Sunday 18 September 2016

A good book spoiled






We made our annual pilgrimage to see the donkeys on the beach yesterday. The littlest boy does love them so. He pretty much loves all animals in fact, much as I did when I was small. At the end of the day their saddles were taken off and they had a bit of a free range and a roll. We imagined them going home to a nice grassy field. Let's hope that's right.

Today there was football this morning, and a very late lunch. I had an idea that I might do a few things about the place in the afternoon; take down the runner beans and the remaining tomatoes, put washing away, pot up some plants, plant out some purple sprouting broccoli, run a duster about the place and zip round with the hoover, you know, nothing too ambitious. The littlest boy was in the mood for cooking however. And the biggest boy said something like, "I was going to ask if I could do some cooking too, but I was going to wait until mum had cleared lunch away before I asked so I get to do mine first because I thought of it first." Aargh. In the end he made an ambitious black forest surprise cake. It was indeed a surprise. We got into a desperate Bake-Off style disaster trying to roll up little swiss rolls to put between two bigger discs of sponge. It was not attractive. But there was sponge and jam (tayberry, not cherry - this was the black forest surprise) and cream and we can live with that.

The littlest boy opted for chocolate rock cakes from his Winnie the Pooh cookbook. Flicking through the "Party" section I was surprised to note a recipe for "Cider Cup for a Party". The idea of firing up 8 year olds on cider mixed with lemonade and orange squash is novel. I'm imagining it would slip down quite easily. The book was first published in 1971. Is this what children were drinking at parties back then? I only remember jelly and ice-cream. And iced gems and those iced ring biscuits.

Back to now, and I'm in a bit of a grump about a book. I've just abandoned two books and settled on a third, "The Suspicions of Mr Whicher", which promised to be excellent. I hadn't heard of the author before (Kate Summerscale), so a few pages in I googled her and had a quick read of her Wikipedia page. And lo and behold, in about the second line in the murderer's name was revealed and just like that the whole book has been spoiled for me. I am cross, cross, cross. And undecided whether to press on and read it or not. Thoughts?

Something I must just run past you, on the subject of dogs, did you know there is such a thing as a flandoodle? Do you love that as much as I do? They are half Bouviers des Flandres and half poodle. If I'm honest they're not the most attractive dog you'll ever see, and I have a suspicion that they were just invented because of the fantastic name. I would certainly happily have one, purely for the pleasure of going round saying, "Of course it's a flandoodle you know." There seems to be a craze for crossing all sorts of things with poodles and making up novelty names for them. Has anyone asked the poodles if they mind?

I'll leave you with a question the middle boy asked me earlier. "Mum, can I have an axe?" I thought he was going to say "apple" so I almost said yes by mistake. I'm still formulating a proper response.


30 comments:

  1. Ooh you've just got me googling doodle dogs mini sheepadoodle, greatdane a doodle ( or something like that) Very cute!

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  2. Beautiful creatures... And nice photos ♥

    summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

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  3. I do enjoy your blog posts. They are such a treat to read.

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  4. I find it's always sensible to have quite low expectations of what you can achieve on a weekend afternoon! I hope the cakes were delicious. Love the idea of a party full of slightly tipsy 8-year-olds but, of course, that's so not the 21st-century approach to parenting :-) Agghh about the book. I'd only persevere if the writing is glorious. I've not read it so I don't know. Flandoodle conjures up a rather odd image in my mind. Finally, my 15-year-old asked for a Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife for his birthday. I said 'no'. Have a good week. S x

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  5. I have never come across a flandoodle or even heard of one, off to google it right now...

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  6. Our friends keep reminding us of the day they encountered Sammy (then about 8) on the beach chopping wood with an axe designed for a giant.... it was during one of our camping trips and wood was required of course. I am still shivering thinking about it. As for the flandoodle, I googled it and it looks very much like a blown up labradoodle. Quite nice. Poodles don't shed hair which makes them attractive for people with allergies (not to mention the lazy housewife). Personally, the cockapoo beats the flandoodle any day, name wise that is. I enjoyed a rather tragic/funny crime novel recently: The murderer next door by Alex Marwood. I don't persevere with books I don't like, life is too short and as much as possible of it needs to be spent enjoying what we do. Have a fabulous week. x

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  7. As someone who has had miniature poodles in the family for years, I despair at all the crossing and the way dogs are used as fashion or statement items. If the crossing was to eradicate disease then fine but the motives for all the 'oodle' breeders seems spurious. I think originally it was thought that by crossing other breeds with poodles they would end up with dogs that like poodles wouldn't shed fur but apparently this didn't work as well as expected. My concern is that all the cross breeding will mean that 'real' poodles will become rare as a pet breed as people will use them as 'brood mares'.

    On the other topic - the book reveal - this is as annoying as those TV trailers that give the whole plot away the week before you watch the programme. Why do they do it?

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  8. Lovely post and I was going to say all sorts of things but I'm still laughing at your middle boy's request. The mind boggles what he might want an axe for but that's boys for you! I've got that book on my pile to read so I won't be looking up the website!

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  9. I'd keep going with the book if you're enjoying the writing but how frustrating to read the culprit's name! I'm not a fan of these designer dogs. My experience with pedigrees is they get all kinds of health problems. My friend has a springer which was bred to be a fancy colour - she paid £1000 for the privilege. Madness. The cooking all sounds delicious. I have the pooh cookbook too :-). As for the axe... L 'borrows' ours to chop wood. Both the boys were taught how to use it at a relatively young age and so far have all their fingers intact. Xx

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  10. The donkeys on the beach remind me of the story of Lucy and Jack going to the seashore and riding donkeys named Cola and Pepsi - so that does really happen in England! As for the whole "flandoodle" thing - I think it is rather silly that people spend a lot of money for dogs that are just plain old mutts, but breeders know that they can make a lot of money by calling it a fancy name. And meanwhile, lots of other poor mixed dog breeds are languishing in pounds and dog shelters. There is my animal rescue rant for the morning - sorry.

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  11. Donkeys always make me smile. I'm not to keen on half and half breeds, rather have proper mongrels. Shame about the book spoiler, that would really annoy me. As for wanting an axe I hope that you came up with a good response. Thanks, and you too. Flighty xx

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  12. I still want the shih tzu/poodle cross. Just for the name.
    And the answer re the axe is; "Yes, darling. You'll either be famous or infamous when you're older."

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  13. For what it is worth I asked for an axe for my 12th Birthday, my parents got me a very small one. No harm ever came of it although I might be a bit more cautious with my pair if they ever ask for one.

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  14. i have to hide our axe from star-boy. i hid it so well we haven't been able to find it for over a year. i imagine it'll turn up someday. starboy will probably find it.

    oh, the donkeys!! i have such fond memories of seaside donkeys. it's nice to see them looking so well.....i seem to remember there were issues of humane treatment at some point. i definitely think they're off to a green field for their 'days off' -- it's more economical to let them eat free grass than feed them. so i'm telling myself, anyway. just like i tell myself all the pit ponies got to retire to green fields. because it's TRUE dammit.

    definitely true about the donkeys though.

    i've never heard of a flandoodle. and while the name amuses my word-loving soul, i too, take exception to these "designer" crosses. hybrids never breed true [just ask your veg] so the whole dog-that-doesn't-shed angle only works occasionally. Labradoodles are all the rage over here and it gets right on my wick. Foolish people paying big money for someone's backyard breeding project. *fumes* Bouviers are lovely though. as are poodles.

    that's very obnoxious about the book spoiler. i'm not sure if i'd carry on reading....

    xoxo

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  15. I've read the book and it does drag as you go along: I did finish it but have never gone back to read it again, which I often do. I'd skip onto something new, if I were you! And the axe? Hmm, I bet he'd have some fun with that..!

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  16. We have a Lab/Boxer mix. Sweetest dog ever. When I told someone what she was they said, "Oh, you have a Blab!"
    I love your posts and photos!

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  17. I love the mixed dogs. As for the axe.. first question is... what do you want to do with it? You should see the cool hatchet that I got Dayle for Christmas! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  18. I often sneak to the last page to see who dunnit. Wouldn't spoil the book for me! Keep reading. Love your freeform cake. Sounds like a Picasso creation. Lots of cream and jam, that's what makes it yummy.

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  19. we've had 'swiss army knife' on Christmas list for years. YEARS. Still a no for me.
    I would still read the book... I always read the last few pages when I'm half way through... doesn't bother me and actually it slows me down and can enjoy it more. But I understand it's a weird thing to do.

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  20. I always check the end of the book - especially if it seems to be dragging! Just to see if it's worth persevering with. I'd carry on if I were you - this isn't a straight whodunit and it's quite complex how she reaches the end.

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  21. A flandoodle, I have never heard of one, I must look it up. Hmmmm.... about that axe, I would most certainly say no, but then again I am no fun at all.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  22. I would ask your son what he wants an axe for ? as for our times, it will probably be considered inappropriate where as in the 1800's he would have already been expected to know how to use one. I am sure I am the odd one here, My son had a set of throwing knives at that age and just loved them but most other parents that knew me thought that was crazy. that particular son is now 34 and a fantastic husband and Dad so I think he turned out well. If you like the book then continue reading it, or get a copy of another book by that author, and yes, it is ridiculous that plot lines etc are given out at all. the donkeys look sweet and what a beautiful beach. from Iowa, USA

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  23. There's something about donkeys that always makes me blub. (We have them on the beach near here and years ago you could take one home for the winter. Will never forget visiting a family as a social worker and discovering one such donkey relaxing in front of the telly in the living room of their tiny two up two down.) There's also something about axes....

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  24. I've read that book - on the train so there was nothing else to do or I would have stopped! It only gets slower and the conclusion is, if possible, even more frustrating. Seriously - make some more cakes / rock buns instead, far more worthwhile.
    Vicky from Brun

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  25. Oh do read the book! I often read the last page or two of a book that I am reading & it is still a pleasure to see how the author unfolds the plot to reach the end that I know is coming.

    I'm sure that my dad would have had an axe when he was a boy (70 years ago) & we certainly had penknives (40 years ago). I'm sure he only wants to build a den .... sadly the world has changed even though children haven't so it might not be quite so appropriate now.

    I love your blog by the way. Have a great weekend.

    Jane

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  26. Oh do read the book! I often read the last page or two of a book that I am reading & it is still a pleasure to see how the author unfolds the plot to reach the end that I know is coming.

    I'm sure that my dad would have had an axe when he was a boy (70 years ago) & we certainly had penknives (40 years ago). I'm sure he only wants to build a den .... sadly the world has changed even though children haven't so it might not be quite so appropriate now.

    I love your blog by the way. Have a great weekend.

    Jane

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  27. No. You may NOT have an ax. LOL

    We have a pet store in the shopping mall where ALL of the dogs are a combination of names --- no flandoodle I don't guess, but there are malti-poos, peekapoos, cockapoos, puggles, etc Back in the day we called those MUTTS!

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  28. Still chucking over your last sentence CJ. Maybe a rubber axe?! My dear friend has a gorgeous new cockerpoo puppy. Cute as he is, the word cockerpoo just brings out the child in me and makes me want to snigger. X

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  29. You can assure your son that the donkeys in Weymouth do go home and have a lots of grass for a good roll and also a warm stable. They used to live around the corner from us and we used to walk that way frequently to say hello to them. (They took in turns to go down to the beach.)
    I too have the same Winnie the Pooh cook book , my nephew who is 15 years younger insisted that my sister in law bought it when he was under 2, so she gave it to me as a present! It even has a recipe for cucumber sandwiches if I remember correctly!
    It's strange how fashions change, those breeds of dogs would have been classified as mongrels back in the 20th century! Sarah x

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