and other delights from Hampstead Heath this afternoon! I can't see Peppa Pig tho'!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Week 4 - beginning 25th Jan.
At church; Sundayschool went well enough. This week I had 5 children, 2 of whom were visitors staying with the remaining girl. They had been involved in some sleepover. From their zombie like state, it had been a wakenover. Eventually I left them to doze and concentrated on the two boys. Having read Heather's intentional parenting blog, I decided to curb their constant chattery giggly interruptions in an intentional way. It worked very well and we had a good lesson with some intelligent answers.
This week I managed to get to my homegroup. The Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon slot had been filling up with other calls on my time. We were studying 1Corinthians 5 about various 'stituations'that might arise in the church, and how they should be dealt with. Needless to say we had a spirited discussion!
Hippo Club. This week I was asked to shadow the person who registers the carers and the children, so that I could do it in her absence next week. I had been told that it was a complicated computer programme. Thankfully it turned out to be the same as one I set up in the classroom 10 years ago. While I filled in the official legal register, the children went to the classroom computer, found their name and filled in their mark, using Excel which is a very useful facility.
At the hospital. This week I spent time chatting to 2 patients I have seen before, and 2 new ones, both of whom were Irish, from lovely places such as Galway Bay.
On the bus going up to the hospital, and elderly lady got on with her trolley. At first she refused someone else's offer of a seat(I was on one of these high ones). In the ensuing conversation with people behind me it transpired that she was about to be 100 years old in May!!
People I have seen. On the way home from the hospital, I called in at Waitrose to by some flowers, grapes and 2 luscious cakes. I said to the man at the checkout 'You can tell I'm going to visit an invalid!' Although Philippa has had an operation on her foot, she is hardly an invalid!!
As always we had an interesting chat and ended up having a photography session. A publisher has asked for high resolution photos of family heirlooms for a book about one particular family.
That evening I found out how many pixels are required for HD photos. I have enough but felt I could have done better with the photos.
News. Our previous vicar PMA has had a nasty fall and is to have his arm operated on. It involves broken and splintered bones above the elbow and in the shoulder. Also nerve damage.
On TV. On Channel 4 on Sunday evening there was an excellent programme about the history on Christianity in Britain. This episode got as far as The Synod of Whitby in 664 when King Oswiu decided to opt for the Roman date for Easter rather than the Celtic, thus setting the future direction for the church in Britain.
The History of Scotland is becoming a tad boring with endless scenes of Edinburgh and Stirling castles and Linlithgow Palace. Also, every time there is fighting or somebody killed (which is often!)we are treated to views of blood dripping from an unspecified source onto the ground. However I will still watch it for the bits of history in it.
The weather. It has been mild and damp this week. The Scottish weather forecaster on Breakfast TV called 'it murky and dreich'. She wasn't wrong!
This blog will be published early before the weekend to leave the computer free for Evie when she returns on Friday pm. so
I am looking forward to seeing Moggie on Thursday morning, going to meet MarionJ at Cheshunt and the PCC Awayday at St Mark's Church on Saturday.
This week I managed to get to my homegroup. The Monday evening to Wednesday afternoon slot had been filling up with other calls on my time. We were studying 1Corinthians 5 about various 'stituations'that might arise in the church, and how they should be dealt with. Needless to say we had a spirited discussion!
Hippo Club. This week I was asked to shadow the person who registers the carers and the children, so that I could do it in her absence next week. I had been told that it was a complicated computer programme. Thankfully it turned out to be the same as one I set up in the classroom 10 years ago. While I filled in the official legal register, the children went to the classroom computer, found their name and filled in their mark, using Excel which is a very useful facility.
At the hospital. This week I spent time chatting to 2 patients I have seen before, and 2 new ones, both of whom were Irish, from lovely places such as Galway Bay.
On the bus going up to the hospital, and elderly lady got on with her trolley. At first she refused someone else's offer of a seat(I was on one of these high ones). In the ensuing conversation with people behind me it transpired that she was about to be 100 years old in May!!
People I have seen. On the way home from the hospital, I called in at Waitrose to by some flowers, grapes and 2 luscious cakes. I said to the man at the checkout 'You can tell I'm going to visit an invalid!' Although Philippa has had an operation on her foot, she is hardly an invalid!!
As always we had an interesting chat and ended up having a photography session. A publisher has asked for high resolution photos of family heirlooms for a book about one particular family.
That evening I found out how many pixels are required for HD photos. I have enough but felt I could have done better with the photos.
News. Our previous vicar PMA has had a nasty fall and is to have his arm operated on. It involves broken and splintered bones above the elbow and in the shoulder. Also nerve damage.
On TV. On Channel 4 on Sunday evening there was an excellent programme about the history on Christianity in Britain. This episode got as far as The Synod of Whitby in 664 when King Oswiu decided to opt for the Roman date for Easter rather than the Celtic, thus setting the future direction for the church in Britain.
The History of Scotland is becoming a tad boring with endless scenes of Edinburgh and Stirling castles and Linlithgow Palace. Also, every time there is fighting or somebody killed (which is often!)we are treated to views of blood dripping from an unspecified source onto the ground. However I will still watch it for the bits of history in it.
The weather. It has been mild and damp this week. The Scottish weather forecaster on Breakfast TV called 'it murky and dreich'. She wasn't wrong!
This blog will be published early before the weekend to leave the computer free for Evie when she returns on Friday pm. so
I am looking forward to seeing Moggie on Thursday morning, going to meet MarionJ at Cheshunt and the PCC Awayday at St Mark's Church on Saturday.
Guess who's coming to lunch!
Robert Burns.
Robert Burns was born at Alloway, Ayrshire on the 25th January 1759. We could always remember this at school because one of his poems read 'Our monarch's hindmost year but ane was five-and-twenty days begun,T'was then a blast of Januar win' blew handsel in on Robin.'
A hansel is a new year gift.
So this year was his 250th anniversary
He was a large part of my growing up years being only16miles from Alloway. My father was a member of some Burns Clubs and he was often asked to do one of the speeches at the Burns' Supper.
There are some set speeches such as The Immortal Memory - detailing what a wonderful poet and representative of the working classes, Burns was. Then there was The Lasses - reminding us of how wonderful the womenfolk are. Burns appreciated pretty girls and here is one of his love songs.
My love is like a red red rose
thats newly sprung in June,
My love is like a melody
thats sweetly played in tune.
So fair art thou my pretty lass
So deep in love am I.
And I will love thee still my lass
While the sands o' life shall run.
So fare thee weel my only love
and fare thee weel a while,
And I will come again my lass
Though t'were ten thousand mile.
As well as the traditional speeches, a Burns Supper consists of a traditional menu. The first course always consists of a haggis, accompanied by neeps (mashed swede- the yellow one) and mashed potatoes. The haggis is always 'piped' in by the bagpipes, then someone recites Burns' poem To a Haggis.
Because I was out on Sunday, we had out haggis on Monday, cooked by Romeo and enjoyed by me and the Dunadan.
Week 4 - beginning 25th Jan.
I was very happy last weekend to see cousinJ and his mother. Unfortunately their train tickets (ordered on the internet) hadn't arrived. They set off with the receipt and other proof of purchase and got as far as Ipswich. The station staff there didn't really believe her and phoned Bombay (!). 'Oh we posted them to your local station'. 'But its an unmanned station, so who did you think would be there to receive them?'
Eventually they were persuaded to let them travel with no further cost.
I was even happier, on Saturday, when my DDIL gave me a lesson in Photoshop Elements on how to merge two halves of the same photo. IYSIM.
Eventually they were persuaded to let them travel with no further cost.
I was even happier, on Saturday, when my DDIL gave me a lesson in Photoshop Elements on how to merge two halves of the same photo. IYSIM.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Week 3 - scenes from around the house.
The Christmas cards have come down, but we rather liked the pattern made by the strings and little gold pegs which attached them. The bottom string now has 2 calenders on it - one from Canada, and one from the London City Mission. Very Useful.
About 6 pm on Friday the doorbell rang. Romeo went but soon called me. For a split second I thought it was Bertie (!). Turned out it was a delivery from Interflora with the flowers on the left. Roses, tulips, narcissus of some kind, and freezia. Wish you could smell them! They are a thank you present from the friend whose husband I visited while she was away on Family Business. See week 1 if you've forgotten.The flowers on the left are alstroemeria - a thank you for helping Romeo to persevere in looking for the camera receipt - or something!
A couple of other things this week. On Saturday nights there is presently an excellent programme on The History of Scotland. It is presented by the wonderful Neil Oliver of 'Coast' fame. It has driven me to start reading Magnus Magnusson's 'Scotland' Now, counting the new book on Photoshop, I have 4 books on the go!
I have started researching the family tree of cousinJ. Its especially interesting on his maternal paternal side as there is an archbishop 3 or 4 hundred years ago.
Looking forward; Tomorrow at church is 'Guess who's coming to lunch'. Oh I hope I don't get put with anyone who just has sandwiches for Sunday lunch!Tomorrow is Burns Night - but in this house we will celebrate on Monday.
Watch this space!!
week 3 -Hamstead Heath
On Thursday Romeo and I went to Hampstead to a camera shop with a question about batteries. Afterwards we had a nice lunch in a nearbye tearoom (as opposed to a cafe, but it had no tablecloths!) called Louis Patisserie. The array of cakes was very tempting but to support Evie in her sugar free days, I just had a sausage roll. Which was delicious. its a Hungarian/Eastern European sort of place.
From there we proceeded down Hampstead High Street and Downshire Road to reach the Heath itself. The bottom photo was taken from the first pond we came too. While I was taking it Romeo was able to help some people who were looking for Kenwood House. I don't think you could get further away from it anywhere on the Heath, and thats where they had parked their car!
The top photos are looking south from the top of Parliament Hill and the middle ones are looking east from the same spot.
Home from Gospel Oak station.
week 3
On Tuesday I came home from the hospital quite early to book my seat for the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the USA. Actually I got the computer chair and watched it with the eyes on the back of my head. Yay! (as Evie says!) Two whole hours and nobody throwing me off the computer! One bit I did stop to watch - and listen- was Pastor Rick Warren leading the nation in prayer. I think that his book on the structure of the local church is in my top ten favourites of all time.
On Wednesday it was back to the church for Hippo Club. Another busy morning talking to various parents and carers. One was impressed at me remembering his name. I said it was due to my days as a teacher, when it was a more effective means of discipline than just bellowing 'YOU!Stop that!'
On Wednesday afternoon I braved the buses at the Angel (there are ongoing gas works...) to get to Borders to see what the books on Photoshop Elements were like. I found one I could understand, a bit pricey though - until I noticed the 25% off all computer books offer.There are offers and reductions on nearly everything these days - sign of the recession, I suppose.
From there I proceded to Hanbury (first time in a year)(first photo) for a function to celebrated the life of Mary who originally came as her daughter's carer and stayed to make cups of tea and help out wherever she could. Sadly Mary passed away recently at 80 years of age. She was still coming until a few weeks ago. She loved and cared for her Hanbury boys.
Second photo - A high wind last weekend got under the Russin Vine/Mile a Minute creeper, in the area of the dustbins and lived it right over the wall. I cleaned and sharpened all the secateur type tools that we have and this kind neighbour did the business!
On Wednesday it was back to the church for Hippo Club. Another busy morning talking to various parents and carers. One was impressed at me remembering his name. I said it was due to my days as a teacher, when it was a more effective means of discipline than just bellowing 'YOU!Stop that!'
On Wednesday afternoon I braved the buses at the Angel (there are ongoing gas works...) to get to Borders to see what the books on Photoshop Elements were like. I found one I could understand, a bit pricey though - until I noticed the 25% off all computer books offer.There are offers and reductions on nearly everything these days - sign of the recession, I suppose.
From there I proceded to Hanbury (first time in a year)(first photo) for a function to celebrated the life of Mary who originally came as her daughter's carer and stayed to make cups of tea and help out wherever she could. Sadly Mary passed away recently at 80 years of age. She was still coming until a few weeks ago. She loved and cared for her Hanbury boys.
Second photo - A high wind last weekend got under the Russin Vine/Mile a Minute creeper, in the area of the dustbins and lived it right over the wall. I cleaned and sharpened all the secateur type tools that we have and this kind neighbour did the business!
week3
Week 3 - January 18-24
Groundbreakers in the afternoon wasn't the best. The craft was too difficult for the children. I missed my trusty helper who had flu.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Scrapbook pages
Here's some of the latest work. I will need help with the writing in the book. well not the writing but the languge of it.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Happy Birthday to a lovely 3year old!
The rest are some of my favourite photos.
Have a lovely day, CassCass.
Lots of love from Grandma.
Friday, January 16, 2009
My Mother - Granny Jean
Last Sunday - 11th January would have been her 99th birthday. I thought she should have her space on the internet. She died in 1969, so didn't even know that the internet existed! This photo was taken on top of Cademuir, the hill behind her house.
The second one was taken on the beach at Wimeraux, north France, as we waited for the ferry home.
The third photo was taken in the garden at Cumnock with my West Highland Terrier, Wendy.
The second one was taken on the beach at Wimeraux, north France, as we waited for the ferry home.
The third photo was taken in the garden at Cumnock with my West Highland Terrier, Wendy.
This is the week that was - 2
I wanted to start with 2 photos - but its not working, so that will be a separate post.
Church - last Sunday I was early to set up the sound system but because I was teaching in the Sunday school my friend Peter ran it for me.
Another friend, John, helped me in the group. Since there are 5 boys in the group (and only 1 girl) it was a big success and I appreciated his presence. His Bible knowledge and powerful prayers were also appreciated.
Hippo Club is a major outreach of the church. To impart this vision there was a mock up during the service! On Wednesday morning it was busier than the week before. I love to see the church full of toys - large and small - for the children, and lots of people enjoying themselves, having a cup of coffee and chatting to each other.
In the evening, it was back to the church for a meeting of the redevelopment committee. Suffice it to say that the cavernous building has been so cold this winter, we are anxious to do something!
Hospital - this week there were a lot of unwell and uncheerful patients - except for one lady who told me she was Armenian and a Christian. Although unwell, she was very cheerful.
People I have seen - on the way home from the hospital I met Verona for lunch in the new cafe in James Selby. They do very nice organic soup.
On Sunday we had a large apple crumble in honour of our visitors, M and E, friends of the Craigies who have come to live in this part of London.
On TV - I watched interviews with Will Smith, so decided to catch up on some videos. For some reason I chose 'Lost in Translation', but missed a lot cos I didn't know how to work the pause function! But I do, now!
The weather - has been slightly warmer most days - mostly above freezing.
In the garden - at the moment it is still dark, and has just stopped raining. Storms forecast for this afternoon. Oh dear, Evie is going to a wedding.
Things I have bought - two new pairs of flip flop type sandals, in the sales, and 3 books in Borders '3 for 2' offer. Never before have I seen 3 books all at once that I wanted to read! The man who served me said it was a 'cosmic collision 'type of event! Also got my scrapbook magazine.
Things I have done - At last I have finished saving (drying) all the photos in storage. They are now safely stored in plastic boxes.
I have packed and posted a little parcel for the birthday girl in Bemaho.
I have finished the covers of a book of photos for Papy. I have progressed with several scrapbook pages - the Gospel Oak paddling pool. the Museum of Childhood, and The Lonely Dragon.
I am looking forward to starting a scrapbook of my life - I have the baby photos ready - and doing some work on my Circle Scrapbook.
Church - last Sunday I was early to set up the sound system but because I was teaching in the Sunday school my friend Peter ran it for me.
Another friend, John, helped me in the group. Since there are 5 boys in the group (and only 1 girl) it was a big success and I appreciated his presence. His Bible knowledge and powerful prayers were also appreciated.
Hippo Club is a major outreach of the church. To impart this vision there was a mock up during the service! On Wednesday morning it was busier than the week before. I love to see the church full of toys - large and small - for the children, and lots of people enjoying themselves, having a cup of coffee and chatting to each other.
In the evening, it was back to the church for a meeting of the redevelopment committee. Suffice it to say that the cavernous building has been so cold this winter, we are anxious to do something!
Hospital - this week there were a lot of unwell and uncheerful patients - except for one lady who told me she was Armenian and a Christian. Although unwell, she was very cheerful.
People I have seen - on the way home from the hospital I met Verona for lunch in the new cafe in James Selby. They do very nice organic soup.
On Sunday we had a large apple crumble in honour of our visitors, M and E, friends of the Craigies who have come to live in this part of London.
On TV - I watched interviews with Will Smith, so decided to catch up on some videos. For some reason I chose 'Lost in Translation', but missed a lot cos I didn't know how to work the pause function! But I do, now!
The weather - has been slightly warmer most days - mostly above freezing.
In the garden - at the moment it is still dark, and has just stopped raining. Storms forecast for this afternoon. Oh dear, Evie is going to a wedding.
Things I have bought - two new pairs of flip flop type sandals, in the sales, and 3 books in Borders '3 for 2' offer. Never before have I seen 3 books all at once that I wanted to read! The man who served me said it was a 'cosmic collision 'type of event! Also got my scrapbook magazine.
Things I have done - At last I have finished saving (drying) all the photos in storage. They are now safely stored in plastic boxes.
I have packed and posted a little parcel for the birthday girl in Bemaho.
I have finished the covers of a book of photos for Papy. I have progressed with several scrapbook pages - the Gospel Oak paddling pool. the Museum of Childhood, and The Lonely Dragon.
I am looking forward to starting a scrapbook of my life - I have the baby photos ready - and doing some work on my Circle Scrapbook.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
New Year - New Beginning
I thought I'd try a weekly summary of my life...
At church - last Sunday it was my turn to lead the service. The sermon was entitled The X Factor - a competition between Paul, Apollo and Peter, based on 1Corinthians chapter1. It was conducted like the real thing, there was even a keypad on the notices sheet which you had to press to register your vote! When interviewed, Paul was not pleased to have won, he was gutted that the church in Corinth had this argument. He was off to write them a letter about it, telling them what he thought!
The best bit came when the vicar confessed he just could not bring himself to include Jesus Christ in such a contest.
Tuesday night was the monthly prayer time when we were greeted by a very welcome cup of hot punch- just the thing on ssuch a cold night.
Wednesday morning I helped at Hippo club - our very popular Toddlers club. I met the mother of someone I taught about 15 years ago so it was nice to catch up.
On Thursday Romeo and I did the cleaning rota. Or the two people who should have been doing it , my friend L has gone to Australia for a holiday, and the other, M, has had to go off on family business.
At the Hospital, on my weely visit to the ward, I met a Jewish lady, a Buddhist lady and a JW one.
People I have seen have included the blind and elderly husband of M. He's on his own while she's away. It never fails to amaze me how he can manage on his own. At one point the water was turned off because of a burst water main. I took him a bottle of water - no need, ' I was ready for it, (the kettle and bottles had been filled), I lived through the war you know'!
I also had a trip to Artbase at Hornchurch with my friend E ( BF's Grandma). I think she might be inspired to start scrapbooking.
On TV I have watched a week long series of a dramatisation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
On the computer I have been working on Photoshop Elements which Evie kindly gave us for Christmas. I have also learned to type letters with an accent.
The weather this week has been really cold with temperatures below freezing. Yesterday out beyond Ilford and Romford the freezing fog was much thicker than here. The lowest temperature overnight was at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire where it was -7.
In the house, the cards are still up and being enjoyed and the glass bowl of baubles is still being admired. We had to put our tree out on Boxing Day - it was completely dried up. In fact the trees on the pavements (awaiting recycling) all seem to be in better condition than ours was at the end.
In the garden a blackbird is hanging around. Everything is droopy and cold looking except two shrubs. One is the viburnum bodnantse Dawn at the bottom of the garden - it is in full bloom, little pink blossomy flowers. The other, at the bottom of the steps, is cornus alba elegantissima. Known as dogwood in the States, it is now resplendant in its winter form of leafless red stems.
I have been reading Witchwood by John Buchan (of The 39 Steps fame) and Whats so amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancy. I heard an interview with him on Premier last week and thought he sounded OK... so raided Evie's bookshelf.
I am looking forward to going to Muswell Hill tomorrow to the Scrapbooking Crop - and hoping we can find away home which will avoid the Arsenal crowds.
At church - last Sunday it was my turn to lead the service. The sermon was entitled The X Factor - a competition between Paul, Apollo and Peter, based on 1Corinthians chapter1. It was conducted like the real thing, there was even a keypad on the notices sheet which you had to press to register your vote! When interviewed, Paul was not pleased to have won, he was gutted that the church in Corinth had this argument. He was off to write them a letter about it, telling them what he thought!
The best bit came when the vicar confessed he just could not bring himself to include Jesus Christ in such a contest.
Tuesday night was the monthly prayer time when we were greeted by a very welcome cup of hot punch- just the thing on ssuch a cold night.
Wednesday morning I helped at Hippo club - our very popular Toddlers club. I met the mother of someone I taught about 15 years ago so it was nice to catch up.
On Thursday Romeo and I did the cleaning rota. Or the two people who should have been doing it , my friend L has gone to Australia for a holiday, and the other, M, has had to go off on family business.
At the Hospital, on my weely visit to the ward, I met a Jewish lady, a Buddhist lady and a JW one.
People I have seen have included the blind and elderly husband of M. He's on his own while she's away. It never fails to amaze me how he can manage on his own. At one point the water was turned off because of a burst water main. I took him a bottle of water - no need, ' I was ready for it, (the kettle and bottles had been filled), I lived through the war you know'!
I also had a trip to Artbase at Hornchurch with my friend E ( BF's Grandma). I think she might be inspired to start scrapbooking.
On TV I have watched a week long series of a dramatisation of The Diary of Anne Frank.
On the computer I have been working on Photoshop Elements which Evie kindly gave us for Christmas. I have also learned to type letters with an accent.
The weather this week has been really cold with temperatures below freezing. Yesterday out beyond Ilford and Romford the freezing fog was much thicker than here. The lowest temperature overnight was at Aboyne in Aberdeenshire where it was -7.
In the house, the cards are still up and being enjoyed and the glass bowl of baubles is still being admired. We had to put our tree out on Boxing Day - it was completely dried up. In fact the trees on the pavements (awaiting recycling) all seem to be in better condition than ours was at the end.
In the garden a blackbird is hanging around. Everything is droopy and cold looking except two shrubs. One is the viburnum bodnantse Dawn at the bottom of the garden - it is in full bloom, little pink blossomy flowers. The other, at the bottom of the steps, is cornus alba elegantissima. Known as dogwood in the States, it is now resplendant in its winter form of leafless red stems.
I have been reading Witchwood by John Buchan (of The 39 Steps fame) and Whats so amazing about Grace? by Philip Yancy. I heard an interview with him on Premier last week and thought he sounded OK... so raided Evie's bookshelf.
I am looking forward to going to Muswell Hill tomorrow to the Scrapbooking Crop - and hoping we can find away home which will avoid the Arsenal crowds.
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