JJJ - 18/1/26 - Organ

Our prompt for January 18th is brought to us by the lovely Kaye. Thank you, Kaye! You can find her blog HERE.

Your prompt for JusJoJan January 18th, 2026 is “organ.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

Well I'm just doing a jot today.  My first thought when I saw the prompt was musical instrument so I'm going to link you to Liverpool Cathedral's website here where you can find out about the biggest organ in the UK.

There's even a link where you can hear it.  Enjoy.

Weekly Photos - 11th - 17th January 2026

Sunday we had dinner at my daughter's and enjoyed the company of the grandkids. I did try to join in with this video game but was quickly
exhausted! (It involves copying the dance moves of the characters on the screen.)

Monday I made a banana loaf - a big chunk got sent round to the Grandkids - they love it.

This was a freebie from the Foodbank - it arrived on Monday but it was use by Monday so we couldn't give it out at the Tuesday session and it didn't freeze so Hubby and I risked it on our fish for dinner on Tuesday and it was yummy!

Wednesday involved a trip back to our old borough of Newham to meet up with former work colleagues.  This is the view as you come out from the station and head towards the original shopping centre.

Thursday was another busy day at the Foodbank.

Another freebie from the Foodbank on the left - highly inedible but Granddaughter Ella will enjoy this next Christmas!

On the right is the map showing where I went for lunch on Friday - Cafe Casa in Chingford which was really nice.  I went with the Highams Park lunch group which I'm enjoying being part of but I'll be taking Hubby there at some point.

And this was yesterday - our knitting group did a sale at a local library.
We had a lot more yarn when we started but the first hour (11-12) was really busy.  There wasn't much left at the end and we raised £600 for charity. (MacMillan and the Foodbank.)

And finally, this was also yesterday. (Saturday) It will be 10 years since my MIL passed away on the 22nd of this month so some of us got together yesterday at the social club we're members of to raise a toast to her.  It was mainly Hubby's siblings and partners but there were a few nieces and nephews there too and a great niece.  It was nice to be able to catch up with everyone.

#SoCS & JJJ - 17/1/26 - Favourite Saying

Your prompt for #JusJoJan the 17th and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “favourite saying.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Soooo SoCS posts are supposed to be done without planning or forward thinking.  It's almost 10.30 pm as I'm starting this and I'm not sure my brain is even capable of thinking right now.  I've made myself a cup of tea which I may live to regret later (although it is decaf) and I'm trying to think of a favourite phrase.

Hmmmmm not coming up with much.  It's been a busy day, well a busy week right now and I think I'm all talked out.  Today I helped out at a yarn sale organised by the knitting group I attend.  We made about £600 which is being split between two good causes, one of which is the foodbank I volunteer at so that was good.

After that I had a brief bit of time at home when I managed to finish one of my book clubs read "Five Quarters of the Orange" by Joanne Harris.  (She of Chocolat fame.)  Pondering over how to review that one.

But then we were off to a get together with most of Hubby's siblings to raise a glass to his Mum who died 10 years ago at the end of the month.  That was a nice event.  It also coincided with one of his sister's birthdays (on Monday) so we had something nice to celebrate too.

But still not coming up with a favourite saying.  Although I do seem to remember that "time for bed" was a favourite when the kids were young and I was looking forward to sitting down and relaxing after a day of parenting.  And now it's "time for bed" for me.  

#SoCS and Just Jot it January are hosted by Linda HERE.

Check out her blog for all the details etc.

Friday's Fave Five - 16/1/26

It's Friday so time to look back on the blessings of the week and blog about them here and then share with other like minded bloggers on our host Susanne's site HERE.

1. Another sociable week.  On Sunday our daughter and daughter-in-law invited us to dinner so it was nice to catch up with them and the Grandkids.  I tried this but after a couple of songs I was worn out lol.

Image of grandchildren playing a video game

2. Tuesday I got back to my keep fit class and had coffee with friends afterwards. It was good to be doing some exercise after the Christmas break.

3.  Wednesday I caught up with a couple of friends I used to work with.  One of them has not long completed treatment for cancer and she's looking well.

4.  Today the local lunch group met up here for lunch.

It's a really nice cafe in Chingford and judging by how busy it was it's clearly popular and doing well.  Thankfully we had booked in advance as they were turning people away.

5.  Some admin tasks dealt with - the boiler was serviced on Wednesday and the car passed its annual MOT test today.

So a busy week, with a couple of Foodbank sessions in there too but I've also managed to keep up with blogging and did some knitting and reading and I made a Banana Loaf which the grandkids love.

I'd like to say I can spend the weekend catching up on chores and laundry but the weekend's looking pretty busy too.  Housework is so overrated lol.

Have a good weekend all.