Work gets in the way of blogging, I have found! It gets in the way of my writing, that's for sure.
I make furious notes but seem never to have the time to put my thoughts and observations down on paper - or in this case, on BlogSpot.
Sunday July 4th, 2010...
Another gloriously sunny hot English summer day. The Wimbledon men's tennis finals on TV, the sound of a cricket match being played on the pitch behind our house, and eating out on the patio under the sunshade. The strawberries in the shops now are from Hampshire, the next door county, so I bought 2 big punnets and made "Eton Mess" for dessert.
We had Caesar Salad to start, with fresh cooked chicken, and a few sprinkled sundried tomatoes to add a zest.
Now for those of you who know me, you'll be scratching your heads wondering what I am talking about, since cooking and I were never mentioned in the same breath. A. calls all my attempts at cuisine "a la maman" (which basically means burnt!)
Since I have had an enforced and unexpected transition to working from home, and because it is very expensive to eat out here, compared to LA, I have started poring over Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson books.
My culinary attempts are well-received by T, although A is still very critical and hardly encouraging. I am finding it more fun than I ever thought possible. Possibly due to the fact that I now have the time to actually shop and prepare properly. I have tried soups and stir fry, stews and roasts, to mixed results - but at leats I am now trying!
I do make a mean lemon pie, courtesy of my late mother's recipe, which I found, handwritten, in a pile of papers in an old box.
But back to the Eton Mess. For those of you who haven't tried it, delight awaits your palates.
Chilled strawberries and raspberries (marinated in a couple of teaspoons of pomegranate juice and a teaspoon of brown soft sugar), cut up or mushed, stirred into stiff, freshly-whipped cream, mixed with crumbled meringue bits. Divine!
Sunday has its own lovely schedule. Get up a little later than usual (in my case that means 7-8am!) and walk the dogs down to the village to buy the Sunday newspaper. It's about 2 miles round trip and we have done it in snow and ice, pouring rain (not on purpose) and recently in shorts and tank top.
Back home, biscuits for the dogs, cup of builders' tea and toast for moi, and settle down with my feet up, either outside (if the weather permits) or on the sofa, to read the newspaper and all the supplements and magazines. I usually attempt the Sudoku puzzles afterwards. I am absolutely c--p at these. I don't know why, but my brain doesn't see the number patterns easily and I often cannot finish them, or make mistakes and then cannot fix them. Infuriating, and I hate them, yet I am strangely addicted. I try to do them on the train, and even on planes.
By then the boys are usually up, so we can have a cooked breakfast (eggs and sausages - the veggie ones are delicious), and start the day.
If we don't have friends coming over, we cannot avoid doing chores. Weekend ones for me include mowing the lawn, the endless weeding, and sometimes some fun planting, or trimming. I sometimes get a bit enthusiastic with the secateurs - the poor Buddliea hasn';t yet properly recovered!
Ooops, have to go. It's 23:33 already, and the Scotties are restless for their walk. They like to see the very bushy-tailed and not at all timid fox that hangs out near the end of the road. It's on the same schedule as us for our last walk of the day!
More sun forecast for the next week. Could it be a real, prolonged English summer for once?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
December 2009
Can it be that it is almost one whole year since I posted my last comment? How Life completely overtakes...
Last night was our first overnight freeze and heavy frost of the year. Not bad considering we are already in mid-December!
We woke to dark misty grey vistas, hoar frost covering the grass and leaves.
I walked to the station. All was slightly blurry, soft-focus, with wisps of mist hanging about like chiffon scarves. The sky, light grey, streaked with lilac and pink, setting off the myriad silhouetted patterns of the now-bare trees.
Breath came in steamy-white bursts, as if we were all smoking! It added to the overall look of mistiness and feel of mystery.
From the trian, I saw hairy, hardy ponies huddled in a field, and lots of busy birds. (I have started putting out wild bird seed in the garden, and we have many and varied visitors feasting and vying for place).
It looked as if it would be a dry day. As the train rattled through the countryside towards London, the sky brightened to daylight and an icy light blue, as the sun woke up.
A wintry gold sun illuminated Big Ben's golden paint, picture-perfectly framed by the giant white London Eye wheel, as I crossed the footbridge at Waterloo.
Now large gentle sparse snowflakes are whisking about playfully, not settling.
Snow if forecast for the weekend.
Winter is here!
Last night was our first overnight freeze and heavy frost of the year. Not bad considering we are already in mid-December!
We woke to dark misty grey vistas, hoar frost covering the grass and leaves.
I walked to the station. All was slightly blurry, soft-focus, with wisps of mist hanging about like chiffon scarves. The sky, light grey, streaked with lilac and pink, setting off the myriad silhouetted patterns of the now-bare trees.
Breath came in steamy-white bursts, as if we were all smoking! It added to the overall look of mistiness and feel of mystery.
From the trian, I saw hairy, hardy ponies huddled in a field, and lots of busy birds. (I have started putting out wild bird seed in the garden, and we have many and varied visitors feasting and vying for place).
It looked as if it would be a dry day. As the train rattled through the countryside towards London, the sky brightened to daylight and an icy light blue, as the sun woke up.
A wintry gold sun illuminated Big Ben's golden paint, picture-perfectly framed by the giant white London Eye wheel, as I crossed the footbridge at Waterloo.
Now large gentle sparse snowflakes are whisking about playfully, not settling.
Snow if forecast for the weekend.
Winter is here!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Rain, snow and London views
Today was such a beautiful day - really cold but with that pinkish-gold winter sunshine.
I walked across the Festival footbridge from Waterloo Station, over the Thames by the London Eye, Globe Theatre, and Royal Festival Hall. Such a stunning view of the city.
Arrived at the office with pink cheeks, thoroughly aired-out and feeling really fit!
The cold here is fine, as long as you dress for it. I have all my ski clothes out and am really warm in my down jacket and gloves, and a hat when necessary (to hell with "hat head")!
The snow has melted but it was really amazing to have so much. It's so rare here.
After yesterday's heavy rains some counties are flooded. Surrey, nearby, has fields and farms underwater, and from the train this morning I saw that many of the flooded fields has iced over, and poor horses were standing in the mud; at least they were covered with blankets.
I must say, I now remember that my least favourite weather is incessant rain, coupled with deep cold and topped with gusty winds. Yesterday we had all that. Really unpleasant. But today made up for it.
We have fleece throws on the couch and chairs, and when we watch TV or a film, we all snuggle up under them. Drinking loads of hot tea, too. It's very cosy!
Already the evenings are drawing out. It no longer gets dark at 4pm but by 6pm it is now almost night. Buds on trees and plants are tightly closed just waiting for a hint of warmer weather to burst out. I noticed a clump of snowdrops peeking above the snow at the end of the garden. They look so frail but are so hardy.
Keep warm!
I walked across the Festival footbridge from Waterloo Station, over the Thames by the London Eye, Globe Theatre, and Royal Festival Hall. Such a stunning view of the city.
Arrived at the office with pink cheeks, thoroughly aired-out and feeling really fit!
The cold here is fine, as long as you dress for it. I have all my ski clothes out and am really warm in my down jacket and gloves, and a hat when necessary (to hell with "hat head")!
The snow has melted but it was really amazing to have so much. It's so rare here.
After yesterday's heavy rains some counties are flooded. Surrey, nearby, has fields and farms underwater, and from the train this morning I saw that many of the flooded fields has iced over, and poor horses were standing in the mud; at least they were covered with blankets.
I must say, I now remember that my least favourite weather is incessant rain, coupled with deep cold and topped with gusty winds. Yesterday we had all that. Really unpleasant. But today made up for it.
We have fleece throws on the couch and chairs, and when we watch TV or a film, we all snuggle up under them. Drinking loads of hot tea, too. It's very cosy!
Already the evenings are drawing out. It no longer gets dark at 4pm but by 6pm it is now almost night. Buds on trees and plants are tightly closed just waiting for a hint of warmer weather to burst out. I noticed a clump of snowdrops peeking above the snow at the end of the garden. They look so frail but are so hardy.
Keep warm!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Snow Feb 2
I am sitting at the computer looking out on a winter wonderland that looks like a postcard of Switzerland (without the mountains)!
We walked T through the now-white copse this morning and were greeted by the sight of a dozen schoolchildren pelting each other with snowballs, laughing and chasing each other on the snow-covered rugby pitch.
The school called 2 hours later to say they were sending the kids home. He is now out sledding with a neighbour's son, who couldn't even get to his school.
It's snowing huge fluffy white flakes, and there's already a good 7" on the ground. I've been putting birdseed and breadcrumbs out for the forlorn-looking wild birds.
The Scottie dogs were up to their chests in it this morning, bouncing up and down, their little furry legs getting completely covered in icy balls of snow, and their moustaches all white.
The trains are cancelled, or massively delayed, from here, so there's no point me even trying to get in to London. I'll see tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy today, working in the warm and looking out on a beautiful winter landscape.
We walked T through the now-white copse this morning and were greeted by the sight of a dozen schoolchildren pelting each other with snowballs, laughing and chasing each other on the snow-covered rugby pitch.
The school called 2 hours later to say they were sending the kids home. He is now out sledding with a neighbour's son, who couldn't even get to his school.
It's snowing huge fluffy white flakes, and there's already a good 7" on the ground. I've been putting birdseed and breadcrumbs out for the forlorn-looking wild birds.
The Scottie dogs were up to their chests in it this morning, bouncing up and down, their little furry legs getting completely covered in icy balls of snow, and their moustaches all white.
The trains are cancelled, or massively delayed, from here, so there's no point me even trying to get in to London. I'll see tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy today, working in the warm and looking out on a beautiful winter landscape.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
PG Tips
I am grinning from ear to ear after watching the latest TV commercial from tea company PG Tips. Please enjoy their latest ad.
(Background for non-Brits, or those born after 1970: monkeys - originally real and now sock puppet - have featured in PG Tips ads for 30 years). The sock puppet has become a cult figure here and new ads are hotly-awaited. This one doesn't disappoint!)
And for those of you who might have heard of Morecambe and Wise (classic UK comedy duo from 60's and 70's), this ad is an homage to their original sketch about breakfast set to music.
You can't help but smile.
:)
PG Tips ad
Click here: PG tips tea - Home
Morecambe & Wise inspiration
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EFgdhZGLJrY
(Background for non-Brits, or those born after 1970: monkeys - originally real and now sock puppet - have featured in PG Tips ads for 30 years). The sock puppet has become a cult figure here and new ads are hotly-awaited. This one doesn't disappoint!)
And for those of you who might have heard of Morecambe and Wise (classic UK comedy duo from 60's and 70's), this ad is an homage to their original sketch about breakfast set to music.
You can't help but smile.
:)
PG Tips ad
Click here: PG tips tea - Home
Morecambe & Wise inspiration
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EFgdhZGLJrY
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Year frost
This morning dawned clear, sunny - and icy!
Took the dogs to Wildmoor Heath and the metallic gold sunlight bathed the bracken and browned gorse in shades of Missoni bronzes and reds, set against a icy turquoise blue sky.
3 deer leaped across the sandy pathway in front of me, fleeing down the hill, popping up above the gorse, then disappearing only to pop up again, light as air and springy as kangaroos. The dogs, of course, went wild straining at their leashes to go and chase them.
Am painting my Christmas present, a beautiful forged iron bird standing feeder. It's now shiny dark green, and the wild birds are forlornly waiting in the hedge for me to finish so I cna hang their feeder and fat balls up again. In the meantime they have to make do with seed sprinkled on the wall, where they have to compete with the very bushy grey squirrels and huge wood pigeons.
The ponds and puddles are frozen over - the ponds probably only a light top layer - and the milk in the bottles delivered early this frigid morning came out in slivers of ice milk when I poured it on my cereal!
We are warm and cosy in our home, and it's great to come back after a walk and warm up with a cup of hot strong tea (and a biscuit!)
Must wash the dogs today! It's too cold to do it outside, so they'll have to have a bath and be dried with the hairdryer (which they try to escape at all costs).
New Year's resolution - do 10 mins of yoga stretches each day at home...
I start work Tuesday. Reality check. However, the office is in a gorgeous warren of a century old building in a narrow passageway off a street in Covent Garden. Last time I went there, I came up from the underground ("Tube") at Charing Cross, to find I was in Trafalgar Square. It was another beautiful morning and I was early, so I walked across the sqaure pst the huge Christmas tree and fountains, and entered the National Gallery (free admission). I spent a very happy 45 minutes browsing through the painting galleries before going to my meeting. Love London!
Happy New Year indeed!
Took the dogs to Wildmoor Heath and the metallic gold sunlight bathed the bracken and browned gorse in shades of Missoni bronzes and reds, set against a icy turquoise blue sky.
3 deer leaped across the sandy pathway in front of me, fleeing down the hill, popping up above the gorse, then disappearing only to pop up again, light as air and springy as kangaroos. The dogs, of course, went wild straining at their leashes to go and chase them.
Am painting my Christmas present, a beautiful forged iron bird standing feeder. It's now shiny dark green, and the wild birds are forlornly waiting in the hedge for me to finish so I cna hang their feeder and fat balls up again. In the meantime they have to make do with seed sprinkled on the wall, where they have to compete with the very bushy grey squirrels and huge wood pigeons.
The ponds and puddles are frozen over - the ponds probably only a light top layer - and the milk in the bottles delivered early this frigid morning came out in slivers of ice milk when I poured it on my cereal!
We are warm and cosy in our home, and it's great to come back after a walk and warm up with a cup of hot strong tea (and a biscuit!)
Must wash the dogs today! It's too cold to do it outside, so they'll have to have a bath and be dried with the hairdryer (which they try to escape at all costs).
New Year's resolution - do 10 mins of yoga stretches each day at home...
I start work Tuesday. Reality check. However, the office is in a gorgeous warren of a century old building in a narrow passageway off a street in Covent Garden. Last time I went there, I came up from the underground ("Tube") at Charing Cross, to find I was in Trafalgar Square. It was another beautiful morning and I was early, so I walked across the sqaure pst the huge Christmas tree and fountains, and entered the National Gallery (free admission). I spent a very happy 45 minutes browsing through the painting galleries before going to my meeting. Love London!
Happy New Year indeed!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year 2009!
The festivities are over, the crowds of family have gone, we have eaten too much, and are blissfully happy!
Happy, healthy New Year to all our friends!
It's been deeply cold here, but dry and with some exquisitely beautiful sunny days. Your breath swirls about you whenever you are outside, the birdbath water is frozen solid, to T's delight, and we are putting out lots of seed for the wild birds.
The foal is now about 2 weeks old and spends a lot of its time curled up in the hay next to its mother.
Out walking last night, with strains of muffled party music coming form various houses, plus squeals of children playing outside, and the odd whirr and bang of a firework being set off to celebrate New Year. There was a light frost covering everything. I felt as if I'd stepped into an old-fashioned greetings card sprinkled with glitter. Streets, grass, all sparkled and twinkled under the yellow street lights.
I came out of a walk in the woods this morning across the cricket field and there was a straight slim strip of mist hanging across the field by the copse about 6 feet up, looking like Nature's own protective laser beam. I stepped under it and then looked back, and it was not there!
J
Happy, healthy New Year to all our friends!
It's been deeply cold here, but dry and with some exquisitely beautiful sunny days. Your breath swirls about you whenever you are outside, the birdbath water is frozen solid, to T's delight, and we are putting out lots of seed for the wild birds.
The foal is now about 2 weeks old and spends a lot of its time curled up in the hay next to its mother.
Out walking last night, with strains of muffled party music coming form various houses, plus squeals of children playing outside, and the odd whirr and bang of a firework being set off to celebrate New Year. There was a light frost covering everything. I felt as if I'd stepped into an old-fashioned greetings card sprinkled with glitter. Streets, grass, all sparkled and twinkled under the yellow street lights.
I came out of a walk in the woods this morning across the cricket field and there was a straight slim strip of mist hanging across the field by the copse about 6 feet up, looking like Nature's own protective laser beam. I stepped under it and then looked back, and it was not there!
J
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