Friday round-up of thoughts and happenings

Today, I am bringing you a selection this weeks happenings, and some thoughts. On a personal level, the week has been uneventful and peaceful although of course I do feel rattled by the U.S. elections and the impact it will have on the rest of world. So I'll start with my thoughts on that topic before moving on to lighter and more cheerful things.

:: The president elect. The United States have elected their president. A man with no political experience, a poor grasp of foreign policy and a mouth that talks before he thinks. I am not surprised but disappointed nonetheless. For the president of the United States is a person of great importance not just in the United States. Time will tell how many of his frightful election promises he is able to turn into reality. I know many Americans that are utterly devastated about the outcome of their elections, some here, some there. I have a feeling that many more will be disappointed later. Already I read statements such as 'it is time to accept and move on'. I disagree. Lets not move on and pretend all is in order just yet, lets think about why the people have chosen a man who displays behaviour you would never accept in your own children. We need to continue to fight ignorance, racism and misogyny. Not just in the United States but everywhere. There is more than enough of all that in our post Brexit Britain, too. We need  to think, to speak out, to act, to contradict, to protest, to lead by example, to lead the way away from small mindedness. On to more domestic things now.



:: Quince. I brought these home from Turkey. I was hoping to wait until our new kitchen is fitted to make quince jelly but the fruit started to show first signs of decay and immediate action was required. The quince were picked ripe and ripe fruit is unfortunately not ideal for long term storage. Did you know that quince are eaten just like pears and apples in climates where they actually ripen fully?  I stewed the cut fruit gently in a little water. Then I searched for my nifty straining thingy in the kitchen boxes around the house for a while. Making jelly on a camping cooker didn't appeal and I froze to juice. The stewed fruit went through the moulis and is also awaiting processing in the freezer. Something to look forward to!




:: Kitchen. This is ours, currently in the guest bedroom. You can see the slats of the upright daybed on the right... Meals are simple, dinners are eaten from paper plates. Water comes from the bathroom, which has been re-assigned the function of temporary wash-up facilities.

:: Dust. There is a lot of it in my house. I don't seem to be able to get it off my hands and I can feel it in my lungs. We keep all doors closed and have washed the floors every single day this week to prevent further spread of the desert. So much dust. The good news is that all walls that need to come down have come down. There is no further destruction scheduled and I am exited about the next phase of the build. Already I can see it is going to be fabulous.



:: Hats. I made this one and a green one last year but the dog chewed off the pompons. He probably thought it was a furry creature, possibly a native haggis. It didn't seem worthwhile starting new skeins just to make pompons so I went to my leftover Noro Kureyon bag for inspiration. This I keep to repair my two blankets made from this yarn, should they be damaged. I rather like the colourful pompons and James and Alistair are delighted with their 'new' hats.

:: Knitting. I have not done enough of this lately. I went to knit night last night. This is a regular highlight in my life but I haven't been for a long time for one reason or the other. So long in fat that I didn't know one of my friends had moved house and started a new job... I am feeling a little bit ashamed. It was such a relaxing evening! I promised myself to not miss the next knit night. I pretended to knit socks (I did about four rounds).

:: School performance. I went to see Alistair's assembly performance about the history of Guy Fawkes night and firework safety. It was a week late and not great. In fact, it was downright tedious. The finale, a rap was the most entertaining part. I remember only one line: .... don't put fireworks in your pockets, underpants weren't made for rockets. The children enjoyed their performance and I was happy that I managed my time well and could go. It means a lot to the children. And it means a lot to me that I can show my support.




:: Skies. These have been stunning lately. Photos never quite do the glory justice. I took photos of buildings illuminated by the morning sun instead. There is beauty where we least expect it.

:: Snow. Yes, snow. We've had a brief interlude of typical November weather on Tuesday. In the evening, snow was falling fast and thick. There was still the thinnest of layers left in the morning but now this first snow is just a memory. I am hoping for lots of snow this year, enough to go sledging and make snow angels at the very least. There is something immensely cheerful about making snow angels.

:: Cake. There was cake at work every single day of the week. I am no longer able to close the zipper of my jeans and even my feet feel fat.

With this, I am wishing you a lovely weekend. I hope the thought of my fat feet is not keeping you awake. Thank you for stopping by and reading my ramblings, I love to see you here. If you are new here, I am glad you found my space. I look forward to getting to know you all. xx



Comments

  1. Oh the delights of a camping kitchen. I'm impressed you got round to stewing the quince. What do you do with the fruit after stewing? Good luck with the knitting. I'm very much looking forward to seeing all your new building works. Sounds like things are moving along well. Have a chilled weekend and I don't mean the snowy sort :) B xx

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  2. My sympathies to you for your extended time without a kitchen. We moved to a home in 2002 that needed extensive renovations, including a totally new kitchen. I had to use the bathtub as a sink for a couple of months, and like you meals were kept to the basics. The end result was worth it, but I've also vowed Never Again. Lucky you to have already had some snow. We are having a very wet and very warm autumn so far. It has been so warm that I haven't been able to wear any of my handknit sweaters yet.

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  3. I didn't vote for Trump, but I understand why many were willing to ignore what an awful person he was and vote for him anyway. They have long felt ignored by Washington and they knew that with Hillary it would stay that way. Is he going to be an awful President? I don't know, I'm hoping that the more sensible members of Congress will keep him from doing most of the things he's threatened to do, time will tell.
    I can't image going so long without a kitchen and there's just the 2 of us here. Hope they finish before Christmas.

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  4. I am impressed that you didn't waste the quince and used that little gas stove, The skies have been amazing here too this week, although we didn't get the snow which was predicted. Talk of your fat feet made me smile Christina I have started to gain a few pounds too cake/pie are a little too tempting. I am going to have to watch my diet for a few weeks so that I can go all out and over indulge at Christmas. Hopefully you will have a functional kitchen by then or have plans to go away.

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  5. That kitchen set up is no joke - I did that with toddlers and it was not fun. But you have to do it to get to the end result. I am not knitting much either, I subbed out the sleeves on a cardigan to my mum this week and she came back with two finished in 4 days!! Jo x

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  6. Hey Christina,
    A lovely weekly round up. Those high rises reflected in sunshine is stunning.
    Leanne xx

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  7. Those quince look amazing; I hope you get your new kitchen soon. As for the election, our media and Hollywood is extremely biased. And yet, America voted and who elected Trump? White, hispanic, and African Americans who work and live in economically deppressed "blue" states like Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. They need good paying jobs to support their families and the Democrats never delivered on this. Remember, the President needs the congress and senate to do anything. He's not a dictator. I voted for Trump because I am tired of the propoganda that is fed to me everyday. And, I want Americans to have a decent life. Again, the media is making a huge thing of this. President Obama was extremely gracious inviting Trump to the White House and it was a most gracious meeting between the two. I have faith in our country and we can all work together for the good of man kind. My best to you dear friend, Pat xx

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  8. Such a lovely catch-up post, Christina. I agree wholeheartedly with your first point (in fact have something very similar in a draft post myself!). I am SO impressed that you have prepared your quinces for freezing in your temporary kitchen. Much respect my friend. I shudder at the memory of our kitchen extension build. I'm excited for you and your new kitchen. Love the high-rise photos - stunning - and the pom-poms. Have a super-duper weekend. Sam x

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  9. I agree with every word you say about the president elect. Well said. Glad to hear your kitchen is coming on apace. I sympathise about the dust, I remember it well. When we had a loft conversion done I swear it was moving through closed doors. Wishing you and yours a good weekend. CJ xx

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  10. Christina, you are my hero for speaking out about our situation over here. I loved catching up with you, my heart has not been into blogging but feel better just visiting you here my friend.

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  11. You're right, we need to keep speaking up especially for those whose voices will most likely be smaller after the result of this election. I'm excited to see your new knitchen finished and well done for managing with the one you have at the moment. Hope you get more knitting time soon. Love that 'new' pom pom hat. Have a lovely weekend! x

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  12. I completely echo your thoughts on the U.S. Election. I've not written anything because I couldn't find the words but you have done just that. The kitchen will be worth it in the end. I look back and wonder how we coped just cooking with a microwave for weeks. Have a good weekend Christina xx

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  13. Well said Christina, we should not shut up and move on, we all have to fight for a better world, not one full of hate and prejudice. I love the photos of the sun on the buildings, beauty is out there, everywhere.

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  14. I like the colourful pompoms on the hats it is a design feature, I'm sure your kitchen will be wonderful it will all be worth it. I am not thrilled by the idea of snow unless I get the day off work, otherwise it is just a pain trying to get there. Have a good week. xx

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  15. Considering you are in a house makeover mess I can't believe you have got so much done!
    Amen to all of your opening paragraph, you're in Scotland right? I'm not always a massive fan of your Nicola Sturgeon (she's just too neat and tidy for me and I do realise that doesn't really make sense!) , but I always admire her "say it as it is" approach. I think she has spoken SO well on the whole USA post election issues. I guess we have to all hope for and work towards a return to more inclusive and less divisive times soon.

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  16. Never a dull moment in your house, Christina! You do take everything that life throws at you so beautifully in your stride. I reckon a pompom eating dog, decaying quince, culinary delights created in the spare room through a haze of dust merits a more than the "uneventful and peaceful" intro - a delightful under statement if ever there was one! You are a complete saint, take the rest of the year off for good behaviour!
    Hugs
    Wren x

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  17. well said Christina, we shouldn't just accept and move on, we should learn from what went wrong......

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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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