Make, Bake, Sew, Grow

Thank you for all your get well wishes. I am feeling loads better - well, still a bit tired, but who isn't - and much more like my old self again. 

This weekend I have mainly been decorating, doing the housework, and eating. I think I've only actually stepped foot outside to hang out the washing or put something in the bins. There's a whole season happening outside and I feel like I'm missing it. I was moaning about this to John, about how working longer hours (and driving to school - we were able to walk to school and back in Leeds) makes me feel so disconnected from the outside world. He rolled his eyes. He works in a large air conditioned unit with no natural light. I've made it sound like a sweatshop and it's not, it's very nice really, but he said yes, this is what it's like when you work all the time. File it under First World Problems. But the woods are calling me. I want to go to the woods so much, to kick leaves and look at the changing colours and smell that damp earthy autumn smell of decay. One week until half term, one week to go. 

[ Make ]

Making decisions on which wallpaper to hang in the hallway, opting for this one, and only one roll at that price.

With help from my lovely parents, John and I managed to finish decorating the hall, stairs and landing this weekend. Such a job, all those doors to paint, all those tricky angles. And while there may have been some swearing and muttering during the process, I'm pleased to say that the wallpaper is hung (by John and I!) and looking pretty flipping gorgeous. I'll write a proper post about all this when it's finished and there aren't bare light bulbs hanging from the ceiling, but here's a quick photo for now. 

[ Bake ]

I have been eating all the carbs. If it's starchy, then I'm cooking and eating it, or so it appears. Recent meals have included avocado and banana on toast for breakfast drizzled with a bit of honey. Very good. Filling. 

Colcannon (mashed potatoes and greens) topped with a poached egg for dinner. John does not consider this a proper dinner so this is the kind of thing I make when he's working late and it's just me with dinner on a tray and Strictly Come Dancing on tv.

John made borlito misto, a sort of sausage and lentil casserole which is delicious and perfectly autumnal, and this is the sort of thing he does consider to be a proper dinner.

And we've been making rice pudding a lot lately. Bramble jelly is the best topping. Single cream to pour over optional.

[ Sew ]

All crafty endeavours over the last few weeks have been limited to my poncho which is now very nearly finished. I just need to take some photos and then you can see it properly. 

[ Grow ]

Look what John and my Dad made! Isn't is wonderful? A wood store, made from parts of my Dad's old shed. 

Our winter wood store is now cosy and dry, phew. But beyond that, all other garden related activity has ground to a halt. I'm looking forward to spending some time out there next weekend, planting bulbs, tidying up, and putting the garden to bed for the winter.

Ah, half term, you can't come soon enough! Sorry for being such a rubbish blogger lately, with these random posts and no time to visit yours. All will be back to normal soon.