TARRAGON & THYME

This morning weather was not too bad, a bit grey but reasonable.  As the day has gone on though Peterborough has become decidedly soggy.  However before the day properly started we had an unexpected trip to our local Italian store to top up with a few things.  I am quite fond of roasted mixed veg served with Italian sausages which makes a lovely meal in its own right, plus it is quick with minimal washing up.  I have been craving these for the past few days.  Last week it was fish and chips. Possibly because they are more a treat these days rather than a regular happening due to the increase in the cost of living. We also came away with three double bottles of passata sauce (I will recycle the bottles in due course).  Two bottles are by my favourite company  (Mutti) and cost £2.10 a bottle (but this works out cheaper than at the supermarkets plus they are double the size of the one's available there and boy do they taste good.   I am also tri...

 I intend to have quite a session this weekend carrying on with the cleaning, probably all will not get done but intend to have Sunday afternoon off and then carry on. Tomorrow will be a similar day to today. Some more progress has been made today.  Lots of washing down, lots of repairing things as I go along and sorting cupboards out one at a time to make sure the things I use are easily accessible.  As I have said I want to carry on with the cleaning.  At some point it will be tidy enough for me to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls (or start to) especially over the cupboards where I tend to also store other equipment.  That part needs painting as I also want to get some paint on the ceiling and the new strip light installed which we have had for sometime.  I am being strict with myself and my focus so that I do not get over-tired.  I have despite aches and pains felt a little brighter today, and so will continue plodding on until I get there....

It has been a cold, wet dreich day here; as I type the rain is falling heavily as we slip into early evening.  A day where you just want to be bundled up not doing very much and just being in the moment. However, today has been a day of action for me for a change despite the weather and despite me not being 100%.  Its the damp and rain that is jiggering me up today.  However, I have tried to remain focused.  I have been in the kitchen and am starting to get stuff sorted in there, cupboards are slowly being re-arranged and stuff that was out of the cupboards is slowly going back in together with a few more items. I have found 2lb Bread tins which I had been looking for (which were in the dining room) and they have now been put into the relevant cupboard with other tins of similar shape and size.  It will be good to get this shambles all sorted out.  I am having to stop every so often for a sit down, but better that than not being able to get on at all. Even ...

 things went to pot.  I overslept this morning and was woken with a bump.  This completely threw me out on what I had planned on doing today. Made G Breakfast.  I could not fancy much and so ended up with some cereal. Got washing out on the line and more washing done and then out on the line.  It has been a warm day here in Peterborough and it looks as though it is going to be nice for the next few days as well. In any event I had to go into town to deal with some things.  Was only gone about 1/2 an hour.  It is not common for me to go into town these days we tend to steer clear although I wouldn't mind going for a look around in the coming weeks. On the way back from collecting me G ended up going to the shop to top up on a few things.  I was baby sitting to the dog who took exception to him going and started howling for him never mind that I was with her.  It seemed to make her worse me talking to her and so in the end I ignored her.  ...

What a warmer day here it has been in Peterborough today. The day did not start well, the cat parked herself on my bed not long after her breakfast and promptly threw up everywhere.  As a consequence the bed was stripped of everything (had only had fresh linen a couple of days ago) thank goodness it is working again, and re-washed.  Managed to get most of it dried outside apart from the patchwork throw which got bundled into the tumble drier.  The duvet although air dried was also given a tumble in the drier to air it a bit.  I also had the mattress cover off as well.  So today really has been a laundry day as I have also washed a lot of clothes. Although the laundry pile has now diminished, the ironing pile has increased! My Nan would have been horrified at me laundry on a Sunday; some of it I had no choice with.  Still have a little more to do tomorrow including the boil washes for cottons and tea towels.  Sorry I am still very traditional about clot...

With all sorts of ideas and inspiration in my mind at the moment, and hopefully getting to start some of the prospective projects too as soon as possible. Forever the Dreamer me, but I do bring things into fruition eventually if I have not over-thought things in the creation process. Friday night I started a small project that has been hanging around for ever.  I went wrong and ended up pulling out the work I had managed to achieve as I had read the pattern incorrectly.  In my possession I have a couple of wooden sewing tables.  One of them belonged to my Great Aunty Ivy which needs restoring and I also managed to pick up a mini version (also on legs) which also needs some TLC.  Quite a while ago I bought a wooden pincushion kit where you work what appears to be a cross stitch with a solid colour backing of some Pansies. The pincushion base itself is well padded, and in a similar colour wood to both of my needlework boxes. In reality the piece is worked in tent stitc...

  Well I am pleased to report that something got finished last night.  My fingerless mittens were completed and I am well chuffed with them.  They were relatively easy to make.  The pattern only offered one size, and when I make a future pair I will add a few more stitches to adjust the width a little bit.   I want to be able to wear a pair of gloves underneath, as because of the Raynaud's Syndrome my hands go blue.  I have had a period of about four months where my hands have not gone purple/blue.  However with the drop in temperature the past few days I have had blue icicles for fingers again.  The pattern is here for those interested in having a go for themselves. Handwarmers Here are my completed Handwarmers/fingerless mittens.  I am well chuffed with them. Thursday I met with a very good friend for a coffee and put the world to rights with her.  Lovely to see her again. Since then, I have been pottering in the kitchen, washing,...