Make A Note Of It

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? 

A Great Grandson

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!

In Which Bob Takes A Stand

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]

Thank You For Visiting

 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. 

Magic!

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. 

It was great fun

Learn more here about the chemistry. 

Let It Go...

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. 

God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” 

Matthew 6 v 34 [The Message] 

Star Wars* Day And The Aliens Have Landed

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! 

*May The Fourth be with you 

Weight For It!

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!]

Your Very Good Health!

"Know the truth, and the truth will set you free" says the Good Book, referring to faith and belief. I am sure that in a wider sense too, knowing the facts, being fully aware of what is going on, is helpful in determining our response to things. 

In the last few months, I've had routine tests for bowel cancer [the Poo Test] and breast cancer  [mammogram] Both of these tests were free - and I am happy to report all is well. T Often we do not seek treatment till we are really ill and symptoms are apparent - but maybe the condition was already there, and if spotted sooner, could have been treated more effectively.

The NHS is working with 'Our Future Health' to gain a wider picture of the nation's health. Bob and I both signed up for this. An online questionnaire, and a 15 minute check [in the large mobile unit in Morrison's Car Park] I opted for an early morning slot [and was home again by 9am] There are twelve of these units working all round the country.

The practitioner measured my height, weight, waist, and cholesterol levels - and also took a blood sample. I was given the four results, and had a brief conversation about them. This wasn't a health check in that sense - it is collecting data to be analysed to create the bigger picture. So they do need lots of volunteers of all ages and ethnic groups [not just old white grandparents with time on their hands!] 

I was already aware that my BMI is too high, and my cholesterol is in the amber range for heart issues [that's a genetic thing] But I discovered that I'm also teetering towards high risk for type 2 diabetes. I must be much more disciplined, stop talking about cutting back on cakes and start actually doing it!

I was given a copy of my data to bring home, along with details of websites of British Heart Foundation, and Diabetes UK where there was relevant helpful information. These groups are collaborating in this project with the NHS

If you are in the UK,do check this out. If the collection and processing of the data from a significant sample can benefit the health of the whole nation, I think it is a good thing. I know some folk do not like sharing their personal data, but to be realistic, if they are on the internet or have a loyalty card, then that ship sailed long ago.

This may not have any significant impact on my health - but it could help Rosie, Jess, George and Jacob as they grow up. And that's a good legacy.

Back To The Fuchsias

No these are not mine, mine are still straggly little things, but I am hoping they will grow into fine bushes like unto the ones from which I took the cuttings.I have moved them out into the front bed now, and hope they soon settle and start flourishing.

I've been taking things gently, pottering about with a few garden tasks, and doing lots of laundry [how lovely to peg it outside to dry, instead of draping it over the airer in the Futility Room]

My friend brought her favourite dungarees to church on Sunday- the clip had broken, and she wasn't sure if it was fixable. The metal was split and sharp - we eithe rneeded a whole new clip, or a replacement for the broken bits.

In fact I had just one similar clip in my stash, so Bob took off the little curved metal fastening and put it on the broken clip closing it with his pliers. 

I wasn't sure if this would work - and wondered what I'd do if the other clip broke. I emailed Fat Face customer services at lunchtime on Sunday.

Two new complete pairs of clips arrived on Tuesday morning. I have put them in my tin until needed [I have replaced three dungaree clips for friends from my stash in recent months, so I'm pleased to have four new ones now - I have my own elderly FF dungarees so may need a spare myself sometime]

Well done Fat Face - excellent customer service. Thankyou Jodie @FF

Bob has finished his puppet stand. That will be delivered next week. Pictures will follow. Stitching unpicked and redone [correctly this time]

Happy days! I hope to watch 'Shardlake' this evening. So sad that the author, CJ Sansom died at the weekend. I have loved all his historical crime books - well researched and well written, evoking the Tudor times. He seemed like such a nice chap.

How is it May 1st already? The year is flying by...

[Thank you Bob for suggesting the title for this post]

 

Suffering With Foot And Mouth

 

I'm falling to bits! After spending all that time and money on having the verruca on my heel dealt with, it has reappeared. And it hurts. I am not convinced it was completely removed last time. So this week I shall be visiting a different podiatrist. I had an appointment booked with the dental hygienist booked for May. The receptionist rang and said there was a cancellation, would I like Friday 26th April instead. It's a 50 mile round trip [look, this is Norfolk, I'm lucky to have a dentist at all] I somehow missed a turning, so had a slight detour, then got stuck for miles behind a very wide, slow agricultural vehicle, unable to overtake on narrow roads. I arrived 15 minutes late, and they said I was too late to be seen. "We can rebook for Monday and you won't lose your deposit"

Bob kindly drove me there - we left in good time, and arrived 40 minutes early for the 3.10pm appointment. The hygienist was running behind - I never got into the chair till 3.30pm! So I had been in the waiting room for a full hour. [Bob sat in the car listening to the radio and reading]

On Sunday evening, I did a lot of stitching on the project - I've completed the green edging - and I am now stitching the text in the border[names, dates, title etc] I drew everything out very neatly on graph paper - but I was too tired. I should have had the sense not to do any stitching after 9pm. As I finished the banner across the bottom, I realised I had counted wrongly - and everything was 2 squares out. I spent a lot of time Monday morning unpicking it all

My aim is to finish by May 19th [Pentecost] 

As well as the border text to stitch, there are lots of ends to tidy up on the back. Generally I'm feeling very upbeat about our collaborative project. 

[I have had fun with this blue plaque generator!]

Two More Walsingham Churches..

After our breakfast and CS visit, we walked to the RC Church [we did not go out of town to the Slipper chapel though. Another time perhaps?] There were Roman Catholics in Walsingham till the mid 16^th Century when Henry VIII made life very difficult for them. Three hundred years later, Charlotte Boyd, a Catholic convert, gave the Slipper Chapel at Houghton St Giles on the outskirts of Walsingham, intending it for liturgical use. It became the national Catholic Shrine. When the Anglicans established their shrine in the village in the 1930s, it was felt that the small brick hut being used as a Catholic Church in the village centre should be replaced. A ‘temporary church’ was put up in the Friday Market place in the 1950s but it was not until 1966 that plans were drawn up for a proper building.

Work finally commenced in 2005 to the designs of local architect Anthony Rossi. The cost of the building was well over a million pounds. It was consecrated 2006. The year is picked out in red brick and flint on the front of the church, a round tower - evocative of so many early Norfolk churches, rising above. You enter the building through wooden doors  where one of the first things you see on entering is a reminder that this structure is not merely traditional. A solar energy unit displays how much electricity is being generated by the panels on the roof, how much is being used, and how much stored.The Church of The Annunciation was designed to be Britain's first carbon-neutral church. 

The interior you step into beyond is wide, open and fan-shaped, focused on the narrow window behind the altar. The stained glass depicts Christ – but behind him the icthus – the ancient symbol of  the Christian faith. The other focus is the font, with the holy oils displayed behind it in containers of coloured glass. The overall sense is of simplicity and beauty.

It was very peaceful, and thoughtfully planned. Carbon neutral, and welcoming, and right in the heart of the community. I really liked the wooden pews- intelligently planned with a kneeling rail which folded out of the way, and the end two seats in each row could be flipped up too for the placement of wheelchairs or baby buggies. I sat quietly at the back, enjoying the light streaming in, and imagining what it would feel like when the place was packed with pilgrims celebrating and worshipping together. 

Then we walked down the hill to the Anglican Shrine - now nearly a hundred years old, things have been added over the years 

- an outdoor altar in front of a huge grassy area, and three tall wooden crosses to the side - a constant reminder of the events of Easter.

I must confess that although the small chapel to one side was peaceful, and the information panels in the entrance very informative, I didn't really like this site as much as the other two. Perhaps that was just me, and my aching feet.

Would I consider doing a pilgrimage? I am not sure that I would, to be honest. To set aside the everyday responsibilities and walk to a special place of prayer, re-evaluating life goals, and seeking to get to know God better are good things to do, I cannot deny that. When I was younger I felt uncomfortable about the idea of those who seemed happy to leave others to look after their family, and other tasks whilst they went off "to find themselves" or "find God". For some people, I know it has been a life changing experience. A relative took her daughter, who had major health issues, on a couple of pilgrimages to Lourdes, and it did bring her comfort, and she made lasting friendships with other pilgrims. 

But it's not for me. I am happy to get on with life in the place where I am, and find God every day, both in quiet moments of solitary reflection in surprising places - and in loud and joyful worship with others. 

But I enjoyed my visit to this corner of Norfolk which has been special to so many for so long. It was a good reminder of the breadth of the church, and the diversity of those in God's family.May you have love, joy, peace and hope, in your journey this week...

Iconic

On Monday, the first place of worship we visited was St Seraphim's . This is an amazing Orthodox chapel with an intriguing history. At the beginning of the 20th century, many Russians came to Britain because of the Revolution, and the subsequent persecution of various religious groups. A little orthodox chapel was built adjoining the Anglican one, and became a place of pilgrimage for many. But sixty years ago, two priests felt these people needed their own shrine - Dr Beeching had just closed the railway - so they took over the station and converted it into a chapel. Fr David and his colleague Leon were iconographers- they made their living by painting and selling icons - and thus were able to finance and maintain the chapel.

With the golden dome, it doesn't look much like a railway station. Behind is the old stationmaster's house [with a goose!] and behind that, the "Quiet Garden"

There was much to discover about the painting of icons, and what they symbolise . I learned a new word riza which is Russian for robe. Often a family would own a beautifully painted and gilded icon - but in order to add honour to it, they would put a special metal cover over it - with apertures to reveal the hands and faces of the people portrayed. Here is an example of an icon without and with its riza

This work would add significantly to the value of the piece. [If you are unsure about the differences between reverence and worship, do check Bushlady's helpful explanation at the end of this recent post]

Having spent time in the chapel, and being amazed at the many British Saints [lots in East Anglia, it seems] we then went outside.

Passing the house, and goose, we walked down the garden. It is designed to be an area for prayer and reflection, and has a helpful guide, marking out particular spots to stop and think.

There were various structures- like this willow arbour, and the Bee Pergola [top row of photos - on the right] This had a bee hotel, and a nod to St Spiridon who wears a hat like a beeskep!

The guide leaflet says "[this place] reflects a pilgrimage in miniature, allowing space for you to contemplate past journeys, and the journeys ahead of you [much like pilgrims who used this old railway station in years gone by]

...humans cannot separate themselves from the natural world, and it is the place most turned to when in need of healing and restoration. People of all faiths and none retreat to the natural world.

The Orthodox faith has a strong tradition of reflecting the natural world through its icons - many saints in icons are identifiable by the animals or plants [beside them] This shed is where the railwaymen kept their oils and lamps safely. It is flanked by two heritage apple trees, planted in Victorian times. You are invited to consider all of those who have found rest in this garden. I thought too of the warmth and light found in the shed, and the faithful provision of God, year on year, of the harvest of fruit.

The path through the long, narrow garden goes down a gentle slope, then up to a viewpoint. You are encouraged to look back at the journey on which you have come, both literally and spiritually. I found this really meaningful, thinking of my own journey, as I begin my 70th year. My path has had ups and downs - but the overall way has been upwards. Along the way I have found warmth in loving relationships [the oil shed], sweetness in the blessings of life [the honey bees] and fruitfulness in my life and family[the apple trees] And I am grateful to God, for the sense of his presence with me every step of the way - even when I sometimes stepped off the path a little. If this had been the only place I visited on my day in Walsingham it would have been enough - the rest was just a lovely extra blessing.

I recall a favourite old hymn

Green pastures are before me,

which yet I have not seen

Bright skies will soon be o'er me

Where the dark clouds have been

My hope I cannot measure

My path to life is free

My Saviour has my treasure

And He will walk with me

May your Sunday be peaceful and blessed

Look After The Pence...

"I am going to be to be Very Thrifty for the next couple of months, Bob. You have been warned!" I announced this week. "How will I know?" he replied. Which is, I suppose, a valid question. I'm not known for my reckless prodigality. Buying myself that plaque on Monday still feels a bit wild and selfish!
But following the demise of all those household items [iron, steam mop, vacuum cleaner] and my car, there are now a load of medical bills forthcoming. Dentist, Podiatrist and Opticians bills don't come cheap [but in old age they definitely come more often, and are generally larger] 

So how am I going to be more careful ?

Diplomat, Polymath and Inventor, Ben Franklin, warned about Little Expenses, and I think he had a point.  I admit that I have got rather lazy in retirement, since we no longer have a monthly mortgage repayment hanging over us like the sword of Damocles. 

Just a few tweaks to my shopping habits could make a significant difference to my overall spending. Here are some things I think I should be doing

• I need to be more disciplined about  taking my collapsible Stojo cup in my bag. If I buy a drink when I am out, using my own cup can usually save 50p.
• and when I buy the aforementioned coffee, I must be firm and not have a piece of cake with it [thus benefiting waistline as well as wallet]
• I need to get back to proper meal planning - it has got a little haphazard lately. 
• and manage portion sizes at meal times. A pudding is a treat. Second helpings are an indulgence. If the pud serves four, then I must prepare half for the fridge or freezer before I put the dish on the table.
• shopping trips must be more disciplined too. In the old days, if I bought something not on the list, I crossed off something else. 

Most of this stuff I know already, it is just making sure I do it. I have been strict with myself about not buying clothes following the Take Five rule. 

I went through my seed box, and realised I had almost all the seeds I needed for sowing my Raised Bed this year. I may take some spares to Gardening Club on Tuesday and see if there are any others on the Seed Exchange Table.

But actually I think Benjamin Franklin wasn't quite right. A small leak, if spotted in time, can easily be plugged. What sinks the ship is usually the large gash from the bit of the iceberg under the surface, that nobody could see. Or the violent storm that blows up out of nowhere.

We are going on holiday next month - and that will not be cheap - but we have been planning it for months, and putting aside the funds to pay for it.

It is the unexpected Big Bills that unsettle me. But I am confident that we will weather the storms. As Mum always said - the Lord will provide. 

I was in a public loo recently, and in front of me was this sign. [It seemed an odd location for such a motivational quote] But it reminded me not to fret - I have proved to myself [and the family] time and time again that I can manage on the tightest of budgets if I have to.Compared to so many others I am unbelievably rich - I am not complaining about my income, just my current inability to manage it properly. This is a Work In Progress.

PS Thank you for all the lovely comments yesterday about Rosie's Puppets 

Grandma's Glove Puppets

The teaser from a fortnight ago, a stack of fabric, and now a little bit more revealed. 

It was all Rosie's idea. When we visited Swaffham Museum in the February Half Term - specifically so she could go in the Carter Room and revel in the Egyptian Antiquities - she absolutely adored the place. When the assistant said "Would you do an evaluation form with me?" our Little Miss Enthusiasm agreed. Final question [Grandma holds her breath anxiously, what will she say this time?] Rosie said the Museum was brilliant, and she liked the fact there were things in the rooms for smaller children to play with. But she liked the Carter Room best, and there was nothing in there for her little sister - "I was in there the longest and if Jess was with us, she would have been bored"

The lady admitted there wasn't anything for Littl'uns. What would Rosie suggest? Rosie said Dressing-up Clothes "We had some, I think they were put away during Covid Lockdown. Anything else?"

"Egyptian Glove Puppets, my little sister loves glove puppets" And the lady said that was a very good idea, but where could they get Egyptian Glove Puppets. "Grandma!?!" declared Rosie, very confidently. And thus I found myself agreeing to make them a set of puppets to be delivered after Easter.

I did my research, finding photos of Howard Carter, the Egyptologist, Lord Carnarvon, who financed it all, and statues of the boy King Tut [I didn't feel I should use his death mask!] Lord C always wore a hat with a wide brim and flat top, he had a big moustache. HC had a smaller hat and smaller moustache. To even things up a bit, I chose two women - Nefertiti and Hatshepsut.

I drew out some designs, and made a cardboard puppet template. Then I created the puppets from felt. My new machine was brilliant for stitching elaborate designs on garments, gold trimmings and more. And I made a bag to carry them all in. This week, Bob and I took them over to the Museum. Tim the Trustee and his staff were quite delighted.

We went to the Carter Room, and he showed me that the costumes are back in use - and also took photos of the puppets. He said they'd like to have the new puppets out on display, but don't have a stand for them. "I could make one" said my Shed Man!

Tim had asked if Rosie would be coming with us to deliver them. I explained she was back at school in London. So they gave me a gift for her, because she was the inspiration for the puppets. I did an "unboxing" over WhatsApp, that evening. Rosie recognised it instantly. She is quite thrilled with the model of Bastet the Egyptian Cat God. I thought that was extremely kind of them, to encourage a child like that. Swaffham Museum is independent, run by community volunteers, on a shoestring budget. 

I love the way I could use so many of the embroidery patterns already installed in my machine, I think Nefertiti is my favourite, but I am pleased with Carnarvon's hat too. And the inbuilt font meant I could stitch names on the backs [co-ordinating fabrics from one of my curtain sample books]

Have you ever made puppets?