What A Frame of Snooker!

Judd

Judd Trump v. Ali Carter

Snooker isn't all about potting balls it's about...snookering your opponent.
And that's what the brilliant Judd Trump did in the final frame of the final session in his match with Carter.
It was all but over when the floppy haired, eye mashing* and determined Trump pulled out every stop in an effort to stop Essex lad Carter's trip into the next round. And oh boy did it make great viewing.

Judd needed 4 snookers, and using all his snooker genius...got 'em, 1...2....3....4 every ball a pure gem, every roar from the entranced audience adding to the thrill of it all and it was only at the final moment when Trump's luck ran out that his come-back was finally, cruelly crushed.

Snooker is a slow game but with players like Trump, Carter and dare I say it...O'Sullivan it can turn from a gentleman's game into a full-blooded, nail-crunching, better -than- a -penalty -shoot -out spectacle.

Ali will now face either Hawkins or Stevens.
Can't wait!

By the way the Plumber visited this afternoon did a quick scan of the bathroom radiator, left me with prices and zoomed off in his Ferrari.
Mr H WILL be pleased:(

* Screws his knuckles into his orbital rounds.

By the way I bought the tiniest sweetest loveliest blue budgerigar today. It now sits by the bleach on the kitchen windowsill.

Man City v. Man Utd.
Massive game. City fans would rather win the league. So 6-1 Man Utd is ok?
Five Live. 20:00hrs

Er, no. HODGSON IN.
According to Radio 4.
I'm stunned John.

So after sorting out radiator problems, honest job offers, mother's issues and my expectations for our life expectancy I think I'll overdose on phone-ins...

Dinner will be cold English beef. Probably.

I woke this morning.
Unfortunately!

Weathers being a real pain so am feeling incredibly frustrated at being unable to get wellied-up and in and around the flowers and birds. By the way I've ordered 10 lavender plants which will, I'm certain, be planted in abundance by the front door. Really looking forward to doing that. A lot of digging will be required to 'make good' the patch of earth/lawn near the aforementioned door but as long as the weather eases up I don't foresee problems.

Back to now...there's cooking to be lovingly done so will roast some beef and bake a crumble whilst keeping an eye on the snooker and....tomorrow.

Cheerio:)

A Loving Lady

Just don't know where to turn

Fearless in the Rain

The last picture John snapped of me!

Taking a break from blogging due to utter pointlessness of it:)

Time now midnight 36 on Sunday 29th April.

Going to sleep now. Hopefully forever.
lol.

Hello All

Blustery.
Didn't stop me dashing like a crazed whippet in and out of charity shops...

Yellow flowered tea pot. Very old fashioned. One my nan might have used when having Aunty Kit around for tea and goss. £3:95

A pair of tasty size 10 jeans from 'Next'. Perfect condition. Unused possibly. Original price tag intact. Snug fit. Felt rebellious. Loved it. Perfect with....

Blue striped shirt. From tailor in Jermyn Street, London. Stunningly well made, can tell by the stitching. Made for 'Women'. Just beautiful. £3:50

1960's Pyrex casserole dish unfortunately minus its lid. Veggie pic as decoration. Spindly carrot and huge marrow. 50p.

Plastic basket type Peg holder in apple green. 20p

T-shirt. With writing....Malibu mish mash. Colourful Picture also, of young girls and boys getting in the groove with microphones and fruits. Daddyo. 30p

Amazing necklace. Rectangular wood with oblongs of differing woods stuck on. Chain made of yellow amber and brown beads. Will look fab with anything I wear. A real talking point. £1:50

3 bottles of Lavender bathroom essentials. Bath creme, body wash and body creme? Whatever happened to 'cream?' Lush though. Will carry the bod creme about my person. Will smooth it in on in cars.

Being cooked tonight:

Large Homemade Devon Baps which will be home for juicy homemade Hamburgers.
No pud.
But will indulge in milk chocolate Easter egg (s) Probably.

On with the wellies and up to the Post Office.

Postal Order for 10 Lavender Plants.

So quaint don't you think?

Blow this weather...

But torrential rain does have its good points.
Like.

Taking time out in my small over-stuffed conservatory to listen and to watch.
Listening as skyfulls land on the leaky grey roof sounding like each well-needed drop is booted in silver tap shoes.
Dancing precipitation.
Cool.

Watching as coats of the stuff land heavy, fulsome, leaving in their wake that just-washed, brand spanking new, straight from the heavens look.
Big rain.
Awesome.





Goodwetnight:)

No Getting Away From It. Dearie.

Buying two postal orders.

One for 10 Lavender plants.

The other for a jet black corset.

Thank you "My Weekly".

I said THANK YOU MY WEEKLY...!

bubble bubble

Rhubarb, ginger and soft brown sugar.
To be topped with an oaty crumble mix.
Before we get to enjoy the sweet we must have the savoury.

For Mr H and me...Corned beef with green beans and goat's cheese mash
for mum, old cold gammon, tiny unpeeled potatoes and English mustard.

Hoping she'll say yes to a spoonful of the roo, but won't get grumpy if she refuses. Again.

Bungalow in an awful state due to a few things.

1. Knees.
Blogged earlier about them but providing they don't deteriorate further I'll say no more. Blasted ugly lumps. Being a sufferer since 1999 I've been unusually lucky in as much as I rarely see docs, last time I saw a hospital consultant was so long ago I can't possibly remember. "No cure" she said and closed the file on me. Gordon her name was, a stout fierce looking lady with thick clouds of black hair. She was kind but hid it well.

2. Huge amounts of emotional turmoil.
I am my own worst enemy. I am a clot, a pocket clown who gives to the point of exhaustion then makes the mistake of holding out my hands for a bit of the same.

3. Preferring to be conservatory bound potting up strawberry plants in old mesh basket.
I didn't have a hanging basket liner so used three sheets of the Mail. Soggy old paper anyway.

By the way, the back garden looks and feels more spacious than it's ever looked and felt. Had the pleasure of watching two infrequent visitors...sparrows. Along then came a robin sitting proudly on the bird table. Almost posing. Were his black beany eyes really copping an eyeful and I ironed in the nude.
Whatever...I felt all loved up and so continued to press.

As I type Mother is slouching cougar-like waiting for her feed.

Must fly>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

First thing I did this morning was remove my hair net

Mother woke.
Early.
Insisting her new tea cup had gone missing.
"Use your eyes dear" I said as I sorted through the full to capacity sink
"It's in the sink" I then yelled affectionately.
This meant nothing to her.
Expects me, whether fit or sick to limp here and there on account of a mug.
Blow you.
But I did anyway. It's called duty/love/no way out of it.
But My Lord I do feel like drowning the old biddy sometimes. Doubt if she'd sink though, being as thin as a watery reed. Probably lie motionless on the sea cursing. Still, nice thought.
Talking of drowning I've downed rivers of tea because of my knees. Both are being an almighty pain. And so are following my doc's order. Namely not to be an idiotic wunderkind and to swallow what he gives me.
After the first four sulphasalazine which don't seem to hit the spot... darling, I wondered if my luck was finally running out. Been awfully lucky really regarding my chronic arthritic condition. Hasn't stopped me digging flower beds or getting in and out of loads of cars or even trying new sexual positions.
Reminds me lol...There was one I tried where, and you'll have to use your imagination here, where after much manoeuvering I resembled a Praying Mantis.

An English Lady At Home On St George's Day...

On a jaunt to the Post Office

"Speak up dear I can't hear you"

Pretty blooms, eclectic knick-knacks, red heels, generous red smile, cakes baking, and a spirited English gentleman on hand to defrost my perky goosebumps!

So........Three Cheers For All Things English...Harry Redknapp! Gloria! And Chicken Tikka Masala!

Loving Saturday!

Good food on the way, snooker on the telly and a couple of bin bags tied around me Magnolia*.

Picture was taken yesterday as I strode from car park ready, willing and able... to load up me dinky winky jute shopping bag with lovely goodies from the 99p shop.

I love Southend-on-Sea.



*Young buds/leaves slightly curled and browny so goggled symptoms discovering that it may be due to coldness/night frosts/sudden dip in temps........ so being unable to sleep and therefore keeping Mr H awake I tiptoed outside (22:30) and wrapped the baby tree in the council's blue bin bags!

Now I must fly>>>>>>>>>>>>>Need to rough up Mother as regards meat puddings and surgical bandages.
:)

More additions to the gardening family:

Another honeysuckle
and
Hypericum. Indorum, Yellow flowering shrub.



Also a few feet of white plastic fencing
g.
Solar powered miniature rocking and rolling sunflower. Already had me in stitches.


Bag of Compost. It'll take yonks before my compost bin yields any.

Grey ornaMENTAL watering can. Minus the hole. Lol.

Lavender seeds. I feel the need to run my hands through loads of the stuff. Wearing only a smile of course.:)

Vinyl 'sunflowers' tablecloth. In case it rains.Vincent has a lot to answer for.

Green cotton tablecloth for sunnier days. Very pretty. Perfect adorned with pot of lemon tea and nice man.

Keeping with the nature thing...A bar of Yardley's Lavender soap.

Now, my other love, possibly my one true love other than poetry...

Food.

Resting in the fridge is a bowl of Felafel mixture. It needs to firm up before I can shape into balls the size of walnuts then with a gentle touch, flatten into patties. If anyone wants the Mary Berry recipe ask in my comments section.

Will fry for a few minutes each side and serve in warmed pittas with a mixed salad of lettuce, cu, carrot, onion, tomatoes and apple.
The felafel and breads will be accompanied by a sesame and yogurt sauce. (homemade)
So easy, so quick and hopefully, so yumyum.

Now I must fly>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Need to freshen up and sort out Mother's...................................................haddock:(

Before I settle down I must have a word.
And that word is Goat.

And I thank the goat for producing the milk which made the cheese which went on the scone which went on to accompany the pasta.

The warm scone with its lumps and bumps and hills and valleys oozed meltingly gorgeous cheeseyness as we tore through it whilst watching the news.

I love this addition to my culinary repertoire, there's nothing like finding new friends. And goats, after tonight's meal, are definitely my new BFF. Yeah?

Goodnight

Veggie but no sandals

Mark Selby

On account of all this chilly rain I'm making a jolly nice red lentil Bolognaise tonight.

I'll woof it up with plenty of shredded carrots/red pepper and add a fair dollop of red pesto. A whole head of garlic will be finely sliced then diced and added alongside basil chives oregano and parsley. Can of tomatoes too of course with a generous cup of red wine. Peppered and salted and there you go.
To go with it I'll soon knock together some quick and easy garlic and coriander soda bread, won't pat into rolls will leave the dough in it's natural lubba lubba shape. Round and nobbly.

For pud?
Pulverised mandarins with forest fruit sauce and ice cream on top of shop bough trifle sponges.
Lovely.

Snooker championship starts soon. My money, if I had any, would land firmly on the head of smouldering dreamboat Mr Mark Selby. World ranking 1.
He'll be too short to bet on but I'll be rooting for him all the way.
Mark smoulders so much I'm sure that if I approached him waving a lit match he'd combust.
? Combustible: Definition please? Capable of igniting and burning.

Now I must fly>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Pig's Bum was fat and ooozing juice, I plumped for seconds as did Mr H.

But not for Mother, she just got sick.


:)

.....Shepherd's Pie with many twists. One twist being shredded carrots...The others? Mushroom ketchup, tomato ketchup, fresh herbs and sugar.
Mash topping will be sprinkled with mature cheddar and outside chives.

For pud?

Pig's Bottom.

Stewed sweetened rhubarb is added to a Victoria sponge mix to which a good dash of vanilla extract has been added. Adds up to a swell kind of pud?

Depending on pud outcome I might post-a-pic.

Now a cup of milky coffee with one of my favourite television people, the ever so funny Bradley Walsh.

See ya lata mate:)

Eeeek, Grrr, and... Don't Talk To Me like That..

On first sight this a.m. the garden looked naked. Eeeek I thought as I stumbled around in jimjams.
Need a rake, new arms and a bit'o dry weather to clear this lot up. Trees, when shaved, leave such a mess and in amongst the mess, heartbreak and trauma.
...A branch of the newly planted Photinia Red Robin had been badly bent and several collared doves now have nowhere to hide/breed or sleep.
I almost cried.
But soon recovered with a loud vocal promise in the direction of the birds, for more feeding stations.
That's better.

Then...

Upon arrival at Sainsbury's (ground floor car park) I discovered I'd forgotten my purse. Grrrrrr.


I immediately phoned bed ridden Mother in order to ascertain the whereabouts of the aforementioned purse. Did I leave it on her bed as we chatted gaily this morning, was it still on the draining board where I remember seeing it as some milk microwaved or was it on the dressing table amongst all the slap? I just HAD to know.

I phoned Mother...

Ring ring, ring ring....."WHAT DO YOU WANT?" my little weak mum bellowed.
"Don't talk to me like that" I said barely hiding my pain/disbelief.

I told her about the purse.

It wasn't on her bed under the many magazines. She said.

I didn't expect her to run to all rooms looking so I promised I wouldn't forget the bloody Haddock and hung up.

Home. To an apologetic Mother and purse on the pouffe. How it got there I don't know. But I suppose when one has a late night (11p.m.) one can't be expected to be chipper the next day:(

I have a few things to attend to this afternoon.

One being the cooking two different dinners (mum doesn't want what Mr H and I want) the other being the search and rescue of my physical and emotional health.

:)

By the way I think David Beckham SHOULD be included in the Olympics.
Alright?

An up and down day.

Prescriptions and tree pruning. Doc saw Mother. Gentleness and understanding of all our woes. A good man is the doc.

Then after leek soup Men came offering garden services. I showed them conifers and empty pockets. We, that's me and Dave, reached a monetary agreement. He and his mate George chainsawed away. Mr H. was dumbstruck. Now I have trees I can reach the top of. Poorer though, a lot poorer. But only wealthwise.

Headache dues to after lunch exuberances. Mere adult chit chat over tea. Utter childlike joy as I drove my mate's old green truck. Not on the road, not insured for that. But round and around the garden centre car park.

Now in Chinese style jammies waiting for the zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs to arrive.

By the way..... Mr H. is washing up mother's Haddock plate.

Goodnight.

I went out to lunch today to an olde worlde (1600's) pub. And so why is that so earth shattering I hear you ask. Well m'dears it wasn't any old boozer full of old sorts it was a tiny old place owned by the very uncle of Jamie Oliver.
And within it's timbered walls I got quite overcome by sizes.

The size of the place was not unlike the mission hall we passed as we meandered along scenery so peaceful and pretty it made me wish I could write. But I stayed silent and pen free choosing to lose myself in the wonder of this earth locked heaven.
Essex, as you know, gets a lot of bad stick but if the knockers and snobs saw what I saw and tasted today they'd be banging along the pheasant lined roads in raptures.

This delightful joint is called The Plough and Sail. (Link to it in my fav sites list)

I plumped for a mushroom and brie starter with caramelised onion served with leafy salad and buttered bread.

Lunch proper took my breath away.

My white plate held a wedge of utterly gorgeous asparagus and brie flan (yes brie again) proper deep fried chips cut thickly and cooked to perfection, a crunchy creamy coleslaw, another leafy salad interweaved with slices of juicy tomato and fresh and wet cu. Peppery watercress added more joy. By the way the pastry was cooked to perfection. I checked underneath.
I was away with the gastronomic fairies.

Half a shandy too.

Did I want to see the dessert board said the charming chatty waitress...
It was BIG. The list was a pud lovers porn I mean all tastes were catered for...
Banoffee Pie, many ice creams, strawberry pavlovas, crumbles, tarts, flans, upside down puddings, rum trifles, chocolate everywhere, cointreau bread and butter pudding and Jamie's very own Lemon Curd Cheesecake...the list went on and on and on.

Being a stickler for rib sticking food I opted for something I shouldn't have opted for...namely Syrup Pudding and custard.
Whoever the chef was knew a thing about dressing a plate because unlike other establishments where I've eaten English puddings, this chef made the Pudding the Star, a great light as air golden wedge lay on its side surrounded not by ladlefuls of nuclear yellow custard but by a simple pool of rich tasting real custard which heightened the near orgasmic pleasure of the sublime pudding.
I couldn't eat it because..... I kept looking at it. But sense, hunger and greed prevailed and I sunk my spoon in...

Outside was even more thrilling.

An huge aviary with yellow orange and speckled birds all happily dipping their beaks into plentiful supplies of raw broccoli, my friend and I stood stock still gawping like a couple of goldfish at the sight and sound of these captive birds. I love birds and wished for a moment that I could break down the net so they could come and live with me but I was sure they were well looked after.

Not wishing to spoil the reverie with animal welfare worries I ditched my friend in order to slide down the slide and swing on the swings... He eventually caught me up of course and pushed me higher and higher on the swings then soothed my bum after I'd landed poorly after my slide ride.I felt nothing of course... other than the wind on my cheeks.
:)

WHILST BREAD BAKES...

I'm putting together a superbly yumyum gammon hot pot.
And making another batch of Superior Rock Cakes.
First dozen now down to 9...
Added to the mix were a few chopped dried apricots, possibly the most moreish of all the dried fruits.
Also being cooked before the *Football kicks orf..... a Lemon Puddle Pudding.

Today hasn't been all about cooking though I did have a bash at some outdoors fun.
Namely watching Mr H. digging a deep trench into a patch of iron hard earth in order that he could then install a rumbly crumbly chipboard bird table. In other words the aforementioned table is falling to bits and the ground uneven. (I love playing with words)

In the dvd player as I culinarize is In The Line Of Fire. Can't cook without guns. LOL!

*Then later on, after the gammon and lemon pudding, I'll get stuck into Spurs v. Chelsea in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup. By stuck in I mean sharing every wonderfully thrilling moment with tv pundits and Mother. Mr H being otherwise engaged.
Talking of unfit blokes...

John Terry has rib probs and Ash Cole (beast) has done his ankle in but both are deemed 'fit' to play. And, just like Ledley King, (pic unavailable due to gremlins inhabiting my pic collection) I too have knee issues, so very much doubt I'll be bouncing up and down on the sofa this afternoon. More like laughing with Joy I hope when 'Arry's Spurs mash di Matteo's Chelsea. Innit.
You can rest assured though that later on I will definitely be exerting myself. Probably.
Mother+Awkward+55+75+immeasurable frustration=Physical Exhaustion and all of the Uncarnal Kind.
Bugger.

I feel a poem of epic proportions being born.
One where the heroine, that would be me, is driven so round the bend she escapes into a Port fuelled world where only beautiful fit folk live. And where ravishing silence is punctured only by the roars of lovers in love.

But before that I must do the gammon.

Green fingers getting greener...

Newest addition to herb garden.

Coriander.
Mint.

Also.... to run up and coil around conifer branches..... Honeysuckle.

I'm going to bed now to read an old book about... Herbs.
It's a beautiful book and I'm hoping it inspires... or at least educates me.

Felt very good today.

:)

Update....

ROSEMARY

THYME

After writing today's earlier post I left the bungalow and went straight to Four Acres. And not just for plants. But for the tranquility.

I bought herbs.
Potted Thyme and Rosemary.

Then picked up a tray of orange flowers and one very leggy Red Robin.
The man bagged them and carried them to my car.
I asked about Mint he said he should have some in by Friday. Goody!
Mint spreads crazily apparently, double goody. Nothing wrong with plants behaving naturally.
So Friday I'll drop by again.
(Sidenote) If Four Acres has no Mint I'll drive to Riverside Nursery.


Then to shops for gels and pills and papers.
Then home...
After lifting mum off the floor I went into the garden and dug. (No connection there)

Re-housing the rosemary and thyme, by easing them out of their black plastic pots with all the care I could muster and settling them in my newly formed herb garden.
A small patch of earth protected and made homely looking by a wiggly wobbly wooden fence.
So safely within its borders I watered parsley, marjoram, chives, rosemary and thyme...just having fun and hanging out.

I've a long way to go before I'm crazily satisfied with the back garden, but compared to this time last year, it looks INCREDIBLE! And I'm pleased beyond words. A little effort, a lot of digging and a few pounds here and there is all it has taken to breathe New life into the old back yard.
I love it.

I'll get the Red Robin settled in as soon as I've made a chicken pie:)

Lamb Pie looks deelish, tore recipe out of old mag and will probably make it at the weekend. It includes cinnamon, chilli and either dates or apricots...Apricots for me I think.
Stock or water to moisten and then covered with Filo pastry. I like filo a lot because it not only looks crunchy it IS crunchy, far less angst aswell than say...puff. Which, has been known to make a saint swear.
But that's later in the week today's culinary art is coming in the shape of Leek soup for mother and I then, for Mr H and I the chicken and mushroom pie I didn't make yesterday. We opted instead for a home delivery of Yung Chow.

Bread of course will be baked again, yesterday's was gorjus, well risen, evenly brown and dead easy to bang out of tin. I have to say that the more I bake bread the easier it becomes. So much so that I can't remember the last Warburtons I bought.

Other News....

Of gardening....I read a very moving magazine interview with the BBC's gardener (you know what I mean) Monty Don. In it he gently sang about life, health and how gardening and rising early saved his life, Monty you see has felt depressed. It was an uplifting humbling interview from a man who doesn't save for tomorrow.

Talking of not saving I think I'll pop out later to buy two more Photinia Red Robins for out back. Much better than pills:)

Now I go out......

A real live Easter Robin captured in all its beauty on my bird table.

Our mantelpiece is zoo of chocolate. Thank goodness the fire isn't alight.
Otherwise we'd be ankle high in melted bunnies, chicks and lambs.

Talking of pleasure...Saturday evening saw Mr H and I entertaining chums. And what laughs we all had, including Mother, who by her own request was bedded up in our bedroom on account of not wishing to dampen the night's frivolities.
So with her well in place we welcomed our three guests.

Mr and Mrs E and their young son, who, for the duration of this post, will be known simply as... THE QUIZMASTER...

I'd decided on a simple menu for three reasons.

1. I didn't want to be faffing around stirring and whipping and or setting light to stuff. So after much thought and note taking I plumped for Steak and Kidney Pies. Yes Pies. I made more than one you see. But because I don't own any giant pie tins and couldn't find one anywhere in Southend I opted for five pies of varying sizes. Think Goldilocks and you'll have some idea.

2. I wanted to spend as much time with our chums as possible and as you all know finding time can sometimes be hard especially with one task and another. My painstaking tasks coming in the shape of the elderly, composting and other people's fascination with my outstanding growths.
My chums tasks coming in the shape of shiftwork, kids clubs and rejuvenating of sheds. So time is precious. For all.

3. I couldn't afford starters.


So blooming decent pies made with good beef and puff pastry, I set about creating dessert (s) yes two desserts because....The Quizmaster prefers Normal cake as opposed to frilly stuffed overblown pink concoctions. The frilly stuff I'd lavish on mummy and daddy. More later on......

Potatoes, baby parsnips (unpeeled) carrots and petit pois accompanied the golden ooozing pies along with mustard of course and some sort of gravy. Didn't make enough:( How awful I would be if I were perfect.

Whilst Mr H and guests munched like civilized folk around the table 0I had meat on me lap on the armchair in the corner:( Table not long enough you see. And as we all got stuck in The Quizmaster and I had a bit 0'fun by doing the peeping game, he and me bobbing up and down either side of mummy with our mouths full of yummy pie.

And now the serious bit.
He is a wonderful boy. And for a few seconds/hours I wished he was a permanent fixture. Hard bloody work though but so much joy and genuine sweetness he could melt even the hardest well worn heart...
A lovely child.

Mr and Mrs E mmmm'd over their food, especially Mr E, I do love men with healthy appetites.

And then came desserts...

For The Quizmaster I made a dozen normal fairy cakes but to make them funny I stuck in sticks with little flags which read.."Yum" "Delicious" and "Made By Me". He liked those enormously and used up most of my thirty or so sticks....Bless....
And as a prop for the cakes two large mountains of Vanilla Ice Cream. Just between you and me I''d have filled his boots with the creamy stuff but he wasn't mine so I slapped my wrist and did the adults...

A Riot of A Trifle.
In a large glass bowl.
from the bottom up...

Strawberry sponge.
Sliced Strawberries.
Sainsbury's Fruits of the Forest syrup.
More Straws.
Lovely custard.
Whipped double cream.
Then topped with White Chocolate curls (used a grater)
Strawberries.
Strawberry Chocolate Buttons.
Pink and White Mini Marshmallows.

:0

Silence.

Then bowl scrapped and licked dry:)

You would think that to do anything after all that gorgeous food would be impossible but Youth is Young and has far more Strength and Resolve than Middle Aged...

So the son of mum and dad entertained us with a few hours of Q&A.
He of course asking the questions while Mr H and I endeavored to answer.

What IS it about theatrical type kids who, when given half a mo, go into luvvie mode demanding ultra attention and another game of DOMINOES and never understanding WHY sleep is essential...

Mum and Dad had seen it all before and so while mum sank deeper and deeper into the settee and dad sprawled over two armchairs (not asking them over again) Mr H and I did nothing but...OBEY!

I adore the boy, questions or not, normal cake or not, wide awake or sleepy. He brought life into the bungalow which, of late, has been sadly missing.

Another pie another day?
You betcha


:)


Being cooked today.
For mother I'll open a can of corned beef (her request) and serve a couple of thick slices with some mashed tattiebogels and beans. For Mr H and me, I'm making a puff pastry topped chicken and mushroom pie.
Because
Pies are The Mountains Of All Happiness
:)

I Love Easter.
Always Have.
Always Will.

Time For Walks With Chocolate.
Time For Buds, Youth.
Spring.

Out With The Stale.
In With The Fresh.

New Styles.
Novel Ideas.
Unfamiliar Territory.

Hair Of Pearls.
High Pastry.

Unfurled.
Everything.
Sweet Horizons.

Retreat No Option.

Hot Cross Buns.

I Love Easter.

Smashing day shopping wise!

Bought:

Like stuff.
Like.
Pyrex jug.
And like.
Baking type things, yeah. You know. Decorations and crystallised fruit bits.
Edibles from Sainsburys, like I could not go.
Loads of pearly diamante hair jewellery. (What we old'uns used to call hair slides)
Bird seed. But couldn't buy Bee Hotel on account of being doshless!

Went in Smiths for a book for Mother. Useless staff. So Waterstones got my order and money.

Mr H. took me to Birdwood for tea and cake. He flirted with me over the Lamington.

Mr H splashed out on some 25mm x M6 hexagon nuts and bolts-spendthrift!

Must dash now have like ten zillion things to do/make and see to.

I'm ecstatic!

Donned in my finest clothes (luncheon date a little later) I popped out for the papers and tube of Ibuleve muscle rub, anyway as I left the chemist I felt in need of more excitement so off I drove to the charity shop around the corner the one near the tattoo shop. Both were open but I only visited one...


I was met, as usual, by crazy old Joan whose face flooded with blood as she hugged me.
"Ooooh you do look smart today" said Joan as she towered over me.
"Thanks Joanie matey" I smiled "I'm off out later for half a shandy and pickled onion"
I thought her face would explode so loud was her laugh, so puffed her veined cheeks.
We bantered for the next couple of minutes about my drink problem and her daughter's do over the Easter break. Loads coming over apparently and all wanting trifles and legs of lamb.
Poor Joan, she seems to be everyone's mum.

After I'd extricated myself from her grip she let me wander around the shop where I found:

A largish cream coloured conical shaped bowl, now home to various fruits. £1. (Oh God I'd love a cottage)

A small gift for a small friend. £2. Gift could prove lethal in hands of exuberant creative young man. Wooden toys a.k.a post-lunch missiles. Bless:(

A plastic suit protector. For my fox fur. Free. That is how much Joan loves me.

After much banter regarding my clothes I coyly hitched my tweed skirt behind the counter showing a hysterical Joan my Tank Girl Boots.
She is such fun and so willing to play with me that splashing out cash in her shop is more than just pleasure it is essential for our health and general well-being.
A laugh a day keeps the men in white coats away.
Lol.

Anyway after she'd got her old dying breath back we walked to the door and that's when I saw it.

Standing outside.

Its beauty lit by chilly weak sunlight. It was big, it was beautiful and so I said
"That's going home with me. Bag it"
More hysterics and a call to the big bloke out back, the one with the ring through his nose and purple Mohican hair.
Out he ran, his size 22 feet lumbering like elephants.
"I'll help you get it in the car" he boomed.
And so he did. With a lot of hard work.
The coffee table was stunning, shiny brown chequered wood, made in Norway and as heavy as a boat of rocks. Boat of rocks? Hmmm I like that.

Anyway after dismantling nearly the whole car we finally managed to shove it in, the boot though couldn't close. So I tied a couple of plastic bags to one of the legs to warn fellow motorists, then handed over £3 to Iron Man and drove off.......... very very cautiously:)

Arriving home was blissful.

New bowl and new table. All I had to do was unload.

Ran inside with bowl, dropping it on mum's knees, then very carefully I eased the table out, taking every precaution didn't want to risk scraping or scratching the divine top. By divine top I mean its top is gorgeous. Lacquered? Squares in varying shades of tawny brown, tan and mid-nutmeg. Beautiful definitely and really really heavy and awkward to move. But slowly does it and so slowly I did it and before mum could say "Tea please" I had it polished.

A fair morning's work I'd say.

Cheerio:)

Of course I'll post a pic...

Crumbs is that the time?!!!

Minutes turn into hours when I'm gardening.
Only went out to plant a few more pansies and now I'm all behind.

Having planted the last of the aforementioned Pansies I dug a hole and finally put to earth the Magnolia tree. Out front by the way. Near the place where I knocked down the garden post. I didn't know whether to stake it or not but seeing as it looks a wee bit delicate I poked a cane in and tied the young tree to it.
At the base I planted an Anemone. Looks so lost. But I thought the tree might like a little company. Little and large or WHAT!

Also being bedded down a few more perennials in shades of red yellow and orange. As I dug I noticed loads of seedlings popping up, so I watched very carefully where my fork/spade went. The tiny fragile green shoots are the shoots of some wildflowers I scattered a little while ago. What amazed me was that I noticed them amongst the forest of weeds out there which of course I pulled up. Loads more a veritable carpet there is, but overall my stint today has made an improvement. By Endurance We Conquer. (Sir Ernest Shackleton)

I'm parched now so before I set about making dinner I'll have a lonesome cuppa, Mother being in the land of Nod.

By the way whilst I pottered a robin landed on the bird table and looked at me. He was so cute I wanted to pocket him:)

Cheerio

Cup of tea by my side and a quick natter before my day truly begins..

Here's one of my favourite pics of all time. Me 28, Chiefy, my first cat, very young.

Last night's Port 'n chicken casserole was yummy, pools of Porty sauce coloured the mash mauvey. Chicken meat falling of the bones and flakes of darkened herbs spread about like deaded insects. LOL!

Today's gastronomic treat will be nothing like yesterday's.
Probably something late with a sausage.

Today, after I've dosed Mother up on drugs and washed her hair and fiddled with her gnarled horrible old feet, I'll settle on the settee with me cooking books fingering them hopefully.
Guests Saturday...

If I can rouse myself I might, later after several cups of tea, plant some more flowers, itching to do me Magnolia Tree, only concern, the weather forecast. Could a sudden snow drop kill the baby tree?
Will definitely put out the last Sweet Pea.
Ooodles of others to put in the ground but they can wait.
By the way my New Compost Bin is filling nicely, can't wait till I can lift the little door and scoopper out my very own rich mix.
That reminds me, I'm quids in on account of not giving in to the latest Avon catalogue.

Now I must glide away. A sink full of dishes await. Just wait till I get my claws on Mr Horsehound, the no good tripehound.

Feeling happily creative tonight so bish-bashed together some sort of chicken dish.

In the pot went...

Skinned thighs, plump and many
chopped onion, blah blah boo hoo
can of tomatoes, regular not posh cherry
few chopped olives, black and rich from Sainsbury's deli. 45p
quite a lot of garlic, half a head in fact
parsley rosemary basil tarragon marjoram thyme, some dried others fresh. Concoction known as Herbs de Provence
black pepper, generous to the point of cruelty:)
salt, miserly
fingers of carrots, for colour texture and vitamin intake
Port, a five second glug

To go with it? Probably mashed tatties to soak up the boozy liquor.

If I need a sugar fix I'll open a can of mis-shaped mandarins (Sainsbury's Basic) (29p)

Planted a few flowers today.
Pansies
English Pompoms
Sweet Peas

Made a loaf. Over did it a little on account of being distracted, but divine aroma and inner texture. Soft as an angel's buttocks and as white as your false teeth.
:)

Spur of the moment...

Molly

The lovely Tinkerbell getting all my attention

As Mr H and me sipped our morning beverages I suddenly had an urge. And being a sensible kind of girl I gave in to it. Never wise to withhold.

So off we went to buy some more plants.
Our first port of call being the Riverside nursery which is on the way to Hockley. Once inside I felt stirrings of a magical nurturing nature so Mr H went for a trolley.
And before long it was loaded with many plants but I didn't forget the child in me so a large yellow dragonfly-on-a-stick thing will be stuck into soil, probably by the ceramic cat.

I liked the Riverside nursery not just because of the huge amount of choice but because they are wise and canny enough to have on offer free tea coffee and hot chocolate for patrons. Very clever. I of course satisfied myself with a mug of hot choc. Yum.

So we left and headed home but as Mr H. drove carefully around curves and bends he suggested we pop into a pub.
"Oh alright" I said
"But only for a half of shandy and crisps".
So within about ten fifteen minutes we were sitting on a bench outside our favourite hostelry (we don't drink there THAT much only ever frequenting the joint to eat gorgeous food and to admire their beams and brasses).

Sitting outside on such a pleasant day suited us, we had a bench overlooking a field and as I drank shandy I felt very happy.

And so we passed the time by drinking and sharing cheese and onion crisps and discussing nature and how new love cannot be assuaged.

Time to leave. So we left.
And seeing as The Punchbowl is near Four Acres we popped in on the way home...

See above pics:)

Being cooked today (rather late too)

Leg of pork
apple sauce
yorkies
tatties
glazed carrots and parsnips

No idea about pud.

So far it's been a corker of a day. Acting on impulse and heaps of foliage.

Cheerio