Thursday, 2 April 2020

Little And Large

In one sense, my world is very little now we are all in lockdown. The furthest I have been from the house in recent days is to wheel the bin to the end of the path. About 25 feet! And yet my world is so large- I'm getting regular messages from friends and family across the globe. Physically isolated, in a tiny bubble - but through technology I am in a huge community.
I've knitted a second shawl collar cardi for the Baby. The colour of the picture is all wrong- it is navy, on my dark green tablecloth! I spent an afternoon doing complex calculations with the original pattern, and reduced it from a 9month size to a newborn. This time I did a rib button band and cuffs. 
I don't expect we shall see the baby when he is a newborn - but he can still have a gift from Grandma. A little cardi to go with the large one.
The gift of yeast means I can continue to produce fresh bread. A couple of days back, I used some einkhorn flour in the mix. I bought this on a whim [and a yellow sticker] a while back.
The first loaf came out well - but the next one, I upped the quantities. Not quite the domed loaf I'd expected, more of a sunken treasure...
It will be edible, even if a little dense. I need to work through my older flours, I think and have proper 'stock rotation'
By the end of all this, I could do a collage of my "lockdown loaves"
Liz sends me encouraging pictures of her lovely  'rye bread rolls' and I feel slightly guilty that I just load up the breadmaker and leave it, whilst she daily does the full on kneading/proving/rising thing, with stunning results.
Bob was able to read Rosie a bedtime story - greatly enjoyed by all of us. The Sendak tale is a true classic, and Rosie joined in with claws and roars as appropriate. 
Thank you for all the kind wishes, we are getting there...slowly...

Update : I posted this earlier today, and have just heard that Eddie Large, one half of the duo "Little and Large" has just died. He'd been ill with heart problems, and contracted the virus in hospital. So sad to read this. He brought joy and laughter to so many. RIP
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13 comments:

  1. Bless2 April 2020 at 08:28

    Those cardigans will be like a warm hug from Grandma every time the baby wears them. :)

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    1. Angela2 April 2020 at 10:16

      That's a comforting thought, thanks Bless

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  2. Between Me and You2 April 2020 at 09:05

    I found a packet of yeast at the back of the cupboard yesterday but it's 3 years out of date!Not sure if I could use it? I love the 'book at bedtime' idea for the little ones. Mine are either too small or too big for it now but today, I'm doing a videochat 'spell checking' session with the older one which I'm looking forward to. Also, what do you think about the cost of the fruit and veg boxes which you can have delivered to home? I've been wanting to order a box of fruit for my daughter-in-law but it's going to cost £25 including delivery. I added up each item individually and it only comes to about £15. Am I being mean or do I risk my life, run round the local Co-op and buy the same stuff, then deliver it to their front door?What would Angela do, I ask myself?

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    1. Angela2 April 2020 at 10:21

      If its a sealed foil packet, I'd give it a go. I'm glad you can do spell tests with the grandchildren. I'm a little dubious about the online boxes. Like you I am thrifty and want my money's worth. And you don't want to overload people with fruit that needs eating quickly. I think I'd start a grocery jar, and put cash aside each week... maybe when the lock down eases up a little such a gift would be really appreciated?

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  3. Between Me and You2 April 2020 at 09:07

    ps love the baby cardi but would advise, start knitting bigger sizes. All the newborn ones I have knitted for our newborn are uselessly small because he was a nearly 10-lb'er at birth! He's apparently grown out of everything already at just over 2 weeks old!

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    1. Angela2 April 2020 at 10:16

      I don't normally knit 'newborn' for that very reason. But these are odd times

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  4. Elizabethd2 April 2020 at 11:21

    You are , as usual , keeping so busy. Take care of yourself too. XX

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  5. Kezzie2 April 2020 at 12:50

    All of our loaves are a bit weird and sunken! CBC blames the walnuts he's been adding. Don't feel guilty about the breadmaker, feel smug!!
    We bought our breadmaker in Swansea BHF Electricals shop in about 2011 or 2012. We went to stay with his friend Simon who was doing Medicine at Swansea uni (change of career from teaching) and he made delicious bread for us which he said was down to the BHF breadmaker which cost him a tenner so we headed down there before going back to England and bought our one there. It's lasted well and we are grateful to SImon for that suggestion!
    That shawl collar cardie is great!
    I also got the gift of yeast today- my little sister sent me some sachets in the post as I said we didn't have any. My Stepmum is dispensary manager at a GP surgery and is working flat out so she gets to go to the supermarket at 7.30am with NHS workers and they kindly bought us some as I said we didn't have any- she only posted it yesterday morning and it arrived this morning! Very grateful!
    All of our flour (except one bag bought last Monday in the COOP) is out of date. It's fine. I quite like this working through the cupboards thing!
    I love Where the Wild things are. When I was in my 3rd year at University, we took part in these Composing symposiums in Waterloo where we met a Professional ensemble and then we all returned in 3 months having written a piece for them. One workshop we returned to with a great percussion ensemble, a lady had written a piece based on this and it had a 'child's participation part' where the Wild Rumpus is STOPPED by a small child smacking a cymbal really hard. Well, since we had no children at that workshop, I offered to be said child and got to wack the cymbal really hard...just behind my Composition professor who leapt about 10 foot in the air. My friend Kathy saw my naughty face planning this and said it was hilarious!

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  6. Nearly Martha2 April 2020 at 15:11

    How strange your title is today with the news about Eddie Large.Take your time and look after yourself. Glad to see Bob is able to read a story.A good sign.

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    1. Angela2 April 2020 at 16:33

      Thanks NM. I hadn't heard about Eddie until I read your comment. Very sad news, in a week of sad news...

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  7. my alabama bears home2 April 2020 at 16:08

    I am finding new blogs to follow. I am in the U.S. and it is informative to read how others are passing the time.
    Mama Bear

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    1. Angela2 April 2020 at 16:35

      Hi Mama Bear. Keep well and safe in Alabama

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  8. Carole2 April 2020 at 22:15

    Glad you are recovering. Love the little cardie! Cheers from New Zealand

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