A Sad day

 

 

If my blog is to be a truthful and accurate "year in  my life," then it is inevitable that not every day will be full of happy posts.

Today sadly brought some sad news to our family. A family member living in South Africa has died in rather tragic circumstances. She was a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. You can imagine the loss her parents, grandparents, husband and siblings etc are experiencing right now.

So my blog post today is a handful of scripture verses, which I hope will bring some comfort to any family members who are reading this, and any bloggers who have their own loss and grief to deal with today.

 

 

 

 

 

Getting there!

We have been trying to update the kitchen in recent months. As usual on a budget, so just ripping out the old one and choosing new fixtures and fittings was not an option. We have been delighted to see that just some re-plastering, new tiles and painting of the pine cladding has already brought about quite a transformation. We just need to get some new flooring and paint the old dresser and then we are there.
During our (very lengthy) DIY attic conversion, we were told by the Building Inspector we had to board up a small window in the kitchen. Quite why I am not sure, wouldn't wood burn quicker than glass in the event of a fire? Anyway, we did as we were told in order to get the work signed off.
When we started to re-tile the kitchen we had initially thought we would just fill in the  window area and tile over, but once hubby had started to clear the area, I thought perhaps we could convert it to a little storage area for herb or spice bottles.
Yesterday it had the finishing touches added to it and I was able to put my little jars there. I wasn't sure if I was going to use it for herbs or spices, but once I had separated them out I was surprised to see there are only a few spices that I actually use, whereas I have three or four that amount for herbs and seasonings. So...spices made it to the new storage area!

 

 

I have been keeping my eyes out for a new clock since starting the kitchen re-fit, but without much success. Today however, when I wasn't even looking for one, look what I saw in Asda! I don't say I am going to fill my new kitchen with polka dot, although I am often drawn to it, but want to add a splash of colour, without committing to one particular design. The clock, however, will look great in place of the old one, underneath my little polka dot birdies. I am also really pleased the clock has numbers on. Teen Two is an SEN child and telling the time analogue style is confusing for all sorts of reasons, taking away numbers just adds one more hurdle!

Whilst in Asda, I saw these slate placemats and coasters. I fell in love with them ( but resisted, having already treated myself to the new clock!) and thought they would be ideal for a craft project....but what craft project? They would really lend themselves to being used for chalking on, but at the moment I haven't thought just how I would use them. So....any of you crafty bloggers out there got any ideas?

 

Now two treats in one day would really be rather extravagant wouldn't it? But I eased my conscience when this little delight took my eye, by reminding myself it was really something Teen One would appreciate...so this was therefore a treat for her! I didn't go looking for anything to add to our Summer display, but this starfish trinket dish just leapt out at me as I was innocently wondering around the fitted sheets section!  It was just £2. With a little candle and some shells added, it works a treat I think!

 

 

Not sure if this is going to be its finally home, will do my usual thing of living with it for a few days and see what I think then. I am particularly proud of the doiley underneath as it is one of the first crochet patterns I ever managed to follow!

Here is another area of the fireplace that is having a bit of a "Summer makeover." The decorated tile in the background was made by Teen One many moons ago. We had gone for a cycle ride round the shoreline near our home and collected a few bits and pieces....I hasten to add, not all that is on the tile was found that day, some came from our crafting stash.
The mini "Seaside Holiday" Yankee Candle  was bought on a visit to their Village store in South Deerfield  Massachusetts some  years ago. Little did I know then I would have a teenage girl persuading me to give the house a summer makeover!

Lunch today is one of Teen One's favourites and she will be delighted when she comes home from college and finds it in the fridge. Feta and cherry tomato salad, drizzled in that yummy Tesco olive oil infused with basil, with plenty of baby spinach leaves. I say feta cheese, but in actual fact I have been using any supermarkets "Greek Style Salad" cheese, which at a fraction of the price ( around 70p) tastes  just as good.

 

 

Both the Teens are suffering with hayfever at the moment. I have switched antihistamines, but at the moment its not making much difference. A checkout assistant told me about a little machine one of her customers had told her about. So, I ordered it online at the weekend, rather pleased to see it was currently on special offer, and it arrived today.

The online reviews give very positive comments, so we shall see how the Teens get on with it. At the moment its no fun for Teen One, who is waking up throughout the night with a constantly runny and itchy nose.  I shall keep you posted as to how successful it is!

 

 

 

Teen One enjoyed her Feta salad, and then set about trying to complete a homework task she had been set. If she is successful it means she doesn't have to go into college tomorrow afternoon, which will mean the official start of her long summer holidays! It was rather warm in the garden, so we both tried out the watermelon lollies....we both give them a big THUMBS UP! I didn't have  any mint, so just coated them in caster sugar as soon as they came out of the freezer. Very refreshing indeed, and ( sugar aside!) so healthy!

 

 

As nice as it would be to sit out in the garden all day, there was dinner to think about. Today I had planned to try out another of the Amish recipes. Cabbage and Hamburger ( minced beef to us Brits) Bake. 

 

 

 

 

We shall see what the family make of it later on.

 

 

As the oven was on, I thought I would quickly whip up a recipe I saw online the other week, which looked interesting as it has "no eggs, milk, butter or bowl" so is ideal for any who are lactose intolerant. There are other interesting items on the website so I shall be back to investigate another time.

 

 

It turned out ok....but the proof of the pudding ( or cake!) is in the eating, so I shall keep you posted on that one! I added some chocolate frosting using this recipe...which is not dairy free, so those who want to keep it suitable for lactose intolerant folk, you will need to substitute as appropriate.

 

 

Blessings from above!

Do you remember a few days ago I said "I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be to have a strawberry patch in the garden..." well....what do you think happened this morning? I went out to the back of the garage to get the car loaded with yet more garden waste for a dump trip...and look what I saw growing by the wall!
My very own strawberry patch sent straight down from heaven for me! No doubt delivered by a little birdie...prepared months ago, ready for me to find today!
I very carefully unearthed it and brought it into the garden.  It would have been nice to plant it in a terracotta planter, and if I see one cheap in the coming days I will buy one, for the moment it is living rather unceremoniously in this old plastic bucket! I tasted one of the strawberries and it was sooooo sweet! Thank you Lord for my unexpected blessing from heaven!

The loading of the car then unloading at the dump, took about an hour and a half and by the time I got home I was hot, tired and ravenous! I try and avoid mid morning snacks, but today I just had to treat myself to a little sustenance if I was to do anything else around the house that involved using energy! I made myself a lemon curd sandwich, with some fresh wholemeal bread, and a cup of peppermint tea. It was delicious!

The smell of the lemons took me back to a family holiday we had about seven years ago in the south of Spain.
It was a last minute booking, with some friends and their then teenage girls. We chose a villa in the mountains, which had been built in a large orange and lemon grove.



  This was one of our views, hubby's artwork...

 

 

This was the villa

 

 

 

It  was a wonderful week for all sorts of reasons, the private pool, which occupied the kids all day and night! The company, the scenery, and also the experimenting with "what shall we make with lemons today?"
Something very quick and easy was Lemon Curd. I had taken some recipes with me, having been told my the owners we were at liberty to use any fruit on the property.
This recipe is made using a microwave and is very simple indeed.

                                                             

Microwave Lemon Curd

 

Grated rind and juice of 4 lemons

100g (4oz) butter, diced

450g (1lb) caster sugar

4 eggs, beaten

 

1.  Mix lemon rind, juice, butter and sugar in a large heatproof bowl. Cook for about 4 mins until butter melts. Stir well

2.Stir in eggs

3.Cook for 5-6 mins whisking every minute, until curd is thick and creamy

4. Stand for 5mins, whisking occasionally

5. Pot and cover

 

Store in a cool place. Use within two weeks.

 

To make Orange curd use same as above but one lemon and two oranges.

 

 

Today sadly I did not have a lemon grove in my garden to whip up some fresh lemon curd with, so contented myself with Tesco Value range! I have to say, for only 22p a jar, its pretty good stuff!

Getting our "Five a Day"

Monday's are supermarket day, time to replenish the depleting stock of fresh food in the house. This generally lasts us until Friday when the fruit bowl, veggie rack and fridge are low on just about everything.
Getting our "Five a Day" is something I always strive for, and for Teen One and I fruit is something we would choose over a lot of other things, so Monday's always means we have plenty to choose from!

Our local paper printed a novel idea for watermelons at the weekend which just had to be tried....

Teen One and I love the look of watermelon. There is something so attractive about that vivid red, with the green, white and black. Teen One has often been drawn to clothing/accessories with watermelon designs, over the years. Not only is it a stunning fruit to look at, its pretty delicious too, especially on a hot day.
I had already planned to buy my usual "chunk" of watermelon so I could try out the recipe, they are usually around 99p.  But today, having picked out my chunk, I turned around and saw they were selling WHOLE melons for £2! So....back went the chunk and into my trolley went this big beauty!

 

 

I weighed it when I got home....over 9lbs! My babies didn't weigh that much!

I couldn't wait to get cracking with the lolly making, so cut out a slice...I always think the melon is giving a great big grin when its cut open!

 

 

 

 

 

No doubt Teen Two would say it looks like a Pac Man!

The first stage of  making  the lollies was incredibly easy and I can't wait to try one! For the moment they are in the freezer so I will have to be patient.  I don't think I have enough mint in the garden though, having purged it last year. It had taken over the beds, so I pulled it all out and transferred a small amount to a pot, where it can grow without spreading everywhere...expect it hasn't grown much!  I think even without the mint the melon lolly will be deliciously refreshing on a hot summer's day ( which certainly isn't today!)

 

 

 

 

Dinner tonight is of course leftovers from yesterday's roast chicken. I bought this recipe book last year on a holiday back to the States. It was actually for sale in Louisa May Allcot's Orchard House which we had the privilege of visiting. We have, however, visited Amish Land in Pennsylvania, seven years ago, to see the real people and how they live. I had always wanted to go after seeing one of their quilting exhibitions back in 1996. It was a very exciting visit for me!

 

 

 

 

The recipe book has a lot of ideas for using up left over food...so definitely has the thumbs up from me!

Tonight I am trying this for the first time...

 

 

 

 

...it calls for Rice Krispies on the top! Certainly a first for me!

 

 

 

 

This is the how it turned out. It did as you might imagine raise a smile to see cereal on the dinner plate, but it went down a treat. I have to say, the Rice Krispies lost their crispness pretty quickly, once in contact with the sauce. But nonetheless it was a dish I will do again.

 

 

 

I am experimenting on our "summer decorations" for Teen One. We seem to have a never ending supply of pebbles and shells. Living near the seaside we inevitably come home with a collection, so it seems the obvious thing to use.  I have been filling empty jam jars with shells as well to see what sort of effect that gives. Some twine has come into play as well and I will let you see what I have come up with later.

Of course it would be easier to just go out and buy something, but there is something far more special about creating something oneself and if it can be made  from memories already in the house, all thebetter!

 I am also trying to think of something I could knit or crochet...some bunting maybe...not sure yet.

I did see some very attractive beach hut bunting on ebay yesterday and was very tempted I must admit!

 

Happy Fathers Day!

 

 

Here in the UK it is Father's Day. We don't go for expensive presents or large bouquets of flowers on these days, in our family, but do show our appreciation to those we love in a small way.
I would like to say we made the delicious looking Choc Chip Panettone, but it was a spur of the moment supermarket buy, and at only £1 I couldn't resist it!

 

 

 

Hand made cards are often a feature in our family, and we have some expert card makers in the wider family sphere, they put our feeble attempts to shame! However, I guess its the thought and effort that counts.

This year both Teens made Dad a card. I particularly love the design of Teen One's....

 

 

 

 

...although she said she can't claim credit for the design....she can certainly claim credit for drawing it, I would not have achieved anything half so good!

 

 

 

 

 

Hubby is rather partial to a Mocha, and its generally his preferred drink if we are anywhere near a Costa's. Whilst in Lidl's this week, Teen One and I spotted a pack of Chocolate sticks, for adding to coffee/hot milk etc. We thought ,what a great idea for dad......but at £1.50 for two...and the chocolate looking exactly like our ice cube mould, we thought we could make far more for far less and of course they would be home made too!

It was rather a job finding somewhere in the house to hide them....with the weather being so warm several rooms were out of the question. The fridge would have given the chocolate white blemishes, so after much thought I decided the garage was the best place.

I thought I had hidden them well...but wouldn't you know, Hubby went out in the garage looking for something and saw them. He asked a while later what was in the ice cube tray and was happy with my "ice cube tray??? I really don't know what you mean!" reply.

This morning of course it all became obvious. He has sampled one already and given it the thumbs up.

After our strawberry picking yesterday it will come as no surprise to know we had Eton Mess for dessert again. It has to be said, it is not the best looking dessert ever....but then what can you expect from something called "Mess!" However, what it lacks in appearance it certainly makes up for in taste!

 

Grandma comes for the day every Sunday, and this week she brought a coffee cake with her! Other people's cooking always seems to taste better than your own, so I am really looking forward to a slice of this at tea time. She knows Teen Two doesn't like nuts, so half is covered in walnuts and half in chocolate shavings. What a kind Grandma :)

Because I had taken a picture of Teen Two's Lego creation yesterday, he thought I might like to take one of today's model. I ought to have pointed out yesterday, these models come with moving parts, there is a lever at the back, that when pressed, makes the arms move. He is really impressed with that! For any AFOL's out there, his favourite range is Bionicle.

Its a very quiet Sunday afternoon here...no sound coming from anywhere...except from two chairs where a gentle sound of snoring can be heard!! They are no doubt exhausted after the Scrabble battle! Dad won, Teen One came second, I came third and very very unusually Grandma lost.

"Strawberry Fields Forever!"

 

 

Today didn't start with strawberry fields, but in our garden veggie patch. It's probably the smallest veggie patch ever...and this morning I realised it was only going to accommodate one of the five Funky Veg I have been growing from seeds.

Teen Two came out to help me ( with the promise of being paid!) with the sieving. We haven't used this patch of ground since we moved here over 20 years ago, so it needed some serious nourishment!

 

After what seemed like an age of digging, sieving, added compost etc, it was time to plant out the yellow courgettes. I just hope after all this effort they grow.  I have decided, at this early stage of the process, that I suspect veggie growing is not for me. I kept thinking how much easier it is just to pick them up at the shops! "But think of the fun" said Teen One, when I shared my shocking thoughts. But who has been the one who has been doing all this hard work.....Mum of course. So it hasn't really been fun to be honest. Now, if I had a family member (any of them will do) I would enthuse all day long about the virtues of home grown produce and I would really really love just being able to wander out into the garden and pick something fresh to add to that days dinner. But as for being the one who does the actual growing of it all....nah...don't think its for me!

 

 

 

By the time the planting was done, it was late morning and I had wanted to go out before lunch, so thought I would rustle something up to take with us, so as to avoid hungry tummies en route.

A regular feature on our days out at the moment are cheesy tortillas, pan fried, then  sliced and  wrapped in foil.

 

 

If kept in an insulated lunch box, they stay warm for quite a while, but are just as delicious cold. If you eat them straight out of the pan they are of course crispy too. Today I added some fresh baby spinach leaves, other times I have added grated carrot, and of course marmite is perfect combination too.  If we are setting off very early in the morning for a long trip and our tummies  are not quite ready for breakfast, they can be made very quickly and eaten in the car a little later on.

I saw online last night, that the Strawberry Pick Your Own season has started. Its been a while since we did that with the Teens, so thought we would make the most of having a relatively free day. I couldn't help thinking how wonderful it would be to have a strawberry patch in the garden....then I remembered all the time that goes into home produce and thought perhaps I will just be content with PYO!

 

 

 

Those sumptuous plump berries certainly did look a treat, and so stunning with the green, reminding me of my previous post

I made sure the Teens picked a basket each as I had a little treat in store for later on today.

 

 

I have seen a lot recently about "Jam Jar Puds" and thought today would be a good day to try one out. I have been saving jam jars for a while, they are so useful for so many things. The ones I have favoured are from Lidl's. The label comes off SO EASILY!Just soak them over night and it comes off perfectly clean, not scrubbing and picking at stubborn areas. Not only that, the lids are pretty, and the jam is good too!

Teen One set about crushing some meringues whilst I whipped up cream..... with what we brought home from the strawberry fields...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I don't think you will need three guesses to come up with what we were planning to fill the jars with...

 

 

 

Eton Mess!

 

 

 

Aren't these lids just perfect!

 

 

 

Sadly Teen Two doesn't like strawberries ( can you imagine!!) so he has Mess without the Eton! We added some toffee sauce to make it a bit special for him.

Dinner tonight is going to be a BBQ on the beach ( weather permitting) so our Jam Jar Puds will be perfect!

 

 

 

 

Barbecues are all well and good, but I do like something fresh with mine, so made up a coleslaw using carrot, sweetheart cabbage, apple, dried apricots, garlic mayo and a dash of cream to make it more palatable for hubby. If I had any Greek Yogurt in the fridge I would have used that instead...honest!

 

 

 

Whilst Teen One and I played in the kitchen, Teen Two spent some time putting his new Lego kit together. It won't stay like this for long, he likes to mix the kits up and make his own creations. If any of you saw the TV programme "The Secret World Of Lego" last weekend, you will be familiar with the term "AFOL." (Adult Fan Of Lego)  I am sure Teen Two is going to join that ever growing club!

 

 

 

Once down on the beach it became obvious lighting the BBQ was going to take more than striking a match! The wind was very strong, and despite digging a hole to put the tray in for some shelter, and using the picnic blanket as a wind shield....the flame was not going to stay alight long enough for the charcoals to catch light. I have always thought, if I was to be marooned on a desert island, I would want to have hubby with me. So resourceful in so many ways! Today confirmed my beliefs in him. Whilst many might have said..." well we will have to pack up and go home" hubby charged Teen Two to go and look for pieces of drift wood. He set up little piles of matches in between the charcoal, used littered paper found nearby, and together with the driftwood Teen Two successfully found, within five minutes the BBQ was well alight! Teen Two really loved the challenge and felt it was like being on a survival programme! I knew how he felt...although felt we were cheating a tad by pulling out a pack of burgers from the back pack....not to mention the Eton Mess!

 

 

 

Talking of which...they were delicious and Jam Jar Puds are definitely going to appear in our picnics in the future.

 

 

Of course no BBQ is complete without marshmallows!

 

 

Whilst the wind might have put our BBQ in jeopardy, it most certainly made our next activity a more fun one....kite flying. We have been kite flying for several decades, with various nieces and nephews. Many of them were hand made  (usually last minute) ones and whilst the making of them was fun, we never seemed to have the right sort of wind for flying them! Today however was the best we have had. Whether it was the excellent quality kites, or the perfect wind, who knows, but it made for two very happy Teens and one very happy dad!

 

 

 

 

These kites were actually a gift from family in Australia a few years ago, they certainly are easy to use and gave two teens a lot of fun!

 

 

The wind provided a bit more entertainment for us today as well...Teen One managed to make some "music" by letting the wind blow over the top of her bottle. It was good to see two teens laughing over something so simple.

 

 

 

 

Whilst they were amusing themselves with the kites, I did a bit of beachcombing. I was trying to find some unusual pebbles or shells for a summer display we are trying to build at home. Since returning from the States in 1996 I have always decorated the fireplace with autumnal things. Then more recently Easter/spring collections have become a feature. Christmas of course is the time when lots of decorating goes on in the house, but Teen One thought perhaps we ought to have a summer collection too.

I didn't manage to find anything too out of the ordinary, but at least the collection has begun.

 

 

 

Although I was delighted to find this little pebble...complete with heart!

 

 

Our walk back to the car is passed a row of beach huts...I always think there is something so appealing about their design and the painted wood.

 

 

Well that was our Saturday, its time for a relax on the sofa and a spot of crocheting I reckon!