Thursday 30 June 2022
I've Got It Covered!
Wednesday 29 June 2022
Good To Give
Jesus said "there is more happiness in giving than receiving" [Acts 20:35 Good News Translation] Last week I offered to pay for something, and the person refused payment, so I said I'd make a donation to the Foodbank.
When I do a supermarket shop, I pop a couple of extra cans in the trolley and then deposit them in the collection bin by the door. But it is a bit haphazard, and I admit I often just pull out odd tins from my multipacks of beans or tomatoes.
So I am grateful to Lidl for their new "Good to Give" programme. They've labelled certain products as useful to the Foodbank, by putting the logo on the shelf. I thanked the manager and said it was very useful.
These make it so much easier to get a varied selection of foods - not just beans, tomatoes and pasta [useful though these are] I'd intended to spend £5, but then saw the choc chip cookies. I hope other supermarkets follow this lead, and continue to help families in need.
Tuesday 28 June 2022
A Baker's Dozen
Well, first there was the visit of the Mobile Library to the village, and I was helping my neighbour with her walking frame, as she hasn't been since pre-Covid, and As she was taking her time, I borrowed a few. Then we were in Dereham, collecting my sewing machine from being serviced, and the best carpark is just behind the library. And while Bob was sorting out his books, I borrowed a few more. Then we were in another Norfolk town, and the library there was open, so I popped in, and came out with 3 more. And finally, one book in the pile is actually on Bob's ticket - he read it and thought I'd enjoy it! Top to bottom then...
- Trace Elements by Donna Leon - a crime novel involving the words of a woman dying in an Venetian Hospice [yes, that is Bob's book]
- Not Dead Yet by Peter James - another case for Brighton-based detective Roy Grace [recent series on ITV]
- Zero Waste Cooking For Dummies - from the Dummies series
- The Whole Vegetable by Sophie Gordon -"sustainable recipes for a happier planet"
- OTK Shelf Love- Home cooking ideas from the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen
- Letter by Clare Youngs I love Clare's craft books - she is so talented in many areas, and makes you believe that you can achieve these great results too
- The 30 minute Diabetic Cookbook by Katie & Giancarlo Caldesi. A husband and wife team - I liked the idea of fast, healthy low carb recipes
- Le Pain Quotidien Cookbook by Alain Coumont & Jean-Pierre Gabriel. We discovered PQ on a family holiday to Brussels in 2000. Delicious food!
- Batch Cooking by Keda Black. Maybe not as necessary now we are not out at work every day, or bringing up a family. But meal planning is always a good idea.
- Stitching by Fiona Goble. I need some more inspiration for the Postcard Project
- My First Sewing Machine Book by Emma Hardy. 35 easy projects for children aged 7 years+. Just in case Rosie feels creative this summer!
- Quilts In Burano by Kaffe Fassett - his 22nd colourful craft book, set on an island in the Venetian Archipelago [no mention of death or crime, I hope!]
- Dressing The Queen, the Jubilee Wardrobe by Angela Kelly. Grabbed this on a whim, and then discovered it was written for the 2012 Jubilee!
Monday 27 June 2022
If You're Happy And You Know It...
There was loads to do - a plant stall, lots of games and quizzes, and great cakes! We chatted to acquaintances and met loads of new people. Everyone seemed very friendly. The GC meets monthly and I have now become a member. Bob and I did two quiz sheets about flower names [one was anagrams, the other rebuses]
After a rather intense few days of sewing related stuff, it was lovely to be out in the sunshine enjoying village life.
Sunday 26 June 2022
Lives Worth Celebrating
Did you know it was the inaugural Celebration Day here in the UK today? Me neither, until I read this article on Friday. There have been so many special, precious people in my life who are no longer with us - and to be honest, I celebrate them in little ways most days. Every time I stand up to preach, I recall my parents and grandparents. When I choose a greeting card, I think of the way cousin Gillian always made even the simplest card special with her words inside, and the fact that she chose the card so specifically for each recipient. My Christmas tree ornaments include lots of really random items, each representing somebody significant in my life.
I choose to remember Cicely today, and thank God for her faith and determination. And I will celebrate by making a cake for the new Volunteer Chaplain at our local hospice. [That's Bob, and I am incredibly proud of him for taking on this role]
Will you be celebrating somebody special today? Who, why and how?
Saturday 25 June 2022
Looking Back To Lockdown
I was looking again at old photos. It is hard to believe it is two years since Rosie came to Grandma's School at Cornerstones during lockdown! She's grown up and learned so much more in the time since then. But what fun we had together in that crazy summer...Maths, literacy, science, art... Unicorns, Dinosaurs and lots moreI shall treasure these memories for the rest of my life.
Friday 24 June 2022
Thursday 23 June 2022
This Blogpost Is A Little Sili
Wednesday 22 June 2022
A Wind And A Prayer
The sun is shining, and it is lovely to be outside in the garden. When I took down all my patriotic bunting after the Jubilee, I decided to keep my newly made flags and hang them in the back garden for the summer, as they seem bright and nautical and not overly patriotic. Because I made them quickly, and didn't hem them, they have started to fray and fade already as they flap in the sunny summer breeze.
They reminded me of a row of colourful Tibetan Buddhist Prayer Flags fluttering in the breeze!
- red [fire]
- green [water]
- yellow [earth]
- blue [sky/space]
- white [air/wind]
As far as I am aware, my friendly neighbour is not a Buddhist - but I like the idea of our flapping displays promoting peace, compassion, strength and wisdom around the neighbourhood!
Tuesday 21 June 2022
W[WMD]D
First there was WMD - Weapons of Mass Destruction [I was not at all happy about them]
Then we had WWMD - What Would Martha Do? [I was OK with that, on questions of home organisation - but then she went into prison, and I felt she was not a very nice person, and lost my enthusiasm]
But now I am at the stage of WWMDD - What Would Monty Don Do? - I watch Gardeners' World avidly, and find his cheerful manner, and self-deprecating honesty quite delightful. He makes me believe I can do this gardening lark!
I am still assiduously following Huw's book - but that is really basic, and I kid myself I am just a little beyond the babysteps now. Especially as friends and family have kindly donated extra plants which are growing in the green house and on the patio and not in that one bed.
Monday 20 June 2022
I Was A Stranger And You Welcomed Me
The quote from Matthew 25 is very appropriate today
It's World Refugee Day. Read more HERE. I could go on about this, but I am sure you know already about the desperate plight of so many in our world.Nobody puts their child in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.
I have worn these in the past to show my commitment to praying for those caught up in this evil trade, and for all refugees. To working for a kinder, safer world
Sunday 19 June 2022
Joie De Vivre
My friend's Mum died suddenly, just after Easter. Pauline was a lovely woman- loving, helpful, full of joy. It was a privilege to be asked to make two Memory Bears for her grandchildren. Mim gave me a selection of her Mum's blouses and a lightweight blue skirt. I started preparing to make the bears, by dismantling the garments and pressing the fabrics. In the skirt pocket I found a neatly pressed handkerchief, and one blouse had a tag at the collar, and a garment care label, both naming the manufacturer. I made the bears. A pink ribbon for her granddaughter, a blue one for the grandson.
Saturday 18 June 2022
Tease And Seize Supply?
Friday 17 June 2022
A Wonderful Wedding
I've been so busy with the Jubilee etc that I completely forgot to post pictures of our family wedding at the end of May. My niece Rebecca married Rhydian at the lovely Kingscote Barn in Gloucestershire. It was great to get together with family, meet Rhydian's folks, and have a happy time together. The arrangements were excellent, and we stayed overnight in a cottage at the edge of the grounds. I'm not the world's best photographer- so some of these pictures are from Kevin [the bride's dad] and Steph...
The two Mums were witnesses, and both looked stunning. The three tiered cake was cut with the Almond Family Japanese Sword, as is traditional!George tried to get into the big red fridge in the cottage! He enjoyed the reception food. That's the hand painted card Steph made