Love the Lake 23/6/25

Recapping the weekend - we had a lovely time on Saturday at the wedding or our niece Annie to her partner Henry.

The view across the field.  The bunting had an emotional connection as some of the fabric had come from clothing of Nick's sister who died last year.

Henry's family are farmers and this open barn had been converted in a short space of time into a perfect summer venue

Complete with a bar area in the centre

Mexican singers, and food was served from catering vans and we had a choice of burgers, tacos and later on pizza - from a pizza oven fitted into the side of a landrover!

Earlier the couple exchanged vows in an area that had been set out with chairs for guests.

We only attended for the evening reception but I'm told this was lovely. But we still got to hear the speeches which was nice.

Our eldest son Matt, DIL Vicky, Daughter Rebecca, me and Nick.

I was so glad I swapped my outfit though - it was a very hot day but there was a breeze so it wasn't too unbearable and it cooled down a bit in the evening.

We left at about 11 pm - Nick finds it quite hard to cope with loud music but I'm sure the youngsters partied on into the early hours.

On Sunday I decided to try and get out for a walk quite early before the day got too hot again but actually the day was much cooler than the heatwave we had last week - still mid 20s but with a breeze so much more comfortable.

Both the wooden bridges over the river Ching which runs alongside the lake have been replaced.  This one is at the north end of the area and is much better because before there were no sides.

Not sure what the coot thinks of these Egyptian geese sitting on its nest!

Look at that lovely blue sky!

The cygnets are doing well and there were lots of ducks around

Some of them look like they could have been the ducklings that I saw not that long ago.

And this is the other bridge that has been replaced, again with proper sides - it has wire netting previously that wasn't great.

I spent the rest of Sunday just relaxing.  It was still too hot to be too energetic!

Friday's Fave Five - 20/6/25

Friday again and time to look back on the blessings of the week and then join up here to share with others.  Susanne keeps us on track each week.

1)  It's the little things:

These managed to survive going through the washing machine.  Thankfully they stayed in the drum with the washing and didn't fall through into the filter.  It would have driven me mad trying to find them once I noticed they were missing!

Like this toy piece:

It's part of a sorting toy that has 20 different wooden shapes.  The grandkids were playing with it a week or so ago but when I tidied up this piece was missing.  It took a lot searching but it finally turned up.  

2) We are enjoying a nice heatwave here in the UK - temperatures have been nearly 30℃ this week and tomorrow we're set to get to 32℃.  We're going to a wedding and I'd planned my outfit a few weeks ago but now I'm glad that I have an alternative dress to wear that hopefully will be a bit cooler than what I'd originally planned.  It's not as dressy but we're only attending the evening reception so I think it will be ok.  It's linen and red and cream so the red earrings above will work nicely!  My original choice was a lined dress which I think I would melt in!

3)  We had a nice meal out with my daughter and her family last Saturday (it was for Father's Day which was on Sunday).  We went to the Forest Hotel which is becoming a favourite of ours.  We like the atmosphere and they regularly change their menus.  We also got a free glass of prosecco as it's my birthday month.  One website it's been worth signing up to.

4) I'm grateful that we don't have to be too careful with money and that I can buy extras like bird food for the bird feeders.  The birds are very hungry right now and as fast as I refill the feeders they seem to be emptying them but it's nice to be able to sit and watch them making the most of the food.

5)  Knitting and reading time - Maisie's jumper is finished I'll post a picture once I've put the buttons on - plus I finished a couple of books.  I've also signed up for a new book club the library have set up and picked up our first read today - Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. 

Have a good weekend all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 18/6/25

Joyce provides the questions, we provide the answers and you can join in the fun here.

1. Summer officially begins this week (in the northern hemisphere)...what was your favourite thing to do in the summer when you were a kid? What do you like most about summer now? 

I loved daytrips to the beach and going to the forest for blackberry picking.  Now I love that on the very hot days I don't have to work and can sit around doing nothing if I want.

2.  Something you'll celebrate this summer? 

We'll celebrate having the family all together again for a couple of weeks.  We also have a wedding to attend on Saturday with most of our extended family there.

3. Summer tastes like? Smells like? Sounds like? 

Strawberries, Freshly cut grass, Birdsong - the parakeets in our garden are being particularly vocal at the moment.

4. June 18th is National Splurge Day...what's the last thing you splurged on? What might you splurge on today? 

I can't remember what I last splurged on but we're planning to get some new garden furniture which will definitely be a splurge.

5. Share a favourite summer quote, saying, song lyric, or meme. 

Well one that applied when I was young of course was "School's out for summer!"  It isn't quite there yet for UK schools - still another 2-3 weeks to go.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Definitely summer here now - we're enjoying a nice hot spell of weather.

Friday's Fave Five - 13/6/25

Susanne reminds us every week to take a pause, look back on the week and find the things we're grateful for.  Sometimes that's easy, other weeks I find it more of a struggle but I'm definitely grateful to Susanne for keeping us on track.

You can find out more here.

1)  41 years married!  Our anniversary was on Monday and we celebrated by taking a slow walk up to Chingford and having lunch at the Forest Hotel which is quickly becoming a favourite of ours.  Excuse the order of the photos

My sticky toffee pudding - doesn't look that special but it tasted divine.

Hubby's Chocolate Delice.  It doesn't need to be huge - the chocolate is soooo rich.  I've had it before which is why I opted for something different this time.

This is the cheap steak option - I didn't opt for any extra sides as I wanted space for the pudding - we don't usually eat big lunches but the walk there (about 2 miles) had given us an appetite!

And this was Hubby's main - Olive and tomato stuffed chicken ballotine.

He also enjoyed a starter of a caesar salad with anchovies.

The Hotel and Restaurant only re-opened in January after a major refurbishment but seems to be doing really well.  For a Monday lunchtime it was quite busy and we hadn't booked but we were able to get a table.  It has a good atmosphere.

2.Apps!  I went to the library on Wednesday and I didn't have my card with me.  (I actually think I might have lost it 😢) But I was quickly shown how to check the book out using the library app on my phone!

3.  Loyalty schemes - I made use of a 20% discount voucher this week and an additional £5 off as it's my birthday month from Lakeland this week.  There were a few bits I'd been meaning to get so this spurred me on to order them before the discount expired.

4.  It's raining as I write this.  (9pm)  It's been another lovely sunny, hot day today - it's been a good week weatherwise but we do need some rain.  I'm grateful that it's coming overnight and not affecting any plans.

5.  I'm grateful for a clean and tidy house.  My brother and his wife were due to visit on Wednesday so always a good incentive to be prepared for visitors.  Unfortunately my SIL was unwell and we're going to have to rearrange but I'm grateful that the main house is now tidy.  The garden room and garage are still full of things that need to be elsewhere but I'm working on that.  My daughter is gradually working her way through her boxes of stuff (with a little encouragement - as in "here is today's box for you to sort" when she's here working lol.)  I'm also gradually giving away all the children's clothes etc. we had here.  We often get bags left by charitable groups to put items in and then they collect it from your doorstep so another bag went this week.

I also put a box of books out the front today and about 1/3 of them had been taken by this evening.  I plan to keep that topped up and out front on dry days.  Little and often is the plan.  But at least now it doesn't feel so overwhelming.

I even managed to get more knitting done - Maisie's jumper just needs one sleeve finished.

Have a good weekend all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 11/6/25

It's Wednesday so time for the Hodgepodge - Joyce provides the questions and we post our answers and link up here.

1. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day. Besides salt and pepper what herb or spice container do you reach for most often? Is there a spice you truly dislike? What's a recent dish you made that called for more than salt and pepper?  

Well Hubby does most of the cooking in this house and he gets through a lot of salt and pepper - I have to restrain him on the salt because I have high blood pressure - well I don't because it's controlled but too much salt is a big no for me.

He will also use tarragon often as well as garlic and ginger.  My most used spices would be cinnamon and ginger - they're in the banana bread recipe I use.  And of course we use oregano a lot in pasta dishes.

One thing we avoid more now is paprika - we have a family member with an allergy.

2.  It's been said 'variety is the spice of life'...in what way is this true for you? Elaborate. 

Being retired no two weeks are usually the same - yes there is routine but being able to change plans at the drop of a hat is great after years of the day to day sameness of work.

3. What's something in your life that adds 'spice' (excitement, intensity) even if also comes with challenge or unpredictability? 

The only thing I can think of that fits  is visiting (or at the moment preparing to host) my son and his family in the US - definitely exciting.

4. If you could instantly master one skill or hobby, what would it be and why? 

That's a hard one!  Probably being able to play an instrument - I have no musical skills whatsoever.

5. We're halfway through the year...what's one book, movie, or activity you've loved this year that you'd recommend to others? 

Well I can't stick to one - these are the books I've given 5 stars to so far this year:

Drive your plow over the bones of the dead by Olga Tolgardczuk

Heartstone by C J Sansom

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena &

Take my Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

You can find my Goodreads page here with review details etc.

The activity I'd recommend is volunteering if you can - I love volunteering at our local Food Bank and feeling part of the community.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Well I should have been busy preparing lunch for my brother and his wife today but unfortunately she is unwell so we've had to postpone.  I'm sure my daughter who is working from "Mum's Home" today will appreciate the extra food and yummy dessert I made - well at least I hope it's yummy - chocolate trifle with raspberries.

And there's banana bread!  The grandkids will enjoy that later I'm sure.

Fridays Fave Five - 6/6/25

Every Friday Susanne reminds us to look back on our week and find the things we're grateful for.  We link up here.

Here are the things I am grateful for this week:

1.  Family time last Sunday - we had our daughter and her family here for lunch.  The weather was nice and a lot of football was played.

2.  Our dishwasher.  I'm also grateful for a Hubby that cooks - even this week when he was a bit under the weather but....he is the messiest cook I know but of course he cooks so I clean up.  So yes I'm grateful for the dishwasher.  He made a lovely fish pie this evening but the kitchen looked like a bomb site after lol.

3.  Time to knit.

Maisie's skirt is knitted - just needs some buttons and the ends and seam done.

And I've made a good start on the jumper.

4.  Patience.  We had a nice afternoon with Grandson Nathan today.  He's been a bit under the weather this week and off school so he came to us today to give Mummy a break.  I managed to get some homework done with him but it did require quite a bit of patience.  He wanted to play football but we did the homework plus some reading while Grandpa was out shopping and then they played football.  I find it easier to have patience with the Grandkids than I probably did with my own kids - trying to juggle home, work and kids wasn't easy.

5. Time to garden.  We've had showers on and off this week but this afternoon was nice and dry and not too warm so I was able to get some weeding done in the garden.

I really do love having the time to do the things I enjoy but also the time to volunteer and feel like I'm giving back to the community.

Have a good weekend all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 4/6/25

Joyce provides the questions, we provide our answers and then join up here to see who else is taking part.

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? 

Not that exciting now there's just the two of us oldies at home, although we did have a family tea party for Hubby's 70th recently.  When the kids were little I can remember having lots of kids in the house and making cakes and playing games etc. but these days it seems like parties tend to be held at venues and cost a fortune.

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses...what colour are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose coloured glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

Well the obvious choice would be red but I'd be happier with pink.  I don't think I have rose coloured glasses.  I do have ones that adapt to the sun though ;)    

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day...will you celebrate? What's something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

I won't make a point of celebrating but I do like cheese - not blue cheese though or soft cheeses generally.  I'm more a mature cheddar person and of course parmesan for the pasta dishes.  I usually use soft cheeses in desserts - who doesn't like a cheesecake?  I also like to make quiche, more so in the summer months.

4. 'tis the season...any weddings on your June calendar? What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

Yes, another of our nieces gets married this month so we have that to look forward to.  We're also celebrating 41 years of marriage next week and the word that springs to mind is - well actually there are a few words, love obviously, commitment, patience, in fact it's probably worth checking out what I vowed to do all those years ago lol.

5. What are you most looking forward to this June?  

The end of it - because then it will be July and we'll be closer to seeing our son and his family who will be visiting from the US.  Not that I'm counting the days of course.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Took a nice walk in my area today - depositing some books in the Little Library boxes, collecting a book from the library and checking on the swans etc at the lake.

Spotted this family of baby Coots - there are actually 6 but one took off into the water

And this strange looking pair which are Ringed Teal ducks.

Friday's Fave Five - 30/5/25

Woohoo it's Friday and I'm here on time with my Fave Five post.  Susanne keeps us on track, reminding us each week to look for the blessings we've had, post them on our blogs and then link up here.

Thank you Susanne.

1.  Extended family.  Last Saturday we were at the wedding of our niece Megan.  She is the daughter of Hubby's brother.  It was such a lovely day and the feeling of love throughout the day was wonderful.  All Hubby's siblings, partners, their kids and partners were there with just a couple of exceptions - our son and his wife in the US for obvious reasons.  I blogged about it in more detail here but here's a picture of the happy couple - and they definitely are a happy couple.

2.  Sunshine after the rain.  We had much needed rain earlier in the week but now the sun has returned and it's warming up.  Summer is coming.

3.  Flowers on my tomato plants - that means tomatoes right?  I only have a couple of plants that my neighbour gave me but I'm keeping them watered and they get plenty of sun.

4. My online purchases arrived:

Now I can prepare my yarn for my next projects.

A dressy strap for my Fitbit for evening/event wear.

Thankfully the watch strap also came with a tool to remove links from the strap - I had to take out five to get it to fit my wrist and it's still far from tight.

5) Despite getting the yarn winder above today I've already started another project with some cotton yarn I already had:

Regular visitors will remember Maisoe, made for my granddaughter:

I thought it would be nice for Maisie to have a change of clothes so I'm making her a skirt and jumper.  I started it at the Knit and Natter session this week.  

Whether she will keep them on not is another matter.  My daughter informed me earlier that Maisie is currently naked lol.

Have a good weekend all.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - 28/5/25

Joyce asks the questions, we provide the answers and we all join in the fun here.

1. What's your favourite room in your house and why? 

I'd have to say my dining room.  It's not huge but it's where we eat (obviously) but also work /play on our laptops which really should be called table tops.  It's open to the kitchen so you can chat with the cook (Hubby) and has doors into the living room so it's pretty much the hub of the house.  Plus you can see into the garden and watch the birds.  It's where I am right now.

2. What's something that will instantly annoy you? 

People calling me "Wend" especially those that don't know me that well.  I have NEVER said "my name is Wendy but you can call me Wend".  I'm not particularly fond of my name but I really hate it being shortened.  Even my Mum used to do it.  Thankfully the one person who has never done it is my Hubby.  Ironically he is Nicholas but we all call him Nick (which is how he introduces himself) although if his Mum called him Nicholas he knew he was probably in trouble lol.

3. May 28th is National Hamburger Day...will you celebrate? How do you like yours? If you're not cooking at home is there a favourite place you like to go for a burger? Did you ever work in a fast food  restaurant? 

No I will not celebrate but I will have a burger occasionally when we eat out - particularly at a pub.  I like it cooked through  but not overdone.  I've never worked in a fast food restaurant or wanted to.

4. What are three scents you like? 

The perfume I wear (Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana)

Lavender

Coffee (even though I don't drink it!)

I was also going to add babies - that unique smell of a newborn baby but so often babies often smell of what's in their nappy (diaper) lol.

5. What do you miss most about being a kid? 

Not much really.  I guess the freedom from responsibility was quite nice.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I'm looking forward to starting a new knitting project and I love being able to order things online - waiting on delivery of a yarn winder - I have skeins of yarn that need winding for both the next two projects and I don't think Hubby will want to sit holding them for me and I couldn't find anything in the house that I could improvise with.  And who doesn't love a new toy?

I also ordered a bracelet style strap for my Fitbit for when I wear it going out - wish I'd thought of it before last Saturday's wedding but at least I'll have it for the wedding we're going to next month.

I also found some diffuser oil refill.  I'm all about reusing, refilling recycling etc when I can.

Enjoy the rest of the week all.

How can it be Monday? 26/5/25

It's been a while, again!  The days seem to be flying by and I need to be more mindful about making time to blog.  My blog serves as a journal of my life so I need to keep up with it.

But life gets busy sometimes.  Last Sunday (18th) was the annual Spring Festival in Highams Park.  I volunteer for the Planning group behind that so was there from 8 am in the morning helping get things set up - which involved a lot of moving equipment around and putting up signage etc.

Then when the main organisers from the Food Hub group arrived I helped them set up their stall and then volunteered there for the rest of the day (apart from an hour or so for a lunch break).  I didn't get home until after 5 pm and had managed over 16,000 steps!

Needless to say last Monday was a quiet day!

On Wednesday I was at the Food Hub taking in a delivery and then at the Food Bank session on Thursday as usual.  I did manage a couple of walks during the week and managed to catch sight of the new cygnets on the lake.

These pictures were taken on the 18th and (I think) it was the first outing for the cygnets.

These pictures were taken yesterday (25th) - aren't they cute.  This pair of swans are fairly new to the lake and it's the first time they've nested here.  It will be interesting to see if they chase the cygnets off when they are fully grown of if they will allow them to remain with them.

Friday found us "enjoying" Nathan and Ella's school fete.  It was noisy and hectic but we did join them for a nice dinner afterwards at their house.

On Saturday we were here!

Celebrating the wedding of our niece Megan to Freddie.

                                                

Hubby (Nick) on left with his brother Bernard.

22 of the 23 cousins - our son in the US was the only 1 missing.

L-R Our daughter Rebecca, her wife Victoria and cousins Geraldine & Natalie

It was a wonderful day.  They are such a lovely couple and the atmosphere was just so joyful.  The reception venue was the Catholic Club that we've been to for many events, but they had totally transformed the garden by hiring the marquee and everything was lovely.  My SIL (the Mother of the Bride) has a great eye for detail as has her DIL who is an artist and did all the artwork for things like the seating plan, place settings, Order of Service etc.  They had also laid on coaches to transport guests from the church to the reception venue.

And the rain held off.  We've had such lovely weather recently but on Saturday it rained in the morning and it was quite cloudy and grey in the afternoon but the bride did not get wet!

Needless to say yesterday was another quiet day - we were up reasonably early to prepare breakfast for our elder son and his wife who were here for the wedding but they left soon after to pick up their boys and head off to the Peak District as it's half-term for the boys this week.

So that's me caught up again.  I'm off to bed now as I have to be up early tomorrow to collect food for the Foodbank from one of the nearby supermarkets, then it's on to Keep Fit with tea and cake afterwards at my friend Catherine's as it's her birthday.

I love being retired!