Saturday, 6th December 2014 - Working Mens Club, Marden

I breakfasted my guests. Who were delightful in their late need of sausage and bacon. I have become accustomed to going to bed late and getting up late.

The Volvo was in full working order which meant I had a cleansing session stuffing many bags of rubbish into the refuse lorry at Iden Green this morning. I came back to find Tim under the floor with his pipes again and Mum sitting in the kitchen. She thought we were all still in bed!!!

The Evans arrived with Jack. We had a few books with Great Grandma then piled into the car. I was driving and it became a rather stressful experience as it keeps cutting out mid flow. Brett said he has a technique. I would rather not know.

Brett has been building the kitchen units while Mum, Harriet, Hetty and Bella went to watch The Weald of Kent Morris display themselves at the Marden Christmas spectacular. Tim managed to shake off the dirt and dust that he had accumulated from his morning under floor expeditions. It was pleasing to see that Father Christmas joined in the dancing and he was giving his reindeer a rest and drove off in a rather pretty vintage car with his elves. Hetty questioned me about them being children and I explained that they would grow into adult elves - true isn't it?

Back home for more books and playdoh. Margaret came to collect Malcolm and couldn't resist having a smell.

I took Mum home. What an amazing moon and came home to a very tidy house. Thank you Mrs Evans. I am sorry I upset you today. Very very sorry.

Working Men Club
Pen and Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Friday, 5th December 2014 - Jamie Oliver's Palmiers with a Twist

I think the cold caused Tim and I to have a minor hibernation. We got up quite late this morning. Tim lured me out of bed with a mug of tea.

I spent many hours finding much more necessary things to do than emulsioning. You know when the mood does not take you? So I hoovered ( I did have guests arriving and we did seem to have most of the leaves from the garden in the house), I put away many bags of shopping from a very jolly Tescos delivery man and made a mountain of puff pasty swirly things with mincemeat in. Eventually I got myself into painting gear and have finished the ceilings......yipppppeeeee.......I hate hate hate ceilings. Tim did the edges for me. The green wall is finished apart from the bits that escaped onto the ceiling - very naughty paint brush I had today.

We are off out for the evening to be fed grouse by John and Innis. I am looking forward to it very much.

Oh the twist was a sprinkling of demerera sugar - such a devil deviating from the recipe. There are meant to be eaten sitting atop a glass of sherry with a dollop of ice cream. Not very practical. I'll just have the sherry.

Jamie Oliver's Palmiers with a Twist
Pen with Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Thursday, 4th December 2014 - Hetty and Bella visit Father Christmas

After a morning of a bit of painting. I have made my first colour mistake. In my over exuberance and relaxed confidence I have painted the skirting in the bathroom Buttermilk instead of Barley White. They do look very similar in the dim evening light.

We stacked the car with boxes for removals of goods from Canterbury to Benenden in 10 days time.

The spare underlay and carpet holder down strips to Screwfix and replaced them with 200 curtain hooks.

What a lovely afternoon. It has been crisp and chilly. Perfect weather for a trip to see Father Christmas. Tim and I were very impressed. Hetty and Bella a little more reserved. He was a rather muffled very beardy, large nosed chap. But for £4 each they got to decorate a gingerbread man with chocolate (how many did Bella test) while listening to a story read by a very youthful Mrs Christmas. On into the grotto where Bella said she had been naughty and would like a panda for Christmas. Hetty said she would put out a carrot for the reindeer and mince pie with a glass of milk (possible the Benenden one would prefer whiskey) for Santa. And...they got a stocking to put on the end of their beds with pencils, a colouring book and a candy cane. Excellent.

On our way home we dropped by Waitrose to spend our £10 off token on beer, cranberries and pasta. A quick trip to Tesco to collect four curtain poles and many many bags of fruit and vegetables at 10p a bag - good find Tim.

This is as close as Hetty felt safe enough to get.

Hetty Visits Father Christmas

Pen with Watercolour

Watercolour Paper

Bella was a little braver and discussed her toggles.

Bella Visits Father Christmas
Pen with Watercolour
Watercolour Paper

Wednesday, 3rd December 2014 - Game of Thrones Landscape

Today I eventually got around to cleaning the bed and breakfast rooms. I really did not need to spend many minutes chasing the cat from under the beds. She maybe old but she is wirely (just checked the definition of this - having thin, long appendages such as tentacles or proboscis  - not quite what I meant.  I cannot find the word I need even after referring to an online dictionary. She kept sneaking back - I had better check she is still not there ten hours later.

A man came and fitted carpet for Little Holt. Why does it always smell of fish? Looking cosy.

I have had another speedy painting session. I found myself telling myself out loud not to spill the paint on the new carpet. I am pleased that I was alone at his point of the day.

The Apprentice was excellent viewing again.

I am reading the first part of The Game of Thrones - I have not seen the TV programme but am enjoying the fantasies in the book very much. Just up my street.

Game of Thrones Landscape
Winsor and Newton Inks
Watercolour Paper

Monday 1st December 2014 - Little Wenlock

We had a bit of a panic today when Harriet called to say that they maybe moving on Friday, yes, five days time. Good thing Harriet used her silver tongue to persuade them that this was not a feasible idea. It threw me into a panic of painting frenzy, walls, skirting, windows.....there are still doors and more windows, walls, skirting and doors to do. Tim is very calm and is the buckles on my strait jacket and the padding in my cell.

Thank goodness the heating system was delivered today.

Little Wenlock
Pen
Watercolour Paper