Catching up.

 We've started to get our garden straight... but it does still look winter weary. (That's a nice way of saying, it looks a mess.) Our front garden is an odd shape so we do very little to it. We have these tubs right outside our front door. These are our winter ones, the Wall flowers are still to flower.

Because of its odd shape and because its small, we planted daffodils all around it. Down the side of the path and....

.... in front of the front door. We planted 350 bulbs three years ago and they have increased.

So always a nice show as we approach the bungalow, they're always lovely to see as we drive up.

Yesterday we were up and out for a coffee to our favourite coffee shop before10:00am. The sun was shining and then after lunch we started in the back garden! The grass hadn't been cut since beginning of October, it was long. But our super-duper power mower and Dh took the top off easily, so we can now start to get it back to look like lawn and not a field!

I sowed some more seeds, Cosmos, Sea holly, Dahlias,  Asters, Tagettes, and Antirrhinums. All are in my seed containers on the middle bedroom window sill. 

I take our gardening seriously and we always have colourful flower beds. We'll carry on now, two flower beds still to top dress and feed. I check the peach tree every day, we will have peaches this year, it has buds, so I'm delighted.

I admit I don't find it easy these days, but I do what I can, and supervise Dh doing the things I can't!

How are your gardens?

Chrisxx

The Lonely Feeling!

 

Have you seen the stories about this money Punch, who was bullied and ostracized by the other monkeys. The zoo keepers took pity on him and one gave him the toy chimp. 

He took to it right away and was seen carrying it around and hugging it and  even seen preening it, parting the fur just as monkeys do to each other, (Are they looking for fleas??)

But then Go-chan arrived, he had been in a circus. He was used to noise, bright lights and colours and just didn't fit in, and the other monkeys pushed him out of the group. 

He was moved to the zoo where Punch was and Go-Chan was the first monkey to sit along side Punch!

It was almost as though Go-chan recognised that Punch was lonely too. The first to reach out, no hesitation, no fear, just understanding. 

Their bond didn't fade after that first embrace, it grew.

They sit together, move together, support each other quietly.

Its not loud, its not dramatic. Its steady and sometimes that's the most powerful kind of love.

So Punch isn't alone anymore he has Go-chan.

Chrisxx

What a glorious day

 

Sun rise yesterday morning (Taken by a FB follower) And it was a beautiful sun shiny day..We went into town after lunch and it was crowded, so was the promenade.

And it's still winter!

Although March 1st is heralded as the start of Spring, it was only 8.6 C and felt it too!

It is St David's Day the patron saint of Wales today. I used to be dressed as a Welsh girl, with the big hat, when I was little. We always had the afternoon off school on a school day, which was nice.

The photo is not me, but how I was dressed, and yes with the high hat too.

It seems it was an extension of the 1800's riding high hat and has become synonymous with the Welsh Costume. It was promoted by Lady LLanover, born 1803, died 1886 who wanted to ensure that the Welsh dress and culture was kept.

It was a glorious sunny day, roll on Summer!

Chrisxx

Happiness?

 A survey of 2000 people reported that the happiest every day sights included a rainbow after the rain,  a baby's smile and a clear night sky full of stars. Just some of the things that gave them that happy feeling, while 28% said they'd crack a smile at a dog wagging its tail excitedly. Others said, that seeing an older couple walking hand in hand gave them a warm feeling too. 

What does gives us that burst of a warm feeling and makes our hearts skip a beat?  I get that squishy feeling seeing baby animals, a soft warm plump little belly of a puppy stretched out on a blanket, a line of ducklings waddling behind  their mum, the soft nose of a kitten rubbing your face saying hello, I love those.

There are so many things that cause us humans to have a happy smile; sun shiny days, cherry blossom in full bloom, waves lapping gently on the shore, the first sun's rays in an early morning, those early spring flowers,  foot prints in fresh snow, a toddlers' giggle, a child's drawing, a window with twinkling lights on a dark night, a fluffy clean towel warm from the drier, the scent of freshly baked bread and the smell of coffee. These are just a few, I could include that letter or email you've been waiting for, the phone call and that unexpected but wanted visitor, they give me a joy I can't describe. 

So what are yours, more I'm sure and just as joyous?

Chrisxx

Interesting Books V Kindles?

 

I've only ever had one nasty comment, anonymous of course. Shame, otherwise I'd have visited their blog and been 'sweet! And I do mean kind and generous with my reply.

I love to read what other people write and the comments and I try to be careful not to say something that could cause hurt, when I write.

So I'm not fazed by comments that damn kindles and declare they're not as good as holding a real book. There are some aspects , which can be difficult to do with a kindle, until you really get to know how to use their idiosyncrasies. 

I read real books, I like the look of them, the feel of them and the smell of a new book, however kindles have their uses too.

I have a Paperwhite kindle, its my second kindle so I've had a kindle since they were first came on the scene in 2007. I took it on our second visit to Australia  in 2008.

 It is very convenient to read in bed as its back lit, so when I'm awake at three in the morning, as I often am, I can read without my bedside light and not disturb my husband. (Actually it wouldn't bother him if I did switch on my light) And just one aspect that I need, is  that I can enlarge the font. Our book group's book a month ago had faint small print.. so I bought a kindle copy for ease to read. A while ago I wrote about things I hated about books and size and depth of print being faint and small was just one of them. 

So please don't knock kindles, because there are those of us who rely on the convenience and ease of using them. Having a case like this one pictured here, which is mine, makes it more like a book.

I love my kindle! What do you think?

Chrisxx

Do you like to chat?

  It seems phycologists and Educationist are increasingly concerned with the lack of vocal interchange between children and how young people speak less too.

The convenience of touch screens, the use of phones to pay for items, self service tills and working from home, all need no vocal interchange between people. And then there was lock down in the pandemic, thousands of people had no contact with anyone for months. 

I often smile at other people when we're out and about, I like to chat. I haven't ever been snubbed, in fact those people I've spoken to are only to pleased to chat, and I've been pleasantly surprised with the reaction from some people. But is it only the older generation, who are willing to talk and chat?.. Although I have spoken to young mums with children too, and the mums have filled me in with all the antics of their children and we've laughed together. I like it and don't find it difficult to start a conversation. 

But it isn't the norm and the lack of speech with young children in schools is causing concern in Educational circles. How many times have you seen a mum pushing a pram/ push chair with the child facing away from her and she is on a phone? And I've seen some children in their prams holding a video phone too, watching a cartoon.  I had my children facing me and I pointed out things we past, as we went along, colours of cars, trees and flowers, food items in shops, in fact anything and everything. We talked about them, did we like them, did we see anything different?

Teachers of Key Stage1 children on entry into school are reporting there are children, who have speech difficulties and are not familiar with books, trying to touch the pages as though they were touch screens. Learning to read is becoming a serious problem.

 Do you automatically say thank you to the person, who has served you Do you add 'its a nice day or ugh rain again today' in a shop? 

Have you chatted to someone you came across in a cafe, or sitting on a bench in town? Do you know sometimes I've been told about a whole life time, they must have been lonely. I hope they felt better after chatting, I was happy to listen and smile as they talked. 

Chrisxx

Worth reading

 HERE'S WHAT NO CASH ACTUALLY MEANS:

A cashless society means no cash. Zero. It doesn’t mean mostly cashless and you can still use a ‘wee bit of cash here & there’. Cashless means fully digital, fully traceable, fully controlled. I think those who support a cashless society aren’t fully aware of what they are asking for. A cashless society means:

* If you are struggling with your mortgage on a particular month, you can’t do an odd job to get you through.

* Your child can’t go & help the local farmer to earn a bit of summer cash.

* No more cash slipped into the hands of a child as a good luck charm or from their grandparent when going on holidays.

* No more money in birthday cards.

* No more piggy banks for your child to collect pocket money & to learn about the value of earning.

* No more cash for a rainy day fund or for that something special you have been putting $20 a week away for.

* No more little jobs on the side because your wages barely cover the bills or put food on the table.

* No more charity collections.

* No more selling bits & pieces from your home that you no longer want/need for a bit of cash in return.

* No more cash gifts from relatives or loved ones.

What a cashless society does guarantee:

* Banks have full control of every single penny you own.

* Every transaction you make is recorded.

* All your movements & actions are traceable.

* Access to your money can be blocked at the click of a button when/if banks need ‘clarification’ from you which will take about 3 weeks, a thousand questions answered & five thousand passwords.

* You will have no choice but to declare & be taxed on every dollar in your possession.

* The government WILL decide what you can & cannot purchase.

* If your transactions are deemed in any way questionable, by those who create the questions, your money will be frozen, ‘for your own good’.

Forget about cash being dirty. Stop being so easily led. Cash has been around for a very, very, very long time & it gives you control over how you trade with the world. It gives you independence.

If you are a customer, pay with cash. If you are a shop owner, remove those ridiculous signs that ask people to pay by card. Cash is a legal tender, it is our right to pay with cash. Banks are making it increasingly difficult to lodge cash.

Please open your eyes. Please stop believing everything you are being told. Almost every single topic in today’s world is tainted with corruption & hidden agendas.

Pay with cash & please say no to a cashless society while you still have the choice.

Written by Dave Ramsey

Chrisxx

Is this me? Yes it is!

I've come to realise I'm getting old!! I have all the signs!

I wear a vest in the colder months.

I go to bed and lie awake.

I like the heating on high.

I hate getting wet, so avoid rain at all costs.

I prefer being home for high days and holidays.

I don't like children running around in shops.

I don't like crying babies in cafes.

I like my cup of tea made just so!

My pillow has to be crease free.

I like my hair tidy rather than fussy. ( I'm still training my hair dresser)

I don't like the after effects of chili.

I have to clean my teeth after eating fish.

I talk about my aches and pains.

I take a lot of tablets.

But.... I'm enjoying some of the things that come with age.

I'm happy to pop to town for nothing more than a cup of coffee in my favourite cafe.

I'm very happy with a roast dinner on Sundays, then a nanny nap.

I love a quiet morning stroll around my garden.

I delight in seeing newly sown seeds germinating.

I love to see new buds on the trees.

I recognize different bird songs, that early morning Black bird's song is clear as a bell.

I can read all day if I wish.

And most of all, I can chose what I want to do or not do, the time I rise and the time I go to bed, its all my own choice.

What do you think, aging with joy or moans?

Chrisxx

A song of my heart.

 Since moving here  to Wales I haven't joined a Church and I do miss it, so I always make a point of listening to 'Songs of Praise.'

This morning they sang, ' As the deer pants by the river....' and it tugs at my soul.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1apHHJjRWgc?feature=share

Hope this plays; it was written by Martin J Nystrom in 1981, its based on Psalm 42:1 And has become a popular worship song in the Christian music genre. He wrote the song on a spiritual journey, specifically on a water only fast, which inspired the lyrics' and melody.

Martin was born in  1956 in Seattle, and at 24 years old he travelled to Dallas, as there was a girl there he really liked, but the relationship didn't work out and he lapsed in a state of despair. 

A friend challenged him to take up the 'Water Only Fast,' so that he might reconnect with God. Nineteen days into the 'Fast,' he sat down at the piano, and the chords lead him to the melody; an open Bible on Psalm 42 lead him to the words and he started to fit them to the chords he was playing. So the first verse and chorus was written. At first he wanted to keep it as personal song, but a friend shared it with others and before long other verses had been written. When he travelled Korea to a Christian Conference, he witnessed 100.000 people singing the song at the conference. Verses 2 and 3 were written by Lydia Pederson, a member of the Canadian United Church hymnal. 

I love it and the words sing in my soul when I hear and sing it.

Interesting how it came to be written.

Chrisxx

Slimming can be fun!

 We are always up early on Fridays, for our Slimming World group meeting at 9:30am. A friend asked why we went, as we're paying someone for something we can do ourselves. She's as thin as a rake!! But we don't just go to lose weight, its a social thing as well and since moving here, the friends we've made are in SW. 

Yesterday morning, we were  laughing hysterically , when one was telling us about her husband.  He had bought a model boat a while ago and recently bought a motor and fitted it. He went off with it to try it out on the Wilderness Lake. 

He had been gone about an hour and arrived back home, because the motor had died and his boat was adrift on the lake. He phoned a friend who has a coracle to get his boat, but he was away. So armed with his fishing rod, a net and a friend's swimming pool pole he rushed off again. She said she started getting worried when it started getting dark, because the Wilderness Lake has been made much bigger and deeper a few years ago and with the recent rains, it has spread right into the trees.

When she heard the car drive up, she opened the door to see her husband with his jacket wrapped around his legs and carrying wet dripping jeans. Yes, he had waded in to retrieve his boat and was wet up past his chest. 

We did laugh and she said he did look very funny as he arrived home, but triumphantly holding his boat. 

So we have lots of laughter at our slimming club. He laughed too she said, once he'd had a hot shower.. 

Chrisxx

So easy??

 

Chrisxx

Give Generously!

 The most underrated act of kindness is to let people be.

Let them mispronounce a word,

Let them  talk too much about a book they love,

Or get excited about something you don't understand.

Everybody has something that lights them up.

Let them shine, not everything is your thing!

So don't forget your impact on the people you meet, give generously even if it means you don't get your say.

                               Chrisxx

Lush!

 

Nothing beats a pancake with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar. We have celebrated Shrove Tuesday with traditional pancakes cooked in butter of course.

When my children were little I used to make 4 each and for  their dad too so 20. I ate mine standing at the cooker!  As they got older my youngest son, Michael took over the cooking.

Today my lovely husband cooked for me, so we have eaten our fill and not thought about the SW food plan! They were lush!

I shall weigh on Friday at group with my eyes closed and ask the member doing the weighing not to say out loud, just write it in my book!!

Chrisxx

Counting Sheep!

 

Its back my insomnia.. I wonder if I have an undelaying worry that's causing it? I can't think of anything in particular altho' things aren't great between my daughter and myself... she is so busy, she had no time for anything, even to phone, or as my aunty used to say, 'No time to even spit.' 

And my middle son who had a heart attack and then a triple bypass, three years ago, isn't hundred percent and that's a worry. 

Dh has admitted he is worried about my being over weight and truth be told, I am myself.. so that's in my mind too.

Our over eating last week has righted itself and we're right back on plan, and today because it was so bitterly cold, we walked up and around the Coop aisles in town, and with my 10 mins indoor exercise. I feel I've made an effort and I've eaten lettuce. So I must lose at least 7 pounds this Friday!! 

Chrisxx

Will I have another summer?

 

I've always admired Prue Leith, her style of dress, bright colours, extraordinary large earrings and necklaces, as well as her culinary expertise and I love her hair!

So, I was disappointed to learn she was stepping down from her role in 'Bake Off.' 

But totally understood her reasons; John Player her second  husband is younger than her, and at 86 she said she wanted to spend more time with him, he's 71.. 

Death it seems is constantly on her mind and she's admitted she wonders if she'll see another summer. 

Her brother died a very painful death suffering from bone cancer and consequentially she is an advocate of assisted dying, having witnessed her brother's death.

Thinking about how much time she has left prompted her to embrace life more fully, and she and John have had an amazing holiday in Uzbekistan, following the 'Silk Road. ' Speaking about it she described it as a holiday of a life time..  

I don't want a holiday, but we are working hard to get my peach tree to fruit properly again and I would like to see it in full fruit again, hence the walking even if its only around a supermarket when its raining!

Chrisxx

A bit disappointing!

 

We decided to treat ourselves for Valentine's day with a special meal. Dh wanted to make my favourite, which is Chicken Kiev.

But I suggested we buy it rather than have him cooking. So our grocery order included, Prawn Cocktails, Chicken Kievs and a heart shaped Chocolate Brownies. We're not very adventurous with food and love the tried and tested!!

The Prawn Cocktail was delicious, I had triangles of brown bread and butter. We had planned Baked potato and green salad with the Kiev.. But we were so surprised because Dh hadn't looked at the Kiev contents, as it's not something we would usually buy. It wasn't Butter, Garlic and Herbs, but Ham and cheese. We were both so disappointed ,  as it was not the taste we wanted or expected.. It was ok, but I was expecting the melted buttery garlic taste. We ate it and kept the Chocolate Brownie for tomorrow, we were too full to eat it!

Then as you do when you're old, we played two games of Lexulous, it's an on line version of Scrabble. We won one each, which suited me perfectly I hate losing !

We had a lovely day together.

Hope you had a lovely day too what ever you did.

Chrisxx

You've got to laugh!!

 

This is a  funny look at our dreadful conditions of our roads. I dread walking when cars drive near because I don't want to be splashed.. Also getting out of the car when Dh hasn't noticed  a pot hole, I am so pleased I wear ordinary black slip on shoes of  a good make as they are waterproof. 

But as a pedestrian I want the pavements sorted, I live in fear of tripping on the broken slabs and the broken blocks in the main street here. I've seen  people, men and women trip and fall. 

But I am grateful we're not flooded and we are so sympathetic for all those families, who have been.. there are parts of UK who have had 40 plus days of rain; more than Noah!

Chrisxx

A Sugary Treat.

 I had been dreading Monday morning's hospital appointment for weeks. It was a cystoscopy and it was as awful as I thought it could be. I came away with tears and saying I will not see that consultant again!

Then Monday evening and yesterday I spent a lot of time in the loo! I was exhausted and feeling delicate and stressed. 

But Dh who had to pop out came home with doughnuts.. oh my gosh was it delicious, the first Jam Doughnut I've had for may be a year? And diet was the last thing I thought of as I bit into that glorious sugary, squishy taste and I was positively euphoric all evening. 

Probably a sugar high, but it was lush!

I just have to get on buck up now, back on the food plan and stop feeling sorry for myself!

Chrisxx

Simple Pleasures.

 I had forgotten how enjoyable listening to a book was. We listened to a lot during lock down.(remember that dreadful time?) We used to have a cup of tea and a piece of cake most afternoons sitting in our Summer house listening to a book. 

Listening to it together now brought back happy memories, we weren't dieting, and when it was summer time, we looked out onto our garden and we had our dog Nell. In spite of the awful things that were going on with covid, we were self isolating and we were together, so felt safe. And we really enjoyed listening to books..

 I'm so pleased I thought of doing it again. We had a lovely Sunday afternoon, listening to it together, Dh did the jigsaw that I started last year and has been on a board under our sofa for weeks months, I'm almost ashamed to say how long it was under there! No cake, we're on a strict SW food plan as Friday's  plan fell by the way side, so no room for any extras this week! 

Yes we made a lot of cake in lock down, we weren't learner or new bakers and we had a lot of cake making books.. did I ever say I gained a fair bit of weight at that time?? Well I might have done, oh yes I did! 

Its been lovely thinking back to that house in Suffolk and the garden, some happy memories, it always  seemed to be sunny!

Chrisxx

Am I Twp?

 When I see a book review on some ones blog, that looks like a book I would enjoy, I usually look it up.. I saw 'Mrs Endicott's Splendid Adventure,' I decided to borrow it from the library,  but the only copy was an ebook. I can't remember who's blog I saw the book.

I did have the Borrow box app. on my old phone, so down loaded it again yesterday afternoon on my new phone and onto my laptop .  The book wasn't available, so I reserved it,  but then saw an author I liked so decided to down load that book, as a sort of trial. (had I down loaded it properly)

I was all hooked up with my headphones plugged into my laptop listening, when Dh came into the lounge and just looked at me.. because the voice was coming from my phone and not my lap top, and it took me a while to realise, it was on my phone and not coming through my lap top and head phones!!

We've both laughed and laughed about it.. Dh said he wondered what I was up to...am I twp   (Twp=Welsh for daft!)

LOL even  more...... as the confirmation for the book is that it will be available........ 26/07/26!!!

We have laughed and laughed.. Well I am an OAP and not supposed to be au fait with technology!

Chrisxx

Scandals and Repercussions

What on earth is going on? The Epstein business/scandal has spread even further into our little island. 

The PM has stood up and accepted that he made a dreadful mistake in making Mendelson our representative in America and has apologized profusely.

We've looked at a discussion programme, that dealt with it this morning and something that was suggested, was that Mendelson was right for the job because he was of the same 'ilk' as Trump... sort of 'use a thief to catch a thief?

It all has a dirty feel to it and of  course the King's own brother is involved too.

Makes me realise how much better our ordinary every day life is.. who'd want to be an MP or even a Royal when your friend choices could come back and bite you on the 'bum!'

A while ago I was friends with someone whose actions were very much against my way of thinking and I dropped her. She couldn't see that her actions was destroying a family. Her reasoning was that the married man wasn't happy with his wife, so her association with him was alright. 

I know this is no where like the Epstein affairs whose actions were like ripples on a murky pond, but accepting someone's actions are in my view, as bad as committing them yourself.

Not that I am whiter than white, but I couldn't ever condone lies that destroyed people.

What's going to happen with the PM, will he or won't he resign?

Hopefully not, because who'd replace him.. there's not a great choice.

What do you think?

Chrisxx

A Change of plan.

We were up and out before 10:00 am yesterday for a coffee morning at one of the Hotels on the Esplanade Prom.. We arrived just after 10.. said hello and looked around as to where we were to sit.. there wasn't really any room where a lot of people already sitting, unless we squashed around a corner.. we sat on another table.. It felt horrid, we weren't with the main crowd, so cancelled our coffee order and left. That was very hard for Dh, but it didn't bother me one bit, it didn't suit us so why stay?

So I walked all the way back down the main town street, more than I've walked all week! I bet my little legs will be sore  today after all that walking.

We ended up in our favourite coffee shop, warm, inviting and very good coffee. They're into Valentine's day already!

And then we met my mother's cousin, I was one of her bride maid's. It was nice to see her and we had a good chat and catch up.

So then, as the sun was shining we did a couple of hours work in the garden in the afternoon, one flower bed done! And all the pots weeded, the bulbs are all looking very good. I can't wait for spring, we already have loads of daffodils in bloom.

Isn't it lovely to see the sun?

Chrisxx

SOS

 There has been and still is an on going fight between the County Council and Porthcawl about houses and flats being build on land right by the Sandy beach area. SOS, Save our Seaside speaks out for the town, volunteers, towns people who care and are concerned as to what will happen.

So the FB pages always have photographs of the sea, the beaches, and the pier. It is all beautiful and the worries are that too many houses and tall flats will spoil the town. Various plans have  been drawn up. but all have had too many houses or not enough recreation areas. The fairground has gone, and is a prominent site, planned for 4 story flats. If built they would over look this view, lucky people! 

But we the towns people will keep fighting for a development suited to the town and its beautiful beaches.

Chrisxx

Who'd have believed it?

 URGENT HELP needed... can any one do eyelashes,  

😢😢😢tomorrow, Sunday 

As lost all on one eye, and got work😢😢😢😢and not looking good! 

******************************************

This was a request on the FB page!! She sounds desperate, but I thought so funny. 

I have requested a plumber when we'd had 8 plumbers to look at our old bathroom and fit new one and none  got back to us. I was desperate, but it never occurred  to me to include crying faces, and I was really, really, really desperate.

Is one eye without false lashes a real emergency?? It seems it was to her! There were suggestions for her, but I wonder what happened, did she get her eye lashes, or go 'commando' (none at all!)

Chrisxx

Like or Don't Like?

 We are all so different and although I do try to be pleasant some days, I don't feel like being pleasant. Last week..for some unknown reason, I nearly screamed at someone. Where ever we are if she comes across us, she has to sit beside me. I've never asked her to join us and although she appears to be a very pleasant person, I just don't like her. I can't explain why, apart from leaning over me up close, she hasn't actually done anything to me, so what is it about her that I find to dislike? Some of her comments are barbed, and she must be either hard of hearing or plainly down right rude, because she starts to talk when you are still talking and answering her.   I've tried to analyse why I don't like her, but I don't know why.

When we first met some of my relatives in Australia, they were all very nice , but one, Coral the wife of Lance, who is a second cousin of my late mother (got it??) I didn't just like her, I loved her, right from the beginning, why? I couldn't tell you. We had written letters to each other, not emails, actually 'snail mail' letters. It all started when one cousin of my mother, wanted to write to someone from the 'old' country, Wales.. and as I was the one who wrote for my grandmother to her sister, my name was put forward.  We wrote for quite a while, I got to know him quite well and secretly sort of loved him. When I learnt he had been killed in a car accident; I was very upset and took a day off work. His sister asked if I'd like to write to her as evidently my letters were shared. When she died her daughter in law, saw my last letter with a Christmas card and wrote to tell me, and that's how we got to know each other. What was it about Coral that I loved? I don't know, we are still in contact, now via the internet.  She has a warm way about her that appealed to me from the first moment I met her, and I still love her!

So why do we  like some people and not others? 

Chrisxx

We did.....

 We took it and  there was only 2 very small slices left, which we had for lunch when we got home, so it was well received by the group members.

I made the full salad to go with it.

Shredded crisp lettuce

Pickled Cucumber

Baby tomatoes,

Salad onions,

Apple,

Green Olives,

Pine Nuts.

(I can make a salad although I struggled to chop up the apple with my duff arm!)

It was all delicious and I followed it with frozen raspberries and a Banana Custard for my pudding, that's my new favourite dessert!

A good start to our week , as Friday after weighing it can be tempting to have a treat|!|

And the meeting was good fun, the young woman who was the Greatest Loser had lost 6 stone 4 pounds, 88 pounds! It took her 2 years, so well done.

I lost a pound which was a super surprise, because although we've kept to the SW food plan, we ate a lot! So far since Christmas I've lost weight every week! (Hope I haven't jinked myself saying that!)

And yes Marcia, the 'cheese caught' meant it burnt. 

(Aussiebel you email link doesn't work.)

Chrisxx

Not quite right.,

 Our SW group meeting this week is a Celebration of the greatest 'loser' Its not me!! LOL.

So, we all  bring a food item that is SW. Dh makes something when we have these 'dive in and eat' mornings. There is always a selection of different food items. Some very delish, some not for me. I did once have to discretely get rid of a lump of ?? in a tissue and hope the member, who made it didn't see me.

I don't really like these taster meetings preferring my marmalade sandwich, which I take every week, its my breakfast.

Dh was in the kitchen for an hour plus, prepping the veg for this vegetarian crustless quiche, but he left it in the oven just those few too minutes too long, and the cheese 'caught.'  He doesn't want to take it, but we cut a slice, and inside it looks fine.. so do you think we should take it or leave it? 

Chrisxx

Frugal and Heathy?

 Dh and I often talk about meals we had as children, how they were filling, but low cost meals, no fancy meals but basic foods that were in season. A shopping trip was for a meal already planned not to browse. New products were rare and impulse buying was limited because simply there wasn't much to be tempted by.

Meals were planned around seasonal availability not cravings, so the basic ingredients, were root vegetables, cabbage and onions, and these from my Grand dad's allotment. Meat was made to last several meals, rather than fresh every day!

There was no such thing as snacking, because there weren't any, no yogurts, packet chocolate biscuits or fruit drinks. In my day a snack was an apple! Biscuits were for visitors or an after dinner treat, not to be eaten throughout the day.

And of course there was no waste, as left overs were  to be eaten not ignored. Where there was left overs they became the next meal or tomorrow's lunch.

Eating out was not part of my childhood,  only if we had been asked to join with  friends or relatives for a special occasion.  Take Aways were unheard of, perhaps fish and chips on a Saturday, but that wasn't a regular thing. 

None of this was considered healthy eating or being frugal, this was simply how we lived. 

My grandmother's cawl ( soup) could last for days. I happily ate homemade jam with bread and butter for tea and I loved bread and dripping! I don't think I was hard done by, my gran made cake and that was a Sunday tea treat along with tinned peaches with Evaporated milk.

No wonder there were no over weight children, no high sugar food stuffs and we ran about all day long, even on rainy days. We were healthy by default and no one complained about not enough money for food. 

It was a way of life, we were healthy and slim!

Chrisxx

No Further Words needed.

 

Chrisxx

A Very Good Read

Oh dear I cried and cried through this book. 

An author I hadn't read before and I'll read another by her.

When Ellen  visits home for her father's birthday, her planned life path changes.  

Essentially this book is about how relationships change within a family, when one member becomes ill and is need of care. The novel's greatest strength is in its characterisation.  Ellen is a successful young New York journalist, so different from her homebound mother, the wife of small town English Literature Professor. 

She is called upon to take care of Kate, her mother, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. So, she is driven to abandon her chosen life path and confronted with caring for her mother, running a house and she sees first hand, the unequal partnership that is her parent's marriage and with mortality itself.

We learn right at the beginning of the book that Ellen is being questioned about her mother's death and is suspected of 'a mercy killing.'

With the inevitable death of her mother, Ellen comes to realise something she hadn't acknowledged previously in her life, and she changes into a person with a heart. The one true thing was 'love.'

I can't express how moved I was by this book, I was entranced from page one and raced through it. 

What I thought was a sadness for Ellen, was that her successful father wasn't the man she thought he was, and that her mother who was 'only a home bound wife,' was the strong one, the one, with whom she never really identified.

A touching portrayal of a mother and daughter's relationship which will not leave you unmoved. I loved it.

Chrisxx

4 Flowers!!

 We bought this from the store that took over Home Base in Bridgend.. its huge and  perfect for walking when its wet. Known for its cheaper priced items, B&M has become quite a favourite of ours when its wet.

We bought this just before Christmas and I planted it up after Christmas on Boxing day. The huge buds opened last week and aren't they beautiful, there are 4 flowers, white with the pink lines on them.

I'm very, very pleased with our buy.. did you get an Amaryllis this year?

Chrisxx

Would you be ready?

Wind up radio.  

               

Survival flint and steel to start a fire

 Portable solar battery.

Compass.

First Aid Kit, plus pain killer tabs and your own prescription tabs.

Bottled water +++

Tinned food plus several tin openers.

Dried food stuffs, like rice pasta and flour, yeast and packet foods, that have a heating element

Water proof clothing and extra warm clothing.

And?? Who knows??  And would we have these things to hand or should we be buying them now? 

Just a few people scaremongering on the internet, if there was to be WW3.

Personally I'd rather stay in my home and go out with a bang!

 Reading these has reminded me of the Nevil Shute book, 'On the Beach' When there had been a nuclear war and the last surviving people in Australia, were waiting for the fallout to reach there and die, altho they had been given pills to end their lives..Did that book shock me as to what might happen in my life time? Not at all, I had never even considered that it could happen, ever!

But the way that Trump talks, his unfiltered words, he could talk us into a war every time he opens his mouth. He seems to think he can talk Russia into peace, if only Ukraine will cede the land already occupied to Russia! And why should Ukraine give it up, its their land.. and if they don't Russia has implied that the Europeans including UK will be next. 

Would you be ready?

Chrisxx

Nail Bitting.

 Once again Dh and I have been gripped by the TV  programme 'The Traitors.'

How Rachel kept so cool in those last few episodes amazed me.  Several players started to suspect her and she was voted for by three 'Faithfuls' and was tied with James and then by chance got the saving Shield, How she kept looking so cool was amazing, how did she do it?

The final scene with Steven, Jack and Rachel was nail biting.  Jack had voted for her and then the hesitancy of Steven was agonising, would he stay faithful to her and vote for Jack too or vote for her, which would give him all of the prize money, close on £100,00?  Whew, he acted it well and kept her guessing too. I don't know who was more relieved when he turn his slate around with Jack's name on it, Rachel or myself!

So the two Traitors walked away with £47,875 each, and it was well deserved. They fooled the others in the game and kept faithful to each other, right up to the end.

Its been a fantastic programme again, with some unbelievable tasks for the players to do. The last one where they had to climb up a reservoir wall on a rope ladder and then run down it, wow that took some strength. I wonder if they have to take some tests before they are accepted as players in the game?

Overall in my opinion this 2026 Traitors is the best!

Did you watch it?

Chrisxx

So pretty and something to do on wet afternoons.

It seems there are more people in the younger age bracket these days, that watch you tube rather than live television. Dh and I are license payers and watch BBC and value it. We've recently notice that often after a BBC programme, there is an announcement saying, ' this has come to you and paid by you.'  

But I watch you tube videos that demonstrate how to do something mostly, and quilting is one of my favourites.

I love watching these quilting videos and I have made things from watching them, but not this one...but I'd like to.

Perhaps my next project!

Its very pretty!

Chrisxx

Happy Day

 This should be my mantra when I open the curtains and see rain. I just hate getting wet, and damp. So I have to think happy thoughts and believe the words on this........

Chrisxx