Saturday 3 March 2018

Snow Days - Five on Friday

Hello, I hope you are well. Today I'm joining with Five on Friday to show five things that have been happening here. This week has been a strange one. I've been full of cold all week and haven't felt well at all. I don't know where I'd caught it from. The last 2 that the family had, I managed to avoid. The teens have been off school and college since Wednesday due to closure / no buses, all because of the snow. I'm not sure how Lincolnshire compared to other parts of the country in the UK but, they were happy to be off.


1)  In the garden



My garden, the 2 large trees that the Christmas lights are usually strung around.

                     

No washing out today. In the summer, this border is usually full of colour and bushiness.


The bird table with a variety of seeds, nuts and fat balls. A feeding table which provides some entertainment for the lovely QT. He 'chatters' away to them when he's safely inside out of harm's way. He's only caught 1 bird in the 3 years we've had him, though he's never out for long.


Talking of QT, he went to the vets yesterday having routine thyroid blood tests. Good news, he's gained much needed weight and his blood pressure is down. The meds are working. He was cuddled and praised for being so calm and quiet during the test. I don't think I'd like a needle in my neck vein on a regular basis but then who would. His next check should be in 6 months time, so stabilising. 

2)  No sunshine on snow days




My bulbs are happily growing in strength. Though it's bright, it's not particularly sunny so the dancing sunshine (plastic plants) 'don't feel like dancing'. The teens had one each, many years ago. The one wearing shades was in teen 1 bedroom but the swaying side to side in the morning sun, 'disturbed' his sleep. Oh dear! They sit on a windowsill downstairs now.

3) Last weekend



Last weekend we made up some more mincemeat. I know it's not Christmas but we'd run out. I can't eat sorbitol containing fruit (fruit with a stone) including apples and cherries, so it's easier to make our own. Whenever I make a pie, it's handy to make up a few mince pies with any leftover pastry.

4) Baking bread 







M has made 2 lots of bread this week in the Kenwood mixer. 1 loaf and 6 rolls at a time ready to prove in front of the fire. We've given up on breadmakers, they keep breaking, so we bought a mixer and prove the bread then bake it ourselves. To make - put all the ingredients in the mixer, mixing for 1 minute on low and 3 minutes on number 2. Place the folded dough in well greased tins, or divide into rolls on a lined baking tray. Leave to prove until doubled in size and bake the rolls for 15 mins and the loaf for 30 mins at about 190* / Gas 5.  I think the book is out of print so I've included the recipe with the baking times & temperature, that we find works well. If using the fast acting yeast, only one rising is needed.
M has been off work a fair bit too, as a driver instructor it's a brave person that'll take a new learner out of the icy roads. On Monday alone, the test examiners were cancelling tests and that was before the weather turned really heavy with snow. The beer bread was put out ready to make, a Christmas present which is still waiting to be made.

5) Some crochet





I've been listening to some Erica Jacobs digital library books whilst crocheting sneezing. If you'd like to make your own, here is the flower pattern and here is the square pattern. I used Wendy 100% cotton red, Stylecraft 100% cotton white and a 3mm crochet hook. I also finished my first crochet block for 'Weekend Stitches' on my blog, including blocking it, a process I've never done before but am impressed by. Before I blocked the square, the corners were curling up and the 3 middle sections were tight and narrower than the rest.


Thank you for stopping by to read my blog.

This week have you...
Had a snow day? Got things ready to do and promptly 'not done' them? 'Crafted' anything?
Listened to a story?

Please leave a comment, have a good week.
Cx


12 comments:

  1. I hope you're feeling better now. I've managed to avoid all the bugs so far this winter, though I hope I haven't jinxed myself by saying that now. We've had quite a bit of snow here, the local schools have been closed, I'm glad that Mick's able to work from home. I think we've seen the worst of it though now. I'm glad to hear that all's well with QT, our furry friends are such a worry at times. It's a while since I've made my own bread, I seem to go in phases baking my own and then going back to shop bought. I've got a breadmaker but I only use it for making the dough, I always bake the bread in the oven as it turns out much nicer. It's amazing what a difference blocking makes.

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    1. Yes much better now thanks Jo. When we had our breadmaker, we used to do the same, make up dough mixes and bake rolls or pizzas. I can't have shop bought bread due to the soya, barley or rye in it. So annoying. I'm glad you've managed to avoid the bugs this winter, lets hope you and I continue in good health. Cathy x

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  2. So sorry you felt poorly. SO many people have been so ill this year. Love our crochet, it is just so relaxing isn't it? Stay safe in all the snow.

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    1. Thank you Meredith, feeling much better now. You're right about the crochet, it's very relaxing. I think the snow is on the way out, as usual it's nice for a day or 2 but then, enough. Cathy x

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  3. Rotten luck to get ill.. I've been worried sick that I'd get the flu that is killing so many people. Gorgeous snow, but I know how it can mess up daily life. We're having fair weather, thank heavens. Get well and stay warm and dry! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Thanks Teresa, I've had a flu jab though it doesn't cover 'all' flu strains. Having had flu once before I wasn't taking any chances. Take care and have a good weekend. Cathy x

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  4. Hope you are feeling better. Thankfully no snow here but the temperatures have dropped so it is cold. I am working on a quilt and always have a crochet project on the go.

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    1. Thank you Mamas Mercantile, yes feeling much better now. The snow is nearly all gone now. Teen 2 had a text from school saying 'back to school' tomorrow. He's not keen but... he did have an extra 3 days off school last week.
      It's always good to have some crochet, knitting or sewing on the go. Reading is good but with crafting, there's always something to show for it. Cx

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  5. Hope you are feeling better. We had a run of much enjoyed snow days and now we're getting the calendar news, day sliced off of spring break this month and the school year extended 'til the 25th of May. Such a cute cat, glad for the good report!

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    1. Thanks Jean, yes much better now. Wow, nothing like that happens here with schools. If you miss school for snow days, you miss it. I was remembering snow days many years ago, when I lived about 12 miles from my workplace. The first time was ok but after that, we were told it wasn't acceptable to be off work. We were expected to go to the local branch. I suppose it's tough on the local staff that did make the effort. We're very pleased with QT's health now. Pets, they are a worry. Cx

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  6. Making bread is very satisfying I think. We have a Kenwood, too. It takes the hard work out of bread making but is still fun. What a good idea to make little mince pies with leftover pastry! We make jam tarts, which is not quite so yummy.

    I tried to find your email address, I have a blog post for you that you might find useful. I have seen your comments on Jennifer's blog and I think I can help. Anyway, here is the link: http://morefromyourblog.com/no-reply-blogger-how-to-fix-this/

    Have a lovely week. I am glad you are better. x

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  7. Thanks for your help Christina, I've looked at your link and discovered how to put e-mail onto my profile. I'm hoping this has solved the issue. Please could you try replying to any comment of mine on your blog. Thank you for your help. Cathy x

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