Praying For A False Alarm

 

Today was a 60th birthday party for a close friend of mine.

Her  three daughters had planned it.

It was an informal drop in, stay as long as you like, affair.

The afternoon took the form of a cream tea...sandwiches, cream scones and cake.

When we arrived we discovered one of the daughters had gone down with flu, and the other couldn't get out of a duty at the private school she teaches at.

So Teen One and I offered our services, and ended up sorting all the food and playing waitresses.

The venue was decorated with bunting...

 

 

...each table had fresh flowers, as well as the all important cream tea of course

 

 

 

There were flowers and balloons aplenty, as well as the all important birthday cake.

 

 

 

 

 

In the evening, a local Italian restaurant provided lasagne, brushettas, salad and garlic bread.

It was all delicious!

We had plenty of time to chat to mutual friends and friends we hadn't met before, its amazing how much you can have in common with a stranger!

 

It was a great day...if more hectic than I had anticipated and we  were glad to get in out of the wind and driving rain by the end of it.

 

 

We were just settling down to a cuppa...and some blogging...when the phone went.

A friend from church was asking if I had heard from our dear hard working Recycled Teenager....it appears friends from Cardiff have been trying to get hold of her, but with no joy.

They had some flowers delivered today, but they had to be left outside the house as there was no reply.

Well I hadn't heard anything so Hubby and I drove down...the flowers were still there.

We know she has had problems with her phone in the past, and doesn't have a doorbell, so if she has a snooze, she often doesn't hear the door...so we are hoping this is the case today.

I have written a note asking her to call me in the morning....if I haven't had a call I will go down and use the emergency key. I didn't want to do it tonight after dark, if this is a false alarm it would be rather frightening  having someone come into your house, and we would have to have turned lights on etc, which would have been frightening.

So tonight I will have a restless night and will be eagerly awaiting a phone call in the morning saying all is well.

 I don't feel ready to lose another Recycled Teenager so soon.

 

Saturday February 6, 2016

Today's Psalm:
   O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Psalm 8:9 / KJV
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Simple Treasures and Sticky Hands!

 

Starting with last night, the daughter of my Recycled Teenager who passed away last week, came for a visit to make the arrangements for the funeral.

She brought with her this exotic plant....it looks and feels like plastic but is in fact real!

 

 

 

It came in a very stylish and sturdy container and I was wondering how to take the plant out without damaging it....I then spied a very clever design feature...plastic press stud style poppers...just on pop them and the plastic tubing comes away easily and then flattens down.

I think it must be being around Hubby...who is a design engineer....that has made me really appreciate a well designed item...even if it is just going to be thrown away.

I noticed it had patent pending on the bottom...I hope whoever designed it is successful...it really is a brilliant concept.

In fact...I have decided I can't throw it away...it will surely come in useful one day!

( As  I typed this, hubby looked over and said "what is that interesting looking picture there...he can spot a good design a mile off!)

 

 

She also brought with her a couple of small things from her mum's sewing box.

She isn't into sewing herself but knowing me, thought rather than throwing them away, she would offer them to me.

I was thrilled to receive them.

The tin is so old, what stories could it tell!

The little wallet on the right is also very old...it is made of very thin leather I think.

 

 

 

The tin is full of all sorts of useful items and the pouch has needles in.

I shall treasure these small items, which aren't worth a penny, but will keep our dear late friend's memory alive in a very practical way.

 

 

She also brought along a bag of wool...it was wool I had bought for her mum when she was still with it enough to knit.

Each week I would take wool along, she would make fairly good squares with it, which I then sewed together into blankets.

Eventually the squares had more holes than swiss cheese, then they resembled a school ruler more than squares...but she felt she was being useful and it passed the long days for her.

The time then came when she didn't know how to knit and the frustration caused all sorts of problems, so in the end I stopped taking wool in.

It was rather sad to see the wool come back, but I guess it served its purpose.

 

 

 

Teen Two still had a temperature, sore throat and chest, so it was another day off school....dear me...he has gone from 100% attendance for his entire school life to...well...the reports are out on Monday so we shall see...but its not going to be 100%!

To try and break the day up a bit, after lunch I suggested he make some cookies.

 

 

 

Quite how he got his hands in this much of a mess is a mystery!

 

 

When they were fresh out of the oven there was nothing for it but a cuppa to test them with...

they were scrummy!

 

 

 

Tomorrow is a friend's 60th birthday party.

Her daughter's are organising an Afternoon Cream Tea party, we have all been told "no presents"

but I couldn't resist buying her a little something to mark the day....I bought her a sixpence from 1956, inside this keyring....I thought it was a little unusual and might make her smile.

 

 

Tonight's story at Friday Club was Ruth gleaning the grain.

For the activity we decorated bread rolls...which the children thoroughly enjoyed...although the icing ended up rather watery!

 

 

For those of you on Baymax  watch....I suspect this is how it was always supposed to look!

 

Friday February 5, 2016

Today's Proverb:
   Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5,6 / KJV
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Ginger Biscuit Crisis!

 

Regular readers of my blog will know my family are partial to the odd ginger biccie!

A perfect weekend starts with a cuppa and ginger biccie in bed, whilst we plan out our day.

This is something of a tradition started by my in-laws, although they started EVERY day with a cuppa a biccie...a bit too naughty for my liking...although I have a sneaking suspicion that when the two early risers of the household get up each morning (hint...its not me or Teen One!) they start the morning off this way!

I have noticed on recent visits to Lidl...where we buy the bulk of our ginger biccies ( 25p a packet and nicer than their counterpart McV) that there were never any gingers out.

I even blogged about the lack of them here a couple of weeks ago, along with the lack of bourbons and custard creams.

The seriousness of this situation was raised another level when one of our church members, who is a personal shopper for Tesco, said they didn't have any gingers in stock...or even a space on the shelf for them!

What was going on...had the world run out of ginger....did someone high up think they were no longer popular....had the EU put some kind of ban on them????

What were we going to do?!

 

 

 

Then yesterday Grandma phoned up ( who still has a daily ginger biccie and was no doubt running low herself!) to say had I heard on the BBC news, the nationwide outcry that there were no gingers available...it was even the subject of a Twitter discussion on Radio 2!

It appears the recent flooding has caused the factory to come to a grinding halt....whilst production is hoped to start very soon, it is going to take some time to get supplies up and running as usual.

That Storm Desmond certainly has a lot to answer for!

 

 

I think for the time being, I am going to have to issue everyone with a ration book...after all...desperate times call for desperate measures!

 

 

 

For those of you on Baymax watch...you will need to be eagle eyed today hee hee!

This one REALLY made me laugh...I had to look twice!

 

So, with the ginger biscuit crisis averted, I can confirm that today has been a fairly ordinary day, doing all the things I do every Thursday, aside from a little nursing added to the list for Teen Two who still has a bad chest and throat.

 

 

Thursday February 4, 2016

Today's Psalm:
   Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22 / KJV
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The Great Scone Debate!

 

Today started off with glorious blue skies, white fluffy clouds and of course lovely sunshine.

What a cheery way to start the day!

Of course, the downside was it was very cold! However, its easy enough to wrap up warm and enjoy the seasonal temperatures...much better than wet and gloomy.

 

 

 

Unfortunately Teen Two was no better this morning so it was a day at home for him, with regular mugs of steaming freshly squeezed orange and honey, along with some paracetomol.

We haven't managed to get the temperature down, but it isn't alarmingly high so I am hoping it will improve overnight.

 

 

I had already planned to have a stay at home day, so cracked on with making some cakes ahead of next weeks funeral.

 I started with coffee and walnut....

 

 

...then went on to carrot cake...I love cakes that are made in the pan...like brownies...but what I don't like about making carrot cake....

 

 

...is grating the carrots! Mind you...I do love their vibrant colour.

 

 

So with the cakes cooling,  I cracked on with some scones.

This time, they are for my friends 60th Birthday party at the weekend.

Her daughters are organising an Afternoon Cream Tea and have roped some of us in to make the scones.

 

 

 

Some months ago I mentioned the great Scone Debate...to cut or free form and said one day I would experiment...well today was the day!

I started by using the basic recipe ( no egg) and free forming, so looking left to right, you can see the results.

The middle scone is using a cutter, again with the basic recipe.

The right hand scone is using a richer recipe (using egg) and a cutter.

Using a cutter does make the scones more uniform and much tidier looking and I think, although not much to choose in it, the one on the right using looks better.

I ought to mention, the first two have been cut, I was precutting them before freezing them, to make it easier for the girls at the weekend, and then decided to photograph the experiment!

 

 

 

 

So the batch of rich cut scones are going to make it to the party...this is just a few of them.

 

 

 

 With the weather being so glorious, I braved it and hung the washing out on the line.

I was delighted to see my tete a tete daffs from last year have come out in bloom.

They are so teeny and cute!

 

 

 

The ones I bought the other week are blooming beautifully in the conservatory and will be planted out when they are passed their best.

 

 

 

For those of you on Baymax watch....this is what greeted me today!

 

 

Wednesday February 3, 2016

Today's Promise:
   He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32 / KJV
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Are Marshmallows Medicine?

 

 

A few days ago Teen One did some more sorting in her bedroom...the result was a box full of nick nacks she no longer wants.

Whilst its always good to empty the house of clutter...there is something bitter sweet about it.

This box of assorted items were once considered treasures and brought her such delight...

 

 

 

 

...as did this collection of gems, what pleasure she derived from choosing one from almost every gift shop we visited on a family day out.

To have that part of her life all over so soon is a trifle sad to say the least...but at almost 18years old I guess it has lasted longer than most!

 

 

 

Mid morning Teen One and I went to visit our friend with the broken ankle.

Instead of taking a meal this time ( having been ordered NOT to!) I whipped up a quick sponge, which I know she likes, but is currently unable to make herself.

She was delighted to receive it...as was her daughter!

 

 

Every Tuesday, when I pop in to check my Recycled Teenager is ok as I do every morning, he always says "ok to change the bedding tomorrow?" 

A few weeks ago he didn't say it and I didn't think anything of it, but was of course expecting to change the bed the next day.

I was therefore surprised when he came along later in the day ... a huge effort for him...to say "ok to change the bedding tomorrow?"

I told him of course it was, and to take it as red that every Wednesday we would change the bed...he didn't need to come and make a special effort to ask me...but he said "no..I would never take for granted anything you do for me"

What a gentleman!

So, on my return from visiting our friend, my heart sank when I saw him slowly walking to my door...I remembered it was Tuesday and he hadn't made his usual comment...if only  I had remembered this morning!

Whilst it is lovely of him to be so appreciative, I do worry about the hazards of him coming out.

He doesn't leave the house these days....so to walk, even just next door, is a huge effort and one fraught with danger...steps to go up and down, uneven pavement, no wall to hold on to across the driveway etc.

What was even worse, he had popped along when we were out!

He said that as he was coming along a lady stopped him and asked if he needed any help!

That is a measure of how much effort he visibly has to put in to getting from A to B.

I made sure  he was safely behind his front door before I closed mine.

 

 

 

Just as I  was getting dinner sorted, the doorbell went again...this time it was his son...with this chicken for my freezer...how kind!

 

 

This is what greeted me in the bathroom today!

 

 

 

Teen Two went off to school this morning feeling under the weather...sore throat, tight chest, runny nose etc.

I took his temperature and it was normal...so as it is Mocks week, I sent him off dosed up with painkillers and vitamin C,Vick rubbed in his chest and plenty of tissues in his blazer.

Sadly when he came home he was visibly worse and has a high temperature!

No sports club tonight and possibly no school tomorrow, we shall review the situation in the morning.

I made him a hot drink with freshly squeezed orange and honey, so hopefully that will do something for him.

 

 

 

The worst symptom at the moment is a raging sore throat.

We all know how painful that can be...and oddly enough I was only reading yesterday that marshmallows relieve sore throats!

So....Teen Two is experimenting to see if Marshmallows really are medicine!

 

 

 

Tuesday February 2, 2016

Today's Promise:
   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38,39 / KJV
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Cleaning, Cooking and Cloves!

 

 

For no obvious reason, I woke at 4.14am and could not get back to sleep.

So at 5am, when I could hear Hubby stirring, I came downstairs and made us both a cup of tea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So as not to disturb the rest of the household, I decided to catch up with some electronic paperwork...one item being the household insurance.

I have never understood why in recent years it is necessary to shop around every year for a cheaper quote...and by cheaper I MEAN cheaper!

Our renewal quote was for £400....our bank has quoted us £180 AND we get £50 back into our account after 70 days!

 

 

 

With that task out of the way it was time to crack on with some regular housework.

The plus side to getting up so early was I achieved loads and all before 9am!

The downside was losing impetus mid afternoon!

 

 

 

 Having visited my Monday Recycled Teenager as usual, taken her shopping, unpacked my own etc, I could feel myself flagging, so  I quickly made a chicken and bacon pie, with leftovers in the fridge, before crashing out in the chair for a quiet cuppa.

I used to use equal quantities of marg and lard, but nowadays I use trex in place of lard...and sometimes no marg at all...but it works out cheaper to add some marg.

It really makes beautifully light pastry.

 

 

Going back to Christmas...I had bought a Big Hero 6 (great film!) item in Poundland as part of Teen Two's stocking fillers.

I didn't really have any idea what it was...a jigsaw maybe...it was in the bathroom section, so that's where we took it apart.

When I next used the bathroom...I was amused to see it together and every day since then it has changed its position!

Today we have this position...

 

 

....it makes me chuckle every time I see it!

I will keep you posted of what I find on subsequent trips!

 

 

I am a  real lover of chai latte....and thought I would try a different brand...and also the skinny blend.

However its a big disappointment...it is way too heavy on the cloves, in fact that is the only flavour, not only that but its like a trip to the dentist and my tongue is practically numb by the end of the cup.

I think I will write to the suppliers and see if there is a problem with this batch.

I had been thinking I would add some to a sponge cake...inspired by the earl grey sponge we had the other week...but I wont be using this tin for my experiment!

 

 

Monday February 1, 2016

Today's Verse:
   For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2nd Corinthians 5:21 / KJV
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