that hasn’t returned, was a question asked during the general chit chat at the book club Gatherings of like minded people I said
I have memories of fun concerts with one of my choirs.
For various reasons we haven’t ‘met’ since April last year. Online or in person. I’ve heard on the ‘grapevine’ that nobody has been sick most have had at least on vaccination and all are raring to go again. Unfortunately it will most likely be in the new year (when all this is over) the dos and don’t of covid restrictions are making it difficult. ~ ~ ~ ~ Plus memories of fun outings with the Red Hat Society ladies. which likewise for various reasons my chapter has closed for the time being
I’ve been trying to make sense of my recent maudlin feelings And am beginning to think I keep reminding myself of what was (and yes I’m in all the photos) rather than what can be
Yesterday, the shortest day (a turning point in the year) came and went in a blaze of sunshine. A glorious sunny winter day, just like several others in the week before it
If I could have a pick I’d choose June 21 as my favourite day of winter Because Its all change from here in 😊
A chat with my GP also reinforced what friends and commenters here mentioned- what with one thing and another (plus all the goings on in my life) this has been a heck of a time for me (and so many others) there’s no wonder I was down in the dumps and feeling sorry for myself.
So just as the days will become longer and brighter with more hours of daylight as we make our way towards Spring …..hopefully sunshine as well – so will I become less like a someone who feels as though she has the weight of the world on her shoulders.
These last few sunny days have made a difference to the way I feel…..completely different to how it was early last week when I wrote this post. Things are changing, yes I realise the weather will change again – the wind and the rain will return – but the pool has reopened, one of my craft groups is reopening , it’s possible the Qld border will reopen to Victorians, and I’m off to get my 2nd AZ vaccination tomorrow (no choice there, that’s what they gave us oldies)
It’s not really as simple as brighter lighter days making a lighter brighter person but it will certainly go a long way in turning my mental health in the right direction 😊
Do you remember the post (Afternoon Tea with a Difference) where I told you about the ‘virtual’ events that were held years ago – well here’s another little story along the same lines (this one is from Feb 2011 ) plus the photos that went with it.
The theme this time was to talk about the easiest dessert in your repertoire That was a laugh because desserts didn’t come high on my list of cooking skills Anyway after a bit of head scratching – no….ice cream cake from the supermarket wasn’t what the organisers were after…. I finally came up with something
~ ~ ~ ~
Hot humid sticky days in Summer often mean a lack of interest in heavy food So on those days when you just can’t be bothered and fresh fruit just doesn’t do it for you I’ve gone back to one of the nicest easiest desserts (and at times snacks) there is
Good old fashioned Jelly – called Jello in some parts of the world.
Here in Australia it comes as flavoured crystals. but in England I only remember it coming as flavoured gelatin cubes.
So simple to make – dissolve in boiling water – add some cold then pop in fridge to set Takes no effort to eat – it just slides down the throat Just the thing when you are feeling unwell Lovely and cold when your body is hot Fabulous with Ice Cream or Yoghurt Along with Fruit and Custard and Cake (of some sort) you have the makings of a Trifle.
When the children were little I’d often add a tin of mandarin oranges which seemed to stretch it a bit further – we happened to have strawberries on hand the other day So I chopped up a few and added them to the red jelly mix (Our fridge lives in the laundry which means the washing machine is close by A flat lid plus a clear chopping board makes a great handy bench at times)
Gone are the days of the large jelly mould I’d use when the children were little you know the sort with the fluted edges. that also needed two packets of crystals so it was firm enough to unmould. The tupperware one was my favourite, the one with a lid (so nothing ‘dropped into’ the jelly while it was in the fridge) as well as changeable bottoms that became the pattern on the top when it was unmoulded.
These days when there are just us two I use these little ramekins as moulds One liquid mix just fits nicely into the four and they don’t take up much fridge space
We tend to eat it directly from the little bowls A nice little snack together with ice cream or yogurt, tea and a biscuit
If I wanted I could make it look more interesting By placing chopped jelly in a bowl along with the yoghurt Adding a cup of coffee and slightly ‘different ’ biscuits
And then of course for an after dinner treat I could change direction again – make it a bit ‘posher’ – and present it like this
Gosh didn’t that week go by quickly, it just seems like yesterday when I was sitting here in the early hours of the morning, cup of tea in hand chatting away to whoever was listening. Cooking hasn’t been top of the ‘want to do’ this past week. Simple (read comfort type) meals…..sausage & mash is a favourite of The Golfer’s and quick and easy to prepare. My favourite fruit (Imperial mandarins) is back so afters seemed to be quick and easy as well. Mandarins, water melon, bananas, cheese & crackers plus almonds/walnuts…..even hot custard one evening. No jelly though…. need to pick up a packet when I next do a shop!
Now I’m off to put the kettle on and decide on brekky – me thinks porridge, brown sugar and sultanas on top sounds good this morning. There’s a date with a syringe and a hypodermic needle coming up in a couple of days so a bit of housework needs to be done in case I have a reaction, although all should be well seeing as this is the 2nd one and there was no problem with the first. I’d be interested to know if anyone had a reaction to their second AstraZeneca shot.
Oh, and do visit Denyse’s blog to see the latest edition of Life this week – there’s always people to meet over there. Linking to Senior Salon – hosted by Esme
AND…..big thanks to Gigi (gigi-hawaii) for her post that reminded me of this fun easy peasy dessert 😊
And – hopefully – The Golfer and our ISP have finally fixed whatever the problem has been with our internet. If it drops out again I’m going have a hissy fit down the telephone line into some poor unsuspecting workers ear. Also I’m hoping I’ve fixed my ‘commenting on blogger blogs problem’. Had to sign out not just of Google but my old blogger account as well – something I’ve haven’t done for years. Lots of head scratching and looking through ‘notes’ to find the correct p/word.
Borders – edges to keep things in and out (my definition). Borders – Wikipedia’s definition
As well as our internal state & territory borders here in Australia we also have the big international one
At the moment….or should I say, once again… because of covid cases cropping up……there are internal state/territory border restrictions. They are keeping people ‘trapped’ in their own state and keeping people ‘excluded’ from other states.
And of course there’s the big one – the international one. Closed for the majority of the population since way back very early in 2020. Keeping people trapped in the country and others who so desperately want to return excluded
There are so many reasons why – but sometimes even I wonder ‘why’? Has it done more harm than good – if other countries have not closed up why are we still closed to the world.
Just got a touch of the miseries today….I’m sure they’ll go away as quickly as they came As for this b…..virus, it’ll go away one day I’m sure – hopefully I’ll still be around to witness it!
We had cold and wet and gale force wind in copious quantities last week in Melbourne, we also had days with no power after a ‘ginormous’ storm went through but just before all that happened I did a bit of indoor ‘ techie type’ clutter clearing’…… this time it was sorting out old photo folders (again) I had a little smile when I came across these two …..I’d read somewhere about taking photos as reminders of items/objects you’ve enjoyed but no longer want/need So during a previous ‘clearing out’ blitz, that’s just what I did. Took photos of these two very large almost brand new mugs that had spent a lot of unused time in the cupboard….. just before I passed them onto someone else 😊
I’ll keep the photos a while longer – not to remember the mugs – but as a memory of the recently departed friend who gave them to me.
In the cold of the very early morning I’m enjoying my first cup of tea and thinking of my ‘darling B’ ……she who lived such a gentle life, and left this world in a gentle sort of way. Settling down for the night, not waking in the morning – just as she would have liked. Quietly peacefully at ease.
She had many friends who appreciated the quiet peaceful life she led, her ‘going away party’ was small and simple, limited by restrictions….. but there’s another ‘friends as well as family’ gathering being planned for later….where she’ll be the centre of attention as we celebrate her life 😊❤️
Denyse is the host of Life this week – do pop over because you never know who you’ll see there. Linking to Senior Salon – hosted by Esme As the old advertising slogan goes:- You’ll never never know If you never never go!
ps – B even suggested the people I could pass the mugs on to. pps – I live in the foothills of The Dandenongs. This is what went through
Quiet times during lockdown times means lots of surfing time
And because surfing time often turns into fun time
Here just for Fun and just because it’s Friday – you do know what Friday is don’t you? Yes, a special day for Fun if ever there was one 😊
(And boy we really do need we need fun at this time)
Here’s some little things to think about and to keep you amused Can you find the hidden phrase or word for these puzzles?
From wikipedia:- Thinking outside the box (thinking outside the square) is to think differently, unconventionally or from a new perspective. This phrase often refers to novel, creative and smart thinking.This is sometimes called a process of lateral thought.
Oh and I’d be able to tell you where I found these little puzzles if I hadn’t cleared my history ☹️
Fun Friday – the day you forget the worries of the week.
BTW – The Suggested answers were….. Traffic Congestion or Traffic Jam Where is Mr Right Role Reversal or Reversed Roles Hiccups Upper Crust A Rising Economy
Yesterday was Tuesday 1 June officially the first day of winter 2021 in Australia.
I wonder what is in store for us this year. When I had a quick glance late in the afternoon the first week didn’t look too bad – a bit wet maybe but not too cold
In the bleak mid-winter Frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow, In the bleak mid-winter. Long ago.
But then this is Melbourne so it could be anything!
Whats the year round weather like in Melbourne? – this might explain – but let’s just say, 4 seasons in one day is quite often the way it’s described 😎☔️⛱⛈☀️💨
Still Waters 