Apples Are Not The Only Fruit...

The apple tree and pear tree are looking good, with plenty of fruit. The apples are so red. I said to Bob they reminded me of someone's art work  bright against the green leaves, coloured with Crayola Crayons. Next day, I got something in the post - from "Art For The Soul"

I had ordered a pack of Reflection Postcards from my good friend Alice Price. She was our Youth Worker at Kirby, and Bob conducted her wedding - she married Steve the Magician. They live on the Wirral, and she is a Christian worker - and an artist. She's just started this website selling her artworks. One card seemed very apposite. 

Here's front and back.
Look at the picture, think about it - then turn over to see the thoughts on the back.
With her permission, I am sharing this one, to give an idea of how the cards can inspire positive thoughts and reflections.

I think the pack is well thought out. I may get more to send as gifts - or tuck individual cards in with birthday greetings or other presents. They are attractive, thought provoking, but not at all "preachy" 
Please do check out her site...

Lordy! Lordy! What Are You Wearing Tonight?

 We walked up the path towards the house- following the large pairs of scissors - these were to lead us to the "Tailoring an Image" Exhibition inside.  "Lordy" Fairhaven had most of his clothes made by Huntsman of Savile Row, his shoes were handmade, and all his clothes were washed and ironed by a laundry in Saffron Walden
They were taken the 20 miles there and back by train. He did not want his shirts and 'smalls' hanging out on the line to be seen by visitors to the Abbey! 
He was certainly very daring in some of his fashion choices - evening suits in shades of ruby, sapphire and emerald velvet. His dinner jackets were midnight blue, because he said that at night they looked 'blacker than ordinary black ones'. His valet maintained his clothes with great care laying out the day's garments on the bed all ready to be worn. 

Because his garments were so meticulously made, and diligently maintained, they lasted him years. He was always a stylish dresser. He wore a red carnation in his buttonhole during the day, and a white one in the evening.

He loved bright colours and fine patterned cloths. His suits all had a lilac and cream striped silk lining to the sleeves.

Many of his clothes were in the exhibition, beautifully displayed- handstitched suits, silk pyjamas, his Home Guard Uniform [way smarter than poor old Pike's gear in Dad's Army!] The finest sheepskin coat you could imagine for "gardening wear"

Lord Fairhaven moved in the highest circles of British Society - with politicians, industrialists, bankers- and of course, Royalty. He was friends with Edward VIII - and many important Americans. Many of them would wear similarly created garments - handmade to fit them personally, in quality fabrics made to outlast their owners. Many folk continue this practice today King Charles is known to wear suits which are decades old. Patrick Grant wears jackets which were his fathers. And actor Damien Hurst wears his grandfather's handmade overcoat!
Below is a very informative 10 minute video produced for the exhibition by "Huntsman&Sons" - his tailors, still in business 60 years after his death [his personal paper suit patterns are still in their archives!] It is well worth watching. This 'proper' bespoke tailoring is the complete opposite of Fast Fashion. Oh dear, I must sort out my summer/winter wardrobe swap soon. 

Ang Goes To Anglesey

No, not the Welsh place, but Anglesey Abbey, the NT property in Cambridgeshire. It has been on my wish list for years. I put it on my 70s list back in April. When Bob said on Tuesday morning "have you got a lot to do today?" I realised it was the only day this week without commitments [other than housework. Which doesn't count] "Can we go to Anglesey Abbey?" I suggested [he thought it was in Wales so was reluctant at first ]

It took about an hour to reach this National Trust property. We arrived just before 11am and drank coffee in the car [yes, we thriftily took our own flask, and Tunnocks wafers!] There was plenty going on, the welcome guy enthused about the bookshop, the restaurant, the little café, the gardens [especially the dahlia garden and the cyclamen walk] the house, and the special autumn exhibition about men's tailoring... Suffice it to say we were there till gone 3pm. 
Founded as "Hospital of St Mary"  in 1135 by Henry 1, converted in C13 to an Augustinian Priory, in 1536, Henry VIII dissolved priory and gave it to a lawyer. He took much of the roof and bricks to build nearby Madingley Hall, leaving the Abbey to decay. [careless chap] Owned by a couple of other men, then acquired by the Downing Family . They were founders of the Cambridge College, and the Street in London was named after the one who acquired New York from the Dutch. Then an MP, and a Vicar owned it.

Huttleston Rogers Broughton, was the eldest son of a Very Wealthy Englishman [Urban Hanley Broughton] and his American wife [Cara Leland Rogers] Cara's grandad was one of the 25 richest men in US history]  HRB bought the property in 1922, along with his brother Henry. Huttleston and Henry agreed that the first to marry would sell his share of the house to the other. Henry married in 1926. So for over 40 years this guy lived in the property and bought an incredible amount of art and statuary and sumptuous furnishings. His father, Urban, had been an MP and philanthropist - he it was who purchased Runnymead in 1929, where the Magna Carta was signed, and gave it to the nation [to stop builders developing the site] For this he was awarded a peerage, but died before it was conferred- so the title passed to Huddleston- who became Lord Fairhaven. He lived at the Abbey till his death in 1966, and bequeathed the property to the NT, with the request that it be maintained as it was when he lived there in the 1960s
His servants called him 'Lordy' he was a shy man, but always generous and friendly towards his staff. He was fond of shooting parties, good food, and fashionable clothes [as well as art, and books and fancy furniture] The NT did a lot of research, speaking to former staff. They spoke well of their boss [although there were those servants who said his mother was a formidable woman and he was something of as "Mummy's Boy"] 

We walked from the Visitor Centre to the house, arriving just before noon, which meant we were there to see the Pagoda Clock chiming 12. It plays tunes, has twirling automata, and is generally an amazing spectacle. You should be able to watch the video HERE.

There was so much to see and to learn. I shall put more pictures on tomorrow's post. I was very conscious of how much easier it is to take in all the details when one is not looking after 2 lively little boys, and carrying a backpack with a potty and spare clothing. Watching two young mums with their pre-schoolers, I am not sure AA is the most child friendly NT property. But it is absolutely fascinating.

Fourteen Weeks To Go

I really could have done without the announcer on Classic FM mentioning that yesterday afternoon. There are many tasks I would like to complete before I begin thinking about Yuletide. I shall have to sit down and make a proper list. 

• I plan to enjoy and Autumn, the changing colours of the season
• I hope to do my summer/winter wardrobe sort
• I intend to have a short holiday soon [one without trips to A&E]
• I want to make another batch of Shed Aprons
• I need to prepare some good meal plans for colder weather
• I must get regular exercise and be diligent about weight loss

And if I can tick those things off the list, maybe then I will apply my mind to preparations for the Festive Season.  Come on, it's only September and we haven't reached the equinox yet...Mincemeat and wrapping paper and holly wreaths can wait 

Not Tempting Fete?

I am going to have a rant. And I am not going to apologise for it. I feel that village fetes generally aren't quite what they used to be. There is little I am tempted to buy at the stalls round the edge of the field.

I have been to a few this summer, and come away with the same question every time.  

Why are so many people selling small plastic animals ?

Every colour under the sun, some multi coloured rainbows, some shiny iridescent, others sparkling glittery finish...And why are people shelling out so much money for them [many cost £2+] when they cost about 4p each online?

At our village school fete, it was one of the most popular stands. At the event we dropped in on last Saturday there were three different stands,  all selling these horrid things.

They have no purpose, many are poorly made, and some are downright ugly. And they are all made of plastic - so will be littering our planet for centuries.

These items seem popular with children in Primary School. But they are a choking hazard for toddlers and small creatures.  Their popularity will not last long. Unlike Lego bricks and Playmobil figures, they are quite cheaply made, with limited play value and do not fit together as part of a larger creation. They cannot be recycled.

One stall holder was explaining that the dragons she was selling were unique, they were her own design made on her 3d printer at home, which is why they were £6.99 each. I hate to think how long her printer was running, and how much energy it consumed to produce these items. 

I know it is hard to be consistent, and we cannot avoid every piece of plastic - nobody makes wood and metal pcs, phones, or TVs. Unlike George Washington, who had wooden teeth, I am smiling because I have a synthetic dental implant. And the front of my car is plastic to make it safer for pedestrians in the case of RTAs. But surely these bits of tat are quite unnecessary?

What is the point of encouraging my grandchildren to think about litter, and landfill, and the pollution of the oceans if I then give them a handful of plastic lumps which they will tire of and discard within days [if not hours?] 

There were other 'craft' stalls at the last fete I attended - 3 with crochet items [I recognised two of the grannies and their products from other local events] a couple of 'wax melts' stalls, and a lady with handmade cards. I was not tempted by any of their items.

A teenager was selling friendship bracelets in aid of Breast Cancer. She told me her Mum died two years ago. I gave her a donation, but declined the bracelet, and told her to sell that to somebody else. She seemed slightly surprised that someone would give without expecting an item in return. 

If the fetes' food stalls have changed policy and now use recyclable cups and biodegradable paper napkins, why is it still acceptable for other stalls to churn out all these plastic items?

Is this an unreasonable rant? How can we make a better impact? 

Apples Are A-Peeling

I have a small [eating] apple tree. My friend has a massive [cooking] apple tree. Far too many fruit for her and her family.

She said - please have some, Ang. I said my peeling machine would make short work of them. Your What?? 

I explained my gadget is like an apple lathe, it takes off a sliver of peel, and cores and slices the fruit. After 10 minutes I had a bowlful

And then I blanched, cooled and froze 3 boxes full, ready for autumn pies and crumbles. Next week I'm lending her the peeler. So easy, such a time saver, and minimal debris 

En-RHAP-tured!

Definition enrapture- to give intense pleasure or joy

I've been watching the Last Night of the Proms, since I was about 6 [sitting in front of my parents' tiny b&w tv) but I think Saturday night's programme was the best I've ever seen. 

• The stunning, enthusiastic conducting by Elim Chan
• Soprano Louise Alder's enthusiastic performance
• Witty, talented Bill Bailey on typewriter [and organ]
• Trumpeter Alison Balsom's retirement appearance
• ...and best of all, Bohemian Rhapsody, now 50 years old 

The whole evening was a glorious riot of exuberant joy, thoughtful interpretation, gifted musicians and singers - and cheerful promenaders. Bob and I enjoyed it immensely.

It was the second time this weekend that I'd enjoyed a celebration of Queen's wonderful song, now half a century old. 

There was a superb flashmob in Paris, led by pianist Julien Cohen, singer Mickey Callisto, and guitar prodigy Olly Pearson, who is just 11 years old.

You can catch up with the fun from the Albert Hall on BBC I-player. The Parisian entertainment is here...

Dud you see either of these?

Will you do  the Fandango?

Handfuls

In the story of Ruth, Boaz orders his workmen to drop handfuls of corn on purpose, so this refugee girl will have plenty of grain to take home for herself and her widowed mother-in-law. 
In my family, we always refer to any unexpected little extra blessings as God's 'handfuls on purpose' - and often they have seemed like miracles.

Ooopzzzz

Sorry about lack of post this morning. I'm quite OK, but was very sleepy first thing when Bob went off to a Men's Breakfast. So he left me snoozing, and I have only just surfaced properly and realised there's nothing on the blog. Back tomorrow!

I Do Like A Little Bit Of Butter...

 ...for my bread
Many years ago, I found a Hornsea Butter dish in a CS, in the Brontë pattern. I loved it. Then two years ago I dropped the lid and it broke. I was really upset

Clever Bob made a new wooden lid as a replacement.

And then, about three weeks ago, I noticed the dish was chipped at the top, and a crack was running down from the chip...

I have been checking the CS in Norfolk and Chorlton looking for a new glass or china butter dish [of any brand] I had no success. I looked on eBay - they had complete Hornsea ones for £20 - £40, And the ones without lids were £10+.

Then I found a lidless one in the Tapestry Pattern for just a fiver. And my wooden lid fits perfectly. And I am very happy. But I suspect this is becoming something of a Trigger's Broom exercise.

I do so like to have a civilised breakfast, with a toast rack and a butter dish...

I am sure Julie Andrews and her daughter feel just the same... [of course, the King has Duchy Organic Marmalade now, doesn't he?]

What's on your toast these days?

Riddle Me This...

 The word riddle has two meanings

1. from Old English rædel  meaning anything which puzzles or perplexes
2. from Middle English ridelle which means sieve

I was genuinely puzzled by the abundant crop of rainbow chard which was flourishing in the Raised Bed when we got back from Steph's. How did it get to be so rich and vibrant so quickly? And how should I cook it? Nigel Slater's Kitchen Diaries #3 listed a recipe for chard with caramelised onions and sultanas. I checked out the ingredients list - chard, oil, butter, onions, sultanas, lemon zest and pumpkin seeds. I had everything except the seeds.

 

No, wait!" I did have seeds. My big jar of Omega Seeds from Grape Tree contains sunflower, golden linseed, brown linseed and pumpkin.  I fling this stuff into my muesli, flapjacks, and bread, and sprinkle it on salads, to add extra nutrition to my diet. [Hugh and Jamie would be pleased with me, I'm sure] The recipe calls for 3 tbsp. 

Riddle; how do you sort out the pumpkin seeds from the rest?

Answer; You riddle it!

I sieved spoonfuls of the seeds into a bowl, the linseeds, and smaller sunflower seeds fell quickly through the holes in my draining spoon. I very quickly had my 3 tbsp of pumpkin seeds. Nigel calls this a light lunch for 2 [Bob says NS refers to almost everything as a light lunch or light supper!]

 

Photo from the book, because we ate the meal and I forgot to take a pic. But the rainbow chard looked so colourful. I served it with some cold sliced chicken. The sultanas were surprisingly plump and juicy, and the seeds gave an extra crunch. Bob commented on the delicious sweetness of the onions.

Here's the recipe from the book

Chard with caramelised onions and sultanas

[onions, sultanas or raisins, pumpkin seeds, lemon, rainbow chard]

Peel and slice a couple of small onions, soften them in a shallow pan with 2 tbsp olive oil and a thin slice of butter. When they are starting to brown a little round the edges, add 3tbsp sultanas [or raisins] and the same of pumpkin seeds. Let the fruit plump up a little. A salt and finely grated zest of ½ a lemon. 

Wash 4 handfuls [about 100g] of chard, put it into a separate pan with a shallow film of water, cover with a lid and steam for a minute or so. As soon as the leaves have wilted and the colour is still bright, cover and transfer to plates. Scatter over the onion mixture and serve. Serves 2 as light lunch or side dish.

George and Jacob are very keen on riddles at the minute. The most popular one last week was on the side of a squeezy yogurt tube.

The Summer Is Ending

 

Here are the last 6 months of tree pictures - from barely any foliage in April up to this week when we got back from Manchester. My tree has stayed pretty much the same shape all year
The ground below is looking very parched, and I think the leaves are just on the edge of turning to their autumn colours.
We were very conscious as we drove up  and over the Pennines last Monday that there were clear signs of autumn the further north we went - and when we came back on Friday, this was even more apparent. 
The fig tree crop is over, the children are back at school, and next Sunday will be Harvest Festival at chapel...
I am glad for our climate here in the UK, each season has its own special beauty. [but for me, Spring is my favourite, with  new birth, fresh starts, Easter...]

What is your favourite season? Why?

A Month Of Bargains

1. My usual charity shop limit is £4 a week. Which is £16 a month.  For ages I've been looking in CS for a single Pokal glass tumbler, as I only had 5, not 6. So I was pleased to find one for 50p in the Warrington IKEA bargain corner - they come in sets of 6 for £4, which is 67p each. Set complete. Not a CS buy, but never mind
2. I don't need pinking shears - but Bob spotted brand new Fiskars ones for £8 instead of £35, and all my other crafting scissors[and garden secateurs, and kitchen scissors] are the orange handled Scandinavian beauties. So I got them - and passed my others onto two sisters I know who are starting their sewing journey, and will make good use of them. [Break shop, Cromer]
3. Bob also spotted 4 Pantone mugs for £4. They have gone into the cupboard, and random non matching mugs have gone in a CS donations box [Hospice Shop, Norwich]
4. I said I did not want anymore Willow Tree Figures, but the Bright Star Angel was £4 not £25, and she will look so good with the others at Christmas. [RSPCA Chorlton]

Total spend £16.50. That's OK. I probably won't buy any CS stuff for the next few weeks. My bargains

There is only one problem. The Angel has lost a hand. She had two when I took her from the shelf and gave her to the lady to wrap up. 
But when I unwrapped her, her right hand is missing. I checked very carefully in the bag she'd been in, in case it was in there. But no...

I am working out how to make a new hand. Air-drying clay is currently my best thought. Bob suggested putting some sort of pin into the wrist to hold it. On closer examination, there is a mark on the wrist, and I wonder if the hand had already been repaired and was loose in the shop...

No matter, I have till December to fix her!

Making More Of Less

Back in February, I reviewed Patrick Grant's book Less. I really enjoyed the library copy - so bought my own [2nd hand, naturally] His book ends
"Having less but better would be a path to a healthier, more equal society, a source of hope for a better future for the many people of all ages living in what we call our post-industrial communities. Living with fewer , better things is an act of goodness and kindness to people and the planet, and it would make us all happier."

I was so excited to discover he was coming to Norwich to deliver the annual Patricia Clabburn Memorial Lecture and booked a ticket immediately. The event was on Saturday, I took my book... Look at it now! [he has his own Sharpie for signing, a bit like the President] He began by asking who has read the book [surprisingly few of us, I thought] and said there were some on sale in the Foyer*. The talk was, not unexpectedly, a rehash of the ideas in the book, with a few fresh anecdotes thrown in. 
He was urbane, and amusing, and the hour went very fast - then there was a Q&A session - but only time for three questions. I am sorry, I cannot remember the first was "if we buy clothes in charity shops, are we contributing to the Fast Fashion problem?" he said that Charities need our support, and if we are delaying the stuff going to landfill that has to be good. The second was "what about the environmental impact of polyester and synthetic fabrics, you haven't really mentioned that" he replied that he'd run out of time [true] but yes, we should be much more concerned about the fabrics used in our clothing. 30% of the microplastics in the ocean come from clothes**. The third was "I ran a sewing club in my village, because the girls had asked for one - but then they said 'why bother to make clothes, when it takes ages, and you can buy a garment cheaper in Primark and wear it the next day' - so how do we convince our children and grandchildren that fast fashion is a bad idea?" Patrick replied that it was difficult, we had to hope that buying ff will become uncool. He pointed out that vegetarians and vegans were niche groups until quite recently, but now it is more common and more acceptable. Hopefully attitudes to fast fashion will start to change among the younger generation... [Yes, that question was mine, I was really pleased to get his answer] Maybe we older people can make an impact if we try
When we arrived, the woman at the door said 'Patrick is over there and can sign books if you buy one' So I took mine out of my bag [nb mine is hardback, today's were the newer paperback version] After he'd signed I looked behind me, there was nobody else waiting, so I asked for a selfie. A steward stepped forward and offered to take it. It took her quite a few attempts

I am not sure about his expression here. I can't decide if he is thinking "oh dear another mad woman" or "she is as short as Esme" or [hopefully] "I hope this attempt at a photo works"

It was a good afternoon, the women on either side of me were extremely pleasant to chat with, and it was certainly worth the £10 ticket. 

* He also asked who the favourite was to win GBSB - the popular vote was Kit 

** Informative article about microplastics and school uniforms in Saturday's Guardian here

In Everything Give Thanks

These are the words of Paul in his letter to the Christians at Thessalonica. I was completely exhausted when we got back from Manchester on Friday night, and have developed a nasty cold. But I was thankful 

• For a safe journey
• For 5 superb days with the family
• For a lovely home to come back to
• For the neighbour who had put my wheelie bin back
• For good food to eat
• .... For so much more.

But I was feeling a bit flat - missing my two cheerful little boys, and sneezing a lot. "We may have post waiting for us" said Bob, hopefully. There was indeed a stack of flyers on the mat [no, I don't need new furniture, replacement windows,  a will or a funeral plan - and I am certainly not planning on moving house!] But at the bottom of the heap, a proper envelope, with a handwritten address. And inside, the most gorgeous card

My wonky photo doesn't do it justice. My friend had already emailed a thank you for the small package I'd sent her. This handmade thank you card really lifted my spirits - as did the message inside. 

In this busy world of texts and emails and WhatsApps, it really means a lot when somebody makes an extra effort to show their gratitude.

"Writing thank you letters " after Christmas or birthdays often felt like a chore when I was a child, but I am glad Mum drilled the habit into me, and grateful to others who say thank you sincerely.

Let us not take each other for granted. Every day, find somebody to say thank you too. And make it genuine, not just a perfunctory phrase mumbled in passing.  ❤️💚💙🧡🩷

Bring Me Sunshine!

 

There is a pink furry octopus on the sofa. She is 25cm tall and I'm calling her Olivia Octopus [after Olivia Colman, the bright and cheery actress from Norfolk]

Somehow Bob 'won' her from Octopus Energy, who are our "suppliers". Except they don't supply us with very much energy, because of our solar panels on the roof and the storage batteries connected to them. In the 6 months March to August, we got 98.5% of our energy from the panels. And of the power generated, over 68% was sold back to the grid. So as well as paying for the 1.5% we got from the grid, our Octopus account has built up a very healthy balance. Enough to pay for any electricity used over the winter and cover the costs of the oil for our heating. 

When Bob phoned, to ask if some of the surplus could be transferred to our bank account [for the oil payment] the guy said he would have to check - we are supposed to keep 'in the black '., to ensure we can pay for power in the darker winter months. He said he would call up our account on screen. Bob said there was a pause, then the Octopus man said "Blimey!!" He was quite astounded by the effectiveness and efficiency of our panels. We feel very grateful that we were able to have the system fitted when we did.

If you are considering solar, do check out your fitter's credentials, don't have panels without batteries, and make sure you have the right paperwork connecting you to the grid so you receive your payments. We have found Octopus to be helpful and reliable. 

I'm still not sure how I feel about Olivia though!

Styal Style

 It is nearly thirty years since I went to Quarry Bank, the Victorian Cotton Mill at Styal in Cheshire, for the wedding reception of my dear friends Richard and Rachel. But we took George and Jacob on Tuesday [whilst their Mum and Dad were at work] 

Although the NT summer programme ended the day before, there was plenty to see and do. Out in the grounds and inside the mill, and in the owner's house

Well planned play areas, a good bridge for Pooh Sticks and tasty food

The mill was good to walk round, lots of "technical guides" explaining, and helping young ones to understand history and science. How the machines all worked, and how the workers [especially women and children] were treated so badly.

The boys were so well behaved and enjoyed the challenges - like following the Monty Moth trail. There was of course, the usual dressing up. A great day out, we were there over five hours!

A Visit To The Royal Armourers?

The family in Holland all went to a theme park. Rosie rode the carousel, and Jess explained to the fairy that Grandma had made her fairy dress. 

There appears to have been a medieval knights component to the experience. Steph sent a photo of tabard, shield and sword. "Knight's Tabard? How difficult?" I replied [perhaps a little too quickly] "Easy. Is Grandad required to make the shield?" George would like a shield please. With fire on it. And a sword too. So, having finished Shed Aprons and other tasks, Bob and I set to work to produce items for George and Jacob, done in time for our trip north.

He inserted old "ship" halfpennies into the pommels, polished to a shiny copper, and whipped the hilts. The shields were laser etched, painted and waxed.

I turned some scraps and a green cord skirt into two tabards. They are reversible to plain green if the boys want to play Robin Hood or something. Having learned at the castle the other week that bright colours were authentic, I went to town with these