I really hope that you have had the opportunity to enjoy the stunning weather we’ve finally been blessed with? Such a joy to see the sunshine, and I’ve spent as much time outside as I possibly can: mowing the lawns, weeding my pots and borders and feeding them all with Richard Jackson’s Flower Power! I’m delighted that the grapevine I planted four years ago has come along beautifully this spring and already there are miniature bunches of grapes hanging there waiting to grow and ripen. My apple tree has lots of baby apples, and I’ve even got figs on my fig tree so fingers crossed there might be a little bit of a harvest later this year!
It was far from warm on the 25th of April when my son Sam and his wife Elise returned from their travels. After three months exploring Thailand, Vietnam, Bali and the Philippines they landed at Heathrow where it was freezing cold and wet! It was an early flight and having driven there to pick them up, I think the bags under my eyes were larger than their rucksacks, but it was SO good to see them. And they’d had an incredible time, seen some amazing sights and both passed their Advanced Adventurer dive course in Bali! Not something I would be brave enough to do, but very proud of both of them for such an achievement.
Success of a different kind with the University students at Ravensbourne who did a cracking job with the TV Magazine shows they had researched and produced. I’d been working with them over a couple of months, and it was so refreshing to see them pull together and recognize each other’s different skill sets. There was an enormous amount of work leading up to the final recording, and I was impressed to see how well they all worked together under pressure. I really enjoyed the experience, and I very much hope this is just the beginning of a rewarding career for them all. I didn’t go to Uni, and I didn’t take the most direct route to get to do what I love, but it was one hell of a journey and I enjoyed every moment.
From work to relaxation, and over the last fortnight we’ve celebrated two family birthdays – my granddaughter Honey turned nine on the 6th of May, and my sister’s partner Linda was 60 on the 5th and I made cakes for them both! Honey is a fervent fan of Taylor Swift, as is Lucy, and so her birthday cake was my take on one of Taylor’s latest album covers and Honey loved it. It made me smile to think of the first cake I made for her naming ceremony – it was a beehive, complete with bees that Colin and I decorated- (she’s Honey Beatrice – Honey Bee) and I’ve been making cakes for her every year since then. Where did those years go…?
Linda’s cake was far more traditional: a Victoria sandwich filled with whipped double cream, jam and sliced strawberries with a sprinkling of icing sugar on the top. I really enjoyed baking and decorating the cakes, but there is always slight trepidation when it comes to transporting them from my home to theirs! I’ve learned that gaffer tape holds cake boards very securely in the passenger foot well of the car, but you need to keep the car cool otherwise the icing and cream will melt! I’m delighted to say both cakes arrived unscathed and were very much enjoyed. Linda’s gathering was at their home in Hampshire where she and Jenny celebrated with all their children, my nieces, their partners and grandchildren and so I had the chance to catch up with them too. Sadly Colin wasn’t able to make either occasion as he was committed to playing a gig that had been booked in months before for the band Sid Sideboard and The Chairs! If you’re ever in Watford and fancy a bit of live music, do look them up. They play mainly covers of 70/80’s music but with a twist – great players and very entertaining.
I can’t believe we’re almost half way through May already – this time next month my nephew’s wedding will be behind us, and Colin and I will be touring the South of France! When I retired from QVC my colleagues very kindly bought me some Airbnb vouchers and so I have been able to book some wonderful places along the coast of St Tropez and Antibes. It’s a part of the world we’ve not been to before and are both very excited for the wedding but also this part of our trip. I’m planning to wear the same outfit I wore for my stepson Richard’s wedding, as nobody there will have seen it – but I am a little concerned it may be too warm for sleeves! What do you think? We have been told it is a formal wedding so I don’t think a long flowery sundress would cut the mustard!
Colin is on the homestretch now with the renovations on our house and I will hopefully have photographs of our new bedroom and bathroom all completed in my next blog. We have a family party on the 25th of May and his cut off point is the day before! It’s been tough, but it will be worth it and I’m sure he’ll be more than ready for the holiday in France.
Before I go I must let you know about a beautiful book I have just finished listening to written by Sunday Times best selling author Paige Toon. I’ve not read any of her books before, but “Someone I used to Know” is a beautiful story of love and second chances with a remarkable foster family at its heart. It is narrated by Heather Long, who has the most beautiful voice – she sounds like Holliday Grainger the actor. I would highly recommend this if you like a heartwarming story with a happy ending. I also went to the cinema very recently with my daughter Lucy and we saw the new Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt film – Fall Guy. OMG! It was fantastic! One of the best movies I’ve seen in ages – fast paced and funny, and the relationship between the two leading characters was electric. Treat yourself – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
I am heading back to Swindon this week to look after Lucy once she’s had her spinal operation – fingers crossed it will happen this time! It will be nice to be able to give a little back and also to have extra time with Honey ☺️ I do hope your week will go well and that you’ll have a moment to drop me a line either here or on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for keeping in touch!
With my love,
Ali xxx
Roz says
Hi Alison. Glad you have been enjoying various outings during the last few weeks, how ever did we manage to go to work! I was running a business with my husband and now we are retired, it makes you wonder how you manage to do all that you do. We have escaped our home to our caravan in Dorset as we are having our conservatory roof replaced and walls plastered etc so need to be away from the dust. Next is our kitchen totally replaced and walls too in June/ July time. Exciting g though to choose new furniture etc. You mentioned your dress for the wedding in France – have you thought about having the sleeves removed? I think it would look stunning. Hope the op for your daughter goes well and you spend your time with Honey. It has been glorious here in Dorset over the weekend but very wet yesterday but the air is fresh and lovely to walk in and I have appreciated this as over the last 2 years, I have had a mastectomy and hip replacement and like you and some people here, you appreciate things in a different way. The Airbnb’s sound lovely and great way to see the coast. Will say goodbye for now.
Alison Keenan says
Hi there Roz, lovely to hear from you and interesting that your thought process regarding retirement is so similar to mine! I am delighted that you have a place to escape to when works being carried out at home. It sounds as though you’re making some pretty big changes, and I’m sure the kitchen will be wonderful! Exciting as you say, to be able to choose new furniture etc. I’ll be honest, I haven’t thought about having the sleeves removed from my dress and you’re right, it probably would work but I’m not certain I have left enough time to get it done! I may well call the lovely alterations lady who used to help me with my clothes when I worked at QVC. I don’t think I knew that you’d had a vasectomy, but I totally appreciate how this kind of surgery and diagnosis changes the way we look at life. So glad that you have healed well after your hip replacement too and I wish you better health from now on. Take care and enjoy the sunshine and the sense of summer. Love Ali xx
Mary Morphy says
Hi Ali, I sincerely hope that Lucy has her operation and that her recovery goes well…my sisters shoulder surgery has been rescheduled again for 18th June….I just hope it goes ahead. I am moving in with her for a few,days post op to support her. She is having a full shoulder joint replacement. On the hospital theme I damaged my achilles a year ago and now have to have surgery. I need achilles tendon reconstruction using a tendon from big toe….initially in plaster for 2 weeks, non weight bearing with leg elevated for 23 hours a day…honestly, enforced rest which will drive me nuts! After 2 weeks I hopefully go in a boot to start partial weight bearing. I have so much to do beforehand so hoping I get a couple of months to cram in jobs..Chloe hopes to be getting the keys to her first home in 2 weeks..I’m on painting duty as well as decorating her old room for Arthur and sorting out Jack’s room whichhe and Arthur currently share. I also need to repaint the kitchen but that may have to wait!
Unlike you, I prefer cool weather these days and the one and only hot day was enough for me!
I love pottering in my garden, I can lose hours out there and rediscovering plants I moved last year and never remembering where I put them until they peak above the soil..like my dahlias!! Always a surprise when I find them! And I love seeing the summer perennials come to life.
Your cakes look gorgeous. I still make a few birthday cakes but not as many. My son always has a Victoria sponge, just like Linda, it’s his favourite. Chloe always requests a cake or cheesecake..this year it was biscoff cheesecake. I’m making my godson a tall Reeces drip cake for his 18th at the end of May.
I’m so excited to see the renovation reveal, You have both worked so hard and your holiday will be well deserved. Enjoy the wedding too.
Much love Mary
Alison Keenan says
Hi Mary, I’m delighted to tell you that Lucy has opted go-ahead and she is feeling far more comfortable than she did when she had a similar procedure last year. I very much hope your sister’s shoulder surgery will go ahead. That is a big operation but I’m sure she will feel the benefits over time but she, like you with your Achilles tendon, will need to be careful and rest up although I know that you like me, find enforced sitting is torture! How exciting for Chloe to be getting the keys, and how wonderful that you are going to help her settle in by decorating. That’s exciting that Arthur will move into her room and I’m sure Jack will really appreciate the space. I spent most of the weekend in the garden unlike you I can lose hours out there. I seem to be moving a lot of plants these days as they grow so big they need shifting, and they do seem happier in the new positions. Loving the sound of all your cakes and cheesecake! I’m sure your Godson will love his Reeces drip cake! It will be lovely to share photographs of the big reveal and I’m going to try and put an Instagram post together showing the progress over the last two years or so. It will be wonderful to finally enjoy the fruits of Colin’s labour! Take care and thanks for keeping in touch, love Ali xx
Loraine Plumb says
Hi Alison you must be worn out with all your activity’s your cakes are amazing. Your France trip sounds amazing we go to Sardinia on Monday can’t wait had a few busy weekends and funeral is this Thursday the 16th I think I mentioned it in previous blog Marion passed away a month ago seems A lot longer. Hope your daughter’s operation went well and is a success, it will be nice to spend time with them . We have been looking after Willa and Ottilie quite a bit lately and Willa has been playing a lot of sport against other schools she is at a private school near in the new forest called Moyles Court and the other day she had a race against Jeremy Kyle’s child and Kris Marshall he was in death in paradise. Thankyou for your lovely blogs I enjoy reading them . Best wishes love Loraine. Xx
Alison Keenan says
Hi Loraine, I must admit to feeling pretty tired today as I went for a 7k walk with the lovely Kathy Tayler today which was lovely, but I think the fresh air wore me out! I’m so sorry about the funeral tomorrow.. I do hope it will be a fitting farewell for Marion. Lucy’s op went very well, and I ‘m looking forward to having time with her and Honey So glad you’ve had time with Willa and Ottilie – great that Willa is sporty and sounds like she’s mixing with some great kids! So glad you enjoy the blogs and I very much hope you enjoy your time away in Sardinia. Safe flight on Monday and thanks for keeping in touch, love Ali x
Sonia Hughes says
Hi Ali, sounds like hou are enjoying your retirement to the full and filling every day with lovely memories.
I am looking forward to seeing the wedding photos and hope it all goes well.
The bug/moth you mentioned is probably a May Bug. The have a hard body and can be pretty big. One came in the bathroom once when I was in the bath. It was in the shower curtain and ithought it was a bird.
Love you bloggs.
Take care.
Lots of love sonia xx😘
Alison Keenan says
Hi Sonia, you have me laughing out loud! But I totally appreciate why you thought the May Bug was a bird! I took a photo of it and then confirmed that’s what it was, but it was so noisy and huge it really gave me a fright! Not long now before the wedding and we are both very much looking forward to it – I promise to put photos here on the blog. I hope life is treating you well and that you enjoyed the recent sunny, warm weather? Take care and thanks for keeping in touch. Love Ali xxx
Merche Gardiner says
Hi Ali, it doesn’t seem like 9 years since Honey was born, where have those years gone? I hope Lucy gets her operation and everything goes well for her. Pleased to hear that Colin is nearing the end of your restoration work, he will be able to enjoy the fruits of his labour. Have a wonderful holiday. Love Merchex
Alison Keenan says
Dear Merche, good to hear from you and I’m glad to tell you that Lucy did get her operation and is doing well! The wallpaper is being hung in the bedroom this week, and we hope to be moved back in there by the weekend which will be a relief! I know Colin is very much looking forward to a holiday from it all. I do hope all is well with you and that maybe you have a break planned too? Take care, love Ali xx