnight.
Accordingly I shall be heading to bed forthwith. We are out all day tomorrow so it'll be another tiring one.
Good fondue though - a classic Neuchàtel.
@Pomona - I got an email from the health centre inviting me for a flu jag; I thought at 64 I wasn't old enough. Maybe because I'll be 65 before the end of the winter? I'm not complaining: I shall pootle along on the appointed day.
I posted on the group chat, and someone's offered to read for me.
On Friday it was a pleasure to discuss in French group how we would spend our millions for the benefit of our town if we won the lottery.
Yesterday a friend and I visited a small museum then walked in the nearby country park. It was a perfect summer’s day.
At the museum the tea came in a pot with a jug of milk and a proper cup and saucer, waitress served. In the park, tea came as a tea bag in a cardboard cup with hot water, DIY the rest using a wooden stirrer. Both cost £2.50. No prizes for guessing which I preferred.
Church this morning, with me on tenterhooks lest I needed to rush off at the end to collect daughter from the station after their long flight back from Australia. I didn’t as her son was free. No other plans for today.
The visiting priest was a pain. She kept questioning everything, wanting to “ fit in with our ways.” She waited for someone to read the Gospel, which the priest normally does, so after more questioning the reader of the Epistle stepped up. She was a drama teacher so did a good job.
I’d rather she did her thing and we did ours ie sit/ stand/ join in as we are used to doing. She doesn’t need to ask us if we usually sit at this point, or instruct us how to exchange the peace. And as for asking at least five times if she could be heard……
A lie-in with extra snoozage has been accomplished, and I mustered up enough energy to get up, have a shower and amble along to the purveyor of BACON ROLLS.
I shall probably continue with topping up the zzz quota as the day goes on, and I suppose I ought to put a laundry load in.
Church was followed by the monthly bring’n’share lunch, which used to be every week but since our church moved few of our newcomers have “got the drift” of bringing some sandwiches or a cake. How do you break this kind of thing to people?
Neighbour and I had a very nice time a a wool and knitting show this morning. I now have a pattern and the wool and other bits to make me a pair of winter slippers and I've just started knitting a cardigan for a friend's expected grandchild. Now off to the induction of the new parish priest at our town's parish church.
@sionisais I think that this is the kind of thing that needs a proper announcement + reminders in the weekly bulletin.
I now seem to be at the "sweating it out" stage of the cold: I went over the road and got scampi and chips for supper (they tend to come in rather smaller quantities than f&c), but now I'm Uncomfortably Warm (in fairness, it was 20° earlier, so it's not just me). Large quantities of water are being consumed, which I'm sure will do me good, and I'll probably take a Lem-sip before bed.
The laundry didn't get done, but it can wait until tomorrow.
I tend to do the briefing on the day with visiting clergy with the church warden having emailed them with orders of service beforehand, along with my email if they want to know hymns or more detail beforehand. I'm an organist with a reasonable clue about liturgy and what we usually do.
I do usually say something along the lines of "This is what I've observed is usually done, but we're fine with you just getting on with what you do."
I took a risk on Friday and hung out a duvet cover overnight as the forecast was dry.
Got away with it - it had not been bombed by the seagulls
Thanks Pomona - it hasn't really. I got up and went in to work, but was still feeling a bit rubbish (coughing, snuffling and blowing hot and cold), so I cleared the work that had been left over the weekend (mercifully not very much). Then buggered off home via Tessie's where I picked up some butteries for breakfast*, a ready-made curry for supper and some grapes, because Not Well.
Did I remember to get some more honey? Of course I bloody didn't ...
* I'd completely run out of breakfast comestibles due to not feeling up to shopping at the weekend.
Duvet-bombing seagulls sounds a pain @Roseofsharon. There are advantages to living a long way from the sea, though we do see the occasional gull here.
The induction service for the new parish priest was lovely, though being told two minutes before the service started I was expected to welcome him on behalf of the town was a bit of a surprise. The gospel reading was the Good Shepherd from John 10. My Quaker husband has the impression after that and the sermon that the Church of England is obsessed by sheep.
Today I have an appointment with a physio about my dodgy hip. I also have a speech to write for Sunday. I promised long-suffering husband I'd have a first draft for him to listen to by the time he gets back from the gym so I'd better crack on.
Hoping/wishing/praying that those who are struggling health-wise find relief soon.
Sounds busy @Sarasa , I feel tired just hearing about all you're doing at the moment.
We were out all day yesterday seeing friends in Place Where We Used To Live. I went to the service at our old church, where a change of leadership is planned and much conversation and thought and prayer is going into that. Then we had lunch with a group of friends we see every few weeks and discussed a chapter of a book we're reading together . Got back here around 6.30pm, totally exhausted as I'd hardly slept on Saturday night. Last night was better but I'm still feeling a bit spaced-out and bleary-eyed.
Overcast here this morning with the briefest of mizzly rain earlier.
Tess Coe has been visited, and Essentials laid in for the next few days. I find that I can now cope with only a single Expotition per diem, be it to Tess Coe, the village Co-Op/Farmer Sea (almost next door to each other), the Arkland Orfis, or Pilates. Any one of these wipes me out for the rest of the day, so feak and weeble have I become.
O well. At least I'm still warm, breathing, and above ground. The time is coming when I may have to think about having Groceries delivered, but there are logistical problems, as in high tides, security gate closure, and not much storage space on the Ark.
On the other hand, it had more occupants (of, one presumes, various sizes).
With a flashing blue light on top, obviously.
@Sarasa she was at the installation service yesterday and said you were lovely, very welcoming. Well done!