December ... ing
With end of term approaching fast, I am slowing down and finally have some headspace to think. Last week, I ran a practical parasitology week for 75 students coming from all over the world. It was on the whole a fun affair but I haven't felt quite so exhausted for a long time... I have no photographs at all that would document life lately. The only new photo on my phone is the above of a squashed male mosquito seen down the eyepiece of a microscope (taken last week during the session all about medically relevant arthropods). Being able to determine the sex of mosquitoes and sandflies is not my most practical life skill but once a year or so it comes in handy.
Baking a continental cheese cake. It was loved by some and not so much by others. It was light and fluffy.
Hoping to make my own peanut butter (I have a bag of peanuts that needs using up)
Cycling through rain and wind. It takes almost as long to put on waterproofs and high visibility vests and mount all the lights as it takes to actually cycle to work.
Loving my new waterproof down filled mittens, they keep my Raynoud's syndrome under control. Now I just need something similar for my feet....
Finishing my Ice Cream Soda quilt top (more on that another time)
Planning a baking morning. I find it most relaxing to make Swiss Christmas cookies at this time of year. They make good presents, too.
Listening to the second book in the Inspector Gamache crime series by Louise Penny. I am undecided yet, wondering if this series might be a Canadian version of Midsomer Murders.
Snuggling up with Alistair who is finding it difficult to settle at night.
Thinking of Annie who is not feeling well and is worrying about her prelim exams. She is the hardest working of my children and gets really stressed if her learning schedule is messed up by illness or other unexpected events
Looking forward to dinner at No Sixteen with Richard to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary.
Admiring Alistair's resourcefulness. The other day he was unable to get into the house after school because Richard and I misunderstood each other and nobody was home. I know, the shame of it. Alistair climbed over the fence and entered the house through the (big) cat flap, Houdini style. His older siblings found him 30 minutes later, happily playing.
Running with Jack. He has more stamina than I but gets more easily distracted. I guess my nose is further of the ground!
Eating a fish finger sandwich for my lunch. With mayonnaise of course.
Ordering food online. So much easier at this time of year when people fight over the last pack of cocktail sausages and fresh cranberries up and down the aisles.
Not jumping on the bandwagon that is the Great British Christmas madness.
How is life at your end? I hope all is well. Thanks for visiting xx
Having read or listened too all of the Inspector Gamache series, I don't see any resemblance to Midsomer, which I also enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI would have found your course interesting - maybe I could have added one more nationality.
ReplyDeleteMy seat is free on the bandwagon as well - can't be doing with it! I found the photo very interesting, I am glad you are on the wind down. It is a bit manic at school so I will be pleased to break up for a rest. Jo x
ReplyDeleteAlso not doing the festive madness thing. I will take a slice of that cheesecake though. I keep seeing Louise Penny books, but haven't picked one up yet. I shall wait for your verdict. Bertie would not manage running, he very much likes to smell EVERYTHING along the way. His friend has done a half marathon though and is very focused. We know our limitations. I love Alistair's resourcefulness, the image of him squeezing through the cat flap made me smile. I hope Annie is all better soon and that her exam preparations go according to plan. CJ xx
ReplyDeletePleased to hear that your mittens are helping with the Raynouds. Did you buy them on-line? if so, I would be grateful for the link. Susan
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. The mittens are The North Face Summit Belay Mitts. I bought them in a local mountaineering shop but you can find them online, too.
DeleteHeheee I laughed picturing Alistair entering through the cat flap. He is a smart boy.
ReplyDeleteGood for Alistair being clever enough to get himself into the house! As a latchkey kid I know what it's like to come home to an empty house.
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*H*A*P*P*Y* * *H*O*L*I*D*A*Y*S*!*!*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Stick with Gamache - so much more than Midsomer Murders!
ReplyDeleteKeep up with the Louise Penny series, I think you will love them as you get to know the characters. Snuggling up with a little boy sounds lovely.
ReplyDeleteOoh I'm going to look up Swiss Christmas cookies! The mozzy pic is fab, I think that is a skill you should shout more loudly about :o). Glad to hear about the running and yes to not jumping on the massive Christmas bandwagon either. Simple all the way I say xx
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm impressed that you're cycling in the rain. The mittens sound excellent. I have been walking on the snow covered ground, up at the cabin. Sometimes you need an umbrella. It feels healthy to get outdoors and exercise in the fresh air.
ReplyDeleteIt's too hot to be festive here (40 Celsius again today), so I'm with you on the hiatus from the Christmas madness. We've decided to do the basics and then just loll about trying to find a cool spot. Love Alistair's resourcefulness! xx Susan
ReplyDeleteI'm very impressed by Alistair's resourcefulness. I hope Annie feels better soon x
ReplyDeleteI have never read any of Louis Penny;s Inspector Gamache series, but my husband did and enjoyed them for the most part, but eventually tired of them. I do enjoy Midsomer Murders but can't compare them. The cheesecake sounded wonderfully delicious to me. I too am trying not to get caught up in holiday madness.
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