Belt Up!

Years ago, I bought a small 'occasion' bag. The sort which simply holds a hankie, a phone, and keys. It was a light tan PU  [imitation leather] , ideal for church on Sunday, summer events, and had a strap which could be worn long [across the body] or shorter [from my shoulder] There was one zip right across the top. It came from M&S and was mostly just exactly  what I wanted.

Except for one fault. Its centre of gravity was somehow wrong, the straps were attached too low. So if there was anything in it, it immediately tipped and hung with the zip at the bottom. And if I'd not fastened the zip properly, everything fell out. After a while I got so frustrated, and Bob suggested sticking the strap along the side. The bag continued to tip and the glue came away, along with the top surface of the material.

I cannot donate a damaged, faulty bag to a CS - but I'm reluctant to just bin it. My solution-  remove the strap, and the short length holding the buckle. Re-attach the buckle to the other end of the strap - and voila! a neat, slim belt which I know I will wear.

I have checked the M&S website- the straps on their current range are all fitted higher. I wonder if they had complaints?

Welcome Home Nazanin And Anoosheh

 I don't know about you, but I heard the news, and i wept 

May God be with these loving families as they go on together

Pandemic Post

Did you catch the story last week about the new stamps? Royal Mail held a competition last September, for children and young people to design stamps commemorating 'Heroes of the Covid Pandemic' There were over 600,000 entries. This was whittled down to 120 finalists, and Prince Charles was asked to choose the winning eight designs. Here he is with some of the winners

And here are their designs

As well as medical workers, there's a lab technician, a hospital cleaner, a food delivery driver - and of course, Captain Sir Tom. 

You can read about the individual stamps, and the ideas behind them on the Newsround Website [here]

They are all the same value - 1st Class [Male and Female] and they will be available from Wednesday March 23rd.

Well done to all those who entered a design, and special congratulations to the winners! One lives quite near here. It is good to have Norfolk represented. Excellent artwork, Connie.

Thought For The Month

I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago - the March page on the calendar Chris gave me. It seems very apposite as I've read other people's blogs and seen their wonderful gardening pictures! This is not a competition, my little bean seedlings are a triumph for me. And that is what matters! Similarly the cake you have baked, or the socks you have knitted, or the music you have composed. Celebrate your own victory and do not compare it with another.

Nappy Changing

When I was pregnant with Liz, a friend at church bought me a pack of pristine white terry nappies. These were used, washed and worn - and then used for Steph. And I kept them- still as good as new, soft and fluffy. By the time Rosie was on the way, life had changed. The majority of young Mums were going back to work, and nappies fell into two groups - the disposable ones, and the neatly shaped pads which fitted into waterproof outers. The Internet was full of DIY patterns to convert your old squares into these reusables. But my grandchildren didn't need them.

If your child goes to a nursery, you have no choice- they will only take babies in disposables. That's hard for Mums who are trying to be green and eco-friendly. There are around three billion nappies thrown away in the UK every year,  weighing 500,000 tons. A baby will use around 5K nappies before being fully toilet trained.

However, a project began in Italy a few years ago, supported by Proctor and Gamble, makers of 'Pampers' to recycle nappies. The absorbent material is turned into cat litter, other parts are turned into paper and plastic. And there are no nasty smells once it is all done!

And now, I am thrilled to discover that a Welsh company called NappiCycle is working to collect used nappies, and recycle them into a new fibre. This fibre, mixed with bitumen makes road surfaces stronger and longer lasting. It is greener - and it is made in the UK, thus reducing imports of other road-strengtheners from abroad.[full BBC story here]

This all seems like intelligent progress being made. 

But I wonder where these nappy-lined roads are being built? 

In new streets like "Diaper Drive" and "Pampers Parade" - or old Dorset villages like Piddlehinton and Piddletrenthide - or just by the House at Pooh Corner?

Lent Reflections #2 - Learning Graciously

Last week I was thinking about looking again, this week, my thoughts have turned to learning graciously

I'm a teacher - teaching has been part of my life for years [even before I was a professional, in schools, I was teaching in Sunday School, and working with children in Holiday Clubs etc] But it does me good to remember that even a teacher can be a learner

It is too easy to forget that learning is a lifelong process. It doesn't end when you leave formal education. I'm 67 next month, but there are still things I need to learn. Yesterday I was away at a training course with others from my church, learning about Child Protection, and Safeguarding. It is important to be gracious - not to say "I know all this, I have done this course before- and have even taught sessions like this". Sometimes we all need to revisit the lessons, and see if there is anything new to be learned. 

What things have I learned in recent months? Lots of new technology- Zoom, and preparing stuff for YouTube. That got forced upon many of us when lockdown arrived.

I have learned to use emojis better - this might seem trivial. The person who taught me how to use them in WhatsApp messages was Rosie! In the summer of 2020, when we were at Grandma's Nursery, I realised she knew how to insert sparkles and cascading hearts as she typed messages ot her Mum and Dad - a 3 year old doing something her Grandma couldn't. I had to ask her to teach me, and learn graciously and patiently. 

I continue to learn about gardening - the amazing joy of seeing the spinach, and lettuce and frilly red salad leaves in the raised bed  last Autumn continues! And again, I need to be gracious when my friends and family help me to learn how to improve my skills. [Thanks for all the advice re Kezzie's runner bean. More of my broad beans have germinated now]

I have struggled with obstinate pupils, both in academic subjects and practical lessons in crafts, when they say "I know this, you don't need to tell me what to do" - and then watch them make a real mess. 

Learning graciously to accept that I do not know everything, despite my advanced years is important. And being open to working at learning new skills is good for my brain and my body. As Rosie said to her cousin "George, this is Grandma. She is an old lady but she is useful" If I am to go on being useful, I have to be willing to learn.

I have great respect for the [really] old ladies I know who have got to grips with Skype and WhatsApp and Zoom during the pandemic, in order to be able to keep in touch with family. I know others who have had health issues which have restricted their activities- but they have graciously learned to develop a new lifestyle. Many have had to come to terms with learning to live alone, through bereavement, or other change in circumstances. 

Accepting these things with grace and not reluctance or resentment makes such a difference to the outcome. In Matthew 11:29 [The Message version] Jesus says

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly

 

Sweet Moments

On Thursday, it was lovely to see our old friends Val and Philip again. They visited us in Dorset 4 years ago, when they were on holiday. This week they have been in holiday in Norfolk, so they came over for lunch. It was their first trip to Cornerstones. Bob and Philip went out into the Lathe Palace to talk about making stuff, while Val and I stayed inside talking about crafts and grandchildren. We reminisced about being together in Kent in the 1980s. It was brilliant - but I completely forgot to take a photo!

Lunch was various cold meats and salads [I knew they had a full English breakfast where they were staying, so that way they could eat as much, or as little, as they wanted] For dessert I made pots-au-chocolate. This is such an easy recipe, from my Dairy Book of Home Cookery. I have two copies of this book- one dated 1977, the other 1995. The newer book has many of the original recipes, but with added instructions for the microwave. Some recipes have been added, others 'tweaked'. This dessert uses 150ml of double cream in the first book, but only 75ml in the second!

• 75g plain chocolate
• 25g butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 tbsp warm water
• 75ml double/whipping cream, whipped till slightly stiff

1. Break up chocolate, put into a basin standing over pan of hot water. Add butter. Leave till both have melted, stirring once or twice.
2. Beat in egg yolks till smooth, remove from heat, stir in warm water
3. Beat egg whites till stiff, fold into chocolate mixture
4. Transfer to 4 individual dishes, chill
5. Just before serving decorate with whipped cream
6. Sprinkle with chocolate flakes.

Bottom right, 1977 recipe, lots of cream. Top right 1995, less cream, chocolate garnish. Left 2022, garnished with strawberry hearts. 

I do not have any fancy choc pots- so I use four ramekins which previously held Lidl desserts. These puds are just the right size for a sweet treat to finish a meal. 

Hotchpotch

Well, I thought that word just meant a jumble, a miscellaneous collection of bits. So I thought it would be a good title for this post full of assorted snippets. But it appears that the original meaning is different. It has been used in two senses for over 700 years.

A legal term-  it refers to the blending of possessions/property etc, so that later there can be equitable division of these assets [eg after death or divorce] First recorded in 1292

A culinary term - hotchpotch [English] hochepot [French] hutspot [Dutch/Flemish] translates to 'shaken pot'.  First noted this way in 1440. Refers to a mutton stew or soup with mixed vegetables and potatoes. [Which gave us the word hotpot]

Whatever it meant before, I have a miscellany of information for you this weekend.

Rosie was a superb 'Where's Wally?" on World Book Day. George went as "George and the Dinosaur". Which is currently his favourite book. [Sorry, no photos of his outfit]. Very impressed that Liz and Steph produced costumes from stuff they already had, so no need to go out and buy things.

George has started football classes and appears to be really loving them. I should not be surprised that living in Manchester, with both parents keen on sport, he will have an interest in the 'beautiful game' Look at that enthusiasm on his face!

Unfortunately covid remains rampant in London, and Rosie is off school, as she, and many of her classmates have tested positive. Grandma's Nursery has now become Grandma's Year One Zoom Tutorials. We've had daily sessions of phonics/maths/reading etc - and Liz has been doing other subjects in the afternoons. Rosie has really engaged with the activities.

Five weeks after I posted about the expedition to find Shackleton's ship - they have found it! One hundred years after his death, the ship has been located. Well done all those involved in this enterprise.

Other things have been happening - but I'll share them later!

I'm A Has-Bean!

For years I have read other people's blogs and marvelled at their gardening skills. Over at Small Moments, my dear friend E posted this week a picture of her broad bean shoots. Then at A Letter From Home, K posted pictures of her beans.

I have never really tried growing from seed before this last year. But I am ridiculously excited, and now able to post pictures of my seedlings. First up, the broad beans. Dear Huw suggests in his book that you plant 18 beans 'for spares, or in case any fail'

Well, out of my 1½ dozen sleeping in their blankety bed recycled loo roll tubes, just 4 have popped up thus far. They are on the lounge windowsill. This one is the only one large enough to be worthy of a picture. These are Sutton variety. Ideally I want 12 to transplant later into the raised bed. 

On the kitchen window sill, the story is a little different. No sign of the peppers yet. But a good number of tomatoes. These are Roma, and in the little brown pot at the back, 2 small seedlings grown from last year's tomatoes [variety unknown - these were 50p pots purchased from a neighbour]

But look at that huge plant at the back! That was a bean in the mixed pack of seeds which Kezzie kindly gave me when we met up in November. I do hope it is a broad bean but I am not sure [Kezzie, please clarify!!] I am ridiculously excited about that one.

These are the tomatoes which I grew last year- and the realisation that I ate them, and saved some of the seeds- and now I have new growth just blows my mind. I know gardeners have done this for millennia, but for me personally, this is a moment of pure joy in a bleak time. 

My lovely SIL&BIL in the Cotswolds have passed on a mini greenhouse, which Bob has erected against the south facing wall of the old garage [thank you all]. It survived Storm Eunice, unscathed and I hope I shall be able to raise some fine crops in here.

My enthusiasm is rubbing off on Bob - he has been buying seeds of his own, and hopes to grow some hot chili peppers, and also some salsify. 

Salsify [aka Oyster Plant] was a great favourite of his Belgian Mum, and my FIL always grew that for her, along with scorzonera [aka Black Salsify] 

This morning I am just happy with my tiny seedlings. 

Deeds Not Words

Yesterday, on International Women's Day, I was thinking about the women who made a difference. Emmeline Pankhurst took "Deeds not words" as the motto for the Women's Social and Political Union [1903]. She and her 'suffragettes' were more radical, and engaged in direct action than the earlier 'suffragists'. These led by Millicent Fawcett and the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies [1897]. Millicent and co were engaged in campaigning and lobbying - but avoided the brick-throwing, paint-daubing, bomb-planting violent actions. It was 1918 before any women got the vote, and 1928 before all were enfranchised on the same terms as men. 

It is courageous, but peaceful Millicent who has a statue outside the Houses of Parliament. She is carrying a banner with her words on it. It is in sad that Mrs Fawcett is perhaps not as well known as Mrs Pankhurst. Both were key people in the fight for justice and equality - but chose to fight in different ways. "Deeds not Words" is important - but I do believe that "The pen is mightier than the sword"

Liz sent me this great photo which she took at the weekend. Millicent is now draped in the Ukrainian flag. I also came across another challenging picture

This photo of a great piece of cross-stitch work, featuring a quote from Balzac also came to my attention on Monday. [despite my best intentions, I have still got no further in my understanding Balzac than admiration for his dressing gown]

It is easy to just watch the news and say how awful it is - not so easy to give time to prayer, and resources to help. I am glad that my friends here in the village, and those at my church have been generous and continue to give to the Ukrainian Relief Fund. I am encouraged by the number of blogs I am reading at the moment which are showing support.

Galatians 6 challenges us "We must not become tired of doing good. We must not give up!"

WDP - After And Crafter

The service on Friday was - interesting. We had to re-arrange things due to illness. But all went well, and 20 people turned up - more than expected [some visitors found us via the national website, so it obviously pays to put the service details there] including 5 blokes. This morning we have a "follow up" meeting, to talk about what went well and what didn't. People seemed to like the informal seating, and having the coffee and biscuits brought in at the end, rather than trooping out to the Church Hall. 

Back in 2019, I had entered an embroidered piece into the competition for the cover artwork for the order of service. My piece was shortlisted, but didn't win. It was quite a complex brief- the artwork had to represent justice, freedom, forgiveness and peace plus it was to represent England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the theme verse from Jeremiah "I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord. Finally it had to be A3 in size. Here are some pictures of the work in progress

Explanation of the artwork ; Our islands are situated on the North West edge of continental Europe – our climate is temperate, with abundant rainfall – and we are warmed by the Atlantic Gulf Stream. We are blessed with mild winters, verdant springtime, warm summers and plentiful autumnal harvests. This artwork has a background which reflects our ‘green and pleasant land’ – and central to it is the WDP logo of four women in prayer. Their colours represent the black basalt of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the grey slate from the Welsh hills, and the white English cliffs- the fourth woman in blue, for our many rivers and lakes and the waters around our coasts.In recent years our nation has faced turbulent times – but the rocks and the waters point us to the One who is our Eternal Rock, who brings us to the still waters, and restores our souls.

Around the logo are the four symbols of freedom, forgiveness, justice and God’s peace.

Our peoples have been known throughout two millennia for their endeavour and exploration, industry and invention, creativity and construction – so the lower frieze represents these achievements; Smeaton’s lighthouse, Beck’s Tube Map, Hodgkin’s insulin structure and Handel’s "Hallelujah!". Made in the image of the Creator, our scientists, artists and engineers have sought to share their creations and discoveries with all nations– and their plans and designs have been used to bless and benefit many people around the world. These plans remind us of our theme text- Jeremiah 29:11 – “I know the plans I have for you …to bring hope and a future.”

Below- my finished piece. The local committee kindly suggested it should be part of our display last Friday - which was encouraging. It took quite a while to stitch, and has been in the loft for nearly 3 years.

The Queen's Nose Job

I wanted to do a stamp on my postcard to Kirsten. I'd carefully done the address in backstitch [having printed it out from the PC, then traced it with a frixion pen] 

I wanted a 1st class stamp, with the Queen, and without the new dotmatrix addition. The Jubilee Stamps are colourful, based on photographs. A bit too complex. But I decided to used the regular stamp, normally orangey red and white - but add extra colour.

Using Picasa, I reduced the colour image to a black and white version. I worked on a pink cotton base, with red voile on top, and cut out the silhouette in fine white cotton.

To add colour, I stitched the Queen's hair in brown, the crown in gold - and added coloured beads as gems, and white beads for her pearl necklace. To give an impression of perforations round the edge, I used narrow white ric rac braid.

This is how it looked the morning before I posted it. It wasn't quite right. I was very unhappy with the Queen's Nose. Far too long... In the end, I unpicked and restitched. It looked heaps better. I packed up the piece and posted it. And only then realised I had not taken a photograph of the Nose Job! 

Fortunately Kirsten posted it on her blog at the weekend. you can see the nose looks shorter. She's still designing her stamp. This month she did a beautiful little labyrinth in the opposite corner, with fabulous French Knots and a tiny heart, and sweet little seed stitches for grass..  I'm so enjoying this correspondence

Huge thank you to everyone who commented yesterday about the song - and I had remembered it wrongly. It was GET a new look, not TAKE a new look. Thank you all!!

Lent Reflections #1 - Looking Again

 With my #word365 for this year being "Look Again", it seemed a good title for these Lent Reflections in the run-up to Easter. I decided to use it back in January. 

But if I am honest, I am struggling right now to come up with any profound thoughts! 

Quite apart from the bigger picture; war in Ukraine, the covid pandemic, and the climate crisis -there are also things closer to home which have affected me in the early part of this year. Some friends have died, others are ill - and people I know and love are going through tough times.

In 1947, when my parents were theology students, Dior launched his "New Look" collection. Somebody in the States wrote a song called "Take a New Look at the Old Book", encouraging people to pick up their Bibles again and read them, as people continued to rebuild their lives after WW2. Dad often used to hum it - I can only remember that first line, and cannot find the song anywhere online. 

But it is true, to look again at the Bible can give us fresh insights and new inspiration. A friend asked me last week if I knew a particular Bible passage last week. I reeled it off- in faultless King James' English - all the thee, thou and lovest etc [I learned it, by heart, in Sunday School 60 years ago]. It didn't really communicate much to her! So  I am trying to re-read favourite passages in newer versions to see what new things I can learn as I look again. [It doesn't always help. Not when 'gold' becomes 'nuggets' and Bob is distracted thinking about chicken portions]

Psalm 46 is often read in churches in tough times [God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble...be still and know that I am God, etc etc] But look again at the way it is interpreted in The Message version. OK, I agree that some verses jar on the ears - but other parts really resonate with me right now

God is a safe place to hide,
    ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.
    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
….
Godless nations rant and rave,
kings and kingdoms threaten,
    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.
…
Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.

...
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”
    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Please Pray...

A few days ago, WDP added an extra prayer for inclusion in this year's service - I cannot ever remember this happening before. I share it here

God of the past, the present and the future,

Our thoughts and prayers are with our sisters and brothers in Ukraine and the surrounding countries in their fear and distress

We pray too for all other regions of the world where there is conflict, unrest or oppression.

We pray that reconciliation will overcome hatred, peace will conquer war, hope will replace despair

and that your plans for the world and for us its people will be fulfilled,

God, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

 

WDP 2022

Find out all you need to know about the day here, including the location of services. I shall be leading the service at Foulsham Baptist Chapel at 2.30pm.

Flippin' Marvellous!

Tuesday's Pancake Party went really well. Bob was cooking in the chapel kitchen for the first time, but got the hang of it very quickly. My job was sorting out the seating, and the toppings etc. We had a good range of sweet, sticky and citrus for people. But we had no idea who would turn up!

The children made a glorious mess with the sugar - but were having a great time, so who cares? We had around 30 people turn up, aged between 2 and 82 - and half a dozen of them were 'first time' visitors to the building, which was very encouraging. Having chairs we can rearrange round the little tables makes such events much easier to manage than if we still had the original pews.

Although the event was free, we put out a basket for donations. 

In the morning, when I took my neighbours to the pub for the Tuesday Club, the organiser suggested we should do something for Ukraine. 

I mentioned our plans for the evening, and the morning group collected £75 which they gave me to send on to HopeNow. If you are looking for a trustworthy charity with proven links, and a good track record of 30 years of relief work in Ukraine - then do check out their website.

Thank you Bob for being our MasterChef for the evening! - and you are definitely looking much slimmer in your Chef's Jacket!

Wot, No Pancakes?

Reading Sue's blog yesterday, I fell down a rabbit hole and found myself researching Chads. I already knew that the RC Cathedral in Birmingham is dedicated to Saint Chad, and I knew there was a little cartoon character in WW2 called Chad. 

In the 1930s, a cartoonist called George 'Chat' Chatterton started drawing this little guy to decorate posters at the RAF base where he was stationed. This really took off, and during rationing, he appeared as graffiti all over the place with comments like 'wot no sugar?'

The US forces stationed in the UK adopted him, and added their own strapline 'Kilroy was here' . The little guy even ended up on a war memorial in Wisconsin

After the War, George did cartoon strips for various newspapers, entitled "Mr Chad" and "Chad by Chat" The family still own the original Chad cartoon, signed and dated in 1937.

Saint Chad of Mercia was a different guy altogether. I cannot find any pictures of him peering quizzically over the wall.He was around in the 7th Century. and you can read all about him here

It is a myth that he is the patron saint of disputed elections - made up after the Bush/Gore fiasco in 2000.

However, his feast day is today, March 2nd. and it is claimed to be the best day to plant your broad bean seeds. 

I cannot find any link between this holy man's lifestyle and broad beans though!

Yes, we did have a successful Pancake Party last night, but i haven't got the pictures sorted out yet! 

Herbert, Henry, Suckling And Sid

"What shall we do tomorrow?" asked Bob on Friday evening "We have absolutely no commitments. I fancy doing something interesting, going somewhere..." So I said "How about if we go out for breakfast and then, if the weather is OK, we can have a walk in the country?" Bob liked that idea. I said I had somewhere in mind, and it opened at 9, we would need to leave at about 8.40. 

We went to The Old Dairy at Stansfield. This place has a café, and a shop selling fresh bread, and locally made products. I'd met a guy from here at a food display in Norwich last summer - and the other week , on my way to the WDP committee, I realised that it was only 6½ miles from Cornerstones.

After a superb breakfast [scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on granary toast] we then drove a mile or so back to North Elmham, and parked by St Mary's Church for our walk

[from this site  which lists a number of excellent local walks] 

St Mary's Church was founded 900 years ago, by Bishop Herbert de Losinga. It replaced an earlier Anglo Saxon Cathedral, which had been the episcopal centre of Norfolk [until the bishop moved to Thetford 1071, and then in 1095 on to Norwich]

By 1388, Bishop Henry le Despencer, decided to turn the original building [which was really a large chapel - not a magnificent cathedral like Norwich] into a private dwelling. He added an extra tower and put in an upper floor. Now there are just the ruins. Henry was unpopular with the locals, he was a merciless man, and punished many involved in the Peasants' Revolt. He died, and later Thomas Cromwell became responsible for the property - allowing it to fall into ruin.

You can walk round, and imagine monks meditating here, bishops and clergy feasting, and the ordinary folk coming to pray. On a sunny Saturday we heard lots of birdsong [and an irritated little dog yapping in a nearby garden!] I love the Norfolk flints, the old stones, and the moss growing between them. We followed the map, up the High Street, past Nelson House.

This was once a grocer's shop, owned by Suckling Nelson, Horatio's younger brother [Suckling was their mother Catherine's maiden name] We walked along the footpath, discussing the unusual names of these local characters. On our route we passed through the Elmham House Estate.

We saw the beautiful round dovecote and octagonal gamehouse, both built around 1840 [and now listed] The latter has been converted into a chapel for private prayer. 

It is currently closed due to storm damage. We peeped in the windows - it is lined with benches, a simple altar on one wall, and icons and crosses on the walls. Looking up, we could see there were still large hooks on the ceiling for hanging the venison.

Walking on through the woods we passed banks of golden yellow aconites, and drifts of snowdrops.

It was a truly glorious morning.

Coming back into the village close to where our walk had begun, we were amused by a sign wedged into the church railings.

We certainly don't want to park here, if this Sid is as angerous as they say. Perhaps he had a sore throat, but was unable to buy Herbert's Lozenges from Henry The Dispenser, in Suckling's Shop - and this had turned him into a Revolting Peasant?

And then we went home!