tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154374182012-01-29T23:31:59.767Za mother's musings from Middle England......Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.comBlogger14051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-41329650083363365452012-01-29T21:10:00.000Z2012-01-29T21:10:49.957Z

Hello, everyone....... I have been away for a few days down south. In London. Or close by, at least. I had an appointment, you see, to meet with the barrister, lawyer, and assorted medical experts to discuss how we proceed. Mega important stuff, which had me resembling a gibbering wreck by Thursday, when we left. In a stoke of excellent timing, Jean was planning to go and visit her mother and

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-54594948587698889922012-01-24T16:50:00.001Z2012-01-24T17:46:10.200Z

Lisa-Jo, the Gypsy Mama, posted a link to an article about little old ladies on Facebook this morning. (The article raised many valid and wonderful points re parenting, but I am going to focus on the little old lady bit here.) I read it, and so help me, I know I say exactly the same thing at times. Many times. I say a lot more, of course. Different things too. So that makes me one of THOSE little

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-83970372282148615532012-01-23T17:36:00.001Z2012-01-23T18:26:01.566Z

I wandered around the shops this morning, after doing the bill paying etc etc etc. I wanted to see what was out, if the garden things were arriving, what Spring stuff was available. I hadn't been near the town since I got back, and no, there is not much out. When I was at Marge's place, I saw some beautiful Spring posies which I coveted, of course, but did not buy, because I am ultra frugal. I

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-31809800720415480352012-01-22T19:45:00.000Z2012-01-22T19:45:01.929Z

The hellebores are out. The maroon ones and the white ones. And they make me think that Spring can't be too far away, but then, it is January, after all, and we have another month of Winter to get through first. But seeing the flowers makes me smile a great deal.  My friend Jackie decided that everyone seems to be living rollercoaster lives - too busy and too few hours in the day, so she

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-19929448026133400962012-01-22T13:05:00.000Z2012-01-22T18:12:46.696Z

(For local friends, peanut butter Kitkats are back in the shops! - And they are delicious and to be avoided at all costs, of course.) Hello. It has been a wet and grey day here. I did a little catching up this morning, by popping in to see my friends (the ones with the twins, who are now nearly 9 years old. How did that happen??)  That was good. I wandered around the chemist/gift shop for

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-58538394787614074862012-01-20T14:39:00.004Z2012-01-20T15:12:11.759Z

I need coffee. Unfortunately, the coffee is at the other end of the kitchen, and I have just spent half the morning cleaning the floor and it is wet, and I will not walk on it. AND because it is cold, it is taking forEVER to dry. When you cannot kneel to scrub, it makes life a little complicated and takes so much longer, but EUREKA!!! It is clean. Tick the box. Everyone will be required to wear

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-67334751312079718862012-01-19T17:58:00.000Z2012-01-19T17:58:13.129Z

Well, today did not get off to a stellar start. Apart from the fact that I am now quite capable of surviving the aquazumba class, of course. Back to normal on that front at last. That was good. Great. But then I went to get the headlight sorted, and that was just fine, although I appeared to have lost the cap for the headlight inside the car - you know, the bit which keeps water out of it. I

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-26519682982380420902012-01-18T20:00:00.001Z2012-01-18T20:00:45.194Z

From THIS..........  To THIS is a bit of culture shock. A shock to the senses too. Re-entry to my ordinary world is a little tough, you see.  We got home, and I discovered that the battery had decided to expire while I was away. The car battery. So Peter and I used the industrial strength jump leads and got it going, and I whizzed up and down the motorway for half an hour to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-62198433539741305942012-01-15T17:13:00.000Z2012-01-15T17:13:12.932Z

 I think you may all be geting a little sick of snowy photos. Never fear, people, there are not that many more to go! We were invited to tea at a friend's home today, and because we didn't have a clue where she lived, we ventured out on a plod of discovery this morning. It took some doing, but we found it, I am happy to relate. And then we took Jean up another side of the valley to get a

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-75402443787783447992012-01-14T13:52:00.005Z2012-01-14T23:40:43.457Z

Hello there. Before I start chattering,  I believe it is National International De-lurking Day. (I just made it International.) So, it would be really lovely if everyone popping in today would say hi in the comment section. You are very welcome to say a lot more than "hi" of course!  If you do not have a blog, choose the anonymous option and then leave your comment. I love to hear from you all -

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-15880193977777475032012-01-11T20:36:00.002Z2012-01-11T20:36:19.911Z

It is beautiful, isn't it? Those of you who have been around a while will know just how much I love this place, and how I have loved it since I was a child. Some things do not change - they just get better. The beauty feeds the soul. My soul. Thank God I have seen this. I know this place.  One of the ladies who works with my sister suggested that we get on the Number 4 bus and ride to the end

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-20009976146329392372012-01-10T17:35:00.003Z2012-01-10T17:35:57.267Z

Today?? Just this............

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-84941325533690482322012-01-09T20:05:00.000Z2012-01-09T20:05:25.879Z

There has been a great deal of snow. Snow. And more snow. But life goes on as normal. Things do not stop because of snow here. This is a continual novelty for me, I have to say, after living in the UK. So today, we ventured slowly down the mountain to the valley, which has no snow at all. Jean had a gift token to spend. And spend it she did. Great fun for her at the sales! She is "puzzling" at

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-65941296285622849312012-01-07T16:08:00.003Z2012-01-07T18:15:47.558Z

Well, hello there. Yesterday was Dreikönigstag. Three Kings Day, and a holiday here in Central Switzerland. The day the Magi arrived to see the Baby. And there is a special cake too, Dreikönigskuchen. It is delicious. A circle of buns like a brioche, with sultanas in, and one of the buns has a tiny plastic king in it So if you are the one who finds the king, you get ot wear the crown (supplied

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-46091284738908453942012-01-05T19:11:00.002Z2012-01-05T19:11:48.999Z

At the crack of dawn, my sister had a call to say that the mountain was closed because of high winds, so she and I zapped down the mountain to investigate the sales. 75% off is a good sale. A REAL sale. We had fun. We went really early because the storm was due to arrive around lunch time. Well, it sort of arrived a couple of hours ago and the snow is still falling. Apparetly Andermatt has had a

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-85752341358843796812012-01-04T15:43:00.001Z2012-01-04T15:43:22.279Z

The snowstorm has not arrived yet. There has been a lot of rain. A few flakes of snow, but storm? No. Not yet, at least. It is one of those sort of days when I want to go for a walk, do things outside, but then, if the storm is coming, maybe not.  So I am dithering about here, not sure what I want to do. WASTING TIME.  That is not good.  I am supposed to be living intentionally. Hah.

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-9180470610501770032012-01-03T15:53:00.001Z2012-01-03T15:53:17.091Z

There is nothing like starting the day by having to instruct the son to dig up mountains of snow to unearth the manhole cover for the sewage system. And then making vague attempts to assist with the snow removal. Snow which had frozen. We had to check the summer garden photos to try to locate where it was, because the snow was deep.  Son was not thrilled. However, it was done just in time

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-25687355575568767342012-01-02T20:05:00.001Z2012-01-02T20:05:51.563Z

I have decided to do a photo project 365 this year, only it is now a project 366 because it is leap year. I had forgotten. It doesn't have quite the same ring, does it? Project 366. It reminds me of what my kids called "The Monkey Movie" (Project X). (I am word perfect.) Anyway, back to the photos.  I know quite a few of you have done it before, and what I would like to know is this - did you

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-64708100769313222012012-01-01T15:26:00.002Z2012-01-01T15:26:37.867Z

So here we are - the first day of a brand new year.  Blank pages on which we will scrawl our story. My brother-in-law has just informed me that the world will end on 21 December 2012 according to Nostradamus, the Mayans and the Swiss radio. Just so you know. He added (with a shrug) "C'est la vie" or however you spell that. My French is non-existent.  Indeed. So, if Nostradamus is correct

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-79919017014072067372011-12-31T12:53:00.001Z2012-01-01T22:45:34.624Z

Yesterday's post is well and truly gone. But then, maybe reading about such trivial matters as blocked toilets, blizzards and fascinating snow control vehicles was not that important after all. Today is the last day of 2011, and in the spirit of bloggers all over the world, I am going to talk a little of other things today. 2011.  I could look back at everything which has happened and

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-84360139581999429782011-12-30T16:45:00.001Z2011-12-30T16:45:32.355Z

I spent the entire day working on a post and it is gone. GONE. My head hurts. I will try again tomorrow. Right now I am contemplating axes and the demise of computers and bringing back pigeon post etc etc. Where is my coffee.......

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-18392640486692528502011-12-27T13:26:00.001Z2011-12-27T13:29:40.500Z

Apparently the temperatures in the UK reached 15 C on Christmas Day. And it was a little warmer yesterday. Unbelievable. Great for the heating bills, of course, but rather unseasonal! I am not there right now, though. I am with my family in the Alps again. It was -7 C yesterday. But the sun shone again, as it did on Christmas day, and as it is today, and the skies are blue, the snow dazzling and

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-52575947535556228692011-12-25T11:55:00.000Z2011-12-25T11:55:27.200Z

Oh what a glorious morning! Merry Christmas, everyone! I have just been for a walk around the lake singing carols at the top of my voice because it seemed to be the perfect thing to do. So I sang. There was no-one around, which was a great blessing. At least, I THINK there was no-one around...... And another thing...I LOVE skype. I saw and chatted to my daughter and our friends in sunny NZ, on

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-3183882540522357562011-12-23T15:41:00.000Z2011-12-23T17:20:00.840Z

I am, like most of you, speaking to you through a haze of flour. Baking. The baking is in full swing. And the hair is dusted with cinamon and flour. Nothing new then. It looks the same...the cinnamon colour is normal, and so is the white. So how are you all doing? How are the preparations going? We are Under Control. I think. The wrapping is done, and there is food in the house, the tree lights

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-36436753790415131492011-12-20T21:05:00.001Z2011-12-20T21:05:14.104Z

of what matters....... All my attempts to slow down and savour the days have zapped out the window. I have spent the day trying to finish odds and ends and make calls and deliver cards and gifts and go to appointments and entertain visitors (which I love) and...... Sigh. One of these years I will get things right. Apparently the shops are a lot busier now. That would be because some have

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-34737243140195300732011-12-19T18:26:00.001Z2011-12-19T18:26:36.294Z

My car headlight bulb was broken. Out. (Just as well I had a spare set in the car.) I noticed it last night after carols, so I went to a friend this morning and asked if he could fix it for me sometime today. Of course he said yes. Only, he and his family had loads to do and we were running out of daylight, so, in the pouring rain, I opened the bonnet of the car, yelled for David to bring a torch

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-19537098417133771052011-12-18T17:47:00.001Z2011-12-18T17:47:18.745Z

It has been a busy weekend here. It was a delight to have my friends visit from far away yesterday, and the chatter was constant, and the food was plentiful and the laughter was loud. And the candles flickered, the lights twinkled....you get the picture. Thank heavens for dishwashers. I went to bed grinning, and it felt right. So it was snowing this morning. Well, it made a valiant effort to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-59209513478060502842011-12-17T17:10:00.000Z2011-12-17T17:17:04.929Z

This is the ancient recipe for mince meat that I got from my Mum, and she must have got it from her Mum, but can't remember..... Mincemeat: 1lb apples 1lb raisins 1lb sultanas 1lb currants half lb mixed peel 2 and a half teaspoons mixed spice half lb suet 1lb sugar half cup brandy Wash and dry raisins, sultanas, currants. Mince peel, raisins, apples, sultanas together. add rest of ingredients

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-20863337929142860152011-12-16T21:53:00.000Z2011-12-16T21:53:06.946Z

Mince pies. Fruit mince pies. A very English tradition which spread to parts of the Commonwealth. These are Christmas delicacies, and I made a batch today. The pastry is the best in the world - it has lemon zest and ground almonds in it. One pastry recipe makes 25 of these, and there are still 25 in the tin. We know about restraint here. I dust them with sugar before serving. They are delicious

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-39265467139273725612011-12-15T17:59:00.002Z2011-12-15T17:59:18.141Z

Wow. That certainly struck a chord, didn't it! My email inbox exploded and guess what? Not one person disagreed with me. Now that is very interesting. And thank you, Tigger and co, for emailing me for the first time! I love to hear from people who pop over to visit. Mollycoddling. Cossetting. Cottonwool. Over-protective. Helicopter parenting....... all words used by you. And I have to agree. And

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-56113388762957044522011-12-14T19:13:00.000Z2011-12-14T19:13:56.438Z

Someone asked me if I worried about my children, and when I said, no, never, I don't think they really understood what I meant at first. I love my children absolutely, utterly and completely. I think - or I hope - they know this. But I don't worry. Of course I am deeply concerned when they are hurting, or ill or upset, and I do what I can to help them. I am not talking about emergencies when I

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-51266223416796708852011-12-13T22:41:00.000Z2011-12-13T22:41:00.370Z

It is freezing here. Wind, rain, and SO cold. I do believe winter has arrived. It is time to stay indoors and bake I think. Anything to keep moving and warm, and make the house smell interesting.  Here are a few snapshots of life around here......  Our monthly shared lunch was at Jean's home on Sunday. I always marvel at how everyone brings different things and there is always more than

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-89299104040472906522011-12-12T22:29:00.000Z2011-12-12T22:35:29.178Z

I am not usually bothered about what may or may not be the top of the charts - or, as it is known now, the Christmas No 1. It is usually a fix, anyway, and the winner of the X factor tops the charts. And I am not all that partial to the X Factor, I confess. This year, however, I will be doing my bit. I have pre-ordered the single which IS going to be the top of the UK charts. A pop star? Well,

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-88138644303899601502011-12-10T15:10:00.001Z2011-12-10T15:20:29.921Z

Oh, this Saturday is going by so quickly! We popped down to the church in the village this morning to see the Christmas Tree Festival, and I forgot to take my camera. That was a mistake. Over 75 groups in the village, from schools to societies, to clubs, to businesses have built or decorated Christmas trees, and they are stunning. So many people were down there wandering around them and

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-66797151677237434512011-12-09T09:32:00.001Z2011-12-09T19:29:43.348Z

It is 9 December.  And my garden seems to be on a time scale all of its own. It thinks it is spring. Or summer. Every day I think okay, it will go to sleep now. And each morning, there are more flowers in bloom, more roses coming out and the fuschia refuses to die down at all, and is still producing flowers.  December. I should be posting photos of holly and berries and snow and

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-49632826031385088632011-12-08T15:46:00.001Z2011-12-08T18:04:27.955Z

There is a wild wind blowing here, but it is NOTHING like the gales hammering Scotland. There have been gusts of 150 miles an hour recorded there today. I spoke to a friend on the western side of Scotland and she said that, for the first time, she is thinking about the structure of the house. It is bad. Power out in places, transport disrupted, bridges closed. Not good. So our howling winds pale

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-91796679329063713342011-12-07T13:25:00.001Z2011-12-07T19:03:22.440Z

I happened to see that Timeline on Facebook was rolling out in New Zealand first, so I sent Diana a message to ask if it was there. Not yet, she said. And within an hour, it had happened. It looks amazing, I have to say. There will be a lot of photo tweaking going on around the world as it arrives. So brace yourselves, people! I have been to pilates this morning, and am about to head out to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-39194550073741017372011-12-06T10:07:00.001Z2011-12-06T10:45:40.919Z

Yesterday was the first day I did not post here after 65 days of straight posting. I have amazed myself, people. And do you know, it felt strange NOT to have written anything. When I finally crawled onto the couch after 10pm to do a little of my ripple blanket, I did stop a while and think that maybe I should come and say hi, but the wool called and I wanted to change colour....you know how it

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-63467722442367843332011-12-04T19:50:00.001Z2011-12-04T20:30:17.309Z

Oh, how I love our little church. By that, I mean the people. It is all about the people and not the building. It is a place where laughter and tears can flow freely, and where everyone is made welcome, and is always aware of how much they are valued, just as they are. We bring brokenness, which can only be made whole  and beautiful through the love of God. Today is a perfect example of that.

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-79135383058578806972011-12-03T18:16:00.001Z2011-12-03T20:19:08.118Z

Well, I have sent the recipe to some of you, but now it makes sense to pop it up here instead!  Custies: 375g butter or marge 190g icing sugar (confectioner sugar) 375g plain flour 125g custard powder Cream butter and icing sugar together (I use my mixer, which is my ancient Kenwood) Add the flour/custard powder mixed together spoon by spoon as the mixer whirs about on a low

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-48457149127691504872011-12-03T16:56:00.001Z2011-12-03T18:13:57.463Z

Seniors tennis from the Royal Albert Hall on the TV right now - such fun to see McEnroe and leConte again, and they play so well! We have been to watch there many years - I must add it to the "to do" list for next year again. If I remember where the list goes. I think 2 nights in London next December, some tennis, some shopping and a show would be amazing. Soaking up the atmosphere and going on

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-68249523070245177732011-12-02T15:27:00.001Z2011-12-02T15:58:53.043Z

We had nothing to nibble, my son informed me, so, in an effort to save money, avoid shops and have a quiet day after the disasters of yesterday,  I decided to bake the old family favourite - Norwegian Kisses, aka Custies. These are cookies made with flour, icing sugar, butter and custard powder. Dipped in chocolate. This picture is of half the batch. The rest are in that tin on the left, on my

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-33755383729721982082011-12-01T18:17:00.001Z2011-12-01T18:33:04.183Z

I came home from a weird session of aquazumba at dawn - the pool was not full enough after it had been worked on for the past 3 days - they still have not solved the problem of the escaping water. So the exercises had to be modified and the buoyancy of the water was nothing like as good as normal, so we were all wiped out afterwards. Anyway. I came home and decided to decorate the tree now that

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-866999347766112962011-11-30T12:14:00.001Z2011-11-30T14:50:56.622Z

Thank you for all your lovely comments. Sigh. It is such fun to be able to get excited about something now and then! No, I had not thought of selling them - I was just on a roll again. I never know when to stop when I make things I like! And, feeling suitably festive, and because the sun is shining, I decided to do some tree wrangling. I unpacked the huge tree, which is now 35 years old, I think

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-73345077256204221402011-11-29T10:42:00.001Z2011-11-29T13:12:28.065Z

Do you remember these little round blobs I made? They are hand-warmers - fleece circles filled with rice, which you nuke in the microwave and then tuck into pockets or gloves to keep you warm.   But they looked a little uninspiring. So I decided to do a little fiddling with the instructions for heating them, and that led to me playing with Wordart, and that led to clipart, and that led to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-88278648779514841592011-11-28T17:23:00.001Z2011-11-28T18:49:12.261Z

This morning, I decided that I would make the presentation of my little gifty thingys more classy (I have such a way with words, don't I) and started playing with Word Art. My basic starting point then got worked on a little, and I was rather hoping that Diana would be around to help, but she was in bed, so when David zapped past in search of breakfast, I collared him, and plonked him down at the

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-44738754403105802182011-11-27T13:33:00.001Z2011-11-27T18:13:20.064Z

Advent Well, it is all Kelli's fault. The blog template thingy. I had forgotten that RCR needed a bit of seasonal change too, so I started off on Blogger who have got a surprising array of interesting backgrounds if you click on the picture template and then background, and then the little arrow next to the one in the corner, and woah, all the options start appearing. However, they failed to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-5475831552616393412011-11-26T15:44:00.001Z2011-11-26T15:44:43.640Z

I am trying out templates. Things will be a little odd here for a while......

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-34471418762723154392011-11-26T09:28:00.001Z2011-11-26T11:48:55.876Z

Well, thank heavens the wind is blowing this morning, because my garden was saturated with toxic type fumes last night, and it was starting to seep into the house too. The fumes from the plastic kind of rubbish that they burnt were obviously heavier in the air and they stayed. By midnight it was totally impossible to breathe outside. I checked, and started coughing so retreated back indoors. I

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-74366359529615660362011-11-25T10:54:00.001Z2011-11-25T16:37:53.559Z

Two doors down the road is a rather neglected house. The owner died 2 months ago in a hospice, but no-one locally knew, which is really sad. She lived alone, and shunned everyone, even when we knocked on the door or left notes to see if she was alright or if we could help. However, her son has arranged for the house to be cleared and sold, and the really sad thing is that 90% has gone into a

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-20371941491545333552011-11-24T13:26:00.001Z2011-11-24T13:41:56.402Z

I suspect the blogging universe will be a little quiet today. I also suspect my American friends will be indulging in a few pies and a lot of turkey today. That should be the other way around, of course. The pies and the turkey. I love the idea of Thanksgiving. I say this every year, don't I. I especially love the idea of a really big holiday with no presents involved. Just the people. But this

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-29490322662162333222011-11-23T19:12:00.001Z2011-11-23T19:34:32.842Z

I am slowly finding my way out from under the boxes, people. There is no shortage of Christmas stuff in this house, and I have yet to get the big tree decoration boxes out of the loft. Well, order son to mountaineer through the hatch, that is. I will have to start wrapping and listing things soon. Just to get them out of the way, but November is a little early, really. For me. More aquazumba

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-59439952774163938692011-11-22T15:49:00.001Z2011-11-22T16:13:02.332Z

WHAT POSSESSED ME?????? My house looks like a consignment shop. In a fit of totally unreasonable enthusiasm, I decided that, as Advent starts on Sunday, it would be a good time to amass the Christmas and winter boxes. And blanket and cushions and gifts and candles and EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN. One does need to find the Advent wreath. Why today? I have no idea. Well, my sister started doing

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-5417957400415022882011-11-21T13:04:00.001Z2011-11-21T14:11:46.664Z

The fog of yesterday is still lurking here today - "lurking" - isn't that a great word to use with the word "fog"? Anyway. It is foggy. I know what I mean. Thanks for the lovely comments re the sewing room stuff. I have to confess that they have all been works in progress for the past year. The bunting was cut a year ago in a fit of enthusiasm and then it sat there next to my machine for 11

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-21471505446491466722011-11-20T13:50:00.001Z2011-11-20T14:40:08.239Z

Well, here are the things I have been making. They are simple, not complicated, but they look just fine, and will do nicely for gifts. I hope.   Little hearts and other shapes cut, sanded and drilled and now waiting for the blackboard paint. I will show you what they look like when I get them finished. They are a work in progress at the moment.  My kitchen table is long. It is just as well

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-90713485655183066492011-11-19T18:14:00.001Z2011-11-20T14:38:06.358Z

Well, Saturdays are still my best day of the week, even when I don't get a great deal done. I had a lovely long chat to my sister on the phone this morning and we had to laugh about the fact that we both LOVE making things, and while we may need some creations for presents, we can't stop at one or two. No. We keep making things, and then sit and look at the pile and wonder what on earth we are

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-31107164586418729002011-11-18T10:51:00.001Z2011-11-18T14:59:58.941Z

I suspect that my day so far is not one that many of you will be experiencing regularly. Royalty came to visit the village. I, however, would not have had a clue "It" was coming had I not gone to have my hair done yesterday and seen the piece of paper on the coffee table asking clients not to park near the entrance to the shoe factory today. Because royalty was visiting. The Princess Royal, to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-39447208059925937162011-11-17T15:24:00.001Z2011-11-17T18:32:16.394Z

After reading something on Vee's blog yesterday, I thought I would paraphrase parts of it for my local friends. In fact, it is quite possible to make this international, in that we all focus on our own doorstep and the people in our own communities for a while in the time running up to Christmas. I am fiercely against any sort of national protectionism, though, because we live in big wide world

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-51181853310704733392011-11-16T10:11:00.001Z2011-11-16T13:15:35.185Z

Please do not assume I am a whirling dervish, people. I am not. The sanding and the cutting were short lived things. I do a bit as I pass and then a bit more later. Hah. Pacing. I sit, and I stand and a walk a little, and that is how things go here. I do bits of the meal preparation through the day. It is how I get things done now that life is somewhat different. And the movement keeps you warm

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-57634597706611742382011-11-15T16:23:00.001Z2011-11-15T16:42:27.830Z

No-one would assume I was in the first flush of youth today. The "crone" version of Linds is nearer the mark. EVERYTHING hurts today. Perfect. So, after a slow start, Jean and I went to aqua-zumba, and for the first time, I struggled a bit. But we got there (to the end of the lesson without expiring), and that spa afterwards was like heaven. I sank into that warm bubbling water and nearly dozed

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-75671544827227907472011-11-14T12:27:00.001Z2011-11-14T14:02:19.962Z

Life is back to normal here. The washing machine is whirring away. The dishwasher - ditto. The toys are in a pile waiting for me to conjure up SOMEWHERE to store them until Missy returns. And there is no-one racing up and down ordering me about. "ON THE FLOOR, MOREGLANNY!!!" (She is attempting the "r" in granny and it is not quite there yet.) And I repeat, she will make a SUPERB Speaker in

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-65536818132157244042011-11-13T20:36:00.001Z2011-11-13T20:42:16.868Z

Day 13: Grandchildren. I am so thankful that I am a granny - a Moregranny, and that I have a little girl who yells "Come ON, Moreganny!" and tugs on my hand. Tugs on the heartstrings too. I love the little scrap to pieces. I love every atom of her body, and her smile lights up my world. Did I mention that I love being a granny??????? Loads of Missy-related stuff today - teaching her Snap, having

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-254020351268022662011-11-12T19:46:00.001Z2011-11-12T20:46:12.872Z

Well, today can best be described as a day full of dollies, Fisher Price (vintage) people and extras, chocolate cake and smarties, birthday candles and shape sorters. Pushchairs and little ironing boards, bags and a little girl who has not stopped talking since she walked in the door. A little girl who helped her Moregranny fill vases of flowers. Who pulled up a chair and sorted the fruit bowl

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-15314125516863758862011-11-11T17:38:00.001Z2011-11-11T20:11:44.309Z

It has been the Get The House Ready for my son and his family to visit day today. There has been much activity. And tomorrow will bring more of that activity before they arrive and then, as we all know, there will be nonstop activity all weekend, because a nearly 3 year old girlie will be in residence, and it is also my Mum's birthday tomorrow. Things will not be quiet. I can't wait! Missy has

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-1942142135274035102011-11-10T21:12:00.001Z2011-11-10T21:36:45.197Z

First - let me just say how much you all make me smile - thank you all so much for your comments and your encouragement (to go and eat the chocolate). Bad days happen now and then and I usually just go AWOL from the blog for a few days. But sometimes I don't. And it is NaBloPoMo or something like that so I am attempting, in an unofficial capacity, to show up here each day for what is the second

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-87889215163486106642011-11-09T17:32:00.000Z2011-11-09T17:32:11.634Z

I am in a funk and definitely not good company today. I wonder if I have any chocolate....hang on, I bought some for Christmas presents. That will do. The person destined to receive the box can have something else. I can make something. Biscuits. That will do. Now where did I hide them........ I am not going to talk about why I am in a funk. All I am going to say is that I am very tired of a

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-78004471008604581622011-11-08T20:11:00.000Z2011-11-08T20:11:30.465Z

 There is a whole lot of this going on here. Multiply the photo above by 200 and you can visualise the chaos in the sewing room. The carpet is covered with thread.  These are part of the finished pile....... And these are now finished and rolled. It has been another grey day here. Mizzle, says Jean - a mixture of mist and drizzle all day so the hair is now corkscrewing sideways from my

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-85603583118202613652011-11-07T21:07:00.002Z2011-11-07T21:10:00.711Z

Well, hello from a grey and damp and decidedly unimpressive Monday in Middle England. I am waiting for the water board people to arrive. Sometime today. Nothing is wrong, but our water supplier is offering free water saving things - sprayer on taps, attachment for the garden hose-pipe, and they do something to decrease the amount of water used to flush the toilets. Free. I like free. So, the

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-41115697932468762962011-11-06T15:23:00.001Z2011-11-06T15:29:39.529Z

Day 6: I am so thankful for the simple things, laughter and memories, crackling bonfires and excited kiddies, and how every time of celebration evokes memories from distant years, which make me smile.  There is something about bonfires, and flickering flames and the smell of wood burning which makes standing outside wrapped up in a dozen layers just perfect. Gloves, hats and all.  Standing

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-71266684784844729422011-11-05T11:57:00.001Z2011-11-05T11:57:36.490Z

Thank you for all your help, people - it has been illuminating! Food for thought, and it will be interesting to pass this on to the Powers That Be around here. If you want to keep emailing me your ideas or experiences, please do! Right now, I should be on a train to London, to meet up with a group of ladies who went to the same school I went to in the Dark Ages - though some of them are a good

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-1981548537946578382011-11-04T15:50:00.000Z2011-11-04T15:50:40.160Z

Day 4 of the 30 Days of Thankfulness: For telephones and emails, texts and skype - so many, many ways to keep in touch with those I love - friends as well as family. I was going to say "Morning, All" but a glance at the clock tells me that it is no longer morning. Someone clearly set the clocks on fast forward. My achievements of the day involve a lovely coffee outing with friends. That is it,

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-51720998440151801232011-11-03T15:04:00.001Z2011-11-03T15:04:28.366Z

Day 3: For memories which make me smile, and for dreams which may become my memories too one day. I started a memory jar a while back. I saw the idea on Pinterest, and basically it is a glass jar with a lid in the living room. I write down a simple word or line of a particular memory and pop it in the jar, and on New Year's Eve, the idea is to take them all out and read them aloud. The whole

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-34878462767226906852011-11-02T17:17:00.000Z2011-11-02T17:17:24.733Z

I love Wednesdays at the moment. They are tough busy days for me with 2 exercise classes, but the best bit is that my son cooks supper on Wednesdays. Just as well, because the body refuses to move. Actually, I went on strike 2 weeks ago and there may have been a little screeching and stomping and slamming of the dishwasher door involved, but the result is that I do not cook 2 days a week. I do

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-10802707997537081052011-11-01T17:32:00.000Z2011-11-01T20:29:16.117Z

Ah - November! Hello there. It is just after 4pm and getting dark already. But I have the crockpot bubbling away, and am resting my aching extremities after aqua-zumba in a freezing pool this morning. They have apparently not found the leak yet. Thank heavens for the spa, because we were in there SO fast after the class, you have no idea. Yesterday would have been my mother-in-law's birthday.

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-64803122642300450332011-10-31T11:38:00.000Z2011-10-31T11:38:22.180Z

Well, here we are then - 31 days later, having wandered down Memory Lane. It has been astonishingly difficult to keep posting on one subject, I have to say, but once I get going, I tend to let the words run away with me, don't I..... Memories come in all shapes and sizes, and all shades too. There are the sunny colours, interspersed with the dark ones, and that is what forms the picture of our

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-66823798066976858702011-10-30T17:47:00.000Z2011-10-30T17:47:18.252Z

The clocks went back today. That means the dark will start at 5pm tonight, and get gradually worse. Why oh why can't we stay on summer time?? Apparently there is a move to see if we can do a trial - I think of a few years, from 2013. it can't come soon enough for me. To me, winter starts when the clocks go back. It is a state of mind. But, I have just been out in the garden and there are still

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-4740746515081731112011-10-29T15:29:00.002+01:002011-10-29T22:41:22.745+01:00

I love Saturdays. And today is just a perfect example. I had to pop into town to the bank this morning, and managed to get there and back without venturing into the shops, and before the hordes (see yesterday) arrived. The weather is blustery and autumnal, but no rain so far. The trees along the road are beautiful colours now - red, orange, yellow. Then I did a little more cutting and ironing

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-20758054872345569902011-10-28T21:13:00.001+01:002011-10-28T21:14:15.174+01:00

It is just as well I rarely check my stats or worry re comments, because yesterday, 164 people popped in and yet there were zero comments. I know this because I had to see if anyone was out there, or if there was something wrong, so I checked. You are still out there, and that is just fine with me. I am the world's worst commenter at the moment, so I can't complain! I am all too aware of how busy

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-9990516732656326692011-10-27T18:21:00.001+01:002011-10-27T18:21:27.738+01:00

Tonight, the house is filled with the scent of roasting vegetables - potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and baking fish. It smells fabulous. Warm and full of interesting aromas. Does anyone else use the oven to heat the house? I leave the door open after I finish the cooking, and the oven cools while releasing the heat into the kitchen. Perfect. My house multi-tasks too. It has been

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-80823758840749535762011-10-26T18:38:00.000+01:002011-10-26T18:38:11.702+01:00

Aquarobics is cancelled for tomorrow. The pool has a leak. It was hilarious this afternoon, because the bottom of the water was relatively warm, but the top, ice cold, because they had to keep topping it up. But we moved rapidly so it stopped bothering us pretty soon. Oh, the trials we face in the pursuit of those core muscles..... I unearthed the Autumn quilt which I made last year. I started

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-49193035347705945502011-10-25T14:54:00.000+01:002011-10-25T16:12:10.462+01:00

Before we left South Africa, we decided that the odds on us being able to afford holidays were rather remote, given that we were starting from scratch and had to buy a house and exchange control regulations in SA meant we couldn't take our money with us. So, in a moment of madness, we thought camping would be a great idea. So we bought a large tent. Well. I can say in retrospect that never ONCE

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-53965727864972742602011-10-24T12:04:00.000+01:002011-10-24T12:04:55.104+01:00

24 days so far and I have to say that I am finding it hard going. Posting on one theme for 31 days is HARD. Not that I am running out of things to say, of course. I have 57 years to draw inspiration from and by no stretch of the imagination have they been boring. But I want to talk about every day things like I usually do here at RCR and I cannot begin to spend as much time as it would take to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-63998430065614929722011-10-23T19:39:00.000+01:002011-10-23T19:39:33.375+01:00

If you do not want to read a rant, skip merrily down to the bit in bold below."So forget friends for now."  That will take you to a Granny memory, omitting the rant.  I remember when friendship was something I took for granted. When the one thing apart from family which you could depend on for sharing, thoughtfulness etc was friendship. Inclusive. When it was a two way street.  That was in

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-48474763448268563362011-10-22T19:49:00.002+01:002011-10-22T19:49:51.957+01:00

I am on a roll, people. Cutting, ironing, pinning, sewing. It may not last because one day like this and I need a week to recover, so I am trying to get stuff done. Ticking the boxes. I can't tell you what I am making because most of the people who will be receiving what I am making as Christmas gifts, read this. Oh well. It involves Christmas material. My quest to use only what is in the

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-45765343627044355382011-10-21T20:46:00.001+01:002011-10-21T20:46:45.196+01:00

Some days, simple is good. In fact, I wish I could make more of my days simple. Or more simple than they currently are. Today I have been fiddling in the sewing room, among the boxes. I have cut out some projects and sewn up more, and re-jigged patterns, and experimented, and it has been lovely. Add to that a lunch out with Jean and Mum at a gorgeous little tearoom in a neighbouring village

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-3332817311091781192011-10-20T17:06:00.001+01:002011-10-20T17:06:20.302+01:00

That unforgettable flight my grandmother made with my mother, was Granny's first international flight. I seem to remember her flying to Johannesburg with my great aunt before then. But my grandparents loved travelling. They made the sea trip to the UK and Europe every two years until Grandpa died in 1967. Grandpa bought his cars here and shipped them back home. Those were the days of the mail

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-56833968722651610082011-10-19T17:33:00.001+01:002011-10-19T17:33:49.082+01:00

Just after we were married, I was supposed to join Geoff on a trip to the States which included a naval exercise, but wives were allowed to go, so that was great. I said "supposed". The captain then decided that he was not having any wives along, thankyouverymuch, so I was stuck, because my mother-in-law was expecting Geoff's sister and family to arrive and there was no room at the inn. So I did

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-63904008122358700992011-10-18T11:51:00.001+01:002011-10-18T11:56:29.582+01:00

For some light relief this morning, I looked at my Christmas List. And I cannot make head or tail of what I have scrawled there, so I closed the book with a thud. My sewing room is full of boxes. Other People's Boxes. And a multitude of boxes of Christmas stuff, including gifts made or acquired through the year which should be in the loft, but my mission is to empty the loft because I HAVE to

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-48278707322254075582011-10-17T23:08:00.000+01:002011-10-17T23:08:19.446+01:00

Autumn is definitely here, people - blustery winds and a little rain, and me chasing things round the garden, like watering cans which took flight. On TV, the energy coasts are high on the news agenda. The government's solution? Shop around. NO! Why don't companies reward loyal customers (the ones who look at shopping around with horror) (like me) with the lowest rates in town? Groan. Autumn. Oh

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-77210654801710710902011-10-16T16:02:00.001+01:002011-10-16T16:02:52.783+01:00

Today is World Food Day. There are so many millions of people around the world who are hungry right now - famine, wars, drought, crop failure, and closer to home, the cost. Oh, the spiralling  cost. It scares me rigid at times, and I am sensible. I plan ahead - I have food. I grow my own, I keep a supply of basics. We will not starve. But then what if you suddenly lose your job? Or, as winter

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-20394219275220026122011-10-15T16:35:00.000+01:002011-10-15T16:53:23.316+01:00

My camera. Well. Unlike the 57,900,288 previous times when I have lost or broken something, this time, I called the insurance company to report the demise of said camera. I loved my camera. It was a gift from my sister and brother-in-law for Christmas nearly 3 years ago. And the call went fine. Yes, I know I have an excess of £100 (stupid me. I should have lowered it a bit) and yes, the camera is

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-67287395231709870782011-10-14T20:28:00.000+01:002011-10-14T20:28:36.186+01:00

Today I am going to tell you about a little girl I met many years ago. No-one will know who I am talking about, except........maybe she will. One of the things I loved about having my children, was meeting new people. Making new friends. And once they started at pre-primary, the gathering in the car park, waiting for them to burst through the doorway was a great place to chat to other mums. And

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-561731426546115442011-10-13T17:44:00.000+01:002011-10-13T17:44:26.231+01:00

My youngest son, David, and I were having a chat earlier about how I was somewhat surprised when I found out that he was on the way. He was not actually planned. (The shock wore off fast, let me add, and he has always been a wonderful, wanted and loved addition to our family!) It was 8 years after Diana was born, after all, and I had spent my 20s chasing little ones. My 30s were supposed to be

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-5630749174730212512011-10-12T21:20:00.001+01:002011-10-12T21:20:22.110+01:00

I am playing with templates. I HATE PLAYING WITH TEMPLATES. RCR may look discombobulated for a while.

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-26144249690670062992011-10-12T16:39:00.000+01:002011-10-12T16:39:29.587+01:00

The parcel arrived at its destination over on the other side of the world yesterday. Do you remember a couple of weeks ago, when I said I had finished the quilt I was making? This is my ta da moment - here it is..... For Kelli, my sweet blogging friend, who is waiting for a new kidney. Sigh. I am so glad it got there safely. On Monday, I had to go to be re-assessed for the industrial

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-33469868337659515962011-10-11T21:36:00.004+01:002011-10-11T21:36:49.197+01:00

Patience has never been one of my talents or gifts. I am waiting to hear if a parcel I posted 11 days ago has reached its destination, and as it is a surprise I can't very well email the person I sent it to to ask if there is any sign of it, now can I. Sigh. This has nothing to do with memories at all, though. I know that. I just need to prattle on about things.......... Blogger has some weird

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-44902594110144618412011-10-10T20:37:00.000+01:002011-10-10T20:37:16.268+01:00

6 years ago, in August 2005, the Swiss village where my sister lives was devastated by floods. A landslide destroyed the road and rail link to the outside world,and the only way in or out of the valley high up above Luzern, was by helicopter. You can read about it here. Marge's house is in the centre of the village, across the road from the sports hall, and, when the emergency personnel decided

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-66736819942394190152011-10-09T14:51:00.001+01:002011-10-09T14:51:17.241+01:00

Where was I?? Ah. Glued teeth. I remember the day that I had new carpets laid throughout the house. I remember the smell of them which was delightful for the first hour or so but then got a little overpowering. But I digress. I had invited Peter and Glynis to dinner that day. Peter's Mum was visiting from Natal, and so I wanted it to be a really special evening. The food was fine. It must have

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-66225085454861707522011-10-08T19:18:00.002+01:002011-10-08T19:18:47.922+01:00

Another - yes, yet another - pile of papers thudded through the letter box this morning from the lawyers. Get quotes from gardeners, decorators, sign this, read that. Hah. It can wait till next week. Brain overload. And England is out of the World Cup (rugby) after a dire performance this morning. The skies are grey and the wind is chilly. My leg hurts and so does my head. And don't forget my

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15437418.post-18371387622327712382011-10-07T16:27:00.000+01:002011-10-07T16:27:22.210+01:00

My hair is red. It has always been red. I think I was a throwback, because my sister had blonde hair, and my parents had brown and blonde hair, but my uncle had "auburn" hair. Anyway, I had red hair. So do all three of my children. Beautiful red hair. Me aged 2 with curly hair When I was little, it was curly and cute until my mother had it cut into a bowl type of hairstyle, topped with a

Lindshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141761866483224572noreply@blogger.com5