Division of labour

The wallpaper in the bedroom is on the wall and looking lovely.  We can't believe the difference it has made, just changing one wall above the dado rain from dark paper to light.  The new paper tones in very well with the existing 'top half' paper and the whole room has taken on a much brighter feel.

i have to hand it to N, he's done a good job.  I, of course, was keen to give my professional advice but at the end of the day N is more than capable of wallpapering himself, although I was able of offer an extra pair of hands with measuring lengths and N was gracious enough to accept :-)  We generally work well together, each acknowledging the other's strengths and aptitude for particular tasks and we usually know when it's best to either step aside or take the lead with work that needs doing.  The problem is, I like wallpapering, too.  And really only one person can be up the ladder at a time.  There were other things I could be doing, and I eventually realised that and got on and did them, but just for a moment, I wanted to be the one who could say 'The wallpapering?  Oh, I did that'.  Daft, isn't it?  

Yes, I can wallpaper.  But I'm fortunate that N can too.  That means I don't have to do everything.  I gave him a hand when an extra hand was needed, and I cleared up as we went.  That bit, I know, is just as important, otherwise the mess just moves from room to room.  In between measuring lengths I was able to get a little more sewing done to the quilt and I also started some bread dough off, so it made sense for the work to be divided between us so we could both get things done.  Something else I need to take note of.

Just a note about the bread - I started it at 11ish this morning and didn't actually take it out of the oven until 4.30 this afternoon!  It was quite cold today, and the dough just wouldn't rise - no sooner had I found a window in the (very feeble) sun, than it went cloudy again.  This is a problem we're going to have to find a solution to for the winter; I can't have bread proving for 4 or 5 hours!  N's had a quick look on the internet and we're considering a little heated propagator or heat mat, although I'm also wondering if we can make our own proving box.  Something else to look into.

Yesterday we were on the touchlines again.  I have to say it was cold, very cold.  A hat and scarf wouldn't have been amiss at all.  However, we had plenty to cheer about as young grandson scored a hat-trick so we were able to do lots of clapping and jumping up and down to keep warm!!

Dinner last night was a piece of poached salmon complemented by vegetables from the garden - potatoes, carrots, peas and spinach.  There is no comparison in taste between home-grown veggies and those bought in the supermarket.  Pre-packaged goods just have no flavour at all.  What has been done to them to make them so devoid of taste?  I assume it's been bred out of them in favour of high yields and perfect shape and looks.  Sorry, but give me a mis-shapen, full-of-flavour carrot from the garden every time.