Baking and reflections

A productive day in the kitchen.

Melting Moments (with a touch of chocolate for a change) and Gingernut Biscuits

A granary cob loaf and some rolls - I've frozen the rolls to see how well this bread recipe freezes

Leek and potato soup simmering

I had a surprise when I opened the boiler cupboard to get the food mixer - unknown to me N has started some beans germinating, in an old drinks bottle lined with wet newspaper and filled with grit.  We can both remember doing this at school, many, many years ago.  And it works - we have sprouting beans!

It's very exciting to see the little white roots squirming their way down the side of the bottle.  The bottle is now out of the dark germinating cupboard and is sitting on the kitchen window sill where hopefully we can watch the beans develop.  We've had problems in the past getting bean to germinate so N thought he's try the old-fashioned method.  Success!

Although we don't watch TV very often now, we did treat ourselves to an afternoon of rugby (6 nations) as N is an avid supporter (and quite a handy player in his time).  I much prefer rugby to football and it makes me smile when I see N in his chair, ducking from side to side as he lives each pass and tackle ;)  However, we will not mention the England-Wales result :(

I did some sewing whilst watching, and gave a much-needed revamp to an old cotton shopping bag that was in danger of falling to bits.  I used the original bag as the lining, and used some old furnishing fabric for the outside.  The handles are strong webbing I bought from the haberdashers (I have enough for 3 bags), and hopefully the bags will stand up to good use.

The shopping bag lives on a hook beside the front door so it's always handy as we go out to the shops

I'm glad I had things to do today; I needed a distraction.  We buried our colleague yesterday.  Many people from work joined his family and friends to say their 'goodbyes', and there were tears shed, stories shared, and happy memories relived.  I have found this a very sad time, and it has made me take a good look at my own life and whether I am living it to it's maximum.  I suspect I am falling someway short.  I have a tendency to think too much, too deeply sometimes, but I cannot afford to be complacent about something this important.  

I have remembered tomorrow is 'screen-free', and I have a couple of things lined up to do.  I intend to start the new week with a positive outlook - my glass will be half-full.