Today the weather has been beautiful but it's been noticeably colder! After I'd opened my two beautiful cards and been given chocolates, flowers and alcohol, we spent the morning preparing the house for lunch as my parents were coming over to celebrate Mother's Day with us. Sophie prepared a Brioche Bread and Butter pudding and assembled a beautiful salad, I hoovered and set the table while Keith sorted out all the cold meats for me.
Mum and Dad arrived at 1pm and we had a delicious lunch with G&Ts for Mum and wine for Sophie and I. We ate salad, new potatoes, quiche and cold meats and the dessert was scrumptious! It was lovely sitting in the conservatory with the sun shining through the windows.
In the late afternoon Sophie and I went for a walk around the estate and Monty comes with us if we cut through the middle green, thus avoiding the top of the estate where the cat he hates lives. The clocks went forward this morning so we've all lost an hour of precious time today! I really don't see why we have to have this outdated time change any more!
Back home Sophie made a Negroni as she'd bought me a bottle of Campari and after the addition of a little tonic, it was delicious! I fell asleep on the sofa at 7pm which was a mistake as I felt wide awake for the rest of the evening and not at all sleepy when it came to bedtime (an hour earlier than normal)!
Sunday 31 March 2019
Saturday 30 March 2019
Relaxation!
Sophie had booked us both in for a facial at the Virgin spa this morning, as a present for me for Mother's Day. I went in first while she went up to the gym for a light workout, and had a very relaxing hour being pampered and cosseted. It was wonderful! Afterwards, my skin felt lovely and smooth and soft!
I went and sat in the cafe with hordes of parents and their offspring and had a coffee and a flapjack while I waited for Sophie. It was very noisy but I managed to finish the book I was reading and watch the news, which is full of Brexit (and how it didn't happen yesterday).
As soon as Sophie was finished we returned home and while she was having a shower, I took Mike to Brixworth. We then tried to find a lunch venue as I needed to go down to Homesense to get a voucher for my Mum, but there was nowhere nearby that was suitable. In the end, after a brief argument, we went to The White Horse in Old and had a surprisingly good cheese and chutney sandwich served with a handful of chunky chips. A family on the next table provided good entertainment, especially when the little boy spilled almost a whole G&T over his grandmother!
From the pub we drove into town and I decided to drive past the old university campus to show Sophie what was happening. Most of the buildings at the front had been demolished and work had started on building houses on what was once the sports field and the car park. Sophie was, understandably, quite emotional and we were able to park the car by the Persimmon marketing office and have a walk around. We also called into the office and the woman there tried to sell Sophie a house even though we'd stated that we were only looking around as Sophie had been a student there!
We noticed a couple walking about and Sophie recognised the woman as someone who had worked in Cottesbrooke, where Sophie did her Business degree. She asked if she knew whether the building was still standing and the woman said it was and could be seen from a nearby footpath. She showed us the way and we decided to take a walk and have a look.
I'm just glad it was a sunny Saturday as the path was bordered on both sides by high hedges and fences and seemed very lonely. Not the sort of place I'd want to walk down on my own at night! We walked for about five minutes and ended up behind the building which was still standing and completely intact. That, at least, was a relief for Sophie!
Back in the car we headed down into town to St James Retail Park which must have the smallest car parking spaces in the whole of the country. I backed into a space and noticed that a car in front was having difficulty reversing out. I went to help but the young girl behind the wheel must have put her foot hard on the accelerator as she hit my car! She looked really shaken and upset and after I'd examined the damage (just a scratch) I told her not to worry. The poor girl was shaking like a leaf!
We went into Homesense and I bought my Mum a voucher so she can buy something she wants in there and I chose some chocolates for her as well. We weren't really in the mood to look around so we paid and headed home.
We made some cocktails this evening - a Maiden's Prayer for me which was Gin, Cointreau and lemon juice and an Old Fashioned for Sophie. I was not a fan of mine and it certainly didn't answer my prayers!
After dinner this evening we watched a good thriller called Along Came a Spider starring Morgan Freeman. It was very enjoyable and made a good end to a busy day!
I went and sat in the cafe with hordes of parents and their offspring and had a coffee and a flapjack while I waited for Sophie. It was very noisy but I managed to finish the book I was reading and watch the news, which is full of Brexit (and how it didn't happen yesterday).
As soon as Sophie was finished we returned home and while she was having a shower, I took Mike to Brixworth. We then tried to find a lunch venue as I needed to go down to Homesense to get a voucher for my Mum, but there was nowhere nearby that was suitable. In the end, after a brief argument, we went to The White Horse in Old and had a surprisingly good cheese and chutney sandwich served with a handful of chunky chips. A family on the next table provided good entertainment, especially when the little boy spilled almost a whole G&T over his grandmother!
From the pub we drove into town and I decided to drive past the old university campus to show Sophie what was happening. Most of the buildings at the front had been demolished and work had started on building houses on what was once the sports field and the car park. Sophie was, understandably, quite emotional and we were able to park the car by the Persimmon marketing office and have a walk around. We also called into the office and the woman there tried to sell Sophie a house even though we'd stated that we were only looking around as Sophie had been a student there!
We noticed a couple walking about and Sophie recognised the woman as someone who had worked in Cottesbrooke, where Sophie did her Business degree. She asked if she knew whether the building was still standing and the woman said it was and could be seen from a nearby footpath. She showed us the way and we decided to take a walk and have a look.
I'm just glad it was a sunny Saturday as the path was bordered on both sides by high hedges and fences and seemed very lonely. Not the sort of place I'd want to walk down on my own at night! We walked for about five minutes and ended up behind the building which was still standing and completely intact. That, at least, was a relief for Sophie!
Back in the car we headed down into town to St James Retail Park which must have the smallest car parking spaces in the whole of the country. I backed into a space and noticed that a car in front was having difficulty reversing out. I went to help but the young girl behind the wheel must have put her foot hard on the accelerator as she hit my car! She looked really shaken and upset and after I'd examined the damage (just a scratch) I told her not to worry. The poor girl was shaking like a leaf!
We went into Homesense and I bought my Mum a voucher so she can buy something she wants in there and I chose some chocolates for her as well. We weren't really in the mood to look around so we paid and headed home.
We made some cocktails this evening - a Maiden's Prayer for me which was Gin, Cointreau and lemon juice and an Old Fashioned for Sophie. I was not a fan of mine and it certainly didn't answer my prayers!
After dinner this evening we watched a good thriller called Along Came a Spider starring Morgan Freeman. It was very enjoyable and made a good end to a busy day!
Friday 29 March 2019
Thursday and Friday - the days blend into one!
Keith took me into work on Thursday so he could go and do yet more shopping at Tesco. Work was fine and Sue was training a newbie today so that was a relief it wasn't me doing it! The time passed very quickly!
At 3pm, Keith picked me up and we drove over to Kettering to find the Jobcentre as Mike has an appointment there next week. It's been another beautiful day today and it looks set to continue over the next few days and into the weekend. I'm just hoping it will last until next weekend!
Sophie had an early night tonight as she is off to Rochester tomorrow and has to be at her manager's house at 6am. Yawn!
We did indeed have an early start on Friday and Sophie woke me up at 5am. When we left it was just getting light and by the time we were heading back the sun was like a huge satsuma in the sky. It was beautiful. There was mist hanging about as well, especially on the River Nene in Thrapston. It certainly made up for us being out so early.
Back home I had a bowl of porridge and got ready for work. My shift passed quickly again but I did feel a bit weary at work. At 2pm I drove home and did very little in the afternoon!
Sophie called me at 6pm to ask me to go and collect her and in a brilliant piece of timing, I met them as they came around the roundabout in Thrapston. Sophie had had a busy day but it was an incident on the train from Rochester to St Pancras that really shook her up... they were sitting on the train when a man nearby noticed an unattended rucksack lying on a seat. He went off to find someone but no staff were around. Luckily Sophie thinks he worked for Transport London so he kept very calm and kept reassuring Sophie that everything was OK. Sophie wanted him to open the rucksack and he asked her to be a witness. She said she was terrified about what could happen...
I said she really should have moved away and gone to sit in another carriage but she insisted she wanted to know what was inside, which very luckily, turned out to be school papers left by a young boy who'd been sitting in the seat. She said she felt absolutely scared to death about what could have happened and was really shaken by the whole experience. It just brings it home to you what could have happened if it had been a terrorist attack and both Keith and I urged her to re-think her actions if it ever happened again!
At 3pm, Keith picked me up and we drove over to Kettering to find the Jobcentre as Mike has an appointment there next week. It's been another beautiful day today and it looks set to continue over the next few days and into the weekend. I'm just hoping it will last until next weekend!
Sophie had an early night tonight as she is off to Rochester tomorrow and has to be at her manager's house at 6am. Yawn!
We did indeed have an early start on Friday and Sophie woke me up at 5am. When we left it was just getting light and by the time we were heading back the sun was like a huge satsuma in the sky. It was beautiful. There was mist hanging about as well, especially on the River Nene in Thrapston. It certainly made up for us being out so early.
Back home I had a bowl of porridge and got ready for work. My shift passed quickly again but I did feel a bit weary at work. At 2pm I drove home and did very little in the afternoon!
Sophie called me at 6pm to ask me to go and collect her and in a brilliant piece of timing, I met them as they came around the roundabout in Thrapston. Sophie had had a busy day but it was an incident on the train from Rochester to St Pancras that really shook her up... they were sitting on the train when a man nearby noticed an unattended rucksack lying on a seat. He went off to find someone but no staff were around. Luckily Sophie thinks he worked for Transport London so he kept very calm and kept reassuring Sophie that everything was OK. Sophie wanted him to open the rucksack and he asked her to be a witness. She said she was terrified about what could happen...
I said she really should have moved away and gone to sit in another carriage but she insisted she wanted to know what was inside, which very luckily, turned out to be school papers left by a young boy who'd been sitting in the seat. She said she felt absolutely scared to death about what could have happened and was really shaken by the whole experience. It just brings it home to you what could have happened if it had been a terrorist attack and both Keith and I urged her to re-think her actions if it ever happened again!
Wednesday 27 March 2019
Catching up!
Sophie went off to the gym this morning and I got up with her, so I could have a lovely, lazy start to the day.
At 10.30am, I walked around to Michelle's for a coffee and a catch up. They'd been to the Lake District and had had a lovely time so we talked about that and even got onto the subject of Brexit!
I stayed for an hour and as soon as I returned home Keith, Mike and I went to Broughton. First to book my car in to have the shock absorbers replaced (one is still knocking) and then to the post office before going to see Mum and Dad. They are having their living room re-decorated and wanted Keith and Mike to take down a large painting they have of Big Sur. It's amazing to think that in a few weeks, Sophie and I will be gazing at that view ourselves!
Mike took it down easily and after after having a quick coffee with them, we went over to Tesco to get food for tonight. Keith treated himself to a bottle of Jamesons and some beer so the bill came to almost £70!
Back home I caught up with some jobs and then ventured out into the gravel garden to do some tidying up. This year, we don't have any nests (well, any that I could see!) so I did some pruning and raked up loads of leaves that had been lying on the ground over the winter. It looked a lot better when I'd finished but we'll need to take our garden bin to the skip soon so I can fit the rest of the stuff in!
At 10.30am, I walked around to Michelle's for a coffee and a catch up. They'd been to the Lake District and had had a lovely time so we talked about that and even got onto the subject of Brexit!
I stayed for an hour and as soon as I returned home Keith, Mike and I went to Broughton. First to book my car in to have the shock absorbers replaced (one is still knocking) and then to the post office before going to see Mum and Dad. They are having their living room re-decorated and wanted Keith and Mike to take down a large painting they have of Big Sur. It's amazing to think that in a few weeks, Sophie and I will be gazing at that view ourselves!
Mike took it down easily and after after having a quick coffee with them, we went over to Tesco to get food for tonight. Keith treated himself to a bottle of Jamesons and some beer so the bill came to almost £70!
Back home I caught up with some jobs and then ventured out into the gravel garden to do some tidying up. This year, we don't have any nests (well, any that I could see!) so I did some pruning and raked up loads of leaves that had been lying on the ground over the winter. It looked a lot better when I'd finished but we'll need to take our garden bin to the skip soon so I can fit the rest of the stuff in!
Tuesday 26 March 2019
Hanging about!
I had another extremely busy day at work and trained a new member of staff called Chloe who was very competent. By midday she was answering calls on the desk opposite me, so she could call on me to help if needed. Joanne was also back from her holidays and looked very tanned and relaxed! Because Chloe answered the calls for me I was able to push on and catch up with lots of jobs!
At 3pm Keith, Mike and I went over to Daventry for Mike's second appointment at the Jobcentre. He was early but they took him through while Keith and I waited in the reception area. I had stupidly left my phone at home and as the time wore on I started to get anxious as we were going straight to pick Sophie up at 5pm. By 4.30pm I had to go and find him and borrow his phone to text her that we would probably be late. Minutes after, Mike appeared to say he was finished.
We dashed off to Northampton in heavy traffic but we were only ten minutes late in the end. We then took our daughter into town as she was going out for a meal with Alice and Sophia. We trundled wearily home and I realised we'd been out for three hours and hadn't really done anything except wait about!
Keith cooked cottage pie tonight and Mike's friend Liam came around to eat with us. When we'd cleared away and washed up, we watched Deutschland 86 but I lost interest, which was a shame as I'd really enjoyed Deutschland 83. It was good to hear a Talk Talk track played, though!
Mike had gone out with Liam but he rushed in at about 9pm saying he had something in his eye. I had a good look but couldn't see anything but I found - luckily - some allergen eye drops in our First Aid kit so I put them into his eyes, which he said cleared them up straight away.
However, after going back out, he came rushing in again to say that his eyes were itchy and swelling up and he couldn't stop sneezing. We soon found out why...the horses have returned to the field next to us and Mike stroked one. He knows he's allergic to horses! I gave him an antihistamine tablet and some cream for his blotchy face and he had a quick shower before going out again!
At 9.30pm we set off to collect Sophie and after dropping Sophia off at the Mayorhold car park and Alice opposite her flat, we made our way home and our much-needed beds!
At 3pm Keith, Mike and I went over to Daventry for Mike's second appointment at the Jobcentre. He was early but they took him through while Keith and I waited in the reception area. I had stupidly left my phone at home and as the time wore on I started to get anxious as we were going straight to pick Sophie up at 5pm. By 4.30pm I had to go and find him and borrow his phone to text her that we would probably be late. Minutes after, Mike appeared to say he was finished.
We dashed off to Northampton in heavy traffic but we were only ten minutes late in the end. We then took our daughter into town as she was going out for a meal with Alice and Sophia. We trundled wearily home and I realised we'd been out for three hours and hadn't really done anything except wait about!
Keith cooked cottage pie tonight and Mike's friend Liam came around to eat with us. When we'd cleared away and washed up, we watched Deutschland 86 but I lost interest, which was a shame as I'd really enjoyed Deutschland 83. It was good to hear a Talk Talk track played, though!
Mike had gone out with Liam but he rushed in at about 9pm saying he had something in his eye. I had a good look but couldn't see anything but I found - luckily - some allergen eye drops in our First Aid kit so I put them into his eyes, which he said cleared them up straight away.
However, after going back out, he came rushing in again to say that his eyes were itchy and swelling up and he couldn't stop sneezing. We soon found out why...the horses have returned to the field next to us and Mike stroked one. He knows he's allergic to horses! I gave him an antihistamine tablet and some cream for his blotchy face and he had a quick shower before going out again!
At 9.30pm we set off to collect Sophie and after dropping Sophia off at the Mayorhold car park and Alice opposite her flat, we made our way home and our much-needed beds!
Monday 25 March 2019
Sweet relief!
Work was busy this morning and I had lots of invoices and admin to deal with, as well as answering calls. Keith took me in this morning as he needed to go to Tesco. We wouldn't have had time in the afternoon as we had a company coming around to look at our double doors leading into the conservatory. We'd noticed on New Year's Day that one side had dropped, making it impossible for us to close one door properly, and after several fruitless attempts to get someone out to fix it, we'd had a call last week from a firm who specialised in repairs.
We were dreading their assessment as we both believed we needed a whole new frame and doors. They arrived at about 3pm and had a good look before asking if we wanted them to fix the problem there and then... yes, please!
They took an hour and said the problem was due to the frame not being fixed properly when the house was built! They charged us £60 for the work which we were thrilled with, and now the doors are better than ever! What a relief!
After they'd gone we dashed over to Brixworth to pop into the post office and the Co-op and then it was home to relax and think about dinner. We had decided on baked potatoes tonight which Mike was certainly not happy about! He now only has dinner with us if he approves of our decision!
We were dreading their assessment as we both believed we needed a whole new frame and doors. They arrived at about 3pm and had a good look before asking if we wanted them to fix the problem there and then... yes, please!
They took an hour and said the problem was due to the frame not being fixed properly when the house was built! They charged us £60 for the work which we were thrilled with, and now the doors are better than ever! What a relief!
After they'd gone we dashed over to Brixworth to pop into the post office and the Co-op and then it was home to relax and think about dinner. We had decided on baked potatoes tonight which Mike was certainly not happy about! He now only has dinner with us if he approves of our decision!
Sunday 24 March 2019
Tidying up, Part 2.
I was up early again but as the weather was so lovely, I didn't mind. I spent the morning mowing the back lawn and doing a general tidy up of the garage and the garden. We went to the tip with a boot full of discarded items which made me feel a lot better! It was getting to the point where we couldn't walk through the garage again!
In the afternoon Sophie and I picked up Mum and we went to Beckworth for a cup of tea. Easter and Spring have definitely sprung here as the place was full of early blooming flowers and seasonal gifts, all in pretty pastel colours. I do love this time of the year!
We waited for quite a while to get a table, but it was worth it to sit in the afternoon sunshine and relax. Mum and I had a scone while Sophie went for a lavender coloured cake which looked very pretty and delicate!
After we'd eaten we wandered about and I bought a tray of pansies for the garden. I found a plastic hanging basket in the garage which was perfect for their new home and we can see it from the conservatory. I also found a raspberry puree liqueur but declined to buy any Prosecco as it was so expensive!
We dropped Mum off and on the way home we bought a bottle of Spanish sparkling wine in the Co-op. It was then time to return and make up some concoctions! This time I half-filled the cocktail shaker with ice and added two measures each of whiskey and Cointreau. I added another two measures of the raspberry liqueur and shook it all up before straining the mixture into two tumblers and topping them up with the fizz. With the addition of a slice of orange and a couple of raspberries, the drinks were delicious!
Keith cooked again tonight and we enjoyed roast chicken with stuffing, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. I can't believe it's back to Monday tomorrow!
In the afternoon Sophie and I picked up Mum and we went to Beckworth for a cup of tea. Easter and Spring have definitely sprung here as the place was full of early blooming flowers and seasonal gifts, all in pretty pastel colours. I do love this time of the year!
We waited for quite a while to get a table, but it was worth it to sit in the afternoon sunshine and relax. Mum and I had a scone while Sophie went for a lavender coloured cake which looked very pretty and delicate!
After we'd eaten we wandered about and I bought a tray of pansies for the garden. I found a plastic hanging basket in the garage which was perfect for their new home and we can see it from the conservatory. I also found a raspberry puree liqueur but declined to buy any Prosecco as it was so expensive!
We dropped Mum off and on the way home we bought a bottle of Spanish sparkling wine in the Co-op. It was then time to return and make up some concoctions! This time I half-filled the cocktail shaker with ice and added two measures each of whiskey and Cointreau. I added another two measures of the raspberry liqueur and shook it all up before straining the mixture into two tumblers and topping them up with the fizz. With the addition of a slice of orange and a couple of raspberries, the drinks were delicious!
Keith cooked again tonight and we enjoyed roast chicken with stuffing, roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings. I can't believe it's back to Monday tomorrow!
Saturday 23 March 2019
Tidying up!
Despite it being a Saturday I was awake early this morning and after trying to go back to sleep, I gave in and went downstairs. It was a gorgeous morning with the promise of a lovely day in store.
At around 8am I saw a horse go by but thankfully, Sophie didn't wake up! I also saw a couple with a young child in a pushchair go past and I'm beginning to wonder if our estate is some kind of theme park!
Sophie went to the gym this morning and when she got back Keith and I went down to B&Q to buy a new lawnmower. We saw a combi set of mower and strimmer for sale for £60 so we snapped them up! On the way home we called into Waitrose and I bough ingredients for some cocktails this weekend. Sophie wanted me to make her an Old Fashioned while I wanted to re-create the Kentuckian I had in Florida a couple of years ago! I bought Jim Beam Bourbon, Cointreau, Angostura Bitters, an orange, cherries, raspberries and sugar-cubes, so we'll try them out this evening!
Back home Keith sorted out the lawnmower and I cut the grass on the front verge which was really long. The lawnmower was great and made the grass look a lot better. I then swept up tons of leaves and weeded the soil before sweeping it all up.
While I was working, Lynn came along to have a chat, then Paul came out to speak to us. Unfortunately, him and Sue have split up and are living apart which came as a massive shock to me when Sue called me this morning to tell me her news. Paul was understandably upset but we said we'd be around for any help he needs and I'm sure Richard and Michelle will be as well.
Keith went to the football in the afternoon and Sophie and I had a great time making cocktails while catching up with some TV programmes! The Old Fashioned was OK, but it was really just a neat whiskey with a sugar-cube dissolved with some bitters. We hadn't prepared that well as we didn't have any ice-cubes, so the Kentuckian I made needed to sit in the freezer for a while before we could drink it. I mashed up some raspberries, then added a measure each of whiskey and Cointreau before adding a slice of orange. It was delicious (once chilled) but we decided to buy some Cava or Prosecco tomorrow and serve the spirits with that to see if it's even better!
Dinner tonight was Beef Stroganoff so Keith cooked and it was delicious! A much better evening that last week and I got to watch Cheat (by myself I hasten to add!). I watched two and a half episodes and I was hooked!
At around 8am I saw a horse go by but thankfully, Sophie didn't wake up! I also saw a couple with a young child in a pushchair go past and I'm beginning to wonder if our estate is some kind of theme park!
Sophie went to the gym this morning and when she got back Keith and I went down to B&Q to buy a new lawnmower. We saw a combi set of mower and strimmer for sale for £60 so we snapped them up! On the way home we called into Waitrose and I bough ingredients for some cocktails this weekend. Sophie wanted me to make her an Old Fashioned while I wanted to re-create the Kentuckian I had in Florida a couple of years ago! I bought Jim Beam Bourbon, Cointreau, Angostura Bitters, an orange, cherries, raspberries and sugar-cubes, so we'll try them out this evening!
Back home Keith sorted out the lawnmower and I cut the grass on the front verge which was really long. The lawnmower was great and made the grass look a lot better. I then swept up tons of leaves and weeded the soil before sweeping it all up.
While I was working, Lynn came along to have a chat, then Paul came out to speak to us. Unfortunately, him and Sue have split up and are living apart which came as a massive shock to me when Sue called me this morning to tell me her news. Paul was understandably upset but we said we'd be around for any help he needs and I'm sure Richard and Michelle will be as well.
Keith went to the football in the afternoon and Sophie and I had a great time making cocktails while catching up with some TV programmes! The Old Fashioned was OK, but it was really just a neat whiskey with a sugar-cube dissolved with some bitters. We hadn't prepared that well as we didn't have any ice-cubes, so the Kentuckian I made needed to sit in the freezer for a while before we could drink it. I mashed up some raspberries, then added a measure each of whiskey and Cointreau before adding a slice of orange. It was delicious (once chilled) but we decided to buy some Cava or Prosecco tomorrow and serve the spirits with that to see if it's even better!
Dinner tonight was Beef Stroganoff so Keith cooked and it was delicious! A much better evening that last week and I got to watch Cheat (by myself I hasten to add!). I watched two and a half episodes and I was hooked!
Friday 22 March 2019
Two days in one!
Thursday and Friday have been fairly quiet days for us so I've combined the two!
Keith took Sophie into work on Thursday morning as he had to have my car today to take Mike to Daventry. I drove to work in Sophie's car and worked with Sue where we had another pleasant shift. We managed another sweet contest and Stella won again!
After work I drove home to find Mike and Keith back from their travels to Daventry. Mike has to go back again next Tuesday but at least it's at 4pm next time so I can go with them.
Before going to pick Sophie up Keith and I went to feed Michelle and Richard's two cats - Lily and Hector. They are Siamese cats and they were a little alarmed when we opened the door to the kitchen, but when they realised we were there to feed them they were fine!
Keith and I drove down to get Sophie in heavy traffic and we returned home by a different route, but it was still busy! We made fish pie for dinner tonight but I had quiche as I really wasn't in a fishy mood!
On Friday I worked with Monica and she's quite a laugh so that was good, but I was very busy indeed with invoices and doing some work for Sheila who was supposed to be having the day off (at the NEC in Birmingham for the car show - I declined to go with her this time!). It was a huge relief to walk out at 2pm and go home where I caught up with some little chores on the computer.
Sophie and I had to take Mike to Creaton as soon as she got home which was unexpected, but we were back just after 6pm so we could relax and have a glass of wine before preparing dinner which was boring old soup...none of us really fancied it but we couldn't be bothered to go and get fish and chips, so we made do!
Keith took Sophie into work on Thursday morning as he had to have my car today to take Mike to Daventry. I drove to work in Sophie's car and worked with Sue where we had another pleasant shift. We managed another sweet contest and Stella won again!
After work I drove home to find Mike and Keith back from their travels to Daventry. Mike has to go back again next Tuesday but at least it's at 4pm next time so I can go with them.
Before going to pick Sophie up Keith and I went to feed Michelle and Richard's two cats - Lily and Hector. They are Siamese cats and they were a little alarmed when we opened the door to the kitchen, but when they realised we were there to feed them they were fine!
Keith and I drove down to get Sophie in heavy traffic and we returned home by a different route, but it was still busy! We made fish pie for dinner tonight but I had quiche as I really wasn't in a fishy mood!
On Friday I worked with Monica and she's quite a laugh so that was good, but I was very busy indeed with invoices and doing some work for Sheila who was supposed to be having the day off (at the NEC in Birmingham for the car show - I declined to go with her this time!). It was a huge relief to walk out at 2pm and go home where I caught up with some little chores on the computer.
Sophie and I had to take Mike to Creaton as soon as she got home which was unexpected, but we were back just after 6pm so we could relax and have a glass of wine before preparing dinner which was boring old soup...none of us really fancied it but we couldn't be bothered to go and get fish and chips, so we made do!
Wednesday 20 March 2019
Spring has sprung!
This morning was almost like a repeat of last Wednesday as we took Sophie down to the train station at 8am. This time, however, the traffic was a bit heavier but we made it in good time and waved Sophie off - she was travelling down to Excel in London to visit an exhibition and was going alone, bless her!
Keith and I briefly returned home and then went to have breakfast at Beckworth Emporium as a treat. The restaurant was very quiet but it still took the staff nearly twenty minutes to take our order, which was unusual for them. I decided on a breakfast omelette with hash browns and Keith chose the "light" option which consisted of egg, bacon, sausage, hash brown, tomato and mushrooms, served with toast. Washed down with a tea and a coffee, it made a great start to our day!
After we'd eaten we browsed in the food shop and bought a whole chicken, four breasts and some beef for Saturday night. We wanted to see if there was a difference in the taste from Beckworth which is slightly more expensive than Aldi and Tesco.
Before going home we popped to see Mum and Dad who are in the process of re-decorating their living room. They wanted our advice about where to put the furniture and also asked if Keith could help them move a picture, funnily enough the one of Big Sur they bought in Carmel years ago. It's a huge picture and I love it, but the wall it's on is having wallpaper applied so it needs to be moved. Keith said he would enlist Mike's help over the next week and get it sorted.
Back home we made the decision to try and get Mike some careers advice so after time spent verifying his identity online, he called up and made an appointment at the Job Centre in Daventry for Thursday afternoon. As I would still be at work and Keith was unsure of the way, I suggested going over and finding it as I needed to pick up a parcel at Brixworth library on the way.
It's been a gorgeous day today with beautiful blue skies and plenty of sunshine. We drove to Brixworth, picked up my order and bought a newspaper and then drove over to Daventry via the Bramptons, Harlestone and the tiny village of Nobottle. The views across the open countryside were magnificent and it was a truly stunning day to be out and about.
We found the Job Centre and then headed back home where we pottered about until we received a call from Sophie saying she had managed to get on an earlier train and was due in at just after 4pm. We went down to collect her and she was very footsore and weary after being on her feet all day in new shoes!
We called into a McDonald's on the way home, as she hadn't eaten all day and she chose a veggie burger to feast on! The traffic was really heavy and it was bliss to get home, have a drink and relax before cooking chicken breasts and stir-fried veg for dinner!
Keith and I briefly returned home and then went to have breakfast at Beckworth Emporium as a treat. The restaurant was very quiet but it still took the staff nearly twenty minutes to take our order, which was unusual for them. I decided on a breakfast omelette with hash browns and Keith chose the "light" option which consisted of egg, bacon, sausage, hash brown, tomato and mushrooms, served with toast. Washed down with a tea and a coffee, it made a great start to our day!
After we'd eaten we browsed in the food shop and bought a whole chicken, four breasts and some beef for Saturday night. We wanted to see if there was a difference in the taste from Beckworth which is slightly more expensive than Aldi and Tesco.
Before going home we popped to see Mum and Dad who are in the process of re-decorating their living room. They wanted our advice about where to put the furniture and also asked if Keith could help them move a picture, funnily enough the one of Big Sur they bought in Carmel years ago. It's a huge picture and I love it, but the wall it's on is having wallpaper applied so it needs to be moved. Keith said he would enlist Mike's help over the next week and get it sorted.
Back home we made the decision to try and get Mike some careers advice so after time spent verifying his identity online, he called up and made an appointment at the Job Centre in Daventry for Thursday afternoon. As I would still be at work and Keith was unsure of the way, I suggested going over and finding it as I needed to pick up a parcel at Brixworth library on the way.
It's been a gorgeous day today with beautiful blue skies and plenty of sunshine. We drove to Brixworth, picked up my order and bought a newspaper and then drove over to Daventry via the Bramptons, Harlestone and the tiny village of Nobottle. The views across the open countryside were magnificent and it was a truly stunning day to be out and about.
We found the Job Centre and then headed back home where we pottered about until we received a call from Sophie saying she had managed to get on an earlier train and was due in at just after 4pm. We went down to collect her and she was very footsore and weary after being on her feet all day in new shoes!
We called into a McDonald's on the way home, as she hadn't eaten all day and she chose a veggie burger to feast on! The traffic was really heavy and it was bliss to get home, have a drink and relax before cooking chicken breasts and stir-fried veg for dinner!
Tuesday 19 March 2019
A good chinwag!
I was working with Monica today and the shift passed quickly as I had lots of work to get through. As soon as I arrived home from work, I did a quick tidy up as Michelle was coming around for a cup of tea, and to give me a key to their house as I'm looking after their cats, Hector and Lily at the weekend.
She gave me a list of instructions and we sat and enjoyed a cup of tea and a chocolate hobnob! It was lovely to sit and have a good chat and we both talked about Brexit, which is a very sore subject at the moment. I feel we are the laughing stock of Europe and our exit from the EU will be delayed until the people that are supposed to be able to make decisions in our best interests, sort themselves out.
Michelle went at about 5pm and Sophie arrived home shortly afterwards. Keith was in charge of dinner this evening and we were having sausages...three kinds! Veggie for Sophie, chipolatas for Mike and normal ones for Keith and I. It took him ages, but the meal was delicious!
She gave me a list of instructions and we sat and enjoyed a cup of tea and a chocolate hobnob! It was lovely to sit and have a good chat and we both talked about Brexit, which is a very sore subject at the moment. I feel we are the laughing stock of Europe and our exit from the EU will be delayed until the people that are supposed to be able to make decisions in our best interests, sort themselves out.
Michelle went at about 5pm and Sophie arrived home shortly afterwards. Keith was in charge of dinner this evening and we were having sausages...three kinds! Veggie for Sophie, chipolatas for Mike and normal ones for Keith and I. It took him ages, but the meal was delicious!
Monday 18 March 2019
Post frustrations!
Work was busy but the time passed quickly and it was great to dash home at 2pm and sort out all our ebay parcels to send off. Mike wanted to go to Brixworth so we dropped him off but I decided not to go to the post office there as sometimes they can be quite rude! We drove instead to Broughton but we'd timed our visit with the school run so the roads were packed with parked cars.
Feeling a bit fed up now I abandoned the idea and we pushed on to Tesco where we did some shopping for meals for the rest of the week. In the car I Googled nearby post offices and found one in the middle of Kettering so we headed there. The traffic was abysmal and when we eventually found the post office, there was no parking!
We headed back to Broughton and Keith sat in the car while I took all our parcels in to be posted. The service there is much friendlier and they don't mess about with weighing and measuring the packages! As they were all prepaid, I pocketed the proof of postings and escaped!
Sophie and I cooked a veggie chilli tonight as we had loads of vegetables in the fridge and it was delicious. We cooked it slowly on the hob in our flame-proof casserole dish and enjoyed it with rice and nachos. Delicious!
Feeling a bit fed up now I abandoned the idea and we pushed on to Tesco where we did some shopping for meals for the rest of the week. In the car I Googled nearby post offices and found one in the middle of Kettering so we headed there. The traffic was abysmal and when we eventually found the post office, there was no parking!
We headed back to Broughton and Keith sat in the car while I took all our parcels in to be posted. The service there is much friendlier and they don't mess about with weighing and measuring the packages! As they were all prepaid, I pocketed the proof of postings and escaped!
Sophie and I cooked a veggie chilli tonight as we had loads of vegetables in the fridge and it was delicious. We cooked it slowly on the hob in our flame-proof casserole dish and enjoyed it with rice and nachos. Delicious!
Sunday 17 March 2019
Keeping vigil!
I was up and keeping vigil again this morning but all was quiet!
Keith and I took Sophie to the gym and then called into Tesco to get the Sunday papers, and Wilco's before heading back to collect her. I'd bought some black bags in Wilco's as we had a lot of items to send out in the post tomorrow and we didn't have anything to send them in!
We dropped Sophie at home and went straight back out to go and see Mum and Dad and take them their newspaper. We had a coffee with them and a good chat, before heading back home where Sophie was getting ready to go out with her friend Danni, to Beckworth.
Today has been lovely and sunny but we had some heavy downpours in the afternoon and it was a bit like April showers. While Sophie was having lunch at Beckworth, I parcelled up some items ready to post out and we gave Mike a lift into town so he could see Jessie.
Sophie arrived home bearing wine, chocolates and a nut roast! I took the vino and the chocs but passed on the meal! As it was such a lovely day we did three laps of the estate and on the last half lap, Monty came with us. We're wondering whether it's the way we go around that puts him off? It was so nice to have him trotting behind us again!
Before finally being able to sit and relax for a while, we went back out to get Mike and enjoyed a very interesting early evening sky. Sophie was driving so I was able to gaze out at the lovely scenery!
Keith and I took Sophie to the gym and then called into Tesco to get the Sunday papers, and Wilco's before heading back to collect her. I'd bought some black bags in Wilco's as we had a lot of items to send out in the post tomorrow and we didn't have anything to send them in!
We dropped Sophie at home and went straight back out to go and see Mum and Dad and take them their newspaper. We had a coffee with them and a good chat, before heading back home where Sophie was getting ready to go out with her friend Danni, to Beckworth.
Today has been lovely and sunny but we had some heavy downpours in the afternoon and it was a bit like April showers. While Sophie was having lunch at Beckworth, I parcelled up some items ready to post out and we gave Mike a lift into town so he could see Jessie.
Sophie arrived home bearing wine, chocolates and a nut roast! I took the vino and the chocs but passed on the meal! As it was such a lovely day we did three laps of the estate and on the last half lap, Monty came with us. We're wondering whether it's the way we go around that puts him off? It was so nice to have him trotting behind us again!
Before finally being able to sit and relax for a while, we went back out to get Mike and enjoyed a very interesting early evening sky. Sophie was driving so I was able to gaze out at the lovely scenery!
Dinner tonight was roast beef and Keith cooked it!
Saturday 16 March 2019
A bit of a kitchen disaster!
I was up and dressed at 7am this morning in an effort to try and have a word with the woman who rides a horse around the estate early at the weekends. The loud noise of the horse's hooves clip-clopping on the roads has woken Sophie up for the last couple of weekends and it means that she's not getting a well-earned lie-in! Last night I told her to wear ear plugs as that would help muffle the sound!
I sat in the living room with the window open and listened out for a horse, but of course, this morning she didn't appear! I had posted a gripe about it on our residents' Facebook page so maybe someone knew her and had already had a word! I was going to be polite and ask if she could ride around later, but I was curious to find out why on earth she rides around a quiet estate so early? By 9am Sophie was awake and feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep so Keith and I went to the garage in Moulton and I put some petrol in her car and bought the newspaper.
Back home we enjoyed bacon and tomatoes for breakfast and relaxed for a while until we decided to make a trip to Market Harborough, somewhere we haven't been for a while. It's been a cold and windy day today and of course the weather was worse in the town! We parked the car and visited New Look where Sophie bought some shoes for her trip to London next week, when she'll be on her feet all day at her company's stand at a big exhibition. We also went to Boots and Waterstones before going to a sweet little cafe tucked away in a side street for a big pot of tea and a slice each of pear and almond cake.
After relaxing and enjoying a lovely cup of tea we called it a day and headed home to make a start on tonight's dinner - a Hairy Bikers' recipe of chicken and mushroom ravioli. We were both a bit nervous, to be honest, but we assembled all the ingredients and put five eggs into a mound of special "00" flour on our worktop. Some of them ran over the top so we were faced with a sticky mess, but we soon had it all under control and I managed to shape it into a dough! I had very sticky hands, though!
We wrapped the dough in clingfilm and left it in the fridge to chill before gently frying the turkey mince (we couldn't find chicken mince in either Tesco or Aldi), leeks and mushrooms. I had used one leek but we had loads of it so we left some out as Sophie's not that keen! When that was cooked we set it aside to cool and relaxed for an hour, which was a good job as the evening turned out to be a stressful one!
Step one was cutting the dough into four equal pieces before we than had to roll each piece out and insert it into the pasta machine to get it lovely and thin. While Sophie was doing that (and swearing quite a bit) I took the thin dough and cut it into rounds with a pastry cutter. The trouble was, it kept sticking to everything so was incredibly fiddly! I put a teaspoon of filling into the middle of each round and then placed another on top and sealed the edges. By now we had flour everywhere and the kitchen was in chaos. I found it difficult to keep the ravioli somewhere that it wouldn't stick and Sophie was flattening the dough and churning out more and more rounds as I struggled to keep up!
We left the fourth piece of dough as by now we had forty ravioli and Mike had said he wasn't eating with us. We put two big pans of salted water on to boil and stuck some baguettes in the oven to cook. All plans to make garlic bread had gone out of the window and the kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it!
I crimped the edges of the ravioli with a fork and Sophie made a start on the mushroom sauce. When it was almost ready we plunged the pasta into the water and hoped fervently that they wouldn't burst open!
Luckily, they didn't and after cooking them for mere minutes we were dishing up. It was now past 8pm and we'd been hard at it since 6.30pm so we were hoping that it would all be worth the effort! Keith wasn't impressed and said that there wasn't enough filling in the pasta and that it was quite thick and chewy. Not really what we wanted to hear! He did say he liked the sauce, though, so that was something!
After washing up and having a bit of an argument about cooking in general, Sophie and I decided to walk around the estate in the pouring rain and strong wind. This was not what I had in mind for a Saturday night when we should have been relaxing!
I sat in the living room with the window open and listened out for a horse, but of course, this morning she didn't appear! I had posted a gripe about it on our residents' Facebook page so maybe someone knew her and had already had a word! I was going to be polite and ask if she could ride around later, but I was curious to find out why on earth she rides around a quiet estate so early? By 9am Sophie was awake and feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep so Keith and I went to the garage in Moulton and I put some petrol in her car and bought the newspaper.
Back home we enjoyed bacon and tomatoes for breakfast and relaxed for a while until we decided to make a trip to Market Harborough, somewhere we haven't been for a while. It's been a cold and windy day today and of course the weather was worse in the town! We parked the car and visited New Look where Sophie bought some shoes for her trip to London next week, when she'll be on her feet all day at her company's stand at a big exhibition. We also went to Boots and Waterstones before going to a sweet little cafe tucked away in a side street for a big pot of tea and a slice each of pear and almond cake.
After relaxing and enjoying a lovely cup of tea we called it a day and headed home to make a start on tonight's dinner - a Hairy Bikers' recipe of chicken and mushroom ravioli. We were both a bit nervous, to be honest, but we assembled all the ingredients and put five eggs into a mound of special "00" flour on our worktop. Some of them ran over the top so we were faced with a sticky mess, but we soon had it all under control and I managed to shape it into a dough! I had very sticky hands, though!
We wrapped the dough in clingfilm and left it in the fridge to chill before gently frying the turkey mince (we couldn't find chicken mince in either Tesco or Aldi), leeks and mushrooms. I had used one leek but we had loads of it so we left some out as Sophie's not that keen! When that was cooked we set it aside to cool and relaxed for an hour, which was a good job as the evening turned out to be a stressful one!
Step one was cutting the dough into four equal pieces before we than had to roll each piece out and insert it into the pasta machine to get it lovely and thin. While Sophie was doing that (and swearing quite a bit) I took the thin dough and cut it into rounds with a pastry cutter. The trouble was, it kept sticking to everything so was incredibly fiddly! I put a teaspoon of filling into the middle of each round and then placed another on top and sealed the edges. By now we had flour everywhere and the kitchen was in chaos. I found it difficult to keep the ravioli somewhere that it wouldn't stick and Sophie was flattening the dough and churning out more and more rounds as I struggled to keep up!
We left the fourth piece of dough as by now we had forty ravioli and Mike had said he wasn't eating with us. We put two big pans of salted water on to boil and stuck some baguettes in the oven to cook. All plans to make garlic bread had gone out of the window and the kitchen looked like a bomb had hit it!
I crimped the edges of the ravioli with a fork and Sophie made a start on the mushroom sauce. When it was almost ready we plunged the pasta into the water and hoped fervently that they wouldn't burst open!
Luckily, they didn't and after cooking them for mere minutes we were dishing up. It was now past 8pm and we'd been hard at it since 6.30pm so we were hoping that it would all be worth the effort! Keith wasn't impressed and said that there wasn't enough filling in the pasta and that it was quite thick and chewy. Not really what we wanted to hear! He did say he liked the sauce, though, so that was something!
After washing up and having a bit of an argument about cooking in general, Sophie and I decided to walk around the estate in the pouring rain and strong wind. This was not what I had in mind for a Saturday night when we should have been relaxing!
Friday 15 March 2019
Ahhh! Friday!
We awoke to another windy morning and Sophie decided she couldn't face the gym after her busy couple of days. I went to work and had a bit of a stressful morning with some complicated enquiries and lots of admin work.
I was mightily glad to escape at 2pm and went home to watch the last day's racing at Cheltenham. One of my horses came fourth but in the last televised race I went for Hazel Hill, who won! Yippee! We didn't win much as it was the favourite, but it ended the week on a good note for me. Overall, Keith was up so he'd had a good run for his money!
Sophie was home nice and early and the boys went off to the pub while we settled down to watch two
episodes of Masterchef that we'd missed over the last few days. We enjoyed a Sauvignon Blanc from Australia that was surprisingly good and ate pizza and quiche for dinner accompanied by diced fried potatoes. After dinner it was back to Masterchef and that lovely Friday night feeling!
I was mightily glad to escape at 2pm and went home to watch the last day's racing at Cheltenham. One of my horses came fourth but in the last televised race I went for Hazel Hill, who won! Yippee! We didn't win much as it was the favourite, but it ended the week on a good note for me. Overall, Keith was up so he'd had a good run for his money!
Sophie was home nice and early and the boys went off to the pub while we settled down to watch two
episodes of Masterchef that we'd missed over the last few days. We enjoyed a Sauvignon Blanc from Australia that was surprisingly good and ate pizza and quiche for dinner accompanied by diced fried potatoes. After dinner it was back to Masterchef and that lovely Friday night feeling!
Thursday 14 March 2019
Mad weather!
It's been another unsettled day and at work this morning the weather went a bit mad, with torrential rain and very strong winds! The word tempest came to mind as we watched it out of the office window! When I went to Reception, the noise of the rain on the roof was unbelievable!
Work was great today and quiet in the office, which was lovely. Mid-morning, Sue invited Sara, Stella, herself and me to a sweet-sucking contest. Sara had some Werthers Originals so we all had to keep one in our mouths without crunching it! Mine collapsed so I was out first, but feisty Stella kept hers intact and won!
I sped home at 3pm and watched Cheltenham with Keith. He'd had a couple of winners but was back to where he started on Tuesday. At least he hadn't had any major losses!
Our evening was quiet as Mike went out and it was just the two of us sitting down to dinner. The house feels so empty when both children are out! After dinner we relaxed for an hour before leaving to go down to the station to pick up the girls who'd had a fantastic time in London, eating lots of lovely food and drinking some weird and wonderful cocktails!
We arrived about ten minutes before their train was due in and after dropping Alice back at her flat it was time to head home and talk about all that Sophie got up to!
Work was great today and quiet in the office, which was lovely. Mid-morning, Sue invited Sara, Stella, herself and me to a sweet-sucking contest. Sara had some Werthers Originals so we all had to keep one in our mouths without crunching it! Mine collapsed so I was out first, but feisty Stella kept hers intact and won!
I sped home at 3pm and watched Cheltenham with Keith. He'd had a couple of winners but was back to where he started on Tuesday. At least he hadn't had any major losses!
Our evening was quiet as Mike went out and it was just the two of us sitting down to dinner. The house feels so empty when both children are out! After dinner we relaxed for an hour before leaving to go down to the station to pick up the girls who'd had a fantastic time in London, eating lots of lovely food and drinking some weird and wonderful cocktails!
We arrived about ten minutes before their train was due in and after dropping Alice back at her flat it was time to head home and talk about all that Sophie got up to!
Wednesday 13 March 2019
Storm Gareth.
Keith and I took Sophie and her friend Alice to the station this morning to catch their train. We left home at about 8am so we could pick Alice up from town and get to the station in plenty of time. The weather has been forecast to be wet and windy today as Storm Gareth is coming to our shores!
After dropping the girls off Keith and I went to the Weston Favell Centre and did some shopping for the rest of the week. I fancied bacon rolls for breakfast so we bought some thick cut bacon and part-baked baguettes and headed home.
The weather has indeed been stormy today with high winds and showers of rain. In the afternoon we watched Cheltenham but I didn't have any more luck with the horses today, unfortunately. In between watching the racing I did lots of jobs and booked a Premier Inn hotel for the day before we fly to San Francisco. Sophie and I thought it was best to travel down to Heathrow the day before and then we were there and not having to worry about traffic.
In the early evening I prepared beef steaks in gravy and let them cook slowly in the oven for a couple of hours. We served them with crispy French fries and crusty bread and the meal was delicious. It reminded me of the beef we have at one of the bistros in Cite Europe in Calais!
After dropping the girls off Keith and I went to the Weston Favell Centre and did some shopping for the rest of the week. I fancied bacon rolls for breakfast so we bought some thick cut bacon and part-baked baguettes and headed home.
The weather has indeed been stormy today with high winds and showers of rain. In the afternoon we watched Cheltenham but I didn't have any more luck with the horses today, unfortunately. In between watching the racing I did lots of jobs and booked a Premier Inn hotel for the day before we fly to San Francisco. Sophie and I thought it was best to travel down to Heathrow the day before and then we were there and not having to worry about traffic.
In the early evening I prepared beef steaks in gravy and let them cook slowly in the oven for a couple of hours. We served them with crispy French fries and crusty bread and the meal was delicious. It reminded me of the beef we have at one of the bistros in Cite Europe in Calais!
Tuesday 12 March 2019
A 10-1 winner!
Work was quiet with phone calls today and the time dragged a bit. I sped home at 2pm and watched the first two races from Cheltenham (recorded) with Keith who had had a couple of bets. As the horses lined up for the third I spotted a horse called Beware the Bear and as we used to call Archie our furry bear, I asked Keith to put a £1 on an each way bet on him.
The race was a large field and most of the horses were 10-1 including Beware the Bear. I watched as the horse steadily made its way to the front and after the last jump it streaked ahead to win! I was jumping about and screaming and I frightened Monty who ran off in alarm! We won about £14 but Keith had a run of bad luck with the next race as his horse, Benie des Dieux, was leading but fell at the last jump. Overall, he was £10 down but would have been worse if Beware the Bear hadn't won!
We had vegetable curry this evening for dinner but yesterday we had forgotten to buy naan breads, poppadoms and mango chutney so tensions were running a bit high in the kitchen while we were cooking. I had only bought one jar of Madras sauce so Sophie had to add a tin of chopped tomatoes. Keith and I weren't very popular! Mike decided to miss dinner so it was just the three of us sitting down to eat.
Tomorrow Sophie is off to London with her friend Alice to see the rapper Post Malone at the O2, so I just hope the weather isn't too wild and stormy!
The race was a large field and most of the horses were 10-1 including Beware the Bear. I watched as the horse steadily made its way to the front and after the last jump it streaked ahead to win! I was jumping about and screaming and I frightened Monty who ran off in alarm! We won about £14 but Keith had a run of bad luck with the next race as his horse, Benie des Dieux, was leading but fell at the last jump. Overall, he was £10 down but would have been worse if Beware the Bear hadn't won!
We had vegetable curry this evening for dinner but yesterday we had forgotten to buy naan breads, poppadoms and mango chutney so tensions were running a bit high in the kitchen while we were cooking. I had only bought one jar of Madras sauce so Sophie had to add a tin of chopped tomatoes. Keith and I weren't very popular! Mike decided to miss dinner so it was just the three of us sitting down to eat.
Tomorrow Sophie is off to London with her friend Alice to see the rapper Post Malone at the O2, so I just hope the weather isn't too wild and stormy!
Monday 11 March 2019
Phone niggles!
Well, we didn't have any snow and today the weather has been cold and sunny. Work was OK and as soon as I got home Keith, Mike and I went to Tesco at Kettering. Mike came with us as he was desperate to get his phone sorted out as it wasn't working properly. We enquired in Tesco about an upgrade and we were horrified to learn that it would cost £487! He had only taken the new contract out last July and had shattered the screen shortly afterwards, and then we learnt that he'd dropped it again on Sunday which probably explained why it wasn't working!
We decided to pass on that option and went and did the shopping before going to a small business nearby that repairs iphones. They didn't have a screen in stock so we went back to Tesco where there was a branch of Timpson's. The man said it would be £89.99 to repair the screen (arrggh!) but we agreed to try this and see if by putting a new screen on the phone, it would sort out the problem.
While the screen was being fitted we had a cup of tea in Costa and chatted to Mike. It was a real treat to have his undivided attention for half an hour! Back at Timpson's the screen was fitted and the phone was working perfectly again. What a relief! I immediately took Mike into Tesco and bought him a new case and a screen protector for £22. Money well spent, I hope!
We arrived home at 5pm, unpacked the shopping and it wasn't long before Sophie arrived home from work and we could relax for the evening!
We decided to pass on that option and went and did the shopping before going to a small business nearby that repairs iphones. They didn't have a screen in stock so we went back to Tesco where there was a branch of Timpson's. The man said it would be £89.99 to repair the screen (arrggh!) but we agreed to try this and see if by putting a new screen on the phone, it would sort out the problem.
While the screen was being fitted we had a cup of tea in Costa and chatted to Mike. It was a real treat to have his undivided attention for half an hour! Back at Timpson's the screen was fitted and the phone was working perfectly again. What a relief! I immediately took Mike into Tesco and bought him a new case and a screen protector for £22. Money well spent, I hope!
We arrived home at 5pm, unpacked the shopping and it wasn't long before Sophie arrived home from work and we could relax for the evening!
Sunday 10 March 2019
Beavering away!
Keith and I went over to my Mum and Dad's for a coffee this morning and bought the Sunday newspapers on the way. I'd been up a while and had ironed some of the clothes we wanted to sell - far from being a lazy Sunday today, we had loads to do!
When we arrived back home I made a big breakfast for all of us and then baked two batches of muffins - walnut and banana and chocolate and mixed nuts. I just hope they all get eaten!
Sophie was beavering away in the conservatory photographing and listing the clothes we didn't want and the room looked like a laundry again! They will all go on tonight and be on the site for a week so we're hoping for some success!
Today has been windy and cold and we have a weather warning for snow overnight. It seems incredible that just a couple of weeks ago I was sitting in the garden and enjoying the warm sunshine. We took Mike into town at lunchtime as he was meeting his latest "girlfriend" who lives in Abington and I think he was having Sunday lunch with her parents!
Back home we finished putting everything on eBay and relaxed for a while before I decided to have a soak in the bath. We didn't go for a walk today as it was so cold and windy! Just as I was lazing in the lovely hot water, Mike rang to ask us to pick him up. His phone had stopped working so he had to use his girlfriend's house phone...
We all went off to get him and witnessed a lovely sunset. It was certainly cold enough to snow as it was 2c and the clouds were beginning to build up.
Back home we had time for a quick drink before Sophie and I cooked paella for dinner...with meat this time!
When we arrived back home I made a big breakfast for all of us and then baked two batches of muffins - walnut and banana and chocolate and mixed nuts. I just hope they all get eaten!
Sophie was beavering away in the conservatory photographing and listing the clothes we didn't want and the room looked like a laundry again! They will all go on tonight and be on the site for a week so we're hoping for some success!
Today has been windy and cold and we have a weather warning for snow overnight. It seems incredible that just a couple of weeks ago I was sitting in the garden and enjoying the warm sunshine. We took Mike into town at lunchtime as he was meeting his latest "girlfriend" who lives in Abington and I think he was having Sunday lunch with her parents!
Back home we finished putting everything on eBay and relaxed for a while before I decided to have a soak in the bath. We didn't go for a walk today as it was so cold and windy! Just as I was lazing in the lovely hot water, Mike rang to ask us to pick him up. His phone had stopped working so he had to use his girlfriend's house phone...
We all went off to get him and witnessed a lovely sunset. It was certainly cold enough to snow as it was 2c and the clouds were beginning to build up.
Back home we had time for a quick drink before Sophie and I cooked paella for dinner...with meat this time!
Saturday 9 March 2019
Getting things done!
As I'd hoped for, we didn't leave the house today and spent our time sorting out things that had been put on the back burner over the last few weeks while we'd concentrated on the house and all the decorating.
I had a lovely lazy start to the day and before breakfast Sophie and I prepared coq au vin for this evening and did all the vegetables. We then booked tickets for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and our parking and entrance admission for Muir Woods. We had to book a half hour time slot for the woods so I just hope we don't miss it! We were a bit too early to book for the Winchester House in San Jose, so we've made a note in the diary for about 10 days time.
We also sorted out our ESTAs (mine runs out at the end of April...typical!) and bought travel insurance, so we felt really pleased with all we'd achieved. We then sorted out a lot of clothes to sell on eBay and I did mounds and mounds of washing. Outside, the weather was dry and breezy with plenty of sunshine so I was able to put a lot of clothes out on the line to dry.
Keith went to see Sileby play in the afternoon and Sophie and I sat down and watched a very interesting documentary on Sex Offenders in Florida hosted by Stacey Dooley who had won Strictly. It was certainly an eye opener!
I had a lovely bath when Keith came home and took control of the television and we relaxed for a while before putting the coq au vin in the oven. It smelt delicious as it was cooking! While we waited we watched Who Wants to be a Millionaire and one man almost won the top prize! I wouldn't have minded winning £16,000 or £32,000! It would certainly come in handy!
I had a lovely lazy start to the day and before breakfast Sophie and I prepared coq au vin for this evening and did all the vegetables. We then booked tickets for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and our parking and entrance admission for Muir Woods. We had to book a half hour time slot for the woods so I just hope we don't miss it! We were a bit too early to book for the Winchester House in San Jose, so we've made a note in the diary for about 10 days time.
We also sorted out our ESTAs (mine runs out at the end of April...typical!) and bought travel insurance, so we felt really pleased with all we'd achieved. We then sorted out a lot of clothes to sell on eBay and I did mounds and mounds of washing. Outside, the weather was dry and breezy with plenty of sunshine so I was able to put a lot of clothes out on the line to dry.
Keith went to see Sileby play in the afternoon and Sophie and I sat down and watched a very interesting documentary on Sex Offenders in Florida hosted by Stacey Dooley who had won Strictly. It was certainly an eye opener!
I had a lovely bath when Keith came home and took control of the television and we relaxed for a while before putting the coq au vin in the oven. It smelt delicious as it was cooking! While we waited we watched Who Wants to be a Millionaire and one man almost won the top prize! I wouldn't have minded winning £16,000 or £32,000! It would certainly come in handy!
Friday 8 March 2019
Annoying frustrations!
We were all back to normal today and I worked a fairly pleasant shift with Denise until the very end when I took a phone call at precisely 2pm. The other two staff really should have been logged on and ready to go so it was hugely annoying. The phone call dragged on and on and in the end I passed it to one of my colleagues to take as it was now almost 2.15pm and the woman on the phone was going on and on! One of her sons had had eight memberships and as I was leaving, it transpired that his current one had expired anyway! I was furious that I'd had to take the call!
I sped home and Keith and I went straight back out again to Aldi and Tesco where our shopping bill was half the cost of last week, thank goodness!
Keith and Mike went to the pub this evening and Sophie and I watched Masterchef which was torture as it made us really hungry and we'd decided on soup for dinner...not the most satisfying of meals! Some of the recipes they cooked looked delicious so the soup we had afterwards was always going to be a bit disappointing!
I sped home and Keith and I went straight back out again to Aldi and Tesco where our shopping bill was half the cost of last week, thank goodness!
Keith and Mike went to the pub this evening and Sophie and I watched Masterchef which was torture as it made us really hungry and we'd decided on soup for dinner...not the most satisfying of meals! Some of the recipes they cooked looked delicious so the soup we had afterwards was always going to be a bit disappointing!
Thursday 7 March 2019
Back to uni
Sophie was off work today as she had an event to go to at University this evening and wanted some time off to prepare. I took myself off to my own place of work and had a pleasant shift working with Sue.
At 3pm I sped home and hung out with Sophie while she got ready to go out. She had to be at uni at about 4pm so Keith and I drove her into Northampton and into the new campus which is lovely, but I don't know why they didn't keep the old one! It's in the process of being knocked down at the moment to make way for housing and Sophie can't bear to drive past and see it gone.
After dropping our daughter off we drove home in heavy traffic and I relaxed while Keith cooked roast chicken for dinner. We should have had this last Saturday so I was really looking forward to the meal, but we both felt that the meat was bland and tasteless. Perhaps it's time to go to a butcher and buy a more expensive bird, like the turkey we had at Christmas?
Sophie gave a talk at uni and said she'd really enjoyed herself. I have to admit she looked gorgeous when she went out, wearing a beautiful new dress, black tights and high heeled shoes. She looked every inch the successful graduate! We picked her up at 10.30pm at McDonald's on Riverside, where she was having a late night snack after enjoying chips with truffle oil earlier in the evening. That'll be the next thing on our shopping list!
At 3pm I sped home and hung out with Sophie while she got ready to go out. She had to be at uni at about 4pm so Keith and I drove her into Northampton and into the new campus which is lovely, but I don't know why they didn't keep the old one! It's in the process of being knocked down at the moment to make way for housing and Sophie can't bear to drive past and see it gone.
After dropping our daughter off we drove home in heavy traffic and I relaxed while Keith cooked roast chicken for dinner. We should have had this last Saturday so I was really looking forward to the meal, but we both felt that the meat was bland and tasteless. Perhaps it's time to go to a butcher and buy a more expensive bird, like the turkey we had at Christmas?
Sophie gave a talk at uni and said she'd really enjoyed herself. I have to admit she looked gorgeous when she went out, wearing a beautiful new dress, black tights and high heeled shoes. She looked every inch the successful graduate! We picked her up at 10.30pm at McDonald's on Riverside, where she was having a late night snack after enjoying chips with truffle oil earlier in the evening. That'll be the next thing on our shopping list!
Wednesday 6 March 2019
A change of plan!
Today Keith and I celebrated 31 years together and the plan had been to go to Whitby with the children to have fish and chips. However, we awoke to a grey, drizzly day and when I checked Google maps it told me it would take three and a half hours to get to the seaside town! I really didn't feel like sitting in the car for seven hours just for fish and chips!
We then looked at Aldeburgh but the time to get there was three hours so after a lot of deliberation, we opted to go to Milton Keynes instead! I needed to take my recycling to a place there anyway, so we could kill two birds with one stone, and we looked at cinema listings to see what was showing. I was delighted to see that Cold Pursuit starring Liam Neeson was on at Cineworld at about 2pm!
We all got ready and left the house at about 10.30am. I had downloaded the directions to Charity Recycling MK and found the house very easily. I left bags of Tassimo pods, crisp packets, pet food pouches and wet wipe wrappers/toothbrushes/toothpaste tubes, all to be recycled by Terra Cycle!
We parked in the multi-storey as it was easier to pay at the end of our day and had a coffee and snack in Costa before mooching around the shops. Sophie bought some jewellery in Accessorize. Before heading over to the cinema we had a look in John Lewis and I was amazed at how many Gins were for sale in there!
The walk across to Xscape was horrible as it was raining and windy. Where has all the beautiful weather gone? We bought the tickets and as we had half an hour to kill we had some drinks at a nearby Mexican restaurant. Sophie and I had a Margarita while the boys enjoyed beers, but I'm not sure if our cocktails had any alcohol in them!
I absolutely loved the film and really enjoyed the black humour running through it. Liam Neeson was great as the father out for revenge and the scenery was stunning. It's a movie I could easily watch again!
We emerged into the late afternoon sunlight and had a quick look around the shops before returning to the car. Sophie managed to sit in two Teslas and had a dreamy look on her face! One day! Which reminds me, there was a display of Aston Martins outside John Lewis and the prices were astronomical!
We drove in heavy traffic to Grafton Regis where we had decided to eat dinner. We've been past The White Hart many times but never been in. We arrived at two minutes to six but they weren't open so we waited in the car and finally went in with a couple who had arrived at the same time as us. We later found out were on their first date...just like Keith and I 31 years ago!
The pub was cosy with low ceilings and old-fashioned decor but the lady behind the bar was very friendly. The only problem for me was the smell when we entered...we later discovered it was dog as a large boxer dog appeared behind the bar!
Mike and Keith had Abbot Ale while Sophie and I ordered a bottle of Chenin Blanc so we could share (and take any we didn't drink home with us). The menu looked interesting and they had vegan and vegetarian options, which pleased Sophie!
As we perused the specials we couldn't help overhearing the other couple near us who were obviously getting to know one another! I think I would have preferred to have sat somewhere more private as we could hear every word they said, and of course, all four of us were interested!
We chose our meals - Keith and Sophie had garlic bread to start while Mike chose battered King Prawns and I went for breadcrumbed mushrooms, which turned out to be huge and battered! Keith opted for fish and chips for his main course, Mike went for steak pie while Sophie and I both chose the mushroom curry and rice served with a poppadom and mango chutney.
The food was good and very plentiful so we didn't have any room for dessert. We took the wine home with us as there was a good glassful left and I enjoyed it while relaxing on the sofa. We'd had a brilliant day and the good thing was that I still had an almost full tank of diesel!
We then looked at Aldeburgh but the time to get there was three hours so after a lot of deliberation, we opted to go to Milton Keynes instead! I needed to take my recycling to a place there anyway, so we could kill two birds with one stone, and we looked at cinema listings to see what was showing. I was delighted to see that Cold Pursuit starring Liam Neeson was on at Cineworld at about 2pm!
We all got ready and left the house at about 10.30am. I had downloaded the directions to Charity Recycling MK and found the house very easily. I left bags of Tassimo pods, crisp packets, pet food pouches and wet wipe wrappers/toothbrushes/toothpaste tubes, all to be recycled by Terra Cycle!
We parked in the multi-storey as it was easier to pay at the end of our day and had a coffee and snack in Costa before mooching around the shops. Sophie bought some jewellery in Accessorize. Before heading over to the cinema we had a look in John Lewis and I was amazed at how many Gins were for sale in there!
The walk across to Xscape was horrible as it was raining and windy. Where has all the beautiful weather gone? We bought the tickets and as we had half an hour to kill we had some drinks at a nearby Mexican restaurant. Sophie and I had a Margarita while the boys enjoyed beers, but I'm not sure if our cocktails had any alcohol in them!
I absolutely loved the film and really enjoyed the black humour running through it. Liam Neeson was great as the father out for revenge and the scenery was stunning. It's a movie I could easily watch again!
We emerged into the late afternoon sunlight and had a quick look around the shops before returning to the car. Sophie managed to sit in two Teslas and had a dreamy look on her face! One day! Which reminds me, there was a display of Aston Martins outside John Lewis and the prices were astronomical!
We drove in heavy traffic to Grafton Regis where we had decided to eat dinner. We've been past The White Hart many times but never been in. We arrived at two minutes to six but they weren't open so we waited in the car and finally went in with a couple who had arrived at the same time as us. We later found out were on their first date...just like Keith and I 31 years ago!
The pub was cosy with low ceilings and old-fashioned decor but the lady behind the bar was very friendly. The only problem for me was the smell when we entered...we later discovered it was dog as a large boxer dog appeared behind the bar!
Mike and Keith had Abbot Ale while Sophie and I ordered a bottle of Chenin Blanc so we could share (and take any we didn't drink home with us). The menu looked interesting and they had vegan and vegetarian options, which pleased Sophie!
As we perused the specials we couldn't help overhearing the other couple near us who were obviously getting to know one another! I think I would have preferred to have sat somewhere more private as we could hear every word they said, and of course, all four of us were interested!
We chose our meals - Keith and Sophie had garlic bread to start while Mike chose battered King Prawns and I went for breadcrumbed mushrooms, which turned out to be huge and battered! Keith opted for fish and chips for his main course, Mike went for steak pie while Sophie and I both chose the mushroom curry and rice served with a poppadom and mango chutney.
The food was good and very plentiful so we didn't have any room for dessert. We took the wine home with us as there was a good glassful left and I enjoyed it while relaxing on the sofa. We'd had a brilliant day and the good thing was that I still had an almost full tank of diesel!
Tuesday 5 March 2019
A cuddle on the beach...
This morning was a bit fraught at work as I was working with Joanne, who I like very much, but she is quite new and slightly unsure at times, which is perfectly understandable. We had a series of non-stop phone calls and some of them were complicated and hard to understand. It carried on being busy for most of the morning and then quietened down about lunchtime, thank goodness!
It was a huge relief to get out at 2pm and head home. Keith wanted to get a newspaper and had been stuck at home all morning so we went to the garage at Moulton where I put my car through the carwash.
At around 6pm Mike, Sophie and I went to get my parents and it was raining...great! The evening was a Christmas present for them both and I had said I would drop them off and we'd go and entertain ourselves while they were watching the play, Abigail's Party, which they had loved when it first came out in the 1970s starring Alison Steadman. We drove into Northampton and tried to get a disabled parking space in the Albion Place car park but they were all occupied...grrr! I dropped my parents off outside Derngate with Mike and went off to hunt for a space with Sophie. I managed to squeeze into one and we ran back to the theatre to find my parents who were looking a bit shocked at the prices of drinks - a glass of wine and a whisky came to £11!
I gave my parents their tickets and we said goodbye before heading to Pizza Express. I collect Nectar points with the Daily Mail and had managed to amass enough for vouchers worth £26 in the restaurant so that was our dinner of choice this evening, even though Mike really wanted to go to Akasaka!
Pizza Express was quiet and we were seated at the back of the restaurant. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio to share (Mike didn't mind as he will drink anything!) and some dough balls and garlic bread to start. The food was delicious and for mains Mike and Sophie had pizza (my daughter's came with vegan mozzarella) and I opted for a breaded chicken breast with rocket salad.
We had a lovely evening and it was great to be out with my lovely son and daughter. I managed a bowl of vanilla ice-cream for dessert and after paying the bill (£50 with our discount) we headed to John Franklin's for more drinks. Sophie suggested a "mocktail" for me which was called A Cuddle on the Beach while she had a Mojito (a proper one!). Mike reverted to type and had a pint of lager!
My Mum and Dad had enjoyed the play tremendously and we drove back to their house through horrible rain. They'd had a great evening, which is what I had hoped for!
It was a huge relief to get out at 2pm and head home. Keith wanted to get a newspaper and had been stuck at home all morning so we went to the garage at Moulton where I put my car through the carwash.
At around 6pm Mike, Sophie and I went to get my parents and it was raining...great! The evening was a Christmas present for them both and I had said I would drop them off and we'd go and entertain ourselves while they were watching the play, Abigail's Party, which they had loved when it first came out in the 1970s starring Alison Steadman. We drove into Northampton and tried to get a disabled parking space in the Albion Place car park but they were all occupied...grrr! I dropped my parents off outside Derngate with Mike and went off to hunt for a space with Sophie. I managed to squeeze into one and we ran back to the theatre to find my parents who were looking a bit shocked at the prices of drinks - a glass of wine and a whisky came to £11!
I gave my parents their tickets and we said goodbye before heading to Pizza Express. I collect Nectar points with the Daily Mail and had managed to amass enough for vouchers worth £26 in the restaurant so that was our dinner of choice this evening, even though Mike really wanted to go to Akasaka!
Pizza Express was quiet and we were seated at the back of the restaurant. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Grigio to share (Mike didn't mind as he will drink anything!) and some dough balls and garlic bread to start. The food was delicious and for mains Mike and Sophie had pizza (my daughter's came with vegan mozzarella) and I opted for a breaded chicken breast with rocket salad.
We had a lovely evening and it was great to be out with my lovely son and daughter. I managed a bowl of vanilla ice-cream for dessert and after paying the bill (£50 with our discount) we headed to John Franklin's for more drinks. Sophie suggested a "mocktail" for me which was called A Cuddle on the Beach while she had a Mojito (a proper one!). Mike reverted to type and had a pint of lager!
My Mum and Dad had enjoyed the play tremendously and we drove back to their house through horrible rain. They'd had a great evening, which is what I had hoped for!
Monday 4 March 2019
Eating leftovers - Part 2
Monday morning sure does roll around quickly! Sophie woke me up and I said goodbye to her as she headed off to the gym.
Work was pleasant today and not too busy with phone calls. At 2pm I drove home and went into the conservatory to start sorting out some ebay items that we'd sold yesterday and prepare them for postage. I then discovered we didn't have any paper so I couldn't print the postage labels... Keith and I had to go to Brixworth and we finally found a ream in the small hardware shop next to the Co-op. This is the second time this little treasure trove of a store has come to my rescue! People really should use it more!
Back home I packaged everything up and we went to Broughton to send them. For once, this was hassle free and easy! No waiting in long queues! From Broughton we went to the Tesco garage where I filled my car up to the brim with diesel as we are planning on going to the coast on Wednesday to celebrate mine and Keith's 31 year anniversary of our first date!
This evening we ate more leftovers for dinner - cheese, biscuits, pate and the remains of the salad, followed by Pavlova for dessert. I really don't think I can do another evening of this! Thank goodness we're out tomorrow night, taking my Mum and Dad to the theatre!
Work was pleasant today and not too busy with phone calls. At 2pm I drove home and went into the conservatory to start sorting out some ebay items that we'd sold yesterday and prepare them for postage. I then discovered we didn't have any paper so I couldn't print the postage labels... Keith and I had to go to Brixworth and we finally found a ream in the small hardware shop next to the Co-op. This is the second time this little treasure trove of a store has come to my rescue! People really should use it more!
Back home I packaged everything up and we went to Broughton to send them. For once, this was hassle free and easy! No waiting in long queues! From Broughton we went to the Tesco garage where I filled my car up to the brim with diesel as we are planning on going to the coast on Wednesday to celebrate mine and Keith's 31 year anniversary of our first date!
This evening we ate more leftovers for dinner - cheese, biscuits, pate and the remains of the salad, followed by Pavlova for dessert. I really don't think I can do another evening of this! Thank goodness we're out tomorrow night, taking my Mum and Dad to the theatre!
Sunday 3 March 2019
Eating leftovers - Part 1
We awoke to a grey, miserable day - Storm Freya was paying us a visit! Sophie had arranged to go out with her friend Laura for breakfast and as she was unsure of how to get to Laura's house and where to park for the cafe, we said we would go with her.
They chose a new little place called Cafe Marseille in Sheep Street and I have to admit that it was the first time in over forty years I'd been down this particular road in Northampton so I gave Sophie the wrong directions! However, we found the way, dropped them off and called to get a newspaper near Abington Square, which was a bit of an eye-opener...the car park of the Tesco Express was littered with hundreds of those little silver canisters which would have contained laughing gas. They were everywhere!
The plan was to drive to Abington Park and read the Sunday papers and perhaps watch a local football match. We pulled up by the side of the road so Keith could have a good view of the game which started at 10.30am.
We spent a very relaxing hour perusing the papers and watching the players out of steamy windows. Sophie asked us to collect her and Laura at 11.30am and as soon as we'd driven home I made some inroads into the leftovers from last night, of which there was an abundance!
We were supposed to have had roast chicken tonight but instead we decided to eat what was left, namely salad, cheeses, cooked meats, new potatoes, pate, cheese biscuits and olives. We had some part-baked rolls hanging about and I said I would slice the potatoes and cook them in the air-fryer.
In the afternoon Sophie and I picked up my Mum and drove over to Weedon. Our first stop was Darlingtons for a cup of tea (I love that they give you an extra pot of hot water) and a slice of coffee and walnut cake. Delicious!
Afterwards, Sophie and I made a beeline for Abraxas where we had a good mooch about. My Mum went to the antique shop and found a Mason's spice jar. Outside the wind had got up and the trees were being blown about by Freya. I doubt we'll get to my name, but you never know!
Sophie and I found a pasta maker that we liked the look of and I also chose a Le Creuset dish and a wooden spoon, all purchased with the voucher that Mum and Dad had bought me for my birthday.
As the time was getting on we headed back, dropped Mum off and went home where we relaxed for a while with a drink (leftover Cava). Sue had very kindly brought over two miniature bottles of Gin - an elderflower and a Sloe so we did a comparison tasting and I have to say the Warner Edwards was better, but then it is twice the price of the Gin we buy!
Dinner tonight was leftovers but we really didn't make any inroads into them. I think the roast chicken will be delayed until later in the week!
They chose a new little place called Cafe Marseille in Sheep Street and I have to admit that it was the first time in over forty years I'd been down this particular road in Northampton so I gave Sophie the wrong directions! However, we found the way, dropped them off and called to get a newspaper near Abington Square, which was a bit of an eye-opener...the car park of the Tesco Express was littered with hundreds of those little silver canisters which would have contained laughing gas. They were everywhere!
The plan was to drive to Abington Park and read the Sunday papers and perhaps watch a local football match. We pulled up by the side of the road so Keith could have a good view of the game which started at 10.30am.
We spent a very relaxing hour perusing the papers and watching the players out of steamy windows. Sophie asked us to collect her and Laura at 11.30am and as soon as we'd driven home I made some inroads into the leftovers from last night, of which there was an abundance!
We were supposed to have had roast chicken tonight but instead we decided to eat what was left, namely salad, cheeses, cooked meats, new potatoes, pate, cheese biscuits and olives. We had some part-baked rolls hanging about and I said I would slice the potatoes and cook them in the air-fryer.
In the afternoon Sophie and I picked up my Mum and drove over to Weedon. Our first stop was Darlingtons for a cup of tea (I love that they give you an extra pot of hot water) and a slice of coffee and walnut cake. Delicious!
Afterwards, Sophie and I made a beeline for Abraxas where we had a good mooch about. My Mum went to the antique shop and found a Mason's spice jar. Outside the wind had got up and the trees were being blown about by Freya. I doubt we'll get to my name, but you never know!
Sophie and I found a pasta maker that we liked the look of and I also chose a Le Creuset dish and a wooden spoon, all purchased with the voucher that Mum and Dad had bought me for my birthday.
As the time was getting on we headed back, dropped Mum off and went home where we relaxed for a while with a drink (leftover Cava). Sue had very kindly brought over two miniature bottles of Gin - an elderflower and a Sloe so we did a comparison tasting and I have to say the Warner Edwards was better, but then it is twice the price of the Gin we buy!
Dinner tonight was leftovers but we really didn't make any inroads into them. I think the roast chicken will be delayed until later in the week!
Saturday 2 March 2019
Hard work!
Sophie went to the gym this morning and I made a start on tidying the house and getting everything ready for this evening. I had noticed some bare patches of emulsion on the wall I'd missed in the cloakroom, so I saw to that and made sure the paintwork was looking OK.
When Sophie returned home, she made us breakfast and then I asked her to sort out all the plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery and ensure they were all nice and shiny! I have a thing about smeared glasses!
We tried to sort out the seating arrangement as there are eight of us tonight but really only room for six people! In the end we made it work and by the end of the morning the conservatory was clean and tidy, the table had been set and I'd put a coffee table between the two sofas so our guests could put their glasses on it. The table looked lovely with the silver Next runner and some new tablemats I'd bought, plus my two new salt and pepper grinders and a scented candle. We had even put tealights in the love hearts hanging from the rafter in the conservatory so I was very pleased with how it all looked.
After cleaning the rest of downstairs we made the meringue for the Pavlova and assembled the brioche in an ovenproof dish after brushing the slices with melted butter. I then made the custard which we were planning to pour over the brioche later.
We were able to sit and relax for a while and Mum and Dad popped around with a new ornament for me which I put on the windowsill. They looked very impressed with the house and I made them a cup of tea which they drank quickly as I had to go and have a lovely bath and get ready!
Keith came home from the football and I followed him around to make sure he didn't undo any of our good work. He has a tendency to use the downstairs cloakroom just before guests arrive and will leave both toilet seats up, so I barked out an order for him to put them down! I was a bit tense, to be honest, as it was the first time we'd invited our new neighbours over and I was nervous about how everyone would get on!
Sue had said she would bring over a bottle of Warner Edwards Gin and a some Prosecco to make everyone an aperitif, but when it got past 7.30pm I was glad I'd gone out earlier and bought a bottle of Italian fizz of my own! Richard arrived without Michelle who had gone over to Sue's house as she was running a temperature, and then Paul arrived to say that his wife was ill and would be late.
Of course, with all things like this, everyone arrived at the same time so the living room was full of people all thrusting bags at me with assorted drinks, flowers and chocolates. All very lovely, don't get me wrong, but I was so glad Sophie and Mike were helping! We managed to usher them through to the conservatory and Keith took drinks orders. Paul and Richard stuck with beer and cider while Michelle went for some fizz and our new neighbours, Vince and Sue, had glasses of red.
In the kitchen, the potatoes and the quiche were approaching the end of their cooking time so, with Sophie, I sorted everything out and put the spuds in a casserole dish to keep warm. Sue had arrived by now and my timings for eating were seriously off! I took her a drink and after a suitable interval, invited everyone to eat.
We had prepared a lot of food and I had tried to take into account various dietary needs, but I think I got it seriously wrong when it came to our new neighbours who hardly ate anything. Vince said he had broken a tooth earlier in the day and what he put on his (large) plate wouldn't have covered the palm of my hand. This is the last time I will ever do a buffet type meal! Next time I will just cook a curry and a chilli and be done with it!
I ate last and the children helped themselves to the food as well so ten of us were eating. They disappeared into the living room where I kept hearing gusts of laughter...so nice to hear that from Sophie and Mike!
I have to be brutally honest now and say that I really didn't enjoy the evening as much as I thought I would. Vince and Sue were very quiet and although Michelle asked them questions and we encouraged them to talk about their travels, it was hard work. I brought out my desserts and everyone went for the brioche pudding which they all said was lovely. Sue (new neighbour) didn't have anything even though I offered her some delicious ice-cream as an alternative to my two puddings. I felt a bit mortified and really felt like I'd served the wrong food! Keith and I had the Pavlova which was lovely and very fruity as I'd covered the top with summer berries and a sliced kiwi.
By 11.30pm I was seriously longing for my bed and luckily everyone left by midnight. My darling children had cleared away and washed up so we left the glasses on the table, turned the lights out and went to bed. Phew!
When Sophie returned home, she made us breakfast and then I asked her to sort out all the plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery and ensure they were all nice and shiny! I have a thing about smeared glasses!
We tried to sort out the seating arrangement as there are eight of us tonight but really only room for six people! In the end we made it work and by the end of the morning the conservatory was clean and tidy, the table had been set and I'd put a coffee table between the two sofas so our guests could put their glasses on it. The table looked lovely with the silver Next runner and some new tablemats I'd bought, plus my two new salt and pepper grinders and a scented candle. We had even put tealights in the love hearts hanging from the rafter in the conservatory so I was very pleased with how it all looked.
After cleaning the rest of downstairs we made the meringue for the Pavlova and assembled the brioche in an ovenproof dish after brushing the slices with melted butter. I then made the custard which we were planning to pour over the brioche later.
We were able to sit and relax for a while and Mum and Dad popped around with a new ornament for me which I put on the windowsill. They looked very impressed with the house and I made them a cup of tea which they drank quickly as I had to go and have a lovely bath and get ready!
Keith came home from the football and I followed him around to make sure he didn't undo any of our good work. He has a tendency to use the downstairs cloakroom just before guests arrive and will leave both toilet seats up, so I barked out an order for him to put them down! I was a bit tense, to be honest, as it was the first time we'd invited our new neighbours over and I was nervous about how everyone would get on!
Sue had said she would bring over a bottle of Warner Edwards Gin and a some Prosecco to make everyone an aperitif, but when it got past 7.30pm I was glad I'd gone out earlier and bought a bottle of Italian fizz of my own! Richard arrived without Michelle who had gone over to Sue's house as she was running a temperature, and then Paul arrived to say that his wife was ill and would be late.
Of course, with all things like this, everyone arrived at the same time so the living room was full of people all thrusting bags at me with assorted drinks, flowers and chocolates. All very lovely, don't get me wrong, but I was so glad Sophie and Mike were helping! We managed to usher them through to the conservatory and Keith took drinks orders. Paul and Richard stuck with beer and cider while Michelle went for some fizz and our new neighbours, Vince and Sue, had glasses of red.
In the kitchen, the potatoes and the quiche were approaching the end of their cooking time so, with Sophie, I sorted everything out and put the spuds in a casserole dish to keep warm. Sue had arrived by now and my timings for eating were seriously off! I took her a drink and after a suitable interval, invited everyone to eat.
We had prepared a lot of food and I had tried to take into account various dietary needs, but I think I got it seriously wrong when it came to our new neighbours who hardly ate anything. Vince said he had broken a tooth earlier in the day and what he put on his (large) plate wouldn't have covered the palm of my hand. This is the last time I will ever do a buffet type meal! Next time I will just cook a curry and a chilli and be done with it!
I ate last and the children helped themselves to the food as well so ten of us were eating. They disappeared into the living room where I kept hearing gusts of laughter...so nice to hear that from Sophie and Mike!
I have to be brutally honest now and say that I really didn't enjoy the evening as much as I thought I would. Vince and Sue were very quiet and although Michelle asked them questions and we encouraged them to talk about their travels, it was hard work. I brought out my desserts and everyone went for the brioche pudding which they all said was lovely. Sue (new neighbour) didn't have anything even though I offered her some delicious ice-cream as an alternative to my two puddings. I felt a bit mortified and really felt like I'd served the wrong food! Keith and I had the Pavlova which was lovely and very fruity as I'd covered the top with summer berries and a sliced kiwi.
By 11.30pm I was seriously longing for my bed and luckily everyone left by midnight. My darling children had cleared away and washed up so we left the glasses on the table, turned the lights out and went to bed. Phew!
Friday 1 March 2019
Spring has sprung!
The beautiful weather disappeared today, leaving a misty murky sky and much cooler temperatures. I can't complain, though! This week, up until today, has been gorgeous!
I was working with a young girl called Monica today and I had a feeling she'd be a little late but it was nearly 9am by the time she arrived as she'd overslept! It was a good job the calls were few and far between!
The shift passed quickly again and as soon as I arrived home Keith and I went out to Tesco and Aldi to get the food for Saturday night and our normal shopping. We spent a massive £97 in Aldi and I bought some cold meats, cheeses, biscuits, two bottles of wine and nibbly bits for the buffet on Saturday night.
In Tesco Keith insisted on buying me a bottle of Gin so the bill in there came to another £90! He did buy a fair amount of beer as well and we chose all of our salad vegetables and more cooked meats, as well as our Sunday roast of chicken and all the trimmings.
The boot was full and on the way home we called to see Mum and Dad as I'd asked to borrow two chairs and a couple of plates from them. We had a quick cup of tea, loaded the car up with the furniture and headed home to face the massive task of putting it all away!
Mike helped and Sophie arrived as we were finding room for everything (no easy task!) and was delighted that Keith had found a vegan pizza for her for dinner tonight. I think we have enough food but I always worry I've forgotten something! I'm doing an assortment of cold meats, cheeses, quiche and salad accompanied by crusty bread and new potatoes, followed by fruit Pavlova and a Brioche bread and butter pudding for dessert.
Keith walked down to the pub this evening and Sophie and I finished watching Zodiac before putting our pizzas in the oven. Keith and I shared a mushroom, ham and mozzarella version from Aldi which was delicious. Sophie cut up some spuds and we coated them in a little olive oil and sea salt before cooking them in the air fryer. Yum!
I was working with a young girl called Monica today and I had a feeling she'd be a little late but it was nearly 9am by the time she arrived as she'd overslept! It was a good job the calls were few and far between!
The shift passed quickly again and as soon as I arrived home Keith and I went out to Tesco and Aldi to get the food for Saturday night and our normal shopping. We spent a massive £97 in Aldi and I bought some cold meats, cheeses, biscuits, two bottles of wine and nibbly bits for the buffet on Saturday night.
In Tesco Keith insisted on buying me a bottle of Gin so the bill in there came to another £90! He did buy a fair amount of beer as well and we chose all of our salad vegetables and more cooked meats, as well as our Sunday roast of chicken and all the trimmings.
The boot was full and on the way home we called to see Mum and Dad as I'd asked to borrow two chairs and a couple of plates from them. We had a quick cup of tea, loaded the car up with the furniture and headed home to face the massive task of putting it all away!
Mike helped and Sophie arrived as we were finding room for everything (no easy task!) and was delighted that Keith had found a vegan pizza for her for dinner tonight. I think we have enough food but I always worry I've forgotten something! I'm doing an assortment of cold meats, cheeses, quiche and salad accompanied by crusty bread and new potatoes, followed by fruit Pavlova and a Brioche bread and butter pudding for dessert.
Keith walked down to the pub this evening and Sophie and I finished watching Zodiac before putting our pizzas in the oven. Keith and I shared a mushroom, ham and mozzarella version from Aldi which was delicious. Sophie cut up some spuds and we coated them in a little olive oil and sea salt before cooking them in the air fryer. Yum!
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