Did you know that an octopus has nine brains and three hearts? Maybe you did, but I didn’t have a clue! It was one of a number of fascinating facts I gleaned while taking part in a general knowledge quiz with my sister Jenny who came to celebrate her birthday with us. It made me wonder what hugely important decisions an octopus has to make, and how much energy it must take to make things happen, hence the three hearts! Mind you I could have done with eight arms to help prepare the food I’d planned for Jenny’s stay, although I really enjoyed the challenge. She and her partner Linda are both vegetarians so I always endeavor to cook something different when they visit. I even made Jenny her favourite ginger cake with orange icing, the same as my mum used to bake for her birthday every year. It all turned out well which was gratifying, but I’ve eaten so much these last few days I was grateful to walk some of it off on a six mile walk twice around Dorney Lake where I captured this sunset.
Thanks as always for keeping in touch with me over the last few weeks here, and on Instagram and Facebook – it seems as though you’ve been pretty busy too! Twenty-four hours after I posted my last blog, I was driving to Waterperry Gardens in Oxford to meet with Pipa Gordon from QVC. We’d made a date to meet in October on my last day at work, but what with one thing and another, we’d had to postpone it until November. Mind you that was nothing really because the time before that it had taken us eight years to get together, and then we’d spent five hours sitting in a restaurant with barely enough time to eat we were talking so much. It was similar this time, although the weather was kind and the sun broke through so we managed to do a fair bit of walking around the beautiful gardens before breaking for lunch. Pipa is a fair few years younger than me, but we’ve always got on extremely well and our lives have often moved in the same direction at the same time. There is something incredibly comforting in being able to compare experiences and emotions and finding endless similarities when sharing our responses and reactions. It was even quite useful to have the ‘been there done that’ conversation too, and as we said goodbye we once again vowed to meet up just as soon as our lives would allow us! Let’s hope it’s not going to be another eight years 😊
Colin and I had an unexpected but very welcome visit from Lucy and Honey last weekend when, after a conversation about Guy Fawkes night she suggested they came to us with their box of fireworks so that we could enjoy them together. It’s been years since we celebrated firework night – I think the last time we had a display of our own with the children was 11 years ago – but I made jacket potatoes and hot dogs like the old days, and we were blessed with a clear and cold night, just perfect. There were roman candles, pyramids, three rockets and plenty of other twinkly and sparkly delights, but just one Catherine wheel. I have very fond memories of my dear old dad and his litany of disasters when it came to Catherine wheels on firework night. He used to nail them to the fence just behind the coalbunker and they either fell off immediately, refused to spin, blew up or wouldn’t light! Invariably they’d still be there in the morning, hanging on the fence like a folorn piece of wet washing. I told Honey the story and she was determined that ours would be a success, but Dad must’ve been smiling down on us because in spite of every effort the Catherine wheel refused to light which made us all laugh. The following day she and I went out for a walk in the hope that we would see one of the many horses that live in the fields around our home. We took a very large carrot with us as a treat, but sadly the entire area we covered was completely devoid of any four-legged friends. I could tell Honey was disappointed but when we were nearly home we rounded the corner of the narrow footpath and were met by a beautiful white horse whose exceptionally friendly rider allowed Honey to pet and feed it with the carrot. It was the perfect end to what had been a perfect time together.
In between all this wonderful socializing, I’ve been painting skirting boards and glossing doors in the dining room and sitting room and am delighted to say we’re getting ever closer to finishing the downstairs of the house. Perfect timing too as the weather gets colder because the log burners are very cosy, as is the underfloor heating. I’m just trying to work out where to put the Christmas tree this year – have you got yours up yet? Next time I write it will be December!
I’ve just begun a new book, having finished Richard Osman’s The Least Devil to Die which was superb. The new one is called The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy and is so beautifully written, describing in exceptional detail life in Kerala, Southern India for twins Esthappen and Rahel. Sarah Cox recommended it on her TV Show, Between the Covers, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. And if you fancy a clever TV drama, then ITV’s Six Four is well worth a watch. What have you enjoyed watching and reading recently?
Well, I’d better sign off now as it’s time for bed! I look forward to hearing from you and next time I’ll have a few more Christmassy things to share.
With my love,
Ali xx
Susan Lewis says
I heard about your blog from reading Debbies .I do miss seeing you on the tele it’s not the same without our reliable presenters so few of them remain. Glad you are doing so well you certainly look good. It’s nice you keep in touch with some of them .You obviously enjoyed the theatre and will keep in touch. Nice to see Honey regularly in your life she will keep you on your toes.Look forward to your news in December take care love Sue xxx
Alison Keenan says
Hi there Susan, I’m glad you found me here – that was decent of Debbie to give it a mention! We had such a cracking night out at the theatre and I will be forever in her debt for having introduced me to such a beautiful musical production. It’s lovely that I am still able to see honey regularly and yes, she certainly keeps me busy! I do hope that all is well in your life and although I do miss working at the Q, I often wonder how I ever managed to work and stay in touch with all the family and my friends! I’ll look forward to hearing from you again, love Ali xx
Cherry says
So lovely to have found you, Alison! Really miss you at QVC. Found you via Debbie Flint’s weekly updates so will read all your post blogs and be able to keep up with your lovely family news now. 😊 I’m not on much social media so your blog is great.
I think about you often as I am currently supporting my daughter on her breast cancer journey. So very hard when it’s your child. She’s on her second chemo cycle now – brutal – and surgery will be after Christmas. I know you have first hand knowledge of this tough road.
Looking forward to reading more. x
Alison Keenan says
Dear Cherry, firstly I just wanted to say how sorry I am to know that your daughter has breast cancer, but how glad I am that you are able to care for her. Anything that hurts our children hurts us dreadfully and you’re right, chemo is tough, but it will absolutely give her her best chance. Try and enjoy Christmas knowing that the surgery is the final hurdle and then she will be on the road to recovery. Give her my love if you would, and do let me know how she’s getting on and if I can help in any way?
I’m very glad that Debbie spread the word about my blog and it will be lovely to keep in touch with you too. I know that when QVC stopped publishing the presenter blogs they were very much missed but Debbie has been an absolute trooper and keeps in touch very regularly which is fab. Take care Cherry, stay strong, and lean on those who love you – being a parent is hard sometimes. Love Ali xx
June Holstead says
Love reading your Blogs Ali. Thank you.
I’m lucky enough to be in South Africa right now with my daughter. Our last night in Cape Town and tomorrow we move on to the Wine Regions. Its been an unforgettable experience and I’ve loved every second! Just having a rest before we head out for dinner and thought I’d catch up with Instagram and was so pleased to see your new Blog. Take care xx
Alison Keenan says
Hello June, how wonderful for you to be in South Africa! It is a country I have never visited but my late father had some wonderful trips there. My son Sam also was there for six months some years ago and enjoyed it. Please send us some sunshine and warmth – lovely to hear from you though and delighted that you have joined us here on the blog. Take care and enjoy the rest of your stay, love Ali xx
Rosemary Brown says
So lovely reading your blogs Ali, your a breath of fresh air! Miss you on QVC like many other people do.
But it’s so nice to see you enjoying your retirement (although you are still extremely busy) hearing what you have been doing, about your family and friends.
Can’t wait to read your next blog.
Take care. x
Alison Keenan says
Dear Rosemary, what a lovely thing to say! I’m so pleased you are enjoying the blogs and it’s a great way for us to keep in touch. I do miss my time and my friends at QVC, but it is wonderful to be able to keep in touch with him outside of work. I do hope all is well with your family and your life and I will look forward to hearing from you again, love Ali xx
Elaine says
Lovely blog. I’m so glad you decided to set up this site. Lovely that you and Pipa found time to meet up. They had a Christmas market and light switch on in my town today. Christmas just around the corner it doesn’t seem five minutes since the last one.
Alison Keenan says
Hello Elaine, that’s a really nice thing of you to say – I am very glad also that my daughter encouraged me to re-create my website and set this blog up. Finding time to do everything is a bit of a challenge at the moment, but it was wonderful to see Pipa and we are determined to put another date in the diary soon. How lovely for you to have Christmas lights in your town – I was in London on Friday but left before the lights were switched on. You’re right though, it barely seems possible that a year has passed almost already and here we are with Christmas around the corner. Take care, love Ali xx
Roz says
Hi there. Glad you are enjoying your time away and into your retirement. My husband and myself retired last September and enjoying our time with a new puppy who certainly is a joy to be with and keeps us on our toes. I am recovering from a hip operation and walking and resting in equal measures and looking forward to the Spring when we can walk in Dorset where we spend a lot of our time. Pleased your blog is up and running. Saw your comments on the Ninja – we too have the dual action one and is so versatile but will look out for the magazine you bought as I have not seen this yet.
Alison Keenan says
Hello to you Roz, so glad that you and your husband are enjoying your time with the new puppy. Probably helpful with with your recovery from the hip operation to take a keen and eager puppy out even for short walks! Dorset in the spring is a beautiful place to walk as are so many other counties on the south coast. Yes, I am a huge fan of the Ninja air fryer, and I don’t have a gas hob at the moment it’s been an absolute lifesaver. Take care and enjoy the week, love Ali xx
Mary Morphy says
Hi Ali, another packed blog from you, how ever did you find time to work? Two of my dearest friends who I have known for 40 years ( from when I started work at Barclays bank ) are retired and say they don’t have time for work!
It’s been a manic couple of weeks, work as ever is busy and Christmas came to my house 2 weeks ago..everything up, garlands in place and wreath on the door. The outside lights go up tomorrow. I was away in Milton Keyns with my sister last weekend coughing my way round it’s marvellous shopping centre and surrounded retail parks and I am delighted to say my Christmas shopping is DONE! I have even bought the cracker presents as I am making my own this year although quite when that’s going to happen is yet to be planned! According to my Christmas shopping app I was on budget and have 80 gifts to wrap although 26 of those are stocking pressies for my (adult) children and grandson Arthur so I won’t be tarting those up with organza bows!
My Christmases is still whole although I very nearly sliced it up last week as it just smells boozy, rich and full of Christmas..I not sure if it will remain in tact next week…
It’s turned proper cold here in Westgate and the frosts have arrived and will hopefully delay the sprouting of my bulbs which are tryingvtheir best to peak above the ground! I’m enjoying the cold, I love the freshness of the air and quite frankly, for a menapausal women, feeling cold has come as quite a happy relief!
Keep warm and enjoy the upcoming weekend.
Mary x
Alison Keenan says
Henry, I’m sorry I’m so late in responding to this lovely long comment. I’m glad you have had your chance to go well with your sister and enjoy all the Milton Keynes has to offer! He used to my local shopping centre and I spent many a Christmas buying everything there. I didn’t even know there was a Christmas shopping app! I’ve wrapped well over 120 presents already and there are still more to buy! Hoping it’s not too cold for you in Westgate and that you are starting to feel excited about the big day. Sending you lots of love and every good wish for the New Year, Ali xx