Today only comes around once every 4 years. It's the day that traditionally women ask men to marry them. Any woman out there considering this? Just asking.
My car tax is due. I've been meaning to get it all week, you know the score, thinking 'I'll do it tomorrow'. Well, tomorrow is today!
It's raining, and my plans to work in the garden are buggered. There are seedlings that need to be potted on, but I really don't fancy it in this weather. If some of the seedlings were human, they could be supermodels with the 'legs' on them!

Last night I spent most of the evening on the Joox site. Caught up with 'Extras', all the episodes I missed. The buffering took bloody ages though, that was the worst bit. Then, with all the choices, I plumped for Gordon Ramsey's 'Hells Kitchen.' This is where he runs a competition in America for the best chef in a group of about 12. The winner gets their own restaurant. Anyhoo, he yells and swears at them if they get anything wrong. Poor sods, they can't answer back and just say 'yes chef!' I found it fascinating to watch, and have to say that his style does get people doing the best they can and improving their skills through intimidation. Ramsey is a perfectionist and at the top of his game, though a bully of the highest order.
Then when I went to watch the next episode, all of a sudden this box came up saying I couldn't connect to the site, so I don't know what's happening. I'm still online but can't get the programmes to show. Ah well, I guess it's the universe telling me to get on with something practical, like going and getting the car tax, or washing up.

I'm enjoying Christopher Brookmyres book, 'All fun and games till somebody loses an eye'. An author I've only recently started reading. He writes really well and the stories are fun to read with a lot of detail in there. Some sentences are very well crafted and thought out, being plopped in the middle of a paragraph like glittering jewels in a bowl of tapioca.

Blimey, the wind is getting up now. I can hear it whirling around and see the branches of the trees bending and swaying to the invisible pusher. As this is a wooden house, the outside noises are quite clearly heard on the inside. I like it that way I have to say, bit like riding a bike rather than driving a car, you are more connected to what is around you.

Ok, enough waffling on. Mr A is due back tonight, so I want him to come home to an orderly house and an empty sink and surfaces in the kitchen. Coming home to a cosy house after being away for a week working, will keep him sweet and easy to live with. So really, it is down to selfish motives!

Menu of the Day still yet to be decided, but you can bet that the Walnut Dream Ice Cream will be on there.

LAST NIGHTS DINNER

Cous cous
Artichoke Hearts
Green Salad
Avocado and Prawn Salad
Tzatziki

Walnut Dream Ice Cream

Bit of a cop out for dinner, as the only fresh ingredient I used was the avocado. A light meal which left me wanting another meal later. Just put it down to laziness.

I've got my first WRVS job next monday. First I'll be shadowing a volunteer around, seeing where they go and what you have to do then I'll be let loose on the general public.

My grandaughter, Eve, told me about this online site called 'Joox'. She might as well as given me tickets to a ball that lasts forever in the lounge of t.v. replays. A great big long list of shows that can be seen, all the shows I've missed that I can now watch. There just isn't enough time to watch them all. So yesterday I watched the 'Ramseys Kitchen Nightmares' all evening. Hence the light supper. I found it really interesting watching how he would turn around a restaurant that was loosing money and help get it back on its feet. Some of the people he helped didn't have a clue about food. One guy had an 'authentic Italian' restaurant and used frozen ingredients, using very little fresh food and hardly anything Italian on the menu. Anyway, it was a good nights viewing. I turned on the real t.v. for Torchwood, then went back to watch Gordon till the early hours. Fascinating viewing!

Today, it's the turn of Dr Who. All those episodes that I missed during the series I can catch up with now. I had to download this Divx programme that took ages to download and probably used up most of my hard drive, but I've now got a great picture to watch.

Meanwhile, I heard this knocking noise earlier, it sounded like someone on the drums. I thought 'who else would be practicing on a drum kit around here, apart from Mr A?' Turns out it was woodpeckers knocking on trees! I realised it after a while as I'd heard it before. They tap so fast, it's amazing to hear.

It's the eloquent and elegant Hektor Hamulec's birthday today, so many happy returns to our blogger who has the most eccentric style of writing.

Time is passing, so I'm watching just one more tv show before I go shopping.........
Curses to Joox!

DINNER LAST NIGHT
Potato Wedges with Chilli n Cheese
Salad on the side

Yes! I went back to my old haunt, the pub with homemade delicious food - for £2.75 a big plateful!
Yes! I was even better than I remembered, the last time I ate there must have been about 3 months ago. I've been sidetracked to the new Sushi Bar, but I came back to the pub grub, and boy! am I glad I did.
I ate it all, then felt extrememly full. I had to undo a button when it came to singing rehersal later. Now I know why they say no heavy meals before singing!
A good practice though, and we feel more ready for the performance on 5th March, at the Dylan Thomas Theatre in Swansea.

Mr A is away this week, no, not with the fairies, with his work! Don't know what prompted me to say that last sentence, but once down, I try to just carry on writing, to be true to the creative 'write as I think it' sort of thing.
The lovely Brenda said about getting ex battery hens when I was telling the girls about us getting chickens next week. That's a thought. They need about 2 weeks to settle in. Apparently, they can drown in the water if you put a bowl down for them as they are not used to it. Poor things! I imagine they would come almost ready plucked, tatty and no self esteem whatsoever, so it will be a challenge to get them laying fit and happy. Haven't told Mr A the latest plan yet, but I'm sure that he'd go along with it. I also want a couple of bantam hens because of the lovely colour feathers, and they are tiny and cute.

I shall be making chicken soup with Sunday's roast soon. I advise anyone else who has a carcass of chicken to do the same. It is so easy! Just bung it in a big pan with some onions, veg of choice and sit on the stove and wait for the delicious smell to waft round the house. I then take the body of it out and sift out all the bones, skin and fatty bits so it's just chicken in the soup. Easy peasy with a slotted spoon and a knife, though you could use any cutlery really to do it.

A quiet house today compared to yesterday when I had all 3 grandaughters for a visit. We acted out Cinderella. When I asked who was going to be Buttons, they all looked at me and asked 'who is Buttons?' Apparently in the dvd and video of the story, there is no Buttons! Shock, horror! So I made a 2p bet that there was indeed a character called Buttons in the story and he was Cinderella's friend. So we looked it up online in Wikipedia, and sure enough, Buttons was mentioned as being in the story as Cinderella's friend. Thank you, and hand over that 2p!

I've have found a really absorbing game on 'Addictive Games'. It is called 'Filler' and I advise anyone to have a go and see if they can stay away from the game for any length of time! I'll see if I can put a link here. Just a mo.....

http://www.addictinggames.com/filler.html

Just like that!
Enjoy!!

GODDESS NEST

A gentle cooing from a hawthorne hedge,
made me look, made me peek.
What I found struck me dumb.
my voice disappeared,
I could not speak.

A Goddess nest sat unconcerned
amid the colours that spring had turned.
The golden sun shone beams of light
upon this magical, amazing sight.

In minature, a goddess lay
within a bowl of moss and hay.
I could not see where softness started
as form and shape held love delighted.

She held my eyes with a smile so sweet,
I felt enveloped, nurtured, complete.
With arms wide open she welcomed me in,
dissolved, melted, I was reborn, again.

A. Harwood 19.2.08.

It's Chicken Run Day!
Yup, in slightly anxious expectation of next week's arrivals from the chicken world, we are due to build and it's bloody raining. My part of the job is painting the hut, which I can do in the greenhouse at a pinch. It started raining the minute Mr A went out of the house with the words 'just going outside to do some odds and sods.'
Splat! The sound of the rain on the roof of the leanto started immediately.

Got some bread on the go in the breadmaker, listening to 'Just a Minute', yup, feels like a sunday. However, we are going to have some company before too long. Our neighbour is arriving back from the Czeck Republic and going off to work with Mr A first thing in the morning. Mr A is picking him up from the train station shortly, then I guess he will come back here as his house will be cold and damp.

I'm not feeling particularly sociable, so I may repair to the other room.......

Menu of the Day is:
Roast Chicken
Roast Potatoes
Broccoli
Carrots
Gravy from Heaven

Walnut Dream Ice Cream

Yesterday's Menu of the Day gave details of the pizza brought in from Morrisons (no, I don't work for them).
I misread the ingredients and wrote;
'Cotton Ham.'
It should have read;
'Cotto Ham.'

I think it might be an Italian Ham.
Still, Cotton Ham gave me a chance to make some truly dreadful puns to Purple Dragon and Lindow who were among a few who asked what it was.

This public announcement was brought to you by avrilo's speedy express apology network. A non-prophet making charity that addresses the cotton-ups that occasionally appear on this blog.

I maybe perfect, but my fingers' aren't. Erm....neither is my brain....or ..(form an orderly queue here of imperfections spotted).

Menu of the Day later. Here's a clue:
It may contain spices from India......

DINNER
Cotton Ham and Pepperoni Pizza
Salad a la Moi

Mr A picked up a pizza on his way home from working away for the week. Originally he was going to be back much later and I was going to cook myself some fish and cheese cakes which he definitely didn't fancy.
I've been printing up my poems today, there are 12 of them that I need to choose from for the gig in March.
So here's another one, not sure if I've posted it before but now I've started tagging posts I'm a bit more suss about it all!

POEM POWER - SEND IN THE GUERILLAGRAM POETS
Page against the machine.
Text your M.P.
Omitting volwels
and punctuation.

Overthrow by email.
Spam the man!
A pox on your faxes!
This is a good day to rhyme.

A.H. Sept. 07

I. You have to look up page 123 in the nearest book to you.
II. Look for the fifth sentence.
III. Then post the three sentences that follow the fifth sentence
IV. Tag five people to do the same.

Mark Twain. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mr A is reading it at the mo. I've yet to select my next book as just finished one.

'Once there was a thick fog, and the rafts and things that went by was beating tin pans so the steamboats wouldn't run over them. A scow or a raft went by so close we could hear them talking and cussing and laughing - heard them plain; but we couldn't see no sign of them; it made you feel crawly, it was like spirits carrying on that way, in the air. Jim said he believed it was spirits, but I says;
'No, spirits wouldn't say, 'dern the dern fog.''

I tag: Going Somewhere, Juzzy, jackfrost, sallyontour, eggbod

Menu of the Day written earlier. Yes. 2 posts in one day.

BLUEBELLS

A walk in the woods
at bluebell time,
lifts the spirit,
the colours, sublime.

A carpet of blue
covers the floor,
each archway through trees,
a magical door.

If colour were sound,
fairyfolk would sing blue.
Sweet golden star music
shimmering heaven into view.

Beneath the bowing boughs,
the trees are listening too.
This canopy spread lightly,
the Guardians of the Blue.

A.H. 20.2.08

THE GODDESS NEST

A gentle cooing from a hawthorne hedge,
made me look, made me peek.
What I found, struck me dumb.
My voice disappeared,
I could not speak.

A Goddess nest sat unconcerned,
amid the colours that spring had turned.
The golden sun shone beams of light
upon this magical, amazing sight.

In minature, a Goddess lay,
within a bowl of moss and hay.
I could not see where softness started,
as form and shape held love delighted.

She held my eyes with a smile so sweet,
I felt enveloped, nurtured, complete.
With arms wide open, she welcomed me in.
Dissolved and melted, reborn,
without sin.

A.H. 19.2.08

DINNER
Fresh Plaice and Chips from the village chip shop.

Walnut Dream Ice Cream

Hurrah! New stocks of Walnut Dream have come into Morrisons after a barren few weeks.
This'll be a quick post as tv is good viewing tonight.

I have a choice of poems to recite at the gig, any feedback would be welcome, bearing in mind I'm a sensitive soul and any criticism would totally devastate me, in fact I'd probably give up writing altogether, stop shaving my legs, let myself go and end up a bag lady.......

DINNER
Chicken Soup from Sunday's Roast
Organic Spinach Pasta Twirls

Morrisons ordinary Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream. Still no Walnut Dream in stock!

Mr A is away this week, working in Dring. That town name is a bit naff! Apologies is anyone coming from that area is offended.

Liberty (3) came for a visit today and for some reason we got talking about the Queen. I had to explain that she lived in a palace in London and her name was Elizabeth. I also told her about the Crown Jewels being in the Tower of London, and what they consisted of, (a very sketchy list of crowns, golden sticks with jewels in.)
So we did a little impro. First, I was the guard, in the room with the Crown Jewels, which in fact were blue glass marbles sitting in a dish in a box. The box got covered with the upside down lid of the box so they were hidden. Liberty was the queen, paying a visit. She asked how the queen talked and I gave an impersination (?) of 'My husband and I' sort of voice.
So she came in, very regally, and I curtseyed to her saying 'welcome your majesty. Do you want to see the Crown Jewels?'
I then lifted the lid of the box to reveal the jewels in all their blue glass glory.
'I hope nobody steals them.' She said, giving the plot away in the first sentence. We counted them to make sure, and there were 24 of them.
I then said suddenly,
'What's that outside of the window? and quickly pocketed a couple of the jewels while she looked away.
Not the most smoothest of moves I must admit, but I think I got away with it.
'We had better make sure all the jewels are still there' I said, otherwise all my efforts would go unnoticed. So I counted them out. There were only 22 jewels in the box.

'Someone has stolen some of the Crown Jewels!' I cried.
At that, Liberty seemed to lose interest and I carried on, acting my socks off to try and keep her involved, but I was losing her. I could see that her attention had drifted elsewhere.
So the impro sort of ended up in chat. The thief didn't get any commupence (lovely word). I would have expected to at least get imprisoned in the tower......

We had a lovely sing last night. Brenda couldn't make it so we couldn't go through the set, instead, a friend of us all was visiting and so we sang with her. She leads a few choirs and is a dynamic teacher, we have learnt many songs with her and all the parts. She uses a tuning fork to find the starting note of a song which I find quite endearing. We use one of those little blow boxes, choosing the right note to blow. She can work out the right note from the tuning fork, even if it's not the right note. Pitch perfect.
She was saying that her and her partner have recently put a bath outside the house. So they can sit in warm water under the stars with a kettle to hand for top ups. That sounds so romantic! They have done up a ruin in Wales and made it into a lovely home, doing most of the work themselves.

Had some Sushi before rehersal. I got cooked salmon with salad in Teriyaki sauce. Very tasty and well cooked. I also got the 'Californian Sushi' which is avocado, cucumber and various other things wrapped up in seaweed and rice. Most of their dishes come with washabi, a firey hot horseradish and soy sauce. The soy sauce comes in tiny plastic fishes. Not good for the planet but very cute.
So I sat in my car eating Sushi and listening to 'Just a Minute' on the radio. Times like that I feel quite happy......

I have a gig on 5th March, with Scarabella and also a solo set. I've said I'll sing some songs and recite some of my poems. I've never read my poems out loud in front of people before! Mr A has heard them and is most encouraging which is good as he always speaks his mind. In the past he has criticised songs of mine, if he thinks it could be improved or changed to be better, so if something passes the Mr A test, then I'm pretty sure others will like it. A harsh judge - Simon Cowell could take lessons!
I thought that a poem is really a song without music, and I could use a song of mine and just recite it if I think it's good enough. Funny, but I feel more nervous about talking then I do about singing...

Nowt much on tv tonight that I fancy, so I may just read my Christopher Brookmyre novel and maybe some surfing on the internet. Got a proper rehersal with Scarabella tomorrow, so may not be able to blog as I'll be 'on the hoof', though if I'm early I can always use Carol's computer.
Surely you all know Carol? She teaches yoga, sings bass parts and is a total star at being a friend.
Her dad died recently, that is why we haven't come together to reherse for a few weeks.
The good news is that he died at home with his family and managed to do things that he wanted before he got too weak. This included going to a musical in the West End, and going to a football game to see his favourite team.

DINNER
Roast Free Range Chicken
Roast Potatoes
Carrots
Cauliflower

We are getting some new born chicks next week. They will be in a box with an infra red light to keep them warm for about a month before going out into their run in the garden. I don't know if foxes and cats will be able to read the signs I shall be putting up saying
'Strictly No Admittance if You Have 4 Legs!'

The wedding reception was great actually. It was held in a huge barn that had been decorated completely inside with draped material covering the walls and ceiling. A hot air blower on one side of the barn kept that side warm. The bar was on the other side of the barn, so you only went over there when you really wanted a drink! The bride looked lovely in a pearl encrusted bodice on the dress, which had a small trail and she look fantastic! There was a ceildh band at first with a caller. Mr A wanted a dance so we twirled around and 'promenaded' along.
Then it was 'change partners' time. I dread these moments, as usually I get an over enthusiastic bloke who twirls me round like we are at a figure skating championship where the woman skater's feet leave the ice and she is spun round holding the hands of her partner.
I was right, a very bouncy young man did twirl me round and when it came to change partners again, I exited stage left quickly heading towards the warm side of the barn.

Then the band came on. The story behind their performance was that the lead singer couldn't make it as he had 'girlfriend problems' whatever that means....so the 2 band members left, the drummer and guitarist, found 2 local lads who filled in. They rehersed that day and did a good set of covers with great vocals and got lots of people up and dancing. They did 'Yellow', 'Brick in the Wall', a Fleetwood Mac song and a few other well known ones. No I didn't get up and dance, I have to really like the music and feel that the rhythmn calls to me before I get up and strutt my funky stuff. They did a U2 song really well, and a couple right up front were acting out the words and being very dramatic with extreme posturing, it was really funny to watch.

Mr A got a load more seeds today, so it's been a day of transplanting seeds into bigger pots and new seeds going into the propagator. Another lovely sunny day after a very cold evening and frost first thing. Not that I was up first thing. I like to get up in time for the Archers, shuffle around in pj's and dressing gown till Desert Island Discs with a cup or two of coffee. They had a Nobel Prize winner on today's programme. As you can imagine his choice was mostly classical, but he had a Tommy Steel song, 'Singing the Blues' in. It's the most cheerful blues song I've ever heard, complete with whistling.

Reading a new author, Christopher Brookmyre, a bit similar to John Le Carre, but funnier.

I've thought of 2 jokes about smoking.
'My mother died from smoking. She lit a cigarette whilst she was driving and crashed her car.'
Erm,.maybe that could be labelled sick humour. And..
'It's easy to give up smoking, I know, I've given up loads of times.'

Latest news is..........we are both back on the fags. Moods have been lifted, coughs are back, purses are emptier and yes, we both feel a bit shite about it.
The only way it's going to work is if I give up first, then I know Mr A will follow...
So, sleeves rolled up.
It may be a hard week coming up..........

MEAL BETWEEN LUNCH AND SUPPER
Pizza with Salami

We are going out to a wedding reception, so hopefully there will be some grub there. We are going later as Mr A wants to watch the Arsenal/Man United match first.
He has carved a lovely Love Spoon out of sycamore for the happy couple. It is based on one that Mr A's mother gave us when we got married, made locally. I did offer to do some carving, but the offer was declined, "I don't want it to get messed up" was the reply to my kind offer.
Moi? Messing things up? Surely not! Just because I've never carved anything in my life before......
In our house we don't bother with trying to soften the blows of hard opinions, which is actually what I prefer. The truth can be a bit upsetting at times, but better than deception any day.

Of course there may be no food left by the time we get there...so a chip stop may be in order. There are some good bands on, so an evening of strutting stuff and jiggling wiggling hips is in order.
A heavy frost has been forecast so it's going to get really cold tonight, which I shall bear in mind on the dressing up front.

Picked out seedlings of basil and dahlias today into bigger pots. They are all looking good and healthy and there are still loads of seedlings left. One job I hate is having to get rid of extra surplus seedlings. Throwing them away after nurturing and sewing them seems a bit, well, barbaric.
I'm not that sensitive - honest, but when it comes to little growing things, struggling to make their way, well, it's a bit of a soft spot in my hard armor, or is that amour?

Been watching Amy Winehouse videos on utube, hearing some songs that I hadn't heard before. When she's good, she's very very good, but when she's stoned, she's still alright, but a bit slurred and not quite as precise as she could be.
Also on utube there were videos' headed 'very good singer' and amazing singer' which I couldn't resist a peek at. I think they could be prosecuted for inaccurate descriptions, misleading the public into thinking that they are good singers indeed! One video, entitled 'I know an amazing singer', consisted of the person videoing trying to persuade her friend (her amazing singing friend), to sing. It took up most of the time, so in the end we got a few snatches of her singing in a bit of a weedy voice something in Spanish. I think I know what Mr Cowell would say to these deluded people.
Whoops! Don't know why I'm being quite so bitchy, as I'm a regular kitten normally, all fluff and no substance.......

Still enjoying American Idol, some of the singers have fantastic voices. There's a rock n roll nurse who rides a big motorbike and sings just like Janis Joplin. Don't think she'll win though as she doesn't seem versatile enough. She's good at r n r, but she'd sound like Bonnie Tyler with a ballad. Still, Bonnie hasn't done so bad for a girl from the Valleys......
Favourite singer is the Aussie guy who sung 'Bohemian Rhapsody' perfectly! He's good looking too!

DINNER
Welsh Lamb Chops
Cauliflower
Maris Piper Potatoes

It's been a cold day, so no salad tonight, just hot warming chops n veg.

Mr A has been out in the field all day working. He said he hasn't shed a jacket or hat all day. The gig he played at last night went well, there were 6 bands on in all. I didn't go in the end with him as I knew it was going to be a lot of hanging around and I just wasn't in the mood.

Liberty came for a visit today. She helped me light the woodburner by scrunching up the newspapers. We then played marbles. I got a really good score oddly enough, I bowled the marbles with my left hand (I'm right handed) which struck the other marbles better.
I asked her what she wanted to see on the computer for a change, as we never look at it. She said 'Engie Bengie' so I googled it and went to utube to see a host of different people sitting in those toy cars you put money in, and they bounce about a bit. I guess it was under Engie Bengie because they had used his
car, a bit like postman Pat's car you see outside supermarkets. It was utterly boring. Why people would put a video of themselves bouncing in a toy car on utube defeats me. They don't sing, dance or do anything talented or interesting. Anyway, it's a big world and I'm sure everyone gets accommodated in the end mix.

Watching American Idol. Some really good singers on there who could easily pack a stadium with their talent. Saw 'Ashes to Ashes' last night, the follow on series from 'Life on Mars' if you know it. It was good, great acting, script and done well. There's a twist in this series, not your normal common all garden drama. No. A touch of the fantasty or science fiction thrown in.

Actually, the bread isn't quite done yet, though the smell permutates throughout the house. A gorgeous sunny day!
Liberty (3) came for a visit earlier for 15 minutes in which I made up a story for her. Here is a brief summary of it. It's loosely based on the story of Rapunzel.

There was a young princess who was locked up in a castle who had very long hair. She had pizza delivered through a flap in her door and had her own bathroom. Anyway, a prince, who was called Prince Oojidoo was passing and heard her singing 'Twinkle twinkle little star.'
He started to harmonize with her like this (yes, I did) and thought what a lovely voice to come from a tall tower.
She leaned out of the window and saw him, telling her how she was trapped in a room. While she was talking some of her hair fell down and reached the ground, so Prince Oojidoo asked her to let it all down and he would climb up it and rescue her by knocking down the door. So she did and he did.

They got on Dobbin, his horse and he asked the princess where she like to go. She said 'the beach.'
So they went to the beach and luckily had their swimming costumes on underneath their clothes and so went swimming.
Then there were some grey shapes and a noise like 'doo da doo da'. (Sharks, Liberty squealed at this point.)
So they ran out of the water onto the beach. The tide was coming in though and bringing the shark nearer and nearer. They climbed on some rocks but the sea was still coming in.
Prince Oojidoo made a bow from some wood he found and one of Princess Rapunzel's hairs to string a bow. He had some pizza left, so he put some on the arrow and fired it out to sea. The shark followed it, so they managed to escape.

He then asked her where else she like to go, and she said 'the zoo!'
So off they went on Dobbin, like this (bouncing up and down making clickity clack noises.) They came to the zoo and Princess Rapunzel wanted to see the parrots because she liked birds.
They came to a parrot's cage and there was a colourful parrot in it who had red wings and a green chest with yellow on his head.
'Hello my beauty' (said in a Cornish accent, well over the top), the parrot said.
'I know where there is buried treasure.' Yes! The parrot was a keeper of a great secret, the hiding place of a box of buried treasure.
Now, there were some bad men who also heard this, in fact they had been waiting for the parrot to give up his secret as they wanted to find the treasure.
As they came to rush the Prince and Princess, the Prince drew his sword and fought them off. He was so good that they ran away.

Princess Rapunzel talked lovingly to the parrot and he told them where the treasure was buried.
Do you know that it was under a rock on the beach where they had just come from?

So, they got back on Dobbin and went back to the beach and found the rock that the parrot described and dug it up.
They had nearly finished digging it up when they heard:
'Doo daa doo daa..' it was the shark! He was back!
The prince quickly strung his bow and stuck some pizza on the end of the arrow and fired it out to sea. The shark followed it and they managed to dig up the treasure box.

They ran up the rocks away from the sea and opened the box. It was full of gold and jewels.
'We shall use this to feed the poor people who do not have enough food. This treasure is to be used by the people and shared by those who really need it.' So said Prince Oojidoo.

So they lived happily ever after, and kept the parrot, but took him out of his cage and used one of Rapunzels hair's as a lead, with one end tied around his leg.

Tagged by NotBob
by sallyontour @ 13/02/2008 - 14:43:27
a. list seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself
b. tag seven people to do the same
c. do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag "whoever wants to do it"

Ok, here goes, a quick list without thinking about it at all.

1. I like to dip salt n vinegar crisps in tzatzuki (yoghurt with mint)
2. I can sing overtones, making 2 notes at the same time
3. I regularly say 'rest in peace' to my ancestors
4. I often find myself with my shoulders hunched and immediately straighten my back till the next time
5. I talk to the stars, the shining ones in the sky if I can see them
6. I have a bowl of stones that I think of as family
7. I like to play with my hair by digging it into my nails.

I tag:
Lindow
Going Somewhere
jackfrost
Draculass
Emsbabee
Moltspace
RunDontWalk
Right! That's that!

DINNER
Roasted Sheesh Kebabs
Roasted Green Peppers
Baked Halloumi Cheese
Basmati Rice
Aubergine Casserole
Salad a la Moi

A bit of a Meditteranean dish tonight, as it's Valentine's Eve. The Halloumi was cooked for too long and had the consistency of cardboard, otherwise it was very tasty. I've been adding sweet red grapes cut in half to the salads recently, which I find really adds a nice flavour.

How fortunate am I, to have a red rose brought home by Mr A this evening on his return from work for a Valentine gift. He also bought a bottle of white wine that he proceeded to neck, minus half a glass, which accounts for why he is in bed now, fast asleep....

I had 2 little angels wearing cloche hats and psychodelic dresses to visit this afternoon. Holly (4) and Liberty (3) came for a play, both looking cute as cutie pies. I'd brought a toy, which is a gun that fires wheels that whizz up into the air after turning them whilst in place. Needless to say, all the whizzing wheels are now lost in a hedge that overlooks the road...Still, it was fun while it lasted. We played with Thomas the Tank Engine game, which is a track with some carriages, one even has a battery. Then a favourite game, hide n seek, I was an observer and asked 'where did she go?' which made it a very quick game.

Mr A is sticking to his guns with not smoking, while I managed to cut down to about 5 today. I just can't seem to reach that last goal, the one where I don't smoke at all. I'm following advice given about not quitting until I really want to and am ready.

Apparently we are going to a wedding this saturday. I vaguely remember talking about it then promptly forgot as the couple aren't close friends. So I'll have to start sorting out what I'm going to wear, as it's a work collegue of Mr A's and I don't want to let the side down by turning up as a bag lady....
I straightened my hair today, which I haven't done for a few weeks. It felt good to make an effort, and even Mr A said I looked 'posh.' The hairstyle is a Chrissie Hyndes one.

Torchwood was quite good tonight, but comparing it with Dr Who makes it seem quite dull. The inventive storylines and sparkling dialogue, as well as the superb acting in Dr Who is special and Torchwood just isn't in the same league. Still, it's ok, a lot better than most of the programmes on the box.

Reading Jonathan Kellerman, 'Gone', his latest book. It's very readable, and I've just got a little bit left for tonight. I'd better close this post now before I start getting maudlin, mentioning about fabric softeners and their permitating scents....(is there such a word as permitating or am I making it up?

DINNER
Chicken Soup made from Sunday's Roast with added Celery, Potatoes, Onions, Watercress
Homemade Bread, Warm and Fresh from the Breadmaker

Walnut Dream Icecream

With a generous helping of ground black pepper and the watercress, this was quite a peppery tasting soup. It always tastes good for you though, as has been scientifically proven. Home made chicken soup helps to prevent colds was the headlining news article I read. So it must be true.

Another blistering warm day. Liberty (3) came for a visit and helped me to sew some seeds. In went Basil, Dill, Marigolds and Asters. She helped me by putting 'mud' into the seed boxes and carefully putting 4 seeds into each little compartment. For a 3 yr old she managed to stay focussed and sew the seeds properly without acting up, so she must be interested which I'm pleased about. We had a pleasant afternoon playing with 'frog.' This is a paperweight from my sister living in Oz. A multi coloured frog filled with sand and very long legs so it will stay where it is placed. She enjoyed playing with it so much she asked Mr A (it was a present to him) if she could borrow it. When he asked for how long, she said a day. We shall see if she remembers to return it.

Spent about 15 minutes throwing a stick for Rocket, the little corgi/alsatian dog who lives with my son. She absolutely loves fetching sticks and tears over the ground with leaps and bounds rarely failing to return it. She cheats though and starts to run before I actually throw it. Sometimes when she does that, I just wait to see what she will do. She races up the bank, stops, and looks around. I know that sometimes she finds it by smell, as it has been hidden, but she still finds it. She is a cute friendly dog who is very obedient. When it was time for her to go home, she would respond to me saying 'go home' and trot up the steps to my son's house.

Come 6 o'clock, it's time to put the tv on for Judge Judy. Watching the people that take each other to court always makes me feel better about myself and my relationships with friends and family. Most of the cases are families who have a falling out, usually about money and end up seeming to hate each other. Actually I have been in a similar situation 2 years ago and it was awful while it lasted. Thankfully it isn't a problem anymore, and relations have been healed. Still, Judge Judy doesn't suffer any fools, or liars and yells quite a lot at them and is one of the bossiest people on tv. She's on ITV2, worth a watch for the novelty value of her putting some wisearse in their place.

Mr A has a gig on Valentines Day and asked me to come along. They are only playing for half an hour, so it'll be a rare evening out in a pub for us. Well, I couldn't refuse could I?
He has spent the day sawing wood to make into shelves from trees felled in the woods next door. I still find him a bit unfamiliar with his ultra short hair. He hasn't shaved for a couple or three days and his stubble is longer than his hair! It's the escaped convict look.....
He is doing well on the not smoking front. So am I, though have had some roll-ups today, it's a tiny amount compared to last week when I started cutting down. Hopefully it will grind to a halt and the desire to smoke at all will go. He did say that he was having weird dreams and felt a bit shite first thing this morning.
He seems to have cheered up as the day has progressed, so hurray for him and hurrah for me!

DINNER
Scampi
Oven Chips
Salad a la Moi

Quick n easy, even the salad.
On the smoking front, gave in and bought a packet of 10 fags...my resolve is getting stronger though, and Mr A is finding it hard too, but sticking to it.

Painted the multi-paned door today, a very fiddly job but very satisfying, a 2 tone green is now in that corner of the room.
Watching the Grammy's. What a load of shite! Tina Turner has been the best so far and Amy Winehouse, our own British songbird has got 2 awards, but can't be there. A lot of the artistes I haven't heard before and don't think much of them I have to say. But then I was brought up with some amazing singers and bands and have been spoiled...

Mr A was really knackered tonight, he forgot to eat lunch he was so busy. So he is in bed now, after feeding him up tonight I hope he feels better tomorrow. Also the quitting fags isn't helping him to maintain his usual high spirits.

I've started putting tags at the end of posts now, just sussed out how to do it, I never thought of doing it before and it's hard to pick out one subject from a myriad of different ones, but I'll give it a go...

Its late, I haven't the inspiration to write about anything interesting, so I'll say goodnight. At least I managed to post something!

DINNER
Morrisons Best Pizza with Chorizo and Ham. Added Capers, More Cheese.
Salad a la Moi with Red Grapes and Celery added

Very nice Pizza. It has a thin crust which is the canines genetalia when it comes to being just right.

Mr A put a new (second hand) door onto the kitchen leading into the front room. It has 15 panes of glass, so lets a lot of light through. As you regular readers may remember, I bought a load of brass knobs and handles from Crazy Macs for £2 a pair - a bargain I couldn't resist!
So, this new door has a brass knob on the front room side and a brass handle on the other side, as there isn't the room to put your hand in next to it as it is too close to the wall.
Anyway, I never thought I could get so emotional about a brass knob, but it brings tears of joy to my eyes. Well, exaggerating a bit, but feeling well pleased. (I'll just get me anorak.)....

What a lovely day today! The sun shone hard and people were walking around with a smile and a t shirt.
I weeded the flower garden, mercilessly pulling up bulbs of montbreecia and transplanting a sage plant. The sage was planted too close to the oregano, and has become enmeshed and entangled. Some of you may think that it was mean of me to separate them after they've enjoyed such a close relationship for quite a while now, but I thought that they would both prefer more space. They can still see each other, and smell each others' scents, but aren't crowded in any more. The oregano I gave a radical haircut to. It is looking neat and short now.

Mr A has given up smoking for 2 days now. He is being very good, using the nicotine inhaler when the need becomes and urge and using patches. I have managed to cut right down, and the house is smoke free, which both of us prefer anyway. No ashtrays as they have been cleaned and tidied away. I didn't buy tobacco today, just a small packet of cigarettes with the thought that once they run out then that's it, I'm not going to buy any more. It does help that Mr A has stopped, and I can't smoke in front of him, so we both have a chance this time of sticking to it.

He spent this afternoon chopping off branches on a very high ash tree that is growing in front of my son's house, just above us. Then he cut down the whole tree. It overhung both of our gardens and needed to go. The feeling I got when I saw him up the top of the tree sawing away at the branches was like my stomach in my mouth! He used a ladder to get up to a height, then scaled the rest up to the top. He likes climbing trees, something he has done most of his life. I guess that makes him a Tom Boy boy. He's watching footie at the moment, as I've absolutely no interest at all in it, it's a good time to blog.

My grandaughter, Eve (11) is performing tomorrow for a Chinese New Year celebration. She juggles with Poi, which are like balls on chains which she whizzes around her body at lightening speed. She will progress onto using fire poi in time, she certainly has the knack.

Looking at the sky tonight was amazing! The stars are really sparkling.
Sirius, the brightest star in the sky was directly opposite me, shining with a powerful light. It is the star that is 8 o'clock from Orions Belt.
Looking at the stars made me think that maybe everybody who has lived becomes a star when they die. As the universe is expanding, there is plenty of room. A star that is visible from earth, especially a shining bright one, could be a soul that lived an honoured life. Don't ask about the asteroid belt!
Well, it's a thought innit?

DINNER
Tortilla - Stuffed Omlette with Fried Potatoes, Onions, Red Pepper, Garlic
Salad a la Moi

Walnut Dream Ice Cream

Still couldn't see any Walnut Dream Ice Cream in Morrisons, so - I went right down to the bottom of the freezer and found one box at the bottom of the pile! Success! I don't care if other shoppers thought I was potty by seeing my legs sticking out of the freezer as I got 'eaten up' by it!

Mr A has given up smoking, keeping busy and smoke free today. It made me cut right down on smoking so nipped out the back door (though it's at the front of the house) for the very occasional puff. He's on the patches and inhalers which seem to be helping so far.

I've decided to cut back the marjoram, or oregano, whatever, as it has grown so much it is overtaking other parts of the garden. In fact there's loads to do in the front garden, which is my patch. I pulled up loads of Montbreecias, those lovely orange trumpet flowers, as they do take over the garden. I need to visit a garden centre and get some new plants to go in. I've sewn some lettuces which are being spoilt at the moment, being moved around the house to catch the sun and be in the warm.

There is one day left on the scooter that I've got my eye on. It is old but been looked after really well and kept in a garage. Mr A thinks it is the dogs testicles...and says if I don't get it them he might. We shall see if the bidding stays low enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCujGd9rJM8

With a nod to jackfrost who first posted this video. I love it!
The dancers are all deaf, which makes it even more fascinating.

DINNER
Last night.
Shepherds Pie
Brussel Sprouts from Garden

Morrisons inferior Vanilla and Chocolate Ice cream. Not half as good as Walnut Dream which was sold out.

The day is creeping away and I've done nowt, 'cept read and eat so far, oh yes, and blog.
The daily chores I have to do are, restocking the firewood, filling the coal skuttle, emptying the ash tray from the Rayburn. That's minimum, then fresh food from the shops not forgetting Mr A's beer. He has run out of homebrew so drinking Morrisons Finest Bitter at the mo. He's definitely worth it!

Missed Torchwood last night as Mr A watched footie, and it was on later on BBC3. Come 11pm though, I wasn't that bothered about seeing it and went to bed. Dr Who is far superior in plot lines and script, so a missed episode is not going to impinge on my life.....

I'm on Chris Stewart's second book 'Almond Blossom Appreciation Society.' They are a nice read, entertaining and I always like to find a new author that I haven't read before. The detail of life in Andalucia is charming, makes you feel like you live there as well. The downside of life is the hassel of flies in the summer, oh and the heat.

Tonight's rehersal of the blossoming band is cancelled, so I don't have to hoover up just yet........it was going to be here, drums, guitar and keyboards for a change rather than trecking to Swansea.

Hope you enjoyed the hand jive!

DINNER
Chicken soup made with leftover Roast Chicken from Sunday with Celery, Carrots, Shallots from Garden, Potatoes, Cauliflower from Sunday

Salad a la Moi with Feta Cheese, Olives, Tomatoes and Red Grapes

Morrisons Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream

Mr A put a handful of frozen peas into his soup, saying he wanted something green in there.
It was a delicious soup, and felt very nourishing. I did read that homemade chicken soup was proven to help recover from colds and flu....

Still looking at motor scooters. I have one in mind, but I don't think it will go fast enough for me. Shame. As I might be travelling to Swansea, a round trip of about 45 miles, I don't want it to take forever at 45 mph! I think one with a top speed of 65mph would suit me. Also, I've yet to get the helmet, lock, gloves etc. Apparently you can't ride a bike till you take a days training, so I'll have to do that. Mr A wants to take the CBT test too, so we'll do it together as he wants to get a bike for travelling to Cardiff which is a long way from here, so it'll have to be a fast bike.

Been on the licorice sweets again. They are addictive, as it's hard to stop at just one, or two! Run out of Walnut Dream Ice Cream again and had some other Morrisons one, vanilla with chocolate, which is basically what the Walnut Dream one is, but doesn't taste anything as nice as the Walnut Dream. Latest food craving is Salt n Vinegar crisps with Tzatziki dip. MMmmm, yummy!

Reading 'Driving Over Lemons' by Chris Stewart, who retired as the drummer for Genesis at 17. Basically it's about him and his missus upping sticks and buying a run down farm in Andalucia. It's a very enjoyable read, charming and full of detail about the local neighbours and way of life in a remote farming community. A bit of a change from the last book I read by Paul Doherty set in the 1500's about a man who is a spy chief for King Edward and also a detective. I enjoyed reading the detail of what daily life was like so long ago. Keeping warm was a big factor, before central heating they had huge fireplaces that sent most of the heat up the chimney. I'm so glad I'm not living in those times of having to get up in a freezing room, no hot water and having to get a fire going before having a cup of tea.
Yes, we have lot to be grateful for living in these luxurious times with home comforts so readily available. I know in some countries this isn't the case, but all I can do is compare to my life, not someone elses.
Anyhoo, it's a total different read, each one has given me a different feeling, though I can't identify the feelings.

I bought 8 packets of flower seeds, they were 4 packets for £2. Mr A has sewn 7 of them in the propagator already. I've left the Night Scented Stock (my faves) till a later planting straight into the tub. Yes, it's that time of year to be sorting out the seeds and getting them shoved into some earth!

Mr A is in his office, I've just asked him what he's doing and he said 'on the internet, looking at climbing equipment.'
This is slightly worrying, as I've never known him to use any equipment to climb anything before. Apart from when he went caving in Australia that is. He is going to go again later this year as part of a geological survey team, exploring caves in the Nulibor Desert - one of the most remote places on earth.
He has been clearing out old L.P's and put a pile of them in my room for me to chuck or keep of mine. I know some I'll never listen to, mainly classical ones. I'm loathe to chuck my String Band albums though as they are a reminder of a magical and romantic time of my life. If I was computer literate I would refer you to a previous post of mine detailing the romance I had at that time, and how I fell instantly for someone, and how it was reciprocated....

I'm rambling now, time to move on and read some blogs...