Tracing Rainbows

The Bells Of St Clements

2012-02-03T13:06:00.000Z

A quick update – Jo has kindly posted her recipe for a whole orange cake here. [3rd February blogpost] It is even quicker and cheaper than Nigella’s and contains no almonds [apparently there are people who do not like these superfoods]

The smiling fruit is because I have just remembered a senior teacher I worked for who was unable to see the mistake on the carol sheet she had prepared. She had included the line

Listen, all the bells on earth are PEELING!

Relatively Speaking…

2012-02-03T06:12:00.000Z

Well, it amused me.

Bob and I are currently having an ongoing debate about the merits of the Serial Comma [aka the Oxford Comma, or Harvard Comma] If you want to know about that, look here.

It is the comma before the ‘and’ at the end of a list.

I use a pen, a pencil, and a typewriter.

I think [but no doubt Liz, who I regard as the family expert on all matters of punctuation, will put me straight here] that it only needs to be used when the sentence is ambiguous without it.

He dedicated the book to his two ex-wives, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

He dedicated the book to his two ex-wives, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney.

As a child, it concerned me to hear people reading the Christmas story, and saying that the shepherds hurried off…

and found Mary, Joseph and the babe lying in a manger

…a very crowded manger!

Cereal Story

2012-02-02T20:43:00.000Z

This man is Doctor Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner. The Swiss scientist who invented muesli.

We’re very fond of oat-based cereals, and eat lots of porridge through the winter months.

This week I got some oats in Lidl – at 39p for 500g it is cheaper than the other supermarkets at the moment. I mixed in some dried fruit and also some chopped nuts.

Bob had kindly shelled the remaining Christmas nuts the other evening whilst watching TV [I love this wooden bowl, a gift from Chris in Norfolk]

I added some desiccated coconut and also a spoonful of dried milk powder too. It has made a very acceptable muesli – and some mornings I also put in chopped fresh apple.

I checked out the various muesli brands and the proportions of ingredients. It seems to be [by weight] quite variable.

cereals 70-50%

fruits 40-15%

nuts 10-5%

other stuff 10-5%

I did about 60% oats and then gauged the other ‘by eye’. I do not add extra sugar.

What is your favourite breakfast cereal?

Does anyone have a good recipe for home-made granola?

Oh My Darling Clementine!

2012-02-02T06:16:00.000Z

I had six small, slightly shrivelled, dry-looking clementines . A friend had been about to throw them away and I said “Don’t do that” – she was convinced they were past their best and so was happy to throw them in my direction. I decided to make Nigella’s Clementine Cake. It is the strangest recipe, but ridiculously easy. The boiling makes the fruit soft and juicy. It makes a great cake which freezes well.

INGREDIENTS

4-5 clementines (about 375g total weight)
6 eggs
225g sugar
250g ground almonds
1 heaped teaspoon baking powder

METHOD

Serves: 8-10

Put the clementines in a pan with some cold water, bring to the boil and cook for 2 hours. Drain and, when cool, cut each clementine in half and remove the pips. Dump the clementines - skins, pith, fruit and all - and give a quick blitz in a food processor (or by hand, of course). Preheat the oven 190˚ C. Butter and line a 21cm Springform tin.
You can then add all the other ingredients to the food processor and mix. Or, you can beat the eggs by hand adding the sugar, almonds and baking powder, mixing well, then finally adding the pulped oranges.
Pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin, bake 60min

Here’s my ingredients- eggs, baked fruit, and all the rest, ready to blitz in the processor

As you process it, you get a yellow, custardy-looking thick goop.

Just a little too brown on top!I should have reduced the fan oven temperature a little more [I had already turned it down to 180˚ C]

But inside, golden, moist and citrussy!

It freezes beautifully – so once it was cool, I sliced it into 12 pieces, and wrapped them individually and placed them carefully in a flat plastic box for the freezer. That way I can monitor how quickly we eat it! Great on its own with a cuppa – and delicious as pudding with a splash of yogurt. I was given the fruit, all the other ingredients were in the cupboard [leftover from Christmas baking] But I bought the eggs this week. So that means I spent less than 8p a slice. Had I bought the lot, it would have cost about 35p a slice. I’m afraid that almonds are an expensive ingredient!

Thrift Notes- I have been menu planning extremely carefully and ‘eating up the cupboards’ and I’m pleased to report that food spending during January was just £20.10. February will not be so economical, as the Christmas leftovers are almost all gone now, and there are no more sachets of Gingerbread Porridge!

The Boxing Day woodcock and pheasant are still in the freezer, waiting to be casseroled, and there is also 500ml of turkey stock. I have allowed myself £30 for this month, and we will see how long that lasts.

Barefoot In The Park

2012-02-01T17:06:00.000Z

1884 – Seurat’s “Bathers At Asnieres”

2012 – Neville Gabie, artist-in-residence at the London Olympic Park re-interprets the great impressionist’s work with the help of security guards and the site’s landscape artist [plus dog]

Full story on BBC website [here] I think this is a brilliant reworking. Liz was very fond of the Seurat picture when she was at primary school. She said that one of the figures looked like her classmate!

Turn The World On With Your Smile…

2012-02-01T06:40:00.000Z

I loved watching the Mary Tyler Moore Show when I was growing up. I adored the gleeful way she skipped down the street and threw her hat in the air, and everything came right in the end, despite many disasters en route. She introduced me to Minneapolis years before I found the quirky Minnesotans of Garrison Keillor’s neighbourhood.

Why she spent so many years as the TV wife of Dick Van Dyke, I’ll never know [Why, Mary Poppins, what an appalling Cockney accent!] However this week the original DVD himself presented her with the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.

She’s 75, but I shall always imagine her as a twenty-something.

She looks remarkably good for her age, doesn’t she? There’s even a statue to her on Nicolette Mall, Minneapolis

And of course she was brilliant playing opposite our very own English Rose, Julie Andrews, in Thoroughly Modern Millie [along with our equally talented James Fox]

Well done MTM – thanks for the memories!

Here’s those great opening credits again.

Did you watch the MTM show too?

You’re Gonna Make It After All…

Guerilla Gardening!

2012-01-31T15:21:00.000Z

Some flowers to brighten your day. Find more of Steve’s work here

So pretty!

I just love the fact that these little gardens are in the most unexpected places- making good use of the holes in the road, turning something ugly which might be criticised or ignored by others into something surprisingly beautiful.

But you know me – anything that illustrates grace, and the wonder of redemption always thrills my soul!

Friday Night For Folk And Fun

2012-01-31T06:45:00.000Z

Friday’s Annual Africa Aid Folk Night went incredibly well. We were entertained by Eric the Turtle, The Dangerous Dogs, Sam Rodwell [keep an eye out for this 18 year old guitarist, he is going places] and the melodious Lyn Gouldbourn and Steve Hicks [here]

And of course, the ebullient Dave himself.

Bob wore his best HK Sound Engineer's Tee-shirt.

We loaded both cars and left home around 4.30pm Friday – and got back at around 12.15am.

It took Bob ages on Saturday morning to rewind all the cables and sort out all the gear.

But it was worth it – loads of money raised for a very worthwhile cause, lots of good music and refreshment – and time with friends.

[and sometime I must modify this teeshirt – the answer to Question Five is patently incorrect, even if all the others are probably true]

Hanging On…

2012-01-30T15:01:00.000Z

I have been haunted all week by something I typed in Thursday’s post – “I need more than seventeen hangers”

But do I really? How many clothes does one person need? I’m told that Mother Teresa only had three identical saris, and Mahatma Gandhi had just one shawl and loincloth – and they managed. But there are problems here

I have worn a sari, and found it somewhat restricting – if I moved too enthusiastically, it started falling off, and it seemed to drag on the ground, however securely I tried to hoist it at the waist.
Loincloths? No way! I struggle, in the privacy of my own bathroom, to keep myself decent wrapped in a bath towel. The Amish may eschew buttons as a sign of pride, I rely on decent fastenings to maintain my modesty.
What did MG wear on washday? Did he somehow wrap the shawl round himself when his loincloth was laundered and vice versa?
A loincloth and shawl ensemble is not appropriate for the sort of life I lead here in cold wet Britain, [even MT was seen wearing cardigans and a coat on occasion]
I need different clothes for the different parts of my life – I would not wear the same outfit for Sunday preaching as I would to wash the kitchen floor on a Monday. And I wouldn’t wear the same clothes when helping messy 5 year olds to paint as I would to go out for a meal with Bob. Then there are ‘specialist’ things like running shorts and motorbike leathers.

But the fact remains that I think I still have too many clothes. So I emptied out the contents of the wardrobe onto the bed. I discovered I had more of my original blue floral hangers, lurking under jackets, and a few more wooden hangers awaiting padding and covering.

I’ve done the all the padding and covering, and sewn on a few more buttons to hold skirt loops. So now I have just over two dozen pretty padded hangers – and everything hanging on them neatly. I’ve retained two metal 5-bar hangers which hold my jeans and leggings, and a couple of plastic 3-bar ones for shawls and scarves. And my wardrobe looks neater and tidier without all these…

I also have a bag of clothes for the charity shop, and a vast collection of plastic hangers I no longer need. Perhaps the charity shop can use them too?

And I am determined to operate the ‘one in-one out’ rule if I acquire any more clothes. I am not planning to purchase anything though – there are plenty of outfits there to be going on with.

A.B.C.D.E.

2012-01-30T06:02:00.000Z

That’s Always Be Clearing, Declutter Everyday

Here’s a traffic light challenge for you in this Leap Year –copy this list of 29 items, and try to cross off all the items as you declutter them during February. You can aim for one a day – or just cross off a few as and when you find them

*TWENTY NINE FOR FEBRUARY*	Old Tupperware without lids [or lids w/o bases]	Newspapers
Old sunscreen	Plastic milk / drinks /shampoo bottles	Out of date medications
Dried up pens/ crayon stumps	Old lotions & make-up	Seriously out dated food
Odd socks or gloves	Very old cleaning products, and dead dusters	Empty Detergent / soap bottles
Any appliance you hate or never use	Old birthday cards from people you barely remember	Empty boxes
Recyclable glass bottles	Anything that is broken	Clothes you never wear
Old batteries	Napkins, straws, sugar sachets from takeaways	10 pieces of junk mail
Ancient Receipts	Plastic/paper grocery bags	Old Phone books
Burned candles that are less than 3” tall	Books you really don’t need to keep any more	Kitchen gadgets you hate
Dead plants or flowers	Dried up pieces of soap	out of date Magazines/ Catalogues

I am not saying you need to chuck all your old magazines, or every plastic bag – but I bet there is a ballpoint pen in that mug which doesn’t write, and probably a receipt or two in your bag which does not need to be kept.

Posting this a day or two in advance of February to give you time to get yourself ready. And don’t just put it all in the bin - remember to recycle or donate things if they are of use to others.

It’s Unusually Quiet Round Here!

2012-01-29T18:39:00.000Z

I’m feeling a little hoarse! Woke up with a very sore throat. Managed to take the service and preach at another church this morning, but my throat’s become increasingly painful as the afternoon progressed. Bob made me a lovely hot drink with honey, lemon and soluble aspirin. Then he suggested I stay home this evening. I hate missing church, but it is a special Praise Event, and I’d find it really hard not to sing my heart out!

I don’t think it is laryngitis, tracheitis, or anything as serious as that. I hope to be back to normal tomorrow – but here’s a picture for you. How good are you on first century rulers?

This is Philip, otherwise known as Herod Philip II, who married his niece Salome [yes, that one]

He gets mentioned in the Bible, in Luke 3 – and I am sure he must have suffered from some sort of painfully sore throats] too, because there he is given the fabulous title

The Tetrarch of Trachonitis!

Wesley, The Widow And The Man In The Bank

2012-01-29T07:11:00.000Z

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism preached on the “Use Of Money”, with these three wise points

Gain all you can
Save all you can
Give all you can.

I had a fascinating time in the Bank recently, I went in with just one question to ask about our account, and ended up having to undergo a full annual financial review! The guy said he’d like to check our income and expenditure patterns. I know our finances and budget plans very well, so was able to answer his questions easily. He began by noting our incomes, then all the outgoings on his list [mortgage, food, insurance etc]. He got to the end, and subtracted the Outgoings from Incomings in Mr McCawber fashion. and said

"If you have that much left each month, Mrs Almond, you could consider saving some of it."

“No,” I said, “You need go back to the top line. That's our total monthly income isn’t it?”

“Yes”

“Right, now calculate one tenth of it. and include that in expenditure.”

“Why?”

“Well, we are Christians, we begin each month by giving back one tenth to God. It’s called a tithe”

There was a look of genuine horror on the man’s face as he realised how little we have to spare after all our expected bills have been paid.

“There’s really not much left. Do you do this tithe thing EVERY month?”

“Yes”

“I am a Moslem. I only have to do it twice a year. Once at Ramadan, and one other time”

“That’s interesting”

“God knows what's going to happen to the economy”

“Yes, I believe He does, and He has always looked after us, so that's why we always give back to Him. We have wobbly moments occasionally, but it works out in the end”

“Oh…Well thank you for coming in, love**. I will make a note that we do not need to see you till January 2013. Do get back to us if we can help you again.”

“Bye, Imtiaz, God bless you!”

Poor chap, I think he was totally baffled! **He did! he went from a very formal ‘Mrs Almond’ to a somewhat less professional ‘love’ in his confusion. At least he didn’t say “Me Duck”

When I was in Belfast with Mags, we went into City Hall and looked at their Bible Exhibition [part of the KJV 400 celebrations] I was really taken with this Bible, and just had to photograph it. The picture is from the story of the “Widow’s Mite” in Luke chapter 21.

I was really challenged. Look at her closely- she is a young woman, with a small child tugging at her hand. All my life I have imagined ‘the widow’ to be a bent up old lady, with a shawl over her head, shuffling arthritically to put in her coins. The artist who illustrated this Bible makes her a young mother, with family responsibilities. A woman who had only herself to think about might not find it so hard to put in her coins – but one who also had a small mouth to feed, and little feet wanting new shoes, needed a lot of faith to give her tithe.

I guess that’s why I was brought up with the teaching [I Cor 16;2] that the first thing that goes out of the bank each month is God’s portion – and He will make sure that what is left is enough.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give to you. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again.

Initial Reaction

2012-01-28T16:28:00.000Z

You may remember the hassle we’ve had with the NatWest Bank, who could not accept cheques made out to Bob Almond. The saga continues.

Bob recently received a fee from the Co-op Funeralcare for a service he’s doing next week – but it was made out to “B Almond”

I like the staff at the Co-op –they are always polite and friendly when they ring up, and very helpful and efficient. Not that they advertise with the slogan “The Co-op good with…coffins”

The local ones have recently taken delivery of an amazing new hearse too. [Lead us in thy Triumph to our home above…]

Bob rang them up, thanked them for the cheque but explained the problem – he needed it made out not to “B for Bob” but to “R for Robert”. He called in at the office on Friday to collect the new cheque.

It appears that I am now married to Arthur Robert Almond!!

Look After The Pennies…

2012-01-28T06:06:00.000Z

January is when all the newspapers and magazines carry articles about managing your money properly in the New Year, and this year is even worse than last, with even more talk of recession.

Have you seen this one from Pie Foundry ? [buy the postcards here]

And this one from the Buy Nothing Day website

Frugal Queen has this wonderful Wordle on her sidebar, entitled You Are Not What You Buy

It’s 70 years since the US Government issued this poster in 1942. Back then, people signed the pledge to show their commitment to the War Effort. Perhaps it should be re-issued in an updated form, to remind us to shop sensibly.

Like others I have been thinking about my New Year Budget Plans. I am amazed by the variations in people’s methods of spending and saving, and the proportions of their income they allocate to different items. I shall post more about this later. But two Bible passages about money to be going on with…

The Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we know you have integrity, that you are indifferent to public opinion, don't pander to your students, and teach the way of God accurately. Tell us: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

He knew it was a trick question, and said, "Why are you playing these games with me? Bring me a coin and let me look at it." They handed him one.

   "This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?"

   "Caesar," they said.

Jesus said, "Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his."

   Their mouths hung open, speechless.

[Mark 12, The Message]

and

You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.

[Matthew 6, the Message]

Move Over, Ms Schiffer

2012-01-27T06:21:00.000Z

Dealing With One’s Hang-Ups

2012-01-26T17:32:00.000Z

Judy!Judy! Judy!

When I was 19 and a student, I bought myself a pretty summer dress in Coventry C&A. It was made of two co-ordinating blue floral cotton prints. My landlady always referred to it as the “Sweet Little Alice Blue Gown” I loved it – and there were many happy memories attached to it. Nearly twenty years and two babies later, I had to admit I would never fit into it again, and it really should leave my wardrobe. But rather than get rid of it, I dismantled it, and covered five coathangers.

I always intended to have a wardrobe full of pretty hangers like this. I dislike plastic hangers – they snap, their sharp lines leave marks on the shoulders…Bob has all his shirts and suits on wooden IKEA hangers. I have always been too ~~thrifty~~ mean to buy these for myself – and anyway my clothes seem to drop off the sloping shoulders.

But this year things are going to be different!

After all, I made lots of pretty hangers as Christmas gifts for other people, and taught the Sewing Club girls how to make them too. So I took all the random padded hangers in my wardrobe and did three last week. I put tiny buttons on the shoulders to hold skirt loops.

This week at odd moments, I have made five more. I have not put buttons on all of them yet. I am still undecided about adding bows.

These are the last four wooden ones in the wardrobe**, and they need to be wrapped in wadding and covered.

The one at the top has a tiny price sticker on the end. It says “Woolworths 1/9” – that came from my Mum. The one at the bottom is Belgian, and came from Bob’s Mum. I will choose something special to cover those two, to remind me!

You’ll notice that the hangers I have already made are in different colours. It seemed better to me to use a selection of pretty fabrics from the Great Stash, rather than make them all the matching.

According to Charla Krupp, author of the 2008 bestseller “How Not To Look Old”, “Check your wardrobe. Nothing ages you like outfits that are too matchy-matchy: Matchy-matchy makes you look oldie-oldie.”

And I certainly don’t want to have an oldie-oldie wardrobe, do I?

How do some people get into the bestseller lists when they use such odd words? Congratulations to my blogfriend Frances Dowell, who writes very well, and has just got into the best fiction for young adults list produced by the USA Young Adult Library Services Association.

**I need more than seventeen hangers so I must find a source of some more cheap wooden ones. Dunelm or the Poundshop, I think!

Having typed up this post, I have just discovered that Ms Krupp died on Monday, aged only 58. How sad that this vivacious blonde will never actually get to BE old.

Naked Chef, Nude Food, Neat Idea

2012-01-26T06:45:00.000Z

What??? Well, last year, I purchased this in the Lakeland Store in Norwich. It’s a Nude Food Tube. It measures 210mm high, and 70mm in diameter – and it is produced by an Australian company [website here]. Their mission is to reduce the amount of packaging we use in our packed lunches [i.e. move your food nude] They are so concerned about the landfill sites clogging up our planet that over there in Oz they have all sorts of programmes for schools and workplaces to help reduce packaging – and even have a Nude Food Day each October.

My set is three small interlocking tubes- they also produce a two-tube set, with same total dimensions, and you can mix and match the pieces. They have a whole range of cleverly designed stuff, to contain and separate the component parts of your lunch, reducing the need for clingfilm/foil/plastic bags/whatever

Not surprisingly, they managed to get the Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver to promote that idea. [I suspect he’d go anywhere for the publicity, to be honest. He is all over the show these days, isn’t he?]

pukka!

What I like about my container is that it is a good size and shape to tuck into my school bag [about 8” x 2¾” in ‘old money’] or even my handbag. I don’t eat a large midday meal at school – usually there isn’t time because of marking and preparing for the afternoon lessons. The dimensions of the tube force me to be creative – but as I am eating less bread these days, I don’t miss having sandwiches. I’m fortunate in that I have access to boiling water and a microwave in the staff kitchen – as well as bowls,plates, cutlery and mugs.

Here are two typical lunches which I would take.

Lunch #1 is a sachet of cup-a-soup [Approved Foods] some small crispbreads, 5cm square, a satsuma, and some mixed nuts. Plus a piece of kitchen paper.

Lunch #2 is a pack of AF couscous [a double serving, so I’d decant just half of it into one of the tubes] small pear, a carrot [to be cut into batons] and a pack of chocolate buttons [another Christmas leftover treat]

I haven’t got it quite right yet – I do like a napkin for spills, and need to make myself a small thin washable cotton one. But all this stuff fits neatly into the three interlocking tubes [the whole thing is about 10%smaller than a standard Pringles tube]

Liz has suggested filling one third with hummus, and another with assorted crudités for dipping. I could also fill one third with yogurt. By doing the decanting and loading up at home, I can put much of the packaging into my home recycling bin [it is not always possible at school or work to do that] And obviously the peel etc can be brought home again. The domed top of the tube means that a small piece of fruit [or taller carrot batons] will fit beautifully. The base of each third forms the lid of the one below it. All very clever!

The children seem to bring huge lunchboxes, many the size of a small bungalow, often only half full so their food rattles round inside.

I blame Harrison Ford, for giving Melanie Griffith that massive tin box at the end of the film Working Girl! My only disappointment is that Lakeland now appear to have stopped selling the Nude Food Movers.

What do you have in a packed lunch- and how do you transport it?

Oatmeal Walnut Bread–As It Should Be!

2012-01-25T13:53:00.000Z

Justin case you are wondering, my loaf looked like this

But it should have looked like this

Thank you to Anne over at Feather Stitching for allowing me to print the photograph of her perfect loaf. Anne made it using Marjie’s recipe just as I did, and it obviously worked fine for her.

Thanks to to Anon in Oz, who suggested that the American Tablespoon is considered the equivalent of an English Dessertspoon out there in the Antipodes – which may explain the problem with excessive sugar.

[who are the Podes anyway, and why are people anti them?]

Loan, Not Own!

2012-01-24T16:42:00.000Z

Just a quick review of this one which I borrowed recently from our library. It is full of great projects, helpfully organised into seasons from New Year’s Eve to Christmas. But I would never buy it – it’s not one I would want to keep on my shelf. I think that all the projects in it have been in MS Living magazine, and can be found on her website [like this one]. But it has been great fun to flick through the pages and look at the ideas.

One big plus – this is the British edition, so it does have a really useful, and comprehensive, list of different stockists of craft materials at the back. I suspect that this is basically the same book as this one, for sale in the USA

I must say that the photography is beautiful and the instructions very clear. A few projects are considerably more complex than others and require much greater skill.

Some of the Fourth Of July Projects look like they could be modified this year for the Queen’s Jubilee.

Here in KM, we’re already thinking about the Big Lunch in June!

I enjoyed this library book – but was happy to return it!

Oh Crumbs!

2012-01-24T06:42:00.000Z

Oatmeal Walnut Bread – first attempt

Something not quite right here! The Troubleshooting Section suggests that “bread collapsed” means either I had too much liquid, or too much sugar. The recipe required 2 tbsp honey, and I thought at the time “this seems rather a lot” Maybe American honey is runnier and less sweet than British Honey?

I am sure we can salvage something from this loaf. I shall slice the denser bottom section for sandwiches, and perhaps rip the soggy top part into ‘rustic chunks’ and bake them off a little in the oven to eat with ghome-made soup. It’s given us something to smile about anyway.

[btw -The sinister black thing in the corner of the photo is my oven glove!]

We Knead The Dough

2012-01-23T16:47:00.000Z

Bob declared at the weekend that we may have bought our last bagel. Well, I certainly haven’t bought my last book. I saw this in the Oxfam shop today and caved in on my ‘no more books’ idea.

I have looked at this book before in charity shops, and this time I decided it was worth treating myself.

Many of the breadmaker books I have looked at contain just three or four basic recipes with minor variations.

This one has a wide range of recipes – and very clear instructions.

There is a useful troubleshooting guide at the beginning. For many of the recipes, there are two ‘ingredient lists’ [for a 1lb or 1½lb loaf] There are recipes for basic breads, grain breads, fruit/veg/cheese breads, oven baked goods [just using the breadmaker for the dough function] sourdough breads, sweet breads and holiday breads, breads from round the world, and more…

The bagel recipe is very similar to Karen's. But I want to try the lavash - that’s Armenian flatbread, and the oatmeal walnut bread, and also see how I get on with French baguettes.

If Karen’s costing are correct, and I am sure they are, then a batch of bagels represents a saving of around £1.70 – so making two batches will more than cover the £2.99 spent on the book. I will let you know how I get on.

A brief update on the Morrison’s Foccacia story – they have never replied to my letter, and we thought the bread, made as per packet instructions, was not particularly tasty. But we ate it anyway!

Spit And Polish

2012-01-23T07:06:00.000Z

Years ago, I went to a Retirement Event for a Minister – and one thing that concerned me was the suggestion that his spouse was the Perfect Pastor’s Wife – because she always made sure his shoes were polished ready for Sunday. I freely admit that shoe-polishing is not high on my list of priorities for Being Ready For Worship.

I am not sure it is terribly spiritual to hide behind verses like “Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” and make that an excuse. But I confess that although I have always ensured that we had the necessary polish and brushes in a box in the Utility Room cupboard, I am not very diligent about using them.

However, the other evening, I was tidying the cupboard, and decided to sort out the box. Then one thing led to another…

“You’re very fond of red shoes, aren’t you?” said Bob when he came home. Yes I do. Well, in truth, I preferred the Powell and Pressburger film to the rather gruesome Hans Christian Andersen story.

I think you have to be tall to be a ballerina!

When I was a child, I actually met Esmond Knight, who plays the conductor in the film, when he came to our church for his stepson’s baptismal service, along with his glamorous wife, actress Norah Swinburne.

How often do you polish the shoes in your house?

And do YOU have any RED pairs? or other interesting colours?

Character Study

2012-01-22T06:31:00.000Z

For the last few months, I’ve been acting as a mentor to someone who is doing a study course in Christian Leadership. Session 4 was all about developing a Christ-like Character.

This was on one of the handouts from that session. I thought it was worth sharing…

Reputation is what you are supposed to be.

Character is what you are.

Reputation is a photograph.

Character is your face.

Reputation is what you have when you come to a new place.

Character is what you have when you go away.

Reputation is learned in an hour.

Character does not come to light for years.

Reputation is made in a moment.

Character is built in a lifetime.

Reputation grows like a mushroom.

Character like an oak.

Reputation is made from a single newspaper report

Character is built from a life of toil.

Reputation makes you rich or poor.

Character makes you happy or miserable.

Reputation is what people say about you on your tombstone.

Character is what the angels say about you around the throne of God

Boil And Bake

2012-01-21T16:42:00.000Z

Two great recipes I have just tried from two recently discovered blogs. Both recipes involve boiling, then baking the ingredients – but the results are wildly different.

The first is from Karen at Use It Up, Wear It Out, and is for breadmaker bagels. It was incredibly easy to throw the dough ingredients into the breadmaker in the afternoon, then make the bagels after our evening meal on Friday night.

BAGELS

250ml tepid water
1 Tbsp oil
1½ tsp salt
1½Tbsp sugar
450g strong plain flour
1 sachet dried yeast
1 egg white
2 tsp water

Put water, salt, sugar and oil in breadmaking machine.
Add flour to wet ingredients then the yeast.

[note - MY breadmaker requires you put yeast in first, then flour, then remaining dry ingredients then water and oil]

Set machine to bagel programme or dough programme.
When program is finished knock dough back and divide into 8 pieces. Roll into a ball then with a floured finger, push your finger through the centre of the dough.

Put a pan of water to boil then drop two bagels into the water for 3 minutes turning half way through.
Repeat process until all bagels have been done.

Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a clean t-towel. Mix egg white with the water. Place bagels on a tray and brush with the egg wash. Bake in fan oven at 200°C for 20 minutes.

Here they are, waiting to be boiled

The second recipe was “Alice’s Cake” from another Karen, this time at Chelmarsh Chunterings. It is a boil and bake fruitcake, very similar to my tried and trusted BeRo one [here] but I was interested that it includes cherries, and that the liquid used is milk, not water. I had some glacé cherries left after Christmas, so thought I’d give it a go.

ALICE’S FRUIT CAKE
350g Dried Fruit & Glace Cherries
1/2 pint Milk
225g Butter or marg
175g Sugar
2 teaspoons Mixed Spice
1 teaspoon Bicarb of Soda
350g Self Raising Flour
2 large Eggs beaten.
Bake 160*c for an hour, until cooked and firm to touch.

The bagels have come out beautifully, I am thrilled to be so successful at first attempt. Steph used to get me fresh bagels from a Jewish bakery in East London when she was a student, and these came out like that. Much fresher and with a better texture than the supermarket ones [which can be quite hard and dense] I have frozen some of the batch, in a Lock’n’Lock box.

The fruitcakes look equally good, and again will be going into the freezer for future consumption. Since taking these photos, we have thawed and toasted two of the bagels for breakfast, and they still tasted good. I froze 1½ cakes, and the half we kept out and sampled at suppertime tasted delicious. The fruit was well distributed and the spice gave it a lovely colour.

Karen #1 costed hers out, and reckons she pays £1 for four bagels in Sainsbury's, but these only cost 30p for eight “We may have purchased our last ‘shop’ bagel” said Bob. “Not if I see them with a yellow ‘reduced’ sticker for 10p on a Tuesday night!” I replied.

Thank you to the two Karens for the recipes.

There Is Nothing Like A Dane!

2012-01-21T06:23:00.000Z

Everyone is busy talking about the new film of Maggie Thatcher’s time in Downing Street, “Iron Lady” starring Meryl Streep

I haven’t seen it, so cannot comment [we did receive a cinema voucher for Christmas, thankyou Mark, but I’m keeping that for War Horse!] but lately I have been quite caught up in the progress of another female Prime Minister. This one is Danish.

Sidse Babett Knudsen stars as prime minister Birgitte Nyborg Christensen in the drama series Borgen It is on BBC4 on Saturday evenings.

I didn’t watch “The Killing” so I cannot make any reasonable comparisons. A number of my friends saw that series, but they just keep on about the stunning knitwear! According to The Telegraph’s critic Michael Hogan, if The Killing is Prime Suspect, then Borgen is West Wing. I was not so keen on PS, but loved WW – and Bob and I have already spotted many similarities.

You quickly get used to watching with subtitles – however it does mean I cannot manage to knit and watch at the same time! Is anyone else watching it?

And on the subject of Saturday night TV, when will they be bringing us some more Pan Am? The BBC website says ‘during 2012’ but nothing more specific than that.

I love those retro 1960’s fashions. I have always longed for one of those gorgeous blue Pan Am bags, ever since I saw one as a child on the arm of the wife of a Baptist Deacon in Bishop’s Stortford!

What are you watching on Saturday nights?

It’s A Wrap–Part Two!

2012-01-20T16:32:00.000Z

Back in April, I covered three of my cookbooks with some fabric from The Range [see here] I have finally got round to labelling the spines. For months I have found myself taking all three books off the shelf in order to find which one is Jamie. This morning I borrowed Bob’s Brother PT80 labelmaker and labelled them.

As with most jobs which you think will take 5 minutes, it took much longer. As he was working at the church and not around to give advice, I had to find and download the instructions from the internet. Eventually I had three labels, all the same length, ready to stick on the spines. Then I found two more cookbooks to cover with the remaining fabric.

Having done all that, and being engrossed in a play on Radio4Extra, I decided to stay in the kitchen and sort out my shopping bags. I found this sorry specimen [below] lurking at the bottom of my MollyTrolley.

It is a Good Housekeeping shopper, which I received as part of a prize for entering a survey about 20 years ago. It was pre-Internet, and I’d filled in a reply-paid questionnaire which fell out of a magazine. I won an apron, a bag, a diary and a GH Christmas book.

As you can see, the bag is incredibly well used. One strap is almost split, the other has already split and been knotted. The bottom of the bag has suffered from many leaking pens! It is no use as a shopper.

This GH Cookbook is even older, and I got it just before I met Bob, back in 1978. I use it every year for my Christmas Cake, and lately have been rediscovering some of the wonderfully retro recipes in it. You can tell times have changed – fresh chillies, couscous and kiwi fruit don’t get a look in!

Despite the stains, I decided to use the GH bag to cover the GH book, and then printed another label.

I’d decided on a fixed length for the labels to give a sense of uniformity.

Now all I need to do is select one of the books and produce something interesting to eat!

I hope they don’t mind my informal approach to name labels!

How do you keep your cookbooks clean?

Which are the favourite ones you refer to time and time again?

A Thing Of Shreds And Patches?

2012-01-20T06:34:00.000Z

A couple of years ago, Floss posted about a Cath Kidston camp blanket festooned with badges, retailing at around £60. As a good Girl Guide, Floss already has one of these.

Hers is, of course, a proper personalised one, with badges from the various camps she attended in her youth. I think one that is yours with your badges is infinitely preferable to a mass-produced one.

CK is trying to sell the nostalgia to people who have never joined a jolly jamboree [ and succeeding by the looks of it, having been honoured by the Queen a couple of years back with an MBE for services to business]

The latest badged item in the CK catalogue is the doctor’s bag [a mere £85!!] – and before that there was a rucksack.

In November, when I was in the loft fetching down my suitcase for the Belfast Trip, I found another bag inside. I admit that I had forgotten about the smaller bag completely – I think it went in there after the Great Silver Wedding Trip to the USA in 2004.

I should point out that since then, I have not had a holiday requiring a large suitcase – for three years, we holidayed on the motorbike, and I was not allowed luggage, and for three years all holidays have been at Cornerstones, as the mortgage takes up all our money!

It is a good ‘holiday’ handbag – reasonable size, comfortable held in the hand or over the shoulder, with two internal pockets [one zipped] and a magnetic closure. Ideal for carting about shopping and souvenirs, or holding sunglasses and swimwear. It originally came from East – and I believe was a gift from one of the girls [apologies, Liz and Steph, I cannot remember which of you it was] The only problem is that the suede straps have gone stiff and curly at the ends, and the central section of the straps has become grubby and unpleasant to the touch.

Time for a rethink. I have a collection of badges and patches [Girls’ Brigade, Swimming, School Logos, garment labels, and random bits and pieces] which I have been collecting for years, waiting for some good purpose…

First of all, I unbuckled the straps and removed them. Then having decided on a layout, I backed each patch with a small piece of Bondaweb and ironed them all into place.

Then it was a case of spending my evenings with a needle and thread, blanket stitching each patch down firmly. I could have done with Jane’s help [Maple Syrup Mob]. I happen to know that she is a wizard at sewing on badges, after all those years in the Navy. Her badge-attachment-skills would definitely pass muster at the strictest inspection. Stitching onto tough corduroy, without catching the needle in the bag lining was not easy, even with a thimble.

I found some cream coloured tape in the Great Stash too, and covered the straps so they look cleaner and neater.

I’m very happy with my new, personalised bag – and enjoying ‘the thrill of what I already have’

A wandering minstrel I —
A thing of shreds and patches,
Of ballads, songs and snatches,
And dreamy lullaby!

New Year Intentions…

2012-01-19T06:55:00.000Z

After a busy December, when the running machine quietly gathered dust, I have decided I will try to exercise more in coming weeks. Thanks to Alex for this great cartoon, which shows how I’m feeling…

Come Back, Cumberbatch!

2012-01-18T17:42:00.000Z

People are clamouring for another series of Sherlock [calm down, dears, Mark Gatiss has already announced it is in the pipeline] but if you really want more Benedict, you can always listen to “Cabin Pressure” on Radio 4 Extra, where he is heard alongside the formidable Stephanie Cole and others.

This is a Sitcom about “an airline for whom no job is too small but many, many jobs are too difficult” BC plays Martin, a young pilot with some incompetent colleagues. It began in 2008, but Series 1 is currently being repeated on R4extra. Here’s an early clip – presumably written before he took on the Sherlock role!

Elementary!

Two more pictures- Stephanie Cole [born 1941] and Benedict’s mother, the older actress Wanda Ventham [born 1935]

One has spent her entire career specialising in elderly battleaxes – the other in playing attractive blondes. I cannot find a photo of SC looking young and sexy [nor yet one of WV looking old and haggard]

Some more trivia; The surname Carlton used at one time by Benedict and his actor father Timothy is really their middle name. It originates from their Barbados ancestors. One ancestor was called Abraham Carlton and he changed his surname to Cumberbatch by royal assent in order to inherit the family slave plantations in Barbados under the terms of his grandfather's will as there were no male descendants. The surname Cumberbatch is now carried by many of the black descendants of the slaves that lived and worked on the plantations. Barbados slaves did not have surnames but following the abolition of slavery they needed a surname in order to be baptised, married or buried in church; so many took the surname of their plantation owner.

The middle name Carlton has been carried by almost all of Benedict's ancestors since. When Ben started his acting career, he used the surname Carlton, but then was advised to keep Cumberbatch as it was more memorable. Methinks this young man would be memorable if his surname was simply Smith or Jones!

For The Grater Good

2012-01-18T06:47:00.000Z

I had a cheap IKEA microplane grater

But the red plastic handle split. The grater part still worked fine, so I really did not want to spend money on a new one. I presented the grater to Bob, along with the cork from a bottle of Cava, and asked him to fix it.

And of course, he did!

Mr and Mrs Make-Do-And-Mend strike again. Another penny saved, thank you Bob.

As In Ambridge…

2012-01-17T08:58:00.000Z

…so in Kirby Muxloe.

This is very surreal, but all the phones are out for the Archer clan, and our phone isn’t working either. We’ve been told that the engineer should fix it ‘within the next 48 hours’

I am cheering myself up by watching the wonderful wedding video posted by Mags, of their family celebrations a couple of weeks ago.

Your outfits look great, and the boys’ dancing is v. cool!

Apologies to anyone who has tried to call us recently [it did give us a very quiet Monday evening though] Broadband keeps coming and going too, so not sure if this will post to the blog.

Who Is Dr Brian Cox?

2012-01-17T07:17:00.000Z

It all depends on whether you like physicists or radio dramas. As you well know, I am very fond of both. I give you Dr Brian Cox #1

Born June 1946, he is a Hollywood star and one of Scotland's hardest-working actors Brian Cox. Rector of Dundee University, and holder of a doctorate from Napier University, Edinburgh, he was also recently named an Honorary Doctor of Letters by Kingston University in south west London. Best known for his roles in movies such as The Bourne Supremacy, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Rushmore and X2: X-Men United, and his extensive work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mr Cox was honoured in recognition of his tireless work in drama education. He’s also brilliant in the Detective McLevy series in which he stars with flame haired Siobhan Redmond. He got his CBE in 2002 for services to drama.

…and now Dr Brian Cox #2

Born March 1968, he is a particle physicist. He failed his maths A level, due to ‘lack of interest and band commitments’ – but he still got to Manchester University to study physics. There he joined the band D:Ream. After D:Ream disbanded in 1997, Cox was awarded his PhD in high energy particle physics at Manchester University, based on his thesis drawn from work he did for the H1 experiment at the HERA particle accelerator in Hamburg. Since then he has become a well known face in BBC, presenting a number of science programmes. He got his OBE in 2010 for services to science.

There may be a Dr Brian Cox #3 but if so I have yet to discover him…

World Wide Web

2012-01-16T15:15:00.001Z

Bob alerted me to this story on the BBC website over the weekend. Arachnophobes look away now

Look at this incredibly intricate weaving

It is a detail from this cape

These are golden orb spiders and they make the most fabulous golden silk. No, I don’t think I could hold one either, let alone two!

Two American textile magnates, Simon Peers and Nicolas Godley, set up a project to harvest the silk from a million spiders

It was then woven [undyed, in its natural golden colour] into this stunning shawl and cape. They have been on display in the American Museum of Natural History, but now have come to the Victoria and Albert Museum for an exhibition [admission free] till June 5th

WOW!

The Final Problem

2012-01-16T06:35:00.000Z

I just loved Sherlock last night. I won’t say any more in case some of you have recorded it to watch later. I have my own theories all about how the ending was arranged, and hope it means there will be another series later in the year. The reviews were out promptly, and mostly favourable.

But I just have to rant about this line from the article yesterday in the Mail about Benedict Cumberbatch and the fact he has just split up with his girlfriend.

“The actor also appears in Steven Spielberg's latest hit War Horse, for which he came out of an intended hiatus to appear in.”
Does that sentence make sense?

In what kind of English is it written?

What sort of ‘journalist’ wrote that?

One is tempted to quote the line attributed [probably incorrectly] to Winston Churchill

"this is the kind of tedious nonsense up with which I will not put"

Like Lynne Truss, and Bob, I think I am becoming a geranium in my old age!

"When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains - however improbable - must be the truth."

Thoughts For The Weary

2012-01-15T06:16:00.000Z

My recent bookshelf trawl revealed this gem

“Thoughts for the Weary and The Sorrowful”

It came from my Mum – but Alexander Raleigh’s wife compiled this book from her late husband’s writing in 1882, and this copy is inscribed in the front “Lucy Playford 1883 from ACH” and the frontispiece says “Edinburgh 1882” – so this must be a very early edition. Below Lucy’s neat hand is written “C E Playford 1899”

The book has been obviously well-used – throughout its pages there are many pencilled notes- and little cuttings and snippets stuck in every available space. some have dates on them – 1890, 1899, 1927, 1943 - while other inclusions have added comments e.g. “from Minna, N. Nigeria”. I wonder how many Christians have kept this book on their shelf and dipped into it for encouragement and refreshment and words of comfort down the past 130 years?

We tend to think of stress and fatigue and overwork as maladies belonging to the 21st Century, and speak of these ills as if our generation invented them. But in truth, there have always been moments in life when a woman [or man] feels there is just too much to do, and no time to rest, and when the burdens are too heavy to bear.

The handwriting styles and choice of cuttings and poems [by Marianne Farningham, Miss Havergal and other ladies] suggest to me that this book has passed through a succession of female libraries. Did these women have men who were away in the Army in WW1 or WW2? A note in the back page suggests an owner who as a worker in the Methodist Central Hall in East Ham in the 1930’s.

above; Farningham and Havergal

Last Tuesday I read one of the New Year Poems at our Ladies’ fellowship, and I shared this little cutting, which is a challenge to all of us [man or woman] who endeavours to do too much. There are pencil underlinings and I have included them…

“To gauge the extent of our strength and to refuse to draw on the whole of our reserve force, which is supplied for emergencies and not for habitual use, is sensible and profitable. Of course many women may protest that is is absolutely necessary for economic, social or even civil reasons that they should ‘get through’ all that they see is waiting to be done. But when a serious breakdown, with a long absence from the accustomed sphere of service results, they are apt to change their opinion.

Wisely regulated physical rest is essential, and the ill-treatment of the body, followed by prayers that we may be able to achieve the impossible through faith, is utter foolishness and no mark of saintship”

I love that final sentence. Sometimes if we are too weary, it is our own fault – may God give us wisdom to manage our time and energy in the best way, to achieve what HE wants, not what WE desire.

Blogger Bother

2012-01-14T19:15:00.000Z

I’ve had real problems today with comments – and it seems I am not the only one. Three friends have already e-mailed today to say they cannot publish comments on my blog. I have not been able to comment on my own blog, or on those of some other people.

Yesterday Blogger changed its comment format and I wonder if that is causing the glitch. Hope this is sorted soon!

The Thrill Of What You Already Have #1

2012-01-14T06:30:00.000Z

Floss has suggested [here] a new blog-event for 2012.

It was inspired by a comment from Carolyn [Mess Muddle and Fun] on a post Floss did in the Autumn about not buying new, but rediscovering the old things we own but had forgotten about

"I think this is an excellent idea, esp as it not only encourages us to be content, to be happy, to appreciate and enjoy what we have; but it will also encourage us to look for things we had forgotten, to tidy out those cupboards, to reclaim old forgotten loves."

Each month, Floss is giving us a picture to inspire us, and we will see what happens! She is using her Scottish Rail Tourism Poster Calendar. So here’s her first offering

The poster in shades of blue and browns had reminded me of some pottery I had in the cupboards.

I reduced this picture to a colour swatch palette.

OK, confession, I badgered Bob into showing me how to do this. He patiently showed me, and I worked away for ages till I got a result.

Here is my swatch.

And here are the items I found in the cupboards

The two pieces on the left came from Crail Pottery in Scotland [mementoes of two ‘interesting’ holidays in St Andrews – I have no experience of holidays in Dunfermline]

The deep blue jug and bowl and the terracotta ‘olives’ dish were gifts the girls bought back for me from holidays in Spain.

The blue glass bowl and the pale blue/beige jug – I am sorry, I cannot remember where they came from {i suspect they were gifts from the girls too] The jug on the extreme right is one of my Hornsea Cornrose Wedding Gifts. And my new Willow Tree Angel – Blessings! – seemed to fit perfectly right in the middle of the display.

I love all these pieces – their shapes, colours, and surface textures.

I do love jugs and bowls, and although most of the meals I prepare are for just two of us, I like to use lots of serving dishes rather than simply put two ‘loaded’ plates on the table. It does mean more washing up – but it makes an ‘ordinary’ midweek meal feel more special. [Candles and dimmed lights help do that too- but if I overdo them, it makes Bob suspect I am disguising burnt offerings]

Looking forward to more inspiration and thrills from others sharing this blog event! Thanks again Floss, for inspiring us.

Then And Now

2012-01-13T19:37:00.000Z

[but what’s with the blackboard? Shouldn’t she have an Interactive Whiteboard?]

The Best Of Times, The Worst Of Times

2012-01-13T06:42:00.000Z

The Baptist Times newspaper has been part of my life since…well, since my parents put in the announcement of my birth, many years ago. The BT was already one hundred years old when I was born.

The newspaper has recorded the births, baptisms, marriages and deaths in the wider Baptist family – as well as my own family. I have written letters and articles, and had my photo in there many times over the years.

For us ‘BT’ was about the happenings in the church, for years before Maureen Lipman [Beattie] and British Telecom came along. Our ‘ologies’ were subjects like theology, doxology, and eschatology!

Sometimes the content has been great – other times I have ranted round the kitchen on a Thursday saying “This article is rubbish!” or “This cartoon is a waste of space!” while Bob laughs at me.

The BT has changed its logo and style too – and a few years ago became available in an ‘on-line’ as well as a ‘paper’ format.

But on January 20th, the BT will cease to exist as a weekly newspaper. It is going to be just an on-line magazine.

Despite its faults, I think I shall miss it – the current editorial team have worked very hard to keep the paper going in a difficult economic climate. It cannot have been an easy decision to close down

This post is really to say thank you to all of them for their hard work, and also to alert any fellow Baptists out there to the fact that you can sign up for the emails here.

How Thoughtful!

2012-01-12T16:00:00.000Z

It is the tradition in many workplaces for people to bring in cakes to share with colleagues when it is their birthday. The school where I do Supply Teaching is no different.

The one male teacher on the staff had a ‘significant’ birthday in the Christmas Holidays. Instead of bringing in cakes, we found a stack of boxes on the table in the staffroom.

A huge selection of Twinings Teas [tea blends, redbush, and herbal infusions] along with a card saying that he figured many of us would be attempting to lose weight after Christmas so wouldn’t want to be tempted by calorie-laden cakes.

We made ourselves cuppas, sampling the various blends. I thought it was a brilliant idea, and one worth sharing with you. I have now discovered that I quite like the Camomile, Honey and Vanilla blend.

Thanks Lee for sharing your birthday in a great, non-fattening way!

Here’s some more fabulous sand-art…

someone put the kettle on, please!

Attracted? Or Repelled?

2012-01-12T06:23:00.000Z

This week I have been sporting dark blue fingernails. This is quite unusual for me – but in a crazy mood, one night last week, I decided to paint them with the Wonderwoman Spirit Of Truth stuff Steph gave me last May for my toenails. I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality and staying power of this product – it has lasted well over a week with minimal touch ups – almost no chipping. In the past I have only ever had budget stuff – this is obviously a case of ‘you get what you pay for’

But I am beginning to tire of it, and will revert to my normal, natural colour very soon now.[btw never paint your nails without checking beforehand that you already have some remover, in case it proves to be an utter disaster and you need to clean it off instantly!]

Over the summer, I was quite baffled to read that the main trend for Autumn Winter 2010/2011 would be ‘Magnetic Nail Varnish’. Was this like the ‘Magnetic Paint’ sold by B&Q ? I wondered

If so, I could not imagine how it would serve any useful purpose as a nail varnish.

The thought of attempting dressmaking, and finding all the pins leaping out of the fabric and attaching themselves to my fingertips was baffling. Then this week Lakota revealed all on her blog. The varnish is not magnetic at all!

The varnish contains iron particles- you hold a magnet over the nail for 10 seconds while it is wet, and these particles are attracted, and form themselves into a pattern. Boots have a helpful video here…

whatever next?

This is one fashion fad I think I shall not be trying! Varnish, French Manicure, Acrylic Nails, Gels…or Au Naturel – what fashion is at your fingertips?

Soup, Sewing And Getting Stoned

2012-01-11T20:35:00.001Z

Having carefully made my menu plans for the month, Bob mentioned at the weekend that the local clergy were coming for lunch today. We were supposed to be having soup and fruit, so I decided that I was not changing my plans. Then I was asked to do a day’s Supply Teaching. Yippee! But that meant making sure I’d prepared well beforehand for the lunch.

So on Tuesday night, I made some minestrone soup using what I had to hand – a jar of basic tomato and herb sauce, a can of chopped tomatoes, a can of baked beans, one onion, 5 small potatoes and 2½ carrots.

I chopped and sautéed the veg, and added half the can of beans and the pasta sauce. I blitzed the tomatoes and remaining beans, in the liquidiser, and put it all in my big Le Creuset pot.

A spoonful of frozen peas, and a large handful of macaroni went in too, along with some seasoning, a few herbs and a splash of Worcester Sauce. I let it simmer for half an hour. It tasted fine.

I’d picked up some cheese and bread rolls half price in Sainsbury’s on Tuesday afternoon, along with some budget yogurts and basic apples and satsumas.

I went off to work leaving the dining room beautifully set out.

In the event, not everyone turned up – so we have lunches sorted for the remainder of the week!

I have decided to keep more careful notes of food spending this year, and have been scribbling things in an old notebook for the past week or so. However I thought a proper book would be good. We needed a ‘one-off’ project for Sewing Club tonight, so I fished out some old [but unused] exercise books from a box in the loft, and taught the girls how to make fabric covers.

I think that having a neat little book like this should inspire me to be more diligent about my notekeeping. Thus far this year I have spent just £7.73 on food [I admit that I had a good stock of tins and dry goods]

There has only been one downside to the ‘eating up stocks’ – the plums.

The glut of cherry plums from the tree on the church car park, and the trees on the edge of the heath near Cornerstones meant we had; jars of jam, jars of chutney, cherry plum gin, bottled plums, and frozen plums. Now the plums in the jam and chutney were stoned before I cooked them. The plums in the gin were removed before it was drunk at Christmas. But the bottle and frozen plums still had their stones in.

Last week I made and froze two plum crumbles using one of the Kilner jars of plums. Unfortunately I didn’t think about the hassle of removing the stones as we ate our puds. An average of 15 sharp, tiny stones per portion! Bob and I have decided that any future plum dishes will have to be stoned prior to cooking!

Twelve Plays Of Christmas

2012-01-11T06:21:00.000Z

Not a misprint, but the title of the superb CD which we received from Chris for Christmas. It’s from the Kingsway stable…

…and despite it’s title, it is not a collection of carols! Rather it is a compilation of tracks from various Christian artists – from Grandad Graham Kendrick [now in his 60s] via Delirious? and Fellingham through to musicians who are newer on the scene.

I am enjoying this very mixed bag of blessings [I typed that very carefully – a ‘bag of mixed blessings’ would give you entirely the wrong idea] It’s an all-year-round selection. This one is not for putting away after Epiphany, along with the tree and trimmings!

And I am quite excited to find a Rend Collective number included [unlike Mags, I haven’t had the joy of attending one of their gigs in person - yet]

A great gift – thanks Chris!

Here’s the Tracklist:
01 Cathy Burton - Refuge
02 Aaron Keyes - Psalm 62
03 Rend Collective Experiment - You Bled
04 Lou Fellingham - There is More
05 Miriam Webster - Made Me Glad
06 Graham Kendrick - The Servant King
07 Marc James - He Reigns
08 Chris McClarney - Your Love Never Fails
09 Brenton Brown - Our God is Mercy
10 Ian Yates - Take My Life
11 Delirious? - My Soul Sings
12 Hillsong Live - Forever Reign

The Borrowers [Good And Not-So-Good]

2012-01-10T06:38:00.000Z

Did you enjoy this programme over the Christmas Holiday?

I am one of The Borrowers too – from my local village library. I popped in there on Saturday afternoon and got a bagful of books. My haul included this one

It is a new book from the Riverford Organics lot, who produce the fruit and veg boxes. [We had one of their delicious boxes a couple of years back as an anniversary gift from Liz and Steph]

This copy is very new too – according to the ticket in the front, only one other person has borrowed this book before me[and it still has that lovely ‘new smell’ about it too]

The book is full of recipes for each month of the year, designed for veg-box customers, to inspire them to use up their seasonal produce. Wonderful stuff -although I am still avoiding chard!

I trust that that The First Borrower who took this book out of the library enjoyed their spiced chicken, basic tomato sauce and the four other recipes they liked the look of.

How do I know which ones they fancied?

Because they turned over the corners of the pages and folded them down VERY firmly.

The Librarian and I were not at all impressed by this appalling treatment of the book. Brand new volume or older edition, there is no excuse for such behaviour. We muttered about the dreadful thoughtlessness of doing this.

One doesn’t expect such cavalier attitudes towards property in a village like ours, you know!!

You can always find a slip of paper, a postcard, bus ticket, old envelope…something appropriate…to use as a bookmark [I stress ‘appropriate’ after having been told by a Librarian in Kent of a cookbook once returned to her library with a bacon rasher marking the place!]

Rant over – I will tell you about the recipes another day…

Brave New…Year

2012-01-09T14:54:00.000Z

Yesterday I read an article about decluttering, which suggested the motto “ABC – Always Be Clearing” so full of good intentions, I decided today to sort out some more bookshelves. I climbed up a stepladder to check to top shelves. As usual I got sidetracked!

Leaning up against Winifred Holtby’s West Riding [How I love that book. Proper schoolteaching as it used to be]I found these two tomes

I read Brave New World at school, and a couple of time since. I do not recall ever reading Crome Yellow. So I decided that before consigning it to the Charity Shop Box, I should at least make an attempt. I lifted both books down.

The first one says [in my SIL’s immaculate handwriting] “R Almond June 1972” – so that one is obviously Bob’s book. The second says “OBD” and I have absolutely no idea where it came from [charity shop?] It is dated 1937, and the photo shows the book in its original paper dustjacket – did you realise that Penguin paperbacks once came with dustjackets? And only cost sixpence!

The other intriguing thing – inside Brave New World I found two postcards. The plot thickens – I remember that I found these inside another charity shop book purchase a few years back.

The top card is dated March 1959, and is the cathedral in Milan [where the card was posted] the lower one is Leonardo’s ‘St Anne’ [from the Louvre] and was posted in Paris, June 1950. They were both sent to 31 Pond Street, Hampstead, to Julian Huxley. Julian the biologist [left] was the brother of author Aldous [right]

While the first card is addressed to Prof Huxley, the later Italian one is to Sir Julian [he was knighted in 1958] – and it came from Irma Antonetto, who was a respected Italian political journalist [below]

She just says “Best greetings and remembrances also to Lady Juliette & Leonard”

The first card is signed R C Murphy. I thought that it would be harder to establish his identity.

But the card says “Many thanks for your letter and the word that you find the ‘Logbook’ entertaining” – a little bit of googling, and I deduced that the card is from Robert Cushman Murphy, a noted American ornithologist, who wrote ‘Logbook For Grace’ about his experiences on one of the last US whaling brigs, a hundred years ago [details here]

I do not imagine these cards have any monetary value, but it is fun to keep them as bookmarks.

Crome Yellow is set just after WW1 in a large country house [called ‘Crome’] For years I have believed that “Crome Yellow” was also a paint colour, named after the Norwich artist John Crome, but I have just found out is has nothing to do with him, and the paint colour is ‘Chrome Yellow’.

But I now must do some more decluttering before I start any reading!

One A Week ? I Doubt It!

2012-01-09T06:49:00.000Z

I only had one book this Christmas, which is quite unusual – but it is such a fascinating book, I am quite happy. It is this

It contains fifty two ‘simple, seasonal projects’ – and they are indeed set out in 4 groups of 13 – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.

The book is a delight to read- full of attractive photographs and helpful notes [It does tend towards the CK lifestyle in places, but I’ll forgive her for that!] Here are a few of the projects – bags, babywear, household items, Christmas bits…

They are all relatively small items, and I imagine that a determined knitter could indeed produce one a week. The book has helpful notes on the different yarns, and ideas for modifying patterns. You can see more from the book on the Amazon site [here] I like her simple instructions, which are well set out [and on her website DB is honest enough to admit that sometimes errors creep in – you can even print out a sheet of revisions for the book!] Some of the cable designs look a little complex- but the majority of designs seem quite manageable for a reasonably competent knitter, and many would be achievable even for a novice with the needles.

Thus far I have done just one item. After many pathetic attempts in November, trying to crochet a mug cosy from the Mollie Makes pattern I had given up. I could not get the work to fit the mug! I unraveled it all and rewound into a ball. But in Boxing Day, I picked up the yarn, and a small ball of blue dk – and produced this knitted mug cosy in next to no time.

I added a little patch with “Lucy” embroidered on it, and gave it to my niece [in the belief that 6th formers spend inordinate amounts of time drinking coffee]

I felt very pleased with this project, and have been pondering what to do next.

Last week, at Cornerstones, I knitted another V-neck slipover from my Sirdar Crofter pattern [bought Summer 2010 here] I used up 200g leftover dark red wool. I think I may make myself another one sometime – but I shall knit it longer. I have no intention of buying yarn – will have to check what is on hand [and maybe go stripey]

But back to the DB book – simply because they are small projects, they lend themselves to using up leftovers [the oddments knitting bag – top right in the photo – is a good example]

I love the tetrahedron lavender bags. I found another enthusiastic review of the book here by Catherine which shows her lovely interpretation of this project.

When I knit more from the book, be sure I shall post details.

Has anyone else out there produced anything from this book?

Blessings!

2012-01-08T06:56:00.000Z

I frequently sign off letters, blog comments and phonecalls with the word “Blessings!” – God has blessed me so much, and I want to share those blessings with others. I am also conscious of so many unexpected blessings showered upon us all, everyday, through God’s good grace.

Bob and I agreed we wouldn’t buy each other a present this year due to financial stringencies [and the fact that we’d already purchased a ‘joint present’ for ourselves- a much needed bit of replacement PA gear – earlier in December] But Bob ignored that decision, and gave me a gift anyway [I ignored the decision too, and gave him a set of books from the Book People!]

He bought me this Willow Tree figure – she’s called “Blessings!”

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

It’s A Wonderful Loaf!

2012-01-07T20:15:00.000Z

This is Def Leppard

I am given to understand by my offspring that they are some sort of young person’s beat combo.

This is Dan Lepard

I am given to understand by my offspring that he is a jolly ice chap, and one of the best breadmakers around [they met him in London]

This is his book [given to Bob for Christmas by Steph]

This is Bob’s loaf which is sitting on the kitchen table right now

It looks very impressive, it smells heavenly – but I have strict instructions not to eat it- it is a vital part of tomorrow’s All-Age Service at church!

The Photographer Is The Instrument…

2012-01-07T06:49:00.000Z

…not the camera.

So said Eve Arnold, the legendary photojournalist who died this week at the age of 99. According to Beeban Kidron, in Thursday’s Guardian, her name is never printed without the prefix ‘legendary’. BK has a great article about this woman.

There’s a gallery of some of her iconic photos here – she took some amazing pictures of film stars- but of unknown people too [a retired Chinese woman, Nazis at a rally…]I confess to being mesmerised by some of her pictures of Marilyn Monroe. She could achieve stunning pictures not only in a studio – but also in a London pub [see Burton and Taylor below] And she said some interesting things about her craft and her subjects…

“A studio session ... provides the greatest chance for control. [But] even though there is total freedom, I still dislike studio photography and the contrived images that usually stem from this genre.”

“You can’t make a great musician or a great photographer if the magic isn’t there.”

"If a photographer cares about the people before the lens and is compassionate, much is given. It is the photographer, not the camera, that is the instrument."

“I never knew anyone who even came close to Marilyn in natural ability to use both photographer and still camera. She was special in this, and for me there has been no one like her before or after. She has remained the measuring rod by which I have — unconsciously — judged other subjects.”

I definitely need more practice [but still find Picasa a most useful – and free - tool to make my efforts presentable]

Goodbye, Dennis!

2012-01-06T17:18:00.001Z

We have been busy at church today with the Thanksgiving Service for our dear friend Dennis who died just before Christmas. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend- as well as being very involved in the life of our church, having served as a Deacon, Treasurer and Boys’ Brigade Officer. He loved relaxing with a game of bowls, and by walking in the countryside [he started the church’s Walking In Good Company group]

The last time Bob visited him in hospital, Dennis wanted to talk about the arrangements for his funeral – he knew it would not be long. Dennis had three requirements

That everything should be cool, calm and collected [he was a stickler for things being done ‘in the right way’]
That it should be a time for saying thanks – to family and friends [particularly his beloved Margaret] but also to God, for the wonderful, long and blessed life he’d enjoyed.
That above all, JESUS should come first – Dennis was so grateful for his salvation, and for the faithfulness of God, and certain of his home in heaven, and he wanted to share that with everyone else.

And Bob delivered a service exactly to those requests. As the service ended, we watched a presentation of photographs of Dennis’ life, while David, the organist, played the BB hymn “Will your anchor hold?”

Will your eyes behold through the morning light
The city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will your anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
When life’s storms are past for evermore?

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

I am confident that Dennis has anchored safely – and now our thoughts and prayers are with Margaret and the family.

Epiphany

2012-01-06T06:44:00.000Z

The Magi went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

We’ll Eat Again…

2012-01-05T15:44:00.000Z

…and again, and again, and again…

I did a proper audit of all the stuff in the fridge and freezer. Liz was the last to leave the house last week, and did a brilliant job of sorting out the fridge and the various half-started packets of Christmas stuff before she went – thanks, daughter!

We also had some food to bring back from Cornerstones – including some woodcock and pheasant from Adrian’s Boxing Day Shoot [he had prepared and frozen the meat for me, all ready to casserole] - thanks brother!

Then there is the shelf in the garage with the tins. In ‘good’ months, when I have had a reasonable amount of teaching, I’ve stocked up on non-perishables, buying an extra can here and there on bogofs etc.

But now is the time to use up the reserves, like Joseph did [at the end of Genesis 41] So I have meals planned till the end of the month using only what I have in stock, with only the minimum amount of food shopping needed. An inexplicable surplus of peas in the freezer means they will have to be our ‘fresh’ veg. and desserts will be the Christmas cake, and Approved Foods Xmas Puds not eaten during the festive season, along with home made yogurt and the fruit I bottled in the summer. And anyway, we are cutting back on desserts!

But one afternoon in the kitchen, and I have a freezer full of ‘ready-meals’, and a list on the cupboard door, so I know exactly what we are eating and when.

Doesn’t this look encouraging? and remarkably tidy! This is half way through the process, I have put things away in date order so I can work from ‘front to back’

And everything is labelled neatly, and clearly, with full reheating instructions. This year I resolve not to ‘save time’ by not bothering to label freezer things properly ‘because I will remember what it is when I defrost it’ Experience has shown that I won’t.

[Stock or stewed apple? Bolognese or chilli?]

Are you still eating up leftovers? Have you had any ‘freezer disasters’ which were memorable?

A Million Housewives…

2012-01-05T06:32:00.000Z

…except my beanz are usually budget ones!

When we got back from Cornerstones, I started dismantling the tree and packing away the decorations. Bob offered to cook a meal.

“There’s a pizza in the freezer you might like” I said

“What about you?” he said [I never eat cheese]

“Well there’s a lock’n’lock with half a can of leftover beanz to use up. But there isn’t any bread for toast…”

“I’ll find something!” replied my resourceful spouse.

May I present Bob’s Baked Bean Bowl

He spread a tortilla with a little butter, pressed it into shape in the bowl, then baked it for 10 minutes in the oven alongside his pizza. Steph telephoned as we were about to eat and I raved about it. “Photograph it now before you forget and eat it!” she advised.

It looked and tasted really good.

Like many of you, I’ve been doing a Food Audit with all our Christmas leftovers – so expect some more innovative recipes in the near future. And like Froogs, I stocked up in Lidl on Monday with their Branston Beanz at 4 for £1 [if you missed that one, Sainsbury’s are doing them 4 for £1.27 till the end of the month]

As Any Fule Kno…

2012-01-04T06:09:00.000Z

The death has recently been announced of the great Ronald Searle, at the ripe old age of 91.

He was a really gifted artist- and over 60 years ago, he drew amazing pictures of his life as a Japanese POW on scraps of paper he had managed to scrounge, and conceal from the guards. He said afterwards that he felt that it would give some purpose to his life, which imagined would be quite short, if he could in some way document the experiences of himself and his comrades.

But for most people who recognise his name, the two great things for which he will be remembered are the wonderful schools and their pupils which he illustrated so brilliantly – St Trinians and St Custards

Who can forget the wondrous exploits of these girls ?? [and the fabulous films with Joyce Grenfell and co – infinitely better than the recent remakes]

Being a grammar school girl, who wore a gymslip and striped tie, and a school hat, how I identified with these girls. There were so many things you could do with a hockey stick, and how we made the history master’s life a misery [and yes, we had a batty spinster headmistress too…]

And as for Molesworth …

This man was certainly no fule – and he has left a wonderful legacy in his art – both serious commentary on the evils of war, and also enormous fun and warmth in his depiction of schooldays.

Merry Berry Christmas

2012-01-03T06:43:00.000Z

First thing – the Mary Berry Christmas cake tasted great!

My niece Lucy made it, and the fruit was well distributed. The flavour was good – but I forgot to take a picture. Sorry.

Marion said the only downside was no cherries

Had she realised, she’d have got Lucy to mix some in.

Second – when Adrian, Marion and Lucy came for a meal on Sunday night, I made a simple cheesecake, using my new MB cookbook for inspiration. No processor here at Cornerstones though.

Consequently I smashed up the biscuits for the base by putting them in a bag and bashing it with a rolling pin. I had a flash of inspiration [why haven’t I thought of this before? ]

-to flatten the crumbs in the base of the tin, I turned the plastic bag inside out, put my hand inside, and pressed down hard. Much more effective than doing it with a spoon I thought

It looked really good when turned out! [Although I’d left it in the freezer too long. We had to delay dessert till it had thawed!]

Back to plain foods next week I think…

Blessings In Bacton

2012-01-02T17:42:00.000Z

Monday being a Bank Holiday, we packed a picnic and headed to the coast [never knowing when we will see the sea again it seemed a good idea] We stopped at Overstrand and enjoyed a coffee in the White Horse pub. We did not see John Major, although that’s his ‘local’. Then we drove on to Bacton. This sleepy little seaside spot is most famous for the Gas Terminal…

…but our memories relate to this place – the Baptist Church

Back in 1983 and 1984 we stayed here. Bob was a penniless student, so my Dad arranged for us to stay in the Manse along with another student family.

The Manse is the cottage adjoining the back of the chapel. The generous folk at the church allowed us to stay for free if Bob and his friend conducted the Sunday services! We were so grateful to them – we had two fabulous holidays there.

Thirty years later, we speculated whether the church was standing, demolished, or turned into a house or shop or something. But the building was still there. We parked outside and peeped through the window. A smiling face beckoned us inside! Once inside, we were thrilled to find a crowd of friendly people busily tiding up Christmas decorations – packing and sweeping, and filling rubbish bags. We explained why we were being nosey – and they told us who they were. The membership of the chapel had dwindled to almost nothing – and then everything changed…The building is now the home of the Beacon Community Church.This church [website here] was planted here in March 2009, and is a growing, lively congregation.

We were offered tea and biscuits and a guided tour. Here is the upstairs room which was our holiday bedroom all those years ago

Now it is equipped as a prayer room. I spent a quiet moment thanking the Lord for all He has done, for us, and for this place in the past three decades.

The downstairs rooms have been renovated beautifully as kitchen, loos, and meeting rooms.

The decoration of the chapel where Bob preached is still ongoing. The pulpit and pews have gone, bright paintwork gives everything a much lighter feel. A screen and data projector and mixing desk give the facilities for multi-media stuff.

They have done all this work themselves. Whilst we were there, Ian was up a ladder painting the front of the balcony.

Here are the other friends we met – June and her daughter Charlotte, and Russell and Chris. [you can tell it is a ‘proper’ church hall, spot the mugs and tea urn inside the hatch]

Bob and I were both so moved by their story – and we stood with them all in the Chapel, and prayed for them, and the work they are doing in this little community. God bless Bacton!

It was a fabulous way to end our Cornerstones Holiday and begin a New Year. Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow…

Tell Me, Where Is Fancy Bread?

2012-01-02T06:41:00.000Z

Wrote the Bard, in the Merchant of Venice [or something like that]Well, I purchased some ‘fancy bread’ in Morrisons on Friday.

Now admittedly, I grabbed it in a hurry, as it was reduced in price. But I did read the few words on the front - perfect for sharing…serves 6 – and I figured the picture shows nine pieces so that seemed good value [66p]for some tasty Italian bread…

In the car going back to Cornerstones, Bob asked what was in the box, as it had felt quite light when he was packing the bag at the checkout. I assured him it was a complete mix, all I needed was to add water. [He is a serious bread-baker and eschews such short cuts] And, I said, it was cheaper than buying a focaccia, or assembling the ingredients from scratch, because it had been reduced. When I got home, I checked the back of the packet.

Spread dough onto baking tray [approx 13cm square]

Do you realise how small that is? The average saucer measures around 15cm in diameter. From Q to U on my keyboard is 13cm. The box the bread mix comes in measures 14cm. If I make this up as per instructions, I will get a bread roll – certainly not something to share generously between six people! The photo on the front shows the bread cut into nine pieces, but I didn’t realise they were each about the size of a large postage stamp.

I have written to Morrisons, telling them I think the front of their packet is misleading and I would like my money back. I have even written my letter in a space 13cm square!

Tell me

Where is fancy bread?

Or in the heart

Or in the head?

How begot?

How nourished?

Reply! Reply!

I shall let you know if and when Morrisons reply!

The Wind Blows…

2012-01-01T06:42:00.000Z

…wherever it pleases.

When I was in Belfast with Mags, I found this bright blue weathervane for just £1 in IKEA – so it went into Bob’s Christmas stocking, labelled “For Cornerstones” It is now firmly fixed to the corner of the garage.

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit”

May 2012 be a year of blessings for you and your families, and may you know the guidance and peace of God’s Spirit as the days go by.

Triumph Bonneville!

2011-12-31T16:18:00.000Z

[Gratuitous picture of motorbike* to keep Bob happy]

Picture of jolly fine British actor who has kept many of us happy over Christmas. Hugh Bonneville has been everywhere on our TV screens these past few weeks…

down at Downton Abbey
up in Notting Hill
with Ben Hur in Jerusalem
with Miss Marple in Gossington

and other places in between [I thought I spotted him in something Dickensian too] No excuse for anyone saying “Who’s Hugh?” – this clever chap is positively ubiquitous.

Three comments;

please don’t tell me about the Downton Abbey ‘special’ as I haven’t watched my recording yet [I am at Cornerstones, and won't see it till I get back to the midlands]
does this mean they will show “Diary Of a Nobody” again soon? It was utterly brilliant!
if he had stuck to his original career plan [the Anglican priesthood, following his Theology Degree at Cambridge] would he have been a bishop by now, do you think?!

[**this is a Triumph Bonneville- we live near the Triumph HQ!]

The End Of The Year

2011-12-31T06:28:00.000Z

The first month of the new year is called January after the Roman two-faced god Janus, who looked both backwards and forwards. It has been an amazing year, as I look back – some fantastic things have happened which I never imagined at the end of 2010

the whole Bletchley Park saga – I’m still excited about all that
being interviewed by three different BBC local radio stations, and being mentioned as a prize-winner on BBC Radio 4
meeting so many blog-friends, including the trip to London to see Floss and co, the trip to Ireland where I met Mags and Catherine, and having both Jane and Elizabethd to stay here [as well as other random meetings along the way]
my daughters are continuing to achieve great things – Liz doing her placement at The Brooke in the spring, and Steph travelling hither and thither [for work and leisure]
the weight loss [admittedly that has stalled a little this month] but we are both much healthier, slimmer and fitter. Bob looks very good in his new suit [watch out Mr Craig]
the running – and the overwhelming generosity of my sponsors. If you had told me last December that I would be named Runner Of The Month in July by a National Charity, I would have laughed at you.
there have been lots of opportunities to preach at different churches, and the studying and preparation time has been a real blessing to me [if not to those who’ve had to listen!]
Cornerstones – still proving a real Godsend – and we are glad it has been used to bless others too.

And yet…despite all the great stuff, there have been difficult moments.

Various friends and family members have had quite serious health issues,
We have been saddened by the deaths of a number of good friends
Both our brothers have had major hassles with house moves.
Financially, it has not been at all easy [we know that we are not alone in this] particularly since the PM decided to abandon the ‘Making Good Progress’ tutoring programme. That was a brilliant scheme, producing great results nationally, and I had been involved since the original pilot sessions. There’s been less Supply Teaching available too, as schools struggle to manage very tight budgets.

Then finally there is the fig tree – after three years of producing a wonderful crop of figs each summer – absolutely nothing! The tiny figlets fell off – then the leaves fell too.

The tree stands bare and barren in the corner of the sun-lounge. But it is a constant reminder to me of the words of the prophet Habakkuk

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I WILL rejoice in the LORD, I WILL joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

I have no idea what 2012 will bring – but I I know that God has it all sorted out, and I will continue tracing rainbows through the rain, and I can trust His Sovereign grace. He has never let me down yet!

Fun In Fakenham

2011-12-30T16:48:00.000Z

We were amused by this van in the B&Q Car Park yesterday

And excited by this book in the Charity Shop

Especially when we realised she had signed it!

The post-Christmas tiredness has really set in now- and we both keep dozing off! [although Bob has been for a run every day since we got here. How impressive is that? I have not run at all]

Dealing With One’s Hang-ups

2011-12-30T06:22:00.000Z

Here are more of my hand-made gifts.

I took a selection of three co-ordinating red/beige cottons, and also a pretty blue print.

I made some lavender bags with Norfolk lavender harvested from the Cornerstones garden.

Then I covered some coat hangers

Finally I embroidered names on some Aida fabric and attached it to the bags,

And that was another set of Christmas gifts finished!

important note; It looks very pretty – but do not store your lavender in a glass jar like the one above. When the lid is opened, the jar becomes unstable. Just after I had taken these photos, the jar was open on the table and it fell over, onto the carpet, where it smashed!

The Tree Trail

2011-12-29T07:02:00.000Z

On Wednesday we went into Norwich and tried out the Tree Art Trail [details here] We walked a clockwise route from the Bus Station, up to the three by Jarrolds and back down to Aviva.

We saw 11 of the 21 trees. Various artists had been given identical wooden blanks to decorate, and different businesses and shops round the city had agreed to sponsor and display a tree.

To be honest, we were a little disappointed –some of the trees looked as if the artist had spent 20 minutes with a can of paint and a further 5 with a stamp and ink pad. I photographed the first one we saw – in Wilkinson's store. The green background is a print of Brussels sprouts, and other decorations were decoupaged on top.

The next two were exceedingly dull [one just red, with a few red baubles on it. The other was plain cream with one red chain wrapped round it] My favourite was this one in the Theatre Royal, painted rather like a totem pole, with a stack of animals. A lot of work has gone into this one.

The one in the Leeds Building Society [below] was decorated with birds. I was amused that they had to remove a ceiling panel to fit it in the shop. The Leeds display was the best in terms of involvement. They had a colouring competition – children could take away their own tree picture to colour in, and were also given a pencil or balloon.The one in Jarrolds Children’s book department was covered in Christmas wrapping paper. I think the white top was meant to suggest snow – but it made it look ‘unfinished’ somehow.

By every tree was a white wooden box – and a stamp [on a chain] so you could stamp your passport. After collecting ten stamps the passport went into the box to go into the prize draw. However some kind soul had nicked the stamp at the Royal Arcade tree!

The lady in the Aviva building [formerly Norwich Union] said they were quite upset that their tree was just a white thing with a few grey feathers stencils on it – it looked quite out of place in the fabulous marble atrium!

However Bob and I agreed it made for an interesting walk round the city on a damp day! I hardly bought anything in the sales – just two books in Jarrolds,and some card blanks in The Range.

“The Gift Of The Magi” is my favourite O Henry Christmas story. Written a hundred years ago, it is a powerful and poignant tale. If you don’t know it, then read it here – it will only take ten minutes!

This beautifully illustrated edition was reduced from £11 to £2.

My second book was this one

Yes it is a children’s book – but the artwork inside is lovely, and the text most informative. I shall spend a happy afternoon putting all the stickers in place! Most of the art comes from the National Gallery, but some is from the Uffizi and other sites in Florence [I went there with Steph]

Two books which will go into my ‘Christmas Library’ when I get back to KM and come out each year to bring renewed excitement and joy!

We were back at Cornerstones mid afternoon. Altogether an enjoyable day! [The Norwich Tree Trail is on display for another week.]

A Family That Plays Together…

2011-12-28T06:50:00.000Z

On Boxing Day we went bowling. It was enormous fun. I get so excited just putting on the crazy red and blue shoes!

A family of Happ y Feet

Not sure about the order in which Steph entered our names on the scoreboard!

Product Placement by Millerbrands Consumer Insights Manager and her sister!

Action shots…

Ok, I came last, but Bob let me wear the crown in the photo

Then we went for a walk in Knighton Park. This has the most amazing outdoor gym equipment. We all had a go at the various machines. We laughed. A lot!

Just to say, if I ever do get some new boots, I want some like the ones Liz has…

Then Bob decided he was fed up with me taking all the photos – so he took a video with his phone. And uploaded it to YouTube. And mentioned it on his Facebook page.

The great mystery is why he named it “2 Strange Women” when there are three of us involved. Perhaps it should be “Two Strange Women and their Even Stranger Mother”

Judge for yourself!

Here’s Twenty Seven Tins On The 27th

2011-12-27T07:10:00.000Z

Now my Church friends have all received their gifts, I can reveal what I made -This year I made a batch of fudge for the Christmas gifts for the Deacons and the Worship Team. I decided to pack it in these tins [because I had a box of them in the loft!]

I cut rectangles of greaseproof and pushed them down into the tins with a box, for neatness.

Then I put the fudge into the box along with a slip

I had some amazing alphabet tape which I used to seal round the lids [from Habitat Closing Down Sale in Richmond last summer!]

Here’s the stack of gifts, before they were distributed to all our hard-working friends.

They are all such sweet people after all!

Me And My Kin*

2011-12-26T13:20:00.000Z

Feeling so blessed to have had a real family Christmas – many of my friends are far from their parents/children right now. On Christmas Eve we went for a walk in Melton Mowbray. Steph got stuck up a tree

Bob and Liz were quick to rescue her!

Melton Mowbray appears to exist in another time zone, if the sign by the pub is to be believed.

The stockings were left by the mantel with care!

Christmas morning we opened the stockings.

Bob and I received wonderful tee-shirts!

Church was great – here are a crowd of people litter picking! [there’s a baby in there somewhere!]

We came home and opened our remaining presents [thank you everybody for the lovely gifts]

Bob [the Chief Gravy-meister] and the girls produced a fabulous lunch

Before lunch, we decided on a Proper Family Photo [the stars are hanging from the curtain rail – not attached to our heads!]

So very proud of my beautiful daughters and lovely man!

**I have spent weeks trying to teach children at school to sing “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” properly!

Tu-Whit, Tu-Whoo, To-Warm

2011-12-26T06:59:00.000Z

Liz said she would like a Hot Water Bottle at Christmas - with a handmade cover, please. I bought a good quality bottle in Boots [My Cornerstones Poundshop Bottle leaked – not making that error again!]

She likes owls, and they seemed a suitably nocturnal motif. I worked out a pattern on the PC using simple shapes.

I cut them out of three different red fabrics, and some grey tape [all previously backed with Bondaweb] and ironed them onto a beige oval

I stitched detail using various fancy stitches

Then I ironed the oval [also with Bondaweb] onto the red fleece fabric, and blanket stitched the edge on the machine.

Finally I assembled the hwb cover. The other side has an overlapping centre slit to allow you to get the bottle in and out. Warm and cuddly!

The Word Became Flesh…

2011-12-25T06:48:00.000Z

…and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

May God bless you, and your loved ones, this Christmas Day and always. Now switch off your PC and get back to them!

Grand Designs

2011-12-24T12:03:00.000Z

Eat your heart out, Kevin McCloud! My girls have come home and they have been building a house of their own.

Steph was up bright and early, and working in the kitchen on the gingerbread house. She used Martha Stewart’s recipe [of course]

Everything carefully measured and cut out. Then assembled, and supported whilst the icing ‘mortar’ dried

Then in the evening, Steph invited Liz to help her decorate the finished house. Much better than my feeble attempt. And probably it will be much more edible too. [I shall stick to knitting dogs instead!] They didn’t use all the sweets though. I suspect they will eat them later!

The other thing that happened yesterday was the Carol Singing at Cherry Tree Gifts.

The rain was coming down very heavily – and nobody else from church turned up apart from John and Carol [plus DIL Rachel, who has come with two friends from Ratby Band to provide music]

Fortunately there were plenty of others there, including a good number of teenagers, and we sang carols on and off for two hours!

We stood inside the shop, as it was too cold and wet outside.

Sarah served tea, coffee and mulled wine, and people were very generous in contributing to our Christmas charity collection.

Just Midnight Carols and Christmas Morning Service now – and then Bob is officially on holiday for a week!

Christmas Crib

2011-12-24T06:45:00.000Z

This word has many definitions

[noun] a manger or cattle trough
[noun] a child’s bed
[noun, slang] home, place of residence
[verb] to borrow someone else’s ideas

So here are two cribs I have cribbed from the blogs this week!

First up, from Not So Granny, in East Anglia

This is the ‘Posada’ nativity scene which travels round their village. This idea is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and it is all explained on NSGs blog. Do you have Posadas in your town?

Secondly, from Thrifty Household – her ‘Urban Nativity’

I love the idea of displaying the figures on the bookshelf. Look at the big picture and see her clever positioning of the characters.

Angels, as you would expect, are ‘on high’
Wise men are standing next to dictionaries
Shepherds are by food and cookery books

My only reservation is Joseph standing next to ‘How Clean Is Your House?’ I daren’t think what Kim and Aggie would have said about Mary giving birth in a stable!

But having these figures in the middle of your home, among the quotidian objects and the books that define you and your life is a brilliant idea. It is a reminder of Immanuel, God With Us - that Jesus came down to be with us, where we are, and we can experience His grace in the everyday things.

My neighbour Claire has had her kitchen remodelled this year. She said to me a few weeks back that the space where they always put their crib is no there any more. “Where will we put it? We can’t have Christmas without Jesus!” I said to the family she told me

“Can I quote you on that?” I replied

Where are YOU putting Jesus in YOUR Christmas this year?

Dogged Determination

2011-12-23T22:46:00.000Z

Liz works as a Volunteer at Battersea every Sunday afternoon. She emailed me recently and asked if I could knit her one of these…

They are selling the knitting pattern for the Staffies as a fund-raiser. I bought a pattern. Then decided that I could not afford all that Rowan wool, and bought a cheaper alternative in Button Boutique, and set to work with the needles.

I thought the pattern was quite difficult. The head was knitted all in one piece, and the shaping done with increasing and decreasing stitches. It was hard to tell if it was going right. But I pressed on regardless.

When I started sewing it together, Bob suggested it looked more like a lemming than a Staffordshire Terrier. I felt that remark was a little uncalled for. Sewing up was also complex and involved pipecleaners. This is definitely not a child#’s toy. But It came together in the end.

Oops! forgot the collar, final result is here…

Liz promptly took photos and tweeted them to Battersea! I do not think I have got his eyes and mouth right though. I may try knitting another one sometime. Do go to the website and check it out!

Is Our Church Green?

2011-12-23T07:08:00.000Z

…after all, it is unleaded! The men have arrived to repair the damage, and the Insurance Co should pay up promptly. There is a cordoned off area and a big sign in the Car Park.

Meanwhile the Christmas Programme rolls on – we hosted our traditional “Manse Open House” and were thrilled to have so many guests. Bob put up the clothes rail [from Get In The Picture] in a corner of the kitchen, which proved really useful for all their heavy winter coats and jackets.

Yesterday was the Thursday Drop In Carol Event.

This is a less formal affair than many of the other events this week. David climbed down the ladder to attend [hence his scruffy green work jumper] Bob is resplendent in one of his Christmas Waistcoats, seen here reading a monologue. After a couple more carols, I got to read the beginning of John’s gospel. I have now read this passage three times this Christmas- and I love it more each time. The red and blue alphabet thing behind Jan is our “Church Christmas Card Distribution Centre” – it comes out every year and we sort our cards into it. It was made about twenty years ago, but has been renovated at least once by Susan [sitting with her back to the camera]

Stella decorated the little tables beautifully, and in place of the usual biscuits we had mince pies and Christmas Shortbread.

Here is Bob’s monologue [found on the Internet of course!]

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS – IN A RECESSION

Effective immediately: the following economizing measures are being implemented by the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' subsidiary

The partridge will be retained, but the pear tree, which never produced the cash crop forecasted, will be replaced by a plastic hanging plant, providing considerable savings in maintenance
Two turtle doves represent a redundancy that is simply not cost effective. In addition, their romance during working hours could not be condoned. The positions are, therefore, eliminated
The three French hens will remain intact. After all, everyone loves the French
The four calling birds will be replaced by an automated voice mail system, with a call waiting option. An analysis is underway to determine who the birds have been calling, how often and how long they talked
The five golden rings have been put on hold by the Board of Directors. Maintaining a portfolio based on one commodity could have negative implications for institutional investors. Diversification into other precious metals appears to be in order
The six geese-a-laying constitutes a luxury which can no longer be afforded. It has long been felt that the production rate of one egg per goose per day was an example of the general decline in productivity. Three geese will be let go, and an upgrading in the selection procedure by Human Resources will assure management that, from now on, every goose it gets will be a good one
The seven swans-a-swimming is obviously a number chosen in better times. The function is primarily decorative. Mechanical swans are on order. The current swans will be retrained to learn some new strokes, thereby enhancing their outplacement
As you know, the eight maids-a-milking concept has been under heavy scrutiny by the EEOC. A male/female balance in the workforce is being sought. The more militant maids consider this a dead-end job with no upward mobility. Automation of the process may permit the maids to try a-mending, a-mentoring or a-mulching
Nine ladies dancing has always been an odd number. This function will be phased out as these individuals grow older and can no longer do the steps
Ten Lords-a-leaping is overkill. The high cost of Lords, plus the expense of international air travel, prompted the Compensation Committee to suggest replacing this group with ten out-of-work congressmen. While leaping ability may be somewhat sacrificed, the savings are significant as we expect an oversupply of unemployed congressmen this year
Eleven pipers piping and twelve drummers drumming is a simple case of the band getting too big. A substitution with a string quartet, a cutback on new music, and no uniforms, will produce savings which will drop right to the bottom line

Overall we can expect a substantial reduction in assorted people, fowl, animals and related expenses. Though incomplete, studies indicate that stretching deliveries over twelve days is inefficient. If we can drop ship in one day, service levels will be improved.

For Those In Peril On The Sea…

2011-12-22T16:22:00.000Z

Frugal Queen had a thoughtful post yesterday reminding us that it is thirty years this week since the Penlee Lifeboat disaster.[click here] I remember the awful news, just days before Christmas, that not only was the entire crew [and captain’s family] lost from the ship “Union Star” – but also the eight brave members of the Penlee Lifeboat crew, launched from Mousehole in Cornwall in appalling storm conditions. The RAF rescue helicopter had been unable to take off, due to the hurricane force winds. The lifeboat, the Solomon Browne, was smashed to pieces.

Bob’s paternal grandmother came from a lifeboat family, the Mercers, from Walmer in Kent.

There are some of his ancestors in this photo of the 1910 crew

Here is the lifeboat station on the Strand.

In 1944 a Bronze Medal was awarded to Coxswain Joseph Mercer for rescuing 13 men from an anti-submarine boat stranded on the Goodwin Sands.

Let us never take for granted the sacrifices made by those who serve in the RNLI – staffed by volunteers, and funded by charitable donations. Saving lives day in, day out, all year round.

Sitting here in a warm dry home, about as far from the cold wintry sea as it is possible to be, right in the middle of England – I am grateful to Froogs for this timely reminder. May all of our lifeboat crews be able to enjoy a quiet, safe Christmas, at home with their families.

Top Tips For Christmas #4

2011-12-22T06:48:00.000Z

My final tips are

Just Desserts

[yes I know that the phrase should correctly be ‘just deserts’ i.e. what you justly deserve- but I am talking puddings here!]

Remember

‘desserts’ is ‘stressed’ spelled backwards

People tend to overdo puddings at Christmas time. It is nice to have a choice – but two is fine [especially if there is a bowl of fruit as well] And if the main course has been huge then why serve pudding straightaway? Stop eating – clear the table and then sit down after the washing up has been sorted with a cup of tea/coffee [glass of wine] and something sweet. Maybe even relax in front of a good film on TV with your bowl and spoon [or plate and pastry fork]

Make sure you have secreted in your fridge some cream, or crème fraiche [which keeps longer than cream] or clotted cream [Roddas of course!] or Greek Yogurt [I buy it by the bucketful from Lidl] and in the freezer a decent tub of vanilla ice-cream. Then you don’t need to fret about making custard.

Any pudding looks more fancy with something creamy slathered on it!

Making your own puds and sweets is easy – and there are lots of recipes on the internet. A half hour in the kitchen can yield some lovely treats [and you made them so you know what’s in them]

Annika at All The Livelong Day gives us Aunt Vera’s Sugar Tarts

Pattypan over at Tarragon and Thyme has posted some superb recipes recently. She has peppermint creams, gingerbread squares and more [I am deeply suspicious of her Toffee Vodka though!]Over at Thrifty Household you can find great recipes for Florentines, also Turkish Delight and Limoncello

Make good use of packet mixes to produce quick and easy sweet treats [check our Frugal Queen’s cakes here] And for ‘fancy cakes’ if you don’t have time to bake, then buy some cake ‘bars’ and cut them into three and put in petit fours cases [pictured Mr K’s – but Sainsbury’s Basics range look just as effective].

Or get a cheap ‘iced fruit bar’ First cut it horizontally [in half or thirds, depending on depth] Now cut the slices you have made into small squares.

That will give you at least two dozen mini cakes – some with marzipan and icing – some just cubes of cake [not everyone likes Almonds. Dunno why]. Often people just want a mouthful of sweetness with their coffee – they don’t need a full blown pavlova or wedge of apple pie.

I’ve not made a Christmas pudding this year [shock! horror!] I just have a few individual Matthew Walker ones which cost pence from Approved Foods. If anybody does want one, it will take seconds to microwave. [Not 2 minutes. I mistakenly overcooked a couple the other day. They were unbelievably chewy. Sorry Bob] MW make puds for all the big supermarkets including Waitrose. They’re OK!

One final recipe. I have not road-tested this one myself yet, but I am determined to try it. It is a Christmassy take on Eve’s pudding and I found it on a Waitrose advertising leaflet which fell out of a magazine. Then I lost it, so I googled it, and discovered it has been around ages.

I have mincemeat [in a jar] and cranberries [in the freezer] and apples [in the fruit bowl] Not only have I found the recipe, but also a video on how to do it!

Waitrose Mincemeat, cranberry and almond Eve’s pudding

Alternative to Christmas pud. Serves 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and chopped (about 300g)
½ x 410g jar Waitrose Mincemeat
100g fresh cranberries
100g essential Waitrose Salted Dairy Butter
100g golden caster sugar
2 essential Waitrose Free Range Eggs, beaten
75g essential Waitrose Self-Raising White Flour
25g ground almonds
15g flaked almonds, to finish
Cream or brandy butter, to serve

Method

Preheat the oven to 180C, gas mark 4. Place the apple in a saucepan with 2 tbsp water. Stir, cover and cook gently for 5 minutes until the apple is soft. Stir in the mincemeat and cranberries. Spoon into a 1-litre shallow baking dish.
For the topping, cream together the butter and caster sugar until pale and light. Beat in the eggs then fold in the flour and ground almonds to give a soft consistency.
Spoon the mixture over the apple and mincemeat, spread level and scatter with the flaked almonds. Cook in the oven for 30–35 minutes or until the topping is risen and golden. Serve hot with pouring cream or brandy butter.

Cook's tip; Fresh cranberries work just as well as frozen in
this recipe.

I will report back after I have done it myself!

Thank you everyone who has commented on these tips, or been posting them as part of the Top Tips Team. I have certainly picked up some good ideas and hope others have too.

Now sit back and enjoy Christmas…

Only In Norfolk!

2011-12-21T06:33:00.000Z

I was greatly amused by this article on the BBC news website last week. The UK’s shortest double-yellow-lines have just been painted by the Alexandra Tavern in Norwich. Here’s landlord Tony Little with his tape measure.

The 17” [41cm] lines were laid down in the city's Stafford Street to distinguish a permit parking zone from a two-hour limit bay which all drivers can use. "I've no idea what kind of vehicle you'd put on there," said Tony “what sort of vehicle could get a ticket on such a short double yellow line?”

I think I have worked out who this restriction is for – according to the Eastern Daily Press, there is increasing popularity among local farmers for owning one of these…

Obviously the police and traffic wardens are concerned that these affluent agriculturalists will be popping into the city for some last minute Christmas Shopping. And as the Singing Postman used to remind us “You’ll never see a farmer on a bike!”

what about some pictures then??

No doubt if anyone does park their Segway by the pub, they will be apprehended by this officer of the law…

Her Majesty, however, has chosen to travel to Norfolk by train this Christmas, according to yesterday’s EDP. Here she is arriving at King’s Lynn station on the 12.24 from London [which got in four minutes late!] The Queen bought a £47.20 First Class Any Time Single ticket for the 100-mile journey. “She buys all of her tickets personally,” one source said. “She pre-books. And all of her security have them as well.”

First Capital Connect, which runs trains between London King’s Cross and King’s Lynn, said apart from her own compartment, no special arrangements were made. “It’s the same service for everyone else,” a spokesman said. “All our customers are treated exactly the same.”

Do you think our 85 year old monarch has a Senior Citizen’s Railcard?

I shall be in Norfolk myself next week – she’s always welcome to pop over to Cornerstones for a cuppa!