Little House by the Railway Line

Outside my window... it was very icy this morning.  I think it may have snowed over the weekend.  No clouds, and very bright, but not at all warm.

I am thinking... about the Sunday School lesson I'm planning for this week.

I am thankful for... the fact that the snow didn't settle.  Sunshine.

I am wearing... brown cordouroy trousers, striped turtleneck and beige cardigan.

I am remembering... all the things I have to do this week....
 
I am going... to Tesco this evening.

I am reading... I've just finished two books (The Gentle Art of Domestricity and Troubled Journey) and need to work out what to read next.  It's a toss-up between Nella Last's War and Could it be Dementia?  Actually, they're so different I may read both at the same time.  Bible: Exodus, 2 Kings, Matthew

From the kitchen... tonight I shall make macaroni cheese with leeks for tomorrow's supper, and, if I have time, a malt loaf.  G's out so we're both eating frozen leftovers for dinner.

I am creating... I really want to get some crafts out again.  They've been hibernating for the last couple of weeks.  I think the crochet bag is what I worked on most recently.

Around the house... although the three gorgeous blue hyacincths my mother-in-law brought at Christmas died last week and have been put outside till we can plant the bulbs for next year, I have a beautiful white hyacinth growing in water to replace it.  It's flowered over the weekend and smells delicious.

One of my favorite things...  rich milky hot chocolate before bedtime.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study, dinner with Mum, Youth Group, a trip to Anglesey Abbey to see the snowdrops, afternoon tea with some friends, a concert at King's College Chapel, Sunday School, and the service in the old folks' home.  I'm glad I've got a holiday to look forward to!

From my picture journal...

The inside of Winchester Cathedral, which we visited on Saturday
 
Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... the snow is melting rapidly.

I am thinking... about the elderly people we visit in the nursing home on Sunday afternoons, several of whom have some form of dementia.  One old lady was terribly confused, wouldn't go back to her room because of the two animals fighting in there (I looked, the only "animal" I could see was a toy dalmation, which looked rather sweet).  She wanted her bag, and when A lifted up an imaginary, invisible bag and gave it to her, she accepted it quite happily, complained it was heavy, and gave it to me so I could put it on the seat beside her.  It's funny, but it's also very sad.

I am thankful for... a reasonably quiet weekend.  Especially the bit at 7:30 on Saturday morning - I caught the first bus out to the next village to go to the butcher, and walked back between 7:30 and 8am, as the sun rose.  The early light of dawn on the snow covered fields, with the view of the windmill appearing on the hill, and all the little birds singing the dawn chorus - it was absolutely beautiful.

I am wearing... brown cord trousers, pink jumper
 
I am going... to a meeting tonight, unfortunately.

I am reading... Hearing the Grass Grow by Katie Thear; Troubled Journey by Faith Cook.  Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Matthew

I am hoping... to get more sleep tonight

On my mind... how to calm down my life and schedule so I don't feel permanently stressed.

From the kitchen... Salmon steaks, rice and steamed broccoli tonight, followed by mince pies.  I'm also planning to make some yoghurt tonight.

I am creating... All creative energy this weekend has gone into darning and mending socks and jumpers.  Hopefully I'll find the bottom of the mending heap soon and be able to do something fun.

Around the house... Christmas decorations are all down and back in the loft now, and we've been chopping up the cards to use as gift tags

One of my favorite things... Parcels in the post.  My vegetable seed order arrived today: Paste tomatoes, basil, radish, mange-tout peas, and giant Guatemalan groundcherries.  Never mind that the chances of actually growing the last are perilously slim; I want to have a go, and if I never try it I'll never know if it works.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Holiday Club planning meeting, Bible study, Youth Group restarts, teaching Sunday School this week, and a whole beautiful Saturday with no plans in it.  Perhaps we'll make some marmalade.

From my picture journal...
  The seeds that were delivered today

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... Frost.  It looks as white as if it had been snowing, but it's just frost.  Pretty slippery, though.

I am thinking... about the seeds I've just ordered for the year.  I need to do some garden planning before spring arrives.

I am thankful for... the unstressed Christmas we were able to enjoy with family.  My mother remarked in amazement when we sat down for dinner that I didn't look at all flustered.  I think we managed to do all that was needful and not go overboard, and it was lovely.

I am wearing... Brown trousers and a new fluffy red cardigan my mother bought me.

I am remembering... All the wonderful birds G and I saw on our walk on Saturday.
 
I am going... to the Botanic Gardens at lunchtime today.

I am reading... Hearing the Grass Grow by  Katie Thear and Troubled Journey by Faith Cook. Bible: Exodus, Genesis, and Matthew

On my mind... Fellow-believers in countries where they are unable to celebrate Christmas owing to persecution.

From the kitchen... Tonight we're having "Parrot Pie" which looks interesting, braised cabbage and leftover roast potatoes.  I may make a syrup pudding too.

I am creating... I'm going to make chicken liver pate this evening, as a birthday/Christmas present for a friend who's coming round on Wednesday.  I hope to have some crafting time on Saturday to work on my crocheted bag and maybe a new project I'm dreaming up.

Around the house... We need to take the decorations down on Wednesday (twelfth night).  Other than that, I just need to get back into my regular cleaning routine, which sort of got left by the wayside over Christmas.

One of my favorite things... Having all the dinner already made and just having to heat it all up.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible Study restarts tomorrow, we've got guests coming for supper on Wednesday, on Thursday we'll visit my parents, on Friday it's the Youth Group Staff Meeting, and on Saturday there is a brand new church women's breakfast meeting that I'm hoping to go to.  I also need to go to the butchers before the game season finished and see if they have any pheasants - G is clamouring for one.

From my picture journal...
  Not a brilliant picture, but this is the blackbird pie funnel my husband bought me for Christmas.  I haven't used him yet, but I'm making plans!

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... The snow is brilliant white, and people are building snowmen on the green outside the office window.

I am thinking... about what I need to buy from the supermarket this evening.

I am thankful for... the council workers gritting the pavements over lunchtime.

I am wearing... black trousers and a pink jumper

I am remembering... previous church nativity plays.  Maybe I'm getting old and grouchy - I wasn't very impressed with yesterday's
 
I am going... to clean the church this evening

I am reading... Dewey, by Vicki Myron, The Message of Romans.  Bible: Zephaniah, Luke, Revelation.

I am hoping... the weather is good enough on Christmas Eve for my parents-in-law to make the journey from Shropshire.

On my mind... wondering whether it is as normal in America to use paper plates for meals as some of the blogs I read suggest - they're almost never used here in England.

Noticing that...  the box of chocolate biscuits on the sideboard in the office is more tempting than I would like

Pondering these words... For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,
       as the waters cover the sea. (Habbakuk 2:14)

From the kitchen... Leftover cottage pie and bulgar wheat with squash and chestnuts tonight, followed by leftover treacle tart.  We need to empty the freezer a bit before the Christmas bread arrives.

I am creating... still working on the dishcloths I planned to knit 12 of this year.  I'm half-way through number 10, and suspect I won't be meeting this goal.  (Actually, I don't think I've got enough wool to do 12, so may change it to 11, and then I might just manage it by the New Year)

Around the house... We cleaned on Saturday, and the kitchen and sitting room are cleaner than ever before.  Other than that, there are some very unsightly wellington boots by the door whenever we're home, because neither of us like wet feet.

One of my favorite things... four-day weeks!
A few plans for the rest of the week: Shopping, wrapping presents, carol service (possibly two if I get the wrapping done in time and it's not too cold tomorrow night), the arrival of G's family and lots of cooking.  Hopefully a walk or two over the weekend.  A group of my old schoolfriends are coming round on Sunday.

From my picture journal...
 

The birdfeeders in the garden, sagging under the weight of the snow.  We have a very bossy little robin who has taken possession of the feeders - any other birds get chased off.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... the rain has eased off a little now.  I got rather wet this morning, especially as my shoes were still damp from the walk back from church yesterday lunchtime.

I am thinking... about arrangements for getting to Birmingham for the funeral on Friday.  Should we go by train or car?  Should we stay the night afterwards, or come home?  And how late can we leave it before making a firm decision?

I am thankful for... good health, encouraging Sunday mornings at church, friends calling round to ask us round for dinner, central heating and hot water bottles, and cupboards filled with pickles, jams and chutneys.

I am wearing... Brown striped trousers and a green jumper.

I am remembering... once, when I was a little girl at the village primary school, my class went out one afternoon for a walk and were promised that if we behaved well we could pick conkers on the way back.  Only when we got to the prime conker-collecting area, there were none to be found.  Then, when I got home after school I discovered my grandfather (Pa), who was visiting, had picked all of them and taken them home for me and my brother.
 
I am going... to try and find some Christmas presents for my husband after work this afternoon.

I am reading... "La's Orchestra Saves the World", by Alexander McCall Smith.  Bible: Ezekiel, Ephesians, 2 Peter

I am hoping... that I'll be able to finish the project I started yesterday without losing steam.  I'm very much a project-starter, rather than a project-finisher.

On my mind... My grandmother.  Pa died on Thursday morning, and she's now got to adjust to living alone - something she's never had to do before.  They were married for over 63 years, which is pretty impressive.  We visited her on Saturday, and she's doing pretty well, in the circumstances.

Noticing that...  it's nearly lunchtime

Pondering these words...

For the joys and for the sorrows
The best and worst of times
For this moment, for tomorrow
For all that lies behind
Fears that crowd around me
For the failure of my plans
For the dreams of all I hope to be
The truth of what I am

For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus, I have Jesus

(beginning of a Graham Kendrick song that we sand yesterday morning)

From the kitchen... Tonight I'm making a double quantitfy of Gillygate Bean Casserole, so I can freeze some and take it to church on Sunday for our shared meal.  Otherwise I won't get a chance to make anything.  We've got caramel pinwheel cookies and a carrot cake that I made yesterday, too.

Around the house... I think I've ended up getting all my handbags out and leaving them in the sitting room.  Not to mention all the soggy coats.  Tonight is clear up time.

One of my favorite things... Sitting at home, in our armchairs, my husband sipping his coffee and myself doing some craft work, listening to music.  It doesn't happen often, but it did yesterday, and it was lovely.

From my picture journal...
 

The beginning of a crocheted bag that I started yesterday.  It's a long time since I've done any crochet, and I'm enjoying it.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... it is cool and dry.  The clocks have gone back now, so it was almost light when we awoke this morning, but it's very grey sort of day overall.

I am thinking... about arrangements for our theatre trip this evening - the person who was coming with us has just bailed out, and I'm making alternative arrangements.

I am thankful for... the company of several groups of good friends over the weekend.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and my favourite spotty / stripey cardigan.

I am remembering... That the first time I wore this favourite cardigan was the first time I visited my now-husband in the house we now live in together.  He'd invited me round to a musical gathering he was hosting and I was very scared of meeting lots of strange people, but I'm so, so glad I did!
 
I am going... to the theatre this evening to see "Faustus"

I am reading..."Lost Crafts" by Una McGovern.  Very interesting book.  I was reading about coopering last night.

I am hoping... that I'm just excessively tired, not ill.  I feel dreadful all of a sudden.

On my mind... Rebekah

Noticing that...  I really need to do some sorting out of my desk (at work).

Pondering these words... "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5b.  I'm trying to think more about the reading I do each morning, to meditate on it a little.

From the kitchen... Rabbit Pie.  We had a guest for lunch yesterday and I made a delicious rabbit pie, and there's some left for us to eat later in the week.

Around the house... it's defintely autumn - I had to wash woolly tights this morning.  They have to be handwashed, and I only wear / wash them in the winter, so this heralds the certainty of cooler weather.

One of my favorite things... biting into a crips juicy apple.

From my picture journal...
My chilli peppers, which are doing amazingly well.  I need to find out how to preserve the chillis - I'm torn between dicing them up and freezing them, and trying to dry them whole in the airing cupboard / very low oven.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... cold and fresh.  It may warm up later, but the mornings are very cold here now.

I am thinking... about work.

I am thankful for... a working boiler and hot showers.

From the kitchen... Supper tonight will be venison burgers with rowanberry sauce with roast potato, peppers and beetroot, boiled broccoli, followed by black cap batter pudding and jam.  We've got a cake and some cookies that I made at the weekend, too.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and a bright pink jumper.

I am creating... an elbow patch for my favourite green jumper that I've gone through the elbows on.  I'm trying to make a concerted effort to get the clothes we already own back in wearable order again.

I am going... to sort out the first of G's Christmas presents at lunchtime.

I am reading... I've just started a fascinating book called "Lost Crafts" by Una McGovern.  Bible: 1 Chronicles, Jeremiah and John.

I am hoping... that this week is more productive than last week.

Around the house... we still haven't got rid of our tumble dryer that I've been trying to give away.  It's now in the middle of the kitchen, and we're having the squeeze round it all the time (the kitchen floor is about 4-5 foot square, so a tumble dryer takes up a lot of it!)

One of my favorite things... talking to my husband after we've turned out the lights late at night.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study tomorrow, Youth Group on Friday, visiting a couple of sets of friends in Hertfordshire on Saturday, and we're having a friend round for rabbit pie for Sunday lunch.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Some of the stunning flowers in the Dahlia Garden at Anglesey Abbey, when we cycled out there a couple of weeks ago.  It's an arc-shaped garden, with the flowers arranged so the colours grade slowly from white-cream-yellow-orange-pale pink-pink-red, like a rainbow.  Absoluately beautiful.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... cool, with dampish air.  I'm still hoping for rain - there was a very little on Saturday night, but more in needed, really.

I am thinking... about trying to do some mending this week.

I am thankful for... all my friends at church - we had a wonderful charity social on Saturday evening organised by some friends.

From the kitchen... Cabbage and potato scramble tonight, with jam tart for dessert.  I made some delicious cheese bread and some chocolate chip cookies at the weekend, too.

I am wearing... charcoal trousers and a blue jumper.

I am creating... very little.  I have plodding on with my blanket and dishcloth knitting.

I am going... to try and roast some squash seeds tonight.  It seems a shame to throw them out if they can be eaten!

I am reading... I've just started a fascinating book called "Lost Crafts" by Una McGovern.  Bible: 1 Chronicles, Jeremiah and John.

I am hoping... for a nice quiet evening at home tonight.

Around the house... I really, really need to clean the windowframes.  It's beginning to annoy me rather a lot, the amount of grime stuck to them. 

One of my favorite things... warm bread fresh from the oven.   Whenever I make bread I wish I did it more often.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study on Tuesday, visiting Mum on Thursday, Youth Group on Friday, and on Sunday it's the commissioning service for some friends of ours who are going out to Japan shortly, and then a meeting about the Sunday School.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A replica (non-functional) penfold postbox at the Kidderminster Severn Valley Railway station.  Beautifully painted

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... it looks rather grey today.  Maybe there'll be rain soon - we really need it.

I am thinking... about plans for the next few months, and trying to keep them to a manageable level.

I am thankful for... a wonderful weekend.

From the kitchen... pasta with cabbage and cheese, followed by chocolate-coffee-walnut cake.

I am wearing... charcoal trousers and a green jumper.

I am creating... very little.  I have plodding on with my blanket and dishcloth knitting.

I am going... to dust and hoover tonight.  If I have time I'd like to see if vinegar makes any impression on the mouldy limescale in the bathroom grouting.

I am reading... not a lot at the moment, having just finished a few books.  My husband and I are still reading our way through The Message of Romans for our Bible Study, but I haven't got any "reading books" on the go at present.  BIble is currently Proverbs, Hebrews and Isaiah.

I am hoping... that our pepper plant remains alive long enough to ripen the two fruit it has produced.

Around the house... there are lots of squashes that we harvested yesterday, curing in the bottom of the airing cupboard.

One of my favorite things... spending time pottering in the garden.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study on Tuesday, visiting Mum on Thursday, the dreaded Youth Group on Friday, and on Saturday we're planning to cycle to Anglesey Abbey for the day, and then we have a charity meal at church in the evening.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A stone peacock in the grounds of Powis Castle

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... the weather is very changeable, as we move from summer to autumn.  One minute it's bright sunshine and the next it's grey and dull.  Quite sunny over lunchtime.

I am thinking... about what to take away with us this weekend.  We need to pack very light (one small backpack each), but still have everything we need.

I am thankful for... the opportunity to visit my grandparents later this week.  They may not be able to to stay again, as they are getting so old, but I am thankful that I can visit them while it's still possible.

From the kitchen... I shall eat leftovers tonight, and maybe make some soup to eat on Wednesday and stock the freezer with.

I am wearing... charcoal trousers and a blue jumper.  More signs that autumn is moving in.

I am creating... a well-stocked freezer!  On Saturday I bought a rabbit, 12 sausages and 2 lb beef mince, we put 2 litres of stewed apples in yesterday, and I've just bought some game (pheasant burgers, venison burgers, pigeon fillets and mixed stewing pieces) from the Farm Shop.

I am going... to go to the library after work today.

I am reading... Lake Wobegon Days. I'm quite enjoying it, but not as much as I expected to.

I am hoping...that there will be enough time this evening to pick crabapples to make spiced crabapples with. 

Around the house... I've managed to get back on a more even keel as far as the cleaning goes after the disruption of the summer, so now it's just a case of maintaining things.  Much more peaceful.

One of my favorite things... being at home in the evenings after dark, with the curtains closed and some music playing, enjoying one another's company.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just trying to get everything straightened out before we go away, without stressing myself out about everything I can't manage.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Two squashes: the one on the left came in the vegetable box; the one on the right is homegrown

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... the weather is bright but cool.  We had a lot of much-needed rain over the weekend.

I am thinking... about trying to write my testimony.  This makes me very nervous, for some reason.

I am thankful for... Rain ... and the fact that my tomato plants didn't die, even though we forgot about them and forgot to water them for three weeks!

From the kitchen... I'm making stuffed peppers for supper this evening, with strawberries (from our garden) and ice cream for pudding.  I also made a batch of cookies yesterday, from a new recipe that has worked very well.

I am wearing... Brown stripy trousers and a blue jumper.

I am creating... A plan for what crafts and activities I want to do with my group at this year's Holiday BIble Club.

I am going... to spend a quiet evening at home with my husband.

I am reading... God's Lavish Grace by Terry Virgo.

I am hoping... to get the rest of the plants in the greenhouse planted out in the next week,

Around the house... I need to use another round of Viacal on the toilet.  The limescale builds up in there so incredibly fast....

One of my favorite things... Watching boats on the river.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study Tuesday, visiting my mum on Thursday, Youth Group Friday, and we're going away to Bath for the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My Dad's motor racing trophy shelf a couple of weeks ago.  He never won any at all in previous years, but so far this year he seems to be doing pretty well!

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... Sunny and windy.  Warm in the sun, but when it goes behind a cloud it gets a bit chilly.

I am thinking... about all the plans for day trips out and weekends away that my husband and I concocting at the moment.  It's very exciting.

I am thankful for... the ducklings and baby moorhens out on the water today.  All the spring birds, really, but I'm particularly fond of those.  The moorhen babies are black and fluffy, and almost bald on the top, with incredibly long legs.  Really, they're rather ugly, but in the "so ugly they actually become cute" sense.

From the kitchen... there is a dearth of pre-prepared food (ie leftovers) for tonight.  My husband's taken tinned soup with him, and I'll probably have beans on toast.  Though, what I should do is make some pasta, eat some and freeze the rest for Friday's leftovers. I probably won't though,

I am wearing... Black trousers and a blue jumper.

I am creating... My seventh dishcloth for this year.  The goal is twelve, so I'm over halfway there.

I am going... to wrap my husband's birthday presents while he's out this evening.

I am reading... A book on John Constable; Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Romans; The Summer of the Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L'Engle; God's Lavish Grace by Terry Virgo; Bible: 2 Kings, 1 Corinthians, John

I am hoping... to manage to stay productively occupied this evening.  Monday evenings are always difficult, as I my husband is out and I'm tempted to get lonely and sit and eat Crunchy Nut Cornflakes for hours on my own.  Not helpful.

Around the house... I finally got around to cleaning behind the oven at the weekend.  It looks much better now.

One of my favorite things... afternoon naps!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study tomorrow, trip to the pictures tomorrow, Mum's on Thursday, Youth Group on Friday, and then another glorious bank holiday weekend with very little planned for it.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The promotional picture for the Oxfam Walk that my mother and I did on Sunday.  I forgot to take a picture of us when we'd finished it, as I'd meant to, as I was far too achy by that point.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... after a week of glorious summer sunshine, it has begun to rain again, though only lightly.  Pleasantly refreshing.

I am thinking... About what to cook over the weekend when we have visitors.

I am thankful for... The rain after the sunshine. 

From the kitchen... Jacket potato and golden carrot bake leftovers for supper this evening.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and blue jumper.

I am creating... Not so much at the moment, as I've just finished a few small knitting projects.  I think I may try and get back on the cross-stitch bandwagon for a while.

I am going... to sort out the Youth Group register this evening.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Romans; The Summer of the Great-Grandmother by Madeleine L'Engle; God's Lavish Grace by Terry Virgo; Bible: 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, Mark

I am hoping... that this week at work isn't too stressful and busy.

Around the house... I need to clean the oven before my in-laws arrive on Thursday.

One of my favorite things... Falling asleep in my husband's arms, as I did yesterday afternoon.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study tomorrow, Holiday Bible Club planning meeting on Wednesday, and then my in-laws arrive on Thursday, and are staying till Tuesday next week.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is Hetty the Hen.  I made her last week, and yesterday evening she took up residence on top of my breadbin.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... it was very frosty first thing this morning, but has been bright and clear for most of the day.

I am thinking... very little.  I'm really ready for a break as my brain appears to be slowly grinding to a halt.

I am thankful for... all the wonderful people at our church.

From the kitchen... Baked beans of toast for supper tonight.  There are six jars of onion chutney on the worktop waiting to be labelled and put away.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers, striped turtleneck and beige cardigan.

I am creating... fabric-items.  I'm planning to put some work in on this tonight.

I am going... to start sorting things to pack for holiday tonight.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Romans; Sisterchicks do the Hula by Robin Jones Gunn; Bible: Hebrews, Deuteronomy, Romans

I am hoping...to be able to properly participate in Bible Study tomorrow and not fall asleep for once.

Around the house... Everything is nicely restocked after we went to the Wholefoods Cooperative (and spend £80) on Saturday.

One of my favorite things... Sharing Lunch at church - everyone brings a dish and we all eat together.  Mind you, yesterday there was too much salad and dessert and very little in the way of actual carbohydrate to fill us up.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study and Youth Group this week, and then going away for Easter.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This plant on our office windowsill was thought to be dead.  Then, come spring, it has suddenly proved us all wrong.  I love the contrast between the old dead leaves and the beautiful new growth in the middle.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... it is raining and very windy

I am thinking... about calling my grandparents and finding out how they're doing.

I am thankful for... rain to water the plants.

From the kitchen...I'm eating leftover Creamy Jerusalem Artichoke soup for supper, which was lovely.  I'm also planning to finish pickling the lemons I've had salting for most of the week and make some onion chutney.  Yum!

I am wearing... Black trousers and red jersey.

I am creating... a folder full of useful information for our holiday in a couple of weeks.

I am going... to try and get lots done this evening - a couple of phone calls, a few bits of cooking and some laundry.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Romans; Bad Heiress Day by Allie Pleiter; Bible: Amos, Deuteronomy, Acts 

I am hoping... that I can keep my energy levels going until we go on holiday.

Around the house... we got all the cards written last night: 1 Mother's Day card (a bit late, but she's in Paris and won't be home for a few days, so she won't know), 5 Easter cards, and 1 birthday card.

One of my favorite things... Slipper socks.  So, so cozy.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study and Youth Group this week, going to see my parents again on Thursday, and then Thriplow Daffodil Weekend on Saturday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Two of the tulips that have just opened out in next-door's front garden

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... it is really lovely and springlike today

I am thinking... about gardening.  I really, really need to find time to plant some seeds this week.

I am thankful for... the health of my family, being financially stable.

From the kitchen... Leftover stew and couscous tonight.  I have half a dozen muffins and some sesame thins still there from last week's baking, so we should be set for baked goods for the week.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers, beige and grey striped turtleneck and a beige cardigan.

I am creating... A plan for the Sunday school lesson I'm teaching next week.

I am going... to phone up my parents this evening and find out how the first race of the season went at the weekend.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Ecclesiastes; The Message of Romans, Bible: Amos, Deuteronomy, Acts 

I am hoping... that this week will be less draining than last week.  Not sure why last week was such hard work, but both my husband and I found it very difficult to get through, and we were exhausted by the weekend.

Around the house... I need to hoover the upstairs of the house as it hasn't been done in a while.

One of my favorite things... clementines!  I could eat dozens of them at one sitting.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study and Youth Group this week, going to see my parents again on Thursday, and then visiting some friends at the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

An old post box, now out of use and painted black to demonstrate that it's retired.  You can just see the red paint from it's working life peeping out around the edges of the black.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... it is a lot colder than it looks!

I am thinking... about making plans for various days out and weekends away later this year. 

I am thankful for... the company of good friends.

From the kitchen... no cooking tonight - I shall be eating beans on toast.  We have an abundance of baked goods: chocolate cake, ginger parkin, and leftover pineapple upside down pudding.  All good stuff!

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and a blue and red cardigan.

I am creating... I've been working on blanket squares this weekend.  I may neaten up the edges on some dishcloths I've done this evening.

I am going... to sort through the birthday card folder this evening and try to get it as up to date as possible.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Ecclesiastes; The Message of Romans, Bible: Hebrews, Numbers, Acts 

I am hoping... the weather gets warmer soon.  It looks so deceptively sunny, I keep going out without my hat.  But the wind is horrendously bitter.

Around the house... I still haven't done the mending.  Must, must, must do that tonight....

One of my favorite things... Chocolate cake!!  The friends who stayed with us at the weekend brought a cake along with them as a gift, and it's scrummy.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study and Youth Group this week, and then a very free weekend, for which I'm thankful.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My husband and his friend walking on Wicken Fen on Saturday.

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Outside my window... The weather is glorious.  I started thinking about sitting out on the patio.  It's too cold to sit still for long though.

I am thinking...

I am thankful for... an evening at home with my husband tonight.

From the kitchen... I'm making leek and potato soup tonight, and stewed prunes to serve with the leftover rice pudding.

I am wearing... Brown striped trousers and a red jumper.

I am creating... clothes that don't have holes in them.... (hopefully).  My mending pile is getting out of control, so I need to give it some attention this evening.

I am hearing... The clicking of my keyboard.  It's old and filthy, but I've never found another that is as satisfying to type on.

I am going... Home from work soon.  Yippee!

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; The Message of Ecclesiastes; Bible: John, Leviticus, Acts 

I am hoping... To be able to resist the allure of the cakes that have been put on the work sideboard - Marie Curie Cancer Care have dropped off a box of cakes to buy for charity.  They are ridiculously over-priced, though, so hopefully I'll be able to resist.

Around the house... We now have a beautifully clean fridge and freezer, after cleaning it out and defrosting it this weekend.

One of my favorite things... hot puddings!  Rice pudding, treacle sponge pudding, toffee pudding, bakewell pudding, hot fruit pies and crumbles.  Mmmmmm

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study and Youth Group this week, and we've got a couple of friends coming for the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The utensil jar I got for Christmas - I love it!

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Outside my window... it is a dull, grey day, but the bulbs are still starting to appear.  There are a few daffodils out now, as well as the crocuses and snowdrops, so spring is definitely on its way.

I am thinking... about the Sunday School lesson I'm preparing (about Noah and the promise of the rainbow).

I am thankful for... the National Express (long-distance bus company) staff who got us home last night.  We went away to visit friends and were catching a bus back from Hemel Hempstead which was two and a half hours late owing to accidents leading to motorway closure.  Even though both drivers (we had to be put from one bus to another halfway through owing to driving-time regulations) were close to their maximum hours and therefore stressed, they still made sure everyone got to the correct destination, rather than just missing out stops.  Mind you, two and a half hours standing at Hemel Hempstead bus station left me with very numb feet for a while.

From the kitchen... I'm going to make parsnip nutty bake for tomorrow's supper this evening.  I need to decide whether to eat soup or stew (both frozen leftovers) tonight, as I'll be on my own again.  Also wondering about baking something - I feel like my husband needs to be spoilt a little bit.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and a green jumper.

I am creating... still making dishcloths, and also thinking about things to make as part of the swap I've signed up to do.

I am hearing... Beauty for Brokenness going through my head.  We sang it at church yesterday morning, and the tune has been rumbling through my brain ever since (not that that's a bad thing).

I am going... to work on the Youth Group register this evening.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; Bible: John, Leviticus, Acts 

I am hoping... to catch up on sleep this week.

Around the house... things are slowly getting more under control in terms of housework.  I still need to clean behind the oven and fridge, though.

One of my favorite things... listening to birds singing in the trees.  G and I can almost always identify a Great Tit now.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study and Youth Group this week, and then a dear friend is coming down to spend Friday night and Saturday with us.  I don't think we've met up since I got married, so I look forward to lots of catching up this weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is a puffin we saw last May on holiday in Pembrokeshire.  I was completely smitten with them.

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Outside my window... spring is in the air!  There are the first few beautiful crocuses peeping through the lawn at the botanic gardens, and the snow has all but disappeared.  Lots and lots of bulb shoots that should turn into daffodils in a week or two.  The sun is shining and it's pleasantly warm.

I am thinking... about nothing.  I've stared at this question for ages and can't think of anything at all.  I think my brain's on strike.

I am thankful for... the fact that they didn't find anything abnormal in my mother's brain when they did a scan on Friday.  We still don't know what's causing the funny turns, but at least they're pretty sure it's not blood clots in the brain or a tumour.  I'm also thankful that the NHS are taking it seriously and trying to find out what's wrong.

From the kitchen... Macaroni with leeks and bacon served with braised red cabbage for tea.  I'm wondering about doing a chocolate sponge pudding as well, but haven't decided yet.  There are 6 jars of Blatjang (spicy South African apricot chutney) sitting on the side that I need to label and put away, too.

I am wearing... Black trousers and a black cardigan, black shoes.  Pink shirt and pink socks.  For once, I actually match!

I am creating...  I started knitting another dishcloth, this time in yellow (which I've decided will be for general house-wiping), on Saturday.  I've got it about half-way done, I think.

I am going... to have a rare Monday evening with my husband, as he's not going out tonight.  I'm going to concentrate on enjoying having him at home.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells; Bible: Hebrews, Exodus, Acts 

I am hoping... to get completely rid of this nasty cold soon.  I did not anticipate spending Valentine's Day wheezing into a handkerchief.  It's better now, but still lingering a little, and G's still a touch under the weather from it. 

Around the house... my mending pile seems insurmountable.  I think the buttons on all the coats in the house (that's two, because the others are all packed away till it gets warmer) have entered a suicide pact.  No sooner do I get them all sewn back on than another one falls off the next time the coat is put on.  Perhaps I shall pack them away and declare it spring so I can wear a different coat.

One of my favorite things... Freshly ironed folded white hankies, all stacked up in a heap.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study tomorrow, maybe going to the theatre on Wednesday, and at the weekend we're off for a camp reunion and to see friends for the weekend, which should be good fun.  (Although it's a shame we'll be missing another good friend's 60th birthday celebration as a result).

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is my "bean cupboard" in my kitchen, where I keep all the beans, seeds, and grains that I buy in relatively small quantities (flour, pasta, rice and jumbo oats, live elsewhere, because I go through masses of them).  I love looking at this cupboards, at all the identical boxes neatly stacked and filled with goodies.

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