Wednesday 10 June 2015

Midweek Miscellany


It's been quite a while since I wrote one of these midweek miscellany posts. There's been much to tell you about and much to photograph: the village fete (gusty but good fun - and we bumped into lots of friends); a vast improvement in the weather (so plenty of walks. Sometimes we've managed to head out twice in one day); Joe getting some kind of stomach bug again (but he's getting better now)...


Please note that, as is often the case, the photos don't necessarily correspond with the writing. It kind of adds to the miscellaneous feel. Well, that's my excuse anyway. Jumping from this to that is just how these posts go so apologies if the whole thing seems a little disjointed. Probably reflects my current state of mind.


Is it just me who finds Punch and Judy vaguely disturbing? I know Mr Punch gets his come-uppance and all that. Perhaps it's those puppets. They're the sort of thing that gives me bad dreams.

I did take some good stuff away from the fete though. Despite being unable to indulge in either prosecco or a cream tea thanks to this eating plan, I did pick up an old set of weighing scales with weights for a fiver. And the lovely old wicker basket they were sitting in was included in the deal. I squeezed a cute little Royal Doulton set (£1) into said basket. There's something nice about kitchenalia; things that have been well-used and loved.


I'm picking up bits and pieces for our new kitchen. It's an extension built onto the back of the new house. The searches came back saying it doesn't have planning permission. Perfect!

But it's been there for thirty years so we can't be asked to take it down. We do want to get the quality of the building work checked out though; it's another delay but worth taking the extra week or two over. This house-buying lark can be extremely trying.


I've been drawing a lot of late. And painting. I'm working on a new project which might just blossom into something. It requires a lot of time and planning just now but hopefully it'll pay off. I'll share more as things progress.


Seasonal fruits: lovely apricots. They're the closest thing to sugary goodness for me right now. I've taken to standing and inhaling the aroma from the biscuit jar (Cadburys Chocolate Fingers combined with ginger nuts).

This whole eating plan is tough. I'm coping. But I genuinely didn't think it involved total elimination of anything; I'm a believer in 'Everything in moderation'. Have you ever given up sugar? It's dreadful. For the first three or four days I had awful headaches, followed by a few more days of complete and utter exhaustion. And now I just crave cake.


Moving swiftly on... The countryside is truly glorious at the moment. It's such a joy to walk in the hills, through the woods, by the riverbanks... And Joe loves it too. Freedom to run in the long grass and explore.


Today was very warm and sunny (I foolishly have the sunburn to prove it). We stayed home as Joe was really sick last night and I didn't fancy a repeat of that all over the church hall floor. Instead we called at the garden centre for some pots, then put up the play tent outside and he managed an ice lolly. He made a better job of it than he did with Saturday's ice cream.


We get lovely light coming in on sunny days; in the mornings it's around the back and the sun shines onto Gertie's table. In the evenings the study becomes (fleetingly) warm and golden.


I'm hoping to go strawberry picking soon at the farm near where we used to live. And in the meantime I'm keeping an eye out for elderflowers. They're not quite there just yet but the cordial bottles are at the ready. Elderflower cordial and sparkling wine is a match made in heaven.


We had a barbecue last night. Nothing big, just a back yard job with the three of us. If you have to eat healthy food (lean meat and vegetables) you might as well stick it on a skewer and get plenty of flavour from it. I suspect the barbecue will be seeing quite a lot of action over the next few weeks...


I hope you're enjoying the weather (and that it lasts - let's just ignore the forecast, shall we?) and that your week's a good one so far.










16 comments:

  1. Sounds a lovely few days. I really don't envy you the lack of sugar - it's really hard! You're doing so well!! Those apricots look amazing. I've been totally craving nectarines. I love the look of your ink drawing of 'Joe' - just beautiful. I hope the house stuff goes well - it's such a minefield isnt it? We're planning a barbecue too, we're thinking about tomorrow - long may the good weather continue (well until Saturday with us according to Paul the weatherman!!). hope you manage to get another one in soon. Loving your photography too (enough rambling now) xx

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  2. You are very brave to go without sugar. You will see how much I can empathise if you come across my next post in your travels! I didn't realise what a hold it had on me and my store cupboard! The weather forecast is not offering much long term joy. Seems we will get just one day before it all goes pear-shaped again. Most peculiar.

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  3. Gosh the sugar elimination sounds tough! I think I remember reading somewhere about a supplement called chromium which reduces sugar cravings. Maybe it might be worth looking into? I love your apricot photo. The sunlight is beautiful. Sorry to hear little Joe has been poorly. I hope he's all better soon. I hope all goes well with the house for you. Fingers crossed the weather stays summery too. Bee xx

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  4. Nice post, great photos Sarah. A lot going on there, it all looks good fun.

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  5. The photo of the flower posy in the sunlight is absolutely beautiful. Also very impressed with your determination to keep going without sugar - don't think I could manage it! We keep planning barbecues for the days on which it rains, but I'm sure we'll have one soon - it doesn't feel like summer until we've had our first one.

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  6. Lovely photos and a great post to read. We're having our third nice day in a row. It can't last.

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  7. I love reading your weekly reviews and looking at your beautiful photos. I LOVE the one of the flowers on the table- such lovely light and shadows. Hoping the house move goes well. It's an exercise in patience when all you want to do is move but you have to go through all the legal stuff.

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  8. You live in such a beautiful part of the world! I love your photographs. The light in them....
    You are also obviously a gifted artist! I enjoy your drawings.
    I hope your little one is feeling 100%.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Dana (Nieve e Estrellas)

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  9. I'm sorry to hear that Joe is sick. I hope he's well again soon. Your drawings are beautiful. I would love to see more. I don't like that type of puppet either. I was very afraid of a puppet as a child that I saw in a Beauty and the Beast puppet show. It was the beast puppet and the face on him was terrifying. I had bad dreams for weeks after I saw him. So I understand how you feel.

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  10. Yes, I find Punch and Judy very disturbing, always have and I suspect always will!!! Glad to know that I am not the only one. I hope that you can sort out everything with the house, it sounds as though it will all be OK, but you just need to be sure don't you. I hope that Joe feels much better soon and that you will be OK too. xx

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  11. Dear little chap, I do hope he's all better soon. I'm with you on Mr Punch, never liked him. That voice! That scary ugly face! The violence! Love, love, love kitchenalia and baskets though. Your drawings are gorgeous, you are so talented, keep on with it! CJ xx

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  12. Totally with you re Punch and Judy. That manic laugh - ugh. All my children found them scary too. Really like the look of your drawings and look forward to seeing more(?). Have a good weekend. Sam

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  13. poor Joe, hope he's better soon. I hope too that the longer you go without sugar the easier it gets x hope you have a lovely weekend x

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  14. Your drawings are beautiful - look forward to seeing more of them!

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  15. There is a crime novel based around the creepy Mr Punch. I can't remember the title but is written by Christopher Fowler.
    I hope Joe is better by now! x

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  16. I love that photo of the sun hitting the vase of flowers, it's lovely. Your diet sounds very punishing! I hope there will be room for some treats soon. xx

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