Library books.

Hello there, thank you for visiting my blog. I felt like I won the lottery this week! I'd phoned the surgery for an appointment but the queue was full... and I couldn't join the end of it either. After the line cut off several times, I thought I'd have to drive up to the surgery first thing in the morning. Thankfully some time later, a lady answered the phone and booked me an appointment for later in the afternoon. I was grateful but shocked as it's usually unheard of, if you aren't in the queue, forget it. 

I'm now booked in for a blood test later in the month for adjusting under active thyroid meds. Meanwhile, I'm tired, no energy and cold/very cold on a sunny day. Mark is in shorts! 

This beautiful Gloxinia is from Johnny for Mother's Day (from Morrison's supermarket). It still has lots of buds ready to bloom. I've never seen a plant like it before, huge flowers.  

My library books are all colour coordinated this month :) The Katie Fforde book, From London with Love, I returned early. I usually like all of her books but I found this one boring.

From the top: Playing Games by Huma Qureshi was a good read. It follows two sisters bound by deep upset, one wants a 'perfect life,' the other is a mess but wants to be a writer. Like all good stories, things get worse before getting better. 
I don't have a sister but still enjoyed it.

Keep the Home Fires Burning by Simon Block, I've read this series before but having watched the 'Home Fires' TV series again recently, I fancied reading the series again. The complete book series (written by S Block) follows straight after the TV series. I've ordered the next one from the library, so will pick that up later this month. 

I'm going to have a quick flick through Nancy's cook book 'Nancy's Green and Easy Kitchen' but doubt I'll be buying a copy. With so many foods that I sadly can't eat, it seems little point. I just find it more upsetting. 
I'm booked into seeing a dietitian later this month, so hopefully I may get some answers about eating a low fibre diet. I know it's not ideal but it seems to help. 

Not shown here, is the book I'm currently reading for the book club. It's 'Whatever it Takes' by Joy Wood. I'm not a fan of psychological thrillers, so hoping it will be ok.  

What are you reading?
Do you keep all your books or pass them on? 
Do you re-read your books? 

Take care 
Cx

Cookery Book Challenge :: Friday Catch Up

Hello there, I hope you are all well. The first Friday of the month means another Cookery Book Challenge. I'm challenging myself to 'use' my cookery books and not just leave them sitting on the bookshelf. Do join me if you want to. Just chose two recipes or maybe one meal and something sweet  to show on your blog 

Fisherman's Pie

First up is Fisherman's Pie. I've cooked several versions of fish pies over the years, using different recipes. I've used frozen fish, fish cheeks and cooked them with or without prawns. Many years ago, I purchased a cookery book from the Co-op. I remember it being on offer if you had a store loyalty card, I didn't, so a lady kindly lent me her card. Lovely lady. 

This recipe is a rich mix of white fish, smoked fish, salmon and prawns. I cook the fish for 15 minutes in wine with herbs, pepper and mushrooms. Meanwhile cook the potatoes, mash and set to one side. Drain the cooked fish, check for bones, make the sauce with butter, flour and add liquor. Assemble in buttered dish, arrange prawns (I use king prawns) over the top and top with creamy mashed potato. 

The recipe says to grill golden brown, I usually place it in the oven for around 30 minutes to brown. It's delicious with vegetables. If you eat peas, you could add them to the fish mix, before topping with the mashed potato. 
 

Pumpkin & Carrot Risotto

The second recipe here, is designed for the Low Fodmap Diet by Alana Scott - A Little Bit Yummy. Her website, Facebook and Instagram account are very helpful. Onions have been replaced with leek green tops only and mushrooms are replaced with carrot and butternut squash. The peas have been replaced with spinach. I served this for our dinner, everybody enjoyed it.
I decided to buy Alana's book as she has delicious recipes without lots of ingredients that I can't eat. If low fodmap cooking is a need for you, I'd recommend following A Little Bit Yummy and signing up for Alana's emails. She'll send you a small booklet on email with recipes, a few that aren't in the book. On her website, I found a Christmas booklet to download. Sadly for me, a lot of the recipes contain high fibre ingredients. Though, not a fodmap issue, they still cause issues for me.   

This recipe is in two parts - softening the carrot and squash in the oven with oil and seasoning, whilst frying the other ingredients in a large Sautee pan. When the stock is nearly absorbed, add the spinach, grated lemon rind, lemon juice and cheese.

The dish is colourful and full of flavour, we served ours with leftover gammon from the Sunday roast.   

Dinner tonight

Cheese and potato pie, though not from a cookbook. The butcher sells packs of bacon mishaps. I cooked the bacon, cut off the fat and placed them in a greased dish, topped with cheesy mashed potato and tops of spring onions. Then browned under the grill. 

A few gifts from the boys for Mother's Day.

The daffodils were from the Mother's Day service.

These chocolates were a gift from Morrison's supermarket. I took my son with me shopping after church. The checkout operator asked me, if he was my child. Thanks Nat, you helped me gain a box of chocolates. 

That's all for now, take care. Do add your link to join the Friday Catch Up and or Cookery Book Challenge.
Cx

March - ing

Hello there, I hope you are well. Another month has whizzed by too quick. This week, as it's the end of the month, I thought a round up 'ing' post would be a fun Friday Catch Up. 

Moving: I went to Movement to Music on my own this week, my friend had hurt her back. Another lady was on holiday and just 6 weeks after buying new trainers, the heel is coming away from the sole. I'm hoping we can exchange the shoes so that next week, we'll all be back to normal. We're at the spot of having learnt 2 'wake up the brain exercises' and about 6 dances to songs (inc a warm up and cool down), a few songs are switched out for new routines. It feel sad to leave songs behind but new is good too, sort of ha ha. New dance routines can be tricky to follow. 

The songs were:
It Feels Good - Sonique
*Get it On - T. Rex
Waka Waka (This Time for Africa...) Shakira
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars
*Tango Cubano - Skeewiff
Hey Soul Sister - Train
Free Fallin' - Cool

Next time another song will be swapped out, so if I remember, I'll post the new list. The two songs marked with an asterix have already been replaced. I love to listen whilst doing housework, maybe even practice the odd move too! 

Walking: Earlier in the week, I joined a friend on a local dog walk. It can be tricky matching times together, but it is nice going for a walk with someone. Lots of chat and it's always enjoyable to see different routes to walk. We stopped to talk to the horses, Paxo and Bobby. It was a lovely warm sunny morning. Bobby looked like he'd been rolling around in the mud. 

 

Reading: Back in February, I read Sweet Tomorrows by Debbie Macomber. I've finished the Rose Harbour series now. It was an ok book, a very gentle read.
The next book A Cornish Recipe for Murder by Fiona Leitch, is the book club read for March. It's a cozy murder mystery read, based around a bake off competition. It was a nice easy read, enjoyable and part 5 in the Nosey Parker Mystery series full list on fantastic fiction website.  

Listening: Whilst knitting or cleaning etc, audio books are handy. I like Anna Jacobs books BUT... all her books tend to be the same. There is always an element of domestic violence, or surviving whilst working through some bullying from the ex. There is usually an estate agent / land owner that has threatening behaviour too. This subject isn't normally something that I warm to in choosing a book however, they are still enjoyable stories. 

Knitting: I'm continuing with the Lent knit-a-long. 

Collecting: new library books, but first I need to finish one book from last time. Playing Games by Huma Qureshi. 

Cooking: a delicious Stew & Dumplings for dinner. 

Enjoying: all the lovely spring flowers in the garden. 

Sighing: over the upcoming clocks 'springing forward' this Sunday (UK) Mother's Day. Losing an hours sleep!

Anyway, It'll all be ok I'm sure. 
Take care and thank you for visiting.  
Please leave a comment and link your blog post, to join in with the Friday catch up. 

 

KAL (knit-a-long) Progress

Hello there, happy Friday! Thank you for your comments last time, I'm glad you liked my photo... thanks Nat. The real photo of me was in blue, front of chair exercise. Here's another Friday Catch Up link party. I'd love it if you wanted to join me, please simply leave a comment on this post, and link your blog post below. 

Some cheerful Tulips from Aldi. 

I decided to have another go at the Lent KAL (Knit-a-long). If you knit the pattern in chunky yarn, it'll make a cosy lap blanket. Or like mine, if you choose a DK yarn, it'll make a table mat. I have a few of these now including the Advent ones, along with the Lent scarf. A lady at Knit & Natter suggested spreading them out on the bed, see what I have and start sewing them all up together to make a blanket. I don't really want a lot of knitted table mats and the scarf rolls up, so wearing it isn't a joy as you can't see the design. 
These two swatch samples are a practice at tension and bobble stitch. I have collected several swatch samples from many other projects, including crochet samples. These will all be added to the large blanket. 

Each day has about 4 or 5 rows of knitting to do, with a short devotion to read. I confess that I get behind and then have a catch up session. This particular KAL is designed to be knitted in one solid colour, with no colour changes. I'm using up yarn I already had - Jarol Heritage Classic DK - Wool Rich
55% wool, 25% acrylic, 20% nylon. Each week I'm changing colour. 

Knitting so far. I needed to buy circular needles as the mat is quite wide. These are Knit Pro Zing interchangeable needles. I had spare cord but the size 4mm knitting needles were in use on the blue jumper. 

I always have a small simple project to take out with me, a flannel / washcloth is perfect. I took this with me to the village coffee morning this month. They served toasted tea cakes (fruit roll/bap/bun) with tea or coffee in the tiniest daintiest cups and saucers.
This pattern has become my favourite go to pattern, it's called Broken Rib Square. One row knit stitch, the alternate row k1, p1. repeat both rows until a square is knitted. The yarn is Rico aran weight 100% cotton 

A crazy Angus sporting a left eyebrow, achieved by rolling on the grass.  

We bought a new king sized duvet 7.5 tog, so until we take our old 'roasting' 10 tog duvet to the tip, Angus has it as his bed. We've put his bed (shown underneath) on top of it, so he has a very tall bed at the moment. I've tried investigating recycling it but the service isn't available in our area. Animal sanctuary's don't want them, neither do charity outlets. A shame but we can't keep it, it's too big and bulky.

I'm off to catch up on the knitting

take care and Ttfn
Cx

Fun Friday :: Catch Up

Hello there, thank you for your lovely comments last time. I confess that I was a bit unsure about changing the Friday link up. Tricky started the Five on Friday link up party, sadly his blog has disappeared. If anyone is in contact with him and his family, please do let me know. I'd love to know how they're all getting on. I remember they had big plans and dreams for life abroad, teaching Permaculture Sustainable living. 

On to this Friday Catch Up, do join me if you wish. 
This week has been a quiet week, I've been knitting the KAL (knit-a-long) daily. Some reading of the Book club read and a bit more de-cluttering. I've decided to cut back on my library book orders, they tend to arrive altogether and after having a quick look through the pile, I don't seem to enjoy them enough to read. Maybe if I only order a maximum of 2 or 3, I'll actually read them.  

I bought another Spring Bouquet, this one had daffodils in the bunch. I thought that daffodils in a bunch of mixed flowers, would kill off the other flowers. So I removed the daffs and placed them with the surviving few flowers, from last weeks bunch.

One afternoon we went into town to buy a few pairs of trousers for Mark. We also bought a wooden dog bone and a Nylabone for Angus in Pets at Home. Then a few bits including flowers from Sainsbury's and a 7.5 tog duvet from Tesco. We looked for some new mugs... they need to be a good size not too big, or too small, not tall and thin, the handle needs to have room for two fingers, not mega expensive... the hunt goes on.  

Last Thursday evening, an exercise instructor visited our WI this month to run a one off chair exercise class. The range of music was fun, I can't remember them all. It ranged from The Can Can, Glen Millar In the Groove - some stood up for that song, to The Polka Dot Bikini and many more. 

Sunday we took Nat and Ellis to the local sandy beach. Lincolnshire beaches are a long way out to the water. Closer beaches to us, have all grassed over with marsh grass. Angus enjoyed the freedom of running about without being on the lead. 

We didn't stay long as it was bitter cold.

Realising that I'm not in many family photos, Nat very kindly put me in ha ha. Thanks Nat.

Do you belong to any groups, eg Book club, WI, Craft Groups etc?
Do you remember to jump in the family photos?

Take care, Ttfn

Cathy x

  

Cookery Book Challenge :: Friday Catch Up

Hello there, I hope you're well. It's bright, sunny and a little chilly here as I sit writing this blog. 
You'll notice something a bit different today on my 'Friday Link Up Party.' It's not a Five on Friday link up, instead it's a 'Friday Catch Up'  I've been thinking about this for a while now, as I usually post more than one photo in each of the 5 categories.

I'm hoping it'll be more freeing to post about subjects without the need to find extra things to make up the five sections. To give an example, if I post about craft I would post 5 lots of knitting (as I'm only knitting at the moment). This would look like - a finish, and 2 projects that I'm working on (I only work on two projects at once eg a garment and a small project such as a washcloth), I would then add 3 other knitted projects that are waiting. 

I could of course add other subjects, eg a book, a recipe, a craft etc but I don't want to stick to a rigid framework. I do love the Friday catch ups, if you comment or leave a link to your blog, I'll visit you. I hope you'll continue to add your link and visit other's that have joined in too. 

Let me know what you think, and of course if you wish to continue your post as a Five on Friday, that's absolutely fine. At the end of the day we are friends 'catching up' together on a Friday. It's all good.  

A seasonal bouquet from Morrisons. I love flowers and thought these looked so cheerful. The hyacinths fill the room with their scent. Tulips are one of my favourites, I'm waiting for the tulips in the garden to flower.

The first week of march, in the words of Simon & Garfunkel... 'slow down, you move too fast'.
I thought I'd make this a Cooking Book Challenge post, using a recipe from one of my many cookery books. I've de-cluttered lots but there are still plenty more books on the shelf. Maybe I need to go through them again!
Penny from Homemade Heart used to host these the first week each month, but sadly like many blogs they've stopped and gone to instagram only. I think Penny's original challenge had two dinner recipes and no puddings, cakes etc. For me, it will be whatever I cook and more importantly remember to photograph before it's eaten. I'll try and use a different book next time, if I've not de-cluttered it! That will be a challenge in itself. 

For my Cookery Book Challenge I made a pie using leftover roast chicken, I decided to add sliced potato instead of the usual pastry top. 

Adding some finely chopped vegetables, a cuppa soup (no need for extra seasoning). I usually add mushrooms in meat pies, either fresh or tinned. 

Top with sliced potatoes brushed with cooking oil.

Bake the top recipe for 30 minutes in a hot oven. This recipe uses asparagus cup of soup but a different cup of soup of your choice is ok, I use mushroom or chicken and vegetable.  

This cookery book, was my first Christmas present from Mark. 

Top right, a photo of the pie made with pastry. 

Do you have a favourite way of cooking a pie? 
For Steak and Kidney Pies, I love Delia Smith's Suet Crust pastry on top. That method is ideal for Gluten Free baking too. The suet pastry stops the cardboard texture.