Welcome Baby Annabella

We have a brand new granddaughter...actually we have a beautiful new granddaughter. Born in a bit of a medical rush by c section on Wednesday evening after a long induced labour.

Not sure when we're getting to meet her in person just yet as it's a long old trip and Mummy has been through the mill a bit. Even baby has a cannula in her little self for antibiotics. We can wait...the important thing is she's here and doing well.

Breathe grandma breathe!!

I have dropped the shift at my workplace on a Monday which began at 7am. This will enable us to spend weekends up country if we wish and not have to rush back due to an early start. Also youngest daughter has Mondays off so with us both working shifts it was very difficult to see each other properly...and we have a wedding to plan! I've said I've not ruled out working the Monday ever if it and I am available but I now won't have the pressure to do so. They also know I am going to be starting work at our local main hospital on bank so across the two jobs I hope to keep enough funds coming in without working when I should be having some family life. Last year was just too much, my health suffered greatly and it's just not worth it. My new way of dealing with the constant requests to fill in shifts is to ignore them. Once I enter into a dialogue I feel more emotionally responsible to help. Not my problem. Even if three different people contact me about the same shift in one day. Seriously too much. Also my work at the care home sees me in and out to the various barn conversions, so I'm hot, cold, wet, cold, wet and miserable, steaming, freezing...then ill. Hospital...dry...warm...constant...

As I said earlier breathe grandma breathe...

Now blogger is being very unkind to me...it still won't let me comment with my name even though I'm signed in. It also I realise has been withholding some comments you lovely people have left me...in  a really random way, and as I don't moderate comments I don't realise very quickly. Sorry folks...hoping I have caught up with publishing your kind words now.

Today I am painting our main woodburner. One coat is on. Next I'll clean the glass which I have removed and after applying a second coat I need to put in the new rope sets. One for the door and one for the glass. Then later we'll have to have a door open for a while once it's lit to let the fumes escape...think Arthur had better relocate to the kitchen for a while!

The above must have been circulating on social media and one of the family thought it reminded them of someone...hubby!!

Blessings, J. x

Finding Beauty

Yesterday was a beautifully sunny day, with just a few very sharp cold showers thrown in the mix, especially in the evening. I decided to head for the woodland in the morning so wellies on...warm coat on...and off... 

I took my first wellie clad paddle of the year and it felt amazing. Of course I came home with an armful of twigs for fire lightings...old habits die very hard!

A dental appointment later for a filling may stop me in my tracks today as it is rather chilly out and I really don't like a cold face after dental work, but I'm hoping to call into see a friend as it is her birthday just as soon as I'm able to talk without dribbling!

Back soon, blessings, J. x

Dreary Days

Well as the weathermen predicted a ton of snow for us we actually had very little. Just a shower at around 1am Wednesday morning which by first light had been dissolved by torrential  freezing rain. Areas nearby had a few inches of wet snow which is not conducive to making snowmen, well maybe it is, but I love it when it snows then the sun comes out. We had dull, with very biting winds. Strangely yesterday it rose to 11 degrees and today it is down to 3 with a below freezing wind chill. The fire is lit and in here all is toasty and warm. 

Having dropped both boys at preschool this morning I have been rattling through my list of chores and accounting items that need doing. Just stopped for a quick cup of tea and a breather. Both cats have the fidgets, in out, in out. No cat flap so it's a constant up and down game.

Yesterday I made my first ever batch of tomato soup. It is lovely, though I didn't follow a recipe and added after advice from a colleague some sherry vinegar and sugar. Well she said balsamic but I didn't have any. I think next time I'll not bother with either as I tasted it before adding and it was rather lovely without. Hubby gladly ate a generous bowl-full. Well he who grows so many tomatoes must be prepared to eat some try outs!

Finally yesterday our extension was signed off by the council. The boiler was the last thing waiting for the plumber to come and check it over. We're done...PHEW! I have this morning sorted out the insurance which will now rise but not by too much. Better safe than sorry.

On Sunday I'm happy to report my baking mojo returned for the first time since the illness saga. Quiche, coffee and walnut cake, cinnamon and walnut (should have been pecan) buns, crusty bread, and a roast pork feast for the family. Grandma roasts have been few and far between this year, but I was glad to do one. I am anticipating a similar set up this coming weekend. It is work for me tomorrow, but not a late shift thankfully.

Actually since typing that the fire was lit it appears to be struggling somewhat. As my Mother would have said...and often did...I wish it would buck up!!

Sundays' buns...yesterday I used the other half of the dough which I stored in the fridge and made some Chelsea Buns...some of which travelled to the people next door!

Right..enough of this...back to work...

Blessings, J. x

Feeling Thankful

It is a little past three thirty in the afternoon. I have just returned from walking to the local post box and taking a stroll down the lane and into the woodland. It is definitely the weather to wear a hat, scarf and gloves which indeed I did. 

The stream is running gently. Some snowdrops remain, but most are looking past their best. I spied a few  primroses, their flowers emerging amidst cloaks of leaves. They may well need those leaves for protection in the coming days and nights. It is reading just 3 degrees in our side passage. The brambles are valiantly holding on to last years ragged leaves, and probably will do so until their new ones open up. 

I heard a pigeon calling it's beautiful call and it's mate answering. Blue tits were busy near the top of the lane.

In the woods I picked up some twigs for the fire. Mainly ash, but a few of dried ivy also. They will be used tomorrow as lightings. A few of our native daffodils have made an appearance. Giving a welcome flash of colour to the otherwise mainly brown woodland-scape. Last years leaves are beautifully dry and crunched beneath my feet as I walked.

It was good to spend a little time out in the fresh. actually very fresh air, after being office based for most of the day. I am fortunate to have yesterday made a large pie and there is plenty for us to eat this evening.

Despite the sun not showing its face at all today laundry has partially dried on the line. 

It was too cold to snap any photos out on my walk. Well I didn't fancy taking off my lovely warm gloves, so I'll just leave you with these...and then sit down with a welcome cup of tea in our beautifully warm living room next to the glowing fire.

Just random shots of our side passage/utility area.

Blessings, J. x

March

The month of March heralds the start of Spring, 

When daffodils appear in the waving grass, and the birds begin to sing.

The morning sun lifts a curtain, on Winters' icy grip.

The days begin to lengthen and our hearts begin to skip.

Our hedges and trees are changing, all bursting into leaf.

Preparing for the warmer months, when time is always brief.

And the air is fresh and new, all filled with the sweet perfume,

From the flowers that in Springtime, choose to open up and bloom.

This is the rebirth of the land, just as it always has been so.

And may nature forever continue in Spring,

To start the living things to grow.

The above is a poem that I wrote many many years ago. It was a particular favourite of my Mothers', and as she passed away in the month of March, we chose to read it at her funeral.

This month will mark twenty years since her passing. I am trying to find things to celebrate her memory rather than get maudlin. I have a book about Hannah Hauxwell and have started to re-read it. On Monday evening when he who does was out playing skittles I watched one of the television programmes about her on YouTube. I can remember being a young girl and watching it originally with my mother. I enjoyed the programme very much, and am enjoying revisiting the book, however this time of reading and watching I find myself asking questions such as how did she cook before electricity arrived at the farm. All I have seen in the programme is a coal grate and I certainly wouldn't have thought she would have cooked on one of those. She apparently had no electricity until earning funds from the first programme but I wonder if she had some form of gas. Does anybody know? Surely she must have eaten some hot meals and had some hot drinks. Low Birk Hatt Farm appeared to have two chimneys but we only really see her in the one room, which was apparently the kitchen. Answers on a postcard please!

It must be really cold outside, I have just risen  from my chair in which I am sitting encased in blankets and with a hot water bottle pressed to my back in order to re-light the woodburner. The logs seem to be burning a smouldering black and then slowly extinguishing. I have used a precious firefighter which was part of a Christmas hamper gift. I don't always resort to purchased firelighters but felt the need to just now, anyway I spied not one but two cats peering in through the kitchen window begging to be let in. Kitty is now residing on the sofa opposite me and Wilbur is making his way upstairs. He particularly likes the blanket I keep on our bed. Oh to be a cat!

Yesterday was my late shift. I never seem to recover from them now like I used to. Having said that after my early shift on Monday, I had barely made myself a cup of tea and lit the fire when I decided that it was really necessary to spend some time horizontal on the sofa...it really was...I was truly exhausted and some. Maybe it's a post Covid thing. I came downstairs at 2am this morning feeling very thirsty and hungry. Not an ideal feeling in the night, and certainly not conducive to sleep. Hence todays rather dazed demeanour. I'm working on the theory of what gets done gets done and what doesn't doesn't. No pressure. The work I do can easily see me walking 7 miles per shift. I am hoping that being on a ward at the hospital will mean not quite so many steps, though I intend to keep my regular shifts where I am and just pick up the odd one for a bit extra at the hospital. Hopefully the best of both worlds.

I treated myself to some fresh flowers a while ago and only just thought to take some pictures. The tulips are passed their best but the spray carnations are still lovely.

Until next time, blessings, J. x