an enjoyable weekend










I am feeling good today. I thought I'd write this down right away because my body has not been cooperative lately and I have been moaning a bit here on this blog. My gravel rash is almost completely healed, the resulting cellulitis is under antibiotic control and my ankle can bear weight again. I also didn't feel dizzy all day. I went for my first run in three weeks today and I didn't break. I met a few friends along the way and stopped for a chat, so all in all a rather pleasant return to exercise. It felt so so good. 

My week was busy as usual but I finished on a high by finally recording and editing my latest lecture, which is now with our learning technologist. She is a real wizard and makes a boring old lecture really fun to view and listen to. 

I was looking forward to the weekend! I was on a mission to get things done. I got up about 9 am on Saturday and made a huge batch of drop scones for breakfast. James and Alistair ate most but I had a fair number also, as you can see on the photo, balancing coffee and drop scones on my lap. In my defence, they were really thin. I spent the rest of the morning cutting out the slippery lining fabric for my coat sewing project. I pinned the fabric selvages together and pinned the pattern pieces onto the fabric to avoid slippage and I used my rotary cutter to cut the pieces. I listened to Bach's cello suites played by Pablo Casals (courtesy of Spotify), which was wonderful. Only one child complained about the music. 

Days pass in a haze really with not much happening. Our current Covid-19 restrictions are quite, well, restrictive with regards to social interactions, so not much venturing out but Annie and I spontaneously went to our local Ikea on Thursday night to buy a small desk for my study/sewing room. I was sick of the hideous wobbly shelving unit that was the home of our family desktop computer and printer and plenty of assorted crap and I knew it had to go. Instead, a small desk sits in that corner, the assorted crap is gone (donated or recycled, or tidied). Annie and Alistair built it for me. It makes such a difference to how the room feels. In the longer term, I want to put a cosy armchair and a reading lamp in this corner but with the boys still young, I prefer having the computer they use where I can supervise and check on them occasionally. So for the time being, the armchair has to wait. I will temporarily move one in next weekend when I am attending a congress online. It is a four day congress and I want to sit comfortably while listening to talks, and maybe knit a bit, too. I wonder if I could sew my coat while listening? I'll just need to remember to switch the camera off and mute myself. It will be a bit strange, the last time I attended this congress I travelled to Canada. Now I'll be putting on my best joggers on and settle in my sewing room for a few days of exciting science talks. I bought new yoga pants for the occasion, two pairs in fact. It is what the working from home professional woman wears nowadays. I fear the day when I have to squeeze my butt into a pair of jeans! 

Back to Saturday. I was on a roll actually, I also tidied up my soap making supplies. I had to dispose of some rancid oils and fats, which I bought years ago to make Richard shaving soap. They were not the kind you can buy in the supermarket and if I can be honest, a bit of a waste of money because I only used a fraction and now they are all rancid. Richard's had a beard for years now, I don't know if he'll ever use up the batch of shaving soap I made. I am thinking of making soap soon, maybe a no-nonsense Castille soap. 

If there was anything rubbish to report on this cold and windy Sunday, it would be the realisation that it is impossible to get a fluorescent yellow high visibility running top for fat women. Fluorescent yellow is the best for night visibility, better than any other fluorescent colour. Scotland is dark during winter and good visibility is essential. I conclude that fat women like me either don't run in the dark, or if they do, they don't wear fluorescent yellow tops. It is very frustrating. I bought a gigantic man's top. The sleeves are of course far too long and there is plenty of fabric around the shoulders but on the positive side, it is long enough to cover my butt, which is essential because I hate it when a top rides up while running. 

James went out with Richard on a club bike ride. This boy is fit, he can keep up with the men. Today he won a sprint, it was the first thing he told me when he came back. The adult riders held back a bit I know from Richard but we won't tell James. It is good to be a winner sometimes. 

Jack the lucky puppy just returned from a double sleepover with Sam. He got steak for breakfast... he'll be adding that to our weekly shopping list now, I am sure he will. On this visit, Jack learned that the lift isn't really scary and he explored Glasgow Green. Oh to be a dog! We miss Jack when he visits Sam but Sam loves him, too. He is our family therapy dog, he really makes everybody happy. 

On this cheerful note, I have to go and eat my pudding, a French apple tart made by Annie. Thanks for visiting xx

Comments

  1. Glad you are feeling better and were able to start running again. I love spontaneous visits to Ikea too. Have a good week x

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  2. French apple tart sounds delicious.

    Have a wonderful week, Christina.

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  3. The goodies look ... um ... good at your house.

    Have a good week.

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  4. I'm relieved to hear you are recovering from your injury and that you managed to go for a run. It must have felt good to be back doing something you enjoy. I hear you with the butt covering. Even in hot weather I always have a light fleece top tied around my waist :)
    Those cakes look delicious. X

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  5. Good news about the running and I had to smile about Jack’s away days. Your food photos have made me feel very hungry and I’ve only just eaten breakfast. Enjoy your virtual conference with a bit of sewing as well can’t be bad! B x

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  6. Bertie had an egg for breakfast after the littlest boy boiled it for himself and then dropped it. He would have been very happy with steak as well. I love that you can have the conference at home, and knit at the same time. I hope it is enjoyable. I'm glad to hear you're feeling better after hurting yourself and that you're back to running. I really must do some more exercise, I know I would feel better for it. And I know I always say that. I have got Dr Rangan Chatterjee's book from the library, so that is a start, surely. How brilliant that James went out with the cycling club, and I love that the adults cared enough to encourage him to win the sprint. So lovely that they understood what it would mean to him. Wishing you another good week. And also looking forward to seeing what you do with that scrumptious cake of fabric. CJ xx

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  7. That sounds lovely. Those fabrics are gorgeous by the way!

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  8. Enjoyed all the great colors in this post, as always, Christina. Thanks for showing the ravioli-making process. You may have the same pasta maker as I do, an Atlas Marcato (doesn't everyone?). What I don't have (yet) is the ravioli mold, but it could be on a holiday wish list. Glad to read that the road rash is healed and that you can bear weight on your ankle, hopefully no further road mishaps for you. Congrats to James for his biking win. Jack seems to be having the best of both households, lucky pup is living a nice dog's life these days and sure he is getting lots of comfort therapy in return. The photo of Jack on the windowsill and your son comfortably settled in was very colorful and a wonderful candid shot! The cupcakes and drop scones looked delicious even more so as I haven't had breakfast yet.

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  9. What a cosy, colourful, cheerful post. The sofa in the window, resplendent in Autumn sunshine and quilt, with dog accompaniment looks blissful, and I'm sure that is a coveted spot. My kids are campaigning for a dog, and everything I read seems to be telling me it is a good idea! Glad you are feeling cheerier and in less pain.

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  10. Sorry to hear you still aren't feeling your best.. but good to know you are feeling a bit better.. good enough to go on your first run! Yay.
    Drop scones look like tiny pancakes to me.. and homemade ravioli.. yum.

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  11. I am so glad to hear that you are all mended now. My neighbour has cellulitis, I was desperately trying to remember where I had read about it recently and have realised it was on here, I am so glad to hear that that is cleared up too, it sounds very painful.

    Your weekend sounds like it was busy in a good kind of way with so much going on but not too hectic. I love that you call Jack your family therapy dog. My daughter really wants a dog, hubby is not keen but when I read things like this I know that I need to work on him.......

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  12. Gorgeous photos! Your son and dog look so comfortable together.

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  13. My, my, my what a beautiful and fun filled post. You have filled my mind with beauty and inspiration. So happy to hear that your gravel rash is healing well. Hope you can get outside and enjoy before the cold snowy weather brings on icy streets.

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  14. Restrictions are getting so old and it is really important to get out even for a walk. Luckily here in Florida, we are doing pretty well Covid wise and there is plenty you can do outside. Liked hearing all the fun!

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  15. You are so lucky to have a daughter that likes to bake! What will you do when she moves to her own place? My daughter made cookies all the time before she moved out. I loved the photo of Jack in the window with your adorable son. We're still at the Oregon coast in our caravan! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  16. I’m so pleased to hear you are feeling better. I love catching up with your corner of the world, although my mouth is watering at the sound and sight of those bakes. My weight has been creeping up gradually since March but I have decided enough is enough! It’s only been three days and already I’m craving cake!

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  17. Gosh there's some lovely food on here Christina! I'm pleased you are feeling better and that you are back to running. I'm hoping this comment will post as Blogger is continuing to delete my comments.

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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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