Riding the Waves

A very rare occurrence of good weather and a day off happened yesterday so I grabbed the chance to go to the beach.  It seemed that everyone else had the same idea, it was good to see people with a smile on their faces.

It was cold and windy but the beautiful blue sky made up for it.  With my coat pulled tightly around me I stood to watch the surfers making the most of the big surf.  They fought against the huge waves to get further out to sea, often knocked back in again ending up where they started in the first place.  Undeterred they turned around and headed out to sea again, holding tightly to their boards.  Once out far enough they waited and waited until the perfect wave, then paddled furiously trying not to miss the opportunity, trying not to get left behind to drift.  When everything came together they would be lifted by the wave and rush towards the shore, leaping to their feet to balance on the board.  For a few seconds they would feel the exhilaration of riding the wave before being dumped into the shallow water.

Life feels a bit like that to me.  You work hard, get knocked back a few times, get back up again and continue to fight towards your goal.  Sometimes the waves seem so huge you think they will wipe you out.........and then if you are lucky, you catch that wave and for a short perfect time it is all worth it.

We continue to work towards our time on that wave,  we have worked all our lives for this moment. We search for the house that will be the start of our new life.  There is a huge amount of work still to be done but one day you will see me on that wave whooping with joy.

Chickpea xx

The Disappearing Lump and Other Things

The little stream through the woods has doubled in size.

I have had a lump in my neck for months, it felt like I swallowed a golf ball and was uncomfortable when lying in bed.  Of course I didn't get around to doing anything about it.....yes I know.  Anyway the doctor referred me for a scan.  On the morning of the scan I woke to ........ yes you've guessed it, no lump!! It used to be there I protested pathetically to the doctor as she slathered the gel all over my neck and clothes (deliberately I suspect for wasting her time).  This isn't the first time something like this has happened.  Is it just me this happens to?  So embarrassing.

The other thing that has disappeared is my nice big jam making pan.  I put it away somewhere when I cleared the house for viewings, and can I find it?  I have found things going back to my school days stashed away in the attic but the pan which was put up there a few months ago is nowhere to be seen. I seem to spend my whole life looking for things.  If I added up the time spent looking for things it would probably be years of my life.  Keys, phone, glasses all hide from me.  Oh well the Seville oranges will have to stay in the freezer for another week.  We are eating the last jar of marmalade from last year so it looks like I will be buying another pan if we are to have homemade marmalade any time soon.

My other failure is my lack of self discipline.  Hating shopping I decided to just do a supermarket shop once a month.  We get our veg, dairy and meat from our local food box company which is delivered weekly and I support another local greengrocer by buying all my fruit weekly on my way home from work.  If I'm organised and make a list I could get a whole months supermarket shopping delivered and never have to go near the horrible place.  Good plan I thought, but that wasn't taking into account my lack of control when it comes to crisps.  If they are in the house I have to eat them, I'm addicted!  It looks very unlikely that my months stash of crisps is going to last more than a couple of weeks. The bearded one did comment that 'they aren't going to last you a month'  He was right damn it.  I'm determined not to buy anything else until my next payday so I will be suffering serious crisp withdrawal symptoms until then.  Is there anything you can't resist?

I have looked at another house which was lovely and but the land was separate which didn't work for us so the hunt continues.  I'm afraid I am very behind with my blog reading at the moment so I hope you are all keeping well. We have had some flooding down in Cornwall, places that have never flooded before, nothing like the terrible floods up country, but for those affected still terrible.    It is driving me mad being stuck indoors, we ventured out on Saturday only to get soaked before we walked very far.  Everywhere is muddy and waterlogged and the poor birds look so bedraggled.  It wouldn't be so bad being stuck in if I could sit by the fire  and catch up on War and Peace, but it has been a constant stream of cricket, rugby and football much to the sport lovers delight.

I'm not sure where we will be living in the summer, I will miss getting my veg patch and greenhouse planted up but thought I could at least grow some early potatoes in bags, so they are in the window to chit.  Pots of herbs can be planted for the summer and lettuce leaves in pots, all things that can be moved.  Any other suggestions would be appreciated.  Preferable things that will be ready early summer and transportable.

 I will pop around to see you all when work madness dies down a bit.  Off to make some pasties for the family, you may hear some swearing when I am trying to get my gluten free pastry to stay together!  I'm afraid there's nothing exciting happening at the moment, work, housework and nothing much else to report.

Chickpea xx

Nearly Going up in Flames!

Handmade trug and home grown veg

Hi all, hope you are all muddling along, flipping wet in the U.K. isn't it!  I think I'm developing webbed feet.  I thought I would pop in and give you an update on my exciting life......well my life.  Mostly it's been same old stuff but I did book myself on a Willow Day at our local 'Eco Park' .  Of course it was blowing a hooley as we traipsed across the very muddy field to the willow patch and then starting hailing as we were cutting the willow but it was worth the cold hands (and pulled muscles in my gluteus maximus) Why put myself through this I hear you ask?  Well sometime in the future......who knows when, we haven't found anywhere yet, I would like to grow willow in my future fields.  Not being very green fingered I was pleased to find out that they happily grow away and need coppicing from January to April when you cut everything right back and in the spring they grow away again.  I think I may be able to manage that.  In the afternoon they showed us how to make either a trug or an obelisk for the garden.  Being the practical person that I am, I decided on the trug and as you can see I have already put it to good use. Yes I know handmade trug, picking home grown chard. How smug do I sound, I want to slap myself sometimes :)

The trug is a bit wonky, but I like wonky.

I have been following a really interesting blog My make do and mend life which has all sorts of tips about reducing our impact.  The blogger spent a year not buying anything new, so learned how to make the most of everything she had.  I am increasing worried about our impact on the planet, we only have one, and having watched The Martian over the weekend, I don't fancy living on Mars.  (though if Matt Damon is in residence....) I know my little contributions don't seem much and often have my family scratching their heads at my attempts at being green, but it makes me happy to be treading as gently as I can manage at this point in time.  One of the tips from the 'make do and mend blog was putting your old orange and lemon peel into a jar of white vinegar to make a cleaner.  I had the vinegar, I have satsuma peel so it has cost me nothing.  I will be putting it into a spray bottle later and giving it a go.

I have also bought some soap nuts. I have to say I was very dubious about these and did resort of my usual stuff when the grandchildren were here.  I'm not sure how they would have coped with food and poo splattered clothes, but for everything else they have been great.  I am a convert!  I put a few drops of essential oil in the rinse and Bobs your uncle as they say, Green washing.  I feel so virtuous haha.  The nuts go in the compost bin when finished with.

You are probably wondering about the title.  Well here's a little health and safety warning for you all. Don't be a numpty like me and cook while wearing one of your favourite scarves.  I thought I could smell something burning........it turned out to be me.  Burnt scarf, burnt carpet where I threw it down and stamped on it and the tips of my hair singed.  Apart from that, I was very very lucky!

Stay safe everyone,

Chickpea xx

Rant Alert......may involve bad language.

I thought I had better check in with you all in case you thought I had disappeared, I have been busy busy busy with juggling everything on very little sleep.  Working in health I have been incredibly busy helping people with their New Years Resolutions to get healthier.  It it my busiest time of year work wise and leaves very little time for me to actually work on my own health, seems a bit hypocritical really.  I advise people to "Go for walks, eat healthily,  get enough sleep, stop smoking etc etc" you get the picture.  While little old me is sat scrunched over a computer, living on whatever I can grab from the kitchen that is quick, and surviving on a few hours sleep.  Damn the insomnia!!

I am counting the days to retirement, if I could just do the working with people bit it would be great, it is all the paperwork that is involved in everything these day.  I wouldn't be surprised if I have to fill out a bloody form to go to the loo soon!!!  There is so much ass- covering these days in case you get sued that half your time is spent completing courses and filling out forms on the bleeding obvious.   Don't get me wrong, I'm in favour of Health and Safety to ensure people are kept safe, but it does seem to be going too far sometimes.

I have also failed my resolutions to be a more consistent blogger......yes my output is pants at the moment.  Sorry guys I will try harder.....perhaps I should do a course on it :)

In other news, I am scratching my head over all the forms involved in selling a house......they want to know the ins and outs of a ducks backside!!

Still chasing up estate agents to send us details on any houses that suit our criteria..... do they want to sell properties or not!!

I know, it is a badly worded, rushed post, probably full of typos and lots and lots of moaning (and exclamation marks!!!!)  My next post will be full of good things, raindrops and roses.....I promise.

Hope you are all keeping well dear bloggy friends,

Chickpea xx

Thank you bloggers

At the beginning of the year I like to look back on what I have done and look forward to what is to come.  Take into account the good, the bad and the downright ugly.  How I might have done things differently and what I would like to achieve in the following year.  More on future plans another time.  What has been evident in the last year is how much Blogworld has influenced me.  I don't want to be too slushy but I would like to take the time to thank all of the wonderful bloggers out there who I read.  I may not always have the time to comment, but I do try to keep up as much as possible with my blog reading.   You have taken the time, and yes it does take time and effort, to write about your lives, your loves, your crafts, your food, your reading ........well I could go on and on......

I won't name names, as I'm sure I would leave someone out and would be mortified, but will look at some of the ways you have all brought something to my life.

There is always someone out there who will offer kind words and support when times are hard.

When I ask for advice you are more than willing to take the time to help.

You have encouraged me to take up my knitting needles again and create beautiful things to keep me warm.

You have inspired me to take up a crochet hook and work on my first ever crochet project.

You have given me the confidence to share my quilting projects and inspired me to buy a dressmaking pattern (though I haven't had time to start it yet)

You have inspired me with the recipes you share.

You have moved me to tears with your beautiful writing.

You have opened my eyes to the beauty of other parts of the country I live in as well as other parts of the world.

You have made my dreams of growing my own food and becoming more self sufficient seem possible.

Your photos have inspired me to get out there and capture the beauty of the world.

You have taught me about the beauty of birds, butterflies and  even moths!

You make me feel less 'weird', for believing in buying less, buying local, growing my own, self sufficiency, recycling, making my own, being kinder in a world that promotes the opposite of all these things.

It has been a pleasure to get to know you dear friends.

I'm sure I have left lots of things out which I will kick myself for later, but a huge, huge thank you to all of you, you know who you are. My present to all is to continue to share the beauty of my beloved Cornwall.

Chickpea xx

Needles and Lies

I didn't spend all my time stuffing my face over Xmas I did actually spend a few lovely hours knitting away.  The cardigan I was going to abandon last year because I thought I would never finish has been resurrected and I have finished the back.......yes the whole flipping back woohoo!  I am using alpaca wool which feels fabulous and I can't wait to finish the cardi, it will be lovely, warm and soft.  It seems I have the knitting bug again, so much so that I ordered a new book on Fair Isle knitting  I have been lusting over some beautiful Fair Isle knits that have been shared on various blogs and thought I would like to give it a go.  I really need to finish some of the umpteen other projects I have on the go before I start another though!


Strange how the photos have come out totally different colours, the top one is probably nearer to the true colour.

I have also started joining my granny squares together.  I had to guess at some of it, I'm not sure if it was me or the instructions but I found it all a bit confusing, however I'm really pleased with the progress on my first every granny square blanket.  Thank you to Jennifer over at thistlebear for hosting the Winter Project Link Party, it has inspired me to have a go and keep at it.

Now to my rather random title.  I made the time and effort to look at a house today, in the photos it looked perfect, a house surrounded by fields.  I rang the estate agents who said there was another house nearby but you would not know it was there.  What did I find when I got there?  The owners had built another huge house right beside it, and I mean literally a few feet away.  They will be building a high wall between the properties says the estate agent hopefully, so you wouldn't see the house.  Why would I want to move to the country to have a huge wall right beside my house, I might as well stay where I am, and it wouldn't block out the noise.  I was so disappointed and really miffed to have been misled, a complete waste of my time.  Apart from the on-line estate agent I used to sell my house, I'm afraid the rest never fail to disappoint and annoy and sometimes downright lie.

As some of you know I have suffered from insomnia on and off all my life, for the last 6 years it has been a constant problem.  The doctor offered to refer me to a sleep clinic, I'm really not sure whether to take up the offer.  I find the idea of being wired up and watched while I sleep scary.  Have any of you been to one?  Any advice would be gratefully received.

Chickpea xx

Sugar Addicted Night Owl

The rescue services are always on-call

Every year I say this year is going to be different..........every year is the same.  I'm not even a 'sweet' person, more of a savoury type but damn it I can't walk past the pile of chocolates without shoving one or lets be honest, several into my mouth.  I have absolutely no will power I'm afraid, if they are there I will eat them.  I don't even buy them, the bearded one brings big tins of them home from work, gifts from well meaning people who have no consideration for my waistline.  While everyone is making new years resolutions to lose weight, get healthy, I know while the Xmas crap is still around the house I will eat it.   I have been trapped in the house because of the weather, watching rubbish television, eating rubbish and staying up until silly o'clock in the morning.  I feel rubbish because of it, I will be glad to get back to some sort of normality and really need to get back to some sort of sensible sleep pattern.  If left to my own devises I would be a night owl, I could stay up all night with no problem but when you have to get up and go to work in the morning it's not an option.   I'm back at work this week, I have the weekend to try to reset my sleep patterns eeeckkk!

Our Xmas tends to go on and on as we try to get everyone in the same place at the same time which was even trickier this year as sons partner was on call and got called in Xmas Day and Boxing Day. We eventually managed to get all four kids, their partners and the grandchildren under our roof on Monday which was lovely, there were bodies sleeping everywhere but that's what it's about.  Ziggy Stardust even joined in the fun, snuggling under the wrapping paper, she is easily pleased.

The weather was just too bad for our usual Xmas day walk on the beach but we ventured out on Boxing Day, which was dry but the wind nearly took me off my feet a couple of times and caused a sand storm, well ok slight exaggeration but it was bracing.  We are lucky to have a dry warm home to retreat to, I feel so sorry for the people whose houses are under water this year.  I'm no expert but if we didn't concrete over everything and cut down all the trees the land may be better able to cope with the deluge of water.


So have I got any New Years resolutions?  Well no I haven't got around to thinking of any.  Cut out sugar? That's not going to happen while the chocolate still lurks in the house.  Get fitter?  Not if its raining I'm afraid, I'm a fair weather exerciser.   I did think about going vegan for January, but I was given cheese making kits for Xmas so that isn't going to happen.  Be a more consistent blogger? Um, we will see.  I love reading about people who vow to stop buying 'stuff' for a year, eat only things they have grown, de-clutter, have no waste etc. The woman who runs the local food box posted a photo of herself swimming in the sea over Xmas without a wet suit, vowing to do this though out the year.  It all sounds rather exhausting I'm afraid, perhaps when I detox from the sugar overload I will have more energy and focus, so my New Years resolution might start in February.....or March if I can be arsed to even think of one.

Have any of you made a resolution?  My brain/typing fingers keep wanting to say/type New Years revolution.........mmmm now that's an idea :)

Right, must get back to searching for our new home in the country, I guess that is enough to be taking on this year.

Chickpea xx