sleepovers and wobbly Turkish delight

Sunday evening. I am relaxing after a morning run, a spot of cleaning followed by sewing and making pizzas for dinner. We had a TV dinner, watching Godzilla with the boys. It was quite entertaining for an action movie featuring a gigantic angry lizard. Yesterday James and Alistair watched Jurassic World. I was particularly fascinated by the woman lead actor, dressed in white with stiletto heels outrunning yet another reptile. The boys failed to notice this fascinating detail. 

All in all an enjoyable weekend. The weather was glorious and I spent a good while outside soaking up the gentlefolks warmth of the September sun. I dried four loads of laundry on the line. It felt a bit clammy when I took it down, another sure sign of the colder months that will follow. 

I am not looking forward to next week. It is the first full week of term and I am expecting many many student enquiries during this first week when new routines need to be established, new connections are made and new ways of learning have to be explored. All my students are mature (many very much so) and many have not experienced online learning previously. It is my fifth year exclusively teaching online but I am still sometimes surprised with an unexpected problem students experience. 

My new virtual running coach is much kinder than the previous one and I am settling into a routine of four runs a week, slowly building up distance. No more 11 km runs on a Tuesday, thank goodness. Only what is described as "easy" runs so far with 6.44 km the longest distance. Where do these weird distances come from? Of course there is no such thing as an easy run. At least not for this overweight fifty year old body of mine.

I have now finished 18 blocks for my new quilt. I think that's them all, I only need to make partial blocks now to square the quilt off. I am not sure how big the finished size will be but probably big enough to serve as cosy sofa quilt. I am not 100% with the overall colour balance but no doubt the remaining partial blocks will do the trick. 

I made rosehip and apple jelly. It looks beautiful but the flavour is somewhat unexpected. I don't know what I was expecting actually but it wasn't wobbly Turkish delight. I baked a Swiss Sunday braided bread (Zopf) to try the jelly. The bread didn't last long but we have a few jars of jelly for the winter. Sun in a jar. 

Jack and I have been foraging for blackberries all of last week. He thinks blackberries are delicious straight from the bush. Me, not so much. I froze all the berries for a jam making afternoon in winter. When I was running along the canal today I spotted more opportunities for blackberry picking but I think we have enough. After all, the birds need fattening up before it gets cold. 

Annie made treacle and aniseed Madeleines, dipped in chocolate. Divine. Aniseed is a a marmite kind of spice I think. Love it or hate it. I am not a fan but I can't fault these Madeleines, the flavours are beautifully balanced. The recipe is from Nadiya Hussain's new bakery book. I love to watch the tv series that accompanies the book. She is an amazing woman and I'd have her over for dinner anytime. Please somebody mention it to her. 

Jack the lucky pup went for a sleepover with Sam. People are not allowed indoor visits in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde region but dogs can do whatever they like. It is a mighty long walk from our house to Sam's flat, they will both sleep well. The restrictions are a pain of course but such is life. I doubt they will be eased anytime soon. In fact, I think there may be more announced in the days to come. I am happy to sacrifice my own freedom if it means the children can stay at school. I might take the boys to Decathlon tomorrow evening for some new runners. Best to buy trainers that fit while we can. Their feet are growing at a frightening rate. Before long they'll have to wear small boats. At least neither of the boys needs a winter coat this year, thanks to generous hand me downs. This reminds me that one of the jackets is in the washing machine, better get that sorted!

Thanks for visiting. Have a great week!