Fast Is April Passing

Well dear reader, I know we still have some days left in the month of April, but I'm not really sure how we have made it to this date already.

Most of our daffodils have passed, and even the tulips are beginning to hang their petaled heads.

We have just had a lovely weekend almost full of sunshine, though with a wind which definitely had chips of ice in her fingers.

We are still glad to light the woodturner in the evenings. It's such a welcome comfort. After a busy day of work it's bliss to raise ones feet and wiggle toes in front of the warm glow.

Today I have tasked myself with making chicken stock from a couple of fowl cooked at the weekend for curry when we had several visitors.

A quiche is in the Aga...after work yesterday evening I spied the parsley looking rather lovely and full of vitamins. Needless to say hubby was pleased with my decision to make some pastry in readiness for today.

Eldest daughter is still travelling, with two weeks to her due date she is finding doing much rather awkward, however earlier I heard her mention window cleaning!

Today the weather appears to be very much a mixed bag...earlier it was glorious, then just as my first load of bedding finished washing it began to drizzle. I do still allow myself to use the tumble dryer for bedding so popped it in. The drizzle passed until just now when I hung out some boiler suits. I'm afraid they will just have to take their chance on the line.

Having purchased a dress for our sons forthcoming wedding I have been trying to lose a few pounds in order to feel more comfortable and able to eat at the event! You know the thing...the dress will do up...just...despite eating salads most days my weight has stayed resolutely the same. I do feel as though I may be carrying some excess water. My rings are giving me the clue, and my pelvis has been painful. Good old inflammation and hyper mobility.

Later I really need a bookwork session. Don't want to be getting too far behind with it. The old saying it's easier to keep up than catch up is very true.

One rather insignificant and totally unedited photo of some rose hips I pruned at the weekend, and a few narcissus rescued from one of our front of cottage tubs.

Until next time,

Blessings, J. x

B G...Before Gravy

Happy Easter everyone...Hope you are all in fine fettle! First lighter evening later so that in itself is something to celebrate. Rather hectic here at Little Winter...so just a quick glimpse of our Easter table...before the hoards arrive and generally make a mess of the white cloth!

Blessings, J. x

A Little of Lots

Yesterday afternoon I had a feeling something was amiss...my mouth didn't feel quite right...and this morning I have woken with an amazingly sore sore throat. It is what I term a lumpy sore throat, as opposed to a scratchy or sharp one...so I have some hope it will diminish once I've consumed some soothing liquid. Well I can hope anyway. My first cup of tea hasn't made any difference, but I let it get too cold I fear. The next stop will be coffee, and if that doesn't work an Oxo cube just might.

I had earmarked today as grocery shopping day, my working week being slightly different this week to last.

The morning dawned beautifully, and was full of sunshine, but now it is once more grey and raining. Thick mizzley rain.

...

Having returned from shopping at the moment the sun has made a welcome reappearance. I've popped the carcasses from three fat sparrows in with a concoction of other things to simmer for stock. Also on the go is some dough for hot cross buns, though I'm not inclined to make the crosses on them today. Hopefully my mixture will make more for our money than buying them would have.

...

Unglazed, with one tiddler, and one that caught on the Aga side making it misshapen, oh and minus one that landed...

                                                                               Right here!

It was delicious, and will have probably given me indigestion as it was not long out of the oven!

Blessings, J. x

Ready for Spring

So this morning I have finally taken down our Winter fireplace decoration.

Just breathing in some of the beauty!

 Yes, this will do nicely for Spring...

Currently pouring down with rain here and I willingly booked myself into an afternoon/evening shift at the care home. Thank goodness for my waterproof coat. Especially as hubby now tells me that all three Six Nations matches are today. Ah well...

Blessings, J. x

Choosing the Cheaper Option

Well good folks, I have recently returned from a local grocery store, now much lighter of pocket and ready to menu plan for the week ahead.

Whilst perusing the shelves and counters I spied some lovely joints of lamb, which would make us an ideal Sunday lunch, my hand even reached out to pick up one of these delights, after all Spring is in the air and so thoughts can often turn to considering lamb as an option. But I stopped myself, and pushing my trolley a little farther down the aisle happened upon some chicken, well they are calling them chicken, however I would label them plump sparrows. 

So I have duly returned to the nest with a plump sparrow, intended for Sunday lunch with all the trimmings including bread sauce. We shall need all the trimmings as there will not be a lot to go around, it's almost certain that the family next door will have their knees under  Grandmas table! I also happened upon some reduced packets of chicken wings. I shall cook some tonight and need to look up some sticky sauce recipes. 

Also jumping into the trolley were some reduced in price mushrooms...either fried or done as garlic mushrooms these will accompany the wings, along with mini corn on the cob.

I have recently been lucky in gaining some clinical work closer to home than the big hospital. It is a lot of learning at an age where my brain doesn't retain new information as readily as it used to, however the team are wonderful, and the hours allow me to have a life as well as work which is a real godsend. Long may these shifts continue!

The Spring Equinox is nearly upon us once more. I have allowed myself to order a new artificial flower garland for our main mantle beam, and a Spring-like wreath for the door. The older parts of our cottage are reasonably dark and so brightening up some of the space with pretty things really helps.

Really looking forward to this arriving!

And this has just been delivered, literally and is still in it's box!

So I shall admire the beauty whilst eating my cheaper chicken...and maybe some lamb will make it to our table for Easter. I don't mind paying for quality food, and would rather have less and it be better quality, however today I couldn't justify the price asked for just one meal of meat.

We have come once more to the time of year I find especially difficult, that being the anniversary of the passing of my Mother. It may be 21 years ago, but in some ways it gets harder not easier. So many things I want to tell her. What our children and now grandchildren are doing. After me being rather poorly in January our youngest then suffered another loss and it is taking me some time to come to terms with everything. It wasn't quite as dramatic as the last time, however I am her Mother and as such worry a lot about these things. All the if's buts and maybes, along with wondering how things will transpire in the future. I guess it's all part of life, just not my favourite part.

Blessings, J. x

After A Rough Night

Good afternoon dear reader, and what a day it has been. Many times I awoke in the night to hear the wind and showers beating ferociously against the cottage. I should have just given up on sleep and gone downstairs to seek solace in a cup of tea, instead I duly tossed and turned. Just when it was time to load the boys into the car in order to get them to school this morning the heavens opened and pelted me with cold stinging hailstones. The temperature has ranged from 3 - 5 degrees, with a wind chill bringing it down to around 2. 

Happily I have spent much of the day nestled close to the fire inside our home. It has made the atrocious weather almost bearable, that and making a Victoria Sandwich, which has yet to be sandwiched together with homemade jam.

Hubby came home at lunchtime for a warm up...can't say I blame him, in fact he should soon be returning for his evening meal so I suppose I should really be starting its preparation.

Glad to say that I took the opportunity earlier in the week on a dry morning to head out for a quick woodland walk. There were a few signs of spring, but it is being rather shy in these parts just yet.

Well, with food to attend to I must bid you adieu.

Blessings, J. x

Living Slower

Since being so poorly not long into the New Year I have been making a conscious effort to keep out of the fast lane so to speak. Nobody is going to come and steal the housework if it doesn't all get done. I've found myself sitting by the fire and resting more than normal. Lists have been made, but each item on the list needs to earn its place there and not just fill a space and time. Work shifts have been declined. (Politely) I'm always professing to everyone else they must take care of themselves, particularly after a period of illness...but have rarely heeded those words myself...To my utter detriment.

So on this rainy Saturday I've pottered, then sat and rested a while. I have made a quiche for hubby to take with him this evening to a local skittle evening his team have entered. There was a request for contributions for a bring and share supper. He asked for a quiche. And please could I cut it into small slices...whether he's thinking there will be a little left over I have no idea! I have pastry left so intend to make another tomorrow anyway.

The cake tins were empty so this afternoon I put together a coffee and walnut cake. And that has just about been it.

By the way...I shamelessly licked the bowl out!

I'm keeping our tea simple and we are having garlic mushrooms (we had leftover beef stew for lunch). 

Tomorrow we will be celebrating youngest grandsons birthday...thinking a rocket cake will be part of the goings on.

Blessings, J. x

Love In The Air

Good day to you all, After the fun of Shrove Tuesday and the inevitable pancake eating yesterday I hope you are treated well today, and feel loved. I am going to try to post a video, though never before having had success, if it doesn't work I'll just direct you to somewhere you may listen to a very talented singer whom we recently came across. Actually we came across his proud father but that's another story!

May I present to you...Leighton John...you can find him on Spotify

Well hopefully the video will play, however I'm not sure if the video is showing to it's best. I took it with the camera on its side, and then rotated the subject after. Shame if it doesn't turn out quite as expected, however if it shows up at all I'll consider it a minor achievement as I've never successfully uploaded any video previously.

Until next time,

Blessings, J. x

The Day The Music Died

Rest in piece Steve Wright. 

1954-2024

Such a large part of my life these past years listening to the radio. Shocked as many of you will be.

Blessings, J. x

Nothing Much

Dear Reader,

I do hope this finds you in both fine and hearty spirits. Many people close to us have been suffering with various ailments, from the sniffles to Covid...yes the beast remains at large, though thankfully now a much more relaxed attitude to it is the norm. However, old habits die hard and so as it's made its way to the care home I work in I find myself donning a mask if I need to see anyone I know to be vulnerable. My cold has largely run it's course and I really really hope not to pick up anything else I could so do without.

I am intending to have a be kind to myself sort of day. Making no promises of what I should like to achieve.  I have however removed quite a layer of dust from various surfaces in both the living room and dining hall. Our Holly & Ivy china has remained up on the dresser since the Midwinter Festivities and with a glimmer of sunshine outside I thought it the ideal time to have a change about to something a little more Springlike.  So far the space has been cleared and cleaned. I'm afraid the lure of a fresh cup of tea rather took my fancy and so I sit here now by the lit woodturner with an empty cup and only a crust remaining from the last of the potato pasty I made for our tea yesterday. Eaten with some homemade harvest chutney it made for a most welcome late Winter early lunch.

February is to be a month of living out of our freezers as much as possible. Therefore no Sunday roast transpired here at Little Winter yesterday, instead  a rather hearty cottage pie served us and the family next door well, with the added bonus of having enough left over for this evenings meal.

Also fresh from the Aga yesterday was a bacon, onion and cheese quiche (of which half remains for tomorrows lunches), a dozen raspberry jam tarts, some nutty flapjack, a lemon meringue pie and last but not least a potato cake.

The potato cake has all been eaten, it is delicious warm or cold with lashings of golden syrup.

I'm not sure if potato cake is a thing where you live, however I am aware that here in Devon the recipe can and does vary from village to village. 

My Mother used cold suet for the fat portion, I have changed that to melted butter. My husbands grandmother used to fry hers, whereas ours always go in the oven.

Potato Cake

Quantity of cold cooked potato

1/2 the weight of the potato in flour (SR or plain)

1/4 the weight of the potato in fat of your choice

A few sultanas

Method

Mash the cold potato and add in the flour and fat. Sprinkle in a few sultanas. Pack into a baking dish. I like to rough up the surface with a fork a little.

Bake in a moderate oven...using an Aga timings can vary so I just have to judge when it it cooked. It should be a light golden brown, roughly 25-30 minutes.

Delicious served warm with lashings of golden syrup.

I have spent some time looking back through my old photos for a picture of some potato cake, but have not had any luck as yet, I guess this means I will have to make some more and be sure to take a snap before it all gets eaten!

Instead I give you a picture of Hairy Harry...recently down from Scotland...the cats are unsure whether to love or hate him! 

So back to doing nothing much by the fire...it is still Winter after all and so very much allowed!

Blessings, J. x

A Winter Warmer

Or so the story said...the reality of an end of January trip to Scotland was rather more blustery and wet, however me and the hubby spent a lovely few days up in the Highlands of Scotland after heading up the long road by coach. It took us fifteen hours with many stops to reach our hotel which in the dead of Winter is quite a long time as getting on in the morning in the dark is a lot easier than watching the sun go down and realising you still have many more hours of road ahead of you. 

We stayed at the Lock Awe Hotel and the first morning awoke to frost which made for a lovely scene.

We travelled to Oban and spent some time there. 

The following day was our trip across Rannoch Moor and onto Glencoe. It was wet and violently windy so no trip up Ben Nevis. We headed on to Glen Nevis and walked a short way to see the falls. before heading into Fort William for some shopping.

The next day we were off to Inverary where we visited the jail which I found rather creepy and was glad to be back outside. After lunch we cruised along a very bleak Loch Lomond. Traveling in the boat the windows unfortunately were very steamed up and despite us trying to wipe them with what we had to hand visibility was at best poor.

Having said that we knew that travelling to Scotland in the Winter was going to be pot luck with the weather, our hotel was lovely and the staff all happy and friendly. We have returned to Devon with wider waistlines and stretched tummies! Maybe next time we'll look to book an Autumn adventure.

So now it's back to reality. Housework does not do itself, nor does anything else so despite having an annoying cold about my person I must get on with something.

Blessings, J. x

Being Positive

It would be easy right now to disappear into a fit of woe me...however I am grateful for the improvements the last week has given me. I can now cut up my own food, and don't need to use a china cup as I can manage to hold a mug. I do sometimes like to use a china cup, but when it became a need it wasn't such fun.

Yesterday I worked a light shift at the care home...was absolutely knackered by the end of it, but it was good to get out for a bit. Also managed to check in on the Auntie I've been helping on Monday morning. No long hospital shifts yet, but soon hopefully. 

So I've lit the woodturner...I can do that again now, which was a no no a couple of weeks ago. The rash has gone, it's just the joint stiffness that's causing a few issues now. It will pass. Just in its own good time.

Have found a couple of pork chops in the freezer so they will be for our tea, a few roast potatoes and some veg I have in the freezer. A part jar of homemade apple sauce is sitting in the fridge needing to be used, and lashings of gravy on the top should see two satisfied tummies. Sorry hubby, but as yet there will be no afters, even if you do look at me hopefully when you ask the question!

Hoping to Wassail our apple trees later with son in law. Not sure if the little ones will join in. I couldn't have even entertained it on twelfth night so it's rather convenient that there's old twelfth night too!

Currently drinking glassfuls of pineapple juice which I don't normally have. Just read that it's good as an anti-inflammatory so maybe it's a case of the body craving what it needs.

The cats are playing games of please may I...come in...go out...crazy cats!

This time of year I usually make plans...well that hasn't happened at all up to now.

We do have a trip away planned soon, but I'll tell you all about that when it's actually happened.

Have been spending some money from the fireside...darn that internet shopping...some wool underwear...and washing liquid to look after said underwear...My skin has become more sensitive to acrylic fabrics so I'm trying some natural alternatives.

Also have purchased a new hair brush...a wooden one. My plastic ones have developed a horrible tackiness which is truly yuck.

Have even purchased a Fussy deodorant which is more natural and refillable. Really pleased with it so far. May even go as far as trying to convert hubby to one from his spray.

Finally a totally random photo of the crackers I made for Christmas...they were rather large!

Blessings, J. x

Tentatively Getting Back in the Saddle of Life

So this afternoon I sit at our kitchen table...listening to some relaxing Don Williams on Spotify, and a small jigsaw just completed. A leg of lamb is sizzling in the Aga...mint sauce has been prepared. Stuffing and root vegetables are roasting. And what is really amazing about this...I have done the lions share of the preparing. Only a few days ago this would have been unthinkable. Our bodies really are wonderful. I still feel stiff in my joints, and am likely to on and off for the next few weeks, still such an improvement. The only sign of the awful rash is some mottling in certain areas. Hallelujah indeed!

The images are from our visit to RHS Rosemoor's Glow event just after Christmas...it was the best I'd seen it.

And so here's to onwards and upwards.

Blessings, J. x

A Journey Of Sorts

Just a quick pop in...apologies for my absence and lack of response to your comments on my last post. I've been in my pit of sickness well and truly.

New Years Eve we spent the evening with good friends. I noticed my neck itching slightly however was wearing a fluffy jumper. New Years Day scratching continued...was it a flea, or bed bugs...

Tuesday morning I was worse...the rash was in my groin, under chest, arm areas and back of head. As I'd recently taken antibiotics I was encouraged to see a nurse, and then a doctor, who decided I had a drug induced yeast infection. Lots of creams, shampoo, and on Wednesday the first of a weeks worth of tablets. The rash which was very itchy had meanwhile spread and I was beginning to feel pretty awful. Within a couple of hours of having taken the tablet my lower lip had swollen. A bit of reading and we were on our way to A & E. Preventative medication given, and a stay to make sure all would be well. We arrived home in the early hours of Thursday morning. Me feeling by now dreadful. Oh and by now they had decided it was not a yeast infection.

Thursday still feeling awful, my eyes and top lip swelled in a most delightful fashion. Aches and shivers stayed with me all the while. Through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the rash did it's best to drive me to distraction, fading to purple bruise like formations, then the next wave of angry red would appear.

Nights were fitful to say the least. On Monday youngest came over and it felt heaven like to have my hair brushed and put up out of the way of my itchy neck. I began to feel slightly better. I even sat up. We had decided I must show some pictures of my rash in its various stages to the doctor. They phoned and said not an antibiotic allergy, but a virus gone wild due to a compromised immune system, which could in part have been due to the antibiotics. However I am also pointing a finger at the varnish stripping gel I had used before Christmas. Anyway...spoke to the doctor at lunchtime, and then to aid my itchy skin I had an oatmeal bath which worked wonders, however my joints started to hurt. I couldn't use my fingers, elbows, wrists or shoulders. Since then it has worked through my knees feet, lower back and even jaw.

For want of better words it has been a blooming nightmare.

Slowly but slowly things seem to be improving. Still haven't come to terms the new year has begun, I fear January may well pass me by in less than favourable terms. 

Hope to look in on your blogs soon, but for now I hope you all have had a better start to 2024 than I have!

Blessings, J. x