Life at the Gables

Totally unable to think of anything to write about this week I took a look through the "Labels" section and came across this post from May 2013.  I might have to do this again soon.  
May 2013Would you like a cuppa?  I've got coffee if you prefer.  So what have you been up too?

Sorry............. Don't go away but something has just come up and I need to pop out for a while.  I'll be a quick as I can :0)

So sorry about that but I forgot I had an appointment at the 'Wax shop' to get my eyebrows done.  Still I'm all done now so have a seat whilst I put the kettle on.

How have you been?  Not too bad?  That's good news.  How are we?  Oh were ticking along as usual. The Teenager is in the middle of his Standard Grade exams and has done 4 with another 4 still to go. I just wish he's do some revision.  Oh you have the same problem.  That makes me feel much better. It's nice to know I'm not the only one talking to myself. Ha ha :0)
John is still lo…

As with all things COVID-19 this year we have had to change our plans for the half term break.We were due to go to York to see our Grandson and family but as we are now in Tier 3 and they are in Tier 2 we can't travel.  We had arranged to stay in a lovely Airbnb in the center of York, as their house isn't big enough for another three adults, but that had to be cancelled.  Our meal out for Ps birthday had to be cancelled too as did our breakfast at "Bill's".

Still all is not lost.  We have a few things to do around the house and garden and we can still walk locally so the week will be full.The garden needs a tidy up and all the plants need cutting back.  The leaves needs picking up and the drive needs cleaning.The kitchen needs painting.  After putting in a new extractor fan there is one wall that needs some TLC. So obviously the whole thing will get painted.Despite painting the kitchen we are making decisions about moving.  Do we need a house this size or should …

New album - check Pages for said album - check Embellishments old and new - check Coloured pens because biro is boring - check Worked out how to print small photos - check
A few months ago I decided to start a weekly diary.  Nothing fancy just a few lines every day, some photos and a few embellishments.  Some times I have a few weeks to catch up on but I'm pleased to say my weekly diary is coming along nicely.

I've been trying to tidy up my photos on the PC.  If I'm honest I'm not having much luck as I keep stopping to trawl through old pictures.Having said that, I thought it would be a good idea for a blog post to find things starting with the letters of the alphabet.  So here goes.The letter A1.  Aiming.  The Young Man at Moy Field & Sports Fair 2009
2.  Alamo.  San Antonio, TX.  2015


3.  Alligator.  Brazo Bend State Park, TX


4.  Apple Blossom.  Our garden, Fochabers, 2012

5.  Airsoft.  Halkyn, North Wales, 2019

6.  Athena Gun Club.  Houston, TX, 2015

10 more questions1.Are you a dog or a cat person?  Definitely a dog person.Dog’s are awesome and when I retire I’ll get another one.













2.  What was your favourite subject in high school? Needlework.Even though my teacher told me “I’d never get into the Royal College of Needlework because she didn’t”.And she told me I sewed the wrong way!!Is there a right or wrong way to sew something?
3. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage in it head on?
Avoid!! Avoid!! Avoid!! 4. If you had more courage, what would you do differently in your life now? I would give up my job, buy a canal boat and live a quiet life somewhere peaceful.

Slimming World Cauliflower Cheese Soup



















I made half the amount and also added a leek.  If you like it spicy you could also add some chilli. It made three portions for me to take to work for lunch.
Serves 4Ingredients:Low-calorie cooking spray 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped½ tsp smoked paprika550g small cauliflower florets800ml vegetable stock10 The Laughing Cow Extra Light Cheese TrianglesSmoked paprika, to serve
Method:1.Spray a large non-stick saucepan with low-calorie cooking spray and heat gently. Add the onion and paprika and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened slightly.2.Add the cauliflower and stock and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes until the cauliflower is just tender. Using a slotted spoon, lift out a few cauliflower florets and set aside to garnish. Stir the cheese triangles into the soup and blend with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth. Season lightly.3.To serve, divide bet…

I haven't done one of these posts in a long time.  
The weekend is supposed to be my time off from working full time during the week.  How come I spent yesterday busier than ever?
1.  I stripped and re-made the bed.

2.  I did the ironing.

3.  I found a cauliflower lurking in the salad drawer and made Slimming World Cauliflower Cheese Soup to take to work.


4.  I tidied out the freezer.  I can now make dinner for a whole week without going to the shop :0)

5.  I hoovered and dusted the living room.

6.  I fought my way through the garden furniture to put the washing in the dryer. How I wish I had a dryer in the house.

7.  I eventually sat down mid afternoon and had a coffee break and a quick round or two on my crochet.

8.  As I was taking a quick break I sat and watched this little fella emptying the nut box on the back wall.

8.  After putting the washing away and making sure we all had clothes for work next week, and whilst hubby was making dinner, I had a little bit of me time and made some …

Back August, when we were still allowed to travel for a day out, the hubby and I ventured about an hour and a half down the road to Stoke on Trent to visit Middleport Pottery.
We first heard about the pottery on the TV show The Great Pottery Throwdown. A show where amature potters compete weekly to become top potter.

It's filmed at Middleport Pottery.  The last working Victorian pottery and home of Burleigh.  Pottery which is decorated by using a technique called tissue transfer printing.

We couldn't do the factory tour as they aren't currently running but we did manage to do the Heritage Tour which was really interesting.





































Originally there were seven kilns, (three biscuit ovens and four kilns for firing pottery that had been glazed).  Only one is still standing today.  This is mainly because it is attached to the main buildings.





































Hubby was fascinated by the engineering behind the steam engine, Duchess which has been fully restored and is set to work using steam once a week.  She …

It's time again for SPSH hosted by Mary Lou at Patio Postcards.A huge thank you to Mary Lou for hosting again this year.I'm a bit late in posting these as time just got away with me last month.  I've managed 19 out of the 20 with one alternate added. You can see all the other finds here.1.  A favourite piece of Jewelry.  My wedding and eternity rings.












4.  A toy you play with.  It's a stress puzzle I bought from a street vendor in Paris in 1995.


















In an attempt to use different photos I have re-done number 9. Something that starts with the initial of your name (first or last) - Elephants at Chester Zoo














10.  Something smaller than a paper clip - The back off my earing.
15.  Something inherited - An Owl.  It's brass, about 2cm tall and I'm not even sure who this came from, but I've had it for a long time.  Since this photo was taken I have at least attempted to clean it up!!

18.  Something that can go in the water. - The Lighthouse at New Brighton (again).  See numbe…

I suddenly felt homesick this week and thought of all the lovely walks we used to take at Millbuies.Here's a reminder of one of those walks.
Millbuies - October 21, 2012 Today the sun came out for the first time all week and in an effort to make the most of it I bundled Mum, the Young Man  and the dog into the car and headed off to Millbuies.

The colours there are amazing just now and the sky was blue.
 This is my favourite shot of the day.
 More colour.  It won't be long before all the leaves have gone.  They were falling like crazy at one point.