James Blunt

Last night I went to see James Blunt at the Hammersmith Apollo.

One word: FANTASTIC

Rock buns...

No 2 has been pestering me for some time to do some cooking. Although I do a fair amount of cooking, his interest to date has been...non-existant!

So, rock buns it was to be. Courtesy of this book. Surprisingly, a good while was spent browsing through it's beautifully photographed pages by him. He was highly impressed by all the photos of sweeties! Of course, the marshmallows are on his to-do list and strangely, a friend left her copy of this book on my kitchen table yesterday, complete with necessary recipe!

I got through a stack of ironing and left him to it. One egg dropped on the floor later and these little lovelies were produced. Of course, we had to have a hot one...de-licious.

They were just what were needed to take in a bag with a flask of coffee to the allotment this morning to have dig. Maybe I need to have another to relieve my sore and aching back ...

A Severe Case of Nerves...

Today I had to attend an interview at the University of Hertfordshire for a place on their BEd (Hons) degree course.





You may remember me struggling over my personal statement way back in October. Well, it was good enough to get me through to the interview stage and now it's just a waiting game...

I think the interview went ok. My biggest fear was being in a group of 17-18 year olds who had yet to take their A-levels...and guess what? I was in exactly that group. In fact I was the only mature student on the whole day! But, as was kindly pointed out by one of the girls in my group, "at least I stood out"! I'm not sure quite how to take that.


Firstly, we had to write a letter to Andrew Adonis, Secretary of State for Education, about why we wanted to become a teacher and then give our views on the education system. That bit I found quite easy. I was a bit embarrassed by the fact that I only had a purple pen to write with... but hey, at least it will stand out!


After lunch, during which we were to bond with the rest of the group(!) we were given a poem to discuss, present and then offer suggestions to develop it further in the classroom. We were told not to dominate or remain quiet, but find middle ground. I think that bit went ok too...


So now all I can do is sit back and keep checking my email to see what they decide...

Always something there to remind me...

I had a terrible nights sleep last night and spent too many hours with a restless mind. One of the things that was spinning round was a photographic memory board of the things around my home that serve as a constant reminder of My Beautiful Boy.

Ok, ok, enough of this silly business...his name is Tom. There, it's out for the world to know. I'm not sure why I felt so precious in not revealing his name, but hey...

I live in a house that is really far too big for just me and No.2...his name is Charlie!! But I quite like No.2, it leaves the suggestion that there is a No.1.

Anyway, this morning off I set to capture some of the things that are cherished reminders...

The funkiest shower head imaginable.

An enviable collection of Beanie Babies.

Great deliberation was taken each evening over which one would grace the pillow.

A pain-staking cross-stitch, done whilst pregnant...oblivious of the tragedy that would unfold.

The most amazing wind chime found in a gift shop in San Destin on the Florida Panhandle.

All things tactile...HUGE sheepskin and beaded cushion on his water-bed. Bliss...

Boxes of things to sink soft fingers into...

One finger-painting to cherish forever...

...note to self: must get framed.

On the needles...

I was lucky enough to have been bought these gorgeous knitting needles for Christmas. Aren't they just?I couldn't wait to get started with them so this is what's on the needles at the moment.

It's the Diamond Cushion from Debbie Bliss Home, although my version is totally inspired by Yarnstorm's Jelly Bean Cushions. It will coordinate beautifully on a chair in my bedroom. It's the first time I've attempted intarsia properly. The diamonds get better as I become more accomplished with my twisting of yarn...

I'm using Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and Rowan Kidsilk Aura. I can barely describe the softness of the mohair...

Poached eggs...

I've never been any good at poaching eggs.

Now with the promise of eggs each day, something had to be done. There was only one thing for it...Delia. Yes, I know she's patronising and bossy, but sometimes that's fine by me. And best of all, she is always right.

Perfect and delicious...

Bread for the Journey...

Christmas and New Year are so bittersweet for me now...

Consequently, I was unable to post as the right words were hiding away somewhere. I didn't feel up to the jollity of it all, in spite of all that preparation. My friend, who is a minister at my parish church, and who I've got to know since Splodge grew his wings, gave me a book called Bread for the Journey - Reflections for Every Day of the Year. I intend reading each day's passage and try to get through 2008.

By today, I have already gained something as a result. This is today's entry:

Our Spiritual Parents

Joy and sorrow are never separated. When our hearts rejoice at a spectacular view, we may miss our friends who cannot see it, and when we are overwhelmed with grief, we may discover what true friendship is all about. Joy is hidden in sorrow and sorrow in joy. If we try to avoid sorrow at all costs, we may never taste joy, and if we are suspicious of ecstasy, agony can never reach us either. Joy and sorrow are the parents of our spiritual growth.

This is somehow the way I got through 2007 - my first whole year without my beautiful boy filling it. Strangely, I didn't want it to end...but end it did and here we are at the start of a brand new year. I wonder what it will bring?