Little House by the Railway Line

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.

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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.

Read more daybook entries here.

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!

Read more daybook entries here.

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.

Read more daybook entries here.

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.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... the temperature has risen and slow has turned to that most despised feature of the English winter, slush.  Except for some places where the snow has packed down and turned to ice.  It's disgusting and treacherous.

I am thinking... about the old gentleman who used to attend our Sunday afternoon meetings at the local old people's home while visiting his wife, who was a resident there.  She died on Saturday night, so I don't suppose we'll see him again, but he is very much in our thoughts.  They were both faithful regulars at the meeting for as long as they've been going on.

I am thankful for... being able to sit in the heated greenhouses at the Botanic Gardens with my husband during our lunch break.  It is a beautiful place to sit, although there is something slightly surreal about sitting in a garden full of desert plants and looking out of the window at a lawn covered in snow.

From the kitchen... there are 11 jars of marmalade sitting on my worktop waiting for me to label them.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and a black cardigan.  I didn't realise until it was too late that there's a button missing on the front of my cardigan, so I think I look like a right idiot.

I am creating...  basically nothing at the moment.  I'm hoping to have time to work on my little quilt on Wednesday.  Maybe I'll start a new dishcloth this evening - perhaps go back to my favourite pattern.

I am going... to visit a friend from church this evening and try to help her sort out her computer.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells and The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian (not sure about the spelling there).  Bible: Hebrews, Exodus, Acts 

I am hoping... that I'll be able to resist the temptation to buy chocolate this week so I can get a magazine on Friday.  This is my new plan, to allow myself a certain amount of money as "pocket money" and that way, there's an incentive to not buy extra chocolate bars two or three times a day at work.

Around the house... my husband was very helpful and did most of my Monday evening jobs on Saturday, so I don't have so much to do this evening (this is obviously a good thing, since I'm going out).

One of my favorite things... watching small children discover things.  A friend came round with her eighteen-month-old son on Saturday, and he was fascinated by everything - the birds on the feeders in the back garden, the piano, the music stand... and, of course, the slot on the front of the video player and the volume control on the hi-fi!

A few plans for the rest of the week: I think this week is basically fairly run-of-the-mill.  I do want to spend some time sorting out a hymn and a reading to request for our evening meeting at church next Sunday.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is the view out of our back upstairs window last week, when the snow was still pretty.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... It's snowing!!!  Actually seems to have eased off now, but it was pretty heavy (for southern England) earlier.  More is forecast for tomorrow.  Apparently some of the schools have shut because there's two inches of snow on the ground - why on earth?  Most places in the world can continue to function in a little snow, why can't people here?

I am thinking... About trying to make arrangements to see my grandparents over Easter in Wales.

I am thankful for... the bus that was on time this morning, even if it was slow.  The beautiful view of the park full of snow from the back of the office.  The fact that my husband has a job that doesn't take him away from home.

From the kitchen... We're slowing eating a lovely moist apple and sultana cake I made last week.  We've finished the almond biscuits though.

I am wearing... Black trousers and a green jumper cardigan.  I've actually got a smart spotty cardigan under my jumper, but it's cold so I'm keeping my "green woolly" on

I am creating...  I finished another dishcloth yesterday, just need to sew the ends in, and I'm working on my Home Management Binder and a quilt.

I am going... swimming this lunchtime.  Urgh.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells, For the Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay Shaeffer , and The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian (not sure about the spelling there).  Bible: Hebrews, Exodus, Matthew. 

I am hoping... the my husband comes home in good time tonight.  He went round some friends last night to watch the Superbowl, and has taken today off work as a consequence (since it didn't finish till 3:30am-ish).  I'm not sure what time this evening he's coming home, but I hope it's not too late.

Around the house... the new schedule for cleaning is so far working okay, and everythings in moderate state at present.  I shall do the dusting and vacuuming this evening.

One of my favorite things... Snowdrops in springtime:

A few plans for the rest of the week: I've got a District Meeting for the Guides on Wednesday, which is a pain, as they always finish really late.  We've got friends coming round for tea on Saturday, and we're going Sunday School this week, so I need to prepare that.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Part of the winter garden at Anglesey Abbey, where G and I went on Saturday to see the snowdrops.  First time I'd cycled in nearly a year, and I was very sore and tired when we got home.  It was a beautiful day, though.  I love the colours of the plants in this picture.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... It is beginning to look a little more spring-like (though this is probably a false alert).  It was almost light at 7:30 when I went out this morning, and it is not quite dark by 5pm these days, so it looks light the interminable darkness of winter is over.  The cold weather may yet return, however.

I am thinking... About how exhausted I am after swimming during my lunch break.  40 lengths (1 kilometre) sometimes seems to be a very long way, and today was one of those days.  I keep telling myself it's good for me...

I am thankful for... Having a family I get on with, who live close enough to visit frequently.  My husband and I were talking about fragmented families in our BIble study yesterday, and I'm very grateful that I live close to my parents, and that I get on with them properly - my father's relationship with his parents is a very sorry affair (and to me inexplicable, as I get on with them fine).  It's a shame, however, that my husband's parents live so far away.

From the kitchen... It will be baked beans on toast tonight - easy comfort food!  My husband is out and there are no leftovers left at the moment.

I am wearing... Grey trousers and a pink cardigan.

I am creating...  I'm slowly making pages to put in a "household management binder" (no folder as yet though, just paper).  I keep seeing these on the web, and it seems like a great idea.  I'm hoping it will help me to keep on track a bit, and not completely forget to clean the oven for 6 months or so, and stop me losing bits of paper all over the house.  At some point I'll fish out an old folder and set about making a pretty cover for it.

I am going... to try and get the accounts and grocery book up to date on the computer this evening.  This is one of those things that I very quickly fall very behind on.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells, For the Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay Shaeffer , and The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian (not sure about the spelling there).  Bible: 1 Kings, Exodus, Matthew. 

I am hoping...To find time this week to work on my patchwork.  I've been getting back into it lately, and am really enjoying it.

Around the house... My husband cleaned all the house this weekend, while I was cooking (except the kitchen, because I was in there creating mess at the time), so the house is lovely and clean.  Hopefully I'll be able to tackle the kitchen a bit this evening.

One of my favorite things... Receiving lettters from old friends.  I got a letter from my old piano teacher yesterday, which was really nice.  She's suggested I enter some produce in the village flower festival (it does vegetables as well).  In theory, this seems like a great idea, but I don't think we'll have a lot in late July.  The strawberries will be at the end of their life and pathetic, and very little else will be ready to harvest then.  But we'll see.  Perhaps the courgettes will come earlier this summer than last year.

A few plans for the rest of the week: We're hoping the weather will be fine next Saturday, so we can go to Anglesey Abbey nearby and see the snowdrops, which are always spectacular there.  We've also got friends coming for supper that evening.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The milk bottle that was outside our door this morning.  We've talked about getting a milkman for some time now, and I finally set it up last week.  First delivery was this morning.  It will be so nice to have milk delivered to the house, and in smaller quantities (we'll get a pint at a time, 3 times a week). Last summer the milk was going off in less than a week, before it was being used up.  We'll also get three pints a week rather than two, which means there'll be more slack for nice things like rice pudding and cocoa in the evenings.

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... It is threatening rain, but so far it hasn't happened.

I am thinking... About the friend from church who was rushed into A&E last night with a migraine.  Praying that she would get better as soon as possible.

I am thankful for... the fact that the bus driver had change this morning so I could get to work.  The cash machine only had £20 notes, and so often bus drivers will throw people off the bus because they don't have change to give them.  Thankfully this morning that was not the case, and I was able to get to work on time.

From the kitchen... Leftover lentil stew for tonight's supper.  I made fairy cakes yesterday and G iced them and decorated them (with Pudsey Bear decorations, I know it's totally the wrong time of year but we happened to have them in the cupboard and they'll be out of date soon).

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers and a pink jumper.  I'm also wearing proper shoes, rather than trainers, for the first time in a couple of weeks - I don't like to when it's icy because I'm afraid of slipping, but it's been rather warmer this weekend.

I am creating...  I spent a little time this weekend copying internet recipe print-outs into my recipe file.  Unfortunately I can only copy out about three before my hand starts to hurt (I'm very out of practice when it comes to handwriting - do far more typing these days) so it's rather slow going.  I hope eventually to get the recipe book shelf in the kitchen tidy, and reduce the likelihood of all the books collapsing on the floor at an inopportune moment.

I am going... to the supermarket this evening to stock up on milk and cheese biscuits.  I just hope the rain holds off till after I've got home.  Then it can do whatever it likes.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells, For the Children's Sake by Susan Shaeffer Macaulay, and The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian (not sure about the spelling there).  Bible: 1 Kings, Genesis, Matthew. 

I am hoping... for parsnips in the box this week.  They are my all-time favourite vegetable, with a season that's far too short.

Around the house... The house is largely tidy at present, and I'm not aware of too much that needs doing.  It all needs cleaning again, though - so depressing that it always needs doing again a week later.

One of my favorite things...Listening to hymns on cd.  G bought me a new hymn cd for Christmas, which we were listening to yesterday evening.  I'm really enjoying it.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Usual weekday activities, and we've got friends coming for lunch on Saturday, then we're going out to see a friend's orchestra play in the evening.  Should be fun!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Picture of a Robin.  We've got two of these fighting over our garden for territory at the moment, which is splendid fun to watch!  They sit facing each other, about a foot apart, on our fence, puff their chests out and lift their heads, mouths open wide to call.  Then there's a flutter of wings and they switch position and do it all over again.  We saw the display two or three times over the weekend, and it was fascinating. 

Read more daybook entries here.

Outside my window... There was snow on the ground when we got up, and it was snowing while I was travelling to work.  It's now sunny and the snow has mostly melted.

I am thinking... about a quilt that I've been planning for years, and have only got as far as cutting out the templates for.  I would like to get it out again and see if I can do a bit of work on it.

I am thankful for... The restful time I've had over the last couple of weeks.  We went for walks, had friends round for dinner and played card games, spent time with my parents and my brother and his girlfriend, and had a blissful day together baking in the kitchen (a very good way of keeping warm).

From the kitchen... We made Scottish shortbread and Yorkshire parkin over the weekend, so there are lots of yummy goodies to eat.  For supper tonight I'm doing jacket potatoes with leftover bean casserole, boiled peas and pickled beetroot, followed by semolina pudding and jam.

I am wearing... Charcoal trousers (Christmas pressie from my parents!) and a pink jumper.

I am creating... I've done a few bits of crafts over the past weeks - a few rows of cross-stitch and half a dishcloth, but not very much. 

I am going... straight home this evening to enjoy an evening with my husband.  He's usually out on Mondays, but not this week, and I've decided to switch my swimming to Wednesday, to see if that improves the schedule any.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells, For the Children's Sake by Susan Shaeffer Macaulay, and The Birds Our Teachers by John Stott.  Bible: 1 Kings, Genesis, Matthew. 

I am hoping... that there will be time this evening for G and I to do the Bible Study we didn't have time for yesterday.

Around the house... the decorations are still up at the moment, though they're supposed to come down tomorrow (I may not have time till Wednesday, however).  We have a lovely new wooden bowl and a quilted mat that we received as Christmas presents, which look lovely on the top of one of our bookcases (unfortunately the bowl has been filled with chocolates, and I keep eating them.

One of my favorite things... the look and feel and smell of shiny new books.  In my opinion, books are about far more than just the words they contain; I enjoy them as a tactile experience. (I also like old books covered in dust in old libraries - G thought it was very amusing when he took me round his old college and I sat looking through the enormous filthy old dictionaries in the library, just enjoying turning the pages.)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study restarts tomorrow, I have a Youth Group staff meeting on Friday and on Saturday I'm hoping to be able to get to the butcher in Fulbourn to buy something for Sunday dinner.  I also need to amend the Youth Group register in readiness for the coming term.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

These are two of our Christmas decorations, given to us the year before we married.  My husband and I were introduced by a mutual friend, who made these instead of Christmas cards that year.  I don't know if she expected us to keep them, but we think it's nice to let them sit together.

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Outside my window... Gloomy, gloomy day.

I am thinking... About jam and chutney.  A friend called this evening and said she was going to bring round some spare jars, so I'm concocting plans for them for next year.

I am thankful for... My hard-working husband. 

From the kitchen... For supper tonight we had an experimental version of "corned beef hash", only I used smashed up pinto beans instead of corned beef, with potatoes, onions and Brussels sprouts.  It was very successful - I couldn't taste any different.  It did take longer to cook, though, because the beans absorbed too much liquid and it took a while to dry them out.

I am wearing... Brown trousers and a pink cardigan.

I am creating... Nothing.  The jersey has been finished (at last!) and I'm enjoying a rest.  I would like to get my cross-stich out again over Christmas.

I am going... To see old school-friends tomorrow.

I am reading... Christian: Take Heart! by Tom Wells, and For the Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay Shaeffer, Bible: Jude, 2 Corinthians, Revelation. 

I am hoping... For a restful holiday-time between Thursday and Sunday.

Around the house... This evening G vacuumed the house and did the ironing, while I washed the kitchen and the bathroom, so it's all clean for Christmas now.  I need to think of somewhere else to put Christmas cards, though, as they annoy me when they're just sitting around on the top of bookcases ready to fall off.

One of my favorite things... Sitting on the sofa in the evening with my husband, when all the jobs are done, with music playing and watching the lights on the tree, and thinking how very happy and blessed we are.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Meeting up with friends tomorrow evening, Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve, visiting my parents on Boxing Day, and going to the old folks' home on Sunday.  Hopefully we'll get in a walk over the weekend.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

This is King's College Chapel.  The Nine Lessons and Carols are broadcast live from here on Christmas Eve every year.  You have to queue up all day to go (and overnight if you want a decent seat), so I've never bothered, but I like to listen to it on the radio.  They repeat it on Christmas Day (useful when you're working on Christmas Eve!).  The Order of Service is here.

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Outside my window... It is very dull but not too cool.  We saw a little grebe and a grey wagtail on Coe Fen at lunchtime.

I am thinking... About all the things that need to be done this evening. 

I am thankful for... Having a small amount time at the weekend that wasn't scheduled - even though we went to a party and out to lunch and had guests round and went to the Old People's Home over the two days, there was still time for the two of us to sit on the sofa together and just talk.

From the kitchen... We've more or less cleaned out the food supply for the moment, which hasn't happened in ages.  We had guests round yesterday and got rid of lots of root vegetables and a whole cabbage, lots of apples and blackberries.  G is cooking tonight: baked beans and mushrooms on toast.

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

I am creating... I've very nearly finished E's Christmas jumper, which is exciting.  That does, however, mean I keep mentally planning new projects to start when it's finished/

I am going... Swimming this evening.  I've now reached my target of swimming 40 lengths (1km) in a session, so now I'm trying to reduce the time it takes me.

I am reading... I Am Not Ashamed: Advice to Timothy by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Bible: 2 Peter, Jonah, Revelation

I am hoping... That the coming week won't be too stressful.  (Once the weekend is over, everything should be much calmer and I'll be able to relax and enjoy the holiday-time)

Around the house... We decorated last night.  The tree is up, the cars are hanging from the bannisters, and I've tidied up the piano so only Christmas music is on it and it doesn't look so untidy.

One of my favorite things... Singing Christmas carols round the piano with friends.  We had a lovely party on Saturday.  The host and hostess have been teaching themselves piano and played to accompany the carolling.  Unfortunately, the Easy-Piano-Carols book was designed to be easy to play, not to sing, and some of them were pitched a bit too high.  Much hilarity ensued.

A few plans for the rest of the week: I really must finish the jumper I'm knitting this week, and we've got the Holiday Bible Club on Saturday, so I need to get my plans for that together.  10-15 7-year-old Shepherds will need to be kept well occupied to minimise the chaos!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

This is the Christmas Tree Angel that I knitted a few years ago.  It's too heavy to actually go on our little tree, so I stand it on top of a low bookcase, propped up against a photo frame.

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Outside my window... It is dry and very cold.  It was a rather icy weekend, and the frost is quite thick and slippery in places.

I am thinking... About seeds.  We're wondering about growing a small winter squash next year as well as the courgette and french beans, and I've been looking at this website to see what might be suitable.  I'd also like to try and grow chillis and sweet peppers, but I think they might have to be grown indoors.  Chillis can be rather ornamental though, on a windowsill.  We saw courgettes grown up a tripod in the late summer, and if we could grow them (and a winter squash) like that it would save space.

I am thankful for... A warm house, heating, and thick socks!

From the kitchen... The mince pies are almost all gone.  I actually managed to blister my lip eating one that was far too hot, which was quite spectacular.  I actually have almost no food in a ready-to-eat condition (plenty of ingredients, though), so maybe I should do some baking soon.

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

I am creating... I'm still making progress on a blue jumper for a little boy for Christmas - beginning to actually look like I might get these. 

I am going... To post Christmas presents at lunchtime.  The Christmas shopping is done, there's just lots of wrapping to do.  And an awful lot of Christmas cards to write, so I'm hoping I'll be able to get some of them done this evening.

I am reading... I Am Not Ashamed: Advice to Timothy by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Bible: Job, Amos, Revelation

I am hoping... To be able to plan crafts and timetable for my group at the Christmas Holiday Club and prepare my Sunday School lesson sometime this week.  We're doing the holiday club on 20th and Sunday School on the 21st, and I really don't want to be rushed and stressed at the last minute.

Around the house... We have a few Christmas cards that have started to arrive.  I think it may be nearly time to get the Christmas box out of the loft and start stringing cards up and get the tree out.  We may have an extra unexpected evening free this week which would be helpful in this regard.

One of my favorite things... Getting to hold a young baby and coo over him.  We visited friends at the weekend for a Christmas party and one of the guests had a 3-month old that we hadn't met yet, who was very charming indeed.

A few plans for the rest of the week: We've got a concert to go to on Thursday evening, a Christmas party on Saturday, and friends visiting for Sunday lunch.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

This was a purple carrot that arrived in our vegetable box the other week.  I never expected that it would be orange inside with the purple outside, and thought it was really pretty!

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Outside my window... it is very cold but not too grey.  Much better, actually, than the weather at the weekend.  Our walk on Saturday was made rather less pleasant by fog, and yesterday it just rained all day.

I am thinking... About whether or not to go swimming later today.  I know it's good for me, but I really dislike swimming.

I am thankful for... A husband who accepts that there are days I just want to curl up in a ball with a blanket under the table, and takes care of me when I'm too exhausted to do it myself.

From the kitchen... The kidney bean and vegetable stew I made for the church lunch all got eaten, so there's not as much leftovers as I'd hoped.  I've got one last slice of butternut squash pie to eat after my supper this evening.

I am wearing... Grey trousers and a pink cardigan.

I am creating... I'm still making progress on a blue jumper for a little boy for Christmas - beginning to actually look like I might get these.  I'm also knitting dishcloths for my grandmother's Christmas present.

I am going... to sit down and cuddle up in front of the television on my own this evening.  I almost never watch the television, but sometimes when G is out for the evening and I'm feeling a bit fragile it's nice to cuddle up with the blankets and watch something easy-going.  I'm slowly watching my way through a set of The Good Life DVDs that I'm borrowing from a friend.  I can knit while I'm there, so it's not wasted time.

I am reading... I Am Not Ashamed: Advice to Timothy by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Bible: Job, Hosea, Revelation

I am hoping... To get the Christmas shopping finished this week.

Around the house... Much progress was made clearing through the piles of paperwork and charity begging letters (I don't mean that to sound derisory) in our back bedroom/office on Saturday, so it looks much tidier.

One of my favorite things... Frost on leaves and berries.  I really should have taken pictures on Saturday when we went out walking.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Lunch out with my mother tomorrow.  We've got to get the overseas Christmas cards finished this week, and hope to make a start on the others.  I've also got to bind some music sheets together to go with the very large print words of hymns for the old people's home services we're involved in.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

This is the village sign where we went walking and exploring on Saturday.  I've become quite fascinated by these little  representations of what a village has decided is most important about it.  This one shows the parish church, cricket on the village green, an old-fashioned picture of a man harvesting a field with  a scythe, and a modern tractor ploughing a field.  I really wonder why they chose to depict the ploughing in modern times and the harvesting in the old-fashioned manner.

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Outside my window... it is cool and beginning to rain.  It is also dark now, but it was moderately sunny earlier.

I am thinking... about the Guides.  I'm supposed to go to a district meeting on Wednesday, and I really don't think I can face the late night it invovles.  Especially since Wednesday is the only evening G and I get to spend at home together.

I am thankful for... the perks that come with living in a University town - we were able to go to the Botanic Gardens at lunchtime and look round the glasshouses.  It's the first time we've been in there since February, so we looked to see if all the things we've most enjoyed last winter are still there.  I like the crimson bottlebrush plant best, and the orchids are gorgeous.

From the kitchen... G made a delicious apple and blackberry crumble at the weekend which we're slowly eating our way through.

I am wearing... Brown cordouroy trousers and a pink jumper, with a thick fleecy over-jumper on top.

I am creating... I'm still working on the blue jumper for a little boy for Christmas.

I am going... to make a start on tomorrow's supper in a minute.

I am reading... I Am Not Ashamed: Advice to Timothy by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Bible: Ezekiel, 1 John, 2 Peter

I am hoping... to be able to think of some interesting Christmas presents for my husband.  Something a bit more interesting than a bottomless supply of cake!

Around the house... I finally managed to get all my wooly tights washed this morning, and they're drip-drying over the bathtub.

One of my favorite things... having a relaxed lunch out with friends.  We went round to some friends yesterday for lunch, ate a stupendous amount of marvellous food, and then sat around playing a peculiar card game called Fluxx for the afternoon.  I also tried to give the hostess some crochet instruction, which she's struggling with a litte.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Bible study tomorrow, possibly a meeting on Wednesday, Thursday evening we're actually staying home this week, and then Youth Group on Friday.  The weekend looks set to be quite uneventful at the moment - here's hoping it stays that way!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

 

 

This was the view from the kitchen window on Sunday morning - first snow of the season!  It had all turned to rain and sludge by midday though, but it was jolly cold.

Read more daybook entries here.