Psssst, want to know a secret ;o))

'Ello 'ello 'ello, what's all this 'ere then? Food, that's what. A quick rundown of my meals over the last few days. I don't count calories, or add up points, or weigh portions, luckily I like the healthy stuff. I do have a bit of naughty stuff, but I limit myself. Naughty food is for now and again, not every day. 

Regular food for me is porridge, bran flakes, fruit juices, veg, salad, fruit, pulses, nuts, pasta, rice, cous cous, noodles, some dairy, cheese and yogurt. 

I bought a pack of fresh tagliatelle for around �1, I split this into three meals. Garlic mushrooms with grated cheese, love this. 

Salad - grated carrot, iceberg lettuce, spinach, grated cheese, and chopped celery.

A tasty stew made with carrots, celeriac, runner beans, and a tin of tomatoes. Just eaten a bowl of this with a chunk of wholemeal bread, one large pan makes four portions. Mostly I eat it over two or three days, sometimes I freeze it in margarine tubs.

Lunch today was a happy salad. same as above, with boiled eggs.  

Twas a nice day to take a walk in the park, a bit chilly but ok if you are wrapped up. As I walk around our village I see a lot of people just out for a walk. Some of them walk the mile to the park, then around it, and back again. I drive there, because Rocky can't walk that far. He loves it snuffling away in the grass, then his head comes up and he has a dead leaf stuck to his whiskers, it makes me laugh. Sometimes he spots a squirrel and makes a half hearted attempt to catch it, then stands at the bottom of a tree looking up, watching the squirrel make his escape. 

The ducks all came across the pond to see us, hoping for some food. I always feel guilty not having anything for them. There is a notice up saying only feed them with grain bought from the shop, I haven't seen anyone throw bread in for them. 

Here's an idea of what to do with an old suitcase. Two pets, both want a bed near the fire. I had an old wooden drawer here but it was a bit cumbersome, took up too much space. This is a much better arrangement. The favourite is the side where Mayze is, so if Rocky is first in he takes it. They swap about and will lie in either side. Good idea I thought.  

And now for a surprise, I like surprises, don't you. I was asked what I do with the bags I make, answer, I give them away. Up to 9pm tonight, 417 people viewed yesterdays post, and 17 people commented. I have had a draw and four people have each won a bag. So, please send me your postal address and I will send you one. You can send it in a comment, which I won't publish, or you can email me, address on the side.

Primroses Attic
Aussie Cheryl
Destemona
Quin 

I like doing secret giveaways. A lot more fun than loads of people trying to win something.
Toodle pip

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The cat sat on the sewing

Hello. If you want to get on with a sewing project, put the cat out of the room and close the door. Yesterday afternoon Mayze was in and out, and up and down, like a fiddlers elbow. I'd get a few stitches done and back she came again.

'Wadaya doin, you've missed a bit there. I want to sit on here, stop sewing.' 

Last night it was Heidi's turn. 'This sewing lark is so boring, I'm falling asleep.'

No wonder I'm not getting on very well with it, all the interruptions. Here's a little bit so far, shades of green. Strips of fabric twisted and put through the machine on a zigzag stitch. Sewn on the fabric with a couching stitch. It will be a long while until it's anywhere near finished at this rate.

The parsnips were turned into a big pan of parsnip curry. That's my dinner for three days. I fancy going for a walk tomorrow, but the forecast is gales and rain, I'll see what it's like in the morning, might have to resort to plan B.

A short one tonight, sees ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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Aaaah, there she is.

Hello, nice to see you. No snow here yet, guess we are lucky going by the pictures of disruptions in the transport systems caused by an arctic blast sweeping over the country. It has yet to reach the east coast. We've had a dry day, but it's raining now, I am snug back in my own house tonight. 

Has anyone got cats that love to play hide and seek? Mine seem to find hidey holes all over the place and sometimes it takes me ages to find them. When it starts to get dark I like them in. They are in the habit of popping in and out all day, but at about 5pm I start looking for them. If after several attempts to find them, walking around the garden with a torch calling their name and still no sign, I make another inspection of every nook and cranny in the house, just in case I missed them first time around. Can you see a cat here? No, I didn't at first, but looking closely there seems to be a bulge underneath the cover on the settee. 

Ha ha, she's made a little tent. Mayze you are supposed to lie on top of it, not burrow underneath it.

Henry choc lab is with the other sitter tonight, when I left the house I went to make a check on my friends rental house on the way home. All was ok, I picked the mail up, and made sure everything was secure. The new tenants move in next month, luckily the previous tenants have left it in good order. They have papered some of the walls, not my choice of design but the new people are ok with it.

While I was passing I thought it would be a good idea to check out the three shops for any reductions. I haven't much food left apart from frozen and a few tins, and I can't be bothered to do a full shop. I was lucky to find enough to keep me going until after the new year. Half price mince pies from the Co op, at 50p. I'm not that keen on them to be honest, wouldn't buy them unless they are reduced.

Also from the Co op, reduced diced chicken and cooked sliced chicken for the cats. Brussel sprouts reduced to 29p at Tesco, and I also bought cauliflower and broccoli, not reduced but at 49p a good price. The Spar shop had six eggs for 50p, have to eat them in the next few days. Also a pack of 8 scones 50p, milk 30p, and sliced ham 50p.

Well that's it for another year. Christmas has been and gone. I get more excited about the start of a new year. A brand spanking fresh new year. Love the idea of leaving the old one behind, and making plans for the new one. There will be no New Year Resolutions, just oodles of optimism that things are going to turn out fandabidozi brilliant. No if's, but's or maybe's, it will be chuffin brilliant.
Catch you tomorrow. Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip.

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Bye bye blondie

Hello, on this blustery Sunday night. I trust you had a good weekend, I've done the housework, boring but it's got to be done. My hair is getting a bit floppy in my face, really annoys me when I have to keep brushing my fringe to one side. Time for a trim. I do it outside the back door, didn't want to spend too much time on it so it was a quick chop all over. I wasn't going to take any off the neck, but thought, go on then, just a bit. 

Oh chuffin heck, the brush broke in half. I've got another one somewhere, if I can find it.

Next, on went the colour, a light brown shade, �1.50 from Home Bargains. Fancied a change.

Thirty minutes later, after using a conditioner and a waft over with a hairdryer, here is me bonce, now with a brown mop. I'm not keen. Darker shades don't suit me with having a pale complection, I didn't think it was going to turn out this dark. Not to worry, after several washes in a few weeks time it will lighten up.

Erm, excuse me Miss Heidi. The bath is not for cats to clean themselves in, it's for humans. Now stop licking your fanny and try to be a bit more ladylike. 

I've started my Christmas celebrations, I'm sipping a small tot of Port. Very nice. Tomorrow is family day, I have timed my visit to fit in with everyone else. I hope the motorway is not too clogged up.
Toodle pip

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Fundraising for cats

Good morning, it's glorious here today. A blue sky, sunshine, makes one feel glad to be alive. Here are the pictures from yesterday at Barton Christmas market. The stalls and entertainments occupy two streets which are closed off to enable people to unload. We arrived just after 10am. They remain closed to traffic until 8pm when traders are allowed to drive on and empty their stalls. I was lucky and found a parking place close by just outside the exclusion zone, which meant that we could dismantle earlier. Trade finally dropped off at about 6.30pm. 

Our stall is the one on the right with the red table cloth. I have a couple of throws for this purpose. Janet is hiding somewhere, she is a bit camera shy. They provided us with a backdrop, so only my clips were needed to fasten it to the metal railings behind us. 

I took a little stroll before the crowds built up. Wow, what an eye catching stall, as you know I like a splash of bright colours.

Hasn't she been busy, all very tempting, but I resisted.

Ten out of ten for presentation. I asked her at the end of the day how she had done, she said, very well.

At the end of our row was the stage. There was entertainment on there for most of the day. There was a lot of singing and dancing, by all ages. It was lovely to see the kids enjoying themselves. I have to say though that at times it was a little too loud for me, made it difficult to chat to our customers. 

A few fairground rides and games were in attendance. More colour. I thought the entrance price was a bit too much at �2 a go, but I suppose they have lots of costs involved in getting the equipment there and paying the ground rent.

In the middle of the afternoon came the parade, they all came past our stall. I'm not keen on the idea of bringing real reindeer into such a noisy and busy environment. I would rather see them in there natural habitat strolling and grazing in woods and parkland. 

The Burmese dogs however looked like they were enjoying it. I have seen these before at various shows, they love to meet and greet people.

Then came a lot of children dressed up, accompanied by their parents.

Dancing troupes.

The view of the stage from our stall.

As darkness fell there was another parade, led by a very loud thunder of steel band drummers.

Aha, I snapped a pic of Janet when she wasn't looking.

At about 6pm everyone was waiting in anticipation of the big Christmas tree light switch on. It was sited just behind our stall in the grounds of the childrens day nursery. A big cheer went up.

I had an email last night from Janet with the total money taken. We did very well, slightly up on last year, so we are well pleased. Although I have to admit I didn't fancy standing around for that length of time, in the end it was worth all the work. It was great to join in with the happy Christmassy atmosphere, and we had lots of laughs.

This is why we do it, an email from Janet.

Some pics of Lucky in his new home a few days after he was adopted.  Isn�t he gorgeous and doesn�t he look happy!!  Sue contacted Lucky�s original owner to let her know he had been homed and sent her the photographs.  She was so pleased and sent Sue a �thank you� card.  The lady had kept in touch with Sue since Lucky came into rescue as she was very upset that she had to give him up.

We need more happy endings like that.

Thank you for reading. I hope you have a lovely Sunday.

Toodle pip.

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Soup of the day

Hello. I've never really liked tinned soup. Occasionally I've had tomato or mushroom, as a quick snack, but not been overly keen on it. There are so many different kinds now, but somehow I can't bring myself to try any. There are too many ingredients listed on the label, it puts me off buying it. I imagine huge vats of gunge bubbling away in the factory, yuk, I don't fancy that at all. 

I've checked out the price of tinned soup, Baxters is �1.15 and �1.49. Campbells is �1. Heinz is 74p and 89p. Tesco is 49p and 89p. Tesco Value is 25p. 

So this week I'm having a home made soup extravaganza. A different one every day. There won't be any spending on ingredients, it will be all about using what I already have. I am sure you could make soup out of almost anything, all you need is a stick blender, and a bit of imagination.

Today's soup is potato and runner bean, home grown from the garden. Into the steamer goes two potatoes, and a portion of frozen beans. Steam for seven minutes, then transfer it to a smaller non stick pan, with the water. 

Next I added a shake of pepper, a shake of garlic powder, and a level teaspoon of whole grain mustard. Zap it all together, and return to the heat for a couple of minutes. Served with a slice of wholemeal bread. Very comforting on a blustery day, and tasty too, at very little cost. Please excuse poor photo's, flash needed now we don't have many daylight hours. The soup was a pale green colour, eaten straight out of the pan I may add, to save on washing up. More soup tomorrow.

Heidi has found a new favourite place, on top of the fridge freezer. She can view the whole kitchen from this vantage point, and can be ready to receive any tasty morsel that might be offered. I've brought the money plants inside now, I have three of these, still haven't found a place for the other two.

Mayze has decided she quite likes to sleep in my box of crafting bits and bobs, now I have stolen all the fabric that was lying around on the table. The cats were inside by 5.30pm tonight, I try and get them in as soon as it gets dark.

While I think of it, Beverley, please go back to your comment yesterday, someone has asked about your recipe for apple sauce. Feel free to explain what it is in another comment.

I'm a bit busy this week, things to do. Going to help Helen tidy the garden at one of her rental houses. Apparently the previous tenants have moved and left the house and garden in a terrible state. Lots of work to do. Also helping a friend with a couple of dog walks, and trying to get the picture finished. I like being busy.

Feel free to add your favourite soup recipes, let's make it a souper dooper soup week.
Toodle pip.

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Cat steals food.

Excuse me, what's going on here then? I walk away for less than a minute, and some pesky moggy is licking her lips. That was a half eaten cheese sandwich if you don't mind, I would have rather liked to eat the other half. 

Now it looks like a couple of pieces of chewed up bread and a bit of lettuce. Mayze what have you done. She's started to get very naughty just lately. Every time I have something to eat, she is there trying to steal off my plate. It's a race against time, me shoveling it in as fast as I can, and her wet nose getting closer and closer. Anyone would think she was hungry, she gets plenty to eat.

It's been a miserable day for weather today, lots of wind and rain. I went to the craft club as usual. During coffee break I unveiled my latest weaving project, which made a good topic for conversation. Although there's still some way to go with it, it was interesting to get the feedback.

One of our members brought her latest creation to show, Carol has made a pouffe from teashirts. They were cut into strips and crochet'd into a ball, using a huge hook. The inner lining is stuffed with polystyrene beads  It's to rest her feet on when she is sitting in her armchair.

I think it looks quite nice squashed on it's side rather than the conventional top and bottom.

I wondered if any of you crafty people out there do what I do. When I am reading a crafting book or magazine, and see a picture or a particular shape of something that I might like to use in the future, I trace the outline onto a piece of greaseproof paper. Then I can trace over it onto cardboard, an old cereal box, and make a template. Or if I want to cut the shape out of fabric, I sometimes copy it straight onto that. I've got quite a collection of these now. Useful if I am looking for a particular type of leaf, or the exact size heart to fit in with a design.

The wind is blowing a hooli outside, and I am sitting here snug and warm in my knee length thick socks, and a dressing gown over my clothes. No heating on here yet, don't need it. The forecast says we are in for another heatwave at the weekend, that will be nice. Maybe get the summer clothes back out again.
Toodle pip
PS. Jean you asked a question. If you email me I will reply. Thanks.

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Let sleeping cats lie

Hello.The weather looked so promising this morning, I even jumped in my car at 7 o clock and drove two miles to get a picture of the spectacular sunrise. Alas it didn't last, half an hour later it clouded over and we have spent the whole day being rained on. 

I went to the craft and chat, only seven of us this morning. I really enjoy Monday mornings with the ladies, a nice start to the week. I wanted to return some library books but then I remembered that the mobile van isn't there this week, it is off the road for a couple of days for it's MOT test. Think maybe I'll have to renew them on line, or take them back to the big library in town. 

After lunch, the last portion of veg curry and pasta, I got into arty crafty mode. My dining room table at the moment is covered in materials for the weaving, Oh dear, Heidi seems to think it is a bed made specially for her. I've just turned round to see if she is still there, she is, ha ha. 

Still more to do on the weaving, but I had a change today and made a tree. I need to make three of these. My first idea was to use ordinary chicken type wire and mould it into shape then cover it in fabric. I searched everywhere for the right sort of wire, found some but then went off the idea. Then I remembered I have a reel of electric cable, one of my skip diving finds, so this is what I did. Although quite stiff it bends into shape quite easily.

Join the branches on the main stem with pieces of tape.

Then bind it once with strips of fabric cut from a beige teeshirt also found in a skip. It is too big for me so I might as well use it. Then bind it again in a more colourful fabric. My own teeshirt which is past it's sell by date, I have far too many teeshirts anyway. The three trees will be different colours. I'm thinking about making leaves for them. Watch this space. I want plain trees that show up against the multicoloured background. Could be good.

Dinner tonight was an omelette, two eggs, I never cook just one egg, always two. It's got a chopped onion, chopped courgette, and half a tin of chickpeas in it. It's massive, had to cut it in half to get it on the plate, would have easily done for two people. Served with lettuce, two tomatoes, and grated carrot. It was very filling and loverly. A tip when making an omelette, don't try and turn it over or flip it in the pan, put it under the grill to cook the top. 

Two bills came through the door today from my newish energy supplier, Ebico, I changed in January. It's looking like the change from British Gas was a good move. My gas bill is �6.04, electricity bill is �21.04. They used estimated readings, the gas is almost spot on, and the electric is slightly under estimated. I expect the electric bill to rise throughout the winter as we put lights on earlier. I email my meter readings once a month, so for the first year they will be building up a picture of my usage. Ebico is the only supplier that has nil standing charges, and doesn't penalise customers for paying quarterly. If you are thinking of changing to them you need to check how much energy you use, because it might not work out cheaper if you are a high usage customer. It works fine for me because I can monitor my usage and keep it low.

I found a pressie in my front porch today. My nice neighbour across the road left me a carrier bag filled to the top with apples. Every year their tree is heavily laden, and every year she gives me some. They are cooking apples but so sweet I don't need to put any sugar on them. I have been giving her runner beans and courgettes, so a good swap I would say.

That's all for now, nighty night and toodle pip.

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