Thursday 29th September 2022

It was the calm before the storm today. I hear the wind getting up now, but the day itself has been mild and still.

I had booked to go on a Guided Mushroom Walk, organised by the Stornoway Trust. It was a very interesting couple of hours, walking around the castle grounds, gathering various samples of fungi and presenting them to the guides for identification. We learned about brittle gills, true gills, pores, spikes and wrinkles. How to look at the tree the fungi was growing beside, how far we could peel the top back, and the colour of spores. All in all it was a fascinating morning. I don't think for a minute I could confidently identify many species, let alone any edible ones, but I know a lot more about wild fungi now than I did a breakfast time. Which was nothing.

It was nice being out on such a lovely morning, despite the midges. Good bunch of people there too.

It was mid afternoon when I got home, and I was quite tired, so not much else achieved. Dinner was gammon steak, chips, broccoli and a fried egg.

Early night to read my book and hide from the state of the country. Bloody Tories.

Tuesday September 27th 2022

The weather has been almost wintry over the last three or four days. Really strong winds and icy rain, but then bright blue skies in between the clouds.

I’ve still managed to get out into the croft and get more grass raked, and finally removed all the lengths of wire fencing that were hiding in the long grass at the edge of the field. That was hard work. Every time I thought I had cut the last piece out, another one appeared. Just a wee patch to rake up then I can put some yellow rattle seed down. That should inhibit some of the grass growing back next year and let some wildflowers through. Thats the plan, anyway. I hope it’s as simple as it sounds. I think it will take a few years of cutting and raking though.

I made chicken and rice soup today. It was delicious - almost like my mother’s, but I didn’t have short-grain rice, which she always used. I’ve had three big bowlfuls today, and I don’t know how many the boy had.

All the vegetables came from the garden, which is always very pleasing, and I used the roast chicken carcass for the stock. It was just perfect to come home to on a cold night. Dinner was the soup, then toasted cheese, then ice cream cornettos. A bit random, but those cornettos have been kicking around the freezer for a month or so and kept getting in my way whenever I opened the lid.

This was a gym day, so we were later home. I had more energy this week and felt better about my workout. A session on the bike, then a lot of abs work. I’ll feel it tomorrow.

I had one of my meetings tonight - on zoom. It went off well. Lots to discuss and decisions to make, but everyone is on the same page, so all very pleasant.

Back to back in-person meetings tomorrow night, but they are in the same venue, so not too bad. I do prefer zoom nowadays. It’s just so much nicer to stay home, rather than drive out in the dark to a cold hall.

I didn’t see bake-off because of the meeting. I’m sure I’ll catch up at some point. I enjoy the show, but I’m not that invested in it.

I’m enjoying my book very much, although I’m not getting much read at night before my eyes are closing. Usually, after a meeting, my mind takes a while to settle, so I should get a bit more read tonight.

Home day tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll get outside and keep working on my garden to-do list. If not, I’ve plenty to be getting on with in the house.

Thursday September 22nd 2022

Yesterday was very rainy so I didn't get outside at all, really. Instead I had a proper baking day. I've been promising myself one for ages, so took the opportunity of a wet day.

My Gran always used to have a baking day, where she would fill up her tins. She lived alone for many years after my Granpa died, but would never have been caught without cake in the house. Of course, we were major beneficiaries of this fine habit, but people tended to visit each other more often in those days, so callers were fairly frequent and it didn't go to waste.

Anyway, I pottered away happily in the kitchen all morning, mixing, folding, rubbing in and produced a fine wee spread at the end. It’s disappearing quite quickly.

Today was dry and mostly sunny, so I was able to get a washing dried. I spent most of the morning raking grass although I did stop for a chat with a neighbour over the gate.

After lunch I tackled a really overgrown area that seemed to have about 5 miles of wire fencing woven into the grass. I worked away trying to clear that, and got most of it out. I did over do it a bit, mind you so went in for a cup of tea and a sit down. There are still a couple of lengths of rylock to come out, but I'll get them at the weekend.

Quiet evening- the boy is out and I've been knitting on a sock and watching TV.

I went for the Phillip Roth in the end - American Pastoral. Its not my usual kind of book but I'm enjoying the crisp writing style and story premise so far.

Busy day tomorrow- usual gym, shopping pizza, but I'm also going to the hall first thing to help set up for a funeral lunch.

Two photos today - height of extravagance.

Tuesday 20th September 2022

It's been a busy couple of days. I've been trying to make inroads with the grass raking on the area I want the wildflower meadow to be. I want to remove as much of the cut grass as I can before any new growth comes through, so I'm popping out and doing a shift when I get a spare moment.

Yesterday I watched some of the funeral coverage. I liked the actual services. I could definitely be an Anglican if I lived in England - just enough ritual for me, and I love the choir music. I suppose i’d need to attend a big cathedral for that though. Not really sure how it works.

Busy this morning too, getting the house tidied, laundry sorted, and dinner prepped for later. I even managed an hour of grass raking. (That's going to feature in the routine for a wee while until its done.)

A quick shower, lunch, then into town for a mini shop at the Co-op, before the Tuesday gym sessions,

Energy was flagging and I struggled today, but pushed through on the bike. I didn't manage to finish the arm workout, though. I think I was still a bit lethargic after the Monday holiday.

Home - and dinner, which was billed as a “Western Omelette”, although it was more of a scramble when I had finished with it. Very tasty though. We had it with fries and broccoli.

It was the Bake-Off tonight. Biscuit week. I had thought vaguely about making some biscuits to have while watching it, but I let that ball drop and opted for a couple of chocolate digestives instead. Excellent choice. No spoilers, because I know some readers don't get the programme until later.

Bedtime beckons and I have a couple of new to me books I picked up at the Co-Op charity book stand. Not sure whether to go with the wartime romance or the Phillip Roth…

In other news, I have finally finished knitting the Mysterium Tee. I’ll block it tomorrow to open up the lace edgings, but i’m very happy with it.

Sunday 18th September 2022

I had great intentions today - mostly baking, cooking and getting started on the long trailed wardrobe reorganisation.

But - I made the mistake of thinking I could quickly attend to some simple online admin that I had been meaning to do for ages.

Well, as I am sure you will know, there is nothing simple about the www. In fact it took a good couple of hours by the time I had reset long forgotten passwords and entered so many verification codes. Very frustrating. I even had to retrieve an ancient email account.. At least it's all done now, although it meant I was playing catch up with the rest of my day.

Anyway - the wardrobe will have to wait, but I did bake a seed cake, harvested vegetables and made a Sunday dinner.

Dessert was late, but we enjoyed it nonetheless - even if we did eat it in the front room watching a biopic of Evander Holyfield. It was an excellent baked rice pudding.

I had a lovely shower, hair and face mask - knitting awaits - 20 rows to go.

I made a start at creating a wildflower meadow yesterday, but I'll probably talk more about it later in the week. Its mostly raking up cut grass, so not very exciting.

Monday tomorrow but its a public holiday for the Queen's funeral.

Thursday 15th September 2022

Well it's definitely Autumn now. The evenings are darker and it's much colder. I've been wearing wool socks and the heating is timed to come on for an hour before we get up - just to take the chill off.

I've been busy in the garden and polycrubs, getting my winter crops in, and harvesting the end of summer crops. Mostly beans, it has to be said. Runner beans and climbers. I'm freezing half as demi-sec beans and leaving the rest to dry completely. I have a great bed of carrots and onions, which I am just picking as I need them, for now, and some cabbage and broccoli in the other bed, as well as undercover.

I've planted out the polycrub up at the house with all sorts of stuff - mostly leafy greens, salads and brassicas, but there are carrots, beets and Christmas potatoes in there too.

I've still a couple of jobs to finish off, but I am very happy with all I've achieved. I'm glad I concentrated on the winter veg this year - it feels very satisfying.

The Queen died last week. I don't think I've written a blog post since then. I'm not a great fan of the royals - but it did make me think about my Mother's last days, so I was sad for the family. It will be interesting to see if and how attitudes change now she has gone.

Bake- off is back. Another lovely group of people in the tent, and the new series of All Creatures Great and Small started tonight. I recorded it to watch later in the week.

I'm almost finished the top I am knitting- just one sleeve to go. It's been a bit of a slog - now into the third month, but I'm excited to finish it now. I tried it on tonight, when I cast off the first sleeve and I am so pleased with how it looks.

That's really it for now. Usual housework and runs into town. Food shopping, gym, boxing and pizza tomorrow. I do like a Friday.

Monday 5th September 2022

I had an early change in plans this morning. The boxing training was cancelled so I didn't have to go into town. That meant a whole day at home. I'm actually home for most of the week, as my own trainer is away on holiday.

The weather forecast is decent for the next few days, so I'm hoping to get a lot of gardening done. Most of my seedlings are big enough to go in the polycrub, so I'll be happy to get them in. Hopefully that will be a useful supplement to our winter diet.

I was really tired this morning, so after the school run, I popped back to bed for an hour. I didn't sleep but lay still and had a nice rest. I felt much better for it, and got on with the day. Usual housework tasks, washing out and plants watered.

I had minutes for two meetings to type up and managed to get one done. I'll do the other tomorrow- it was quite a short meeting so won't take too long.

Dinner was basically a repeat of yesterday - the remains of the roast chicken with garden veg, and a slice of pear cake.

I cast off the body of my Mysterium Tee and have picked up for the first sleeve. I'm looking forward to finishing it now, and start something new.

Sunday 4th September 2022

I should rename this blog The Housework Chronicles as that's basically all it is. Confessions of a Housewife? Maybe not - probably been done already, anyway …

But I'm not apologising for it in any way. Housework is not just a dreary list of the same old chores to get through, but essential tasks that aid in our wellbeing. Running the home and croft is what I do. I have productive days and down times, depending on my energy levels, but its the best job I've ever had.

I've had a really productive spell lately. I got all the sofa covers washed and dried - ditto cushion covers and throws. I aired all the cushions and re-stuffled the back of the biggest sofa. The boy and dog tend to throw themselves on there, and it's a bit worse for wear, but now it looks very smart and doesn't sag anymore.

Floors are all scrubbed and I've redecorated the bathroom. I finished it off today, and I'm very happy with it.

I'm determined to get as organised as i can before the winter. I want to get our clothes storage sorted out, and make better use of the wardrobe in the spare room.

That spare room - I've tried to work out a purpose for it, as it so easily becomes a dumping ground when there are no visitors. Its mainly a repository for the book overflow and the yarn stash and knitting notions. There is a sofa bed in it, and it's a really pleasant room when it's tidied up. It's high on my to do list.

Nice pottering sort of day today. Finished the decorating, made a French Pear Cake and roasted a chicken for dinner.

I cleared out the fridge. Always a mammoth task to go through that accumulation of bottles and jars of pastes and sauces that are supposed to be used within the week once opened, but are still there months later. They're all emptied, washed and in the recycling now, and I'm enjoying just opening the fridge and looking in.

I finished listening to Lark Rise on Audible. The ending came suddenly. There I was enjoying Queen Victoria's jubilee celebrations then I was whisked forward in time to after WW1 and the sad ending.

Later on I watched the BBC Proms with the Chineke Orchestra playing Beethoven's 9th Symphony.

A triumphant performance.

Tuesday 30th August 2022

It's been a beautiful day, and I believe we are in for a good week.

I had a really productive day today. I got all the morning chores done - big washing out, then I baked a chocolate banana cake and prepped for dinner. I even had a proper sit down lunch. Afterwards it was into town to the gym, and taking the boy for his session after school.

I'm slightly changing my weekly routine. I still have to go in to town on three days, but I will be going later in the day, which gives me more time at home in the morning. I think it's going to work quite well, and I'm excited to see what impact this has on my home management.

Dinner was a stir fry with mostly homegrown vegetables. It was very tasty.

I had a shower and gave myself a pedicure this evening. Nice end to a nice day. Decent sunset too.

Monday 29th August 2022

By Monday, I always forget what happened at the weekend. Its rarely exciting. Unless there is some important event on that we really want to go to, we just tend to stay home and relax. Sleeping in after a week of early starts is always welcome, and we enjoy these lazy restful days.

Friday was the usual busy day. There is an extra boxing class added in to the afternoon now, so we are later home with our pizza.

There was a bit of gardening and some cooking with home grown produce, lots of knitting and reading. I'm almost finished my Mysterium - I think I might by this weekend.

We'd actually been without hot water for a week, but thankfully the plumber arrived on Saturday afternoon to fix it. I needed a new immersion heater, so he replaced that.

This morning I cleared out the spare room, after it's summer of visitors. I'm going to do some more decluttering in there, because I want to create more usablespace in the cupboard. Just now it's very unorganised and random.

We're in for a spell of really warm weather, so I'll be in the garden every day, hopefully.

Not much else today. I'm still not sleeping well and I'm tired. Maybe tonight will be better.

Thursday 25th August 2022

Bit more showery today, but I still managed to get outside a fair bit. Quick tidy round, then hung a load of towels out. There was a good breeze, so they were nearly dry when a heavy shower came on around lunchtime.

I was meaning to crack on with the polycrub clearance but got distracted by pruning some broken branches on the willows.

Normally the trees can cope with the winds, but it usually dies down from May to September. This year it hasn't and the trees have been in full leaf, so much heavier. I had theee or four that had partially broken and were hanging down. One was over the driveway and was impeding the car, and one was over the patio flower bed. Once I started, I found other branches to cut back too. I'll be able to root lots of cuttings though.

After lunch, I planted some broad bean and pea seeds, and carried on with the polycrub, but I ran out of steam, so came in and sat with a cup of tea. I'm not sleeping well just now, so I'm being mindful of my energy levels. I did get a good bit done though. The beds are all cleared - just need to top them with fresh compost, and I moved a lot of plant pots into the shed. I have a large shelving unit in there, but I've decided to get rid of it as it just collects junk. I'm sure it would be more useful as a planting space- maybe a big plant in a pot like a fig - or even a grape vine.

Dinner was spaghetti and ham - an old family dish that my mother would make. For me it's a real comfort food - a weird recipe containing spaghetti, bacon and onion, baked in a sauce consisting mainly of tomato ketchup. What can I say? It works - and it's really easy when you're tired and can't think of anything else to make.

I actually remember the first time we had this, back in the late 60s. One of our neighbours gave my mother the recipe. I can still see it scribbled on a piece of torn notepaper. We'd never seen pasta before - it was a very exotic ingredient in Central Scotland in those days. I remember it came wrapped in blue paper, and how funny it was having to hold it uoright in the bubbling pan of water until it softened down. Mum baked it in a pyrex casserole dish - the one with the red rose design. It quickly became a household favourite, surprisingly, given my Dad's preference for meat and two veg.

Anyway- it hit the spot, then I just spent the evening watching a couple of episodes of the Victorian Farm and getting on with my knitting. Long day in town tomorrow

Wednesday 24th August 2022

I worked away like a wee horse today. House tidying done, laundry washed and out, flapping in the breeze all by 10 o'clock. After a quick coffee break, I was into the potting shed, sowing a load of seeds for the autumn and winter. I picked some veg to use for dinner, and the ripe raspberries for the bag in the freezer. I'm building up a wee stock to make a few pots of jam. I had a nice chat with a neighbour I hadn't seen since I came back. One of their dogs had recently died, so it was sad to see the other on his own.

After lunch, I prepped dinner (Thai green curry with chicken and veg), then went out to the small polycrub up at the house.

It's been a complete write off this season. It did well over winter and into Spring, keeping us going with fresh greens - chard, kale, cabbage and broccoli, as well as early broad beans, but as the spring went on and into Summer, and we fell victim to the dreaded virus, it all went to seed. When I returned from Canada, it was over run with weeds, and caterpillars. I was also using it as a dumping ground for various pots, cardboard boxes and basically anything I couldn't be bothered to find a home for. In addition, I was concenteating on the big polycrub, which has my fruits and summer crops. The photo is actually my bean tunnel there. It's impressively abundant.

But the year moves on and I'm determined to grow a decent variety of crops this winter, so I want the beds to be ready for the plants. I beavered away, pulling up weeds and overblown brassicas, stacking plant pots and tools neatly in the shed and clearing out rubbish, ready for the recycling park.

I made a real dent in it, and hopefully another shift will see it almost done

Dinner was good, and I got a few rows done on my Mysterium Tee. I'm on the lace border now and it's going really well.

Hoping for another productive day tomorrow.

Tuesday 23rd August 2022

Pretty much back into the usual routine now. School is back for it's first full week. I'm always very grateful for the consideration of the local authority in starting new terms on a Thursday and breaking us in gently.

We're back to the rhythm of early mornings and after school gym sessions. I've started my workouts again too and I'm really enjoying getting moving properly. This was a cardio day; I powered through on the bike and kept my speed up quite well. It felt good.

I've been keeping up quite well with the housework, but I need to get more of a handle on the garden. Especially planning my autumn and winter sowing. I'm going to try and keep as much going in the polycrubs as I can. I've got a few trays started and seedlings are already up, but there are lots more I want to plant. The next two days are fully home days, however, so hopefully I'll get a lot done then.

I've not been sleeping too well the last few nights. It could be the change in routine, but my shoulder was a bit painful again and I struggled to find a comfortable position. I was really tired this morning, so I took myself back to bed for an hour, after the school run. It made all the difference to my energy level for the rest of the day. I hope I sleep better tonight.

I'm reading To Serve Them All My Days by RF Delderfield. It's a nice book, based in a boys’ boarding school in between the wars. There was a BBC dramatisation of it in 1980, which I remember really enjoying at the time. I'm enjoying the book too - it's a good comfort read.

Think that's about it for today.

Thursday 18th August 2022

I was a research subject today, so I thought I should make the researcher some scones.

The research consisted of a chatty interview, as we drank tea, tucked into the scones with some homemade raspberry jam, and then walked around the croft and garden. The basic purpose was to find out about changes in crofting practices within a community owned estate, but, of course we touched on all sorts of subjects It's always nice to have your opinion taken seriously, and I have plenty of opinions.

We've been home from Canada for just over a couple of weeks. It was wonderful - every single bit of it, and I miss everyone.

But that's it over - Summer is moving towards an end. The starlings are back on the wire and a new school year has begun.

I'm not quite breaking out the pumpkin spice just yet, but we're moving in that direction. I did bring some back home from Canada.

Still a couple of weeks left, mind you - seeds to sow, flowers to pick - that sort of thing.

Sunday 10th July 2022

My next visitors arrive tomorrow morning. Quite early, actually, so I'll need to be up and organised. It will be lovely to see them and spend a few days together before the boy and I head off on our travels.

I cleaned and tidied today, and yesterday I started packing our cases. Saw there were a lot of baggage issues at Toronto aiport, so made sure I put as much as possible in the hand luggage.

We're spending a few days in Toronto before moving over to Ottawa to visit with family. There's going to be a wedding too - and trip to a mountain resort.

I'm starting to get excited about it now.

Thursday 7th July 2033

My visitors have gone. I cheered myself up with a slab of millionaire shortbread, tea and knitting. Oh - and watching the news channel…

It was a really lovely time, spent with such a good friend. Little break now - just time to get organised for my daughter and family who are doing some dog and house sitting, while the boy and I take a long postponed trip to my sister's in Canada. We'll have a few days with them first though. So much to do.

The weather has been horrendous - cold, rain and so much wind for this time of year. I'm not a huge fan of hot weather, but even so - this is getting beyond a joke. I've been wearing big jumpers and wooly socks all year. At least I'll get some sun when we go away - that should top me up a bit.

The summer garden has really taken a hit this year - between the weather, covid and travelling, I haven't got to grips with it. Sometimes you have to let some of the balls drop, so no tomatoes this season, but there will be a rush of winter planting when I get back.

Friday 1st July 2022

I'm just dropping in with a holiday postcard. My visitors are here and we are having a really good time. Much pottering, lunching, knitting, and sitting round the table drinking coffee. The conversations have been immense - hilariously uproarious, deep and meaningful, and completely trivial. Its all going on here, as cups are filled in so many important ways.

We've been on a couple of jaunts and eaten some really good food. We're enjoying Wimbledon, although the BBC commentary is most annoying, and had some fun with yarn dyeing. Today we're doing a bit of thrift shopping and antiquing before catching an exhibition in the museum.

Thursday 23rd June 2022

Well my house is all scrubbed and polished, ready for my visitors. Just some shopping to be done, which I'll catch in the morning.

I worked away most of the day, so there's nothing very interesting to talk about. The house feels ready for summer though.

I had set some dandelion mead to ferment, away back in April and today I racked it off into a couple of kilner jars. The smaller one in the picture contains the liquid from the bottom of the bucket, but I hope it will clear. I've put it away at the back of the hall cupboard to rest. In Lark Rise they left their mead for a year before drinking it. I will too, although I did try a wee glass - it is quite dry, but in a nice way.

It turned out to be a lovely afternoon, so I took an hour out before the school run and sat in the garden with my book. I don't often read during the day - it's a bedtime thing, so this felt very decadent, and I enjoyed it even more because of that.

Dinner was a chicken noodle stir fry. It was very tasty.

Not sure how often I'll be popping in here for a few weeks. First visitors arrive tomorrow then the school term finishes later in the week. I'll blog when I can but probably less frequently.

I'm managing to stay away from instagram quite easliy - not missing it at all.

Wednesday 22nd June 2022

Another busy day getting ready for my visitors - the guest room is ready and looks really fresh. There is more juggling of beds nowadays as the boys are a lot older now, but we manage. I got most of the floors mopped and woodwork cleaned, so I am getting there.

I put up a shelf unit that had been languishing on the hall floor for months. It was very tricky to hang and it is slightly squint. I should have waited till the boy was home, but we have walked past this and ignored it for month - even piling things on top, so I took a snap decision and went for it. I didn’t get out to the garden though.

I spent far longer than I expected organising an upgrade for my phone. I’d had a few issues with it over the past wee while, and the battery isn’t holding the charge for as long now. I have had it for a few years, and I have this important family trip coming up, so I went for the upgrade when I had the chance. My old phone has a good home to go to. But it took so long to organise - I actually knitted several rounds on my sock during the call.

Not much else to report. I am tired again, as I did do a lot of heavy lifting and was up and down to the loft several times. Dinner was leftover tuna pasta - it tasted better today. I had some for lunch too. There was a lot…

I had minutes to do for two of the meetings I clerk, and some emailing for one of them, so the emails are done and one set of minutes complete. I’m going to stop now, make a no-caff and settle down to watch The Repair Shop and the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee.

Berries every day now.

Tuesday 21st June 2022

It's all looking very pink and green out on the back patio this solstice evening. There's guitar playing and singing going on up at the stone circle - a mini festival of sorts. It's been very busy up there for a few days - lots of campers and vans. It was grey and drizzly at dawn. Not so much a sunrise - more a gradual lightening of grey. Its looking better this evening so a lot of folk seem to have stayed on.

I was slow to get going this morning, but I pushed through and got a few things done. On the way to the gym, I went to the recycling centre and dropped off a whole load of cardboard I had been hoarding in the shed. I had some vague notion of making several no dig beds at some point, but I wasn't being realistic. I can barely cope with the growing space I have now.

Once that was out, I had loads of room in the hut, so I was able to move the garden shredder out from the entrance hall. Another small step towards organisation.

We went back to our gym sessions today, so that was kind of normal. Not too taxing a sessionas we get slowly back into it.

I had made tuna pasta bake for dinner but there was far too much pasta to sauce. It was alright. At least it was ready to heat up quickly as we were hungry when we got home.

So that's it for today. I slept really well after my early night so I'm going to try and get as many in as I can. Day at home tomorrow so hopefully I'll get into the garden.