Today has been a stormy day for me. Things at work have got a lot worse and are going to get worse before they are better. I don't want to go into too much detail, but I am going to have to be strong for a lot of people. I was glad it was my half day today. I took my shopping list to town with me, and with my polka dot umbrella over my arm, I sallied forth to tick the things off of my list, and leave my cares behind me.
Firstly to the market to buy some 3ply baby wool. I chose a pale cream, as I am going to knit from a vintage pattern. The pattern is for a pretty lacy shrug...basically, a very cropped cardigan which is almost just back and sleeves that I can wear to keep warm when I am reading in bed.
Then on to the grocery stall. Oh how I love to see all the seasonal fruit and veg piled up. On my list today were courgettes, a red pepper, a red onion, an aubergine, and as an afterthought some avocados. All but the last are destined for a lamb, feta and vegetable bake to be stirred into pasta for dinner one evening, and the leftovers stuffed into pittas for lunch the next day.
Onwards to the shoe shop for a new pair of slippers. I loved my last pair so much that I wore a whole in the sole! My new slippers are fluffy and cozy, cream ballet slippers with a bow and a sparkle in the middle of the bow on each one.
After that, I purchased 2 packets of tights, and thought wistfully of bygone days when young ladies would have purchased silk stockings instead of tights! And lastly a quick whisk through Marks and Spencer, where I bought some mint and pine nuts, and because I could not resist them, a bunch of flowers. I had been hoping for some daffodils, but they did not have any yet. There were some bright yellow tulips which I adored, but at £10 a bunch, I could not quite justify it. Instead, some dusky purple-pink tulips with some hyacinths. I have put them in a simple glass vase on my dressing table so I can see them when I wake.
Now I am at home, and it is dark outside already, and raining again. I am not looking forward to having to go out again later, but I am off to babysit for my godchildren this evening, and dear Carl will be joining me when he has finished work. It is definitely going to be a raincoat, wellie and umbrella journey, and I suspect I will be dripping on the train. There is something about train travel in the evening that makes me think of the film Brief Encounter.
I had hoped to start knitting on my bed-jacket-shrug, but time seems to be slipping away. I am looking forward to making something just for me, and the soothing rhythmic pattern of row upon row of lace. It really is all about rhythm and ritual for me at the moment. When I have finished here, I am going to have a cup of tea in my new favourite cup and saucer, and a slice of carrot cake. I am toying with the idea of a bath, although I think once in I will not want to get out again, especially not to go out in the dark and the rain!
I hope wherever you are, if there is rain then you have a pretty umbrella, and if it is dark you have a scented candle. And of course, no matter where you are or what you are doing, that you have a lovely cup of tea!
Love
Mimi
xxx
Showing posts with label Rainy Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rainy Days. Show all posts
Friday, 7 January 2011
Wednesday, 25 August 2010
Jolly Brolly
Several months ago, I spent a happy sunny afternoon at a vintage fair at Cressing Temple. Many lovely things there caught my eye, but there was one thing beautiful above all: a vintage purple umbrella. It was elegant and frilly and flouncy, and I just knew that if I owned it, not only would I never mind when it rained, but I would skip down the street, avoiding the puddles and spreading cheer. Alas, when I enquired as to the cost, the lady replied 'I want £50 for it'. Firstly that was rude (I want doesn't get, as my Mother would say!) and secondly, it was too much for my purse.
So imagine how pleased I was when I popped into Miss Selfridge on my way home from work today, to discover an umbrella in the same shape and style, only cream with a black-and-cream polka dot frilly ruffle instead of purple, and more to the point, only £15! Even better, as I emerged from the shop, it began to rain. Just as I suspected, I didn't mind in the least, and practically floated home! A man driving an impossibly large truck even stopped and waved me across the road, so I like to think that I am spreading a little happiness with my frilly brolly!
So imagine how pleased I was when I popped into Miss Selfridge on my way home from work today, to discover an umbrella in the same shape and style, only cream with a black-and-cream polka dot frilly ruffle instead of purple, and more to the point, only £15! Even better, as I emerged from the shop, it began to rain. Just as I suspected, I didn't mind in the least, and practically floated home! A man driving an impossibly large truck even stopped and waved me across the road, so I like to think that I am spreading a little happiness with my frilly brolly!
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
A Wet Wednesday in October
Sometimes, wet rainy days are gloomy and dull, but happily the soft pattering of rain drops against my windowpane, and the soft rain-scented breeze that drifts in serves only to make me feel more cozy.
When I woke up this morning to the beep-beep-beeps marking the hour on Radio 4, it was grey and blowy, but not yet rainy. In my nightie, I cooked up a vertiable feast of an Autumn breakfast, the perfect start to a midweek day off.
Bramley Apple Pancakes with Pear, Rum and Cinnamon Compote, and Ginger Marscapone Cream
Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, and sipping tea from a flowery mug, peel and chop 2 pears and throw into a little milk pan along with a large handful of raisins, a walnut of butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a shake of vanilla sugar and a splash of water. Pop on a gentle heat to bubble away.
Meanwhile, peel and core a bramley apple, throw into a small pyrex bowl with a little water, and microwave until soft (or if you have another small pan, cook on the hob). Measure about 4oz into a food processor along with a sprinkle of cinnamon, 4oz plain flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1oz caster sugar, and egg and 75ml milk. Blitz until you get a thick batter.
Making the ginger marscapone cream is easy peasy- stir a small tub of marscapone with a similar sized tub of double cream (about 200ml). When the marscapone has stopped feeling lumpy, pour in a glug of syrup from a jar of stem ginger, put in an electric whisk (or a regular one if you are feeling energetic so early in the morning!) and whisk until it becomes a beautifully thick billowing cloud.
Lightly coat the bottom of a small frying pan with oil, spoon in some batter and cook your pancakes, one by one. The mixture should make about 8.
Make a stack of 4 pancakes on each of two flowery plates, then spoon a generous heaping of compote on top, and add a swirl of cream. Take back to bed with a cup of vanilla coffee, and eat while listening to the radio, and contemplating the delights of the day yet to come.
After a hot shower, I left our little flat, glad that it was not raining, and went into town to meet a friend for lunch. While we were in town, I picked up the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, which I have been waiting to come out for ages. Knowing that the Abel and Cole man was going to be delivering while I was out, I also bought some ingredients to make dinner. I have some chard to cook, and I found a recipe for chard and salmon cooked in coconut milk. I am going to add some courgette and carrot, and make a thai inspired supper.
On the way home, the drizzle started, so I put up my polka dot umbrella. I got home, and was slightly astonished at how dark it was, and only just past 3 o'clock in the afternoon! Feeling cold and chilled, I decided a hot bath was in order, and after that repaired to the living room in my dressing gown with a Hercule Poirot novel and a cup of tea. It seems ridiculously indulgent to have the lights on so early, but I will be switching them off before Carl gets home and lighting candles instead.
Later on, I plan to sit and knit the rest of my hot water bottle cover (it is destined to be a present; it is in a soft grey cashmere) and watch the first episode of the BBC adaptation of Emma, of which I have heard mixed reviews.
I like to think on rainy days, we make our own sunshine...and the lovely people who come and visit me here are definitely rays of sunshine in my day! To Nita, I have not seen Housewife 49, but my Mum has (and read Nella Last's War too), and she loves them both. If you decide to get it, do let me know what you think!
I hope very much that your Wet Wednesday is just as scrumptious as can be!
Love, Mimi xxx
When I woke up this morning to the beep-beep-beeps marking the hour on Radio 4, it was grey and blowy, but not yet rainy. In my nightie, I cooked up a vertiable feast of an Autumn breakfast, the perfect start to a midweek day off.
Bramley Apple Pancakes with Pear, Rum and Cinnamon Compote, and Ginger Marscapone Cream
Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, and sipping tea from a flowery mug, peel and chop 2 pears and throw into a little milk pan along with a large handful of raisins, a walnut of butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a shake of vanilla sugar and a splash of water. Pop on a gentle heat to bubble away.
Meanwhile, peel and core a bramley apple, throw into a small pyrex bowl with a little water, and microwave until soft (or if you have another small pan, cook on the hob). Measure about 4oz into a food processor along with a sprinkle of cinnamon, 4oz plain flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1oz caster sugar, and egg and 75ml milk. Blitz until you get a thick batter.
Making the ginger marscapone cream is easy peasy- stir a small tub of marscapone with a similar sized tub of double cream (about 200ml). When the marscapone has stopped feeling lumpy, pour in a glug of syrup from a jar of stem ginger, put in an electric whisk (or a regular one if you are feeling energetic so early in the morning!) and whisk until it becomes a beautifully thick billowing cloud.
Lightly coat the bottom of a small frying pan with oil, spoon in some batter and cook your pancakes, one by one. The mixture should make about 8.
Make a stack of 4 pancakes on each of two flowery plates, then spoon a generous heaping of compote on top, and add a swirl of cream. Take back to bed with a cup of vanilla coffee, and eat while listening to the radio, and contemplating the delights of the day yet to come.
After a hot shower, I left our little flat, glad that it was not raining, and went into town to meet a friend for lunch. While we were in town, I picked up the Halloween issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, which I have been waiting to come out for ages. Knowing that the Abel and Cole man was going to be delivering while I was out, I also bought some ingredients to make dinner. I have some chard to cook, and I found a recipe for chard and salmon cooked in coconut milk. I am going to add some courgette and carrot, and make a thai inspired supper.
On the way home, the drizzle started, so I put up my polka dot umbrella. I got home, and was slightly astonished at how dark it was, and only just past 3 o'clock in the afternoon! Feeling cold and chilled, I decided a hot bath was in order, and after that repaired to the living room in my dressing gown with a Hercule Poirot novel and a cup of tea. It seems ridiculously indulgent to have the lights on so early, but I will be switching them off before Carl gets home and lighting candles instead.
Later on, I plan to sit and knit the rest of my hot water bottle cover (it is destined to be a present; it is in a soft grey cashmere) and watch the first episode of the BBC adaptation of Emma, of which I have heard mixed reviews.
I like to think on rainy days, we make our own sunshine...and the lovely people who come and visit me here are definitely rays of sunshine in my day! To Nita, I have not seen Housewife 49, but my Mum has (and read Nella Last's War too), and she loves them both. If you decide to get it, do let me know what you think!
I hope very much that your Wet Wednesday is just as scrumptious as can be!
Love, Mimi xxx
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