lizblog

Abject luxury

My new pillow

It was a quiet birthday, after all, when one gets to a certain age, they should rather be glossed over than celebrated. Ed and Rachel celebrated with us and we had a pleasant meal together. Then I had the pleasure of it all being spread out over quite a few days. Some parcels were at the sorting office, other gifts arrived later, so all told, it's been a very gift and card filled few days.

However, the most amazing of my gifts is something which I would never have bought for myself, but that I am enjoying a great deal. It is my luxury pillow.

We spent the night at Andy's mum's when we were down in Huddersfield and slept on their memory foam bed, (we are seriously considering getting a mattress like this), which was supplied with rather wonderful pillows. They were soft and light and yet springy and comfortable. In the morning I asked what they were made of. Hungarian goose down was the reply, the very best of pillow fillings. I was more than impressed and said so.
I couldn't have been more delighted when, on returning to say goodbye before our journey home, I was presented with my very own Hungarian goose down pillow. I love it.

Thank you Audrey and Frank.

Gutted

Yeah, that's me today. Even the eyes are right!

Mellowing with the mallows

Surprises!

It's been a strange day.

This afternoon I went for a job interview. It's a job I would very much like to get. I don't know yet whether I have or not. I received a phone call telling me that they were unable to make up their minds and that they'd decided to sleep on it.

Not sure I will.

The gifts above were a lovely surprise, sent to cheer us as we waited ... a sort of tarrying gift.
Thank you, kind gift bringer. :-)

(The wider blog readership may well recognise the marshmallow maker and offerer.)

The week before last I went for a different job interview and got the job. I turned it down. It just didn't feel right. It felt very naughty and rather too scary and yet I haven't regretted the decision.

So tomorrow is another big day, the day I get to find out if I have a job after Easter. I hope I have.

A visit ....

Ed and his wife, Rachel visited us this weekend. They brought their two dogs with them.
We were favoured with good weather and made the most of it when we went to Druridge Bay for a walk along the beach. It was really crowded, we saw at least 8 other people!

Druridge Bay with Asher and Storm on a very beautiful February day.

In the evening we all went out for a meal to El Torero in Newcastle. We spent a happy 20 minutes making our tapas selection, realising, once it began to arrive, that maybe we had over ordered slightly. The food was delicious. My personal favourite was the spinach with blue cheese and pine nuts, closely followed by the meatballs. We all tucked in with gusto and the food began to disappear, but not nearly enough. We finally had to admit defeat and left some of the patatas dishes.

However this turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

As Ed and Rachel watched in incredulous disbelief, Andy delicately arranged pieces of potato over and over, carefully taking innumerable photos, one at each step. I strongly advise you to click on the link above and watch this piece of modern cinematography for yourselves. You will be amazed.

My Canon Ixus 60

I would like to introduce you to my new camera and case.

I have thought long and hard about what kind of camera to get. Through the years I have had various makes; Kodak, Pentax, Sony and Fuji. They all have their good points and their drawbacks. With the improvement in digital camera technology, the choice has become more varied and so it is harder to choose.

I have used Andy's Canon on numerous occasions and been impressed with the quality of the pictures and the ease of use. I did try a Kodak, which I then naughtily sent back and got it changed for this one. Already I have used it to take videos and stills and I remain impressed with the quality and ease of use. I have also bought a cool SD card which flips over and changes into a UBS connection, which means I can easily transfer my photos onto any computer with a USB port. Very cool.

So .... thank you Almondbury School for the generous gift which enabled me to buy this camera and to Ruth for the Christmas present which meant I could also afford the swish case. I love them both. :-)

Mince salad .... mmmmm

 

First prepare the salad.

Next prepare the mince ......

and there you have it .....

mince salad. Mmmmmmmm

I know a dead parrot when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now.

I want to thank Jason for his very thoughtful gift.

It is a parrot, made by his own fair hand, I am led to believe, from one or more pink balloons. I am more than impressed. Not only has it a recognisable "parrot" beak, but it is possible to tilt the position it takes on the perch. It is possible to use this facet of the manufacture to enhance its life-like appearance. Its tail tapers to a fetching single feather-like protuberance and it is altogether lovely.

Jason, I thank you. You are a truly talented man.

February in Newbiggin

It was a beautiful day today. Bright sun with the beginnings of Spring warmth. I walked up the coast towards Alcan for about a mile. It was late afternoon and the tide was in. If I could play golf ... or even wanted to ... I would have been attracted out this afternoon. As it was I enjoyed the walk.