My DH celebrated (is that the right word to use? Read on and you'll see why I wonder) his birthday today. The reason I query the use of the word 'celebrated' is that as a result of the continued winter weather, visitors have found it difficult to get to us. Our DD and her children did eventually brave the freezing temperatures and the slippery hill, leaving the car parked in a local car park (and paying for the priviledge!)and spent an hour with us. They brought cards and a present, and it cheered the afternoon up.
But that visit brought its own 'problem'. The cat is now out of the bag that we have taken delivery of a brand new car!
We were booked to pick it up on Tuesday, and it was with some trepidation that we watched the weather as the afternoon advanced. At the time we had to go to the dealer's it was quite clear, but as we signed the documentation, then had the 'handover' procedure, the weather closed in and it became a little nervewracking. By the time we got the car to our house, sufficient fresh snow was on the road and our drive to make negotiating through parked vehicles a white knuckle ride. We couldn't turn into our drive because there were vehicles parked too close to our entrance. Ultimately, DH just reversed into the space at the top of the drive and abandoned it! Needless to say, in the subsequent days it has been stressful, wondering if anyone might lose control of their vehicle while negotiating the narrow space left between our car and the ones on the opposite side of the road.
We hadn't said anything to the offspring about the new Galaxy,so it became the subject of many questions, and DD discussed with us her own ideas about leasing a vehicle. However, private leasing can be quite expensive, judging by the few websites we looked at.
Although the weather had stayed bright today, with no snow showers, it has started again this evening. I'm worried about my Christmas shopping, not to mention the depleting fruit and vegetables!
Friday, 3 December 2010
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Snow, snow, snow no more!
We are well and truly in the grip of Siberian weather! It started snowing in earnest on Tuesday afternoon, and has subsequently laid sufficiently to make transport a bit of an issue. Being on the side of a hill our drive is quite steep, then our road slopes down, joins another which continues the downward journey - and guess what, the return journey is all uphill!! Given that our roads are too minor to be gritted as a priority, winter weather produces a challenge!
It has to be said that this type of weather is usually a once a decade event, but given the length of last winter's harsh temperatures and continual snow cover, and now this early start, one wonders if 'climate change' is truly becoming a major problem.
It has to be said that this type of weather is usually a once a decade event, but given the length of last winter's harsh temperatures and continual snow cover, and now this early start, one wonders if 'climate change' is truly becoming a major problem.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
So much to do....
I can't believe it's so long since I wrote here. So much has NOT happened, along with so much that has!
Let me explain. The incredibly long winter this year (and not much has been mentioned about global warming recently!)has confined us to the house much more than we would like. Normally we would go for a break round about February Half Term week, and you feel that the new holiday season is getting under way. That didn't happen this year, we were still snowed in. Then as soon as the weather bucked up, it was time to move Granny out of her 3 bedroomed house into her brand spanking new 2 bedroomed Housing Association bungalow. Although she had been sorting out cupboards, deciding what she would like to keep and what needed to go to the charity shops, there was still enough to do in the 2 days between signing the Tenancy Agreement and my nephew turning up with a van and moving the furniture into her new abode. I have never seen a serving officer in the Army in action as a removal expert before! It was astounding! Picking up the fridge complete with its (meagre)contents, similarly the under-counter freezer! And then the cooker........! Well, actually my brother helped with that - he held the sack cart still while the cooker was placed on it! In a day and a half, things were in place for Mum to move in. Since then, it has been a case of 'titivating' - new lampshades, bits for the bathroom, that sort of thing.
So she officially has a new address, even though we can still access the old property as it isn't on the market yet and we still have keys. The one thing that is still preying on a lot of people's minds is the fact that Granpy is still buried in the walled border at the old house! Not to worry, he won't be forgotten!
Let me explain. The incredibly long winter this year (and not much has been mentioned about global warming recently!)has confined us to the house much more than we would like. Normally we would go for a break round about February Half Term week, and you feel that the new holiday season is getting under way. That didn't happen this year, we were still snowed in. Then as soon as the weather bucked up, it was time to move Granny out of her 3 bedroomed house into her brand spanking new 2 bedroomed Housing Association bungalow. Although she had been sorting out cupboards, deciding what she would like to keep and what needed to go to the charity shops, there was still enough to do in the 2 days between signing the Tenancy Agreement and my nephew turning up with a van and moving the furniture into her new abode. I have never seen a serving officer in the Army in action as a removal expert before! It was astounding! Picking up the fridge complete with its (meagre)contents, similarly the under-counter freezer! And then the cooker........! Well, actually my brother helped with that - he held the sack cart still while the cooker was placed on it! In a day and a half, things were in place for Mum to move in. Since then, it has been a case of 'titivating' - new lampshades, bits for the bathroom, that sort of thing.
So she officially has a new address, even though we can still access the old property as it isn't on the market yet and we still have keys. The one thing that is still preying on a lot of people's minds is the fact that Granpy is still buried in the walled border at the old house! Not to worry, he won't be forgotten!
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Valentine's Day
My DH and I came to an agreement over Valentine's Day, considering that we had my DM here (since last Tuesday)- we agreed that we would ignore it! My DB and his wife had arranged to come down for Sunday lunch, so that they could take DM back home with them. We had a very pleasant few hours with them; our DS visited with his girls for an hour or so this a.m. and the girls delighted Granny; then this afternoon, having given us time to eat our lunch, our DD arrived with her younger two children and entertained us all with their antics! Our elder grandson had been resident with us since Friday, after we collected him for tea before delivering him to scouts.
Saturday was a busy day. I helped grandson's scout group to bag pack at Sainsbury's for two hours, then did a little shopping before dashing home to prepare a quick pizza lunch, before preparing fillings for sandwiches for the quick tea needed by Brenda and Rob before going to Liz for their pre-holiday haircut! Dash, dash, dash!!
Then what with the excitement of entertaining guests for lunch, it's only now I'm writing all this down that I realise how busy I've been and how exhausted I am!! lol
Saturday was a busy day. I helped grandson's scout group to bag pack at Sainsbury's for two hours, then did a little shopping before dashing home to prepare a quick pizza lunch, before preparing fillings for sandwiches for the quick tea needed by Brenda and Rob before going to Liz for their pre-holiday haircut! Dash, dash, dash!!
Then what with the excitement of entertaining guests for lunch, it's only now I'm writing all this down that I realise how busy I've been and how exhausted I am!! lol
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Big Garden Birdwatch
This weekend is the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch, when we are asked to spend an hour watching and counting the different birds in our garden. We officially counted them last year (entering the results onto the RSPB website) and previous to that we had done an informal count. What annoys me, and this is the reason we haven't entered our results in previous years, is that the birds seem to disappear at this time!! We had three blackcaps in the garden earlier this week, but today we saw one! Sometimes we have as many as six great tits, but today we had a paltry two! It's frustrating to say the least.
On Wednesday, we went to Barnsley to see DM. The original intention was to have a leisurely day, have a run out to Darfield to see the area that she is moving to, etc. However, our friends in Leeds, hearing that we were coming as far as Barnsley, invited us to bring DM up to them, so that we could perhaps see the bullfinch that has been visiting their garden, and maybe the red kite which has been flying over their property, being hassled by gulls. As luck would have it, we saw both!! And of course, our chatting inevitably overspilled our 'timetable' so it was dusk as we left Leeds, leaving no time to go over to Darfield, so that pleasure awaits us.
A good thing which came out of this visit is that we have the promise of a motorised scooter/chair for DM when she moves home and has somewhere to store it. We had been offered this vehicle when our friend's father had died, but the problem was the storage. Now we look forward to the independence this will give to DM.
When we went to Barnsley, we took with us a selection of small items from the Baby Cake Boutique, on a sale or return basis. At the last minute we added a larger bouquet to the items to take; this was sold to our friends in Leeds, and they have requested a second one so both daughter-in-laws have one!
So a good day was had by all, and a profitable one was had by Baby Cake Boutique!
On Wednesday, we went to Barnsley to see DM. The original intention was to have a leisurely day, have a run out to Darfield to see the area that she is moving to, etc. However, our friends in Leeds, hearing that we were coming as far as Barnsley, invited us to bring DM up to them, so that we could perhaps see the bullfinch that has been visiting their garden, and maybe the red kite which has been flying over their property, being hassled by gulls. As luck would have it, we saw both!! And of course, our chatting inevitably overspilled our 'timetable' so it was dusk as we left Leeds, leaving no time to go over to Darfield, so that pleasure awaits us.
A good thing which came out of this visit is that we have the promise of a motorised scooter/chair for DM when she moves home and has somewhere to store it. We had been offered this vehicle when our friend's father had died, but the problem was the storage. Now we look forward to the independence this will give to DM.
When we went to Barnsley, we took with us a selection of small items from the Baby Cake Boutique, on a sale or return basis. At the last minute we added a larger bouquet to the items to take; this was sold to our friends in Leeds, and they have requested a second one so both daughter-in-laws have one!
So a good day was had by all, and a profitable one was had by Baby Cake Boutique!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Time flies
I can't believe that it is so long since I last wrote on my blog!
The weather is much better at the moment than it has been of late, we are actually having a lttle sun. It's amazing how much better you feel if the sun is shining!
I went to art class this morning and we focussed on painting skies. I started out with a blue wash, and tried the 'sponging off' technique, to create clouds, and I also tried (using wet - in - wet technique) to run colours in together, and that worked very well. my teacher was complimentary about my 'loose' painting! But it is amazing how much the colour of the paint changes when it's dry. What looked quite strong when wet faded almost to nothing when it was dry.
Last night I did a little more to the quilt I have been making on and off for several months. It is a piece (almost all) of a child's pink gingham curtain, which I bought from a charity shop. It has the most delightful pictures of child-friendly insects, you know the kind, the ones with faces, and they're smiling at you! I cut off the faded part of the fabric and I have surface-decorated the insects, some with beads, some with colourful buttons and some with stitching patterns, then I quilted around the shapes. Finally, I am putting a plain pink border around the whole. I'm in two minds about whether to create some butterfly shapes with stitching around the border. I'll see how I feel when the border is actually finished.
The DD's wedding is 'coming along' ok. We have sorted out the reference for people who know already that they are invited and who need to book rooms at the hotel where the reception is being held. We ourselves have had to book an executive family room in order to accommodate us and the grandchildren! I have had to chivvy DD to visit florists in order to secure the wedding date, even if we don't know for sure the exact flower requirements. I am making the cake myself, as I really can't justify paying the cost of a shop bought one - even with discount from M&S it would be a shocking expense. And considering that everyone is so complimentary about my Christmas cake each year, I'm sure I could make a very acceptable set of cakes to stack as a wedding cake.
Granny will be moving house in March. She has been offered, and has accepted, a new build Housing Association bungalow at Darfield. It won't be ready until March, I'm not sure if there has been any delay with the severe winter weather we have experienced. It will be wrench for her in some ways, I'm sure, with this having been the home which she shared with her husband for thirty years, and where she raised three children. But the move will allow her to have a mobility scooter, and this will give her the freedom she has been denied for the last couple of years. We are going to visit her tomorrow, and we will drive out to see the area where the bungalow is for ourselves.
The weather is much better at the moment than it has been of late, we are actually having a lttle sun. It's amazing how much better you feel if the sun is shining!
I went to art class this morning and we focussed on painting skies. I started out with a blue wash, and tried the 'sponging off' technique, to create clouds, and I also tried (using wet - in - wet technique) to run colours in together, and that worked very well. my teacher was complimentary about my 'loose' painting! But it is amazing how much the colour of the paint changes when it's dry. What looked quite strong when wet faded almost to nothing when it was dry.
Last night I did a little more to the quilt I have been making on and off for several months. It is a piece (almost all) of a child's pink gingham curtain, which I bought from a charity shop. It has the most delightful pictures of child-friendly insects, you know the kind, the ones with faces, and they're smiling at you! I cut off the faded part of the fabric and I have surface-decorated the insects, some with beads, some with colourful buttons and some with stitching patterns, then I quilted around the shapes. Finally, I am putting a plain pink border around the whole. I'm in two minds about whether to create some butterfly shapes with stitching around the border. I'll see how I feel when the border is actually finished.
The DD's wedding is 'coming along' ok. We have sorted out the reference for people who know already that they are invited and who need to book rooms at the hotel where the reception is being held. We ourselves have had to book an executive family room in order to accommodate us and the grandchildren! I have had to chivvy DD to visit florists in order to secure the wedding date, even if we don't know for sure the exact flower requirements. I am making the cake myself, as I really can't justify paying the cost of a shop bought one - even with discount from M&S it would be a shocking expense. And considering that everyone is so complimentary about my Christmas cake each year, I'm sure I could make a very acceptable set of cakes to stack as a wedding cake.
Granny will be moving house in March. She has been offered, and has accepted, a new build Housing Association bungalow at Darfield. It won't be ready until March, I'm not sure if there has been any delay with the severe winter weather we have experienced. It will be wrench for her in some ways, I'm sure, with this having been the home which she shared with her husband for thirty years, and where she raised three children. But the move will allow her to have a mobility scooter, and this will give her the freedom she has been denied for the last couple of years. We are going to visit her tomorrow, and we will drive out to see the area where the bungalow is for ourselves.
Saturday, 16 January 2010
We see a change
We awoke this morning to pouring rain, a real change to the ice and snow of late. The day has proceeded to be wet and consequently dull, but the birds have been having a feast at the feeders, irrespective of weather conditions. We have had blue tits, great tits, coal tits, greenfinches, chaffinch, goldfinches, dunnock, blackbirds, fieldfare - we have our own nature reserve right here!
I decided to help to clear the pantry by using up a pack of bread mix, (only a month out of date!). I was dubious as to whether it would actually rise, but thought it was worth a chance, so gave it a go. I put the four moulded loaves on baking trays and lodged them between the radiator and the linen basket in the bathroom, which is just about the warmest place in the house. It took a little longer than specified on the pack, but the loaves eventually rose the required amount and I baked them for 15 minutes. By the time I was ready to make lunch, they had cooled down to a 'new bread' temperature, and I sliced two of them and made mini sandwiches with slices of double gloucester cheese. I have made this type of pack mix before, and can't say that I have noticed a strong taste of salt in the past, but when my DH comments on the salty taste, then it must have a lot. I looked at the pack for the nutitional information - to my horror, the whole pack contained 8g of salt, and we had just consumed half the pack between us! That means my cheese sandwich cost me my (self regulated) day's allowance of salt! Not good. And my mouth is certainly telling me I've had more than I'm used to!!
I decided to help to clear the pantry by using up a pack of bread mix, (only a month out of date!). I was dubious as to whether it would actually rise, but thought it was worth a chance, so gave it a go. I put the four moulded loaves on baking trays and lodged them between the radiator and the linen basket in the bathroom, which is just about the warmest place in the house. It took a little longer than specified on the pack, but the loaves eventually rose the required amount and I baked them for 15 minutes. By the time I was ready to make lunch, they had cooled down to a 'new bread' temperature, and I sliced two of them and made mini sandwiches with slices of double gloucester cheese. I have made this type of pack mix before, and can't say that I have noticed a strong taste of salt in the past, but when my DH comments on the salty taste, then it must have a lot. I looked at the pack for the nutitional information - to my horror, the whole pack contained 8g of salt, and we had just consumed half the pack between us! That means my cheese sandwich cost me my (self regulated) day's allowance of salt! Not good. And my mouth is certainly telling me I've had more than I'm used to!!
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Moving swiftly on
On opening the curtains in the bedroom this morning, we discovered a sight to compare with an Austrian winter wonderland! With the trees' branches decorated in the most wonderful white icing and the ground covered with the same, it was certainly a picture postcard scene. Gradually though, a sneaky thaw crept across the landscape during the morning, and without us being aware of it the snow was gently erased from the trees.
With the thaw producing more favourable conditions for travelling around, I dared to suggest to my DH that after lunch we took the opportunity to visit the hotel where the wedding reception is to be held, and sort out the problem of 'which room do we need with two four year olds and a fourteen year old?' The receptionist was very patient with us, as we explained that we were more used to being in a touring caravan than a hotel room! She contacted 'Roger', from sales, and he took us up to see the executive room, which consists of a double bed, double sofa bed, and has space for a zed-bed for the older grandson. That sorted and booked, it was another item to cross off the list of 'things to do in preparation for the wedding'!
Is it too early yet to shop for an outfit for the big day? DH seems to think it is. I put it to the readers' votes!
With the thaw producing more favourable conditions for travelling around, I dared to suggest to my DH that after lunch we took the opportunity to visit the hotel where the wedding reception is to be held, and sort out the problem of 'which room do we need with two four year olds and a fourteen year old?' The receptionist was very patient with us, as we explained that we were more used to being in a touring caravan than a hotel room! She contacted 'Roger', from sales, and he took us up to see the executive room, which consists of a double bed, double sofa bed, and has space for a zed-bed for the older grandson. That sorted and booked, it was another item to cross off the list of 'things to do in preparation for the wedding'!
Is it too early yet to shop for an outfit for the big day? DH seems to think it is. I put it to the readers' votes!
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
More weather
This is becoming a bore. The snow has been falling (in tiny flakes) for the entire morning, and the street is a sheet of ice outside our drive. My DH took the car in for its MOT and this is one of his rare excursions during this extended cold period. I feel that our lives are on hold until this extreme winter weather has run its course.
I have consoled myself this morning by doing some baking! I have been watching The Hairy Bikers, whose current series is all about 'Mums know best' - focussing on recipes which have been passed from Mums to daughters through the generations. So this morning I made an oatmeal bran fruit loaf and some butterfly buns - lovely!
I have consoled myself this morning by doing some baking! I have been watching The Hairy Bikers, whose current series is all about 'Mums know best' - focussing on recipes which have been passed from Mums to daughters through the generations. So this morning I made an oatmeal bran fruit loaf and some butterfly buns - lovely!
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
More white stuff
How picturesque it was this morning. We drew back the curtains to enjoy the scenery while having our morning tea in bed, and the air was full of white flakes, the size of half crowns (giving my age away!!). Although the shower didn't last that long, it fell on top of a fairly substantial covering of snow from last night.
All sorts of concerns about the conditions crept through my brain as the morning progressed, including my DD's trip into work first thing today. When I spoke to her later, it was to find that she had persuaded her partner to drive her in and fetch her back! Apparently Next had to delay its opening time this morning, as the person with the safe keys was struggling to get the car out from under the pile of snow!. And last night the store closed early, round about 7p.m, to allow staff to get home.
Wedding arrangements have moved on a little, we have had dialogue with the hotel as to a ref. number for guests to quote for the 'wedding rate'. We will be able to pass this on to the guests as soon as the hotel emails it to us!
My DH has occupied himself with assembling a new bike, purchased from Tesco yesterday. It was a bit of an 'impulse buy' on his part, which surprised me a little, but the attraction of the bike was that it has 18 gears and weighs less than 15kg, which is the 'average weight' limit for the bike carrier on the motorhome. Having assembled it, he then had to find space in the garage for it. The problem is, he bought two of these bikes, one for our grandson as well, for when we all go off in the motorhome! Ah well.....
But thinking of motorhomes, it must be time to look at the 'Sites for Holidays' in the Camping and Caravanning Club Magazine! I'd better sign off now, and look for the magazine. I'll just say that as I write, the sky is a beautiful pink/mauve at the point of the sunset, with the rest of the sky being a clear blue.
So beautiful!
All sorts of concerns about the conditions crept through my brain as the morning progressed, including my DD's trip into work first thing today. When I spoke to her later, it was to find that she had persuaded her partner to drive her in and fetch her back! Apparently Next had to delay its opening time this morning, as the person with the safe keys was struggling to get the car out from under the pile of snow!. And last night the store closed early, round about 7p.m, to allow staff to get home.
Wedding arrangements have moved on a little, we have had dialogue with the hotel as to a ref. number for guests to quote for the 'wedding rate'. We will be able to pass this on to the guests as soon as the hotel emails it to us!
My DH has occupied himself with assembling a new bike, purchased from Tesco yesterday. It was a bit of an 'impulse buy' on his part, which surprised me a little, but the attraction of the bike was that it has 18 gears and weighs less than 15kg, which is the 'average weight' limit for the bike carrier on the motorhome. Having assembled it, he then had to find space in the garage for it. The problem is, he bought two of these bikes, one for our grandson as well, for when we all go off in the motorhome! Ah well.....
But thinking of motorhomes, it must be time to look at the 'Sites for Holidays' in the Camping and Caravanning Club Magazine! I'd better sign off now, and look for the magazine. I'll just say that as I write, the sky is a beautiful pink/mauve at the point of the sunset, with the rest of the sky being a clear blue.
So beautiful!
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Snowdays
Happy New Year!
It should have been our first art lesson of the new term this morning,but Elaine rang last night and said she wasn't going in, in view of the weather, and I totally agreed with her. Our drive is a nightmare to get out of in the snow and ice,(assuming you can clear the car of ice) and then you have to tackle the slopes on two roads before you get to the area guaranteed to be gritted... Far better to stay at home and continue tidying the Christmas chaos!
It should have been our first art lesson of the new term this morning,but Elaine rang last night and said she wasn't going in, in view of the weather, and I totally agreed with her. Our drive is a nightmare to get out of in the snow and ice,(assuming you can clear the car of ice) and then you have to tackle the slopes on two roads before you get to the area guaranteed to be gritted... Far better to stay at home and continue tidying the Christmas chaos!
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