TARRAGON & THYME

Sadly I did not get out into the garden however OH collected me and took me to the bakery and we came back with a few bits and bobs, a couple of cheese and tomato buns and a couple of hot pasties.  I was treated to a cream iced bun and it was lush.  One of my favourite things - it is something that puts me in mind of my Nan and something that she used to buy my brother and I when we were little as a treat.  It was rather tasty - a bit naughty and nice. OH also took me to the Italian shop the other side of town also another treat.  We bought some sweet red Italian peppers which are lush and also some Italian sausage which I shall cook with roasted veggies when he comes back from his fishing trip.  It is something that we both like very much and a good nourishing meal to look forward to.  As it is so warm we have also bought a selection of cooked meats including Porchetta which is one of my all time favourites, Palma ham, chorizo, salami and some Provolo...

......…..and no, I am not talking of chilli here as I don't do that hot, hot, hot either. I have overslept this morning and so am not going into town as I had planned, well not just yet - may go a little later on but depends on the weather as I am unfortunately one of these people who has to be very careful in the sun as I get all sorts of problems if I am in it directly for too long, which is a bit of a difficulty really as I am vitamin D deficient and the Doctors advice is get out in it and top up.  Well there we are.   If I do not go into town today may well go up on Monday in any event to get those last few items. The weather is lovely, too hot, but lovely here this morning.  I have the upper windows open so there is a slight breeze going through the house and I have also popped the fan on for the dog and cats.  Gets very uncomfortable for them otherwise and of course they have free access to lots of water. When we take Missy with us in the van I...

…...although I suspect it is early days yet.   I have had a quiet day for the most part at home and ended up in the garden for a little while without my phone.  When I came in I had missed three calls.  One from an unknown number and two from the Employment Specialist who I met with the other day.  Whilst I was with her she had emailed an Agency as I had seen a couple of jobs for Legal Secretarial work with them and also sent a copy of my CV.  It would appear that they are quite interested and the unknown number was in fact them trying to contact me.  I then received an urgent text from my Employment Specialist asking me to contact her which I ultimately did and then spoke with the Recruitment Officer for the Agency in person later on.  I have to go and Register with them on Monday.  I am therefore hopeful that something good will come along in the greater scheme of things. Fingers crossed and toes plaited. After that bit of excitement I then...

I had a meeting this morning with the Employment Consultant.  I thought she was an independent Consultant but on talking with her I have found out that she works for the people who provide the training.  A very holistic way of helping people.  She is lovely and has offered me some assistance with Internet applications.  I have tried a couple but have not been very happy as I am not sure that they went through properly.  Anyway I am hopeful that she will be able to help.  I have another appointment with her next week as well.  Whilst there I bumped into another lady who had been on the course and we walked into town together and went for a cuppa.  We then went our separate ways only to meet up again a little later on purely by accident.  Its like buses when you want one, one is not always available and yet when you don't they are around and all over the place. Whilst in town I treated myself to Today's Quilter, Garden Answers and Kitchen ...

Today I have been to Stamford with my friend and partner in crime L.  We have had a lovely day again, have been looking in the ladies clothes shops.  There is an exclusive little bijou shop known as Black Orchid and it sells some pretty exclusive clothes.  The shop is like a rabbit warren.  On the face of it when you enter it appears small.  However it is not.  Also has a lovely range of home stuff right at the back.  A favourite and very special shop. We  have had a real wander around Stamford today and some lovely cake at one pit stop and then at the Kings Head in Maiden Lane a lovely fish finger sarnie.  Not birds eye fish fingers these are created by the pub from fresh fish and are delish.  The portions are more than generous. We have also been in one or two charity shops and into Seasalt, Fat Face and White Stuff as well as the White Shop.  Sometimes it is just nice to have a leisurely walk through and see potential it...

I was browsing You Tube the other day and came across this video.  I had not really put much thought into how Soy Sauce was actually made.  There is an awful lot of work and time put into it.  It was an interesting video to see. Catch you later. Pattypan x

Despite the best of intentions my planned day has not happened.  I woke up this morning feeling decidedly dodgy.   The kind of dodgy that leads to an epileptic attack so I subsequently went back to bed and slept for England.  Fortunately I seem to have avoided any such issue but I am still taking things easy despite the fact that I feel so much better.  Not completely 100% but a lot better than I have done.  I do not think it is helping with the weather being so muggy - it smacks of a storm or rain.  I am going to have to be careful as I do not want for things to escalate out of control again.  A case of having to be sensible. I intend to do some of the seed sowing this evening something not too strenuous but absorbing all the same.  It will be good to get some bits underway.  I might have to do the planting tomorrow and sorting out of herb bed.  Weather permitting.   I have been finding lots of things to have a go at - per...

Walk Missy The Garden  Sow cress; Sow Mustard Sow Mixed spicy leaves Sow Lambs Lettuce Sow Runner Bean Scarlet Emperor; Sow Oregon Sugar Pod Mangetout pea; Sow Pea  Onward; Sow Cucumber Marketmore 76; Sow Sweet Basil. Planting out if not raining Herbs in the herb border. Pot up the Tayberry Plants  Pot up strawberry runners Take cuttings for new plants Lemon Verbena Bay Mint Wild strawberry plants Cooking Cook Roast Chicken Homemade chips Make a bread loaf Make a bread and butter pudding Housework Clean kitchen Shopping Lemon thyme, sage, Tarragon, Dill, Oregano Gooseberries, Strawberries Salad leaves Lemons Apricots Crafting Do a little crochet Well that is the general plan so that can get things moving again. Catch up later. Pattypan xx

Where sadly I listened to my body again and did not do very much.  However we did go out of the house for a short while and OH and I went down to where he fishes (on a private lake) and had a good walk around.  This post is quite photo heavy. No words just the pictures.  It was a lovely walk.  There were damsel flies and lots of wildlife and wildflowers. When we got back later on we both dozed off again for a 40 winks nap!  Since then I hae been quite busy.  Have done some washing and drying and sorting of clothes for tomorrow.  I have watered the plants up and we have had some tea.  Something very simple; a couple of garlic stuffed mushrooms each and then a big bowl of strawberries with double cream.  Simple, not too heavy but filling.  It has gone down very nicely.   Tomorrow we have roast chicken probably with chips planned for tomorro...

Today has not gone as planned.  I had intended on getting up early and addressing housework.  In the end I crashed out until 11am and then was not firing on all pistons and by the time the OH arrived home I still was not with it.  We had something to eat and then started watching a programme at which the pair of us fell asleep with one very happy little dog and were out for a good couple of hours woke up and then nodded off again.  I think it is as a result of being up a lot earlier for the past fortnight and a lot later together with not sleeping properly that has eventually caught up with me (us).  Tomorrow I will need to get on but today have listened to what my body is dictating for a change. I feel more rested than I did so tomorrow it will be time to get stuck in. A very lazy day all told - feel slightly guilty. Catch you soon. Pattypan x

Already - the longest day.  It is a beautiful evening out side, the sun is still out the sky still blue birds are singing.  However where has the year gone!  I seem to have got little of my planned bits and bobs achieved.  However I have completed my IT course and should get an official qualification within the next six to eight weeks something useful to add to my CV and I really have learned a lot. However two weeks out of what I had intended to doing is going to cause serious catch up issues.  Oh dear he we go again.  This evening I have taken off as I am a little tired.  I have not been sleeping too well and waking up at 5am after only a couple of hours sleep.  It is also taking me forever to actually nod off.  Not a good combination. Yesterday after my dear Uncle's funeral I went back to my cousin's home.  She showed me how to frame up the embroidery panel with solvy on a knapkin.  It was an Urban Thread's design called...

Yesterday was an interesting day in that I was scheduled to go to a funeral.  My uncle's funeral in Lincoln.  The day started off well.  Arrangements had been put in hand that I should travel to the village where my brother lived by bus and then he would take me into Lincoln where the funeral was to be held. The day started well.  I was up early and got myself ready and all smartened up.  I ended up changing what I had originally chosen to wear - as   I managed to spill stuff all down it.  Instructions were that we were to wear bright colours  so I changed and then came to leave the house.  Major problem no keys.  Could not get out the house.  Then I lost my phone so I could not phone OH and  ended up emailing him to come and get me and take me to the bus stop.  I had had my keys in my coat pocket the night before and had then popped my coat in my trolley meaning to bring it in later from outside the back door...

YESTERDAY I had a frightening experience.  Many years ago I was attacked bny a dog at my uncle's home which ended up going for me and biting me quite badly on my arm and on my legs.  It punctured an artery in my wrist.  We were 10 miles away from Lincoln hospital.  Yesterday I thought I was going to be bitten again. On my way back from the shop yesterday  I noticed a dog go into ne of the entrances to the row of houses that I live in.  I could not see which house he had entered but on turning down into my passageway I noted that he was in next door's front garden. whilst opening the gate the dog entered into our private passageway and then proceeded to bark at me and move forward as if going to attack me.  I screamed for OH who did not appear and fortunately the dog in the meanwhile had cleared off.  I was that shaken up by the experience.  This particular dog always barks at me and I know from instinct that it is not a safe one to be ar...

…… life ends up not cooperating I end up being swamped down with other things.   I am in creative mode at the  moment.  My fingers are desperately itching.  I have ideas for all sorts of things but because of this course I am on I have very little spare time to play at the moment.  So frustrating.  However, I need this training and hopefully will achieve a useful qualification at the end of it.  After next Friday I should be a little freer time wise although I still have a load of stuff to do in the house  - plus wanting to play.     I have eventually managed to get a browsing session in on Pinterest which is very long overdue.Yesterday's foray into the patchwork has not helped; well it has, but left me wanting more and more. I am hoping that once OH goes fishing again (which is planned) I will be able to get into the Computer Craft Room and be able to play seriously to my heart's content without interruption.  It is pl...