Thursday 4 September 2014

Randomly on a Thursday


1.  A pretty rose.  It was bought as a Baron Girod de l'Ain, although it looks slightly different to me.  Anyway, I'm happy with it, I love the dark layers of petals.  Is it too much of a cliché to say it reminds me of silk?

2.  There's a decent harvest of pears on our two trees, as well as a fair few apples.  (Not on the pear trees, you know what I mean, the apples are on the apple trees).  I used some of the windfalls along with a handful of raspberries and made jelly.  It involved straining, a courageous move after the Blackcurrant Incident.  I was inspired by this post of Jennifer's and I copied her idea of straining it in a collander over a bowl.  I have no idea why I didn't do it like this before.  I'm older and wiser now.


There's not even a whole jar full, but it's pretty nice.  It'll be lovely on toast or scones in the deepest darkest days of winter.  Or next week, you know, whichever.


3.  Did you ever read Treasure Island when you were little?  I remember being terrified by Blind Pew, tapping his way along to corridor to hand out the Black Spot.  He could literally make you die of fear.  The biggest boy on his crutches sounds exactly like I always imagined Blind Pew would sound.  I wake up in the night with a start and hear a squeaky bumping along the landing.  Honestly, it's not conducive to a good night's sleep.

4.  I do this thing sometimes where I look at words backwards.  I was wandering past the bookcase and I suddenly noticed that "Desserts" spelt backwards is "Stressed".  Coincidence?  I think not.

5.  My jeans are quite snug at the moment.  I'm doing the school run in the car which isn't helping.  I think I've just been less active because of the biggest boy's recuperation.  It's not that I've been eating too many puddings or anything.

6.  The two littler people went on a bike ride with Other Half earlier today.  They must have done the best part of fifteen miles.  Me and the biggest boy are desperate to join in.  He has a chart entitled "Days Until Cast Off".  For a moment we thought he was heading off to sea, until we realised he meant his plaster cast.  (Actually I thought he might be taking up knitting first, funny how our minds work isn't it).

7.  Pintail ducks have arrived at Slimbridge to spend the winter here.  They spend summer in Scandinavia, Iceland and Russia.  I'm guessing it's getting chilly there now.  It will be time to say goodbye to the swallows soon.  I think they are just about my favourite birds, I love to watch them catching insects and swooping low over the water.

8.  We were looking at the printer's tray full of older photos the other day.  The conversation went something like this.

   Biggest boy:   Look at me there, how small I was.  Look how young dad was.  Look how young mum was!  (The photos were no more than eight years old...)

   Me:  I've no idea what you're on about, I haven't changed a bit.  I'm still unlined and carefree.

   Biggest boy:  No, you're not.  (Pause)  You're lined and careful.

I'm afraid he may be right.  How did it happen?

26 comments:

  1. But you are still you and even when you are 70 like me you will still be 25 inside!! Lovely rose and as always I love the way you tell your stories.

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  2. Lovely post again, CJ! I usually strain "jelly" through a big sieve over a bowl, it doesn't become quite clear (so maybe it isn't quite jelly?) but it does get rid of seeds and bits, especially for fruit like blackberries. And the (home baked?) bread looks lovely, too. I so love the smell of bread just out of the oven and still warm jam! That would make me gain a few pounds ;-)

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  3. And at least you can still get into your jeans. Mine are hanging forlornly in the wardrobe where they've been every day for the last year and a half.

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  4. Your biggest boy is just so funny CJ, and you make me smile, too. I think I might enjoy being a fly on the wall in your house for a day or two. Cx

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  5. Oh my god that bread looks so good... I love love love bread. I've never had home made jelly or jam before!

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  6. My jeans are a bit tight too - I think it's being less active at the moment, and eating all the biscuits my visitors have brought me!
    Why do children have to be so honest? I'm sure there must come a point where they learn tact - I certainly hope so! x

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  7. Oh I love the conversation!!! It is so funny to hear things from a childs perspective isn't it!! Glad that you didn't have a blackcurrant incident again! xx

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  8. Your jelly looks great! I'm so glad that method worked for you. I did it that way because I'm cheap, first and foremost, and I already had everything I needed. But it worked great. Do you know, I even washed out the cheesecloth by hand to use it again. CHEAP. I love random thought posts and I've been working on one lately too, maybe to publish soon. I really enjoyed yours.

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  9. I always get a kick out of your posts.. love your sense of humor. Hubby and I went out to a Cajun restaurant for dinner and had crawfish etouffee! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  10. Ha! I have no idea how it happens... My biggest bean was looking at a photo of us from our wedding and the first thing she mentioned was how young we looked! I love that your son has a cast count down!!! I can't wait till he can join in with his brothers! And my pants are snug too!! Can't wait to see the fruit from your fruit trees friend!!! All good things to you! Nicole xo

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  11. :::sigh::: I believe lined and careful probably happens to all of us. LOL

    My jeans are quite snug at the moment too. It is NOT making me very happy. I lost 31 pounds and what do you know --- 20 have found their way home again. :-((((( Tomorrow it is HIT THE TREADMILL time. LOL

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  12. Snug jean are worrying at the end of summer aren't they I always out a bit of padding on in the winter so they definitely won't fit me then! I read cast off as knitting too.......guess he is not tempted? Enjoy the rest of your week :)

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  13. I had a birthday card with the words "stressed is just desserts spelt backwards" on it this year, someone thought both words featured in my life!
    I'd like to try making the jelly, we have so many pears and apples this year. I love that you've become careful, but I'm sure you've not become lined!

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  14. WE're on the look out for climbing roses but it seems that you have to buy them when they are dormant and don't have a flower to check out"

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  15. Hello lovely its always such a pleasure to stop by here and it always puts a smile on my dial. Hey we are all getting old and to other its noticeable but I suspect we will all look young in our own eyes, well younger anyway. I suppose it keeps us going. It made me giggle reading the dessert and stressed, as we so ofter reach for something sweet when we are and then whenever we eat it, there is always that little voice nagging for having done it! I hope that your boy's cast comes off and yes, I suppose his not really going to want to cast on and off very soon :-)). Hope you are keeping well and enjoyed the summer. Sending you much love xoxo

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  16. I've always been put off making jelly because of the straining part but this is so easy, I might give it a go after all. My jeans are very snug at the moment, I need to get back to eating healthily, though the pile of chocolate I got for my birthday isn't going to help.

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  17. Brilliant post - lots to chuckle about on a Friday morning.
    Have a great weekend CJ,
    Kate x

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  18. A most enjoyable post. Flighty xx

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  19. I just love your sense of humor and it makes me smile every time I read about your boys. I want to "steal them away" and keep them for a bit. My boys are the love of my life and delight in pestering their old mother. The oldest walks into the house when he comes to work in our nursery and will grab me and ask, "How you doing, Muffy?" Muffy, good grief!
    Thanks again for such a lovely read.
    p.s. your son has my complete sympathy..i broke my leg several years ago and was reduced to unattractive tantrums every time i had to tape a garbage bag around my leg in order to shower.

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  20. It happened when you became a Mother. Last week I was working with my little seven year old patient. She said, "Miss Meredith why is your hair so light now?". I told her it was gray hair because I am older. She then told me to get some color on it because it isn't nice. Ah...... out of the mouths of babes. Hugs, Meredith

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  21. cheeky boy!
    and regarding point 5 - there is no such thing as too many puddings.......

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  22. CJ - your conversations with your boys are such a hoot! Careful - that's not a bad thing. Got a good laugh about the Days Until Cast Off - guess it can go three ways!

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  23. We have a copy of Treasure Island illustrated by Ralph Steadman, which makes it even more scary! The pear, apple and raspberry jelly sounds heavenly, I bet it's lovely with scones. Jeans a bit snug here too probably because I haven't exercised any self control where food is concerned over the summer. Isn't it funny however much dinner you eat, there's always room for pudding, I think I have a separate pudding stomach :o) Have a lovely weekend CJ.
    Jane x

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  24. how could you leave that beautifully rosie coloured jam til the colder months? it wouldn't last a week with me. so pretty!

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  25. That rose coloured jelly looks wonderful, and the bread. Days until cast off - I thought of knitting first, I have to say. I've never been called "lined and careful" but I'm frequently asked why my tummy wobbles. x

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  26. Oh, the things kids say! Don't believe him:) I know what you mean about jeans getting snugger. I really detest wearing jeans, so love the summer when I can wear shorts and skirts every day. It's starting to get colder here, though, and Friday is supposed to be too cold for a skirt. So I'll be squeezing into my jeans for the first time in months, and I'm dreading it. Elastic waist bands are so much more forgiving:) I'm sure your son is so ready to get his cast off so he can run around with everyone else. Hope it will be soon!

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