I’ve just spent the last half an hour cleaning part of my kitchen, which was liberally coated with pea mint and courgette soup! My fault entirely as I’d attempted to blend it while it was still boiling hot and it had burst out of the lid! Luckily I hadn’t wasted too much of it which was good as Colin and I really enjoyed it, but I’ll need to be less hasty next time! Do you make your own soup? If so, please do share any recipes here as I’m always looking for something different. ☺️
So, how are you? Coping with this incredibly changeable weather? Do hope so. I drove through hail, sleet, rain and then a howling gale on my way home from West Horsley today, and we’ve had the log burner lit most nights this last week as it adds an extra layer of coziness to the room. Thanks for getting in touch with me last time – it’s always good to catch up. I don’t know about you, but I feel as though it’s been winter for a very long time, and although the snowdrops are poking their way through the ground, everywhere looks so grey!
I have a couple of friends regularly sending stunning photos of their holiday in Thailand, and another couple head off next week for 21 days in South Africa! The temperature there is mid 30’s and sunny. Envious? Yes I certainly am ☺️
But, at the moment it would take more than some sunshine to take me away from this country as the birth of our grandchild is imminent! My son Sam’s wife Elise is booked in for a Caesarean on the 15th of February, but she has seen the midwife today and is already experiencing mild cramping… We could be grandparents again by the weekend! So exciting!
Yesterday I finished the blanket I have been knitting for them and it’s wrapped up in tissue paper waiting to be taken to the baby once he or she is born. Although the width is a little uneven in places, and I had to unpick and re stitch quite a few rows, it’s incredibly soft and cosy and I hope that Sam and Elise will forgive me any flaws as it’s my first attempt at a blanket! My friend Roz came and stayed with me for a couple of days and encouraged me to crack on with it, and she is knitting a beautiful little romper suit for the baby too which is very kind. To be fair, she is an avid knitter and crafter and extremely skilled, regularly attending Knit and Natter and a mending club too, so watching her knit is like poetry in motion. Do you have any hobbies: knitting, crocheting or sewing maybe? I’m sure I’ve mentioned that I used to knit squares for my nanny Timms to make into blankets for the Red Cross, and in my teens I was an avid crochet maker. I did make blankets then and although they took forever they were very well received. ☺️
Last week I had a sort out and filled several bags with clothes for charity. I was a little disappointed to be losing a couple of my cashmere jumpers because they’d been ruined by moths! It is so frustrating, and I’ve tried absolutely everything to keep them out of the wardrobe – sticky strips, sprays, cassettes – you name it, I’ve used it! I had a bright red cardigan that I’d loved and was loathe to part with, so I bit the bullet, pulled it out of the bag, and decided to make a pair of fingerless mittens out of it. It couldn’t have been simpler, and having watched the YouTube tutorial I was able to get them finished within 30 minutes! The moths got one of Colin’s sweaters too, and so I’m going to make another pair of mittens but also a snood out of the beautiful marbled wool. I think I’ll need to use the sewing machine for that, but I’ll let you know how I get on. It’s great to know that so many of us nowadays are making do and mending things as well as buying clothes secondhand either online or from charity shops – saving money but also recycling can’t be bad!
There is method in my madness, and the reason for clearing out so many clothes is to finally move what I actually wear into my own dressing room wardrobes! Colin has done a great job of making the doors and has covered them in a soft velvet feel fabric, which looks really plush, although it was a devil making sure the nap matched on all of them! The guts of the wardrobes are actually up-cycled kitchen units but with the adjustments they make fabulous storage spaces. There’s still the wallpapering and a bit of painting to be done before the area is completely finished but we’re certainly a lot closer now than we have been. Sadly, the same can’t be said for my writing room, although four of the five panels have been repaired and finally sanded down and there’s just one remaining that needs a complete overhaul. I did have help with fixing them, so they are now ready to be primed and painted, but the actual structure may not be built now until the spring as finishing the house takes priority.
I’ve had a few days away this last month, to Hampshire to see my sister, to West Bergholt in Essex to visit Wendy, and down to West Sussex to see my godmother Edna. Colin and I also went back to Bromsgrove for Jack’s 32nd birthday where we took him and his girlfriend Lucy out for a meal and then spent the evening together. Honey came to stay with us for a couple of nights which was great, and she and I baked, did some crafting, made these little teasel hedgehogs and had a fab walk in the sunshine to see the horses, and got home in time to catch this amazing sunset!
Yesterday, I spent the day with my oldest friend Jo who lives in Surrey quite close to Newlands Corner, where we decided we’d do the three mile circuit around Shere – known as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty! We both enjoy a good old walk, but by some fluke we got completely lost which resulted in us walking mainly uphill for over four miles! We were exhausted but were rewarded with the stunning sunset I’ve featured at the top of the blog. I took this photograph once we reached the little church and the panoramic view looks right out across the South Downs to The Punchbowl, and beyond – breathtaking.
I’m still listening to Liane Moriarty’s novel Here One Moment and it really is proving to be incredibly clever – I can’t imagine how it’s going to end! Any books you can recommend? We’re enjoying the BBC series with Alan Carr and Amanda Holden in Spain where they are renovating a beautiful villa. It’s very funny and has some fantastic filming of Andalusia and Southern Spain – it’s made me feel as though I should definitely visit that part of the world! Have you got any trips planned?
I think that’s pretty much all my news for now, but do follow me on Facebook and Instagram and I’ll keep you updated about the baby there. I hope this finds you well, and I’ll look forward to hearing from you if you have a moment!
With my love,
Ali xxx
F Lees says
Thanks for new blog.
We are enjoying Amanda and Alan’s Spanish renovation. Very funny.
We are going to Malaga this month for a little city break, Look forward to it.
X
Sally says
Hi Ali,
You certainly vary your time with every second filled. Lol.
I have always knitted learnt when I was 6 or 7 was constantly at it in the 70s, made quite a few baby blankets for the umpteenth grand children we have presently doing a dog blanket in squares albeit the 3rd one for my daughters dog who is such a well behaved loving springer spaniel called Buster, I absolutely adore him and goes bananas when he sees me.
All the spring bulbs are coming through and take comfort we are heading in the right direction for some sun hopefully.
Always look forward to your blogs you write so genuine soft and flowing if that makes sense.
Best wishes
Gwyneth Buckley says
Hi Ali,
I am off to Fuerteventura in two weeks, I can’t wait!! I need some sun to warm these old bones 🤣
Sonia Hughes says
Hu Ali.
Great blogg with lots of good news.
So exciting waiting for your grandchild.
Looking forward to hear of their arrival.💙🩷.
My daughter in law has had a few hiccups so I hope they don’t let her go over her due date 11/3.
They are having a baby boy, Leo James.
Can’t wait.😁
I am a knitter and have made several cardigans fir him.
Gez has had hus 2nd IV treatment for crohns and we are keeping everything crossed that it works.
He now got a problem with high pressure in his eye but there’s a chance it will resolve when he’s finished his steroids.
I some other good news.
My daughter Katie us expecting, she will be 5 wks on Tues so I am praying all goes well for her. Tiago our grandchild was 9 yesterday so yhey have been trying for years for another. I am made up for them.
It will mean 2 new grandchildren this year.🥰.
You have been busy visiting and making the most of every day.
I like you am over this cold weather. I can’t wait to feel the sun and it’s warmth on me.
The snowdrop are a bit late here in Wales this year, only just coming out. Usually see they beginning of Jan.
Live them. They are my mjms favourite.
I love your bedhead, it looks fab.
I have been watching Amanda and Alan too. Love that series. Funny and renovations, what’s not to love😍and great location too.
Take care, stay warm
With love
Sonia xx😊🌞🌻
Mandy says
Hi Ali
I feel a little at sea at the moment as I turn 60 in May, but have recently lost my fiance to a massive heart attack. I know your mum lost your dad young. Any tips to get through the bad days?
Kathryn says
Hi Alison great blog you have been busy ,we’ve been up to the lakes for a week lots of walking and cafes then back to the hotel by the log fire and a gin or two,also did the York ice trails last weekend it was great fun very busy but the weather was great very cold but blue skies and sunshine,our snow drops are out in the garden too.
Loraine plumb says
Hi Alison your soup story is hilarious sort of thing I would do. 😂. Hope you soon hear news of your new grandchild very exciting. Wow you have been a busy bee again visiting people. I went to see strictly at the o2 on Saturday with Clare the girls and daughter in law, it was great but only just made it in time somehow Clare’s satnav took us into central London we were stuck near Harrods and didn’t seem to get anywhere for ages getting the map up on her phone was much better thankfully , she’s made that journey plenty of times before but it’s so easy to get lost never mind all was well in end. Had a lovely roast dinner with them all on Sunday which finished of the weekend. Couldn’t agree more about the weather it’s been so drab makes such a difference when it’s sunny. Hope you get your good news soon take care love Loraine. Xx🎧🧸🍼
Tina T says
Hi Ali, another lovely blog as always with photos to match!
Your soup incident sounded very funny. I also did the same thing a few years ago (definitely not very amusing at the time)!
I agree this weather is very depressing and so dark all the time! I recently had my birthday (the 3rd) and it was the same then! However, I still managed to have a good time meeting up with family and friends!
I love the little hedgehog teasels you made with Honey – very cute 😊 I adore hedgehogs and collect things hedgehog related which stems from when I used to put food out for one when I was younger!
I’m still enjoying watching all the Gone Fishing series which are brilliant! Of course, I’m also watching Alan Carr and Amanda Holden which is very funny! Another favourite series has just started – Unforgotten (although I do miss Nicola Walker being in it).
I’m so glad you’ve finished your baby blanket – just in time for the little one to arrive😊
Take care Ali and I look forward to hearing about the new arrival soon.
Love Tina xx
Denise Anderton says
Hi Alison,
After reading your blog I thought I would send you this recipe for Bacon and Chestnut soup. It’s unusual and one of our favourites and it is delicious.
Recipe
Serves 4
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion peeled and chopped
4-6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped
1 stick celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
200g packet of vacuum-packed chestnuts
2 vegetable stock cubes
1 level tbsp fresh thyme
Salt and freshly ground pepper
To serve
2 rashers streaky bacon
Preferably a few sprigs of thyme or a sprinkling of dried thyme
Method
Fry onion, bacon, space, celery and carrots for about 7 to 10 mins until veg have softened.
Add one litre of water into the pan.
Add chestnuts crushed, stock cubes and thyme.
Bring to the boil and reduce heat, then simmer for about 20 – 30 mins
Purée the soup in a blender and add seasoning to taste.
Cut the rashers of bacon into small strips and cook until crisp in a frying pan to sprinkle on top of the soup along with the thyme, and sprinkle some black pepper.
I am a 73 year old woman who loves to cook and bake. I have watched you on the tv from when you stood in for Richard and Judy and also QVC of course. I have your book and read all your blogs. You are always so cheerful and full of life and so missed on QVC. I only read biographies and just finished Lady Glenconner book “Whatever Next”, and also enjoyed the first one “Lady In Waiting”.
My husband and I enjoy cruising and are planning our seventh later this year in May as it allows you to see so many different places and countries giving us so many lovely memories. I wish you well with your new grandchild – boy or girl it really doesn’t matter as they are all so lovely.
Best wishes
Denise Anderton