Wednesday 8 June 2016

Wednesday this and that . . .

  


It was a scorcher again yesterday . . .  well, maybe not quite as hot as the day before, but certainly more humid.   I don't mind it being sunny and warm, but I am not a huge fan of high humidity.  Perhaps its the Canadian in me but when it gets really damp and sticky, I feel all washed out with no energy to do much of anything . . .

There was no District Meeting yesterday morning so I took advantage of the break to go and pick up a few groceries.  We have some people coming over today for a late lunch/early supper and the Zone Leaders were coming to help Todd in the garden, so I wanted to get a treat in for the boys ie.  something tall and cold to drink and a few bits for today . . .

 

Grocery shopping is one of my favourite things to do.  Todd kinda hates it, but that's okay he always goes off with his book and has a drink while he is waiting for me to finish, and to be honest, I prefer it that way.   The few times I have allowed him to accompany me around the aisle I hated it.   He was second guessing everything I put into the card.  Did I really need that, etc.  Its much better if we separate from each other during the shop and come back together only after I have paid for everything.  He's always really annoying at the tils also because it always inevitably comes to more than he thinks it should and I get a lecture on how much food we have at home and how we could eat for years on what we have there.

Truth is we could not eat for years on it,  and what I actually have at home is just ingredients.  Things you might use to make other things.  You would still need fresh things to go with it, like meat and fruit and veg.   When I went home to be with my mom during her cancer ordeal, he decimated my store cupboard and wore out the can opener.  There is lots of different jams and honey, tinned tomatoes and beans, tuna, soup, corned beef, etc. that type of thing.  But I wouldn't want to live on just those things day in and day out.   I mean . . .  you could, I suppose . . .  but it would get really boring really fast.

I reckon he was eating very boring whilst I was away.

 

It took me a bit longer yesterday because once again they have switched all the aisles around and I spent most of the time running up and down them looking for what I wanted.  Inevitably I did find them, but it took much longer than I had planned.  I know there is a reasoning behind why they do that.   It means that people spend more time in the shop and buy things that they normally wouldn't have seen if everything had been where its always been.

Now, I am trying to think if I did that yesterday . . . .  hmmm . . . I think I did, and so . . . .  it works.  

  

You're going to laugh when you see this, but this is what we ended up having for our dinner yesterday.  Fish cakes and beans.  I know  . . .  after going on about Todd eating from tins while I was away, I resorted to frozen fish cakes and tinned beans yesterday for our dinner.  What.  A.   Hypocrite.   Right?

They were good and it filled that gap, but it wasn't what I would call gourmet dining.   lol   Interestingly enough though, Todd really enjoyed it.   By the time I had everything put away it was getting late and I was tired and hot and didn't feel like doing much of anything, so fishcakes and beans was what we had.

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The lads came over to help in the garden.   They were spreading out soil over what used to be the pond.  Tedious and dirty work.  One Elder was from Brazil and the other was from Tonga, so they were used to hot weather and it didn't bother them too much, plus I had some nice chilled drinks for them and ice creams for afterwards.  Magnum bars.   They enjoyed.   I got to learn a bit more about them and they us.   The Tongan one won't normally be here within our Ward boundaries, but it was an exchange day yesterday.   He was visiting from another area.   Apparently they eat dog in Tonga.  I had to cover Mitzie's ears when he said that.  It totally grossed me out.  I don't think I could ever, ever eat a dog  . . . or a cat, for that matter.

But people do.

 

Can you imagine???   Never  . . .  never in a million years.    She enjoyed having the lads here however.   She was totally oblivious to the thought that one of them was probably looking at her like she was lunch.  Perish the thought.

 

The Lavender is blooming again!  Oh, I love my lavender.   We don't have as much of it here as we used to have down at Oak Cottage, but its lovely all the same, and it smells really nice and . . .  the bees love it.

 

All of the fledglings are out and about now.  I was watching a group of Magpie Fledglings on the roofs across the way from us yesterday.  They were quite fascinating to watch.  I reckon they had just learned to fly.  They were swooping at each other and at times looked to be bickering.  It was quite interesting.  They are horrible birds really  . . . stealing other birds eggs and such . . .  but it was something I had never seen before, this interaction with each other.

 

Our roses have aphids . . .  we need to get some spray.  Or some lady bugs . . .  they love aphids, but looking at the infestation, we have quite a few so it would take a ton of ladybugs.   Best to get the spray.


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But the wild flowers are being just gorgeous . . . .  don't you just love wildflowers?   Its hit and miss what you end up with when you plant wildflowers.  This time we got lucky.

 

We watched a film last night we had downloaded from Sky Anytime Movies called Ricki and the Flash.  I hadn't heard of it before, but it had Meryl Streep in it and so on the strength of that we went with it.  We usually like her films and we liked this one too.
 
Meryl Streep plays rock and roller Ricki Rendazzo, an absentee mother venturing back into the fold when her daughter Julie (Streep’s real life daughter Mamie Gummer) becomes suicidal over her marriage breaking up unexpectedly. Kevin Kline, is her straight arrow ex Pete, who has moved on to find a loving wife for himself and devoted mother for his children in Maureen, played by Broadway star Audra McDonald. Ricki tries to set things right, with the help of Flash’s guitarist Greg, portrayed by real-life rocker Rick Springfield, whom she treats horribly onstage despite his love for her.

 

It was really quite enjoyable.  There was no swearing, no sex and no violence.  Lots of good music and a fabulous "Feel Good" ending.  I recommend!

And with that I will leave you with a thought for today   . . .

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A picture one today  . . .

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Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Egg Roll Stir Fry.   Different and delicious.

 Have a great Wednesday!  Wherever you go and whatever you do, be happy!  Don't forget!

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 And I do too!


11 comments:

  1. Hi Marie
    Here's me doing my once in a blue moon comment....I do read you every day though and your posts are always interesting with great recipes. :o) I just wanted to suggest that you spray your aphids with soapy water...that should get rid of them. If I pick flowers from the garden I always swish them in some soapy water to rid them of any bugs before I put them in the vase indoors.

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  2. Thanks so much Sandie! That's a great tip! I wil tell Todd! xoxo

    PS - Nice to see a comment from you! Hope you are well!

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  3. Good morning Marie. I am trying to reduce the stores within the household. I am beginning to see a little difference in the fridge and freezer. We do have a lot of stuff. I so understand the scratch meal at the end of the day. Tonight it was BLTs around here. I made mine with so much sinful bacon! I do think the best trick is to allow Todd a special treat and a book.

    The garden photos are lovely. I especially love the wild flowers. How I would love an English cottage garden. enjoy the summer flowers for me. I can imagine the boys hard at work in the yard. They probably did not mind the humidity.

    Today I brought home my new glasses. The reading glasses are lovely and what a difference the driving glasses make.

    God bless you all.

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  4. Ah Marie, my bete noire - couples who shop together! Taking up twice the sp ace. When my late husband used to shop with me, I made a list, tore it in half, and sent him off to do his own thing. We met at the checkout, and it worked. I think all supermarkets should create an incentive to LEAVE YOUR PARTNER IN THE CAR! Rant over. xx

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  5. I do have a time of it when they change things around at the grocery store and it seems to take twice as long to shop. I don't like hot humid weather either and try to stay where it's cool. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.

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  6. Good morning Marie, you sound like when grocery shopping...Marie I too love Meryl if you go on FB look at what's trending! She dressed up as Trump she looked amazing...not saying he is???
    I will try to find you on FB....
    Marie we spoke about forgiving, how can we forgive but we forget...this hurt is too deep.
    Have yourself a great day! 🌺








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  7. Suzan, I am so glad that you are happy with your glasses! Your BLT's sound delicious! I cannot imagine living in your humidity! xoxo

    Haha Bunny, I love what you said about couples shopping together. Love the idea about the car! I am all for that! xoxo

    Thanks Shortybear! xoxo

    Do you think it is our ages Pam? Might could be. I hope you have a lovely Wednesday also. xoxo

    I am MarieAliceJoanVilleneuveRayner on facebook Unknown. But you need to let me know who you are when you add me as a friend because I don't add people I don't know. There are so many scammers out there today! Forgetting is the difficult part of forgiveness and something which I struggle with. I am getting better at forgetting. Truth is that the evil doers are not bothered at all, or even seeking forgiveness because they don't think they have done anything wrong. Me being unable to forgive and even forget still gives them power over me. Forgiveness is an exercise I do for myself. Love and hugs! xoxo

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  8. O.K. Marie I fully understand your concern and your right!

    You always make sense thank you! 🌹🌸

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  9. I am pleased that you got your shopping done...alone ....I rarely do much shopping these days walking round is to much and when I do go to TESCO I am usually in my wheelchair and Mary is with me I have to point out everything and she has to try to reach them etc everything takes double the tiime.....I am so pleased to have Peter who gets most everything I need and we have a good butcher in the village for fresh, and our local garage is best place for fresh Vegs....We have had another lovely hot day but like you I am no good with the humidity...it's only now in the evening that I can enjoy sitting out....Glad that Todd got the help he needed in the garden....and that you got to feed the helpers LOL...I think there is very little you enjoy more than feeding people !....enjoy tomorrow what ever you get up to doing...another nice day is forecast. Xxx

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  10. Sybil you are lucky to have a local garage with freah veg! You are right! I love feeding people! It's clouded over here now! And a tad bit cooler! Xoxo

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