thirteen... and a round up of of news












It was James's thirteenth birthday on Saturday. He's been practicing to be a teenager for a while so is all set to go. I expected James to wake up at 5 am but he only emerged from his cave at 8:30. I was grateful for the lie-in after another busy week. James' wish list was sport themed with a sprinkle of gaming. He got a skateboard and new helmet, a pull bar and Annie's "old" weights (she says she needs heavier ones). James likes to be fit. He also got a new Switch game and a joystick so that he can play the flight simulator he was given a while ago. Best of all, an extendable back scratcher. Who doesn't need one of those? I might borrow it. Breakfast was waffles with bacon and maple syrup. James then he took Richard for a bike ride, 26 miles! Apparently James challenged Richard to race every few minutes. Next year, he'll be leading the pack. Later, two friends came over for a BBQ. James' birthday cake was rather fabulous, an ice cream cake made my Annie. It was a sponge cake filled with strawberry ice cream, covered with cream and sprinkles. I was skeptical when plans were discussed but I really enjoyed it. The kids spent the evening at the local park, which is now open for children to play.

I slept much longer than planned on Sunday. I wanted to go for an early run, before it got too hot but I didn't wake up until 10 am.... Richard left for a bike ride at 4 am. Insomnia I guess. I felt sufficiently caffeinated by 11 and went out then. My running schedule said long and slow run, which is fine. I always run slowly and take walking breaks when I need to, which was quite a lot today. I managed 8.3 km but it took more than an hour. I am ok with that, the main point is that I am going out and that I am slowly (slowly!) improving my pace and my distance. 

I spent some time gardening in the afternoon. I planted three different salvia plants and something green and frilly that produces yellow flowers. It also stinks of cat urine. I am not sure if a cat peed on it or if that is its scent. The next rain will solve this puzzle. I also cut back the wild marjoram and bundled the stems up to dry. It is quite nice for cooking, less pungent that its cousin oregano but quite similar. It seems to do particularly well here in Glasgow, it pops up all over the place. 

I spent my free time cutting fabric and glue basting for my new EPP quilting project. I have seven blocks cut and basted and I am looking forward to stitching them when we are camping. The temptation to start is high but I shall resist. While I was cutting fabric, I made sure to also cut any small scraps into pieces that can one day be used for a patchwork quilt. I have a small pile of 6 cm squares, one of 3 cm squares and a few strips that are 5 cm wide. Oh the excitement of it all. After a period of not feeling creative I am all of a sudden rearing to go. I have everything I need to sew a skirt but this has to wait until later. 

And yes, our camping trip is now confirmed, we are leaving on Thursday. We got an email with instructions on how to use shared facilities and play areas, and what measures are in place to keep campers as safe as possible. The campsite has been certified by the authorities as having all the necessary infection mitigation measures in place. I think we'll be ok. From what I learned about SARS-CoV-2 transmission (a lot, thanks to work) the highest risk is spending time indoors with potentially infected people. We'll be spending most of our time outside, with the occasional trip to the loo. The prevalence in Scotland is very very low at the moment with 19 new cases reported for the entire of the country and none in the area where we well be travelling to. In total, since March, there have been 299 cases in the NHS Board for the region we are travelling to, which compares favourably to the 4884 cases in our home NHS Greater Glasgow Board. We'll be careful to not mingle in the shower blocks (who would anyway?). I guess when it comes down to it, good hand hygiene is essential, and wearing face coverings when going to the loos. I'll get one of those big squirty hand sanitiser bottles for our camping table. Some pegs to keep masks handy and some Milton tablets to sterilise them as necessary. 

So with a holiday to look forward to, the next three days of marking my students' case studies feels more manageable.... 

Thanks for visiting. Have a lovely week and stay safe, wherever you are. This pandemic is not over yet, not by a long shot and case numbers can increase very quickly if we stop being careful. 



Comments

  1. Happy birthday to James! Annie's cake looks delicious.

    26 miles! That's a LOT. It took me ages to go from 0.25 miles to 4 miles on the exercise bike.:)

    Have a safe and fun camping, Christina!

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  2. Happy Birthday to your wonderful son James, wasn't he just 3 or 4? Sounds like he had a wonderful day. Have a lovely trip camping, really I hope you are bug free, have gorgeous weather and are able to relax. We had 15,300 new positive cases in Florida yesterday, and those are just the people able to be tested. If we were a country on our own we would be ranked 4th in the world! Wow, something not to be proud of. Stay well.

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  3. Happy Birthday,This cake looks beautifully and delicious,yummy,and you show wonderful flowers and plants,nice things,congratulations and greetings

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  4. I hope he had a lovely birthday. The cake looks and sounds wonderful and I adore your paper piecing pieces, it's going to be fabulous. I hope you have a brilliant time camping. CJ xx

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  5. That's true. The numbers have surged in California. Congratulations on the running. Your quilting sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy the camping trip. It's so healing to be outside in nature.

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  6. Happy birthday to James - it sounds as if he had the perfect start to becoming a teenager. Love all your bits of fabric and Annie's cake looks delicious. Have a fabulous time camping; I'll cross my fingers for good weather for you. xx

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  7. That cake looks amazing. Belated birthday wishes to James. I think by the time most reach their actual teenage years they've already had a quite bit of practice ;)
    Have a wonderful camping trip. X

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  8. Sounds like your newly fledged teenager had an excellent birthday (and well done, Annie!). Happy holidays. Stay safe.

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  9. Happy birthday to James and I love the look of the ice cream cake. Well done on the gardening and herb drying. As for your new quilt it looks great. I’m off to find out how to glue baste. Hadn’t realised it was a thing. Enjoy your camping. B x

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  10. It looks like you should have a good holiday. How do you camp: tent, trailer (caravan), etc?

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  11. Happy Birthday to James, sounds like all went well and he had a good day. Thrilled for you that you are able to go camping. It seems that we too are able to travel after 31st July. We no longer need to be shielded as long as the numbers stay low. I can't express how excited I am to be able to see my family, exciting times.

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  12. Happy birthday James... a teenager already, where do those years go?
    Have a wonderful camping trip. I’m starting to thin about booking a week away in September but we’re still being very cautious. Like you say... it’s not over yet, by a long shot.

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  13. What a wonderful birthday you described for James, lots of great gifts and a great looking dessert too. He must have been one very happy 13-year old. My husband, Pat, celebrates his birthday mid-week and our granddaughter's 9th is this weekend but we won't be having and family get togethers for either celebration. We're mailing Ellie's gifts and I will treat Pat to breakfast out and ice cream later, his choices. Glad to read that your camping trip is on and hope you all have a wonderful holiday.

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  14. *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to James, from Oregon! Have a great vacation and stay safe, it sounds like you have good plans in place for keeping well. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  15. Happy birthday to James, these years whizz by so fast, don't they. Well done to Annie, that cake looks delicious. Have a wonderful time on your camping trip, I think it's something we could all do with, a little time away to relax and forget our troubles for a while. Thank you so much for all the kind comments you have left on recent posts, it's been such a comfort having such wonderful blog friends at this sad time.

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  16. Hope you have a great Holiday, that cake looks scrummy!

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  17. Happy Birthday to James! 26 miles. that is impressive.
    I just started running myself.. making the boys join me.. I suck at it.. really need to keep it up and build some stamina.
    Yay a holiday.. I would love to go on a trip right now. Enjoy.

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  18. A belated happy Birthday. I am guessing you will be camping now so I hope you are having a wonderful time and the weather is on your side. Enjoy!

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  19. That sounds like a pretty good birthday, the cake looks delicious! I'm a bit jealous on the camping ... I'd so love to go camping right now if I could! Hope you have a wonderful time.

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  20. I do not have a thirteen year old in the house until August! I am glad he could play out with friends. I have been brain dead since working full time at school but today my creative energy can have a boost as it was the last day of school. Enjoy your camping, we are camping next week too. Jo xx

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  21. Happy Birthday to your son! What a delicious looking cake you have there. I hope you are having a wonderful time camping. Look forward to hearing about it!

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  22. Hi Christina - catching up again here. Hope you are having a good time camping and that the weather is kind where you are. Seems to be improving here this week. Can’t believe your James is13 - hope he enjoyed his birthday.

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  23. Hello you are doing great with your running well done you! The boys are growing up aren't they and the cake looked fabulous. I am glad you are getting away for a break, enjoy yourselves. x

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  24. Hi Christina, just popping over to say 'hello'. I really like the colours of your new quilting project and the design shape is just that little bit different. Good luck with the project.
    Happy camping. Enjoy the break x

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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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