Struggling with the positivity!

Today I had a job to fine something to write in my daily positivity journal, was on a fairly rare negative day. The X-ray result was apparently normal, so no further forward there. Decided last night to go back to serious exercising, so have made the leg ache more. I went down the road early to get a card and send it as I almost overlooked a birthday on 4th August. Then I did walk up to Freeport, but didn’t paint, did make a template for one of the coasters before I walked home a well. Got some twinges in my foot and ankle, definitely falling apart!

I called in to see Sher and she made me a cuppa and we had a chat, we always manage to have a laugh and my mood really lifted. She let me borrow a little plant to bring home to sketch.

I visited Sarah and David this evening, they are off on another trip on Friday.

Just two photos, one of the coaster and one of the sketch, and that’s it for today.

Too hot to bother

Bank and shops fairly early today, Carol wa coming in the afternoon to cut my hair. Got a load of washing done including bedding and it dried nicely outside today. I did a bit more sorting in the kitchen and think I may make another two small Christmas cakes with the ingredients that are left, may hve to top up a couple of things.

I have done a bit more reading and have been sorting cards as August is a heavy birthday month for me,m

Carol came round and cut my hair which I am pleased with as usual. After tea I went out and hosed the garden, first time I have used it for a while nd a few plants were beginning to wilt.

A plant that I have had for years, but just didn’t get new leaves I took from the pot weeks ago and decided to try hydroponics. Still nothing doing for a while but now it has two new leaves and I think a couple more starting to shoot.mI changed the water and washed the roots yesterday.

Some pics from the garden. Although getting very weedy the plants are doing well.

Will finish with a Google photos memory.

Day trip to Mirfield

This morning we set off just after nine, that was Tina, Rosie, Hattie and me. It was a reasonable drive and we went to a service before lunch. After that Tina  had a meeting so the rest of us went for a wander. Rosie and Hattie went to explore and I had taken my sketch book at Tina’s suggestion. The first sketch was a sideways view of the crucifixion in a wooded area, so a challenge, but I drew it from where there was a bench in the shade!

I went back into the beautiful church as I thought the glass doors and the new altar were fabulous.

I went back to the house to join the others to have tea and biscuits with the monks. Charlie, one of the monks does some amazing origami. I bought one of the shells.

Tina and the girls went to evensong and I finished off my second sketch. Haven’t done a pen one for a while.

We had tea at IKEA and then made our way home. Will finish with the best pic I could get of the sky!

Boot sale and more cakes!

I was up at six to get todays Christmas cakes underway before we headed off to the boot sale. Two cakes in the oven and we set off. Very busy today and very hot. I got a lovely little sign for a pound and as this is the year I am endeavouring to be upbeat whatever comes along it seems appropriate.

I think I mentioned that my shopping trolley is splitting, and once you start sticking plastic it doesn’t usually end well! I have been thinking of getting another one and I spotted a nice looking one as we started out but walked on. Before we left we went back to the stall and asked house much it’s was. He said a fiver and that it hadn’t been used, I really like the design so think I got myself a bargain.

I got on with getting the next two cakes ready so that they could go in when the first two came out. The last two I made in the new square tins and one had to be dairy free for my niece and the other one vegan for a friend! So I had to use egg replacement for the first time, ground flax seed and. water!

Pics of them still in the tins and turned out. They look okay but the proof of the pudding is in the eating! The vegan one is to the left, and they are both clearly marked now they are coo and wrapped.

The vegan one is to the right. That is thirteen cakes made in the last three days, and the tins are packed away again now.

I felt more inclined to get on today so I got tidying in the kitchen and sorted some stuff to go to the charity shop. Also got the left over ingredients into containers. I should explain that last night I went back to sleeping on the recliner after a terrible week on the bed. Obviously not ideal, but I did keep better so felt a bit livelier today.

I watched bits of the Grand Prix and Olympics now and again while clearing and getting dinner. Went out and watered the trees after dinner before coning upstairs to relax and have my feet up. Took a pic of the hollyhocks whilst in the garden.

Enjoying McDonLd and Dodds now.

Cakes and grass!

It has been a full day, but not in the least exciting! I was up early as I was uncomfortable in bed so got on with getting cakes into the oven. Because I got them cooking early I managed a couple more cooking sessions and have six cakes today cooked and wrapped. While the third batch as cooking I went out and mowed the front lawn, really didn’t feel like it but it is supposed to get hotter over the next few days and it has been over a week since I cut it.

The possibility of a shower didn’t materialise so have been out to water the bonsai trees and to up the bird baths.

I have got the ingredients ready for the last four cakes tomorrow and have lined two of the tins. I ordered to small square tins so that the dairy free and vegan cakes are different! The tins have arrived but want to get my feet up so will line them tomorrow.

Haven’t taken any photos today but will do one of a piece I bought to pint at the pottery on Wednesday. Another one they didn’t want me to do as a sample as they only have three, but I think I can have fun with it.

We plan to go to the boot sale tomorrow so ai will get up early and get the first two cakes ready to go on the oven before we leave.

Enjoying a bit of the Olympics now.

Not so green man!

This morning I got on with the cakes quite early and got them into the over before gong to see Bel. I went to the local shops to try and get some more mixing bowls with lids and small square cake tins, but no success. I had a message from Caroline at the pottery to say my ‘green man’ was ready for collection. Tina needed some bits from Tesco and I was happy to go there as we had money off coupons, so after the cakes were out she took me and we went up to Freeport as well. I got some really nice, colourful mixing bowls and some other bits and Tina got what she needed.

At the pottery I got to see my not so green man, and two of the recent samples I have painted. I am pleased with them all but delighted with the man.

This little monster is tiny and soo cute.

I decided against the traditional red spots!

And just so pleased with out he turned out. 

Turned the cakes out to finish cooling when we got back.

I have spent this evening preparing for cooking five cakes tomorrow.

Shattered now, won’t be late to bed again!

Upsetting news

When Tina was at morning prayer she got a message to say one of the church wardens was very poorly, she is Angela who is my friend and we often go out on trips. It sounded very serious, and we have had news that she is holding her own but nowhere near out of the woods. So this set us both off on a fretful day. I did do an hour or so clearing along the drive this morning, and still reading the book for a while so that I am finished before it is due back at the library. After lunch I went to be back up at a wedding rehearsal, and another one this evening!

We had a wander round the garden, lovely gladioli has now opened, and I cut a few sweet peas so my room smells lovely!

Before going to the church this evening and when we got back I have started preparing for making the first three cakes. Lined the tins, and now have the fruit soaking overnight.

So now it begins!!

Feeling shattered, so off to bed shortly.

Studio and Filey bird park

I had a bad night and the knee was painful today, but I set off to walk up to Freeport. I painted a pair of cuddling sloths today, wasn’t that keen when Rob suggested it but actually quit enjoyed painting it in the end.

Tina came to collect me at one and we went to a garden centre for lunch and then set of for Filey bird park. We haven’t been for a while but we really love the place. No more chatting, a selection of photos to finish.