Clearing Those Corners!

 

 

Today I technically had "nothing to do."

By that of course, I mean my calendar was empty of appointments, Recycled Teenagers, and the like.

So, what to do with the day I thought?

Clearing out some corners was my intention, getting to some jobs I always put off, you know what I mean don't you? And when you have the time...you don't have the inclination to do it!

However...as it turned out I didn't have as much time as I expected.

My neighbour's son called round before 9am to ask if I wanted one of his parents flat screen TV's as a spare....well I couldn't say no could I!

So out went the old portable one up in the attic bedroom, and it has now been replaced with a flat screen one instead!

You can't say we don't treat our guests to a life of luxury can you...we even have a proper aerial up there now!!

 

 

 

 

By the time I had listened to  my neighbour's son...and told him he had no reason to feel remorseful for not always being as patient as a saint with his dad in his last days, an hour had gone!

So it was back to the clearing up...I managed to clear two huge piles of paperwork when the phone rang....it was Grandma....I can't remember what she actually wanted, but knowing she had expressed an interest in going to The Range when I had some time...I suggested today would be a good day.

So, with an hour to hang washing, decide what to cook for dinner etc, it was off to The Range to escape those corners again!

Grandma was delighted to buy some plug in mice and rat repellants, they emit a frequency only those little critters can hear...according to her it works.

Her last one was years old and had cost £28...today in The Range they were three for £14.99 so she as delighted.

With Grandma all sorted, it was time to come home and....sort those corners???? No....time for some Bargain Hunt and a lunch break I reckoned...it had been a hard morning after all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At this point I need to say, for some reason I woke up with the lark this morning, around 4.50am and could not get back to sleep, so around 5.30am I got up and made a cuppa and brought one back to bed for Hubby.

So, after that strenuous morning (not!) and heavy lunch (not!) I have to confess to needing a bit of shut eye.

I didn't see the end of Bargain Hunt and woke up around 1.15pm rather confused  as to why the newsreader was at the auctions...except of course she wasn't at the auctions but behind her newsdesk!

I really shouldn't take afternoon naps should I!

So...feeling a tad guilty for sleeping in the day time I rushed next door to get away from clearing the corners  do some dusting etc as I have to take Teen Two to the hospital tomorrow instead.

 

 

 

 

Once home I thought about clearing the corners decided the cupboard under the stairs really needed a re jiggle.
I do it regularly and regularly it gets in a mess.

So today I pulled it all out, emptied all the boxes and thought very carefully about what actually went back in,

Before I could fill the space however, Milly decided she rather liked the new area!

(sorry flash was off!)

 

 

For you to appreciate how bad things were, I really should have taken a before photo, but trust me when I say you couldn't see a thing underneath and every time the cupboard was opened stuff fell out from the top shelves!

Not only has it been completely organised, there is space on the shelf should anyone need to put anything in there ( just see if anyone DARES!!) but the vacuum is back in the cupboard!

For the past 18 years it has been in the hallway!

When Teen One saw the transformation she said "so how long do you think it will last this time mum?"

How well she knows this household!

And I have to say....she is not the culprit, she is the tidiest of us all, always putting things away straight after using them, shoes up in her room as soon as she comes home etc!

I raised her well!! (So modest too!)

 

As for those corners...well by the time the cupboard was done and the dinner done...then there was the blog to write, blog to read and now the clear up from dinner etc...well...they will have to wait for another "nothing to do" day!

 

 

Wednesday May 25, 2016

Today's Proverb:
   A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 / KJV
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Who's Been Sitting In My Chair?

 

 

This morning I had no excuse to put off tackling the mountain of ironing.....

 

 

 

 

....which took my mind off the fact I had to go to the dentist for a filling mid morning.

Like most people I don't particularly enjoy these visits, but try to remind myself they do what they do to avoid us being in pain!

My current dentist does not have much of a "bedside" manner though...my old one always went to great lengths to put his patients at their ease, with small chit chat...this one says barely anything.

Its amazing what a little chit chat can do for your nerves!

Anyway, its all done ( with no injection!) and I hope I don't have to go again until the next check up!

 

 

 

 

My neighbour's son is round each day trying to empty the life times collections of his parents.

Needless to say most days he is knocking my door asking if this that or the other is any good to me.

Today I was offered this butter dish, which is a perfect match for some of my kitchen accessories...and I am in dire need of a new butter dish since the cat knocked off my lovely Henry Watson one a year or two ago.

Up until now I hadn't seen one I liked enough to buy so we have made do with a plastic tub...but this retro one is perfect and hopefully if it hits the ground wont smash to pieces!

 

 

 

The cat from next door but one has taken a liking to our garden sofa....

 

 

 

...much to our Milly's disgust!
She sat there with her tongue out, looking at her for quite some time!

Did make us laugh!

 

 

The recent rain had left its mark...rather a lot of them...on the new car...well I couldn't have that could I!

So I made the most of the day home, and lovely weather to give it the first clean.

Boy was it hard work!

The water marks took ages to rub away.

I was using an old tea towel when my neighbours son drove up and said " you aren't using a dry cloth are you...you will scratch the car!!"

Yikes!

He came back with a chamois which I duly wet and used, and just hope he caught me in time!

 

In the afternoon I called in to see an aunt who lives near Teen Two's school, so I was able to have a cuppa with her before collecting him.

Although we live quite near, we don't see much of each other.

My cousin was there as well, who I haven't seen for two or three years so it was good to catch up with them both.

 

 

 

Tuesday May 24, 2016

Today's Psalm:
   The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11 / KJV
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The Singing Van!

 

Today was the usual, cleaning, washing, shopping ,visiting my Monday Recycled Teenager etc.

It was lovely to have the sun out all day and meant most of the washing has dried on the line.

I popped in to town to get a birthday pressie for Teen One...would love to tell you but better not just yet!

Teen Two came home quite buoyant about his  English Literature exam and is glad to have CRE out of the way...he is hoping he doesn't have to go to any more lessons on that subject!

He says the class is too hectic and having met his teacher several times...how can I tactfully say she looks like she should have retired years ago and if she showed as much enthusiasm for her class as she did each time we met her...its not wonder the class seem to run amok!

As a treat for such a great start to the exams...when the ice cream van drew up next door...just in time for the junior school kicking out...I asked Teen Two if he wanted to go and treat himself to something!

He nearly fell off his seat when I asked as he knows I have NEVER let them buy from a van coming round the streets!
When they were little and we heard the music I used to say "Ooo listen...its a singing van!"  Then whenever they heard it they would say "listen mummy...the singing van!"

It took them years to realise why it was singing, by which time I was able to persuade them it was much better value to eat an icecream from the freezer, and thankfully they never made a fuss.

However as Teens they have appreciated the choice that is available from a van, so when we are on holiday I don't mind treating them to one...although I inwardly grown when they choose something like a Magnum...when I know I can buy a box for less than the price of one!

I couldn't stop myself from saying to Teen Two as he left the house just now to make his purchase

"don't buy anything we already have in the house will you?"

 

 

 

 

He came back with a "knickerbocker ice cream" which had all sorts of stuff in and then rolled in crushed Oreo's and a flake added.

He was delighted with his treat and of course it is good experience for interacting and gaining some independent skills. (Those positive thoughts helped me deal with the shock of hearing it cost £2.50!)

 

 

 

The rest of the afternoon has been spent continuing the insurance saga.

Having found plenty of quotes cheaper than Direct Line I have told them I don't want to renew ...and they didn't want to price match....so having decided I will go with Lloyds Bank again...their website is playing up so I cant get it all done and dusted today...I will be glad when all this is finished!

The new car is still rather a dream...its certainly a dream to drive...I wasn't sure I would like it as much ( shhh don't tell!) but needless to say I love it.

Our neighbour's son kindly said we can keep the Clio in his parents garage till the house is sold by which time I hope we have cleared ours sufficiently to get it (and the freezer!) in.

We could keep it on the road....but it seems a bit unneighbourly to have three cars taking up much needed space in the road and a garage with nothing but "stuff" in!

 

Monday May 23, 2016

Today's Verse:
   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17 / KJV
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"Left Over" Treats

 

 

This morning was church of course, first thing, followed by...

 

 

 

 

...roast beef of course...it is Sunday after all!

 

 

 

We had some left overs from yesterday's conference to use up...including cream and fresh berries.

So for dessert I decided to whip up a quick pavlova  (pardon the pun!)

 

 

 

 

If you have ever made pavlova  you will know you need to add a mixture of cornflour and vinegar to the beaten egg white to stabilise the mixture and give the inside its lovely soft and chewy texture.

Today I decided to add some of the balsamic vinegar we bought in the US over Easter.

I thought the raspberry flavour would be most suitable for the berries I was adding later.

It turned out fine and there was even a delicate hint of the raspberry in the meringue.

I was however left with a slight dilemma...having used three egg whites to make the meringue, in order to use left overs...I now had three egg yolks left over!

Yes I could have made some proper custard with them, or extra creamy scrambled egg/omelette...but I couldn't foresee us needing those in the immediate future...so I thought I would add them to the Yorkshire pudding mix, along with another egg...

 

 

 

 

I wasn't quite sure how they would turn out...but they were lovely and big...everyone hailed them a success.....so is it pavlova every Sunday I ask myself!

 

 

 

 

Today Grandad would have been 90.

After dinner Grandma wanted Hubby to take her to his grave to leave some flowers.

They had a long and happy marriage and I guess nothing can prepare you for losing your soul mate.

It has been eight years since she lost him and  I know she still hasn't got used to the hole it has left in her life.

Someone once told me, you never get used to the hole...you just learn to live around it.

 

 

 

This week is a big week for Teen Two...exams every day except Wednesday.

I hope he can keep inwardly calm.

He has been revising like mad and managed to get his Maths up to just a few points away from C...having been consistently at F or G throughout his senior school life....this year he has had a teacher who seems to have worked out how he learns best and has given him lots of one to one time in after school revision.

It may all go pear shaped in the exam of course...but at least we know he has the capability of achieving more in years to come.

 

 

 

 

Sunday May 22, 2016

Today's Psalm:
   Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 27:14 / KJV
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Smoked Salmon And Icing For Anyone?

 

 

This morning started rather early...taking Teen Two to the hallowed ground of our local football team for a 9am kick off!

He had the rare opportunity of playing a match with his disabled football team.

 

 

 

They started off with the brief...

 

 

 

 

...then the game began in earnest...

 

 

 

...Teen Two took a turn in goal...

 

 

 

 

...and even scored once or twice!

 

 

 

 

Once home I spent some time getting the insurance sorted for my Clio.

I am delighted to say that Lloyds have quoted me more or less the same price as my existing insurers....only this time, with zero NCB ( I am using that for the new car) and having Teen One on the insurance! I am quite astounded to be honest...so much so I didn't actually believe the online quote and phoned to make sure I hadn't made a mistake!

So thank you very much Compare the market!

Hoping to be able to get the free cinema tickets too...plus a cuddly toy for Teen Two...as if we need anymore!

 

 

For Teen One and I it was then straight to church to get the food sorted for the conference tea.

Teen One did a display of fruit flowers...which went down really well again, everyone complimented us on how lovely they looked and of course how delicious they were.

 

 

 

We made two vases worth this year, and they still all went!

 

 

 

We also did watermelon lollies ( not frozen though) and they were very popular.

 

 

 

The table soon started to fill up...

 

 

 

...and the new chalkboard signs worked well too....£3 in The Works for a pack of 10

 

We nearly had one minor mishap!

When decorating the carrot cake, I put the left over cream cheese frosting back in the Philidelphia tub...and labelled it "frosting"

But this morning, being in such a rush I didn't notice I had picked up the tub of frosting instead of the cream cheese...so when one of the helpers was putting together the cream cheese and smoked salmon blinis she was oblivious to the fact it wasn't cream cheese she was using!

It was only as I was passing I saw how shiny the cream cheese looked and wondered why...then I realised what I had done!!

Hubby was able to come to the rescue and bring the cheese with him...we had to throw the sweet ones unfortunately as it was just not a good combination , even having scraped off the frosting, the sweetness remained.

Oh well...good job I realised when I did!

 

 

 

 

Saturday May 21, 2016

Today's Promise:
   And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Galatians 6:9 / KJV
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What Would You Do With Three Wishes?

 

This morning started with finishing off the carrot cake for tomorrow....

 

 

...a trip to Morrisons to stock up on goodies, also for tomorrow.

Teen One is going to make a fruit bouquet, it went down very well last year so we thought we would do it again.

 

 

 

It wasn't quite like this, but it gives you an idea what we are aiming for!

Just google fruit flower images and you will see some very inspiring pictures!

 

 

My neighbour's son knocked the door, wondering if I would like this bedroom chair of his mums.

I thought it would be perfect in the attic.

I cant say I care for the upholstery but am sure a crocheted throw will liven it up!

It has actually "returned home" as it was made by the original owners of our house!

 

 

Our story at Friday Club was God giving Solomon the choice of a blessing.

As we all know, Solomon could have chosen wealth, fame, honour, etc, but he chose wisdom , so he could rule Gods people well.

For the craft activity, I downloaded these John 3:16 hearts on to card, then hole punched all the way round for the children to do some basic threading/sewing.

They all managed the threading very well indeed.

 

 

 

On the pink side, we were able to pick out the word WISE...and had I had longer to think about it, we could have rearranged the format of the verse so as to make the word WISE go from left to right instead.

John 3:16 is ideal for using in so many ways like this isn't it?

 

 

On the plain side I asked them what they would choose if they were given three wishes ( making it clear I wasn't able to grant those wishes...but was just interested to know what they would choose!)

 

 

 

 

 

Some of the girls wanted to be a princess, have kittens, puppies etc.

This lad was quite modest in his requests...to be good at drawing, to be able to swim, to have a huskey!

 

 

 

 

But this little girl, really stole my heart ( infact I have asked her mum on several occasions if she would consider letting me adopt her!)

Her choices were: love, agreement and sleep!

I'm with her on that!

 

 

 

 

 

Friday May 20, 2016

Today's Psalm:
   Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Psalm 25:4,5 / KJV
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We All Live In A Yellow Submarine!

 

Today at Mother and Toddlers, it was the turn of our 80something lady to do the craft activity.

Despite having very bad eyesight, she still cuts out much of her work...and today the tots were pretending to be undersea, in little yellow submarines ( and yes I couldn't resist singing the song and had it in my head for the rest of the day!)

She has such a great imagination and

as the tots sit with her, she talks about all the creatures and their uniqueness.

 

 

 

Once home it was time to do some work in the kitchen...first a carrot cake, ready for our church conference at the weekend...

 

 

 

...then something new for dinner tonight, sticky marmalade chicken.

We had it with cous cous, green beans and sweetcorn.

Everyone enjoyed it, as it was so quick and easy it will appear on the family menu again.

 

 

 

I then went next door to do some housework.

Although there is no one living there now of course, the son wants me to keep things up together, so instead of a thorough vacuum through each week, I give it a quick go over and then concentrate on jobs I wouldn't normally tackle.

So today was the turn of the inside windows and high ledges.

I opened the windows to let some air in whilst I was there, and as I opened the conservatory door I saw a forget me not had planted itself in a crack in the path.

So I carefully unearthed it and brought it home to plant...hoping it will eventually spread and be a long lasting memory of my dear Recycled Teenagers.

 

 

 

 

Today wasn't as warm as the last few days ( even with the rain yesterday we had some warm sunshine) but the warmest spot in the house today, was obviously here where Crystal is!