Fridge soup

 For no reason that I could think of, I wanted to cook today.  So I've made two batches of vegetable soup and a tomato and onion sauce.  Usefully, I've used up most of the vegetables in the fridge and, as I've frozen most of the soup, I can eat straight out of the freezer for a while.  Not that I couldn't have already.  Trouble is with turning out freezers is that you find things that you'd conveniently forgotten - such as the shin of beef that I took out and made into a casserole for Thursday night.  We had a friend coming to stay for the night.  So the three of us ate it on Thursday - and I've frozen five more helpings.  I also made mashed potatoes (and other vegetables, of course) and I'm still eating those.  Tonight, I made a potato cake and fried it, serving it with sugar snap peas, sprouts, the tomato sauce and two fried eggs.  

Ever since reading about someone's granny who, apparently, asked what were man get out peas, I've been unable to think of mange tout or sugar snap peas as anything else.  

I like playing with words, but it was my father who enjoyed mangling sayings or aphorisms or proverbs, or any sort of phrase.  When things turn unexpectedly crowded, with a queue of people turning up at the house, I think "close the doors, they're coming through the windows," though it's completely meaningless - which, I suppose, it what appeals.  "Fingers were made before thumbs" is true, but not the actual saying.  "In and out the windows, like Uncle Weewee did" was a family anecdote, so perhaps it doesn't count.

I was reminded of him the other day.  I was typing up a probate valuation - the helpful family member had typed out the description of the china, so I only had to add a few details and the prices - and he'd not found it easy to make out his late mother's writing and had, at one point, typed 'coronation' for 'carnation.'  Which reminded me of an election day, when Daddy had said, "with a liberal amount of labour, we'll put the coronations in the conservative".  And that's not, now I look at it, any sort of anecdote about him at all, unless you know that Mr Weavers, our gardener, was a Mrs Malaprop of his day.  And he'd talked about doing just that; potting up the carnations to save them from the oncoming frost.  Eh.  You had to be there.  Maybe I'll remember his other straight-faced funnies and they'll actually mean something to other people.

There's always another rainbow, as Ogden Nash put it

 Wince called round this morning and he's told me that there's been an outbreak of avian flu within ten miles of here.  The chickens are all kept in their run now of course, but I think I will keep them in the smaller area, though they won't be pleased with me.  I had a new henhouse built, nearly ten years ago and the outside run is about 3 metres square, or 10 feet if you're of that persuasion (of course, the measurements don't exactly equate but I don't know which is closer) and I've got an extension to that, same width and twice as long.  But the wire netting on top of the larger area is bigger and small birds can fly through - certainly their droppings could drop through.  When I went to say goodnight to them just now, I fed them mealworms and then nipped round to shut off the doorway, but bindweed had grown over and I couldn't remove it.  I had to go back into the main run and pull the weed away, by which time a couple of bantams had ambled through again.  So I've left it.  I may remember later or I'll do it tomorrow.

I don't legally have to shut them in, in fact, as I don't sell the eggs (I wouldn't be allowed to give them away either, if I did let them free range) but the last thing I want to do is risk them being ill.  I've only got 8 left and I've started to pass the word round that I'd give a good home to a young cockerel.

Since dear old Scrabble's death at the age of 10, a fox has killed two more, so I wasn't going to let them out anyway and I am considering a simple way to enlarge the outdoor run for next year.  It doesn't matter how big their run is, they eat the grass down to the roots and all they have is a dusty or muddy patch.  

I don't suppose I'll mention the kitchen situation again until it's finally completed and that will be a fortnight or more yet.  I will wait until I see J in person before having a frank discussion - he'd been on leave because he was moving house and it's apparent that no one picked up the reins and a new door is being awaited, but that's because they sent the wrong size in the first place.  A should have reported this as soon as he realised, two months ago.  I'm not discussing it on the phone or by email.  And I honestly can't be bothered to explain myself here either.  I'm so very despondent and this is a place to be upbeat.

I was going to order a new fridge to match the new upright freezer, but this will wait.  I've moved the smaller fridge from the porch into the ex-study, now nameless part of the kitchen and, once it's settled and switched on, I'll empty the contents of the bigger fridge into it and move that.  It's getting tedious, going out to the porch every time I want anything.

Anyway, I need to get back to lighthearted blogging after this.  So I won't even mention the water running down the walls yesterday.  Z wants to be happy (yes, there is always a song in my head.  All that's said or does reminds me of a song and I've usually got a quote or two in there too).  I have lit 3 candles - this isn't a religious thing, I just find candles calming - and I'll light the fire and make myself a nice cup of tea.

Z replies to comments

Thank you for asking about the kitchen, I'll answer here rather than in the comments.

I have not heard from A as yet and I'm going to have to bother Magnet as he's employed through them.  He won't get paid anything until they're happy, as well as me, with the standard of the job.  This doesn't seem to bother him.  This will include removing all the debris.  I don't know that he's lazy so much as casual and inconsiderate.  He got married over the summer apparently and I feel sorry for his wife.

I'm really thrilled with the tiles, they're lovely.  I've kept the Aga and they're on the wall behind it, as well as on the windowsills each side.  Photos will come, but not until everything is finished.  The Corian worktop chap was excellent and all is well there.  A slight misunderstanding about the sink (I can't remember if I'd mentioned this) - when the first Corian man came to do the template, he said that I was having a large and a small sink, which wasn't right, I'd chosen two the same size.  He pointed out that the unit wasn't big enough.  So I said, so it isn't and okay to the large and small.  I checked later with Jonathan, who said that somehow they'd thought I'd wanted a very large sink and that was the reason there wasn't room for two, and that the order had been correct - but by this time, the large and small one were already in place.  And this was fair enough, a minor mistake really as the big sink is useful.  A whole Aga roasting tin fits in it easily.  And I did mostly use one sink.  It's easier to decide to like it than to mind about an error that, on balance, might turn out to be a good thing.  

I'd been doubtful initially about having mostly drawers rather than cupboards, but it seems to be a good decision.  Since they pull right out, nothing will get lost at the back.  And I'm keeping half a drawer for the sort of stuff that I use frequently but which cause clutter, like seasonings, the butter dish and so on.  I even tuck bread into a drawer, so I don't need a bread bin on the counter top.  Since I have a lot of appliances, anything that reduces other clutter is a help.

The best decisions are not specifically about the new kitchen units.  I love the doorway.  I also am very pleased with having moved the contents of the broom cupboard to the old larder - which needs some sorting out already, as I've been dumping things there.  The bins being in the old broom cupboard is another welcome declutter and there are some useful shelves in there, where I keep cat food, bin liners, a torch, spare light bulbs and that sort of thing.  In addition, I cleared out cupboards in the cloakroom to make room for things out of the kitchen and I'm going to carry on using them for bigger dishes and saucepans that I don't use regularly.  Usefully, as the doorway to the other room doesn't have an actual door, so one can see through to the part of the kitchen between the sink and the end of the room where the Aga is, I'll have to keep that area tidy.  I do like to have things I use regularly to hand, however, so I'm going to have a shelf all along that area, for storage jars and so one.  If they're there for a purpose and look attractive, I won't count them as clutter.

Mago, you're right about the pieces that didn't sell so well at the auction.  It was noticeable that the most common patterns in the most common shapes (common is no sort of an insult, just as potatoes and onions being common vegetables just means the most usually popular ones) were fetching lower prices or not selling.  No one wanted a nice tea bowl and saucer in the dollshouse pattern, for instance.  It's just one of those things, I don't think there's any great significance.  That rarer patterns and shapes went well is encouraging, everyone knows that there will always be a chance to buy a dollshouse piece but you can't always find a dromedary on a raft (this pattern is one of the quainter prints).  

There are some shapes that are always liked, such as sparrow beak jugs.  This are simply small, upright cream jugs with a sharply pointed pouring lip, like a sparrow's beak.  They're pretty, easy to display on a shelf and come in lots of different patterns.  The exact size and shape varies - some are more rounded, some slimmer, they may be a little smaller or larger than average, but they look good on a shelf in a cabinet.  A few collectors like to build up a tea or coffee service in one pattern, but it's not the most usual way to build up a collection.  I know one person who mostly buys saucers, from all the 18th century factories, mostly in blue and white.  He's become a great expert on the subject and has written a very useful reference book, the second edition having come out this year.

Z's kitchen is nearly usable

 I spoke too soon about my resignation from all things educational.  For legal reasons, it'll be simpler if I carry on until the end of the school year.  Of course, it's fine - though now I'll have to do the online training.  I'll look it up today and maybe manage some of it this evening.

The auction went really well and was a delightful occasion.  It was just so good to have enthusiastic, friendly people there - one pleasure has always been that knowledgeable people are very happy to explain details to newcomers - and there were more people in the salesroom (and bidding) than has been the case since before Covid.  Prices are not what they were, but that's great for collectors.  

A the fitter, having said he'd come on Tuesday and then that he'd send D on Tuesday afternoon, finally rocked up at 5.30 on Friday, having had a tart reminder that there were things he needed to do before Ed the Corian fitter turned up on Monday morning.  And then there were a couple of minor jobs he hadn't done, one of which Ed did and another that A came to finish later and told me he'd fixed the Corian in place in that spot.  When Scott the decorator came along, turned out that he hadn't.  He'd done half the job but I'd put spices in the drawer he needed to take out and, for no reason I can think of, he didn't ask me to move them. So I did, Scott fixed the worktop and then carried on painting the kitchen.  Shaun the plumber spent a day here doing both his own job and A's.  The electric socket needs to be put in place and then I can use the dishwasher.  I told Steve the electrician that there was no hurry, whenever he has time.  Now Glen the flooring guy is on his second day doing the floor - it's two rooms plus the lobby. Then A needs to do a few finishing touches and remove all the rubbish that's been building up outside over the last two months - no point in removing some of it, it's not in the way.  Finally, the new water softener will be fixed, I think that's the week after next, but I need to phone and check.  Scott will come back and put up some shelves, when I've decided on their height.  

Taking everything out of the study and putting it wherever there was space has finally confused me completely.  I can't find anything any more.  Everything has been moved too many times.  However, one adapts.  I found orzo when I couldn't find pasta and a sieve when I couldn't find a colander.  I know where the plates are, but I have to just wash and reuse two of them, because there's a chest of drawers in front of the cupboard.  I realise that I don't know where I'm going to keep everyday glasses, so they're in a drawer at present.

Unsurprisingly, the kitchen looks bigger, both because it's lighter and because I've moved the dresser out.  And the fridges.  I can't focus on how I like it all until it's finished, I don't want to think about that yet.  I know I love the doorway through to the ex-study.  I don't know what furniture I'm going to have in there yet and I've a horrid feeling that I don't have the exact table that I want. For now, I'll just use what I already have.  

The family - most of them - will come over on Saturday for supper and quiet fireworks.  We don't think it's fair to make a lot of noise when it isn't Bonfire Night, on 5th November.

I'm still doing the auction accounts.  I pride myself on paying everyone within a week of the auction, but I've slipped this time.  I'll get it done by close of play tomorrow.  

Z zzzzzs

 It's been 7 weeks since the kitchen was started and it hasn't gone well.  That's why I haven't said much.  My lovely sister has borne my frustration - as well as doing my washing up - but talking about it just makes it worse.  However, the worktops are being fitted on Monday, so maybe the end is in the far distance, but in faint sight.

So let's leave that for now.  What I want to talk about is sleep.  It's been a long time since I slept well - in fact, it's always been difficult for me to fall asleep as I've always been a thorough owl.  I came into my own in the evening, even as a child.  My poor sister - yes, saintly Wink - and I shared a room as children and, though I'm 5 years younger, I was still chatting away when she was desperate for sleep.  But when my mother was unwell and incredibly difficult to live with, I started waking in the small hours, head bound tight with worry and this became a habitual problem.  I gradually coped better, but it's normal for a lot of people to wake in the night, as they get older, so wakefulness for several hours became part of my life.  

It was always advised that tv and screentime in general were Bad Things, so I stopped watching television or looking at the computer in the evening, for the most part.  Earlier meals, so I had at least three hours without food before bedtime.  It didn't help.  One or two good nights a week, but nothing better overall.  Recently however, I've been watching television again.  Nothing very engaging, just background words and pictures, on the whole.  I don't have a tv downstairs any more, nor in my bedroom, so I watch on the computer.  Since then, I've slept better than I have done for years.  In short, no one knows everything and what works for one person may not work for another.

The L'toft auction is on Wednesday.  By the end of the month, I'll have no excuse not to blog regularly.  

And we'll pass, and be forgotten with the rest

 1st September 1988 - 8th October 2025

I started as a school governor when I had a phone call from the Rector.  A little surprised, but flattered, I agreed - and then found that being the clerk to the governors came with the job.  That was all right, I could take minutes and touch type and it was a good way to get involved from the start.

First school governor, high school governor, academy trustee, member of multi-academy trust, some jobs overlapping, all voluntary, all taking a lot of time, expertise and dedication.  But last school year, I didn't have the time and wasn't doing the job as it should have been done and I knew I had to step up or bow out.  I chose the second option.  

I sometimes just kept things going, along with the rest and sometimes made a real difference.  I made one poor decision and learned a lot from it.  All forgotten now, it's a long time ago.

 

Z is still an unreliable blogger

 I've just found some comments that needed approval.  Sorry - no idea why they didn't go through automatically.

I now have, supposedly, got back my other blog - the .co.uk one - but I have to do more to be able to get it visible and it's beyond me.  I'm going to have to bother Ronan, which I really hate to do.  But I don't understand anything.  

September has been tricky.  I haven't wanted to talk about it, because I use blogging to be a positive and cheerful Z, for the most part and that wouldn't really be possible.  However, the short holiday was really excellent and I finally did get the catalogue finished - typing on a coach is difficult and a strain on the eyes, but it's possible.  

I really want to whinge, but it'll be much better to write it down when it's all sorted out and I can look back and pretend it wasn't that bad after all.

We did finally find both tortoises.  Wince searched out one while I was away and I found the other when I came home.  They weren't buried very deep, but camouflage is good.  Now, both are in their autumn indoor quarters, but Leo (the tortoise formerly known as Anastasia) is just as determined to go to sleep and  burrows down as far as he can.  Fyodor (ex Natasha) is eating enthusiastically and is active.  I'm not quite sure what to do, it still seems too early for full hibernation.

Scrabble, the oldest bantam, died last month.  She was ten and a half years old and, until the last week or so, had been very well, but I think she had a mild stroke or a seizure, because she seemed confused one evening and didn't know how to eat.  After a couple of days, she managed again, but she kept twitching her head to one side.  I left her in the henhouse, she wasn't distressed and seemed happier with the other chickens, going out every day and then onto the perch at night, but I didn't really expect her to recover.  Eventually, she retreated to a nest box at night - still enjoying mealworms, fed by hand as usual - but for the last couple of days she couldn't even get up there.  I brought her indoors for her last day - which was my birthday, as it happens.  It's par for the course.  Russell died on a grandchild's birthday and Tim died on my son-in-law's.  Rotten timing all round.

Now, I have ten bantams, all 5 or 6 years old.  I need to decide in the next six months whether to get another cockerel or not.  These are all descended from our original flock, dumped in the churchyard more than 35 years ago and, if they die out, I won't necessarily stop having chickens but I won't have chicks.  I honestly don't know.  It's easier without a cockerel - simply because my lovely little girls are such good mothers, they vanish and then turn up 3 weeks later with a brood of chicks.  So, if I don't want chicks, I can't let them free range.  And then there's the problem of surplus cocks.  But they are such dear little hens and I don't want to lose the family.  I suspect I'll regret either decision.