Memorandum Monday ~ Waiting Up

It's been a busy weekend around here. Lots to do on little sleep. Waiting up for my boy to come home from his work Christmas party on Friday and a night out with friends on Saturday. That was a first.

As a result of those 1am and 3.50am bedtimes (the latter followed by a 6.30am alarm call to give him a lift to work) Sunday lunch was soup and a toasted sandwich.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers on this grey December afternoon.

Memorandum Monday ~ Stranger Things

It was a quiet weekend around here. I injured myself at the gym a few weeks ago and I'm still not quite back to normal. I managed to aggravate the pain around my shoulder blade on Friday morning. Making packed lunches of all things.

Rest was forced upon me and I did something I've never done before:

I binge watched my way through a whole series in two days.

I had noticed Stranger Things on Netflix back in the Summer, but didn't think it was my cup of tea. I'm not a fan of The Goonies (much to my boy's disgust) and I'd heard it compared to that. It was much more Spielberg and Hughes, with a nostalgia inducing soundtrack including The Clash and Bowie. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Are you a binge watcher or do you prefer to work your way through series at a slower pace?

Linking up with Sian and the Mondayers this afternoon.

Memorandum Monday ~ The Cornish Wedding

Goodness, it's been almost a month since I last posted here. What a glorious Summer we've had. Topped off by a wonderful week in Cornwall. Back to reality now as college begins today for my girl. I'm a little late in sharing my "something new" with you as it actually happened last weekend.

I attended my very first outdoor wedding ceremony.....

.....on a Cornish clifftop.....

....and it was perfect.....

.....down to the very last detail.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers. Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ The Workers

Ah Monday, we're glad of a quiet one this week. Yesterday, the alarms (all three of them!) went off at 6am, to get my boy off for the first full shift in his new job. This was the goody bag he received at a previous interview with the same company. He didn't get that job, but they kept him in mind and called him back a fortnight later.

While he was out of the house, for twelve hours, I had plenty to keep me busy. The Room of Doom has been calling my name for a while and I could put it off no longer. Those of you that follow me on Instagram will have witnessed my shame, no need to repost here! I was pleased with my progress.

The workers were well rewarded for their endeavours, with a home made chip dinner cooked by The Mechanic. Egg for me and steak for my boy. That was something else new. A cut of steak that we'd seen recommended on an eat well for less type of show. It got a big thumbs up. Tastier than fillet and a whole lot cheaper.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers on this sunny afternoon. Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Shrouds

On Saturday afternoon I met a dear friend in Exeter and we stood in the sunshine trying to comprehend what was laid out before us. 19,240 figures. Each one representing a life lost on the first day of the Battle of the Somme.

It was almost impossible to take in. My photograph doesn't even begin to portray the enormity of it. I wondered aloud, what we have learned 100 years on. After the events of last week, not much it would seem.

Linking up with Sian this Monday afternoon. You can read about the shrouds here.

Memorandum Monday ~ A Referendum

There was great excitement in our house last week. My boy is passionate about politics and he was entitled to vote for the very first time on Thursday. We walked to the polling station together, in the evening sunshine, to make our marks.

Sadly, our buoyant mood was short lived. We woke the next morning to find that we were in the minority.

I feel social media must be navigated with care in the coming days and weeks.

A subdued wave to Sian and the Mondayers today.

Memorandum Monday ~ Doll Making

My whole weekend was about learning new things. The many and varied processes of dollmaking. I was lucky enough to attend a two day workshop with Jan Horrox, dollmaker extraordinaire.

We jumped right in at the deep end, on Saturday morning, with the head. Probably the smallest pieces I've ever attempted to stitch together on a sewing machine.

The pins are to mark the features before sculpting with strong thread.

Onto the body after lunch.....

Sewn, turned and stuffed, ready to add the head and limbs.

Sunday morning was all about the hands.....

This is where things got very tricky. Turning those fingers right side out, after stitching, required a lot of patience. I was so engrossed in getting this process right I forgot to take any progress pictures.

After that, the foot and jointed arm were a breeze!

The legs follow the same principle as the arms. Jan also demonstrated how she makes wings and hair. I wasn't too worried about that as I wanted to get the basics down while I was there. I didn't expect to come away with a finished doll. Only one lady managed that and she had made dolls before.

It was a great weekend, made extra special by the company of a friend, who came up from Devon to take the workshop with me. I was absolutely shattered when I got home last night. Learning new things can be very tiring it seems.

Waving to Sian and my fellow Mondayers and wishing you all a great week.

Take a Note Tuesday aka Memorandum Monday

It was another slightly surreal Sunday, here in my corner of the world. Last week a peacock crossed our path, this week it was a bride on a beach.

When I shared the picture on Facebook at the weekend, a friend was quick to point out that I didn't actually *know* she was a bride. He was right of course, and I think it probably was just a photo shoot. "Random woman in a wedding dress, having her picture taken at the seaside" doesn't quite have the same ring, does it?!

Linking up with Sian and the Mondayers. Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Peacock

When travelling country lanes on a Sunday morning, it's always a good idea to factor in extra time for your journey. You never know what might hold you up. Other drivers, pottering along, enjoying the scenery. Cyclists and joggers. Dog walkers and horse riders. Wild birds and animals of many kinds.

This was a new one on me.

We were on our way to Bristol to buy a suit for The Mechanic. The trip was a success and he is now appropriately kitted out. His current suit is charcoal wool and not ideal for a Summer beach wedding. Which brings me to the other thing that was new this weekend. The invitation for that wedding arrived by Paperless Post.

Have you come across it before?

There's no doubt it's very environmentally friendly. Easier to organise and less time consuming than writing and posting out a stack of invitations. However, the hoarder memory keeper in me laments the lack of something tangible I can hold in my hands. I'll bet I'm not alone.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers on this afternoon that can't quite make up its mind and wishing you all a good week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Brusho

Oh Monday, has it really been a month since I shared something new with you all?

These little pots of brightly coloured powders arrived on Saturday morning and they were just what me and my girl needed to kick start a creative session at the kitchen table. Yes, I know, they have been around for years and I am a long way behind the craze for them, but better late than never.

Some watercolour paper and a spritzer was all we needed to add, to get these cool effects. No artistic ability required. Highly recommended.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers on this sunny afternoon and sending good wishes to anyone whose household is in the grip of exam fever. For the first time in very many years we are escaping it. Instead, my girl is working on her final module for the year and my boy is figuring out what to do next.

Memorandum Monday ~ Hair to Spare

If you're a Facebook friend, or follow me on Instagram, then you'll already know what's new around here this week. Apart from a short spell in my very early teens, I have had long hair almost all my life so it's a big change for me. One I'm happy to make for a good cause.

Sadly, far too many friends have had their lives touched by cancer over the past few years. There's not much I can do about that, but I am pretty good at growing hair. I found out about Little Princess Trust, the day *after* I had a hair cut, about 4 years ago. I decided to grow it again and I'm happy to report that this time I had a plait measuring just over 20" to donate.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers on this damp and grey afternoon.

PS Several people thought I had my hair coloured as well as cut. The picture on the right is somewhat deceiving. I'm not really that dark. The first picture was taken just after lunch in sunshine and the second in the early evening. The colour, for now at least, is all my own.

Memorandum Monday ~ April Fool's Day

AKA The One With the Left Phalange*

Friday dawned bright and fair. I jumped out of bed and promptly broke my little toe. So that was new. In all my 47 years, despite abseiling, D of E expeditioning, parachuting and a nasty bike accident, I've managed to keep tibia, fibula and phalanges intact. I'll spare you a photo of my injury and give you this instead.....

A new Sunday Social, photo a week challenge over on Instagram #dressmakers52
One prompt per week and there's a whole week to join in. That's very doable.

Week 1: On the Shelf ~ If you know me already, you'll no doubt be familiar with my set of Lemony Snicket books, used as a backdrop for my handmade cards. Pan to the left and you'll find a small, but growing, collection of sewing books.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers, from the sofa, on this very wet afternoon.

*For the non Friends fans among you, here's a link.

Memorandum Monday ~ Red Tape

Yesterday I learnt that my boy is (officially) eligible for help while at university. It has only taken the powers that be until now, well over half way through the academic year, to make a decision on our case. We applied in September.

I have filled in all the forms that I have been asked to and sent copies of all the supporting evidence that I have in my possession. The formal diagnosis, the Speech and Language assessment, along with various other letters from medical professionals and consultants, all experts in their field. None of it was considered to be good enough proof. They sent me this form last month.....

.....asking for the opinion of his GP on the matter. In the end it just took a couple of sentences from her (who incidentally has never met him), in a box on that form, for them to agree he is eligible. The letter she refers to is another copy of one I had previously sent stating his initial diagnosis.

The next step is a formal assessment, by an independent party, to decide what he actually needs to enable him to have full access to his course. Will that be by the end of his first year? Who knows? To say the process has been frustrating would be an understatement.

I have also learnt just how tenacious we both are. Although we kind of knew that already, from the three years it took us to get a diagnosis in the first place. I cannot help but feel my boy has been badly let down by the education system.....again. All the help, that the university said was available to him, is entirely dependent on Student Finance putting the funds in place. He has been managing (barely) with help only from me. A tall order when I am over a hundred miles away.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers from a hilltop in Hardy country.

Memorandum Monday ~ Hereford

I've just returned from a wonderful weekend away with some lovely crafting friends and three husbands, acting as chauffeurs for their non-driving wives.

Regulars around here may be thinking there's nothing new in that, she goes every year and you'd be quite right. However, we decided to try a new barn this year and found this one.....

.....nestled in the Black Mountains.....

.....with a cosy lounge.....

....and this amazing view.

Waving to Sian and the Mondayers. Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Galaxy

It was a busy weekend with lots going on. A very wet Saturday afternoon spent baking with my girl. Three varieties of muffins and a banana loaf to replenish the freezer stocks. They were getting dangerously low and we can't have that. Plus a few to pack up and deliver to our boy, along with a selection of "ready meals", portioned off when I did some batch cooking earlier in the week.

Saturday evening saw the beginning of a new Icelandic crime drama on BBC4. The first two episodes were shown back to back. I've only watched one so far (I get a bit fidgety after an hour of sitting still) but I'm already hooked.

On Sunday we spent the day with our boy. He's settling into his new flat and it's such a relief for him, and us, that he's out of that awful situation. Now he can concentrate on enjoying his course and perhaps begin to embrace university life a little more.

Today finds me setting up my new phone. It was so easy, even for totally untechy me. All I had to do was put this phone back to back with my old one and everything transferred across, as if by magic. Things have certainly moved on in two years.

Apologies for the dreadful photos. It was so bright when I tried to capture the TV screen earlier and too dark once my phone arrived. Looking forward to trying out the camera on my new phone very soon. Waving to Sian and all those leaving a memo this bitterly cold Monday. Have a great week. Half term here and a break from the "school run", which is most welcome.

Memorandum Monday ~ Avocado

I talked Avocados in my SIPIDI! round up last month. From that post you'll know that having them on toast is nothing new around here, so what is?

Some of the variations I've seen online have you making your own fresh pesto which, I'll be honest, is not something I want to do for a simple lunch. Others include slow roasted tomatoes, with a cooking time of over an hour, which would involve being super organised. I want quick, easy and tasty. I think this fits the bill.

Take a handful of cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil (I've got a spray), season and pop under the grill to soften. Meanwhile, toast some good wholemeal bread, mash an avocado with a little lemon or lime juice and black pepper.

Once the bread is toasted, spread with some tomato pesto, add thinly sliced red onion rings, mashed avocado and top with the grilled tomatoes. Enjoy.

It seems I cannot stay away from foodie posts, on Memorandum Monday, for long! Waving to Sian on this blustery morning, courtesy of Storm Imogen, and wondering why we've started naming our wet and windy Winter weather. Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Sketch

The first Monday in February (Really? I know!) and I'm joining Sian to share something new I learned this weekend.

All that driving is clearly paying off, when my girl can now produce a quick observational "sketch" (her word) that looks like this.

Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Bananas!

Well, you just knew it was going to involve food, didn't you?

Sliced banana, drizzled with honey, ready to be roasted in the oven. Then blitzed in the blender with a can of coconut milk, lemon juice and vanilla extract. Into the freezer in a plastic tub and stirred every 30 minutes. Trying hard not to devour the lot before it set. Yes, I made ice cream for the first time and it was delicious.

Waving to Sian, on a Monday which doesn't involve a 200 mile drive. Have a great week.

Memorandum Monday ~ Chilli

January seems to be the month of foodie Monday posts. This week is no exception.

On Saturday I cooked Mexican Leek and Blackbean Chilli for the first time....

It was most welcome after a 200 mile round trip, in the driving rain, today.

Joining in with Sian, whose idea it is to share something new we learned or a first.

Memorandum Monday ~ Chocolate Mousse Cake

If you missed it last week, Sian has had a shake up of Me on Monday and asked us to share something we did for the first time, or something we learned that we didn't know before, instead of our previous weekend recap. This little beauty covers both bases, although I hadn't thought of the thing I learned until I started typing.

It was a wet and windy Saturday afternoon here in Dorset and we'd decided on hot dogs and soup for dinner. While I was caramelising the red onions, I had a quick flick through my new cook book and came across the Chocolate Mousse Cake. I had everything except the flaked almonds and it looked pretty simple to throw together. It was. The hardest part was working out the new quantities.

It contains quite a lot of sugar so I cut down the recipe. It uses 5 eggs, which I changed to 3 and reduced the other ingredients accordingly. Divide by 5 and multiply by 3. Fairly easy when you're working with grams, not so much if the recipe were in ounces or cups. It still made eight good sized portions and was delicious.

What did I learn? How to line the base of a springform tin, something I hadn't used before, without the faff of drawing and cutting a circle.

Simply cut a square of baking parchment/greaseproof paper, a bit larger than the base of the tin. Now comes the slightly tricky part, where you feel like you need two pairs of hands. Place the paper on top of the base and put the base inside the tin, tucking the corners through to the outside as you do so. Clip the tin together and tug the corners of the paper until it lies nice and smoothly in the bottom of the tin.

The recipe is from the Happy Pear cook book, but I've tracked it down online if you fancy it. My tin is 20cm, rather than the 23cm specified and my quantities were:

100g margarine
160g caster sugar
180g dark chocolate
3 eggs
40g ground almonds

Happy Monday to you. Have a great week.