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Monthly Archives: February 2021

Weeding, Primroses and Kokopelli

The sun shone today and although it was still very cold, we worked for hours in the allotment, weeding and chopping up prunings from the currant bushes. I cleared the area outside the fruit cage which is going to be a pollinators border, full of flowers, probably in purple (Verbena) white (Cosmos) and green. Watch this space. The lovely Mr S worked inside the cage.

Weeding

Along the walk up the lane  from the allotment there was this lovely Primrose plant growing in the hedge

The connection failed in our lovely Kokopelli doorbell and now it is fixed (by the lovely Mr S) and it works just perfectly again.

 

More Daffodils, Smiles and Supper

We went on an outing today! It was just to the dump and in the rain, after a dry morning and a good clear out of weeds and pruning. On the drive we saw a couple of clumps of Daffodils along the wayside. This happens all over Cornwall and must be down to generous individuals who just pop some bulbs into the hedgerows and up they pop, year after year, bringing joy to passers by.

It’s hard to show your smile behind a mask though the eyes can say it all. An inner smile is also very important.

Stuffed Peppers for supper tonight after yesterday’s carb overload!

Stuffed Peppers with Sweet Potato Mash topping

Today, on the zoom sing, it being half-term, we were joined by LiveWire No 3 who had a lovely time. It was a joy to have her there.

Daffodils day 6

 

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Pancake Day

We started and ended the day with pancakes!
Breakfast:

Fluffy Blueberry Pancakes

Dinner:

Savoury pancakes stuffed with chicken, peas and sweetcorn served with Kalettes

Dessert:

Crepes with orange and sugar

Daffodils day 5

 
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Posted by on February 16, 2021 in Food, Photography

 

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Baking, Potter and Daffodils

This afternoon I baked, over Skype, with LiveWire No 4 who had seen her cousin’s Victoria sponge last week and wanted to try one her self. It was a tasty success and we had great fun. Of course, I have shared it with my lovely neighbour over a cup of tea in the front garden as before!

I am trying to track down a Cornish potter and thought I would try here. The coffee set, a couple of pieces below,  was given to my Mum, Cicely Wiseman, when she retired, in the 1970s, from teaching at Roskear Primary School where she ran the unit for deaf children. The potter’s initials are JC and I thought I had found her but recently had a reply saying that sadly, I didn’t have the right person. Any help gratefully received.

Our Daffodils are opening beautifully and today, we had sunshine so they glowed.

 

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Love, Reading and Daffodils

It’s Valentine’s Day and I send love to all my readers.

The vile weather continues here so it’s been another curl up and read day. I finished a fabulous book today that I only  started yesterday.  I think that tells you how compelling it was – The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Thank you for lending it to me, H, much appreciated.

Our Daffodils are opening and are a very welcome splash of goldenness on these grey and gloomy days.

 
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Posted by on February 14, 2021 in nature, Postaday2021, Uncategorized

 

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A Poem, Glass and Today’s Daffodils

When I read this poem by my friend, Kim Ridgeon, it just rang bells. We, too, miss the sea so much. Our nearest sea on the North Coast is just  four miles away and the South coast only ten but lockdown means we have to walk from our door. Thank you Kim, for letting me share your carefully crafted words here.

When we pulled down the blind in the back window, the piece of glass that hangs in the window was illuminated by the lights we still have on our baby Christmas tree in a pot.

Here are our Cornish Daffodils, day 2.

 
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Posted by on February 13, 2021 in Photography, Postaday2021

 

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DNA, Some Family History and Daffodils

My birthday present from the lovely Mr S was  a DNA test and the results came back today. Most of it was unsurprising – 44% England and Northern Europe with Manchester, Lancashire featuring heavily.  My maternal Grandfather was of Welsh heritage so 33% Welsh wasn’t a surprise either. Neither was the 8% Irish as my paternal Grandmother had Irish in her. The biggest surprises, though tiny amounts, were the 3% Norway and the 2% Sweden. Perhaps that’s all down to historic invasions!
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/dna/origins/share/ca02ee57-0a92-47bc-9dad-018617b9e10d

Coincidentally, as I was looking for something else in my family history folder, I came across the following message from my SIL who had taken notes from one of my Father’s story telling sessions, this one about his Father-in-law, our Welsh Grandfather.

“William Richards was, in addition to being the Vicar of Cockerham, the Abbot of Cockersand, which entitled him to the right to the fish from the baulk  on occasion (full moon or new moon or some such.)  Mum used to be sent fish at college in Ripon.  Dad went with him one evening to get the fish.  Whitebait, but also salmon.”
So much  to unravel here! I know my cousins in Australia read this blog and wonder if they can add to/expand this story.
I have only a few photos of my Grandfather, the Vicar. Here he is with one of his Grandchildren. I think this is my older brother but it could be me or my cousin.  The second photo shows what a handsome couple  my Granny and Grandpa were.
I was of the understanding that Granny had Spanish in her genes but, sadly,  Spanish hasn’t shown up for me.

I bought three bunches of Cornish Daffodils yesterday and am going to take a photo each day as they open.

 
 

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Reading, Good Thoughts and Dreams

Another bitterly cold day with snow flurries as the Beast from the East continues to blow across us all. Our walk was very quick and well muffled up.  It was far too cold for me to bare my fingers to take photographs! Reading has been a joy today.

Looking for my sister yesterday, the comment was made, about the right person, that she looked the happiest of all those present. Her happiness shines out of her face and she does always look lovely.  

Great Dream came from the Action for Happiness people. I like it.

 
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Posted by on February 11, 2021 in Uncategorized

 

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My Sister, A Stream and A Doorway

This morning I sang with my sister who lives in Hawaii! We were both taking part in a Sing for your Heart session run by my choir leader on zoom and it was such a delight to see her and to sing with her! One of the compensatory joys of these strange times! I wonder if you can see which is my kid sister? Answer at the end!

It was another bitterly cold walk today, a different one, just up the road at Gwennap, alongside the stream, up through the village and around the Churchyard where my Dad found the inspiration for his novel, Jeremy Visick. I love this walk as there are so many happy family memories that crowd their way in my head.

A very full stream

I love the stones in this doorless doorway.

Deborah is bottom right in red and beaming her joy at me. Did you find her? Do tell me in the comments.  We could barely sing, the pair of us for the grins on our faces!

 

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We’ve Had Snow!

Just a dusting of course, this being West Cornwall (though we have had real snow a few times in the past!) so everything was white and pretty for a few hours.

 
 

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