Me again - are you keeping up.

Good evening.

Still cold, still wet. I managed to find a half hour window this afternoon when it stopped raining, to take Billy a walk. 

Lunch yesterday was half a tin of mushy peas, half a tin of butter beans. Warm in a Pyrex bowl in the microwave. Add a couple of shakes of garlic granules, and two teaspoons of sweet and sour sauce. A bit unusual for a meal, but it was fine, and cheap.  

Crafty wise I am playing with face masks, I have 50 of them. I want to paint them in different colours. It's an experiment at the moment. Using acrylic paint and diluting it with water. They look a bit blotchy  so I might have to soak them several times to get the density I want. This may take a while. 😟😜😴

I put out this video yesterday. I started a new mandala. It's smaller than the previous ones.  

Who will survive when it all goes tittts up? We are being led into a dark place. Do we have to go? No we don't. Better to prepare now.

Now it's time to chill with a glass of cider. Thanks for popping in. Have a good weekend.

Toodle pip.   ilona

An omelette recipe

 Good evening. 

It was a full house at Crafty Club this morning. One new lady came for the first time, she will fit in well. The daughter of one of our members popped in as well. She comes occasionally when she visits her mother in the village. Someone brought home made cakes. Very nice. 

The weather has been horrible again, so cold and windy. I stayed in this afternoon and got on with some sewing. 

Dinner tonight was this omelette. I opened a tin of mixed beans yesterday to put some into a stir fry. They were so hard to chew, almost broke a chuffin tooth. Tonight I took some of them out of the fridge and mashed them up in a bowl with a fork. I added some left over humous which needed finishing, and formed the mixture into little patties. Cooked them in a pan in a splash of oil, then added a beaten egg and milk. Worked perfectly, no need to give up on the beans. Washed down with a glass of Newcastle Brown Ale. 

Now I'm going for a walk around the village. 

Catch ya tomorrow. Toodle pip.   ilona

Soooper soup

Good morning.

Here is a quick post before I get ready to go to the Coffee Morning. Yes, I will go today because there is a buffet laid on, and I put my name down weeks ago. I shall endeavour to stay out of people's way. I don't want to be picking up more germs. I will be first in line to select a few nibbles, then retreat to my isolated table in the corner of the room. 

This is a simple idea for a warming winter soup. I made the onion soup a day or two ago. It stretched to three portions stored in the fridge. Most of my soups are yellow because I add turmeric. Instead of breaking up a slice of bread, I like to cut a cheese and onion pastry roll into four pieces and lay it in the bottom of the bowl first. Cover over with soup and zap it in the microwave. It is blooooming loverly. You could use any type of shop bought pastry, sausage roll, pork pie, even a chipolata sausage or two from a tin. Let your imagination run riot. 

Now I must wash my hair. The sun is shining. Have a good day. Toodle pip.   ilona

Calendar Girl.

Good morning. It is sunny outside so I won't be sat here for very long. I came across this the other day as I was sorting through my memorabilia. Decluttering is an ongoing process. If you don't keep on top of it you might find yourself on one of those hoarding programmes on the telly. 

The problem I have, and I suspect many more also have, is deciding which items to keep and which to throw away. Discarding a great chunk of my life seems so sad. Chucking away happy memories which will delete everything I have ever stood for, seems brutal. But who will want it after I am gone. I always say that I came into this world with nothing and I will go out with nothing. It's the bit in between of whittling things down to a bare minimum which is the hard part. 

Anyway, I digress as usual. I came across this calendar. As you can see, my mush featured on the header. The original photo I still have. Taken on a snowy winters day, while unloading a bulk powder tanker of  26 tonne of cement. Brrrr it was cold. I can't bring myself to throw this away. Next year it will be 30 years old.   

The calendar came as an insert with this magazine. The lorry is a Mercedes. I was freelancing for Gordon Avill or was it Richard Hornsby? They had identical trucks. 

Change of topic. What did I have for breakfast this morning. I am feeling fruity. Strawberries, blueberries, and grapes, with a generous topping on Greek style yogurt flavoured with honey. You can get that from Aldi. 

An omelette I made a few days ago. Courgettes and frozen peas. I cut a cheese and onion roll into four pieces and place it in the centre of the pan. Add the beaten egg with a drop of milk, and finish it off under the grill. Blooming loverly. 

I am using more frozen veg for convenience. I steamed a pan full for a few minutes and divided it into two meals. This is the second one. I had half a tin of mushy peas so put that in a bowl with the rest of it and microwaved it. A drizzle of toasted sesame seed oil and a sprinkling of grated cheddar cheese, makes a quick and easy meal. Runner beans, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. I don't like a lot of faffing in the kitchen. 

I don't know if you have been over to my Rabbit Hole blog just lately, but I have been finding some fascinating videos from The Psyche. If you are interested in the psychology of what's been going on you might want to give this a look. I don't know who is behind this channel, it may be AI, but looking at past philosophers is quite enlightening for me. 

DescriptionWelcome to The Psyche, where we delve into the profound insights of great philosophers and thinkers to explore human nature and behavior. Our videos aim to inspire, educate, and provide practical knowledge to help you navigate the challenges of everyday life. From timeless wisdom to modern perspectives, we offer content designed to empower you with tools for personal growth and understanding. Join us on this journey of discovery and self-improvement!

I am finding more British films, and will pass these on.

Have a good Sunday. Thank you for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

What happened today

Good evening. A bit of a mixed bag post tonight. It's been a lovely day today. I've done a dog walk and been busy in the garden. 

Trying to get Billy to smile for the camera is pretty hopeless. He will not look at me when I call his name. 

Carol has a bench in her front garden so we sit and chat after the walk. 

Mayze soaking up the rays outside the back door. It's a sun trap and sheltered from the wind. 

My breakfast. This is how I make a banana sandwich. A thick slice of seeded bread, spread with passionfruit curd, slices of banana, topped with Greek style yogurt. Must be eaten with a knife and fork to avoid sticky fingers. 

Here is the video I recorded this morning. 

Thanks for popping in. See ya soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

Nourishment

 Good evening. I've had a very nice day today. Chat with Nicky at the Arts Centre. Shopping at The Range and Home Bargains. And a line of washing blowing outside in the sunshine. 

I love the food that comes out of my own kitchen. It's deeeelishus, it suits my digestive system, I don't get bloated, and with the right portion sizes it's satisfyingly filling. 

Today I chopped some vegetables with my new sharp knife. The old blunt one had to go. Carrots, Brussels Sprouts, onion, and courgettes. My pan is 8 inches across. 

Today I added sweet and sour stir fry sauce, Good Grains, and Singapore style noodles. All from Aldi. 

I make enough for two portions, one for tomorrow. The second one will be for breakfast with an egg added. 

Today I filled up my porridge mixture which I store in a plastic container with a lid. In the Kenwood I put the porridge oats, then add whatever seeds and nuts I have. In here are oats, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, pecan nuts, and walnuts. 

Give it a good whizzz. This will last me about two weeks. Sometimes I add frozen berry fruits to the bowl while cooking, or a banana. I don't eat it every day, sometimes I have a cooked breakfast. 

Mayze enjoying the sunshine. I think spring is on it's way. 

Tonight I did a pan of steamed vegetables topped with grated cheese. There is enough for tomorrow night. I'll add some pasta.  

I've just watched Daniel the BBB doing an interview with Rupert Lowe. I've put it on the Rabbit Hole if you want to have a look. Rupert talks a lot of sense. 

Now it's time to cuddle Mayze for the last hour of the day. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

New bedding

I fancied a cooked breakfast this morning. Chop an onion, add some Quorn mince, some frozen peas, and egg noodles. Two teaspoons of sweet and sour sauce, and add some garlic granules. Blooming lovely. 

It was a sunny start to the day, so I stripped the bed and did two loads of washing. Out on the line and it dried quickly. My pillow cases are looking a bit worn out, so I thought, why not treat myself to some new ones. I went to Dunelm, They have a fantastic selection to choose from. They had some sale items so I had a look through them and found this bargain. I can have a duvet cover and two pillowcases for £10. Thank you that will be perfect. 

I have four pillows on my bed, so I might as well get these covers for £4. Job done. 

I also wanted some tea towels. As with everything in my house they are looking scruffy. I make things last until they are no longer fit for purpose. These will do nicely. 5 for £6. 

There was a bit of excitement in the village tonight. A lorry got stuck on a hill and had to be pulled out. Road blocked for about an hour. I did my bit by stopping traffic and diverting them around the obstruction. People weren't happy. Some of them ignored my flashing torch and waving arms, only to go round the corner and have to turn round and come back. 

I still have two hedgehogs coming every night. Not a very good picture. I don't like to get too close to them or they might run away. 

A lunch out in a pub is planned for tomorrow. Something different. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.  ilona

Tips and tricks

 Good morning. Looking miserable outside. I was up early, 6am, that's because I went to bed early last night, 10pm. I don't like these shorter days. 

My photo turned up on the 20 21 Arts Centre facebuck page. I was in there last week, they had an event on where you choose a garment from a rail, and leave one of your own. A clothes swap. It was about re cycling and re using. As I am a regular in there, and my attire was bought from charity shops, I was asked if I would pose. This is part of a montage, so only a split second of me is shown on the page.  

I find bungees very useful, so when I saw these in the middle aisle at Aldi I thought it was a good buy. £3 for ten different sizes. They were in the camping section. Check out your middle aisle. 

Mayze insists she has to lie on the mousemat close to the computer. That's ok if I am just watching a video, but not ok if I want to use the keyboard. 😻

Mickey has settled in nicely, and found his favourite spot to snooze. The arm chair is so comfy. 😺

A new sewing makeover has begun. A plain pale blue fleecy top, needs some decoration. You may remember that I cut some pieces of blue fleece into squares. Some of them I used to decorate a black beany hat. What to do with the rest of them. Watch this space. ✂

A tin of baked beans has always been a good item have in the cupboard to make a quick and easy meal. Just lately I am getting mighty bored with them. So how to spice it up a bit?  I have added a spoonful of roasted garlic chutney, and a shake of garlic granules. Seeded bread with an egg on top. Lovely. You could use any chutney, I particularly like caramelised onion. Or any spices to give it a bit of a zing. 🍴

It is now 8.30am. I haven't a definite plan for today. It depends on the weather. I have a day out in mind, maybe today, or tomorrow, or Thursday. 

Keep busy, and creative. Toodle pip.   ilona

Busy day.

I woke up this morning thinking I haven't got much to do today. Then Angela rang for a chat and I said why don't I come round and show you my new clothes I got from the charity shop yesterday. She said, yes come round. So we had a coffee and a natter. She was busy making apple pies and apple crumbles. 

When I came home it was time for lunch. Throw a few things in a small pan and make a stirfry. Mushrooms, spiralised carrot, spinach, frozen green beans, and some noodles. Add two spoons of sweet chilli sauce. Blooming lovely. 

Then I hung the new clothes on the hedge to take a photo. Eight items for £8. I do enjoy rummaging in the the bargain baskets. 

I set the other camera up inside and recorded a video, and left it downloading, or is that uploading, to yoootooob while I went for a walk. 

You may remember this bench that I often mention. I was saddened to see this today. I don't think Trevor has been to visit the bench in a long time. The grass has not been mown and there are no flowers in the vases, and there is no water for the dog bowl. This is a memorial bench for his wife who passed away a few years ago. I wonder why he hasn't been. Someone has been along in a tractor with a hedge cutting attachment on it. The tree has been butchered. The ground is scattered with broken branches. It looks a right mess. Very sad. I wonder why they did it. 

I got back home at 7pm, it was a two hour walk. Dinner was some rice with spinach and a fried egg. 

Now I must go outside and see if the hedgehog has been. Mayze is still out there so I will bring her in. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

Full of beans.

 Good morning. No worries about yesterday, the cops were only doing their job, investigating crimes. We have had a few sneaky thieves in the area. The most recent one happened just around the corner. Tools were nicked from a van. The tealeafs usually strike in the middle of the night, but they are becoming more brazen and prowl around in the daytime looking for easy pickings. There have been several sightings of unlettered vans driving around slowly and stopping to look down peoples driveways. In this day and age I think every one should be viewed as a suspect robber. 

Do not let your guard down, keep yourself and your possessions safe. When you return the trolley from unloading your shopping into the car, always lock the car, even when walking a few yards to the trolley park. When you are filling your car with petrol, always lock it when you go into the shop to pay. 

When you are working in the back garden always have the front door locked. Same when you are working in the front garden, lock the back door. Walk about with a key in your pocket so you don't lock yourself out. Make sure you have good locks on your shed. I don't store anything of value outside. We are soon to be having darker and longer nights. Leave a light on inside the house if you go to the pub or go shopping, or walk the dog. 

My neighbour next door has a light outside which comes on and floods both our front doors, even when a cat strolls by. The neighbour across the road has a camera high up just below the roof which can reach right across the road onto my front. He can monitor that from his mobile phone. 

Don't answer the door to anyone you don't know. I can see my front door through the kitchen window so I can ignore anyone I don't want to speak to. Be aware of scam phone calls. Internet crime is rife. Stop them dead in their tracks. No need to be abusive as annoying as they are. I just say in a loud voice, thank you for calling, goodbye, then immediately cut them off. 

Here is a heads up on beans with a difference. I picked this up from the centre aisle at Aldi. I have gone right off baked beans out of a tin, so I thought this would be a good substitute. It is, very tasty and not overly spicy. The last few mushrooms in a pan, with left over steamed veggies from the night before. I make a double portion which is the basis for two meals. Broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans. Add these beans, and I added a spoonful of sweet and sour sauce from a packet I started two days ago. Probably didn't need the sauce but I wanted to use it up. Chuffin loverly it was. I like these throw anything in a pan meals.  

Now it is time for breakfast, so I'll cut you loose. Have a good day. 

Toodle pip.   ilona

Made up recipes.

It's rather blustery here today. I didn't know whether to put my sun visor on my head, or a woolly hat. The hat was needed, it started raining when I left home to go to the Village Hall. Not many at the Chat and Craft, some people are away on holiday. Afterwards I called in to see Angela and had a coffee and catch up chat there. 

I am liking my new pans. The bigger stainless steel pan is ideal for making stews and soups. This frying pan with deep sides is great for chucking a few veggies in and cooking up a stir fry. This is so simple. Chop an onion, add a handful of frozen peas, and a few pieces of Quorn chunks. A dash of oil, a splash of fruit juice, and spices, cook until everything has softened. 

Then add some Ready to Wok noodles. Ready in a few minutes. This makes two portions. I don't mind having the same meal twice in one day. 

I've checked the times at the Vue Cinema in town. There is a film I want to see in two hours time. I think that's the best bet for this rough weather. I will pick up a bit of shopping at Aldi afterwards. 

Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip.   ilona

What are my kitties doing.

Good morning. We awake to wet mist this morning.

The little table project is finished. This is the shelter for the hedgehog food. It sits outside the back door and keeps the dry food dry. It rained overnight and the food was gone this morning. Dollops of hedgie poo indicated who had eaten it. I have to poo pick the whole garden so I don't stand in it. I can see the table from inside the house so I can replenish if they decide to have a munching party. 

The old wonky metal legs are gone, replaced with wood. Make do and mend. 

Lunch yesterday was mushrooms, spinach, and rice noodles that you get from the chiller cabinet at Aldi. Chuck in a few spices, I like garlic, and a spoonful of caramelised onion chutney. Quick and easy. 

How are the kitties getting on? 

Must dash. Need to wash hair before I go to the Coffee Morning. 

Stay Happy. Toodle pip.   ilona

Make it up

I had a mixed grill yesterday. Mine consists of potato wedges, two Quorn nuggets, two hash browns, and one Quorn sausage. Straight out of the freezer and under the grill. I put too much out, then found I couldn't eat it all. There was a few wedges left over which went into the fridge. 

Dinner tonight was the last few mushrooms, half a small tin of sweetcorn, the last of the spinach, the left over wedges, some good grains with beans and rice, and half a packet of ready made chow mien sauce. It was flippin lovely. I often serve up left over food as part of a new meal the following day. Nothing gets thrown away. 

Happy scoffing. Toodle pip.   ilona

Walking and eating

A glimpse of a disappearing sunset, a peek at a hiding moon, and a scramble along a muddy track in the dark. If you want to see the last ten minutes of the walk I did on Tuesday, bring a torch, because you can't see much. Apologies for the fuzzyness. The automatic focus doesn't work very well in the dark. 😁😎😱 

Here we have a selection of meals I have eaten over the last week. Now I've forgotten whats in them, ha ha. Mushrooms, green lentils, noodles, onions. 

Fresh vegetables and tortellini. Brussels Sprouts, cauliflower, carrots.

More green lentils, more vegetables, courgette. Scramble an egg into it when it's almost done. 

A can't be bothered to cook day. From the freezer. Grilled hash browns, Quorn nuggets, potato wedges, and baked beans. 

Loverly tasty stew. Made yesterday. One portion last night, one portion for lunch today, and I will finish it off tonight. Carrots, Brussels sprouts, courgette, cauliflower, beans, and pasta twirls that are a year out of date. Herbs and spices, thickened with cheese sauce out of a packet. Danish Blue cheese added for flavour. 

I hope that has given you some ideas. Experiment with your ingredients, mix anything with anything. Trial and error. You never know, it may work. Cheerio. Toodle pip.   ilona 

Shopping, walking, and eating.

I did my main shop at Sainsbury's yesterday, just for a change. A much bigger store, too big in fact but it's interesting to browse. I thought I might buy some dry kitten food, if the price was right. It wasn't, too expensive. 

Today I went to the Retail Park to mainly get some cat food, and a few other things. A bag of Purina One in a 750g size is £5 at Home Bargains. It is £7.50 at Sainsburys. I get the pink bags of kitten food. The cats like it, the hedgehogs like it, and the birds like it. I get through quite a bit of it. 

The weather has been a lot better today. This afternoon I went out for a walk. I couldn't resist getting my camera out and taking a pic of these cuties. They were running a few yards ahead of me on the edge of a field.  

This caught my eye in a hedge bottom. First of all I thought it was a football, it was so big. looking more closely it's like a huge mushroom. 

Won't be long now before they start the harvesting. 

Tea tonight was a pan of mushroom and broccoli soup. It was blooming lovely. The secret ingredient here is a slice of Danish Blue cheese. 

Now I'm going to have a half hour chill, and watch a video. Toodle pip.   ilona