Day 3 – the Great Leap Forward remains elusive.
- Cakes baked – still a big fat zero
- Christmas jumpers knitted – A second one has been completed and even hemmed up. (No it isn’t really French hemming but I couldn’t find a way to work in a chicken, let alone a trio of Gallic ones) Unfortunately I now realise that I have forgotten entirely how to do one of the stitches on the armless cardi and will need to submit to a you tube tutorial before recommencing.
- cards – still in the drawer
- presents – no acts of consumerism took place today. Indeed things went backwards as I just ate a stocking filler.
- personal glamour and grooming – I have been overtaken by the dog who, having rolled in something untoward this morning, has secured a groomer’s appointment for the 10th
- bulbs planted – gazillions of allium (me) and four large pots of tulips (esteemed mother).
I awoke feeling the after effects of yesterdays pilates. Nonetheless, after only two warm up coffees I did at least 80 per cent. of my physio exercises (no headless gift rodents today – perhaps they are contingent on completing the pelvic floor routine) and donned my new super toasty gardening trousers. (Auntie Sybil recently confiscated them, unworn I hasten to add, from Uncle Tommy who stands accused of wilfully purchasing vestments in the size which fitted perfectly some ten years ago. My mother, noting that I will ‘wear anything’, sagely claimed them. Despite having every sympathy with Uncle Tommy in his, entirely understandable, approach to shopping, I gleefully received the fleecy trews.
With a view to maximising gardening in the light, Mum and I resolved on a quick spin around the nearest stubble field rather than a longer walk. Lyra was minded to cooperate and so off we trotted. That dog does love a stubble field. She skipped joyfully hither and thither whilst mum and I stumped and slithered up to the crest of the hill in our wellies. Our fond smiles turned rueful when, wholesome glee turning to a wild ecstasy, she began rolling in the mud (who are we kidding – it was not just mud) legs waving in the air. Unfortunately, I had something very urgent to do in the greenhouse as soon as we got back and Mum had completed the stinky blanket bath by the time I made it to the house.
Several hours in the mud followed -the long border is sodden – but I was mainly planting allium and I think they don’t mind a bit of squelch. It was too revolting to persist into the fading light so the coffee pot went on, the fire was lit and I completed Jumper 2 to the aural accompaniment of a violent terrorist attack, with much derring do and some good gags (Not the End of the World – Christopher Brookmyre – released ages ago but somehow I missed it at the time so a lucky find!). Some people no doubt knit love into their Christmas jumpers, mine come with knitted in black humour and dog hair (she likes to cuddle up, what’s a girl to do..).
I’m raising the difficulty level with todays quiz question – as ever below the pictures (the chrysanthemum is still flowering in the garden btw). Have also added the answers to 1 and 2.
Quiz Question 3
Which is the odd one out:
- Winston’s wife
- C24H27Cl5O6
- The unfortunate Snicket
- Edgar Froese’s dream
- this jar
Answers for past questions
| Q1. -Where would one find Marmalade Sandwiches, Crispy Bacon and Fur | Under Paddington Bear’s Hat |
| Q2- Where is John Rebus in the latest novel “Midnight and Blue”? | HMP Edinburgh (Sauchton) |