🦞 The Lockdown Gang still chatting 🦞

Notspaghetti i just caught the words pour vodka over ice cream and thought wow I’ve never done that. It is now on my to do list, 🤣
NFK good advice for Grammaretto
I have managed to have a few “conversations” with Kaimoana on messenger. She records her bit and I reply. What a beautiful voice our friend has and it’s lovely to hear her chuckle.
I’ve been out for lunch today with DH’s best friend and his wife. Very nice but made me feel sad DH not being there too.

Ours is a battle to keep them NfkDumpling I honestly don't think you can have too many.

They are lovely baked with a lump of stilton on them as a starter but I confess to loving them with just cream or thick yogurt.
Good with a plate of cheese and crackers.
They make a good stiff jam too.
Fig (and whatever) chutney.
Drop in a jar with some vodka and pour over ice cream.
Cut some into an almond frangipane sort of tart.
Bake them in chunks in cake batter...
Put them in tagines/ middle eastern dishes (and curry) where you might have put dates or apricots..

Good morning

NotSpag - what do you do with all your figs? I have a young tree against our south facing wall. I've given away a lot, eaten too many and there are only little ones left on now which the wildlife can have. I've not watered it all all in the drought and it's growing in rubble and subsoil. I dread to think how big it will get if the weather is better and it gets watered. I already pruned it drastically last year after four years in situ. I fear it was a mistake buy!

It makes me think Grammaretto that the house you like with a north facing garden may not be such a bad thing. I know you've had rain when we've been in drought but it's often reversed and my north facing bits of garden have done well this year and my shady, ferny nook has been well used I'm now looking out for fairy lights for it or /and a little floating solar fountain for the large pot with the marsh marigold in - ixon, I know you have good taste so they must be appropriate. As long as there's a sunny sheltered corner somewhere to entice you outside, and another spot to watch the sunsets with a glass in hand, it can be made to work.

I know my DC will say "twee and tacky" too. I sometimes feel I'm stuck between memories of a critical (and jealous) mother and my too honest offspring! But at least they do say when they approve. The strange thing is that 99% of the time they all agree - so that implies they must communicate, discuss, and, I rather think, gang up on me.

Doodle I always wanted a mulberry... but we had a lovely plum harvest from my mother-in-law's trees this year.

Mulberry trees however take up a lot of space and I'd surely lose most of the fruit to birds.
I say this with some sadness as a squirrel has unwrapped and eaten about two thirds of four figs. I have been round the others with another layer of tinfoil!.... 😠

Notspaghetti my mum was lovely too. The centre of the larger family including aunts and uncles. Everyone came to our house. Mum was a great cook and liked to feed people.
Grammaretto perhaps you should keep a list of things you’d like to do in your new home. Like planting the plum tree. Might help you when your looking to visualise wha t you’re after,
I had a lovely morning at a friends very beautiful 1930s house. Very homely and comfortable. Great garden too. So nice to just sit and chat.

No hairshirts allowed here, Grammaretto.
Either that, or we some of us run the risk of being a Woe Is Me Greek tragedy chorus line.
My DM always 'did her best', that I know. We try the same for our children, but, hey ho, it is sometimes deemed 'not good enough'. Been there, worn the t-shirt.

In homage to her wartime evacuation to the Somerset levels, my DM used to keep me in trugs throughout her life. Beautiful willow woven, I now see they have diversified into coffin making. 🤔
If only I'd kept those Laura Ashley long ditsy frocks.

One's children can be harsh critics, can't they?
I resurrected a box of reduced price solar fairy lights which were an impulse buy in the sales ages ago. Very fine ones (100😳) on a clear wire.
I spent ages weaving them randomly through a trellis of honeysuckle against an outhouse wall.
Despite my assertion that I could enjoy the effect from the kitchen sink, the results were less than positive from DCs. Twee, tacky, really? whatever with eye roll.

Funny how we spend all our motherhood being positive to their plans and aspirations but it is never automatically reciprocated?

How did the re-viewing of the house go today?

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I'm glad that my trug evoked visions of floatie dresses and sweet smelling flowers.
I do use it when I am filling wee vases for the tables each Saturday at the Open House cafe.

However, I am usually wearing squeaky crocs as I wade through wet grass.

I made jam with the plums , gave lots away and still have enough to give me a sore tummy if I don't stop popping them into my mouth when I pass the bowl. I shall miss my plum tree but perhaps I will plant another.

My DD would love a mum like yours NotSpaghetti. I am a constant disappointment. Sometimes I wish I lived nearer and could help out but she wouldn't like that either. Can't win.

I'm writing this on my laptop as my phone keeps allowing nasty popups which remove my posts. I hope Gransnet can fix the problem.

My father had a trug and often could be seen filling it with beautiful roses.
A trug always makes me think of him.

He made fabulous flower displays for the house.
One in the hall pretty much always and one in the dining room and/or the sitting room quite often.

At Christmas time we would have lots of them... involving holly and such like - and he'd make a big wreath for the front door. He was a naturally creative soul.

Both of my parents worked really hard - mum was sewing all the time and really "looked after" people - anyone and everyone. There was no discrimination in my home growing up.
I sometimes think I don't say enough about my mum.
I was cross with her a lot as a young woman. She always wanted to help and I (like a toddler) wanted to do (nearly) everything myself.

I know I was lucky. 🙏

Grammaretto that is lovely. What a wonderful gift.
I have never had a trug but always fancied one. I love the idea of walking round the garden in my long flowing dress and bonnet and cutting flowers for the hall display. As you can tell I love period drama and have a vivid imagination. 🤣🤣
Do you do anything with your plums? Jam or something or just eat them as they are.
Church this morning and a nice chat over coffee after. Must have an early night tonight I’m out early with friends

I wonder how Lobstars are today?

I began by picking the last of the plums, then looking for and finding my trug which I left full of plums at the community café a week ago. Someone had luckily kept it safely in the office.

This afternoon one of the artists who's to be showing her work next weekend in my open studios, came to set up her exhibition.
I didn't get a chance to do anything myself but it was lovely to see her and her DD who lives in Glasgow. The artist lives in France.
I made pots of tea!

I'll have to glaze my pots tomorrow. I am too tired now.😄

I was able to deliver my knitting to these friends. Her sister has just had a baby which is so big now they may need to use a shoehorn to squeeze her in!

Well done Notspaghetti a bit of a chore but worth it in the end to have your own figs,
Good news *Grammaretto having friends onside always helps. Is this the one that was 10 minutes from the shops and bus stops?
I’ve been to the hospice again today with friends. Church tomorrow . Sleep well all

Wonderful figs NotSpag but those pesky squirrels!
The deer are my nemesis. They eat all the pretty flowers just as they are at their best, including roses!

I'm thinking more about that house. Because it's empty I walked up today with my pottery friend and checked out the garden. She thinks it has potential and my other pal who will view it on Monday with me and who loves everything '60s, is already planning the decor!

Her DF was an architect and her own house is scandi chic 😊.
It's good to feel their approval
Sparky has a flat which is vacant if I need somewhere to live meantime so I am feeling quite positive.

How are all you wonderful Lobstars today?

Here's another!

I seem to only be able to post these one by one!

For the last five or so days it's been man ( and woman) versus squirrel!

We've wrapped all the larger ripening figs in aluminium foil, checked them each day and made sure they aren't getting too damp in their shiny coats and then yesterday and today we have outsmarted the squirrel thieves - well mainly.

I have had two bitten off and unravelled but largely I think they are not a fan of foil.
Hooray!
Figs and yogurt for breakfast today.
Yum yum!

Here's some photos of said figs.

Well no rain here again today. Yesterday’s downpour only lasted a few minutes but it has been a lot cooler today.
Grammaretto of course we all care about your move. We want the perfect place for you. Just hoping the right one comes along soon.
Interesting place you went to today.
I went for a walk with walking group then a long talk with the same group. Food shopping this afternoon then coffee with a friend tomorrow.
Sleep well all

Actually, fat finger syndrome, the house is 10 mins walk not 20.

I also wanted to say how lovely it is that Nfk and Jan meet up!

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I was at Jupiter Artland today with U3A. A fun day out looking at strange sculptures and chatting in the café.
One woman tells us endlessly about her cruises 🥱🥱
Another moi talks endlessly about her house move 🥱🥱🥱

I've been asked out to dinner tonight which is lovely as I am quite tired. We walked 5,000 steps apparently. I was the only one with sticks.

I was saying that this house is on a housing estate not 20 mins walk from my house so I am not planning to move far. There are close neighbours so not secluded at all.
I went up again to check out the garden. It is north facing, as is the conservatory so the garden is rather unsatisfactory.

Thanks Jan and thanks Lobstars for being so concerned about my move. 😊

I wrote a post but lost it due to a nasty pop-up.

It’s absolutely chucking it down in Norfolk and the forecast isnt looking good. Its also quite cold we have even put the gas fire on! How can the weather change so quickly?! This is when I start to regret booking a holiday cottage we havent been to before. Will it be warm if it turns really cold? Will the bed be comfy etc etc!
Grammaretto dont mean to interfere in the stressful time of choosing a house but however well meaning and helpful your son is being the house must be your choice and not the one he thinks would be perfect. Agree with Doodle that as we get older we do need people around us - but maybe not those with a trolley in the garden - plus of course the usual services like Drs shops etc. Wonder if there is a Community Facebook group in the village/ town where you are considering moving too? We have one in our village and you can glean a lot of info reading peoples opinion on various things such as whats going on, various groups, facilities and so on.
Honestly its like winter here. Still raining, wind is blowing- whatever is happening to our weather?
Nfk can you please change the weather before Aug 30th?!

Grammaretto

Shopping trolley house?

The ones with way beyond a "reasonable" quantity of "stuff" in the garden... They seem to often have lots of broken things in a heap including an old shopping trolley.

I wouldn't feel happy next door to these - though I realise they could be driven by illness.

Grammaretto what is it about this house that makes your sons feel it’s right for you.
One thing troubles me, detached, not overlooked, quiet.
To me, when you get older, you need to be able to see people passing. To have contact with the outside world. You need to feel safe in your home. It’s good being close to bus and town centre though that’s a plus.
Do you have anyone who could drive you there in the evening so you can see what it’s like in the dark at night.
DH and I once thought a place we visited on holiday would be nice to live. We got stuck there one evening when out car broke down. Lots of teenagers gathered there drinking and being rowdy. We changed our minds quite quickly.
I Hope your friend helps you make a decision. Wishing you all the best.
I’m off to bed. For some reason tonight I have dreadful heartburn and I can’t shake it off.

Shopping trolley house?

I will always be a bit wary of "too tidy" as well as the shopping trolley house!