I first visited Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, on 29th July 1981[memorable, because it was the day Charles married Diana] It was my first ever holiday abroad, just before Bob started training for ministry.
So I was really sad when the Cathedral burned on 15th April 2019. "I wish I had a jigsaw of the Cathedral" I said to Bob. We hunted everywhere...Eiffel Tower, L'Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, but no Notre Dame.
Finally Bob found one of Notre Dame at sunset. It's lovely. It is most unusual, as every piece is a different shape. There are 1000 pieces!
Over the weekend I completed the jigsaw. And I am really excited, because this year, for our 45th wedding anniversary, Bob and I will be going back to Paris! Not later in the summer, but now [to avoid the Olympics] Later today we drive to Romford and leave our car at Julian's, then tomorrow, train into London, and Eurostar to Gare du Nord.
Not sure how much blogging I will do [I may set up a few posts before we leave, if I have time] But do not worry if there is a hiatus.
There have been days recently when I wasn't sure the holiday would happen, but here we go! Au revoir!
There were some oats left in the bottom of the jar. More than enough for two bowls of porridge, not enough for four. I used it all up, served our two bowls for breakfast then left the remainder to cool. Then I made Porridge Bread with this recipe. It came out looking just like the picture in the recipe [always a good sign !]
It sliced well and tasted good. We toasted some - and I have to say that when it's warm, it does have a "porridgey" taste.
Apparently, making porridge bread with leftovers is a recognised thing, among the Zero-Waste cooks. Although I enjoyed it, I'm not sure I will make it again!
If you are a crafter, can I recommend the Purl Soho website for a treasure trove of free patterns and projects to inspire you. This is where I found the cross back apron which I made 5 years ago.
I saw a simple Boxy Top on the site, but didn't think any more until I saw this idea, using the Purl Soho pattern to turn a shirt into a top.
It seemed like a fun project. I kept my eye open, and a couple of years ago, I found a suitable shirt.
It was on the £1 sale rail, a size 17 M&S men's shirt. I was surprised how little fabric was left when I'd cut out the pieces: collar, cuffs and a few scraps.
I think it would be a good alternative in hot weather to a regular Tshirt, and will go well with my navy blazer.
As I've had the shirt in my drawer for so long, I reckon this does not count in my Take five challenge
It took four hours to make. I like having the buttons at the back [although they are stitched down, and do not open]
Have you ever recycled a shirt into another garment?Have you ever used any of the Purl Soho patterns?
There's a very old joke about three old ladies chatting on a bench
Isn't it windy?
No, it's Thursday
So am I, let's have a cuppa!
But this week I'm not finding it as funny
The Nurse Practitioner at the Surgery says a minor throat infection has caused a blockage in my Eustachian tube, and this is why I am deaf in my left ear. Hopefully the nasal spray will clear this and I should be hearing again soon. Fortunately it is not painful.
I looked up St Eustachius, he is the patron saint of hunters, firefighters and the city of Madrid. Nothing to do with ears. He was out hunting, and he found a deer with a crucifix between its horns and was subsequently martyred for his faith.
This is Bartholomeo Eustachi [1505-1574] anatomist and physician, who discovered how the ears, nose and throat are connected. Those tubes in your head are named after him, nothing to do with the saintly huntsman.
If there were NHS loyalty points, I think my family would have enough for a free appendectomy by now, considering the amount of time spent in surgeries and clinics recently...
Well, to be honest, I am not quite sure what I think of the new portrait of the King. I think the face is very good. It certainly looks like him, which is a relief.
And the butterfly about to land on his shoulder is a nod to his interest in the natural world and the beauties of creation [and apparently to the way that Charles has metamorphosed from Prince to Monarch, according to the artist, Jonathan Yeo]
But I cannot get on with the fuzzy red background, merging into his uniform. JY says he did not want anything to detract the viewer from the King's Gaze.
However, I find that bit of braid which appears to be from his right shoulder, in a loop to his collar, then diagonally down to his hip is a real distraction,
But I don't have to hang it in my lounge, so that's OK.
One other Royal image you may or may not have picked up on is the new Gov.UK cypher on their website, and some official correspondence.[that came out in February]
At the top is the one which was used during Elizabeth's reign, below is the new one chosen by Charles. If you compare them, you will see the EIIR has the St Edward's Crown, with the top sections curving down, whereas CIIIR has the 'Tudor' crown, which is domed.
As from 5th June, the new King Charles Banknotes will enter circulation. More info here, or you can watch the brief Bank Of England video.
If you are in North Norfolk, you may struggle to pay for your bus with a £5 note - they have stopped taking them after twenty six forgeries were used on the buses last weekend.
I don't suppose that Charles and Camilla have OAP bus passes, or take bus trips to the coast from Sandringham...
The sunny weather has got me out on my bicycle. I love my ancient velocipede, with its pretty flower basket and ding-a-lying bell. In 2013, Liz gave me a Cath Kidston saddle cover. A beautiful rose print 6000 were given away in London to celebrate CK's company celebrating its 20th birthday. At the time the tag said "it would fade beautifully"
Mine has not only faded, but also started disintegrating. So I sat in the garden and took it to bits. I made a template from the old cover and thought about what to use for a new one. Among the fabrics from my dismantled patchwork was a heavier weight cotton with a bright summery print - originally flowers, bees and butterflies. I sewed the pieces randomly to make a rectangle. From that I cut the seat shape and edge strip.
I took the sewing machine outside, and set to. When Bob got back from The Shed, I was just finishing the new saddle cover. It looks much more cheerful!
The garden is coming along nicely. Just a few pictures to share with you
Moving clockwise : Top left, the raised bed - with potatoes, broad beans, salad leaves, and courgettes.* Top right, my new mini raised bed. Bob found some "pallet collars" at the Wiveton Junkyard. They are usually around £20 each, these were two for £15. The Range were selling 4 bags of topsoil/compost for £10, so this worked out quite cheaply [it measures 1200x 800mm] Currently I've sown salad leaves in one half. I'm keeping the other half covered till I get round to putting stuff in it. Bottom right, my potatoes are growing in their buckets alongside the smart new fence. And finally, my weird, triffid-like Egyptian Walking Onions.
We are enjoying the radishes and salad leaves... I hope to have spuds before too long. There are beans and tomatoes in the mini greenhouse. Lots of herbs on the patio, and some flowers too.
*Garden Club was much better last week. I sat with my friend Judy, who introduced me to her neighbour, who offered me some courgettes. She brought them round a few days later "can I have the tray back though, please?" Once I'd planted them out, I realised I didn't know where she lived. So I went round to Judy's [she has a phenomenal garden] and she gave me Jean's address. After a good chat, and some helpful tips, I went on to Jean's and returned the tray along with little jar of homemade chutney.
French dwarf beans on the kitchen windowsill. Zut Alors!
My yellow Seasalt jacket is getting old - a gift from Liz and Steph, Christmas 2016, it's lost its original golden hue, and has some ineradicable marks [which stubbornly refuse to come out, with Vanish or NikWax Shampoo] But I still love it. However the cuffs are really worn and fraying badly. What to do? There was a small inside pocket, rectangular in shape. Having unpicked it, I cut it into three strips, and joined them into a long piece of binding.
Cutting the strip in two, I bound the cuffs, covering up the frayed bits. It's discreet, and tidy, and will give the jacket another season or two.
There is a time and a place for "visible mending" - but sometimes you just want to repair something without making a feature of the darn or patch. My Top Tip is to nick a pocket and use the fabric for patching or binding.
I've lost count of the number of pairs of trousers I've mended like this. Either remove the pocket or sew across the opening of the pocket and cut away the fabric behind.
Have you got any good tips for mending garments to make them live longer?
Yesterday was Dereham Day. The Town Museum were featuring John Craske, and his pictures of peace. They had invited people to produce a picture [6“x 8“] representing "the place where I feel at peace." I decided to do a piece of textile art representing my love of sewing. After all, Craske lived embroidery too. I'd handed in my entry at the end of March [they stressed it was a exhibition NOT a competition] I went along yesterday to view the "Picturing Peace" display. Katie, the guide, was really pleased someone had gone in specifically for it, and I said I'd submitted a picture. When I said my name, she beamed "Oh I'm so glad. Yours was the first entry and I love it" We went to the room full of pictures. "Tell me about it..."
It was a piece of green felt on which I had stitched different aspects of my needlework. I showed her the button and tape measure [dressmaking] and the patchwork sample[quilting, recycling] , and the embroidered pink scrap [embroidery - especially my collaboration with Kirsten] threads and fastenings [repairing] needles and fancy gold braid [costumes, and memory bears] and cross stitch [pictures and greetings cards] and I pointed out the dove and Shalom, symbols of my Christian faith - which underpins my joy in creativity, especially in sewing for others [just realised the pun there, sorry]
I hadn't realised I there was another woman behind us till she said “Oh that's lovely - there should be a card explaining all that " They had around 90 pieces, there wouldn't be room for everyone's story.
But I was so glad to look at all the different pictures and see their cornfields,seascapes family scenes, pets, gardens and more - using all sorts of media - each representing a different, personal aspect of peace
Where do you find moments of peace in the noisy, busy world?
On Friday morning, I had some stuff to do in Norwich, and top of my list was to visit Søstrene Grene [pron; SOSS-tren-EH gren-EH] - a new Danish Homeware store opening in the city centre [at the bottom of the Market Place by Jarrolds] The name means "Green Sisters" and this is indeed a family company run by the Grene family - founded in 1973 -altho the 'sisters' Anna and Clara are fictional.
I visited their Manchester store some years ago, and loved it. All the stores have a 'maze' layout [like IKEA] ensuring you pass through every section en route to the cash desks.
Anna is the creative sister, with a highly developed sense of aesthetics, and Clara is practical and orderly. The store has sections for home decor, kitchen, crafts, garden, homewares, party goods, confectionery, and much more.
The prices are very reasonable, and the company prides itself on using sustainable,
natural materials for its products, and the plastic goods are all made from recycled plastic. The store was quite busy when I entered [I was not one of the first 100 customers - they all received a free rug, and a goody bag] I had a lovely conversation with Vanessa the manager and a couple of other staff members.
I think I was the first person they had spoken to who knew about SG and had shopped in another branch, Vanessa said that some people didn't come in because they thought it looked 'too expensive' Which is a shame - the prices are affordable
- and the products are good quality.
I bought a lovely wooden nailbrush in Manchester before George was born, and it's lasting really well.
Yesterday I bought some little bits and pieces - a wooden die for making paper flowerpots, some seed bags, and plant labels, a pack of double ended highlighters and [really random] some wax chips and a spoon. These last two are so I can use my wax seal again [like the Abbot on Shardlake]
And I bought a bag of almonds for Bob!
My journey back to the car park was lovely, I walked alongside the river in the bright sunshine.
You can read more about Sostrene Grene here. There are about 16 stores across the UK, and new ones opening soon in Peterborough,Bury St Edmunds and London King's Cross. But if there are none near you, they now operate an online store too.
I said in March that I was going to keep a sewing journal now I had a new machine. The notebook from Gillian was lovely - but white. I needed a cover.I had a piece of patchwork in the loft, all Sanderson fabrics.
It had started life as a quilt on our bed [1980] , then made into a cover for a very tired old armchair [2015] But the armchair eventually collapsed. I kept the fabric. At the end of April I washed it, dismantled it, and took it to bits, making tidy rectangles.
I cut out some 15cm squares. Then I embellished them with embroidery, plus beads and sequins. Cross stitch, chain stitch, running stitch, feather stitch...
I sewed them together, onto a foundation panel [a rectangle of sheeting from the original quilt backing]
I went over every seam with decorative stitching, using the machine - and lots of autumnal colours.
I added "Sewing Notes" in backstitch,[front] and machined ANG May 2024.[back]
I sewed the flaps to hold it in place on the book - and a length of spare elastic as a security closure.
I am so pleased with the way it has worked out. A great bit of recycling. Now I must be diligent about recording all my projects in it!
If you do crafts, do you keep a record of your creations?
Is it really four years since George Robert B. arrived? We were in Lockdown, and life was so complicated for everyone. Our first Grandson - since joined by his little brother Jacob. Manchester seems so far away at times- we are grateful for WhatsApp and the ability to chat there. George is growing fast, and enjoys food, family life and having fun!
We hope you have some wonderful birthday celebrations - you decorated your Minion Cake beautifully. And we know you will be including Jacob in all the excitement. In four short months you will be starting school!
We are so proud of you, and we love you so much. Thank you for all the joy you bring!
So here is the puppet stand which Bob made. The base is beautiful top quality ply [from some offcuts donated to The Shed] the rods are leftover from the Pikler Triangle which Bob built for George four years ago. Bob stamped the base with the logo of The Shed Project.
We went over to Swaffham on Tuesday morning, to present it to Tim-the-Trustee. Behind them you can see a little niche in the wall, painted black.
The puppets fit beautifully! Sue, the other volunteer present, said they had a school group in last week, who really enjoyed playing with them.
They do look good in this little space with their own spotlight! Bob and I have enjoyed collaborating on the project [and Rosie made a lovely thankyou card for the Museum too, with the picture of her in the garden holding Bastet]
Sometime on Star Wars Day, this blog reached another milestone
It is encouraging that people are still reading after sixteen years - at the beginning I said I'd stop writing if nobody bothered to view. I know some just follow, whilst others have their own blogs. There is definitely a growing group of us who all read each other's blogs. We ought to call ourselves "Some Sues and friends". I love the interaction in the comments and via email - I've learned so much from others, and made so many new friends across the globe. I'm overwhelmed at times by people's kindness towards myself and my family. So thank you to all of you. God bless you.
It was a real joy to see the family on Saturday - and the weather was glorious, we had lunch in the garden. Rosie collected her gift from the Museum, which had been sitting here waiting for her, and Jess went into the igloo with a puppet [the paramedic is her favourite]
And the girls and I went into the kitchen to make a Magic Potion It is such a simple activity, with amazing results. Rosie and I put on aprons, and Jess donned the Unicef Tee Shirt which is the official family coverall for messy activities.
I can really recommend this one if you have preschool and primary children to entertain.
You need
APRONS!
A cupful of red cabbage
Knife and chopping board
Water
Lemon juice
2 jugs or mixing bowls
A sieve
A teaspoon for each child
Some small containers [we had plastic trifle dishes, and tiny jampots]
Method Use your discretion - some tasks must be done by the adult. Start by reminding the children it is called red cabbage although it is purple. Can they guess what colour it will turn the cooking water?
Chop the cabbage finely
Tip it all into one jug
Pour water [from second jug] till cabbage is just covered
Discard remain water
Microwave jug of cabbage, on "high" for 2 minutes.
Pour cabbage into sieve, drain liquid into second jug.
The cabbage can be put into compost/food waste /eaten!
ALLOW LIQUID TO COOL- what colour is it? Deep blue
While it cools put your pots on a tray. Put a few drops of lemon juice in the little jars, and 50ml cold water in one of larger jars.
Pour the blue liquid in larger jars, and show that when it goes in with the water, it becomes a light blue.
Now carefully take the tray to the rest of the family.
Explain you are adding the clear liquid to the blue - can they predict what will happen?
Pour a little lemon juice into each large pot, stir gently
Watch what happens
[our helpful adults predicted the water would go spotty, start fizzing or turn pink]
"We did science!" declared Jess. The colours were amazingly bright.
Thursday was a busy, but happy, day, and I had plans for Friday. But Friday was a very strange day. All sorts of things, both good and not so good happened to the family. Right now I'm still getting my head round it all. Don't worry, we're OK, and I will explain properly when I can.
One thing on Friday's to-do list was to discover what the strange pink thing is, peeping over the fence of a house round the corner. I cannot work it out at all. But I did not have time to investigate properly. Is it Normal for Norfolk? Life's been quite surreal recently , so I wouldn't be surprised if it were an Extraterrestrial Visitor!
I was reading a recipe online, and the majority of comments below it were nothing to do with the finished food product, but all about the way the recipe was written. It was from the USA and all ingredients were listed in cups, rather than by weight.
I have a set of ProCook cups, bought in a sale years ago. They are strong, and the silicon grips make them easy to hold - and they do not distort. And the storage ring opens and closes easily.
I've also got some vintage Salter Balance scales, with two sets of weight - imperial and metric.
We also have a glass topped battery operated digital scale - and a Tala Cook's measure.
I think there are pros and cons for each of these systems
The measuring cups are obviously essential for a cup based recipe - but I am concerned that if a powder is more densely packed/settled, then its weight will be significantly different from powder loosely gathered. That is bound to affect the resulting cake.
I love my balance scales, but they are quite cumbersome and heavy. I use them for large quantities [fruit based stuff like chutneys, and my Christmas cake]
The digital scales are Bob's favourite, he finds them most accurate* - and I must admit that the 'zero' button is useful if you want to use your bowl and add-and-weigh ingredients as you go along. But a larger bowl obscures the panel and you cannot see what the weight is.
The Tala measure is useful if I am weighing out rice, or lentils to put in a casserole - and it also has volumetric scales [metric and imperial] and cup-measures printed in it. But I don't use it often. It may go to a CS soon!
And I mustn't forget my stack of pyrex jugs, used for measuring liquids. Bob prefers to weigh liquids on the digital scale as he says it is more accurate. The jugs are good too for using in the microwave - I like having a handle to get hold of, rather than clutching the sides of a bowl.
But even with accurate scales, there are still unexplained disasters sometimes. We ate all the bread on Wednesday evening, so on Thursday morning, I made a 'rapid' loaf in the breadmaker.
There's "rough and rustic" and then there is bizarrely shaped lumpen mass...
It will provide hunks to accompany soup, and toast to be topped with beans - and if all else fails, bread pudding or crumbs!
Unattractive does not equate to inedible.
How do you weigh?
[not 'what do you weigh?' that is far too personal a question!]
Preacher, teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, craftswoman. Married to wonderful Pastor Bob since 1979, now happily retired to Norfolk, but still busy. I am blessed with two brilliant grown-up daughters and four wonderful grand children
