Walking through the Alphabet in 2010

Jigsaw finished

2010-06-09T10:28:00.001+01:00

The finished Jigsaw ( but it did run on into K fortnight ) - took a bit longer than expected but I got there in the end :-) It was quite frustrating as some of the pieces were very similar shapes and it was very easy to put them in the wrong places. Right at the start I didn't have enough pieces to finish the frame but it was just that two pieces were in the wrong place. Exactly the same thing happened at the end - 2 pieces over but they didn't fit in the 2 gaps left!!! All sorted now though

J is for Jagged - Sunday Shutterbugs

2010-06-09T00:31:00.000+01:00

This is the portcullis at Castell Coch- definitely jagged!

J is for Jewellery

2010-06-09T00:14:00.002+01:00

Went shopping today with Sally and went to Home Sense. I found two jewellery kits for just £2.99 each reduced from £7.99 so thought they would be worth a go at. Have managed to finish the one already and must say am pleased with the outcome. it makes you realise how easy this can be so might try a few more of my own in the future.

J is for Jigsaw

2010-06-08T23:54:00.000+01:00

Something I haven't done for a very long time. Well not one for me. I've helped Daniel with his little jigsaws but this is a big grown up one. Hopefully I'll get to finish it

Jumping into J

2010-06-08T23:31:00.001+01:00

J fortnight starts with Sunday Shutterbugs weekly challenge - J is for Jump.

Hopefully this fortnight will be more successful than the last. I'm hoping to do better with the book and music. Our book club monthly book is Juliette Naked by Nick Hornby

Incandescant Sky

2010-06-08T23:20:00.000+01:00

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn

2010-06-08T22:51:00.001+01:00

Music wise I listened to Natalie Imbrugia. Didn't manage any films or books this fortnight. Found "I" a bit IMPOSSIBLE lol!

I is for Icecream & Indian Food

2010-06-08T22:40:00.000+01:00

I 've struggled with the letter "I" food wise but we did manage to eat some lush icecream and I cooked an Indian meal of Chicken Tikka Masala. Admittedly it was from a spice pack with the Instructions on how to make it and I won't be repeating the experience as it was disappointing - now I know why it was half price :-).

The only other "I" food we managed in the fortnight was a meal at an Indian Restaurant when we met up with friends for a very pleasant evening out.

Iris - from bud to flower

2010-06-08T14:55:00.000+01:00

I is for Individual

2010-06-08T14:41:00.001+01:00

Individual & independent that's Daniel now. Here he is marching to his version of "The Grand Old Duke of York"

Hay on Wye

2010-05-24T01:22:00.000+01:00

Our last day and yet another town beginning with H - this time Hay-on-Wye a town renowned for all its second hand book shops and Book Festival (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay-on-Wye ) There are also some lovely craft shops and some interesting boutiques. We were there on market day and although it was only small it was mostly organic foodstuff and interesting craft stalls

Hereford & Hereford Cathedral

2010-05-24T00:11:00.000+01:00

We had a day out in Hereford and visited the Cathedral which houses the famous Mappa Mundi - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Mappa_Mundi and the Chain Library - http://www.herefordcathedral.org/education-research/library-and-archives/history-of-the-chained-library
Unfortunately you are not allowed to take any photos in either of the exhibitions. I did however spend a couple of happy hours taking photos around and about the Cathedral it self

Hens & Horses

2010-05-23T19:47:00.000+01:00

Free range hens and the horses that were on the farm. The stable block was just behind our barn and this was taken from the kitchen window. As well as a working farm it was a Livery Stable as well

More Horses

2010-05-23T17:14:00.001+01:00

These horses were on the common up behind the farm - they are actually Exmoor Ponies and were enjoying the spring grass

H is for Holm Barn

2010-05-23T16:49:00.000+01:00

We had a short break booked for this fortnight and would you believe we were staying at Holm Barn, Holm Farm, Herefordshire. The farm is the red brick building and our temporary home is the wooden fronted converted barn. Also shown are our bedroom and one of the bathrooms. There were 3 couples so we had a bathroom each. 2 en-suites and one family bathroom (pictured) the barn has enough space to accommodate 10 people and we were lucky to get such a gorgeous place at short notice. We were originally due to go to Pickering in Yorkshire but have had to postpone that until next year as Russ has a prolapsed disc and is finding getting about rather difficult at present. Still nobody was complaining as this place was wonderful

H is for Horse

2010-05-23T15:49:00.000+01:00

Another Sunday Shutterbugs challenge

Here comes H

2010-05-23T15:46:00.001+01:00

To start this fortnight we visited the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Horticultural Spring Show in Cardiff. it was a beautiful day and I had a Happy time taking lots of photos of the plants & flowers. Posted below is a little video of some of the photos I took - double click to have a look

Videos

2010-05-23T15:37:00.000+01:00

H is for Heavanly

2010-05-23T14:12:00.000+01:00

Starting this H fortnight off with the weekly Sunday Shutterbug challenge. this was taken at the RHS Spring Show in Cardiff

Green - Sunday shutterbugs

2010-05-10T01:30:00.001+01:00

Game - Sunday Shutterbugs

2010-05-10T01:25:00.000+01:00

A fast and furious Game of Monkey Madness

G - 27th March - 9th April 2010

2010-05-10T01:22:00.000+01:00

The obvious place to start with this letter is the hit TV programme Glee. I''ve been recording this since the first week but have to wait until I'm home alone to watch it. I've been playing catch up this fortnight :-) For my Book club this month the book was The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson. This fitted in very well and was a really Good read. It did take a while to get started but then became a Guaranteed compulsive read.

Foaming Falls at Cenarth Falls

2010-05-09T00:51:00.000+01:00

Films, music

2010-05-09T00:50:00.000+01:00

Well managed to watch "Run Fat Boy Run " which is a rather loose connection but it was quite Funny. I listened to Fleetwood Mac but not much else. Should have got out the Fleet Foxes and Paloma Faith but forgot!! Did manage to watch and read quite a lot of Fireman Sam with Daniel.

Fun

2010-05-09T00:33:00.000+01:00

We went away for a weekend with the Family and as you can see it was a Fun time

Fish & Chips

2010-05-08T23:55:00.001+01:00

Friendship & Facebook

2010-05-08T23:53:00.001+01:00

Another surprise parcel arrived, this time from Steph and this contained a lovely little notebook with Fruity lemons on the cover together with some yummy Fruit Pastilles. Also I was lucky enough to get these two Friendship cards from Steph and Mandy, both Featuring Flowers!
Facebook has to be a very important F in the scheme of things because without it I would not have Found the A-Z year and certainly wouldn't have made such a lovely group of Friends.

Flower

2010-05-08T23:28:00.001+01:00

The first of the F weeks prompts over at Sunday Shutterbugs

F Fortnight - 13th - 26th March 2010

2010-05-08T22:08:00.002+01:00

Had a Fantastic start to this letter with two surprise parcels in the post. First I received a Fruit Facepack from Rachael and then came a lovely box of Flapjacks from Mima. The facepack smelt beautiful and was fun to use although not a very flattering sight once applied. I promised to take a picture of me - this was before it became very firm and my face was fixed in a tight mask. Once it was washed off my skin did feel very soft.

The flapjacks were delicious and we enjoyed them over a few days with our morning coffee.

Elizabeth

2010-05-04T17:58:00.000+01:00

We had had this film on our Sky + for over a year I think, so this fortnight was at last the "e"xcuse we needed to actually watch it. It was great and I'm so pleased we made the "e"ffort. I'm not sure that Russ "e"njoyed it quite as much as me though

Eek! is for the Dark

2010-05-04T17:38:00.002+01:00

Another one for Sunday Shutterbugs

E is for Earth

2010-05-04T17:31:00.001+01:00

This is a photo for the Sunday Shutterbugs weekly a-z challenge -http://sundayshutterbugs.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-03-15T22:04:00-07:00&max-results=7

E is for Eggs

2010-05-03T13:54:00.002+01:00

this dish uses eggs to set the white sauce for the topping. It's another delicious recipe from "The Bean Book" by Rose Elliot :-

Everything E

2010-05-03T13:08:00.001+01:00

E fortnight started with a lovely surprise parcel arriving in the post from Kerry. As you can see from the photo it was an "e." bag and a very useful one too. I put it straight to use on a visit to the pool for an energetic session with Daniel & Sally. It's just the right size for bathers & towel.

The bag also has plenty of inspiration all over it with all those e words

I now have the chance at long last of watching one of the films we've had on Sky+ for ages but more of that later. Music wise I hoped to listen to - Erasure, Eurythmics, Eels & Everly Brothers

Ditching D

2010-05-03T10:59:00.000+01:00

I'm not sure what happened but I've fallen Disastrously behind with my blogging so now is the time to Ditch D but I will just say that I did enjoy listening to Neil Diamond, The Dixie Chicks, Duffy & Deacon Blue. I was intending to take a photo of my music but that has gone by the board now

2010-03-11T22:09:00.001Z

My all time favourite Dark chocolate from Lidl

My gorgeous Dessert I had in Ask on Sunday 28th February when we went out for a family meal

Daffodils the national flower of Wales and always used as part of the celebration of St David's Day on March 1st in the same way that the shamrock is used in the celebration of St. Patrick's day on March 17th

D is for Dinner Party

2010-03-11T19:11:00.001Z

We had friends around for dinner and for main course we had Duck with pork,apricot & orange stuffing from Waitrose

served with an orange sauce, Anna potatoes,carrots & broccoli
Starter was Leek & potato soup (home made). Dessert was a cheat -Asda Extra Special Melt in Middle Dark Chocolate Puddings they were yummy

A visit to Dyffryn Gardens

2010-03-11T02:33:00.001Z

The first weekend of our D fortnight we went with Sally & Daniel to Dyffryn Gardens - now a Council owned park but originally a private estate. The house is no longer used although it was once an hotel but the grounds are lovely. http://www.dyffryngardens.org.uk/

D is for Door

2010-02-24T00:19:00.000Z

Yet another day of snow, but at least I got this shot of the snow piling up on our back gate (door). It didn't get musch worse than this thank goodness

D is for Drip

2010-02-20T22:30:00.000Z

Crocus,Camelia & Catkins

2010-02-18T15:11:00.000Z

2010-02-18T14:51:00.001Z

My 2 favourite computer games for the "C" fortnight. Both are quite compulsive!
I have managed to read a book this time. It was "When I Found You" by Catherine Ryan Hyde. This was the book chosen for our Book Club read and so it just about fitted into the letter "C" fortnight. It was an interesting book with an unusual story line. An easy read but I thought quite thought provoking as it dealt with the isolation of abandonment by parents. A young baby abandoned to die at birth and how it affects his growth as an adult and interaction with other adults.

Circle & Curve together

2010-02-15T14:50:00.001Z

I have combined the two weeks challenge for C at Sunday Shutterbugs with this photo. These are 2 tiles from the Wales Empire Pool that my husband managed to get before the swimming pool was demolished in 1997. It has a lot of memories for both of us. It was built for the Empire Games in 1958 when Cardiff was the host city. Russ spent many years swimming and playing water polo there as a member of Cardiff Swimming Club. I learnt to swim there and I also met Russ there when he was a lifeguard during his summer break from College. It was a very sad day when it was demolished and Cardiff had to wait for another 10 years before we got an equivalent standard of swimming pool to replace it (Photos of both pools can be seen here - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/expats/expats-newsletter/page.cfm?objectid=16194780&method=full&siteid=50082 )

Cooking with C

2010-02-15T13:31:00.001Z

This was a recipe I found in the Asda Magazine. We thoroughly enjoyed it and will certainly be using again. Very tasty and subtly spiced.

This is an old favourite. It was an Oxo recipe from years ago and originally I used to put corned beef in it as per the recipe. However when Sal became vegetarian I started leaving it out and now we love it like that. By coincidence this week we washed it down with a bottle of red that fitted in nicely with the C theme. Followed by Apple Crumble!

Now we Continue for two weeks with C

2010-02-15T12:51:00.001Z

Here is our collection of music for the letter C. Favourites as you can see are Mary Chapin Carpenter, Shawn Colvin and apparantly Phil Collins. There were a few I hadn't listened to very much so I dug out Lloyd Cole & the Commotions, The Cherryholmes and Johnny Cash.

The Cherryholmes we saw in Cambridge at the folk festival in 2008. They are a very talented family from Nashville who play bluegrass music. Great to see live!

I love the music of Harry Chapin who sadly died in 1981. This album isn't one with his most popular songs on. You may know his 2 most famous ones - Cat's in the Cradle - Harry Chapin and W.O.L.D. Somewhere I think we still have a tape of a concert he did for Radio 2 many years ago. I must try and find it - it's got all my favourites on it :-)

Favourite games for B

2010-02-10T13:35:00.005Z

Here are my 2 favourite computer games for the letter "B". Bejewelled Blitz which I have been playing for some time on facebook & Bubble Spinner which I was introduced to by Bobs. Both games are very compulsive and I must say I spend far too long playing them but don't seem to improve much......

B is for Blue ( Sunday Shutterbugs )

2010-02-10T00:53:00.000Z

B is for Bud

2010-02-10T00:48:00.000Z

A Bag of Broch Candy from Bob

2010-02-09T22:35:00.002Z

A lovely surprise arrived in the post this week from Scotland. It was a little bag of "Broch Candy" from Bobs - a speciality of her home town of Fraserburgh.

I have been listening to The Bangles and Natasha Bedingfield but unfortunately I didn't get around to reading my Book for this fortnight. I tried watching Bride Wars but ended up fast forwarding through most of it as it was a bit silly. I got the gist of the story though having watched the first and last half hour

Bird for Sunday Shutterbugs

2010-02-09T22:16:00.000Z

B continued

2010-02-08T12:39:00.001Z

Another winter favourite we hadn't had for a long time - Bacon Toad in a Hole. Instead of sausages you use bacon, part cook it in the oven then pour over the batter. After cooking for about 15 minutes remove from oven and add grated cheese then return to cook for another 15 minutes. We had it with a cheese sauce, baked potatoes & carrots

Blogging for B

2010-01-21T18:45:00.008Z

I'm a little Bit Behind starting this week as far as the Blogging is concerned although I have been doing things for B particularly food wise.
Read I'm still reading The Time Travellers Wife that I started for "A" but as soon as I finish that I have the new Maeve Binchy Book "The Return Journey" ready to read which Sally bought me for Christmas. Also I bought Bill Bryson's "Notes from a Small Island" for Russ so that's another one that I can hopefully fit into these two weeks
Food I always start my day with Banana on toast and I thought Bangers & Mash would be a good place to start for our dinner so we had this on Monday.

Listen Our favourite radio show on Radio 2 is Bob Harris on a Saturday night so that's a great place to start. I grew up listening to the Beatles so I will definitely try to fit some of their music in. There's also the Bangles, Belinda Carlisle ( although I might save her for the letter C)and another absolute favourite Eric Bibb

A is for Animal & Artist at work

2010-01-21T14:34:00.004Z

Artist at work
Originally uploaded by oakwoodlott

I've had trouble with posting photos over the last few days so am rather behind with my (B)logging. These photos were taken in conjunction with Shutter Sisters theme of the week to fit in with the first letters of the A-Z - year - A

2010-01-18T19:20:00.001Z

http://apps.facebook.com/mindjolt/games/addix This is a new computer game I was recommended by a friend for the letter A. It has become (A)ddictive which is probably why they called it (A)ddix. it certainly gives the brain a good workout. Mental (a)rithmetic was never my strong point at school so this helps to brush up on my skill level!!!

(A)nother favourite meal - (A)frican Sweet Potato Stew

2010-01-14T23:31:00.005Z

I've managed to cook another "A" meal. Another favourite of ours and another vegetarian meal.It's very tasty. This one is from Good Housekeeping's "New Cooking" Recipe Book
and serves 4-6 people

African Sweet Potato and Spinach Stew

4tbsp groundnut oil (or an equivalent)
1 onion peeled & chopped
2 garlic cloves peeled & crushed
2tsp grated root ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp mild or medium curry paste
350g/12oz sweet potato cubed
300ml/1/2pt passata (or tin of chopped tomatoes)
300ml/1/2pt vegetable stock
225g/8oz mushrooms
225g/8oz spinach leaves
4tbsp peanut butter
2tbsp coriander

1) Heat 3tbsp oil in large saucepan, add onion,garlic, ginger & cayenne. Fry gently for 10mins. Add curry paste, cook stirring for 1 min.
2) Add sweet potatoes, stir to coat with onion mixture, fry for 3-4 mins. Add passata & stock. Bring to boil, cover, simmer for 15-20mins.
3) Meanwhile heat remaining oil in pan, add mushrooms, stir-fry for 4-5 mins until golden & beginning to release their juices.
4) Add mushrooms & spinach to potato mixture, cook for further 5 mins
5) Add peanut butter & stir to dissolve. Add coriander, season with salt & pepper& heat through
6) Serve with extra coriander scattered over top & yoghurt or soured cream if required/liked ( I don't usually bother but do serve with a naan bread)

Albums for letter A

2010-01-14T23:21:00.001Z

I haven't really got to grips sorting out much music to listen to this fortnight. I checked our Cd's and only found Alphabet Zoo by Ralph McTell. It was always a favourite with my two when they were little and as you can see we also had the album. Since the original TV programme Ralph McTell has composed more songs and now the Alphabet Zoo is complete. Daniel loves it!! The great thing about it is that the songs are catchy and better than most children's tapes and CD's available so that us adults don't mind listening to it as well.
I was surprised we had more LP's than I thought for "A" but our record deck isn't set up at the moment otherwise I would have liked to listen to the Gary Newman album- don't know that one at all - must have been Russ that bought that one.

2010-01-14T11:53:00.001Z

A is for Angle

2010-01-10T14:57:00.001Z

(A)daptation

2010-01-07T23:15:00.002Z

Decided it was time to have an "A" meal tonight and remembered a recipe with (A)ubergine and (A)pricots that we hadn't had for quite a while.I found it in "Good Housekeeping September 2003"

Moroccan Ragout
1tbsp olive oil
1 onion finely chopped
1 garlic clove
1tbsp harissa paste
2 medium courgettes roughly chopped
2 red peppers, deseeded & sliced
1 small aubergine diced
400g can chopped tomatoes
410g chick peas, drained & rinsed
125g(4oz) ready-to-ear dried apricots, roughly chopped
3tbsp roughly chopped basil leaves & a few sprigs as garnish

For the Couscous
300ml (1/2pt) couscous
300ml (1/2pt) hot vegetable stock
2tbsp freshly chopped coriander

1) heat oil in a large pan, add onion & garlic & cook over a medium heat for 10min till soft. Stir in harissa paste & cook for a further 2 min
2) Add courgettes,peppers & aubergine to the pan & cook for 5min. Stir in the tomatoes,rinse the can with 200ml(7fl.oz) water & add to pan. Season well if you think it needs it.
3) cover pan with a lid & bring to boil. Reduce heat & simmer 25min.until the vegetables are nearly tender. Add the chickpeas & apricots & heat through for 5-10min. Stir in Basil leaves& serve.
4) Meanwhile prepare the couscous. Pour into a large bowl. Add the hot stock & leave to soak for 15min. Add coriander, fluff up with a fork & season if necessary

I thought I had checked that I had everything I needed & chopped the onion etc & started the cooking. While the onion & garlic were softening I got the aubergine & courgette from the freezer. Great - insufficient courgettes. I never think of myself as someone who can easily (A)dapt a recipe but tonight I had to ( this was only the start lol!) No red peppers but plenty of frozen yellow pepper, decided cucumber would be ok as a substitute for courgette to make up the short fall.Then I found out we had no Apricots. Nightmare!! Much scratching of head & eventually remembered I had a sachet of mixed fruit in the freezer (for making smoothies )It was pineapple, mango & papaya.

I'm glad to say that the finished meal was still very tasty but I would really recommend the original dish rather than my cobbled together (a)lternative However I have learnt something today from my potential disaster and I think that is what this challenge is all about!

Ambitions for A

2010-01-03T01:20:00.003Z

Things to be achieved or attempted in the next two weeks -

Read - I have lots of unread books lying around so this gives me the incentive to actually pick them up and get on with them. For this letter I'm hoping to at least read The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. I also have a Jeffrey Archer - The Eleventh Commandment & Anne Franks Diary.

Listen to - Surprisingly I've found out that we have very few cd's of artists with a name beginning with A so I shall have to go on a search of Utube & MySpace although I could use it as a good excuse to watch Mama Mia again :-)

Film - I've just got free tickets from Sky to go and see "Up in the Air" - does this count, it's the latest George Clooney film? We don't go to the cinema all that often but perhaps this might give us the impetus. I'm in two minds about "Avator" not sure if I want to see it or not.

Photograph - I was going to start a 365 challenge this year but forgot on Friday but I think I will have a go but start from the 2nd January instead & combine it with the A-Z challenge along the way.

I think that will do for a start - I'll add bits & pieces as the days go by!

January

2010-01-03T00:20:00.000Z

courtesy of iKari designs@jessicaspragge.com

Thought it might be an idea to put a calendar at the beginning of each month setting out the relevant letter for the start of each fortnight so I know where I am. Have moved the start day to a Saturday for convenience.

The Beginning

2010-01-02T23:36:00.000Z

The idea is to use the Alphabet throughout the year in fortnightly chunks as inspiration to try new ideas or long forgotten ones. To visit new places, try new foods or wherever your imagination takes you (within reason & the co-operation of family etc)

As of the 1st January 2010 we start with the letter A