BREAKFAST
Chopped Apple
Sliced Banana
Roasted Muesli (Granola)
Milk

I could get used to this for breakfast, blooming delicious, and it feels satisfying. Just sometimes, I like a fry up, but less and less these days.

Shortly I will be going to pick up Molly and Eve, the grandaughters from heaven, an hour's drive away. So I am putting off doing anything else by a quick blog.

Borrowed 'The Green Wing' dvd of the first series from our holiday home neighbours who are here for the weekend. It is so funny! Not a lot about hospital stuff, like casualty, it's all focussed on the characters, how bizarre and eccentric they are. It is laugh out loud
funny. We've got 6 more episodes to watch, won't watch it in front of the girls, it's a bit too raunchy for them!

Cloudy today after a few days of brilliant sunshine but I'm in a good mood so that's alright then. I've had 2 ciggies already today, and will try to limit to 5 a day, but have a good excuse if I smoke more, I am under stress. That's what I tell myself anyway.

Gotta go, have to feed my son's cat then get my arse in gear for travelling. Have a good day friends and visitors, remember that some loving words goes a long way to making your world a nicer place.

DINNER
Starters: Fresh Mussels in Garlic Butter with finely chopped Onions

Pork and Apple Sausages
Mashed Potato with butter salt and ground black pepper
Salad a la moi

Green and Blacks Mayan Organic Dark Chocolate

Had a very pleasant afternoon collecting mussels from the beach for starters. There were loads of them and we limited ourselves only to what we could eat and no more. It's been a scorcher today with very little wind so the large umbrella went up over the table on the deck.
I should explain that the deck (we tried patio, veranda, but they didn't sound right) is a platform built out from the bank overlooking the front garden. Mr A built it with all wood. The railings are fashioned a bit like a web so it isn't straight lines. There is a table and 6 chairs on it. It's a bit like being at the front of a boat as the deck juts out from the path in front of the house.
The site seems to be up to normal speed tonight after last 2 nights slowdown.
Because we haven't a positive answer about getting a mortgage yet I've smoked more than 5 fags today. It is a stressful time and my will power didn't even register on the selfcontrolometer. We should hear on Tuesday if the Underwriter's decision is favourable.

QUICK SHORT STORY
There was once a young lad, at the age when his voice started to drop and squeak and pimples started to appear on his face, who came from a family of bakers.
He already could bake bread to perfection, trying different grains for the flour and making different shapes from tin to plaited.
His mother specialised in cakes. Customers came from different villages to buy her cakes, each one was delicious and looked good.
His father concentrated on the pies, pasties and savoury side of baking. He supplied most of the workers for their lunch.

The village was about 20 miles away from the nearest town, though other villages were dotted around the landscape from 3 to 6 miles away, near enough to walk or cycle to. In the time of this story, the only means of transport was walking, bicycle or horse. Electricity had yet to be thought of and people had to work or starve.

Dommi, the name of our boy, had a strong imagination, especially when it came to baking. He experimented with different shapes for the bread and found his circular loaf was becoming popular.

"We cut it into 4 pieces and they are a wedge shape, perfect for different toppings, from cheese and tomato, fish, oh, anything found in the larder." Said Pete, the blacksmith who was a large man who loved his food.

This got Dommi to thinking. He tried baking the round flat bread with cheese grated on top. The round bread was very tasty, but a bit bland. He then added tomatoes, which was better, but still needed something else as well. As he sat thinking, looking out over the small cottage garden, his eyes fell onto the herb patch. There was dill, rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage, rue and a few others. He decided to try using some of the herbs on the round bread along with the tomato and cheese. Whilst in the pantry he saw some mushrooms and decided to use some of those as well.

The cooked round flat bread when finished smelt lovely, the mix of the herbs with melted cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes was a new smell. This combination had never been cooked together before.

It became very popular, they charged a bit extra for it and nobody minded paying more as it was such a satisfying meal.
"What's it called?" Asked his little sister, Julie, who was 6 years old. She had blonde curls and dimpled cheeks, she looked like a little angel.
"I don't know." Dommi replied, he hadn't really thought about naming his now famous round bread.
"What made you think of it?" Julie asked in her wide eyed innocence.
"Pete, the blacksmith first gave me the idea when he told me that they would put different sorts of toppings on the round flat bread, which he loved. After eating he would say 'ah'."

"Petes ah!" Exclaimed Julie! "That's what you could call it!"

Thereafter a sign was made to hang in the bakery that proclaimed to all that came far and wide to buy the delicious round flat bread with the different baked toppings.

'Dommi knows petesah'

Tonight, Matthew, I am Diana Ross.

The situation is that this site has gone all slow on me, so I can't reply to all those fabulous comments of last blog individually, so this is one size fits all, for now.

THANK YOU dear readers, for restoring my stats, and confidence in friends, who are willing to give my old ego the boost it sometimes needs.
Your work is done, I am number 8 in the charts, I can tell my grandaughters. They will tell their children and future generations will relate how my blogging career took off stratisferically, through the kindness of strangers (you're not really strangers though, are you?)

DINNER
Cottage Pie made from leftover mince
Mashed potato
Salad a la moi

BREAKFAST
Granola
Apple
Banana
A very enjoyable breakfast it was too. I forgot how nice granola (roasted museli) is with fresh fruit.

See y'all tomorrow. x

DINNER
Cottage Pie, Mince Meat with mushrooms, onions, garlic in tomato sauce.
Mashed Potato
Leeks sauteed in butter. MMmmmm

Just peeked at my stats, and they are way down. I must make this blog more exciting!

Today, I watched the last of the leaves falling from the big beech tree over the road.
No, that's not going to do it.

I am sitting on one of those office chairs, good for backs where your knees are on a lower bit and bum on the seat with Dusky on my lap. She keeps falling off. No, that's not going to do it either.

Last night at our singing meet, Brenda and I practiced the Lambada. No, it's not a motor scooter, it's a south American dance like Salsa, no, which isn't a tomatoey spicy dip. No, that's not going to do it.

Today I weeded the front garden. No, definitely not eyes glued to the screen stuff.
However, I have managed to stick to 5 rollups, and am determined to gently cut down and quit. Very few of my friends smoke now, it's a minority thing.

As I was driving along today I saw a buzzard flying and then noticed a black bird (maybe a crow, didn't distinguish which black bird) fly near it. When the black bird flew past the buzzard, the buzzard ROLLED OVER! I thought that amazing and a fluke. Well, the black bird flew past it again and the buzzard rolled over again! This happened 3 times!
As the buzzard rolled over it kept its wings outstretched, a truely amazing sight.
Anyone know why buzzards do this?

DINNER
Oven Chips
Purple Sprouting Brocolli or Broccoli or Broccolli
Spicy Bean Burger

Mr A is watching the Arsenal game before wending his way home, just rang, and they won so he is in an extremely good mood.

Trying to cut out smoking. Limited myself to 5 rollups today, and I've had my 5, so I may go to bed earlier as I don't want to smoke another! This is the countdown to giving up completely - da! da!

I may start working at the end of May, if I can work on another ward that is not so stressful and emergency driven. Some midwives thrive working as obstetric nurses in high tech areas, I'm not one of them.

I will now go visiting, I have neglected my friend's for a bit as I wanted to prioritize writing a daily blog with limited time.
Seems like there's more than a hint of summer on the way, buds are growing etc etc and it's so good to feel warm sun on my face again.

LUNCH
For me and Eve
Cupasoup. Broccoli and Cauliflower.
Thick slices of crusty white bread and butter

For Mr A
Cheese Salad Sandwich

After lunch Eve and I are going to pick up Molly from her friend's house. Don't know yet what we will have for dinner, I will keep you posted (ha ha.)

We went to the car boot sale only to find that it was cancelled today! They were holding a Monster Truck Rally instead. Mr A bought Molly and Eve a head torch each which will be very handy at night, especially where we live because there are no outside lights. They will look like a couple of child miners!

We also went to Morrisons and I bought 3 herbs in pots. Thyme, parsley and mint. I've repotted them in hopes that they will grow and provide some tasty seasoning. Mr Avrilo is bottling his homebrew, total count of 71 bottles (which Eve just counted.)

DINNER FOR VEGAN
Spicy Bean Burgers

Mango Sorbet

DINNER FOR VEGETARIAN
Cauliflower Cheese Grills

Walnut and Advocaat Flavour Ice Cream

DINNER FOR CARNIVORES
Fresh Mussels from 1 mile away in Garlic butter and lemon juice
Pizza with Salami
Mushroom Pizza

Walnut and Advocaat Flavour Ice Cream and Mango Sorbet

Everyone also had
Oven Chips
Salad a la moi

So now, there is just Eve staying tonight, tomorrow I collect Molly from her friends after going to the car boot sale.
In the end we didn't get round to watching Wallace and Grommit dvd. A game of hide and seek took preference.
With a 4 yr old and a 9 yr old it has been a pretty hectic evening. Mr A did a magnificent head stand, just to show that he can do it.

I've put out more bedding plants so there is a lot more colour in the garden now. I am taking suggestions from Eve as to a good finish to this blog...I'm waiting Eve....stop giggling and think!
'What's your favourite colour?' She asks. What sort of a grand finale is that!

DINNER

Scampi
Oven Chips
Salad a la Moi with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing

Mr A is back from his working travels, hurrah!
Molly and Eve are coming again for the weekend. We may well take in a car boot sale Sunday. I may get a good price for them. (Ha! ha!)
My friend Mr Flipkicker, as car boot sale expert, will be interested, I'm sure.

Nowt much else to say. The weather is still here. The seedlings are growing, including my Night Scented Stock, the most delicious smelling flower ever created! The scent permeates at night, that is when the flower really opens. It is a luminous violet, with patches of white that shine in the moonlight. The smell is so divine, a must for olfactory types like me.

Had a good day playing piano. Also played guitar on the porch, like some old blues person. I could adopt some bluesy type name, like John Lee Hooker, scrub the last name though!

"So," said Macy as she was buffing her nails, "you managed to get a date with Mr Adonis then?"
"His name is Antoine." I said pursing my lips in the mirror checking my lipstick was on straight.
"We're going to see 'Brokeback Mountain." He seems very keen to see it. I said blinking my eyes to check my lashes weren't too clogged up with mascara. I don't normally wear make up and felt like a bit of a clown, still, it's worth the effort since my last date was in prehistoric times.

I put on my Doris Day headscarf and drove to the cinema, a new multiplex 26 screen place that used to be a bingo hall, before that it was a theatre. I reflected on the changing times.

There he was. Looking gorgeous in shapely jeans, clean white shirt and heartstopping smile.
"Hi." He said, unleashing same said smile in my direction.
I was suddenly aware that the elastic in my knickers was loose. Damn! I wasn't wearing tights either under my over the knee skirt. I think I got away with my thigh clenched walk, I'd have to head for the ladies and take them off. Hmmm a quick smile to myself, might save time later.

"It's so nice to go out with a girlfriend for an evening, I haven't done this for a long time." He said. I thought that a bit odd, him not going out with a girlfriend for so long. Maybe he's fussy.
"Of course I do have women friends, but we don't go out much, I usually just gossip with them and tell them about my latest dramatic love affair." He said.
I was starting to get a strange feeling that I was in a play, he had read the script and I was only just aware of being an actor in the same play. I didn't even know the title.

"Tell me about your latest case." He said, paying for the tickets, like the gentleman he appeared to be.
I told him, omitting the correct names for client confidentiality, about our latest case.
"It's an insurance scam. A man is claiming from the council that the pavement was uneven and he tripped, hurt his leg and is off work. I've been watching him to see how mobile he really is."
"And..." He said. At that moment we went into screen, 17, and I went quiet while we found some seats.
"He doesn't seem to go out." I said, settling into middle of the row, near the back.

The film was good, a love story about two cowboys who's romance was kept hidden from their families. A secret love. Antoine seemed very moved, I noticed he got his hanky out and dabbed his eyes a few times. I leaned in towards him and felt for his hand, feeling romantic. He patted my hand and moved his hand away. Odd? I put my head on his shoulder. He patted my shoulder in a friendly way.

To hell with this, I thought and turned my head towards his to steal a kiss. As my lips brushed his, he turned them away, put his mouth to my ear and whispered those words that a woman never wants to hear from the object of her lust.

"Sorry, I thought you knew. I'm gay."
"Oh, sorry, my mistake." Thank god it was dark, my blush almost lit up the cinema.
I was furious with myself. Call myself a detective? How could I have missed all the signs. I should have known. He was too good to be true. To cap it all my knickers fell down as we came out into the light. I casually bent down, swooped them up and into my bag as he turned his head away. Some young persons, having witnessed this started to point, and almost fall about trying to catch their breath whilst laughing. Brokeback Mountain? More like Broken Knickers I thought bitterly.

We never mentioned it again. We never went out on a date again, although we were friendly, it wasn't the same.

"'Ow did it go then?" Asked Macy the next day in the office.
"Haven't you got work to do?" I asked crossly.
"Oh, sorry Celeste. 'e's gay then, is he?"

DINNER
Lamb Curry par exellence
Lamb and Cauliflower Curry with Fresh Coriander, herbs and Spices
The fresh chilli is extra hot, used with caution!

Tomato, Sweet Red Onion and Cucumber salad, with;
capers, red grapes, pine nuts, fresh coriander in olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Fresh Avocado in sweet chilli sauce

Home made chapati with Indian Spices

Basmati Rice

And this is all just for me!
I knew it was going to be a good one, especially the side salads. So, it is all ready, I just have to cook the chapati and enjoy it watching 'Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang' dvd with Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr.

'Be Cool' the dvd of last night was really good. Like 'Get Shorty' the previous film full of twists and laugh out loud. Lots of Micky taking of the music business in USA with top names in it.

So, friends and passers by, I am away to tuck into my delicious dinner - cos I'm worth it!

Yup, the old Cheese n Chilli Wedges weekly feast was eaten and enjoyed at the nicest pub I know.

Dusky is asleep on my lap, snoring. First time I've heard her snoring, more like a puffing and whistling really, I can feel her hot breath on my legs (hold on now, less of that....)

Saw 2 excellent dvds recently.
Mrs Henderson Presents. Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins. Fantastic performance by Judi, she is a brilliant actress, really worth seeing this film. It's all about the Windmill Theatre and the first London nudes. They could only perform nude if they didn't move, so they had to perform tableaux. Based on a true story.

The Life Aquatic. Bill Murray. Directed by Wes Anderson, very innotative, you know what I mean. Bill seems just a natural, with his funny sad face acting so cool and laid back. He makes the part seem like thats how he really is all the time. This film is surreal and good fun, definitely worth a view with some great acting in it. The storyline is larger than life, but with a flavour of Thunderbirds. It made me laugh.

My friend Brenda is being whisked away for a romantic surprise short holiday for her birthday. Her newly acquired boyfriend, who has actually been a friend for a long time, but they just realised that they could become more than that in the last few months, has been doing safaris in Morocco. Since they have been apart just after getting together the phone bill has skyrocketed. Anyway, it's her birthday on Friday and he has bought her a ticket to Spain and he'll meet her at the airport - tomorrow! She only learnt this today!
Anyway, she deserves some loving and happiness after all the shite she's been through after having leukemia and chemo etc., and the new hip. Good on yer girl!

I am feeling optimistic today, having made a phonecall that was very helpful about my work situation. I have been off work for a few months and finding it more difficult about going back. I now feel I might be nearly ready to return. We shall see. The HRT has helped, I think, though it's taken a while to kick in.

The dvd tonight is called Cool something or other, that's not the name, but Dusky is on mylap and I'm not getting up and going next door to find out the correct title. Starring John Travolta and Uma Thurman. It's a continuation of 'Get Shorty', which I loved, and so will you if you've seen it. He plays Chilli Palmer, the coolest dude you can meet who wins over everyone and susses everything out and you get the picture.

Feeling a bit peckish, so I'll make up some tapas as I watch. Olives, strong cheddar, mature silton, Bellini peppers, and poppyseed crackers. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.

Phone call from Mr A. He forgot his security pass for the job and is halfway there. So.......
I'm going to get in my car and meet him halfway back, about an hours drive, to give him the pass which he needs for first thing tomorrow.

I should have known that writing about being alone in a quiet house was tempting fate!
He owes me big time for this. Hmmmm..........

DINNER
Oven Chips
Scampi
Salad a la Moi

Mr A is away till Friday, so for tonight, I'm going for the easy option. Have some leftover lamb which I'll make into a curry tomorrow night. Whoops! Given away the Menu for tomorrow.

Suddenly, I feel lonely. I don't often get this when on my own, cos I usually enjoy my own company and happily poodle about doing different things, distracting myself.
Maybe it's because Mr A and I spent mucho time together the last week, and we mingled quite a bit with different people over Easter. It was really nice to spend so much time together, just hanging out.

So all of a sudden, I'm alone, though through the wonders of cyberspace I do have contact through the ether of blog friends that will keep me busy for a bit.
I'm not a phone person, it just doesn't occur to me to ring someone up for a chat. If I ring someone it's usually for a specific reason, I may have to rethink that attitude!

DINNER

Welsh half shoulder of lamb
Roast Potatoes
Savoy Cabbage
Roast Parsnips
Gravy fit for angels

Yesterday saw us eating at Mr A's parents. For the first time ever,and the last time, I tried venison. Hmmmm. Bit too aged in oak for me, the cranberry sauce gave it a boost to lighten it up.

Heard a chocolatier being interviewed about chocolate on the radio. She could tell which plantation it came from, which cocoa bean, what percentage of cocoa solids and described in the sort of way winetasters do.
So, good chocolate should, snap crisply upon breaking, melt on the tongue, and of course, taste bloody gorgeous!
Fair Trade are now producing their own chocolate so that sounds like a good idea, you know it'll be good, and the farmers will get some profits too.
I usually get the Green and Black dark chocolate, but I'll give Fair Trade a go. My view of life is that food is so important that it's only worth getting the best, which doesn't have to cost a lot of money. In comparison to electronic gadgets and time wasting stuff, it's worth spending for the best. It's junk food that costs a lot anyway.
Even on the dole, someone can eat well, getting fresh vegetables. Perhaps the cheapest meal is French Onion Soup. Made with onions, and, if feeling lavish, a stock cube.
The wood anenome's are out! Those white flowers that abound near woods. My lillies. that have spent the winter outside have bravely started to sprout. I gave them up for dead, just shows you, even plants have a Will to live.

DINNER
Cheese and Potato Cakes
Salad a la Moi, the usual green salad with capers, olives etc
Tomato and Onion salad with lemon juice and olive oil

Mr A's sister and her 3 daughters, eldest, 9, came for the day. They live in Switzerland and came over for the Easter week. So off we went down to the beach, just under a mile away.
I love ambling along the sand, looking at shells and selecting some treasure to take home. I found some clam double shells and got a set in 4 different colours. Opened up they looked like butterfly wings, so I've arranged them in a pattern on the ledge that runs around the front of the house - ideal for outdoor knick knacks.

As I was arranging them, I thought that it was a 'little girl' type of thing to do. Yes, I was doing the same thing when I was still a single number, and probably getting as engrossed as I do now.
It was quite nice to think that some part of me hasn't aged. The wonder at nature's beauty and seeing those gifts as treasures that deserve recognition. Spending 'quality' time just looking at something and making a little simple altar to Mother Natures bounty that surrounds us.

I've got Dusky, the O.A.P. grey cat, all curled up and warming my legs nicely. I've discovered that she HAS been using her bed! There were tell tale bits of grey cat fluff in there. She must sneak back in to the lean to and curl up in it after she has pretended to go and sleep outside. Unless there is another grey furred animal using it! She's a funny old cat, she won't settle in the bed if I put her there but will go in it on her own after I've gone.

A nice, laid back day, after doing lunch for 7 (3 kids 4 adults) prior to our beach walk. Mr A is on the veranda with our neighbour drinking white wine in the late afternoon sun. Pete (the neighbour) plays guitar and we have arranged for a jam session tomorrow night at ours. Mr A is also a drummer, so we'll switch on the amps and have an electric and eclectic time!

My first 'date' with Antoine, our sign painter had gone well. It was only a coffee at a cafe round the corner for half an hour, but I was riding high on it.

He had left earlier after repainting our sign to now read - Tyalsky and Pacy. Natural and Supernatural Detective Agency. The time was well spent watching Antoine on the ladder from inside the office. As I was humming 'do you think I'm sexy', the phone rang. I carried on watching Macy paint her nails till Helen said "there's a Mrs Patel on the line for you."

"Can I help you?" I asked in my best efficient voice grabbing pencil and note pad.
"I heard that you dealt with, well, erm, supernatural matters," said a nervous sounding voice. "Can you come and see me, as I have a, erm, supernatural sort of problem. You see there is this ghostly sound in the middle of the night, and there is nobody there."

I got her address and asked Macy to come along, as this was her speciality, or so she'd like to think.
We arrived at a large terraced house and Mrs Patel answered the door and led us to a lounge with many souvenirs of Spanish holidays scattered around the room.
"Like I said on the phone, this noise, sounds like a sort of 'wooo whoo' and has been happening every night, at about 2 in the morning. I'm losing sleep over it."

I ascertained that Mrs Patel lived with her husband and father in law, who was a widower.
"Can I look around the house with my partner here, Macy?"
"Of course, my father in law is in his room and my husband is out. I will show you around."

She took us upstairs and showed us her bedroom, which was mainly pink and frilled, bathroom and spare room. There were more stairs and a room at the top. She knocked on the door.
"Can we come in father?" she asked politely.
There was some muffled sounds and a voice saying "just a moment please."

Mr Patel senior's room was fairly bare, except for a large table which was covered in a sheet.
"Do you have a hobby?" I asked indicating the table and hidden contents.
"No, no, this is nothing, just some laundry and things I am sorting." He said in a nervous voice.
"Oooo that's a nice cap?" Said Macy pointing to a train driver's cap hanging on a hook by the window.
"That is a very nice view." I said indicating the row of terraced houses over the road. Everyone turned to look out of the window for a moment.
"Oh, no, that, er belongs to a friend of mine, I must take it back." Mr Patel said snatching the train driver's cap off the hook and holding it behind his back.
We thanked him and followed Mrs Patel down the stairs back to the lounge.

"Well, said Macy, we might need to spend a night here, to experience the energies, and I would be able to tune into the spirit and find out what it wanted from you." She said this in a bit of a smug tone, she knew that it was her department all the psychic stuff, and she was going to milk it for all it was worth.

"Ah, no need Macy. There is no ghost. I can tell you Mrs Patel that you have no need to worry, but you may need to have a talk with your father in law.
You see, from his manner and from what I saw, I can tell you that he is a secret model train collecter. For some reason, he doesn't want to come out about it and must run his model trains at night when everyone else is in bed. He puts on his cap, runs his trains on the lines, on that table we saw and says 'woo woo' making noises like a steam train."

Macy's jaw was open. It looked most unbecoming. Also Mrs Patel looked shocked and surprised.
"'Ow can you be so sure?" Said Macy with an arched eyebrow, just a hint of annoyance.
"I peeked under the dust sheet at what was on the table when you all went to the window. I saw the model trains and the tracks, so it all became clear then." I said in my best Sherlock Holmes voice.

After collecting a cheque for our time and asking Mrs Patel to be gentle with her father in law, we got in my car. Tying on my Doris Day headscarf I resolved to get the hood fixed so that it could be put up.

Macy thawed out, when I turned on the extra nice charm to her. This case she had hoped was to be her baby, the psychic branch of the firm. It was odd that she had solved a lot of the cases previously that hadn't been supernatural, and this one, which originally was in her area of expertise, was solved by me.

"O well, at least there is a bright side for Mr Patel."
"What's that then?" Said Macy reapplying more nail varnish.
"He will be able to come out of the station closet." I said with a wry grin, soon to become a rye grin at a wine bar with Antoine later.

No singing tonight, so, for a change, I am at home to eat.

DINNER
Welsh Lamb cutlets
Leeks cooked in butter
Potatoes

A simple but tasty meal for carnivores. The leeks cooked in butter was something Mr A introduced me to. They are sauteed in a pan with lid along with some lemon juice and 2 cloves of garlic. MMmmmm, so vegetarians won't feel left out.

I planted more flowers in the front bed, 2 tone violas purple and orange. A strange combination, they look a bit unatural. The front garden is turning into part rockery, it's starting to look like a cottage garden at last! Thinking back to when we first started work here, it was so overgrown, that all you could see out of the front door was brambles. No one knew there was another path which led to the spiral stairs going down to the road.

Mr Avrilo is going to brew beer after dinner, so that will give me a chance to write a Tyalskye and Pacy story. Apologies for anyone expecting to read a story yesterday. You'll never guess what happened! (Picture a clock, the hands running backwards, music swirling as we go back in time.)

I was thinking of a good plot when there was a knock at the door. To my surprise, it was Johnny Depp! Well, blow me down with a feather! I could hardly believe my eyes! HIM, standing there, at my front door. Of course, I asked him in, quickly adjusting my fringe to a more becoming style.

Well, though he is my favourite actor and hearthrob, I couldn't sign up to Scientology, even for Johnny. He was canvassing door to door in Wales, leaflets in hand to try and find some new recruits to Scientology. He had read my stories and thought, for some reason, that I might be interested in joining. Could it have been that the stories showed what a wild imagination I have so therefore accepting the premise of Scientology?

Anyway, he had a cuppa and time flew by, so I didn't, in the end, have time to write a story. He liked the house and said he may have a wooden house built as he thought the vibes most conducive. Apparently he is married, so it wouldn't have worked between us, even though there was definitely a spark that, if kindled could have flamed into a mighty passion.

Ah well, it made a change...........

As some regulars to the gastropods corner will know, last night's Menu of the Day was left undecided.
I had forgotten about the fish that Mr Avrilo had caught on Sunday which was in the fridge.

So, as it was only enough for one, we had:

ME
Spicy beanburger
Oven chips
Cauliflower and onions, sauteed, then boiled.
(It was sauteed prior to making cauliflower curry, when I remembered the fish, so I abandoned the curry and boiled it.)

MR A
Small, what we thought was plaice turned out to be a flounder.
Oven chips
Cauliflower

I can't be doing with this writing about the previous menu again, so I will decide NOW what's for tonight.
ahhh..........er.........ummm............hangonI'llseewhatI'vegot......(looks in fridge..er.....looks in veg basket...hmmmm...looks in freezer......ah!

DINNER
Cauliflower Curry
Homemade Chapatis
Channa Dhal (chickpeas cooked in spices and herbs)
Basmati Rice
Tomato and Onion Salad
Green salad, with capers, hot green peppers, olives, cucumber, lettuce - all green, see? (except for the middle bit of the cucumber.)

Mmmm I'm feeling hungry now, so I think it'll be an early tea....

Mr A working at home today as we had an afternoon meeting with our mortgage broker. We gave him all the facts and figures, he goes off and gets us a mortgage. A relief to hand it over to a professional to deal with. So, fingers and legs crossed everybody........

A Columbo, just one more thing...
As requested, I shall be writing another short detective story later.
Tyalskye and Pacy have just been lurking in the wings, brushing up on their detecting skills, honing their noses to sniff out the answers and - eyeing up the signwriter as he stands on a ladder repainting their sign, again.....

DINNER

Cauliflower
To be decided! Possibly curry, possibly oven chips and spicy beanburgers.

The computer is slow at the moment. I can't get to reply to comments, as all I get is the heading and no text. So if you haven't heard from me, that's why.

Took the girls back this morning past the house where she feeds the Red Kites. There is usually a crowd of them hovering over her house, today there weren't.

Saw a crowd of Swifts yesterday evening, well, Mr A noticed them and called me outside to see. There was 1 House Martin with them. So, they must have just come back from their winter hols in Africa. There were a few little suitcases and backpacks, what hardy little birds!

Molly wanted to start her blog but has to wait till she is 13, in June. I think she'll really enjoy it, and this site has been decent enough, so I think she'll be ok.

DINNER
We are invited to our next door neighbours for dinner, I heard a whisper that it may be pizza.

I am writing with an orange sucking child on my left and a 12 year old on my right watching every word I type!
Molly says 'hi! I'm not that bad.'
Eve says 'I don't suck on oranges all the time.'

They are going back tomorrow, early (Molly saying nooooooo!)so it will be early to bed. Last night it was 12.30 when they went to bed!
Molly just got a cardigan which is too small, so she hopes she can take it back. She says she shouldn't really be wearing it!

O no!! Eve is out of oranges! She will start to get mean and start foaming at the mouth soon. I'd better try and find some more oranges, or something to stop her destroying the place and going crazy!!

Went for a walk to the village with our neighbours young son, who is a constant chatterer! He is 8 and is fortunate to have a holiday home as well as Georgian house in Milton Keanes.

Mr A has gone fishing. He rang to say he found a nice plaice, he meant the fish of course! It's the first time I've ever known him to bring home a fish before. I don't like catching fish myself, it seems cruel but I do eat them, so can't complain about it.

That's enough boring details for today.

DINNER for me and Mr A

Spaghetti Bolognese
Salad a la Moi

DINNER for Molly, Eve, Anna and Bran

Quorn Spaghetti Bolognese
Salad a la Moi

Mango Sorbet
Walnut and Advocaat flavour ice cream

Molly and Eve are my grandaughters, 12 and 9 repectively. Anna is their mum and Bran, 4 is her son by new partner.
Although she is my son's ex, we get on really well and still see each other quite often. She and Bran are vegan and Molly and Eve are vegetarian.

They will be here soon, so I should start preparing the food so we don't wait for too long. Have been putting in flower seeds today and cleaning out the Rayburn.
Dusky is sitting on my lap as I type, warming my legs. She's been behaving herself since being put out at night, but has a hefty sleep inside during the day.

DINNER

Chilli con Carne
New baby potatoes
Salad a la Moi with sundried tomato stuffed olives along with the usual

Mr A is back from a working week away. Hurrah! A peaceful and harmonious house this evening. I've been playing the piano, made up a new piece. I recorded 5 parts for it and am mightily pleased with it. Thinking about putting some audio onto my blog so you can hear what sort of things I do. I have some on cd already, so it's suss it out time (later.)

My grandaughters are coming for the weekend, again. It's so nice to see them often. We had a game of 'frustration', which is really ludo. I felt quite mean making them put their pieces back to the start when I caught up with them. We usually play buckaroo, kerplunk or now, frustration, though I'm not that keen on it.

I hope you all have a good weekend, and tune in tomorrow.

Scarabella, my soul choir, will be meeting here tonight. Hurray!

That means the house will be vibrating to the luscious sounds of 5 female voices creating wonderful audio pictures to colour the soundscape of my home.

I'd better get some nice cheeses to go with the poppyseed crackers that I always have. I have yet to decide what to have for dinner, so no Menu of the Day as yet.

The sun is shining and the house plants are outside now, mingling with the flowers I recently planted, a riot of colour. I don't know if the geraniums will recover as they've been outside and are looking distinctly twiggy. They were brilliant last year, loads of bright flowers in large pots, very continental.

Our rare neighbours have arrived to stay for a few days. They recently bought the wooden house next door as a holiday home and visit occasionally. We had a jam session before, as he plays guitar in a band, so it's all good. Dusky got a bit possessive about our house, she stood outside the front door miawing petulantly at them, as if to say 'who are you?'

Ok, I tried it, cos everyone else seemed to be doing it. Getting an Avatar that is.
Now, the word Avatar, as I understand it is, an enlightened being. These cartoony looking gimboids are looking far from being enlightened. Ah well, Avrilo, move with the times.

So, when I tried creating my Avatar, she ended up with no clothes on. I couldn't get her clothes on! She had boots, necklace, and I chose a skirt and shirt, but they wouldn't attach. Maybe I'll try again.

The Case of the Wrong Glasses

I was in the office. 'Tyalskye and Pacey Detective Agency' as the sign said outside. Macy was at an appointment somewhere, she left a note for me, she didn't say where.
Helen, our new secretary was typing up reports, absorbed in her task. I was bored. I couldn't settle down to work and started surfing the net. The phone rang. Helen answered it.
"It's for you, it's Macy." She said in her Devonshire accent.
"Celeste, can you do me a favour and pick up some glasses please.
I've got some mates coming over later for some grub.
The shop is in the High Street, it's called ****."
I couldn't hear the word as her mobile cut out and I just got static.

I went down the High Street and found the shop selling glasses. I reckoned she might need 4 wine glasses, especially if she was having people over.

She came in after lunch, knocking herself on some furniture.
"What's wrong? why are you bumping into things?" I asked her with a quizzical look.

"I need me new glasses don't I? I'm glad you could get them for me, they cost quite a bit, it's a posh opticians, innit?"

"Oo er, Macy. I think I've made a mistake." I took a deep breath and tried a winning smile as I explained........

DINNER
Spinach and Ricotta Canelloni with grated Black Bomber Strong Cheddar
A small salad a la moi
Webbs lettuce
onion
capers
red pepper
homemade pickled beetroot
cucumber
with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing

Quiet night. Mr A away, cat on lap. She's scratching, I think that's a bad sign. No pee in house since she's been put out at night. Her new bed is in the lean to, a dry place and you think she'd like it. Fat chance. She prefers to go out still. It cost 15 quid that bed! Still, despite her ornariness, she's a very affectionate puss and my life is richer with her in it.
On the house buying front, our offer has been accepted at last! So, onwards and upwards to a future of home improvements!