Fits and starts

Seems to describe most things: the weather (winter seems to be giving more comeback performances than Sinatra! :(), my Lenten observances (though I am gradually tightening up on those, I think, as I get more into it) and last but not least, this 'ere blog - oh, I forgot - the washing up, too!

The friend who wanted a cookery lesson came yesterday, and went away bearing my demo Victoria sponge and very delighted with it. I hope I remembered to tell her everything important as I was doing it: the cake was OK so I can't have omitted anything drastic, but it's so easy to assume someone knows something just because it has become second nature to you and you are not even aware of doing it (as I sometimes discovered teaching German). Hopefully I have had enough teaching experience that I did better than when I demo'd on my teaching course - the tutor remarked that whatever I did demo-ing was NOT for me!! That time I had to do it 'back to front' so it was right way round for the audience, which I found really difficult (and it obviously was!) but this time my 'student' was looking over my shoulder as I did it, so I could work right way round. I have another easy recipe which she might like to learn too, just to have a bit of a change.

I never was any good in the kitchen at home: my sister was the practical one, who was allowed to cook (and did Home Economics O Level). I did the washing up (and I'm better at that than some people who come into my kitchen and kindly have a stab at doing their bit, though I'd never tell them as they mean so well). So it's quite a turnup for the book having my cakes so good that people say so and want to know how!!

This Thursday is the seventh birthday of the Crafts by Carolyn Forum, so do hop along there and see what's happening. There are lots of interesting crafty things going on, and lots of odd bits of info on all sorts of things else - whatever you need to know there's usually someone who can help around there. (Current concerns include getting rid of mice and growing veggies.) I hope my prospective blog candy arrives in time - I've yet to suss out how to get a photo on here, so I need it YESTERDAY! Fortunately the celebrations are continuing for the weekend, so I may change the date if I have to: I'll post it on here if I do.

Lovely day!

So I am writing this before dashing out to the shops. This week has been good, weatherwise, so I am enjoying the last of it before it goes back to cold, wet and windy (winter's last fling, I hope) next week.

It is the seventh anniversary of the Crafts by Carolyn forum mid-March, and my own fifth anniversary on that forum too!

This calls for a celebration!

So I am offering Forum candy: any members of CbyC who drop by here 12th March will be eligible for a draw on 13th March. Please leave a comment and a means of contact.

Between now and then I will have to get a photo on here so you know what is on offer!! As my family gave me a great digi-camera for Christmass just so I could liven up my life on-line, this will be no bad thing. My birthday is towards the end of March and I will have egg all over (not just on my face!) if I haven't even had it out of the box! Then I will have to suss out how to get the photos on here .......

This last little while has been eventful - my best mate is in the process of medical tests for what is almost certainly cancer, which at best will mean unpleasant medical treatment - for the moment she is easily tired and finds certain things painful and awkward to do. I need to find the right place between taking account of her health and not pussyfooting around, between expressing concern and making a nuisance of myself, and some things I was planning (a joint garage sale as soon as the weather was good enough - possibly in the Easter hols) will have to be put on hold. That is unfortunate (to call it a nuisance wouldn't be right, but it does need doing because I need the space ....)

Well that is the intention for my Lenten observances sorted at least, along with some extra motivation!! (What BBC suit decided to screen the final of Masterchef the first week of Lent, I wonder ..... ???) I'm really glad with who won it because he was a family man and they must have been involved, if only because of the time he spent doing it. It seems they will be part of what he does as a result too, and I hope it goes really well for them.

This year I am not so much 'giving up' for Lent as using what I already have in the freezer - waste not, want not - appropriate in a world where we waste resources while others have not enough. My other objective is to eat more healthily, so less: as I use what I have I can replace it with better. If I can make time to do some cooking, I will be able to avoid the salt in ready meals (how come they do low fat, but never low salt which is just as important?).

Easter should see me with things properly organised and a freezer full of good things to eat, both tasty and good for my health.

Must away!