Thursday 22 July 2010
The Simple Woman's Daybook
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com
Friday July 22 2010
Outside my window… the teasels are turning purple and the Goldfinches have visited once so far!
I am thinking... that I need a day to blitz the house..
I am thankful for...my lovely home...even if I managed to fuse the whole of the upstairs lights...makes me appreciate that electricity is something I take for granted most of the time.
I am learning that…sometimes you just have to say it or pray it and seize the moment...in the case of work today, before the phones start ringing again!
From the kitchen... I have eaten baked beans with melted cheese and two eggs, followed by plums and natural yogurt. Thank goodness for quick food!
I am wearing...my work uniform and the trousers I bought last month are now too big...will be removing safety pin and sewing a tuck in the waistband this w/e.
I am creating...fruit salad tonight and tomorrow a "Welfare friendly" veal cassorole for when the boys return from their Nothern Europe Trip.
I am going... to wash some fridge shelves in a minute, having hopefully sorted out the leak which keeps dripping on to the carpet...
I am reading…Bringing Heaven to Earth by Bill Johnson, a book recommended by a friend.
I am praying…for my workplace.
I am hoping...that I will relax during my full body massage tomorrow!
Noticing that…I have hardly stopped all week, but it has been good and fulfilling....tomorrow I will play!
I am hearing...and I hope I am listening...one thing for sure, I am not writing it down yet...and I must. (cryptic!)
Around the house...are many unfinished tasks, will have to play, "Set the Cooker Timer" game.
One of my favourite things...Lying in bed listening to the rain
Pondering these words…Live Life and always be ready to learn new stuff!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Friday:Massage (as mentioned) Lunch with L, not sure where. Welcoming the men home!
Sat: A short time with A before he returns to London,Camping shopping, wedding, defrost freezer and ironing.
Sun: Church family and pm, can't wait(!) Strictly Come YCC dancing! Fundraiser for C and her dance course. Many mates all partnered up with different generations. Photos are bound to follow!!!!
A picture to share…
Imagine a poppy! The photo is taking forever to load!
A reminder of the trip my Husband and son are doing investigating stories from WW2, in particular D Day.
Monday 12 July 2010
Words....sacred or secular...
RAOUL
No more talk
of darkness,
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you.
Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry -your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .
RAOUL
Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . .
CHRISTINE
All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .
RAOUL
Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Iet me lead you
from your solitude . . .
Say you need me
with you
here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Christine,
that's all I ask
of you . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .
BOTH
Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you love me . . .
RAOUL
You know I do . . .
BOTH
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . .
Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . .
No more talk
of darkness,
Forget these
wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you -
my words will
warm and calm you.
Let me be
your freedom,
let daylight
dry -your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you love me
every
waking moment,
turn my head
with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -
that's all I ask
of you . . .
RAOUL
Let me be
your shelter,
let me
be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . .
CHRISTINE
All I want
is freedom,
a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .
RAOUL
Then say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
Iet me lead you
from your solitude . . .
Say you need me
with you
here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go,
let me go too -
Christine,
that's all I ask
of you . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with
me one
love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .
BOTH
Share each day with
me, each
night, each morning . . .
CHRISTINE
Say you love me . . .
RAOUL
You know I do . . .
BOTH
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . .
Anywhere you go
let me go too . . .
Love me -
that's all I ask
of you . .
Sunday 11 July 2010
Industrious Saturday
It was always going to be one of those getting jobs done, Saturdays. We both had our lists, mine written down, D's in his brain.....Mine was long and never got completed, D's had one main item on it and was probably far more sensible.
The finished result is very professional and sturdy, five years or so of the elements raining and blowing a gale across from Glastonbury has taken its toll and I was afraid that the fragility of parts of the structure would allow Mr Fox easy access.
Rhubarb is picked and stewed, blackcurrants gathered, the vegetable garden is growing at an alarming pace!
Meanwhile the Air Day at Yeovilton was well under way, the Red Arrows flying over our house...I manage to get many photos of clouds but the Red Arrows are more elusive....This is my best attempt.
Baking was on the agenda, it has been too long....The result Matrimonial slice (don't ask!) courtesy of my sister in law...One of those chuck it all in recipes:
er,
1 1/2 cups SR flour
180g marg (6 oz)
1/2 cup oats
1 cup coconut
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup jam
Rub marg into flour
Add oats, coconut & sugar, Mix tog.
Place 1/2 mixture in square tin (approx 9")
Melt jam, spread on top
Sprinkle remaining mixture on top.
Bake at 190/ Gas Mark 5 for 1/2 hour
All Bran Cake was the second choice!
Both cakes sampled by S and P who popped in for an after lunch coffee (P with newly acquired yellow handbag... half price...bargain), 5 minutes after I mention to D " I wonder if P and S would be up for coffee in a minute!" S always looks ill at ease when he sits in our house, why? Well for the last, at least a year, he has been disturbed (no comment :) ) by the very noisy sound coming from our computer...."the fan is very noisy" he says EVERY time he walks in..... Yes we agree, but its not high priority to sort it...we have got used to the eerie whirring sound that rises and falls, playing a soulful tune all of its own. It seemed the moment had come where he could stand it no longer and the call went out for the Vacumn cleaner....
The sight inside was appalling to behold...dust? Lets put it this way, you couldn't see half the bits, they lay under 1/2 inch of dust....the poor fan had no chance of getting any airflow in....I was strangely excited by the thrill of seeing components reappear...then the vacumn cut out....
The vacumn has been an absolute pain for ages....overheating before a room is hoovered so that it becomes a race to see whether I can get around an area before it just doesn't want to play until cooled down which takes about 15 minutes or so....So we wait....this time it has only been a couple of minutes.....we chat, we wait...yes we've had other priorities... I am struck by how much we put up with things that aren't working well...are we the only ones? Okay vacumn starts again, we're off! I lean over said unit pointing out bits S has missed (He is a very patient man...), then guess what? Yep, it does it again.... Plan B now needs to come into play....Vax carpet washer with long nozzle taken off disgraced Vax and attached to old workhorse carpet washer. Result!
Everything is put back together, P has gone out to talk to the chickens, resigned, not for the first time, that her husband is on a mission....but to be fair, she has missions of her own, so we reckon they're quits really!
Fan plays a quieter more steady tune, and it is music to our ears!
Not sure when I mentioned Nick's broken Camcorder, how it came up into conversation, but S is interested and begins to ask questions...Off I go and retrieve said item. It is examined, turned over, opened and then the challenge is to try and get it up on the computer. S has informed us that there things our computer can do which we had no idea about.... I am instructed to search out an S video lead which strangely enough I find in the loft...which when entered feels as if I have entered humidity only experienced in the Far East...not good for the hot flushes...
I think R arrives at this point, doorbell rings and kettle is put on again... R works with computers and does the AV at church, so he is a useful man to have turn up. Three men around a computer talking technical stuff ....firewires and strange numbers IEEE 1399 or something. I am bemused and begin my ironing. Eventually S, not to be beaten, decides a fire wire need to be found...R has one at home, D drives him back and collects said lead....
To shorten the story, I will say that the result was I was able to watch films of my family and friends, not seen for 6 years or so.....very funny and somewhat enbarrassing for a fair few...but I haven't found the hyroglyphics one...which may be a good thing....perhaps it got recorded over or thrown away.
A very satisfying and fulfilling Saturday!
The finished result is very professional and sturdy, five years or so of the elements raining and blowing a gale across from Glastonbury has taken its toll and I was afraid that the fragility of parts of the structure would allow Mr Fox easy access.
Rhubarb is picked and stewed, blackcurrants gathered, the vegetable garden is growing at an alarming pace!
Meanwhile the Air Day at Yeovilton was well under way, the Red Arrows flying over our house...I manage to get many photos of clouds but the Red Arrows are more elusive....This is my best attempt.
Baking was on the agenda, it has been too long....The result Matrimonial slice (don't ask!) courtesy of my sister in law...One of those chuck it all in recipes:
er,
1 1/2 cups SR flour
180g marg (6 oz)
1/2 cup oats
1 cup coconut
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup jam
Rub marg into flour
Add oats, coconut & sugar, Mix tog.
Place 1/2 mixture in square tin (approx 9")
Melt jam, spread on top
Sprinkle remaining mixture on top.
Bake at 190/ Gas Mark 5 for 1/2 hour
All Bran Cake was the second choice!
Both cakes sampled by S and P who popped in for an after lunch coffee (P with newly acquired yellow handbag... half price...bargain), 5 minutes after I mention to D " I wonder if P and S would be up for coffee in a minute!" S always looks ill at ease when he sits in our house, why? Well for the last, at least a year, he has been disturbed (no comment :) ) by the very noisy sound coming from our computer...."the fan is very noisy" he says EVERY time he walks in..... Yes we agree, but its not high priority to sort it...we have got used to the eerie whirring sound that rises and falls, playing a soulful tune all of its own. It seemed the moment had come where he could stand it no longer and the call went out for the Vacumn cleaner....
The sight inside was appalling to behold...dust? Lets put it this way, you couldn't see half the bits, they lay under 1/2 inch of dust....the poor fan had no chance of getting any airflow in....I was strangely excited by the thrill of seeing components reappear...then the vacumn cut out....
The vacumn has been an absolute pain for ages....overheating before a room is hoovered so that it becomes a race to see whether I can get around an area before it just doesn't want to play until cooled down which takes about 15 minutes or so....So we wait....this time it has only been a couple of minutes.....we chat, we wait...yes we've had other priorities... I am struck by how much we put up with things that aren't working well...are we the only ones? Okay vacumn starts again, we're off! I lean over said unit pointing out bits S has missed (He is a very patient man...), then guess what? Yep, it does it again.... Plan B now needs to come into play....Vax carpet washer with long nozzle taken off disgraced Vax and attached to old workhorse carpet washer. Result!
Everything is put back together, P has gone out to talk to the chickens, resigned, not for the first time, that her husband is on a mission....but to be fair, she has missions of her own, so we reckon they're quits really!
Fan plays a quieter more steady tune, and it is music to our ears!
Not sure when I mentioned Nick's broken Camcorder, how it came up into conversation, but S is interested and begins to ask questions...Off I go and retrieve said item. It is examined, turned over, opened and then the challenge is to try and get it up on the computer. S has informed us that there things our computer can do which we had no idea about.... I am instructed to search out an S video lead which strangely enough I find in the loft...which when entered feels as if I have entered humidity only experienced in the Far East...not good for the hot flushes...
I think R arrives at this point, doorbell rings and kettle is put on again... R works with computers and does the AV at church, so he is a useful man to have turn up. Three men around a computer talking technical stuff ....firewires and strange numbers IEEE 1399 or something. I am bemused and begin my ironing. Eventually S, not to be beaten, decides a fire wire need to be found...R has one at home, D drives him back and collects said lead....
To shorten the story, I will say that the result was I was able to watch films of my family and friends, not seen for 6 years or so.....very funny and somewhat enbarrassing for a fair few...but I haven't found the hyroglyphics one...which may be a good thing....perhaps it got recorded over or thrown away.
A very satisfying and fulfilling Saturday!
Thursday 8 July 2010
Yellow
Felt frivolous tonight! Thought I'd wander through the house and garden and look for yellow! It all started because I was all excited by the prospect of picking our first yellow courgette. Of course the photo HAD to be taken and that's when I started being silly.....
It will give you a little insight into our home....or the dubious machinations of my brain...probably more likely...I might even choose a different colour next week....how exciting is that!!!!!!Oh boy...I must be more tired than I thought.
Part of my Easter decorations...still waiting to be put away in the cupboard for another time....
Memories of the Mona cake.....
Out of focus, but I'm blowed if I'm going up to N's room again....A throwback to childhood days and brother banter....
The woven wall hanging, camels, sheep and goats.....A 45 minute barter and leaving the shop 3 times, but we finally agreed a price.....Egypt, a holiday which sparked a life change....
A few things grabbed from the craft room/spare bedroom and thrown on the carpet.
Family joke. Mum's neurotic "I just need to say this before Dad and I go away and leave you guys for a weekend" sparked this purchase!
I still haven't read these magazines, but D is avidly digesting them....but then it was the other way around with "Home Farmer"...
The courgette that started it ! Such a thrill, tonight we had a large bowl each full of cooked vegetables from the garden. Turnip, broad beans, peas, carrots, grated beetroot, borecole (like kale) and basil all stirred around in an eggy mixture....flavour, out of this world, especially the carrots.
Before anyone asks me again, yes we really DID choose this colour deliberately....
A charity shop find which i had to add to the collection. One day, in my vintage kitchen, I will have a shelf devoted to egg cups.....and candles....and vases....and recipe books.....
And finally...for my special Palestinian friend, you know who you are....you will now be singing the song and laughing! Your favourite colour is yellow so tonight's blog is dedicated to you.
xxx
and so to bed....
It will give you a little insight into our home....or the dubious machinations of my brain...probably more likely...I might even choose a different colour next week....how exciting is that!!!!!!Oh boy...I must be more tired than I thought.
Part of my Easter decorations...still waiting to be put away in the cupboard for another time....
Memories of the Mona cake.....
Out of focus, but I'm blowed if I'm going up to N's room again....A throwback to childhood days and brother banter....
The woven wall hanging, camels, sheep and goats.....A 45 minute barter and leaving the shop 3 times, but we finally agreed a price.....Egypt, a holiday which sparked a life change....
A few things grabbed from the craft room/spare bedroom and thrown on the carpet.
Family joke. Mum's neurotic "I just need to say this before Dad and I go away and leave you guys for a weekend" sparked this purchase!
I still haven't read these magazines, but D is avidly digesting them....but then it was the other way around with "Home Farmer"...
The courgette that started it ! Such a thrill, tonight we had a large bowl each full of cooked vegetables from the garden. Turnip, broad beans, peas, carrots, grated beetroot, borecole (like kale) and basil all stirred around in an eggy mixture....flavour, out of this world, especially the carrots.
Before anyone asks me again, yes we really DID choose this colour deliberately....
A charity shop find which i had to add to the collection. One day, in my vintage kitchen, I will have a shelf devoted to egg cups.....and candles....and vases....and recipe books.....
And finally...for my special Palestinian friend, you know who you are....you will now be singing the song and laughing! Your favourite colour is yellow so tonight's blog is dedicated to you.
xxx
and so to bed....
Wednesday 7 July 2010
The Simple Womans Day Book
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com
Date 7th July 2010
Outside my window…I see Gert, no longer broody...at last!
I am thinking...about how I can incorporate solitude into my life regularly
I am thankful for...a husband who does the supermarket shop EVERY week and buys expensive syrup so that I can make the bestest flapjacks for work on Mondays!
I am learning that…finding ethically sourced clothing that I actually like is going to be a challenge
From the kitchen... I see some of Monday's washing up still waiting to be done...(This was written on Wednesday!)
I am wearing... joggers, but will change into lightweight clothes for tonight's weigh in. If I do not lose a lb, I will be fed up.. added later....I lost 2lbs!!!
I am creating...some ideas in my head but might need to draw a mind map to make sense of it all....that will be a first!
I am going...to send my dream to Sarah H soon...when I've typed it up..
I am reading…various books on Solitude and Intimacy
I am praying…on Mondays for two important people
I am hoping...that Sarah M gets a job soon that compliments her gifts!
Noticing that…my sweetpeas have been disappointing this year....however the vegetables are growing madly. Will pick my first yellow courgette today and will follow through with a "yellow blog "later, just because I'm feeling frivolous!
I am hearing... a very noisy fan on my computer and 2 ticking clocks...probably quieter in the garden.
Around the house... there are cobwebs and dust, but I'm sitting here with "wha'-evva" written across my face...
One of my favourite things...washing blowing on the line!
Pondering these words…What does a pure heart and steadfast spirit look like...really....
A few plans for the rest of the week: Friday-Coffee with the girls, Reception pm. Saturday- gardening,baking and watching the Air Day from my back garden. Sunday - Being with my church family at the Gateway, pm meeting up with the group going to New Wine in August.
A picture to share…
Saturday 3 July 2010
As for Bath, all history went and bathed and drank the waters there WILLIAM THACKERAY
A snapshot of a day out in Bath! We didn't drink the waters and thankfully it wasn't overly busy. Come and see what we got up to!
First note, the classy chandelier, today was going to have class and sophistication!
No queueing in The Pump Room and a classical quartet playing as we drank our coffee.
This guy was playing what I guess was some sort of steel drum, I loved all the musical creativity I saw....something you don't get in Yeovil....yet...
And into the Abbey we went just for a quick peep, but it turned out to be something extraordinary in terms of Art and imagery.
There was a fabric/embroidery display on view which told the story of Jesus' life from his conception to his resurrection. Thirty five panels, about the size of 2 landscaped A4 pages, one above the other, I guess. Each panel had the explanation of what the imagery stood for. The Calligraphy panels with the Scripture verses were beautiful, but it was the creative way she had put the fabric together to tell the story which I found so moving. We spent ages just studying them. I had to buy the book, which actually does justice to them on the page. It isn't always the case. Do go and see them if you get the chance!
Here's how a journalist described them:
One Man’s Journey to Heaven is a unique work by Peasedown St John-based artist Sue Symons.
Bath Abbey
The altar frontal depicting a scene from Revelation. I never knew what a frontal was until we visited Wells recently, now I'm hooked!
I can't do this justice! I love stained glass...perhaps I should get some put in to my tall windows at the front!
I just like the sword, keys and cross symbolism here....
And so to lunch...Howz about Jamie's place?
Under that salad (which gave me lots of ideas!) are free range grilled chicken slices. Free from all Syns (Slimming World) and at last I can eat chicken in a restuarant, with a clear conscience!
Lynn's was equally delicious I am told. Can't remember the name of the Italien meat, but you will probably be able to identify it!
An afternoon wander around a few shops...
And then tea with Mr Darcy, of course! The Jane Austen Tea Rooms were quaint and the waitresses aprons were perfect...maybe I should make one....
Darjeeling for Lynn, Assam for me!
A quick stride up to the Crescent, but couldn't see it at its best as there were marquees going up for a food festival the next day. Will have to come back and see the view and ha ha (ditch) another day!
and finally off to buy a Sally Lunn Bun...or in Lynn's case, four!
Another delightful "Ladies that Lunch" day out! You should try it!
First note, the classy chandelier, today was going to have class and sophistication!
No queueing in The Pump Room and a classical quartet playing as we drank our coffee.
This guy was playing what I guess was some sort of steel drum, I loved all the musical creativity I saw....something you don't get in Yeovil....yet...
And into the Abbey we went just for a quick peep, but it turned out to be something extraordinary in terms of Art and imagery.There was a fabric/embroidery display on view which told the story of Jesus' life from his conception to his resurrection. Thirty five panels, about the size of 2 landscaped A4 pages, one above the other, I guess. Each panel had the explanation of what the imagery stood for. The Calligraphy panels with the Scripture verses were beautiful, but it was the creative way she had put the fabric together to tell the story which I found so moving. We spent ages just studying them. I had to buy the book, which actually does justice to them on the page. It isn't always the case. Do go and see them if you get the chance!
Here's how a journalist described them:
One Man’s Journey to Heaven is a unique work by Peasedown St John-based artist Sue Symons.
Sue was inspired by Bach's St Matthew Passion to create the artwork which depicts the life of Christ in 70 images grouped together in pairs or ‘diptychs’.
She embarked on the panels in 2005 as a retirement project which combines her two artistic passions: textiles and lettering.
Each of the 35 diptychs includes a text from the Gospels in beautifully decorated calligraphy, alongside a panel of needlework that offers a personal interpretation of each step in the story.
Bath Abbey
The altar frontal depicting a scene from Revelation. I never knew what a frontal was until we visited Wells recently, now I'm hooked!
I can't do this justice! I love stained glass...perhaps I should get some put in to my tall windows at the front!
I just like the sword, keys and cross symbolism here....
And so to lunch...Howz about Jamie's place?
Under that salad (which gave me lots of ideas!) are free range grilled chicken slices. Free from all Syns (Slimming World) and at last I can eat chicken in a restuarant, with a clear conscience!
Lynn's was equally delicious I am told. Can't remember the name of the Italien meat, but you will probably be able to identify it!
An afternoon wander around a few shops...
And then tea with Mr Darcy, of course! The Jane Austen Tea Rooms were quaint and the waitresses aprons were perfect...maybe I should make one....
Darjeeling for Lynn, Assam for me!
A quick stride up to the Crescent, but couldn't see it at its best as there were marquees going up for a food festival the next day. Will have to come back and see the view and ha ha (ditch) another day!
and finally off to buy a Sally Lunn Bun...or in Lynn's case, four!
Another delightful "Ladies that Lunch" day out! You should try it!
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