Hiya Patrice!!! We have spring springing up around us here. Lots of pretty bulbs coming up, with lots of colour. Weirdly, despite getting sunnier and brighter, we have had a few frosty mornings. It's weird because we have had such a mild winter, and NOW frost?? Hey ho!
Onto our chat!
Do you like avocados?
Do I EVER!!!
When I started doing Whole30 for the first time, I was THRILLED to learn that avocado is a healthier fat, and is one that can be eaten EVERY DAY!!!! I love the creamy texture of a really ripe avocado, and I would put it through a salad, mixed in with a can of tuna, or I make guacamole.
I love them. That's what.
2. Have you ever gone on a roller coaster?
Not a proper one. A lame one. And that, quite simply, was enough for a lifetime!
No desire, WHATSOEVER, to go on one.
Never.
Ever.
3. Do you do cross stitch, needlepoint, crewel work, or needle punch?
I cross-stitched in years gone past. Not my thing now.
My Mum cross-stitched a lovely design which I keep on my kitchen window ledge as a reminder.
Now, crochet?.....
4. Do you cook with gas or electric?
Now, here's a sore subject.
Electric. Sad days. I dislike it intensely. It's an induction hob, ceramic. Currently, it seems to be even harder to control the heat than usual, which is hard enough as it is. You can't just leave things to gently simmer, and there is no instant heat when you need it. My dream cooker is large, with gas ho and electric oven.
Don't get me started on my electric fan-assisted oven which is cooking unevenly just now....
5. Tell me something good, pleasant, or uplifting. Please.
I have wonderful friends. I just had friends visit at the end of last week, and it was such a joy. Good friends are a blessing. They are a God-given delight, and can truly enrich your life and uplift your soul. I had a bad week last week, then my friends came. The Lord knew how my week would be, and that these visits would be a balm to my soul.
One friend made me laugh - proper belly laugh - for the first time in days. She gave me good advice and shared in some fun baking. The other friend helped me in so many practical ways - even just holding my baby whilst she slept, and whilst awake, to free up my hands for other things. I think my friend would say that was win-win!!!
People, appreciate the people God has given YOU in your life.
Firstly, apologies for no Matriarch this week...I have been away staying with my in-laws for a few days (SUCH a lovely rest....no cooking/cleaning/washing/drying...BLISS!), and only got back yesterday.
Also, I have the lovely Heidi St John coming to stay with us, and she arrives later today! (more about that visit, later in the week.....) So, cleaning, cooking and general preparedness happening today. But, I DO need to eat, so whilst eating my toast and drinking my cup-a-soup, I thought I'd have a quick chat with Patrice! :-)
What was your favorite book as a child?
How "child" is "child"??? I think I would have to say that I am an AOGG fan...AOGG?.....Anne of Green Gables!!! Every single book in the series...from AOGG to Rilla of Ingleside. Do you KNOW how many people haven't read it, or even know that there are OTHER books in the series?! It's shocking to me every time I find someone who doesn't realise!!!
(as an aside, I do love the films, but they miss out soooo much and change tooooo much for my liking! Back off my hobby horse.....)
I just love the humour, and yet the sweet and touching elements of the books as well. I LIVED those books as I read them! :-) Hmmm, maybe it's time to dig them out again!?
I was an avid reader, and was reading The Hobbit when I was about 12! I still love to read....happiness is... returning from a few days away to the inability to easily open your front door, due to my book order for Tapestry of Grace having been delivered, from The Book Depository!! *big smile*
2. Dark chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate?
Ohhhhh. DARK! I absolutely ADORE dark chocolate - a bar of Bourneville....a big one, preferably...always makes me happy!
Or one of these little guys....absolute BLISS....*Mmmmmmmmm*
I am also partial to just plain old Dairy Milk...I say plain, and old, but really, you can't beat Cadbury!
3. What's your biggest "pet peeve" when it comes to your kitchen?
Oooooh, this is tricky...only because I have a few! *blush*
I am quite particular about a few things (ask my family....). I like to stack my own dishwasher. I just know how to get the most dishes in it, and I end up rearranging it if I let someone else do it!!!
I also find it slightly frustrating when my family put things away in the wrong place!!!! I am madly running around the kitchen, trying to find the right utensil, which is in the wrong place. My lovely husband will sometimes tidy up my kitchen for me, and often things go missing after that. But, I would *NEVER* complain in that situation, as I so appreciate the fact he has done it at all. I do sometimes make some exasperated noises whilst searching, though! *blushes again*
And, I get rather frustrated when people put their dirty dishes beside the SINK, and not by the DISHWASHER....or indeed, nowhere near EITHER!!!
4. Do you use any type of water filter in your home? (Whole house, faucet mount, or pitcher)
We have a big container in our fridge for water. I must admit though, that it's more for the purpose of having nice, cold water on tap in the summer, rather than for the filtering purposes. Subsequently I do not change the filter as often as I should! ;-)
This is the one we have...^^^^^^^^^
5. What's the herb you use the most in cooking?
Is garlic classified as a herb?....hmm....I don't think so? Well, in that case, basil. (with an "ah" sound not an "ay" sound, guys.....!)
I make a tomato based pasta dish at least once a week, and there is always basil in it! I love it! :-) I do plan to add to the herb bed we inherited, and try and use more fresh herbs. We have sage and parsley in there so far, and I would like mint, rosemary, basil, coriander and lemon balm.
Oh, and I buy my basil in a tube....:-D
So, that's my quick chat. Back to making dinner, doing some baking, and overseeing some bedroom tidying!
I will post about my adventures of last week, and this week, at the weekend!
Well, Patrice....it's been a few weeks since I sat and chatted with you on the porch. The weather here has been sooooo lovely and spring-like, that I wish I had a porch to sit out on myself!
So, onto the questions!
1. What's your favourite type of chair?
Well, I am not very sure! I like it to be comfortable, so I think that a sofa. I always sit in the same spot, on the same sofa (nearest a socket to plug in my laptop!) Our present sofa isn't all that comfortable, but better than the last one. Both were given to us, so we are very grateful, but we would like to save up and buy something new.
I would also love a rocker-glider chair. I have a rocking chair, but it's quite high, and I can't sit with my feet on the floor to rock it!
2. What was the last play you saw?
Hmmmmmm......I have never really been to the Theatre. I went to see Sleeping BEauty, the ballet. I have been to plenty of classicla concerts, BC....(before children!). So, the last play I saw, was probably our school play, in High School! I wasn't in it - I helped do the make-up, though! (We weren't allowed to take part in the acting....I LONGED to do it, as it was a musical! lol) It was Calamity Jane! It was a lot of fun just to be involved, and I knew all the songs and lines along with the people actually IN it!
"Nowwwwwww I shout it from highest hills........."
"Oh, the deadwood stage is a comin' on over the plain....."
etc etc!
If you fancy listening to a bit of Doris, click play! :-)
3. If you could spend an all expenses paid week in a cabin in the mountains, a cottage at the beach, or a townhouse in a city with lots of great attractions, which would you choose?
Oooooh, this is a bit tricky! I LOVE the seaside! We live a looooong way from the seaside here - ok, well not as far as some folks in the USA live from the seaside....but for a girl who grew up in Scotland, where you are never too far from the sea, over 2 hours is ridiculous! I love the sound of the sea...how it looks, in all weathers....how the sun used to set behind Arran, as you went over the road to Stewarton....sun reflecting on the rippling waves...*sighs*
A City break?!?! No way. Not if Ihad the other 2 choices! I enjoy the odd trip to London - I find the old buildings and the history fascinating, but it wouldn't be a first choice.
No, this Scottish lass loves her mountains! I not only live far from my beloved sea, but nowhere near any mountains....we passed a small hill on the way to our holiday in February, and the children exclaimed "look at the mountain"....whilst I sat objecting, shaking my head, and sighing in sadness, at my poor, uneducated children!
I miss my mountains....as we drive north, the odd time we get back to Scotland, I start to get happy as we hit the Lake District...MOUNTAINS! you can't beat 3D scenery...Bedfordshire is pretty flat!
We stayed in a cabin in the mountains, as I believe I mentioned before, when we went to Vermont on holiday, when I was in my teens. They loved their view over into the valley SO much, that they had the house lifted up on stilts, and added a basement, so that the lounge could have the same view as the upper floors! It was truly glorious...looking out over the trees, down into the valley.
We also stayed in Aviemore, with my family, several years ago. It was grogeous!
this was the view from up in Cairngorms...stunning!
Now I am getting all longing and sighing!
So, without much of a doubt, it would be the cabin in the mountains!
4. What's your favourite condiment?
Ooooooooookkkkkkkkk....favourite CONDIMENT!!? Not one I have ever thought long and hard about! It depends what I am eating, I guess?? So, here's a quick run down...
I like sweetcorn relish in my tuna mayo...
I like brown sauce on a corned beef sandwich...
I like red sauce on grilled cheese sandwiches...
I like mango chutney in a bacon sandwich...
I like any fruit chutney in a cheese or ham sandwich..
I like my own, homemade mix on potato wedges....
I like mayo on a chicken sandwich...
I like salad cream on a potato sandwich....
How to make a pregnant woman verrrrrrrry hungry!!!!
5. What's your favourite breed of dog?
Not difficult, really. I grew up with them, and if I *EVER* had a dog, I doubt we would consider anything else...
An, oh-so-cute, rather dopey, but fun English Springer Spaniel!
We had one growing up - Kim. She was lovely! She was bouncy, and rather dopey, but she'd just curl up by you in the evening. We used to love her licking our feet, when we were younger! It tickled...and she must have been crazy!
Although, I think the funniest 2 moments were an American friend feeding her some Vindaloo.....(ohhhhhh yes!)....and giving her raisins in here bowl of water and laughing as she tried to get them out! (were we wicked owners that needed to be reported to the SSPCA?!)
If Robert and I got one, our only fight would be....black and white, or liver and white?! Their dog, growing up, was a black and white, called Heidi! Ours was a liver and white.
As things stand, with all our commitments....errrrr, children....we couldn't have a pet as well.
I am afraid that I didn't make the chat last week...things were a bit hectic. But, back to normal today, all ready to answer some questions!
1. Kimberly asks: How long have you blogged?
This, I need to check....I created this blog in 2009, and posted 2 times...so I don't think that counts! I restarted it properly last July. Having read both Anne and Patrice mention 1 year anniversary's of blogs passing them by, maybe I should try and remember and do a give-away when then time comes. Well, of course that all depends on what life is like PB.....post baby. If this one is like my first 5, it will be a doddle. If it is like my last mischief, life may be slightly insane. (what do you mean "is it not insane already?"....)
I love him, even if he was my hardest baby.
Who couldn't love a cheeky face like that?
2. Lana asks:What is the most difficult part of taking care of chickens?
The most difficult part, I would guess, would be HAVING them at all?....
Rats. I know they can attract rats. That would put me off something chronic. It is, however, a little dream of mine, to have chickens. Sadly, it appears not to be in the dream life of my lovely husband.....
3. Susannah asks: Would you prefer to live where it's hot or cold?
Hmmmmm - either extreme. I love our seasonal weather, so it would have to be somewhere similar. My perfect day is a warm, sunny one, with a lovely breeze keeping things from being overly hot. Sadly, it seems to happen rather rarely. I don't like it when the temperatures hit the 30's C here. It's just TOO hot for me. Being a Scot, we are not accustomed to such temperatures. The cold? They have NO idea how to deal with it down here. I used to wander out to my detached garage, through the garden, in the winter, with no coat on...whilst my husband and children insisted there was NO WAY they could go outside without one. Huh....softies...
4. Farm Girl asks: What sort of things are you looking forward to in 2012?
Well, I guess the biggest thing would be our new baby! The weeks are fast ticking past, and i have only 11 weeks until my due date!!! How fast they have passed! I am praying that I have another labour like my last one, and that the baby is as contented as the 5 BEFORE that...however, God knows best, and I will be delighted with whatever He has in store for me, on that front.
There are no other major events planned for this year. We do have a holiday (sorry, VACATION) planned in the near future, and I am looking forward to that. We go away with our friends, and their 5 (soon-to-be 6) children. It's a mad house, to say the least, but it's fun. One of the best parts is that we womenfolk only cook ONCE each in the whole week! The men sort out dinner for the children, and lunch for all every day. We grown ups take it in turns to cook each of the 4 nights we are away, just for the consumption of the grown ups. My friend and I reckon, as we are both pregnant (she will be 37 weeks...) that we will be having something very easy the nights that we cook! Certainly, she has more right to that ease than I do! We are just hoping and praying that we don't suddenly get a cold snap, and get snowed in, with an early baby making an appearance!
5. Dreaming asks: What's for dinner?
Macaroni cheese. I made it this morning, before breakfast. It means that all I have to do is put it in the oven to reheat, and I can get school finished with the little ones. Although, I also have a grocery shop arriving between 12pm and 1pm., tokeep me on my toes!
So, that all said, I must dash and get some work done with the children. The morning has gone well, so far, so there isn't too much left to do.
It's Burns Night tonight....celebrating the life of the Scot's Poet, Robert Burns. So, I think we will do some poetry work, and look at some of his more well known works. See if my children can understand his broad, Scottish lingo...*laughs wickedly*
Can I just say "WOW". Sorry, that's too soon! I need to wait until my answer to number 3 before I get to say that! Suffice to say, Patrice is, at least, getting some wintry weather. She has snow. I'm sorry, I have forgotten what that is, due to our lack in this part of England, so far this winter. We had a smattering in december, but nothing to write home about. I get fed up with the snow, but in all honesty, I do like to get at least ONE decent snow fall in the winter. It's NOT, however, allowed to be when we are away on holiday with friends - the friend who is due to have her baby about 2 weeks after the holiday. Although I am sure I could cope with such a thing, being snowed in, in a remote location, with someone giving birth, just might NOT be our idea of a chilled out holiday! :-D
Moving swiftly on. The questions. The first ones of a new year (for me, anyway!)! Missed these weekly chats, but life has been hectic. More of that in a moment....
How often do you wear a skirt or dress?
Erm, that would be every day?! I am a "skirts and dresses" kind of girl! I am NOT anti-trousers, just pro-skirts...if that makes any sense?!! I like being a lady. I like being feminine. I ADORE my very long skirts and dress (I only have one dress at the moment, but would like to get more. Hang on....nursing baby coming up....so, scratch that plan! lol ) My favourite skirts are my denim ones. I live in them. I rarely stray from that style. I have some needle cord ones that I like, too...but they are not maternity ones, and although, due to the style, I can still fit in them, I still prefer my denim. My lovely online friend pointed me in the direction of a sale at jojomamanbebe, and I got a NEW denim one, this pregnancy, for NINE POUNDS! BARGAIN!
2. Did you feel unmotivated after Christmas and New Years?
This year, definitely NO! I felt VERY motivated! We have just been through our house move, only a month ago. It was such a joy to move into somewhere bigger, but the whole packing, moving and settling in had MAJORLY disrupted our routine. I had missed our routine, so it was GREAT to get back into it yesterday! We had a new "pupil" starting school yesterday, so it was all the more reason for me to get a routine going!
3. What was the last thing that made you say "Wow"?
Now, there' a question! I originally read this question on my friend's blog, and had planned that the asnwer would be, the owl that flew over our car on the way back home from being out the other day! It swooped in low over our car, and we all said "wow"!!! But THEN I went to Patrice's blog, read about their wintry weather, and said "WOW"!!! Out loud, no less. To what?...I hear you ask....snowflakes the SIZE OF YOUR PALM?????
WOW!
Even if I misread, and it was that a few of them TOGETHER took up the size of your palm, that's STILL big snowflakes!!! We just have NOTHING like that over here!
So, WOW!
4. Do you shop with a list, or do you "wing it"?
I like to make lists, if possible. Lovely lists. With lots of things on them. All ready to be purchased on a shopping trip. They are a great thing to have. With you. Not left at home. I do a good line in "left at home". I left a cheque at home, when I specifically went out to lodge it, one day. *sigh*
Food shopping wise, I do my grocery shopping online. It has a facility to type in a list, and I do that with the things I know I may not remember, and that I don't get very often. Because, other than that, all my "favourites" are saved on the grocery store website, and I just glance merrily down the list....click, click, clicking on all the needed items! :-) It's a great way to shop. No trying to keep children in a trolley (shopping cart, for you foreigners....!) - no trying to negotiate hoards of people - no taking ages to queue up and pay (stand in line, for you foreigners...!) - no trying to get children AND shopping into the car, without bumping into the cars parked alongside - no trying to get everything INTO the house again, when you get home. No siree. Just click, click, click...wait for the allotted 1 hour slot....have a nice, friendly man (most of the time!) bring it all to your front door, and have your children ferry it from the door, to the kitchen, and, even, PUT IT AWAY for you! ;-)
*happy sigh*
So. lists are good.
If I do go to the store, and wing it, I bring home completely unnecessary items. Online grocery shopping is much better for my bank balance! :-s lol
5. What questions would you like me to ask on our Chat?
NOW you ask... I had thought of some, but I can't recall them now. Hmmmmm.
"what makes you smile - a happy, contented smile - in the course of a day?"
There you go! A question! It seems quite general, but if you know the kind of smile I mean, your answer would be quite particular! :-)
So, there we have it. Nice to chat again, and catch up with folks!
Firstly, sorry for missing some chats! Life is busy here, but I thought it was good to take a breather from packing and sorting, and chat with you all!
Questions are definitely more "seasonal"! Is it Christmas soon?!? Yes?? REALLY?? I had no idea, since I am so busy packing, and virtually NOTHING done for Christmas yet! Christmas cards delayed, as I am waiting to put our change of address in them. Presents not bought, as I don't want to pack them in a box before moving! Basically, I move on the 12th of December, and the next 2 weeks afterwards will be NUTS!! lol
What's your favorite day of the week? Why?
Sunday - I love Sunday! For me, it truly is more of a "day of rest", as God intended it to be. I try and get as much done the day before, and I still have dinner to make. But, on the whole, I do waaaaaaaay less than the rest of the week. A rest from house work. A rest from school work. A rest from busyness. It's great to go to Church, ans hear God's Word being preached, and fellow-shipping with fellow Christians. I really think we NEED that day of rest - physically and spiritually.
2. What's your favourite Christmas movie?
Hmmmm....struggling to think of any! lol We don't "do" Santa, but I do kinda like "miracle on 34th Street". I like the whole happy ending part! I like films with wintry and Christmasy parts - Little Women. That part, when they are all gathered round singing, and their Daddy comes home from the war!!! It gets my emotions EVERY time I watch it! *gulps down a sob*!
3. Is there a Christmas Carol that's special to you?
It's not a traditional "carol" - it's in our hymn book section on "the incarnation". I jsut love the depths of truth in this one!
"our God contracted to a span"...God, the God who made all things, becoming flesh. Becoming man, to live and die to save sinners. What an amazing truth!
Let earth and Heaven combine,
Angels and men agree,
To praise in songs divine
The incarnate Deity,
Our God contracted to a span,
Incomprehensibly made Man.
He laid His glory by,
He wrapped Him in our clay;
Unmarked by human eye,
The latent Godhead lay;
Infant of days He here became,
And bore the mild Immanuel’s Name.
See in that Infant’s face
The depths of deity,
And labor while ye gaze
To sound the mystery
In vain; ye angels gaze no more,
But fall, and silently adore.
Unsearchable the love
That hath the Savior brought;
The grace is far above
Of men or angels’ thought:
Suffice for us that God, we know,
Our God, is manifest below.
He deigns in flesh t’appear,
Widest extremes to join;
To bring our vileness near,
And make us all divine:
And we the life of God shall know,
For God is manifest below.
Made perfect first in love,
And sanctified by grace,
We shall from earth remove,
And see His glorious face:
His love shall then be fully showed,
And man shall all be lost in God.
4. Is there an art or craft that you'd love to be able to do?
I would like to do more sewing. When we move to our new house, with more space, I would like my sewing machine to be out more, and learn to do more with it.
5. Do you have a live Christmas tree or an artificial one?
Artificial! Costs too much to buy a real one every year! I do LOVE the smell of a real one, though! Something very lovely about it. We will be in the new house this year, so maybe we could have a real one as a change, and replace the old, artificial one, whose limbs are falling being knocked off by children, in the sales for next year?!
Nice to chat! next week, we will be MUCH nearer moving...hooray!
I managed to post this, before getting the chance to fill in answers - so apologies to anyone who got the strange post - preggy moment!
So, finally I get the chance to sit down and chat with you, Patrice! I have my 18 month old hanging over my sofa (sitting on the back of the sofa!) saying "hello" to me over my shoulder! Is it ok if he joins us?! :-)
What's the biggest obstacle you've overcome or need to?
Hmmmmm....I found it hard to overcome the struggle of having so many little children to negotiate! I am having my 7th baby, in 10 years, so when the older ones were all little, it was REALLY hard work! When they couldn't really help around the house, and just made a mess, and we were starting to HS - it was a tough time! Things are a lot easier, now that the older 4 are over 4 years old - they can clear up their own messes, and help around the house.
My obstacle that I still need to overcome, is organisation! I am sooooo determined to be a more organised mother, who has a plan for everything. I am getting there slooooooooowly - I joke and say "by the time I am 90 I will have everything sorted!". But, I keep trying, and small improvements are happening (don't ask anyone too close to me - they may not have noticed yet.....)
2. If you won $100,000 what changes would you make?
If I can get beyond the thought of never entering a competition where I would win money, and just think of it as a generous gift?....
WELL!....A decent new vehicle. We will need a mini bus shortly, and a decent one is not cheap!
A new pair of winter boots ( I nearly fell over when I saw how much a pair of leather, long winter boots cost - yikes!)
Some decent garden toys for my children - you know, the tree house type, climby, adventury ones?
Thing is, we have our home provided with Robert's position as pastor, so there is no mortgage to pay off!
Ahhhhhhhh! WHY didn't I think of this straight off???.....a month long trip to the USA to visit our many friends, and see the many places which I would love to go to (read, "New England", and other places!....) It would maybe cost us the guts of that, to all just GET there! ;-) And, maybe a month wouldn't allow me to visit ALL the lovely friends I have made over there!
Other than that, I am not big into "things", so it's a tough question!
3.What's the most unusual pet you've had?
Ermmmmmm.....pass?.....don't think the family dog was very unusual....except when someone gave her some vindaloo...then she went a bit weird....and when we gave her sultanas in her water bowl and she blew bubbles under water to get them back?....or the tropical fish, that were gorgeous until a friend slept in our lounge one night, couldn't sleep because of a "strange noise", found the switch to make it stop, and killed all the fish by turning off their filter/air?.....(this was all in my childhood....we don't "do" pets....I am too busy with children! lol)
Sorry, nothing interesting here, then!?
4..When do you start decorating for Christmas?
WELL - there's a question! Not as soon as I would like! But, the tree gets trashed very quickly, as there is always a small child around who wants to "rearrange" the decorations! I love the twinkly (my spell checker doesn't recognise "twinkly"?!?!..REALLY?.....) lights, the candles, the reds and greens. I am determined to have a wreath on the door this year - our new house has a lovely green door, which would lend itself to a red, berry type wreath! However, we WILL have just moved house, so the only decor this year MAY be boxes...we'll see! We usually pack it all away just after new year, before we start back with school.
5. What's your favourite type of magazine to read?
Hmmmm - don't often get the chance, and I don't tend to buy them! The only one I buy is "Homeschool Enrichment", which is a very encouraging, informative magazine about *drum roll*.....yes, homeschooling! It's worth the money.
A lady in the Church passes on the Reader's Digest to me. I do enjoy the real-life and factual stories in there. Oh, and the "Laughter's the Best Medicine" and "All in a day's work" and...yes, the funnies! I don't think i would buy it, but I appreciate it being passed on!
Well, nice to chat, as ever! Interesting questions, probably not very interesting answers, so apologies!
(making mental note to get a new "n" key for my laptop - it keeps sticking?!)
