Christmas Sweater

One of  the Beloved's Christmas presents this year was 12 balls of King Cole Explorer Super Chunky in the colourway Raleigh. This is being worked into a sweater. 

I'm roughly following a pattern.  The largest size is two sizes too small, so I'm grading it to fit. It was also written as flat pieces to be worked separately, and then sewn together. This is not my style at all! This sweater is being worked in the round, and will have Raglan sleeves rather than drop sleeves.... oooh, I'm going to make a 4 stitch cable pattern going up the Raglan.

The pattern was also created without a chart for the cabling on the front and back. One of my tasks this morning is to take the jumble of numbers and letters, and make a pretty picture. 

Mushroom Gloop

 My first attempt at Mushroom soup was not a success. It started out as a vegan experiment, and was only rescued by the addition of a pair of chicken stock pots, and half a pint of double cream!  These additions moved the soup from the 'It's food, I suppose' into 'Yeah, it's okay...ish'. 

My next foray into vegan soups will be spiced parsnip. This sounds like it has the possibility for tastiness.

Decluttering Clothes

From July 2020 for a year, I took part in a challenge not to buy any new clothes. There were a couple of exceptions, underwear and emergencies. The challenge went well, and I only bought two items outside of the exceptions - a party dress and a wrap.

In August, I bought 10 new tops, and two pairs of trousers. These were to replace worn out clothing. The worn out items have yet to be disposed of. That's what happening today. I'm going to go through my clothing and declutter.

In the past, I've asked such questions as:

• do I like it
• do I wear it
• does it fit
• does it need to be repaired

This year, I'm going to take a different approach. I shall be thinking about what I need and want, and whether my current wardrobe meets those needs.

I need 3 pairs of pjs, 2 night shirts, 3 bras, 14 pairs of knickers, 14 pairs of socks, 5 pairs of woollen socks, 5 pairs of tights, 2 slips, 2 strappy tops, 1 swim suit, 14 tops, 4 pairs of trousers, 4 winter skirts, 1 party outfit, 3 jackets, 5 sweaters, 5 cardigans, 5 pairs of shoes. (Closer to summer, I'll look at what I need for warmer weather.)

My clean clothing has been sorted and decluttered. As I work my way through Mount Washmore, I'll declutter as I go. 

Back to Decluttering

Decluttering isn't a 'once and done' event. It needs to be done again and again until people can find a balance of things entering the house, and leaving it. I'm good at decluttering, but woefully bad regarding bringing new items into the house. 

Being the boss, means I decide when the shop opens, and closes. This means the shop closes between Christmas and New Year to allow the staff to have a good long holiday. For me, this is 10 days. Three of these days have been used. One day for Christmas celebrations, and two days doing very little apart from resting. Now, my need to 'accomplish stuff' has kicked in, and it's time to turn my mind to decluttering.

• declutter DVDs
• declutter games
• declutter jigsaws

The grand total from this round of decluttering is 12 DVDs. In previous years, it's been far more. The objective is not to simply get rid of stuff, but to get rid of the things we don't need. I would happily have said goodbye to much, much more, however, I'm not the only person in the house who has a say in it. 

Contentment

 

The last few weeks have been busy. I've been working 6 days weeks, and staying late. But this weekend, I have two whole days off. I am relaxed. I am content.

There's some things I want to do, like make an apple crumble, a lemon cream cake, mend my grey sweater, and a bit of decluttering. Mostly, it will just be a time to relax, and not think about work. It's about closing my eyes, deeply inhaling the smell and sounds of the sea, and smiling. 

Currently, I'm sitting in a cafe, looking out at waves crashing over rocks. The sea is fascinating colour #B9BBB6 - a mid-light grey-green, with the tips of the waves being white. It's a misty day, with a soft grey sky. The whole vista is desaturated.

I love watching the sea.

Hello, October!

 

The start of a new month, new things to do, new creative outlets to explore. 

This month, I have a few things to accomplish:

o new passport

o create pumpkins for the shop

o create bats for the shop

o declutter, deep clean, and tidy the loo and bathroom

Goals Review

 The goals set didn't quite manage to be met, but I'm not going to beat myself up. Work was rather crazy, and almost everything else took a back seat. Thankfully next month things will be a bit easier, and I won't be working such silly hours.

Some weight was lost.  Four and a half kilos were lost in the last two months. I'm calling it good. Few walks were taken, and far too many snack foods eaten. The Christmas trees for work have been made.

Courgette Spaghetti with Spinach and Pine Nuts

Ingredients

80g dried spaghetti (I used gluten-free)
1 large courgette, trimmed and spiralised 
20g pine nuts
50g cubed pancetta, smoked lardons or diced bacon
1tbsp olive oil
150g young spinach leaves
80g feta

Method
Half fill a large saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the spaghetti, return to the boil and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until tender. 

Add the spiralised courgette and stir together quickly, then immediately strain through a colander and run very briefly under a cold tap.

Meanwhile, place the pine nuts and pancetta (or lardons or bacon) in a non-stick saucepan with half the oil and fry over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly until lightly browned.

Tip out onto a plate and return the pan to the heat Add the remaining oil and the spinach and cook over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly, until the spinach is soft.

Crumble two-thirds of the feta over the top, season and cook until the feta melts, making a creamy coating for the spinach.Return the spaghetti and courgetti to their saucepan, add the spinach and feta sauce and, using two forks, toss together well over a medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

Divide between two shallow bowls, crumble the remaining feta over the top and sprinkle with the pancetta and pine nuts.

Notes
Last night, we didn't have courgette, lardons, nor feta. We substituted 100g of soya beans, pancetta, and Stilton. We also added about 8 quartered cherry tomatoes. Those were stirred in at the last minute. It worked well.

September Goals

1. Finish more crafting projects than I start, at a rate of 2:1.

2. Lose 2kg. I'm going to ease myself back into weight loss. In the first week, I'll not have chocolate, crisps or sugary drinks. In subsequent weeks, I'll decrease the crap, and increase the healthy food.

■ ■ □ □ □ □ □ No chocolate, crisps or sugary drinks.

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3. Walk each day.

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(I've no idea why someone chose white tulips to represent September, but they are beautiful, and I would like white tulips in my garden next spring.)

August Update

 

There were a number of goals set for this month, and I'm managed to finish some projects. Various Christmas Tree covers for Terry's Chocolate Oranges have been knitted. A hat has been made for the Beloved, and two dog snoods. A customer brought in a quilt that needed to be bound. It had been meant for a grandchild, but it's now for that's baby's baby

The rest of the goals... yeah, they missed the target. 

Clean Floor!

 

The kitchen floor has been swept and mopped. It's looking a great deal cleaner. My chairside table has also been cleared.

Cycling has happened.

So far this month, we have had chicken stir fry, and sausage, bacon and beans for dinner.

No craft projects have been completed, but I'm working on it.

Hello August

 

There's a few goals for August:

1. exercise 20 times this month

2. spend 15 minutes a day cleaning, tidying and putting away

3. eat well (don't eat crap)

4. finish three projects

Put It Where You Can See It

 

I so want to have things neatly put away. Everything in its place and a place for everything. But, if I put my big white horsepills away I forget to take them. These horsepills are magnesium tablets, and without them there's problems with cramps and migraines. It's best I don't forget to take them.  

The tub of Mg pills was assigned a space on the shelf under the table by my chair. Sadly visibility tops tidy. They now sit in full view, on top of the table. Even when they are in full view, sometimes I forget to take them. I am getting better at it thought. And each time I take them I give a little pat on the back, "Well done. Another little bout of self-care."

Dyslexia and Shame

 

There are certain colour combinations, and also fonts that make reading very difficult for me. For a long time, it left me feeling stupid, and un-educated, a failure for not being able to read. Yes, I know it's crazy, but there are times when emotions don't correlate with knowledge.

This evening, I was looking at an image on facebook, and mentioned I couldn't read it. There was a busy image, with white text, blurring out into a black cloud. If I had taken some time, I could have worked it out, a cryptographical challenge, definitely not reading.

I asked what the text said, and mentioned I was dyslexic and couldn't read the font. The guy who posted it typed it out for me. The whole experience was great. I didn't feel like an idiot. This is a big step for me. I couldn't read it, and that wasn't because I was thick, but because the colours, and shapes made it too hard for me. It was all so matter of fact, and no shame was needed.  Shame!  That's the word. In the past, I have felt shame for not being able to read certain things. Looking back, I can't remember a single instance when someone has tried to shame me for being dyslexic, but I have, had, taken it upon myself to be ashamed when my poor little brain couldn't decipher text.

Here's hoping I don't try to shame myself again. I am a clever, educated person, a person with dyslexia. These things make me who I am. I am me.

Honey Hill Farm

 

The last two days, I've left the writing and cycling tasks until just before bed, but I've managed to do them1

A Facebook reminded me that it was exactly one year ago I found out the name of my main character, and that she is a lesbian. I was a tad surprised, but she's the one who'd know! Since then her forename has changed, but her sexual orientation hasn't. 

This evening I have been writing about Sophie Quayle, and her journey back to the Isle of Man.

Seven Day Challenge

In the past, I've tried all sorts of grand schemes to increase my productivity, and 'reach my potential'. And each time, I've crashed and burned. A year is far too long. Fairly often, I can manage a month, but a week. I can do a week, with just a little stretch!

I'm going to plan a few things, a lot of things, no! Two things, well, three, that I'm going to do for the next week. (I'd do something similar for work too.)

1. ride my bike - my back really, really like it when I cycle

2. eat healthy foods  - my guts really, really like it

3. write/research - I've been thinking/planning this book for far too long. I need to progress it.

ADHD

 

I'm now as sure as I can be, without having an official diagnosis, that I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But's a really crap name. My attention is often just fine, thank you very much. I don't often daydream. But hyperfocus is something I can do, and I perform well under pressure.

Now to work out ways to turn this to my advantage, and make it less of a disorder, and more of a superpower!

This Week's Menu

S: vegetarian lasagna
M: chicken stir fry
T: fresh pasta with pesto
W: burgers in brioche buns
T: risotto
F: salmon en croute
S: chicken in cider

ICNU?

A friend is working on her PhD in psychology. She has ADHD, and posts very interesting little snippets. 

 It's a common misconception that ADHA simply means hyper and/or being unable to focus, when a more accurate way to describe it would be not as an attention deficit, but as an executive function deficit.

... how this actually affects people is 'ICNU': Interest, Challenge, Novelty and Urgency. If something doesn't meet one of those four categories, someone with ADHD just isn't goig to be able to do it.

Let's use doing the dishes as an example.

Is it interesting? Not even slightly.

Challenging? Not really.

Novel? Nah.

Urgent? Not yet.

But once the person actually needs clean dishes, then it gets dones, because now it meets one of those four criteria. In that sense, putting things off until the very last second is essentially a coping mechanism for ADHA, rather than a symptom.

In the last year or two, I've thought about whether I might have Attention Deficient Disorder. After Mel's post resonated so strongly with me, I took three different tests, and they all said I might have a moderate level of ADHA. These were just internet tests, not conducted by a phycologist, but I was shocked. Then a whole string of things slotted into place. 

Over the years I've developed coping mechanisms, and avoidance techniques. Some are good, others well, quite awful. I'm going to look into better coping mechanisms, and learn how to better fit into a world that doesn't quite fit.

The first thing I have learned is I need to make unpleasant, undoable tasks fall into one of the four categories, Interest, Challenge, Novelty, and Urgent. One thing I have been trying to do recently is split tasks into much smaller chunks, and set mini-deadlines. This move them into 'Urgent'. 

Salmon and Edamame Bean Salad

 

This recipe is based on a recipe from The Fast 800 Recipe Book.

Ingredients (serves 2):

25g brown rice

75g edamame beans

2 salmon fillets (cooked)

1 tsp sesame seeds

2 large handfuls of spinach or mixed salad leaves

handful of sugar snap peas

1 medium carrot, coarsely grated

2 spring onions, finely slices

4 radished, trimmed and sliced

1 Tsp vinegarette dressing

Method:

Place the ingredients into a bowl, and drizzle the vinegarette over the top.

Notes:

Yesterday, I cooked extra portions of Sesame Salmon with Broccoli and Tomatoes, and used the salmon in this dish. There was a little broccol and some tomatoes left over. The broccoli was chopped into bite-sized chunks. These were also added to the salad.

I was about to say this was the first time I've had edamame beans, and comment on how similar they are to soya beans. Then I paused, had a quick Google, and read they are immature soya beans. What ever you call then, they are tasty.