Lagoon

What a beautiful day--the sun shone and it was so warm. Down to the shore and beach again and another walk to the East. Found this lagoon like structure formed by rocks with an opening where the sea rushed in. Ruaridh thought this was great and loved running into the waves.
Back home, on the way popped into mini supermarket to get some messages. Got the dinner ready for tonight as the family are here for dinner.
Had lunch outside as the weather was lovely. Got ready to go and meet Bella, Ruaridh and I met her into the car and home, fed Ruaridh then the three of us went the playpark for a wee play!
Back to the house, Graham came home and he and Bella set to, the table was taken outside, as the weather was so warm we were eating al fresco. Bella did an amazing job of setting the table. I made batter for pancakes (crepes), Joe and Layla arrived, dinner of pasta al forno, salad, olives and homemade bread eaten outside with lots of jollity.
I then made the crepes and Bella carried them outside. Coffee for the big people, then Grandpa carried Bella out to the car and away they went home!
Tidied up, then bed. Goodnight.

Naan Bread

Graham had made the dinner or part of it for tonight yesterday! Aubergine stew so later on in the day I decided to make some naan bread to have with the stew and rice. Followed the instructions carefully and they turned out to be delicious.
Ruaridh and I went down to the beach, it was rather overcast with a strange light filtering in from the West. Did some stone throwing for the Wonder Dog to practice his jumping, he also wondered whether to venture into deep water after the swans he decided against it! Down to Waitrose to get some messages.
Back home the heavens opened, cleaned the bathroom, and changed our bed. Had lunch then caught up with some knitting.
Ruaridh and moi went to meet Graham via the park and woods, as the rain had stopped.
Had a cuppa, then got the dinner organised, aubergine stew, rice and the naans, whole meal tasted delicious.
Did my blip then to bed. Goodnight.

Lazy Sunday

No Blog for yesterday, though we had a good day. Up at 0715h with that lovely Wonder Dog! Back to bed read, then dozed, awakened by G with the morning cuppa, then crashed out again! to be awoken with a delicious cup of coffee and a slice of toast!
Eventually got out of bed made breakfast scrambled eggs on toast with another cup of coffee.
Had a shower and washed my hair then we jumped into the car to take Ruaridh to the shore and beach. Had a super walk on the beach, wee fellow delighted that a couple of young girls on the beach were willing to throw stones into the water for him. Then he ran about on the beach and had a great time.
Back home did my blip then we got ready to go over to the family's as we were looking after Bella whilst her mummy and daddy went out. Called in at Sainsbury's to get the washing sachets on offer where you save lots of money!
When we arrived Bella met us with a lovely card she had made for us and a present of Pears soap--lovely thoughts. Rice and chilli in tortillas for dinner, then with lots of popcorn and M&Ms we settled down with the Wonder Dog to watch 'Dr Doolittle'. Two and a half hours later it finished, we were all nearly asleep! Bella ready for bed, kiss for Grandpa, brush the teeth a chapter from her story-- fast asleep in dreamland in no time.
Joe and Layla arrived home they had enjoyed the movie. We left to bed!
Awoke Sunday morning with Ruaridh saw to him then back to bed to read after the early cuppa. Fell fast asleep awoken by Graham at 1100h with a delicious coffee and a round of toast (this is becoming a weekend ritual), Lovely.
Eventually got up made a fry-up for brunch, had a wash made the dough for bread then didn't do very much. Oh spoke to mum she appears to be in good form.
Graham made dinner for Monday. I made the bread!
Then before they closed we went to the supermarket and took Ruaridh a wee walk. He didn't want to go far so back home.
Broad bean risotto for dinner with salad.
Watched a Japanese film 'Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles' interesting, however G fell asleep and snored. Goodnight

Town!

As Graham didn't take the car today Ruaridh and I hopped into it and away to the beach! Walked towards the East at first the wee fellow was once again quite reluctant, we walked on the grass and after two poops he picked up and was his usual chirpy self:)
had a great walk met a Cairn terrier called Fergus and Ruaridh and he had a great play he also peed on my shoe! Walked down to the beach as the tide was going out, threw stones for Ruaridh what a great time he had running into the water for them! He also had long runs on the beach which he obviously enjoyed as I did watching him.
To Sainsbury's to get messages.
Back home had a quick lunch then caught the bus to town to get the tickets for the 'Calamity Jane' film which we are going to as part of Graham's Special Birthday!
Got more messages then up to the National Gallery to meet Layla and Bella, we sat and Bella enjoyed her coloured ice chips and I had an ice-cream! Bella did some running about and ? dancing as the 'Lone Piper' played! She then had a good look at the three dimensional map and clambered all over it pointing out places she knew!
Met two nice American women trying to find M&S to get money changed pointed them in the direction of the post office and then continued my walk home via Stockbridge. Called in at In House with the wee ones cutlery that is kaput, also Waitrose for a pee and to get messages. Walked home it was so warm and humid.
Graham home later as he and Joe had a meeting with a guy for business.
Had a cuppa then Graham made courgettes in cream sauce with pasta and salad.
Chatted then to bed. Goodnight.

Scones--Bah

Took the wee fellow for a walk as per usual, well he did not appear to want to go anywhere we usually go. He stayed stationary on the park and would not move, in the end I had to go back for him and put his lead on! Eventually he cheered up and I was able to take his lead off, though not his usual cheery self:(
Back home as the weather was quite good decided to do some weeding in the garden, did quite a bit then had lunch.
Today I was going to attempt to start doing my water colours again-- well guess what never got started! I decided to make some scones got organised, unfortunately I was thinking of the amount of milk to go into the cheese sauce for dinner and put the same amount in for the scones--it should have been half the amount! Had to go down to the village shop for more SR flour, made delicious scones.
Found out by chance that our man in the N/W is selling his house gave him a call, it is true, hope he can do our work for us before he leaves?
Took the wee fellow for a walk he seemed a wee bit more pro-active:)
Cauliflower cheese, tatties and peas for dinner rather nice.
Tired--Goodnight.

Two Hours of Sunshine!

Today at the allotment that is what we had before the rain started again! Up and about with Ruaridh, then breakfast with Graham who then left for the studio. Had a wash then set off with Ruaridh to the woods, had a lovely walk in the drizzle! Made roasted vegetables for dinner. Spoke to mum she sounds OK getting a little agitated at times!
Layla and Bella arrived for lunch, we had lunch put The Rolling Stones 'Let it Bleed' on and danced--wow did we dance.
Then into the car and over to the allotment, the sun did shine for two hours Ruaridh lounged we did some weeding, watered the greenhouse then picked strawberries and raspberries which I then bought from Miss B's shop:)
Over to theirs then Graham came to pick me up, home had a cuppa then made dinner. Roasted vegetables, pasta, salad and homemade bread. Lovely!
Did some blipping then to bed Goodnight

Midsummer--Joke!

No Blog yesterday G had the day off after the hectic time in London. Had breakfast then had a shower and washed my hair before taking Ruaridh to the shore and beach.
Warm and sunny a lovely day, enjoyed the walk.
Back home both of us were very hungry, had sandwiches and salad, chocolate biscuits with the cuppa.
I had done about three washes and managed to get most of the clothes dry, so I did some ironing.
Got ready to take Ruaridh to the family's as G and moi were going with Hilda (PA) to a screening of 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' at 'Inspace'. Excellent night!
Today is Midsummer's Day more like 'In the Deep Midwinter' as the rain as poured from the heavens all day. Ah well took the Wonder Dog to the beach had a lovely walk with the rain and wind swirling in my face. Ruaridh had one or two 'puppy' moments charging around on the beach and then he was jumping for stones and managed to catch two out of four!
Drove over to the hairdressers got my hair done--very quiet in there! Then to get fish for the dinner before going to Asda to do a shop. Dithered about a £10 dress decided not to bother. Phoned Graham to see if he wanted a lift home, he did, rain torrential!
Home had a cuppa and krispbreads (Swedish ones) ate far to many cherries, made the bread dough.
Made dinner fish coated with egg and planko (Japanese breadcrumbs) think we prefer ours! rice and dill with tomato sauce.
G exhausted away to bed, I'm just waiting for the bread to finish baking them I'm away up too. Goodnight.

Reading--

--'Sarah's Key' finished reading it late tonight. My chum Sue left me 'A Secret Kept' by Tatiana de Rosnay which is also a super read. I gave it to Layla and she told me she had 'Sarah's Key' also by the same author and gave it to me. Like the style of this woman's writing--ie did not want to put either book down, and did not go to the back of either book to see how they finished:).
Had a lovely three days with the memsahib, Layla, Bella, Ruaridh and moi as Graham and Joe were in London filming 'The Diva'. We shared the drive down and back Layla doing the most, Bella and Ruaridh in the back both were Stars:).
The weather didn't keep us in and Bella had a great time two donkey rides and a whizz on the kiddies bumper cars, she loves the pier with all the rides and amusements for children! We also managed our lunch outside one day! Mum was in good shape just a wee bit obsessional about one or two things!!
Today Sunday has been a quiet day G has the cold(monsoon)rains in London ? After a longish lie and coffee and croissants in bed, I got up and we had a fry up! I took the Wonder Dog for a walk to the park and woods.
Made bread, had soup for dinner followed by tinned salmon sandwiches and a big cuppa.
G early to bed made a late cuppa and then to bed to finish the said book. Goodnight.
Edit:-- Did ask the wee fellow to look up--he looked down:)

Warm

Today was warm--lovely!
Yesterday I felt mince severe abdo. cramps and bloating also the weather was overcast and rain threatened, however the Wonder Dog and moi never daunted set out for the woods and had a lovely walk met one or two dog walkers had quick chats then buzzed on by.
Back home still feeling crap however cleaned the bathroom, did the ironing and made some peasant bread.
Decided to eat started to feel a bit more human. Meeting Graham at the retail park to get him some new trousers, also to get messages at Sainsbury's.
Made pasta with cheese sauce with new tatties and peas felt better.
Up and about today as G is away to London, had a shower and washed my hair, then breakfast before into the car to take Graham to the studio, then Ruaridh and moi headed over to the beach and shore. Lovely walk into a warm westerly wind, walked on the beach threw stones for Ruaridh he managed to jump and catch one! Had a paddle in my wellies then walked back to the car--Ruaridh spied two Westies and had a great play with them.
back home made more peasant bread made tomato sauce for dinner tonight.
Went to meet Bella who looked lovely with a flower in her hair:)
Back home played various games, read a story watched some 'Charlie and Lola' had a rest, then Layla arrived.
Had a chat then got the dinner ready pasta and tomato sauce with veggie meatballs and salad, followed by strawberries and ice cream. Coffee for Land moi.
Bella had a shower then we played a wee bit more, went with them to the car. Bins just being emptied at 2015h!!
Spoke to G he is fine settled at J & N's.
Listening to 'Crosby, Still's, Nash and Young on the Hacker great stuff. Bye.

Lazy Weekend!

Friday up and about, made a soda bread that had to go back into the oven as when cut wasn't baked in the middle! Sorted that then set off with the Wonder Dog to walk over to visit Layla and Bella, great walk along various routes, warm and sunny!
Saw some policemen at a grey van turns out it had been stolen!
Lunch with Layla--Bella had hers with her chum Sadie. Layla off to have her hair done, Bella playing with Eve and two of Eve's chums. Then played with Bella in the garden and watched a 'Charlie and Lola'. She then played with Eve in the caravan.
Joe and Graham arrived and we had a chat and coffee, then Joe set off to meet Layla as they are going to Edinburgh Art College's Degree Show. A woman who is a blipper has gained a First on her photography course.
Graham, Bella and moi had our dinner, burger and chips for Miss B, homemade chick pea burgers in a bun with chips and beans for G and moi excellent.
After dinner a read and another 'Charlie and Lola' then to bed. Read and told Bella a story then as she wasn't settling I said I would go down stairs. Quick as a flash the scamp replied 'Excuse me Granny it's my choice when you go down'! within minutes she was asleep.
Layla and Joe were not late home, then home for us!
Saturday dawned fine but soon the rain came and poured down steadily all day. Lovely coffee and toasted soda bread in bed courtesy of Graham.
Read for a while then up and had a fry-up. Graham had some things to attend to so I took the Wonder Dog to the woods, great walk, saw no-one kinda got soaked.
Did some knitting and read then had afternoon tea when G returned.
Dinner poached halibut, cream sauce with lemon and prawns, new potatoes and peas delicious.
After dinner settled down to watch that amazing movie 'To Kill a Mockingbird', just so well done, couldn't remember a lot of it, so it was like watching it for the first time.
To bed to read. Goodnight.
Slept well, had banana, strawberries and sultana's with milk for breakfast, bread roll and Americano coffee, G had a boiled egg and some rolls. Spoke with Layla
Phoned mum she is fine, then we got ready to take Ruaridh to the shore, enjoyed the walk on the beach and along the river Almond.
Back via Asda to get a few messages, as G thought his computer that Joe is fixing might be ready--it isn't.
Home oatcakes and cheese with a cuppa, then did some knitting.
Surprise for dinner, Graham is cooking it. Bye.

Viewing

Today was a day of two walks to the park and woods, one this morning and another in the late afternoon before I had to head off to town.
Up with the Wonder Dog then back to bed for a wee doze before getting up for breakfast then a shower and hairwash.
Back home did some ironing and saw to some business, kind of a lazy do nothing day, got the roasted vegetables ready for dinner this evening, had my lunch, listened to Melvyn Bragg--'In Our Time' which was about The Origins of Infectious Disease very entertaining and interesting.
Up town to buy a birthday present then over to Broughton St. to the Union Gallery to see Stewart Bremner's (a blipper) exhibition. Met up with the family and some other guys I know had a chat and left!
Popped into Waitrose to purchase messages then home.
Ruaridh delighted to see us, pasta, roasted vegetables, salad and homemade bread for dinner. Bye.

Picnic today!

Up and about as per usual this morning. Went for a short walk with the Wonder Dog through the park to collect the fish from Kev for dinner this evening. Then back home organised myself and then set off to walk to Leith. Graham phoned me as I got to the main road to see if I wa caught in the rain, the sun was shing here in the West while torrential rain was hitting the city and Leith! Good walk over, and didn't meet any rain!
Walking through Inverleith Park saw all the equipment being erected for the Walk the Walk in aid of Breast Cancer--pink+.
Got to the studio and waited for Layla and Bella then to the allotment with the picnic I had prepared. Ruaridh in the Dog House as he managed to snaffle a bone with some chicken on it that some kind person had left ? for the fox bah! had our picnic and did a lot of weeding, Layla and Bella some planting.
Sharing a chocolate brownie Bella dropped hers yep guess who grabbed it Ruaridh!!!!
Back to theirs read and played with the wee one then Graham came to pick me up.
Home fish and rice with tomato sauce for dinner, delicious.
To bed. Goodnight.

Baking Day

Travelled down from the Glen yesterday. Weather on waking misty and drizzle but cleared and the sun came out. We left about 1400h after an easy morning getting organised. Arrived home about 1800h after an uneventful journey.
Pasta with tomato sauce and veggie meatballs with salad and olives for dinner lovely.
Reading a great book 'A Secret Kept' by Tatiana De Rosnay an interesting read, given to me by my chum Sue thanks.
Up with Ruaridh today back to bed for a while then up for breakfast, Graham left for the studio I had a wash then Ruaridh and moi took off to the woods. Met some dog walkers and their dogs on the park, quick chat then to the woods. Caught up with the Japanese woman whose dog is called Dusty, she and her family are away to Japan for a vacation this summer. Had a lovely walk then saw the male ducks fight over a female one! didn't manage a photo.
Heard from John H, he is going to suss out the bathroom and hall at the cottage!!
Back home busy--made dough for the bread, made Ruaridh's dog biscuits, made pastry for the quiche. Changed the bed did a couple of washes, did some ironing! Phew.
Sat down and had lunch, saw to some business, started to read my book--excellent!
Then all hell broke loose Ruaridh heard the thunder before I did, he hates it--running about all over the house unable to settle! then I looked out of the kitchen window and the lightening was going crazy over the woods. Then the thunder started to crash, poor wee Ruaridh he trembled and cried, I could do nothing but hold him when he let me. I sat on the sofa with him and just read my book. Eventually everything became somewhat calmer again. G came home the dog was delighted to see him.
Had a cuppa and a couple of crackers, then I made the bread and the dinner asparagus quiche, new potatoes and peas--tasted good.
Finished my book great read! Layla phoned will see her and Bella tomorrow!

Surprise Visitor

Yesterday dawned warm and sunny in fact so warm I ate my breakfast cereal sat outside, lovely to see the flowers and hear the birds singing.
After a sausage sandwich and an Americano coffee courtesy of Graham did more work in the garden, strimming and attempting to make some of the boxes and raised beds more tidy.
Ruaridh played with Misty and then took off on his adventures returning home to be fed at his mealtimes, those poor bunnies (I think they escaped)!
Had our afternoon tea outside again very warm-lovely.
I did some knitting and a bit more gardening then it was G&T time and Graham had made a lovely dinner of baked potatoes with butter, mushrooms in cream sauce and mixed vegetables in olive oil! Lovely.
We then settled down to watch the 'The King's Speech' which I enjoyed although certain areas did misrepresent history.
Sunday morning up with the Wonder Dog then back to bed with a cuppa. Read and dozed then up for breakfast scrambled eggs with asparagus and toast rather nice not forgetting the Americano. Listening to 'Desert Island Discs' still both in PJ's when a silver car drew up.
A surprise visit from a chum of ours who looks amazing after a serious illness, as he said "I belong to a privileged club" great to see him looking so well. His sister is our neighbour Christine they stayed for a cuppa and it was so good and interesting to hear T relate his experiences about his illness. They stayed a while chatting, then left to visit other people.
G had a project to do so Ruaridh and I walked along the river bank to meet him, the weather has changed dark clouds from the East no afternoon tea outside today.
However I made scones and we had them with a cuppa. Did some knitting then dinner.
Minestrone soup with crackers, tinned salmon sandwiches and a mug of tea lovely.
reading a good book so to bed. Goodnight.

Mowing & strimming--

--practically all day! Sorry no Blog yesterday and I am trying to do a daily one as I slipped up recently and got left behind with my blogging! Later on Thursday Graham, Ruaridh and moi are heading up to the Glen. So after breakfast and after G left for the studio I had a shower and washed my hair, before taking Ruaridh to the woods. Had a lovely walk in warm sunshine.
Back home sorted some business matters, spoke to mum she is fine. Had a word with Layla, Bella and her are good!
Vacuumed the floor in the lounge and hall, packed our clothes and some foodstuffs, then had my lunch.
Waited for Graham but as he didn't get in touch I decided to clean the stairs, as I was doing this G phoned arranged to meet him down at Waitrose to get messages. So Ruaridh and I got ready and walked down to meet Graham, did the Waitrose shop then Sainsbury's hopefully have got all we need.
Home a snack of brie and bread with a big cuppa, after which we got the car packed, Ruaridh onboard and left for the N/W about 1830h. Lovely journey, warm weather and lots of sun--very few cars!
Arrived at the cottage around 2215h house was fine. Unpacked the car, made a cuppa then we had beans on toast with a lovely Americano before hitting the sack. Goodnight.
Awoke quite early this morning with the Wonder Dog, saw to him then back to bed with the early morning cuppa, slept until 1000h. Up made breakfast then I made a soda bread before going to have a wash and getting organised to work.
Work we did, I strimmed, Graham mowed then he strimmed with the petrol strimmer--garden looks much better. Had a cuppa around 1300 then had a break for Afternoon Tea at 1500h, soda scone with jam or honey and another cuppa. It was so warm we sat outside and enjoyed the food and weather.
I then made some dough for bread. Then went and started to tidy some of the beds where we used to grow vegetables.
Ruaridh appears to have been very tired today, spoke to mum she appears fine.
Made the bread and a fruit salad for afters.
Lovely dinner made by G, pasta in oil with roasted tomatoes, basil and garlic with bread and olives.
Oh yes for starter we had prawns, avocado and lettuce in rose-marie sauce AKA ketchup and mayonnaise.
Fruit salad for dessert.
Spoke with Layla.
Very tired just making the cuppa then bed. Goodnight.

Blipnic!

Today blipfoto joined with Oxfam to bring awareness to the fact that a huge percentage of the worlds population don't get enough to eat! A blipnic was held at 1300h in Princes St Gardens and was attended by blippers, who then took a photo of the event with the Oxfam Logo in situ and posted it on blipfoto.com-- World-wide results were amazing.
Blipfoto is of course international, blippers living in lots of countries World-wide so many of the blippers who couldn't be present in Edinburgh held there own blipnics, some by themselves and some in groups, the photo's posted were very touching.
I had baked yesterday and the family, Hilda, and Sean all appeared to enjoy what was on offer. A fun lunch hour!
In the morning I had driven to Layla's the two of us going to the allotment, Layla wasn't over disappointed with the raspberries and thought the crop would still yield lots! Then to get Bella before going to the blipnic-poor Ruaridh drew the short straw, he enjoyed the allotment but had to be left in the car at the blipnic.
Over to Layla's played with Miss B until her friend Eve came then Graham arrived and we left for home.
Asparagus risotto with salad and olives for dinner-lovely.
Caught up with blippers round the world who were posting their blips as lunch time appeared. Enjoyed the day.