Sunday evening catch-up

Another busy week! This week has been much less stressful though, which was nice. I survived my first week at work, which was also nice. I settled in well and have met most people. I actually knew many of my new colleagues before. I learnt plenty of new things, none of which I shall list because it is such a specialised work that it would sound like gobbledegook, or like showing off. My work pattern works well around the children. The little ones go to breakfast club, the big ones walk the puppy before school. I go to work for about 8:15 am, which is how I like it. Richard comes home at about 11 am to play with Jack and walk him, too. Then I am back at about 2 pm, say hello to the Jack and walk him to school. The remainder of the day is just as it was before, so far anyway.

I don't have time to go for my usual jogs around the block but I am cycling to work, which is a good replacement. Easier on my ankle, which has been giving me grief ever since I fell down the stairs two years ago. Ahh the joys of an aging body! Here some photos I took on my way to work. Isn't it beautiful? I might have to take the long way around the woods once it gets dark in the mornings because there are a few water-filled man-sized holes along the path, where once big large trees stood. These have been uprooted a few years ago in a great big storm and are left to decay naturally. Richard fell in one of the holes one winter and is now equipped with super strong lights. I am too much of a chicken and will go the extra half a mile to avoid such bad luck!




We spent Bonfire Night at our next door neighbours. This is a tradition I cherish very much. There is soup and cake and plenty of leftover Halloween sweeties. There is of course also wine and beer for the grown-ups. There is a joiner in the group of friends and there is always plenty of wood for a great big Bonfire. It is usually set alight immediately after a small fireworks display and lasts for as long as the wood lasts. It was still going strong when I went to bed at 11 pm. I love the smell of burnt wood in my hair!




It looks as if we were living in the middle of nowhere but we don't! We actually live in the middle of Glasgow. Which reminds me that a couple of weeks ago Doris was wondering if the video I posted in the October photo scavenger hunt was taken in our back garden. It wasn't! It was taken during our last camping trip. I meant to reply but forgot!

I received a gigantic package this week. Guess what it contained? Yes, it was my new kitchen gadget, an early Christmas present from my mum. I made scones to test if the machine could rub the butter into the flour as well as I can. I can! I do feel redundant already. I also made pizza dough, which was lovely. I will have to measure the ingredients rather than feeling if it is right, like I do when I hand knead my dough. I have yet to make a Pavlova.


Today Annie and I went to Hobbycraft for an hour of browsing. We went with my lovely friend Christine and her daughter Annie (how much of a coincidence is that?). I always get very exited about visiting Hobbycraft but end up a little disappointed because there is not really what I lust after. Beautiful yarn, fancy washi tape, delicate stamps.... but it is a good place to stock up on useful things like card, glue and embroidery needles. We also got a big bag of clay and a small glue gun. Just because.

And because the house is clean (thank you Richard), I spent the rest of the day planting some tulip bulbs (better late than never), weeding my flower bed and helping Alistair make a "stained glass" tea light for his teacher. I have a large amount of colourful transparent paper that I order here (I have never seen anything similar here in the UK). It is my favourite type of paper ever. The tea light was not quite dry when I took the photo with the candle in but I just couldn't wait. It will be more transparent once it is completely dry.


 


All in all, a successful week. I hope next week will be just as good.

My mum is in hospital to have a knee replacement tomorrow. I'll be a little nervous until I know all went well. Lets keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

And now, if you would excuse me, I need to knit and watch Spaceballs, a long time favourite movie. I found a copy at the Brownies fundraising bonanza yesterday.

Have a lovely week! Cx


Comments

  1. Sounds like a good week. I'm glad the new job goes well, and I hope your mum's knee replacement all goes smoothly too. I love the tea light holder, it looks great!

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  2. That's a busy week, I'm glad you're enjoying the new job. I love the tea light holder, what a good idea. Best wishes to your mum for her operation. And I hope you have a lovely week. CJ xx

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  3. The tea light holder is fabulous - I love the colours. Is the paper just a little thicker than normal tissue paper - is that why you like it? I hope all goes well for your Mum tomorrow.

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  4. Beautiful candle holder. Very best wishes to your mum with her knee replacement. I worked in orthopaedics in the Royal Infirmary (Glasgow) for many years, and nursed lots of people through knee replacement surgery. It's tough afterwards getting the new knee bending and straightening, but if your mum can stick with the exercises she should get such relief from pain and her mobility back too. Best wishes to her, and to you, you will be anxious until you hear all us well. Glad to hear your job is enjoyable and you have settled in quickly X

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  5. sounds like a busy week, glad work is going well, and love the candle holder, oh so pretty indeed xxx

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  6. I'm glad the new job is going well, hope your mum's operation goes well and that she recovers quickly and with minimal pain and discomfort. What super craft paper, I've saved that link! The candle holder is beautiful, a lovely piece of work

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  7. The tea light holder is beatuiful. For some reason that paper is called kite paper in the UK if you search for it that are a few places that sell it!

    I do hope your Mum has a successful operation.

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  8. Indeed sounds like a good week. Great your week was good at your new job.

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  9. Sounds like you had a much better week. I'm glad you've settled into work so well already. Cycling to work will be a good replacement for your running but be sure to avoid those large holes! Love the tealight holder - it looks really great.

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  10. Glad you had a good week. Those candle holders are beautiful, I love crafty kids. Jo x

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  11. I hope that all goes well with your Mum's op and that her recovery is quick and good. I am glad that you are enjoying your new job and I hope that this week goes just as well - if not even better!! xx

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  12. Hello Christina! I'm not quite sure how I've arrived here but I'm glad that I did. Love your pictures of the bonfire - it's such a nostalgic time of year for me too. I've got to ask though - what is that kitchen appliance? I'm intrigued by the fact it can rub butter and flour together AND make a pavlova! Lovely to meet you and I look forward to reading some of your older posts x Jane

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  13. So glad the new job is working out well with your schedule. Not an easy task mixing children, work and home all together in one pot. The stained glass candle is a beauty, the teacher is going to love it. Good luck to your Mom!
    Hugs,
    Meredith.

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  14. Glad you're managing to fit exercise in round the new regime. How;s your doggy doing? The tealight holder is fab! it's something my eldest would like to do. You've reminded me, I really need to get my bulbs in too!! have a good week. xx

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  15. Hey Christina,
    Firstly Best Of British to your Mum for her op. I'm sure that all will be well, but totally get your feelings of anxiety. Your week sounds full of fun and busy. Good for you! We haven't had our bonfire party yet, because the weather here has been total crap. Sudden heavy downpours during the day, and ridiculous amounts of rain during the night. I am loving the tea light holder. What a great idea for teacher.
    My bulbs are still in a bag in the utility room. I daren't plant them in all this rain. It's enough to bring up bodies, let alone crocus bulbs.
    Leanne xx

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  16. Sounds like a busy week! Lovely autumnal pics and great tea light holder. Hope your mum's op goes well and that little pup is doing nicely xx

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  17. Pleased you've had a good first week at work Christina. Hope all goes well with your Mum's knee op. And I just love that tea light. What a special present.

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  18. Sounds like a fun busy week :) I love the tea light holders, great idea, I'm sure my girls would love to make something like that, thanks for the idea :)
    Jillxo

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  19. Oops also wanted to say hope your Mums knee op went ok xxx

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  20. A stand mixer with a dough hook? I have a KitchenAid stand mixer which I use for all of my baking, including my bread dough. The stained glass light is a lovely gift and fun to make. My husband rides his bike to school and really enjoys it - he is hardier than I am and braver, since he will be riding home in the dark now.

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  21. Busy you, as usual. Glad you're enjoying your new job. Hope your Mom's surgery goes well.

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  22. I hope all goes well for your mum. I really enjoyed this post, I love to read about the everyday things in someone else's life. That candle holder is beautiful! I love the way it looks. His teacher will adore her gift.

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  23. Fingers crossed all goes well for your mum. And glad to hear that your transition back into work has gone so well.

    Lucky teacher ... what a superb gift :)

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  24. I hope your mum's operation went well, Christina. I love the tea light holder, what pretty colours. xx

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  25. Thanks for answering my question! Don't worry about delay - it's difficult to keep up with comments I find. Great news about the job and I love that tea light.

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  26. Hope the op went well.
    I too love the smell of woodsmoke - it's possibly my favourite aroma of all. And the tealight holder's such a sweet gift, I'm sure it'll be appreciated.
    S x

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  27. I love that you're able to ride your bike to work - what a beautiful path you travel. Hope all went well with your mom. Mothers are a priceless commodity!

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  28. How lovely to be able to cycle to work, I hate having to drive. Lovely photos of the bonfire. Hope all's well with your mum x

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  29. That tea light is so gorgeous! I love it. I am going to buy some coloured tissue paper now...

    I'm really glad your first week at work went well. And I share your feelings about Hobbycraft - it just feels like visiting a huge supermarket. It's well stocked and all very useful and practical, but without the thrill or pleasure of a purchase of gorgeous yarn from my local independent yarn shop. x

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  30. Hi Christina, I'm just about to post about my making of these, inspired by yours and Gillian's at TalesOfAHappyHouse. I'm referencing your post, I hope thats ok :)
    Jillxo

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Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment, I love to hear from you, I really do. I sometimes reply by email but I am not all that reliable... Christina xx

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