The Lockdown Gang - still chatting ?

I'll rephrase that, having scratched my eyelid without washing hands...not tactile. No.

Just picked from my garden.So very tactile.

A warm, muggy, still Saturday morning here. I see there has been a total fire ban set up in the Far North, so we must have been very lucky to have had a few showers to give just a little to the irrigation tanks.

MrJ went out just after 7 to do the supermarket shopping. For some reason he likes to go very early on a Saturday, while I'm still on my first cuppa in my PJs. That's fine with me though, after the very busy week, and another coming up.

Muse - I really hope you have not overtired yourself. You definitely deserve the little extra treat of flying down the Cornish coast. I really hope that you hear from your DS very soon x.

Kaimoana - I hope your day is going well with your lovely DGS. Has he managed to get through all the food yet?

Pudding and Dottie have taken to patrolling the bounds of the hen run, being quite indignant that Doreen and Jill have been so uppitty as to get out and run around the garden. They have very strong views on everyone knowing their place. Last night there was a scuffle and some strong cat words uttered, and there was tiny little Dottie, the epitome of beautiful-but-dumb, showing the big ginger tom the door. Pudding, meanwhile, at least 3 times her size and weight, was pretending that he hadn't noticed the intruder.

I have so many books on the go, and so many other projects too, that I really don't know what to do today. I think I'll have to allocate time slots for everything. An hour in the garden, an hour on my painting, half an hour for each of the 4 books I'm juggling. Late lunch, then start again.

Have a serene evening everyone.

Shortish news from me today you lovely Lobstars ? as I'm needed to help MrMuse with his plumbing tasks on the build. The sun is trying it's utmost/upmost? best to shine through the clouds. It's been drizzling all morning. I do fancy a dry (above) walk later on with Mya.

How lovely you ladies are Kaimoana. It is a delight to see another tall lady. I'm always at the back being 6'. Sorry to hear about the spread of cases. ?? you do not loose your help. Cases here are spreading again. Schools are suffering the most I believe.

Will your DSiL have help with the move or can he postpone Mamissimo? Hope our yummy Cornish pasties weren't to blame. Your DD2 as well.? My Mya is snoozing way besides me as I type. She is 1/2 German Shepherd. I'm putting myself in your DD2 shoes and dread the day I say goodbye to her.

It sounds like Cushie is becoming a friend as well as a helper Grammaretto . It seems yonks since I watched and listened to some live music. Such a delight and pleasurable experience, especially when it's your own doing the performing.

Kind words BJ. All this busyness from me is taking it's toll. I am having longer and longer lie ins and keep saying I we must have early nights. I will take lots of photos whilst we are away. We decided to make it a real treat and take the Skybus from Newquay airport (which is 20 mins away) to St Mary's. Half an hour flight but along the north Cornwall coastline. ?
History is truly taking a horrible turn at the moment. My daily read of the Guardian every morning bring tears to my eyes. My anger also rises when I believe the UK gov could have done far more earlier on to help the refugees.

I must find some time in the day to tend my little babies seeds. The aubergines looked like they had germinated yesterday. I've tried a new variety of tom ? this year and they have all germinated.

Doodle. How is Semantle going? Could not believe my luck early this morning. 11 ? . It was over 100 the other day.

Looking forward to a long chat with my DD earlier this evening. Nothing from my DS for nearly two months now. I shall send my usual weekend "Hello and love you" text.

Take care Lobstars?✨ . I see the sun - off I go.

Muse - once again I cut and pasted and missed the top off...sorry!

Muse - How lucky you are to be going to the Isles of Scilly! I always thought they sounded quite magical-hope that you have a wonderful 70th celebration. I LOVE my steam cleaner! What a great job it does on marble floors, to be sure. Good job with the high SPF moisturiser…wish we’d been more aware of the problems with sun exposure in our youth ☹. You really are an amazingly versatile lady, what with solving problem handles and internet difficulties and all.

My goodness, I just can’t believe how busy everyone has been, and how many posts there have been since I last poked my head above the parapet.

Kaimoana - you are really buzzing, lady! Such energy…but then, a young DGS eats non-stop and a whole weekend of refilling plates is something of a challenge…that gorgeous-looking cake will hit the spot, I bet! What a great photo of you and your gang! Such a lovely recognition of IWD. And a commendation of the courage and tenacity of so many refugees and immigrants, led and borne up and inspired by women. As has been the case since we all left Africa for parts unknown.
Tonight’s menu sounds unbelievably appetising…if there are any left-overs, do pop them in a doggie bag, and into the post…Oh no, I forgot, the post is SO unreliable just now. With that lad there, there won’t be left-overs, I’m picking. Mmm..fig cake…

Mamissimo - So sorry to hear that you are having an awful time just now. I really hope you poor DSiL is improving-what a shock to experience something so urgent and life-threatening, out of the blue. And your poor, poor DD – losing a beloved pet is so devastating. I hope all goes well with the IVF. It must be so tough on everyone.

Grammaretto - what a proud Granny you must be! How clever your young folk are, and it’s obvious that all this artistic talent emanates from Granny. I learned the piano as a kid, but haven’t touched an instrument for years. Where do you find the time with all the busy-ness of life? My DGM left me a beautiful 1809 Panormo violin, which she used to play in an orchestra as a young girl, but sadly, I can’t play it…I just take it out and caress its gorgeousness.
So good that Cushie is a little gem and being a great help to you. I can’t imagine what it must be like without your kitchen yet…you are very patient!

Doodle- how wonderful that your DH is getting his cataracts sorted so promptly. Have hospitals caught up with their waiting lists yet? What a good and dutiful wife you are, waiting all that time. I hope you had a good book or a podcast?
What fun to have blinds you can play with! You won’t know yourself after the venetians. They’re such a lot of work.
Lovely pictures of the Dean with his birds. You will miss him and his daily words…I hope his replacement is as admirable a person, and that you continue to enjoy that time. Might it be a lady Dean this time, do you think?

It’s been a very busy few days with U3A commitments every day, and trying to keep up with the garden, as always. We had our French group here yesterday, outdoors, while there is such a lot of Omicron out there, and some of our members are vulnerable. Always a fun afternoon, and my lovely lady with her very ailing DH finds it a great release to immerse herself in learning with a compassionate group. Her DH also enjoys the company, even though he doesn't really understand what's going on.
History again this morning – very interesting. I just don’t know where the days/weeks go. Perhaps it’s age.
It’s a very strange time in world history, isn’t it. So much tragedy. So much pain for so many. I just can’t imagine the awful trauma those poor Ukrainian children must be suffering.
Friday night again...

Cushie sounds like she will be a big asset Grammaretto .
Glad she’s fitting in so well.
Your DGS is doing well too. Quite a lot of musicians in the family to encourage your DGC then. Nice you are able to go and watch.
Coming back to a cooked meal must have finished the evening off nicely for you.
Kaimoana your fig crumble cake looks delicious and I’m sure your tart will be too. Just reading the descriptions made my mouth water ?
Yes the new blinds will be electric with a gadget that controls them. DH doesn’t like the blinds with cords plus a couple of the windows are hard to reach. We are having double blinds on 3 windows. A thin net like blind and a blackout blind on top. We thought they’d be too difficult to manage without being electric plus planning for our old age…….which doesn’t seem so far off now ?
You are so right. I will be playing with the blinds up then down …….. until we misplace the controller.
More delicious food. Hope you have a lovely time with all the family.
Take care all.

Gosh Doodle I hadn't realised your blinds were electric - do you have a remote for them?
I can imagine you, the moment the blind wo/man has gone, joyfully making them go up and down, up and down

You really are an artistic family Grammaretto you with all your design and pottery and the award winning musical scions.

When I asked my Dad if I could learn piano he said, 'You're too busy playing the fool to play piano.'
How well he knew me.

A mere 24 degrees today and the early morning rain was a sprinkle, not even enough to dampen grass roots but the bush has survived for 1000's years, so I suppose it will prevail.

As it's so cool, I'm going to do Hasselback potatoes for tonight's dinner, with finely riced-steamed cauli & grated, buttered carrot - along with the side salads. Gives everyone a choice then.

If I succeed with Sunday's flan, I'll post a pic (all very Facebooky isn't it .
"Here's my burger" !!

Hee hee

You were right Grammaretto I did get sick of it, especially when I realised it wasn't 'live' but each was a short video.

Glad to hear there are improvements in Mamissimo's world again

I haven't done the flan yet Doodle but it's partially constructed.

It will be Morello Cherry and Raspberry on a butter-biscuit (sf) crumb base, then a thin layer of firm-ish ganache (sf choc) under Crème Pâtissière or I may use German Buttercream, this avoids adding much sugar as the tartness of the fruit balances the sweet base..

I hope I can do that in triangles - we'll see if my sight is up to it.
Brings a whole new meaning to baking blind hee hee.

Meanwhile, BJ's figs went into this Fig Crumble Cake.

More anon.......

What a relief to know he will have both cataracts done soon Doodle
and you will have your super new blinds!
It sometimes gets me down not having my own kitchen but since the tenants have had a hold up on the sale of their own house, I can stay in the flat for a bit longer.
Cushie is really nice. She worked happily in the garden this morning (the quince has gone in) and shopped and cooked a lovely meal for me when I got back just now from the concert.

Tonight it was chamber music for 4 clarinets and DGS 's group won the medal. No he doesn't get it from me. DH's family certainly are very musical (3 orchestral musicians and a concert pianist) and DM sang in a choir and played piano. His mum, my DDiL, encourages both the children and she plays piano too.

Kaimoana what a lovely photo. You all look so happy.
Sorry to hear about your neighbour. Nice of those locally to help out.
I can’t imagine going for days on end without rain. I think where you live would be far too hot for me. I would be like a wilted spinach leaf. (I cooked some for dinner hence the reference) ?
What sort of tart are you baking? Go on, make my mouth water. Those flowers are beautiful.
Oh Mamissimo, when it rains it pours as they say (I typed that before I read Grammaretto’s post. Two minds think alike)
So sorry to hear about your SIL. Glad his op is over. Hopefully he will recover quickly. Your DD must be so upset about her dog. So hard to say goodbye to a much loved pet.
She is brave to go through the IVF again. I will keep everything crossed for her. I would think you do need a holiday. Have you anything in the horizon?
You’re not going to wake up MrM with the frozen leg of lamb are you ?
Grammaretto sounds like you and Cushie are getting on well.
Sitting and chatting over coffee.
Well done to your DGD and congratulations to your DGS.
You are obviously a very musical and talented family (do you play any instruments.)
How long do you have to wait before your worktop is installed?
Is the cooker working yet?
We had an early start today . Off to the eye hospital for DHs appointment. They wouldn’t let me go in so I sat in the car park for 2 hours waiting for him. Good news is that they have agreed that he needs his cataract in his right eye done asap and have said they would do the left eye about 4 weeks later. We were not expecting this so quite pleased with the outcome.
My new electric window blinds are being fitted next week. Can’t wait to get rid of the Venetian blinds (and several inches of dust on each slat ). Almost tempted to clean them out of shame before the man comes to take them down……..almost but not quite.
Sleep well all

Good Morning

I have awoken refreshed ?

DSiL had his appendix removed in the early hours and is now on IV robotics. The infection came on so fast - on Sunday the whole family was at their house finishing off the booze eating pasties from Cornwall. We had a splendid day....and isn't that the rollercoaster of life!

Mr M is still in the land of nod! At nearly half past ten! I think It's my duty to creep upstairs and surprise him......??

Mamissimo What a pother. It never rains but it pours.(sorry Kaimoana)
I hope DSiL gets through the operation successfully and recovers quickly.
He must have been feeling ill for a while - no?

Sad news indeed about the dog.

Doodle great to see the Dean and his chooks.

Hello Nortsat and Missy.
Lovely to see you celebrating Women's Day.
and Kaimoana
I sat in the restaurant of the National Gallery of Scotland sipping coffee in the sunshine with Cushie, toasting women artists, writers and my DGD who had just bravely performed on her flute beautifully. This time it was her brother who won the medal for his clarinet. @proudgrannie
I think there is another concert tonight.

No sign of the new tenants. Just as well really as my kitchen is still not ready. I had to rescue my orange tree seedlings from the frozen window ledge in there.

muse you are having abundant celebrations. I would love the Scilly Isles but unlikely to get there. Send us a postcard /picture

I shall need to set Cushie chores today or she will think life here is one long holiday. or busy social whirl as BJ puts it so well

Worrying times for you in NZ Kaimoana. I hope your Homecare doesn't stop.

Oh Mamissimo how frightening and what a lot of anxiety for you and yours.

I know we'll all be thinking of you over the next days and weeks.

Good evening.....
I'm all of a pother tonight! DSiL 1 has just been taken into hospital in agony with acute appendicitis and they will operate tomorrow morning.....and he is the one moving house next week....

And saddest of all DD2 will say goodbye to her beloved German Shepherd, Mia, in the next few days......and begin injecting those darned hormones again.

I have managed to get the garden sorted for spring but instead of the usual joy that gives me I'm just tired tonight. I need a holiday!

GOOD to see you Nortsat.
NZ celebrated International Women's Day yesterday but here's a photo of someone you'll recognise and her friends.

The tallest lady holding a baby, is Rt. Hon. Carmel Sepuloni whom I've known since 2008, long before she became Minister of Social Development.

Oh-oh, it looks as if my Homecare is going to stop again due to half the country isolating and coughing with Omichronic symptoms.
Maybe I'll go live with BJ, at least I'll have access to fresh fruits

Just heard one of our residents is terminally ill. He's known for his long, daily walks in all weathers. He's a lovely quiet man.
The neighbours in his end of the street are rallying round and I've supplied the mountain of boxes from all my online purchases, to help sort his goods and chattels.

No significant rain here since September and I read with envy the deluges BJ has enjoyed.
Weather forecast for us is for more sun and temps in the mid-to-high 20's until end of March. scattered showers is the best we can hope for.
Might as well throw a glass of water on the desert.

Speaking of dessert (were we?) I better go start the butter crumb base for the tart.

It's a crummy job but someone has to do it

And so he should Doodle. What a shame we can't post videos on GN. I'd love to see him strutting his stuff.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202203/medium-333209-9f8b75cf-8298-4f46-9ec7-8dafcdb4c697.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202203/medium-596963-68f9e414-2120-46ec-80ec-493cae193013.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202203/medium-370754-f9f54559-455f-4dd5-bf31-433d57f00b60.png

Just wanted to share with you some photos from the Deans morning service today. He was sitting in one of the hen runs. The birds aren’t allowed out at the moment because of avian flu.
He has a hen with some little chicks but I wanted to include a picture of Russel Crow the cockerel . Doesn’t come out so well in the photo but he is the most amazing combination of colours from green to orange. He acts like he’s very proud of himself ?

Kaimoana it was more like this ?‍♀️ than ?. Hope you’ve got your boat shoes on.
Ah that could be a problem with Wordle the colours are very muted apart from the green.
I’ve not got so many wrinkles on my face but my arms are very wrinkled and crinkly. My skin is so thin I only have to touch something a little bit sharp and my skin tears so easily.
That alarm is quite expensive but I’m sure would be a good idea. My SIL and mother had the Uk equivalent.
So pleased you are having another family visit and your grandson to stay. Dinner sounds lovely. Wish I was close enough to pop in.
Boadicea what an interesting morning you’ve had. Good you enjoyed your history.
I think you need a market stall selling your fruit if that’s the price they can go for.
Glad you like your new glasses. You could have eyebrows tattooed on if you wanted. I know someone who did that. Mine are very thin and straggly these days.
Grammaretto I’m a bit disappointed Cushie isn’t quite what we expected. I was looking forward to tales of her antics. Glad you like her though. Hope she’s a big help.
Enjoy the concert. What instrument is you DGS playing this time? Will we get a photo of the worktop when it has warmed up?
Nortsat how are you and all the Molls?
Good to hear you are doing ok.
Yes I read it was international Womens day too. Those in Ukraine are suffering so much. They must be so frightened.
Take care all and keep safe.

Good evening Lobstars?

Thank you for the message for International Women's Day Nortsat. Thinking of all those women with struggles, especially those in Ukraine.

Another 70th treat next month BJ. It's our third attempt at it. Four nights on Bryher (Isles of Scilly). I wonder if you made it to a second glass after such a busy day. I'd love a bowl of that icecream. I've been told there is someone that makes icecream on Bryher ?.
I work outside so much but I do take care of my skin. Lots of TLC with high factor suncreams and moisturisers but my hair is usually up in a ponytail with it stuck through the opening in my cap with a big peak! ☀️

I hope you are well over your Sunday reorganising and took it a lot easier yesterday. Doodle. I've done Semantle every day and the other day my first word gave me a green line with being about 500/1000. I thought I was onto quick win but it took me another 50 goes to get the word field ! I've been up and over 100 a couple of times Kaimoana.

Now blackcurrants are one of my top three favourite fruits to eat and grow Grammaretto. Just planted two cuttings. I had one very old plant that gave up last year. Beautiful flowers on that Japanese Quince. Pleased to read that Cushie is delightful. I hope all the chores are done to your satisfaction. ?

I was very close to cutting grass too Nfk but ours still feels soggy. Too much clay in the soil. Cleaning floors is on my mind so I've just ordered a steam cleaner for the floor in the new house. MrMuse would be very envious of your DH and the boat. Roll on the summer days. Do you get out on the boat much yourself?

My attempt to alter some handles on a huge set of bedroom drawers failed today. Frustration set in as one screw, out of 4 on each of the 5 drawers refused to budge. I ended up damaging the heads. Having picked MrMuse's brain, I will try to drill around them tomorrow to remove them. Ordered the last of the appliances needed for the new kitchen and utility room. Next order will be tiles.

I did have a huge success with getting the new house connected to fibre cable, giving us broadband. Emails and form filling with both BT and Openreach were being questioned by them both. Openreach failed completely to understand that the new house will have the same address as the cottage we currently live in. Fortunately, I got through to someone at BT who said "Oh, that's quite an unusual application." She then said she would "sort it out" ?. Five minutes later she had. An Openreach surveyor and engineer will be coming to assess the site.

My first seeds have germinated: sweetpeas, supersize tomatoes and aubergines and I do look forward to planting a great array of vegetables and flower seeds next month.

Take care lovely Lobstars.

Good morning Gang-stars from Missy and me.
Happy International Womens Day to all of us.

Things are ok here and I hope everyone has the best day possible.
Solidarity to the women of Ukraine ?

My DS sent me that link a while back. You do get bored eventually. Kaimoana
Great posts to wake up to . Thanks gang.
Cushie arrived last night and she is delightful. she isn't actually from Somerset, more Gloucestershire
I am off to another DGC concert this morning so no time said the white rabbit
I shall set Cushie chores while I am out.
The worktop arrived but it now acclimatising because it is wood. From a cold warehouse to my cold house.
See you all later.

My DS sent me a link which his wife forwarded.
Oh, I thought, I'll have a quick look

Two hours later I was still travelling the world looking through windows.

The most exciting one was in the cockpit of a plane at JFK airport, coming in to land at night - riveting!
Then in Dubai, we weere taking off.

It's quite addictive.

Hence the list of things I meant to do today has been scrapped. [grin

www.window-swap.com

Well, this morning both MrJ and I went to our first U3A History group - "Crime and Punishment". Really interesting, with a teacher mega passionate about his subject. Its companion group, "Revolution and Civil War" starts on Friday. Tomorrow, back to the painting group, and Thursday my French group meets here. It's nothing but a busy busy social whirl hereabouts!

On the way back from the group, we stopped at a little local shop attached to an orchard, where they sell locally-baked artisanal breads, pastries, homemade jellies, jams and chutneys, and best of all...homemade icecream, using fresh blueberries or raspberries! Simply the best ice cream ever!! BUT - they had a small basket of ripe figs, very definitely on the small side, for $1 each!! One DOLLAR!! Each!! When I look at that half of the tree, loaded with tiger figs, that blew down in the storm, and is lying on the "to be burned" heap...that's worth...well, lots.

My new glasses are fine and dandy. No scratched lenses and they don't slide down my nose. BUT - they don't disguise the fact that I have no eyebrows, and haven't since I lost all my hair 3 years ago, owing to stress. Hair grew back, brows didn't. Minor problem, though. Just going to carry on looking surprised.

Greetings to Doodle Onassis fleet owner extraordinaire and Cap'n DH Permission to come aboard Ma'am/Sir?
Hee hee.

I see what I was doing wrong in Wordle - the rules say the letter tiles change colour.
I can't see colours now other than that brilliant red of Gramarettos quince.
Game over

I don't use soap either - Sorbolene instead but just water on my face and now and then a dab of sanitiser on my oily nose!

However, I'm still as wrinkly as Diana's wedding dress - pity the Emmanuels can't come and pull me smoooooooth!

Gramaretto I had a quince like that too - in Cornwall. The boys bought me plants for every celebration but I had to leave them all behind when we came back to NZ.
Amazingly, the first house we rented had magnolia, forsythia and quince. A comfort but not mine.

I've been arranging for an assessment to set up a St John's alarm which I'll wear permanently once I'm approved for funding. They cost about £80 a month

BJ Your doves are getting quite tyrannical!
Forgot to say I LOVED the photo of the pirate hope he's doing well.

My family are all popping over on Friday for a tea and to leave my DGS here over the weekend.

I have planned roast lamb and a variety of salads with Morello Cherry and raspberry flan (biscuit crumb base) for dessert.

I'm told it's correct to say 'pudding', but as I know the etymology of both words, I'd rather be lower class and accurate.

Nfk I make sugar free jam in small quantities to avoid the fermenting issue.

Fruit, sugar substitute heated up together then enough gelatine to make a jam-like consistency once it's cooled.
Takes no time at all and it'll last 7-10 days in the fridge. Yummy.