Sunday, 30th September 2018 - Autumn Sky

I love this time of year when the days are warm and the nights cool.

I had to watch The Muskateers while ironing bedlinen. I am taking a keen interest in the acting of Mr Cabrera, Mr Burke, the gorgeous Mr Howard and fine Mr Charles. They all seem to be performing well so far.

Autumn Sky
Watercolour

Saturday 29th September 2018 - Phaseolus coccineus

Happy Anniversary to Tim and I. It was a year ago we officially got joined. A sunshiny walk with Tony and Wendy through the woods of Sissinghurst followed by a meal at the Bell and Jorrocks with Alan and Mary added. A good way to celebrate.

The mouse of my computer is misbehaving. I think it may have Rich Tea biscuit crumbs in its insides.

I am hoping to save from seeds from our Enorma plants for an abundant crop next year. Well, I never knew that was the scientific name for a runner bean...

Phaseolus coccineus
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 28th September 2018 - Brillo Pad Pot

Harriet and Herbie let me join in with Herbie's eight month check-up. He passed with flying colours. Well done little button. We celebrated with coffee and carrot cake for me and a spicy turmeric latte for Harriet in Cocolicious.

This afternoon and evening I have been with my siblings sorting out a few bits, then we found a few more bits of Mum's things. It was very sad and fascinating. Mum and Dad spent a lot of time writing, collecting and collating.

Brillo Pad Pot
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 27th September 2018 - Graduation

My lack of vitality is showing in my painting. All I need is a bit more sleep. Lazy bugger.

I visited a very brave friend today. I have missed her company as she has been too ill to get out and about. It was so good to see her today.

My hydrangea cuttings have been promoted to pots with compost.

We started watching Maniac on Netflix. It has excellent reviews. I don't understand a bloody thing that is going on!

How I love a Rice Tea biscuit.

Graduation
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 26th September 2018 - Hips

The fruit apparently is in abundance on the trees this year. Not here. We have no pears or apples. I did find some rose haws in the hedge.

This evening I did not have to cook dinner. It would not have been as delicious as the one I have just eaten at Nick and Alli's with Si and Lesley. Perfect spicy pumpkin soup, lovely lasagne and a divine frangipane tart. I do like a tart at the end of the evening.

Hips
Mixed Media

Tuesday, 25th September 2018 - Tiny Fungi

I unearthed these tiny mushrooms or toadstools. I looked up the definition and there is any difference.

I took provisions to Mum. She has not left her room for a few days which is a concern. She does not seem bothered and is happy with tea and the Daily Mail.

I grumpily did some gardening this afternoon. I thought my grump was evident. It went unnoticed I presume. I hate to think it was ignored.

LOVING the GBBO.

Tiny Fungi
Watercolour

I have also done a colour mixing challenge set by Roisin O'Farrell:-

Monday, 24th September 2018 - Homegrown Chilli Peppers

I was transported to a time of total indulgence in my art class. Caroline, my tutor, got us shading, foreshortening and composing.

A guest gave me a gift of chilli peppers she had grown at home. Thank you. I like them so much I had to paint them. Now I can make chilli jam.

Homegrown Chilli Peppers
Watercolour and Ink

Sunday, 23rd September 2018 - The Greats

We made lunch and took it down to Fairlight to share with Brenda. I made a dairy free version of a quiche for Harriet and Herbie. Unfortunately, Herbie may have a intolerance to eggs. He had some scrambled. They didn't stay where they should for very long. The girls found Christmas decorations in a room above the garage which looks over the see. They wanted Brenda to see what they had done. There was no hesitation in, at 89 years, ascending a very steep set of stairs to admire their work. The most impressive part was her carrying a mug of tea at the same time.

The Greats
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 22nd September 2018 - Birthday Drink

The rain prevented me from gardening. I was rather pleased not being in the mood for weed pulling. It is good for ducks but not garden visiting guests.

We met Si and Lesley at The Halfway House.

Birthday Drink
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 21st September 2018 - They Dined on Mince and Slices of Quince

It is always good to have a nostril inspection with a torch by your granddaugher first thing in the morning.

Thank you Gwen for my furry Cydonia oblonga fruit. They are very handsome.

'They Dined on Mince and Slices of Quince'
Watercolour

Thursday, 20th September 2018 - Sheep Market in Ashford

I can hear the wind of storm Bronagh rattling at the windows.

There was an evening of song, dance and music at The Knoxbridge.

Sheep Market in Ashford
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 19th September 2018 - Multi-Tasking

I had a nostalgic time with Hetty and Bella. I read books that I had found in Mum's bookcase from my childhood. The Cow who Fell in the Canal (she had dreams to keep her content), Come Over to My House (such weird people and houses), Sam and the Firefly (Gus the is so naughty), The King, The Mice and The Cheese (the mouse are great). I love them all. I remember studying the pictures for hours.

Grand Designs was on this evening. They were over budget and over time - what a surprise but what a glorious castle/folly they had restored. Tim was working with one eye on the computer and the other on the TV. Who said men can't do more than one thing at a time. I had one eye on the TV, one on Tim and the other on my drawing. That makes three eyes....interesting.

Multi-Tasking
Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 18th September 2018 - Blackthorn Berries

Happy Birthday Mum. She wasn't feeling well yesterday and cancelled three friends who were going to visit on her birthday. I left her card and present for today yesterday. I presumed she was too ill to see me so I phoned this evening with birthday wishes. She asked where I had been today. Whoops I got that one wrong.

I have not seen Sarah for a month. Well I briefly saw her at the Ploughing Match on Saturday but she was engulfed with children, friends and relations. It was a proper coffee and bacon sandwich meeting in Cocolicious. I love a good story.

A walk this evening revealed that autumn is on its way.

Blackthorn Berries
Watercolour

Monday, 17th September 2018 - Headcorn Art Class

It was the first day of term for my evening class. Caroline went through the suggested projects for the next three terms. All sound great apart from the 'Angels' one. I think I may be doing an interpretation for that one. We drew balls this evening. I thoroughly enjoyed having to concentrate on just that for an hour or so. I think it is going to be a good year.

Headcorn Art Class
Pen

Sunday, 16th September 2018 - Dr T Dwyer Owns No 90

My guests were breakfasted, I cleaned their rooms, cleared the dining room table, loaded the dishwasher then....

Tim and I drove to see Tom's new home. Three hours later we arrived and managed to rouse a mildly hungover Tom. Of course he was delighted to see us. With mugs of coffee we had tour of the house. I love the red carpet in the hall and on the stairs. Yes, I really do. I am not so keen on the purple bedroom or the polystyrene ceiling tiles. They are going to be buggers to get off. We walked to ToolStation to get a tool to strip wallpaper. Aldi provided us with sandwiches and Twirls which we ate amongst packing boxes. Finally, a three hour drive home. It is so good to see where he lives and I can imagine him there when he talks about it. How exciting. We have left him with books on DIY and gardening to imbibe.

I am thoroughly enjoying The Bodyguard.

Dr T Dwyer Owns No 90
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 15th September 2018 - First Place to Hamish

We headed out to The Weald of Kent Ploughing Match at Headcorn. It was a sunny day with old friends and acquaintances filtering through. Sarah-Jane kept me entertained for much of the afternoon. My favourite was Tossing the Sheaf Competition. They guy who one it was one big chap. The Weald of Kent Morris were lively. Oh and I had two 99 ice creams.

Next was Elli and Joe's post wedding for the Weald of Kent Morris to dance yet again. A great touch was a tent with Old Dairy beer and cheese and biscuits just for the Morris. I found the sweet stand and gallantly gave my love hearts to Gabriel and Primrose. I was quite full of sugar from my Mr Whippys.

Onto Mum's house to seek out a leak that a neighbour had found. Tim located it and declared it nothing to be concerned about. And don't tell Mother.

First Place to Hamish
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 14th September 2018 - After School

Tim and I collected Hetty and Bella from school today. We wandered through the graveyard and ate jelly beans and bought sausages for tea from the butchers.

Mum rang at 9.30pm to tell me they are getting sloppy at the nursing home. They ran out of tissues. She did phone for another reason too which I wont divulge.

After School
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 13th September 2018 - Hole Park

Our electric toothbrush has broken. It got water in its works. We have a new one. With an app you can track your progress and get feedback. There is also a vibrator that does the same.

After a day of work the fine sunshine tempted us to visit Hole Park. There was no one else there. The gardens look like are getting ready for autumn.

We watched a Netflix film this evening. Not a terribly good one. I can't even remember what it was called.

Hole Park

Charcoal and Watercolour

Wednesday, 12th September 2018 - A Bed of Red Roses

It is 9.45pm and my bnb guests are not home. I really don't need and should not be concerned for their wellbeing. I am just a little. I hope they are whooping it up somewhere.

The new iPhone has face recognition to switch it on. What if you are feeling baggy eyed and without make-up? That is the only mitigating reason I will not be spending nearly £1500 on a phone

I was going to meet up with Harriet for coffee but a Tesco delivery slot got in the way. She came home with some gorgeous flowers for me. I am touched.

A Bed of Red Roses
Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 11th September 2018 - In Suspense of a Move

Tim got his extension lead out and cut the hedge. Hetty and Bella came out to help clear up and ended up playing an intricate game with the stones, buckets and water.

I took Mum some Fondant Fancies. She is not eating them any more. Unfortunately the nurse who controlled her whims has left. She feels she needs a visit to the GP but there is no physical evidence that she does. She is thinking about moving nursing homes. Possibly Halden Heights where Dad was as they have a visiting GP on a Monday which she feels would fulfill her needs. I have a bag of out of date Fondant Fancies in the car. I ate one. The sugar seeped into my gums. It was a painful experience. Retribution for eating one.

In Suspense of a Move
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 10th September 2018 - A Trilogy

Alli gave me three plants for Hetty, Bella and Herbie. Their care has been intermittent with the chickens dust bathing nearby probably not aiding their growth. They have surprised me by bearing fruit. I am watching them with new interest.

The garden has run amuck through lack of time to tend to it. I attacked a tiny portion of it this afternoon.

A Trilogy
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 9th September 2018 - France Day Four

Wednesday, 5th September 2018 - Dissipated Nerves

There were some butterflies this morning as Hetty and Bella went into years 3 and 1 for the first time.

Dissipated Nerves
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 4th September 2018 - Monilinia fructigena or laxa?

Mum has come to realise that she won't ever be going back to the home she shared with Dad. She can be a pain in the arse over some things but this made me feel terribly sad for her. She is being very brave over it. Her heart must be feeling sore. On a positive note the nursing home seems to be gathering a few more residents so she has more people to talk to and her health is good. I am very lucky that she is only a few minutes away. She can be a good person to discuss things with.

I don't think I will take up fruit farming as a career or even a hobby. These are a pair of pears I picked from our tree. Ripe for the compost.

Monilinia fructigena or laxa?
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 3rd September 2018 - Beechmast in Cups

After making chocolate brownies Herbie kept me company while I got the room ready for guests. We played with the Duplo which must have been tiring as he fell asleep in my arms while we went for a walk around the garden. What special times these are.

To reduce our clutch of eggs we had omelettes with roasted vegetables which hides their wrinkly aged appearance.

Beechmast in Cups
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 2nd September 2018 - After Singing

Tom has been home this weekend. This time next week he will be a homeowner. I am looking forward to a sleepover. I might even get to do some decorating unless he decides to keep the purple walls.

Tom fixed the seat on his car while Hetty and Bella made it their house. This kept them all occupied.

Herbie and I spent a couple of hours together. We got one pillow case on while singing Old MacDonald. I will finish making the bed later. I got an hour reading my Kindle while he slept on my chest. He has an admiration of anything floral or with big eyes. They both catch his interest and rouse a crinkly smile.

This evening the house is feeling a little quiet. The Bodyguard ramped up the atmosphere.

After Singing
Charcoal and Watercolour

Saturday, 1st September 2018 - Sheaf of Sunflowers

We were at the barn by 10am to clear up. The campers had already started. Two hours later and I was back home with my Nissan packed to the ceiling with stuff. The day was spent eating left overs and sorting. The dishwasher and washing machine have played their part many times today.

I had been given a thank you bunch of sunflowers. They look glorious on the kitchen table.

Sheaf of Sunflowers
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 31st August 2018 - Alan's Speech

I finished cooking this morning and this afternoon we set out to the barn with both our cars loaded with festivity goods.

Michael loaded the stove with wood. As the evening turned cooler the kitchen was a tempting place to be.

Mackerel or liver pate (made by Si and his cows) plated up with coleslaw, lettuce and Alan's tomatoes were served. The precision of getting 60 plates out was admirable. I forgot to take out the Feta and spinach rolls as people arrived. They were taken around by Chris and probably some others. An interlude of music while the soup was finely poured, beautiful swirled with cream by Harriet and a flourish of parsley by Tim. A team took it out to the tables. Beef tagine or Moroccan fish was served with salad and couscous. A tribe of people washed up between courses. Lemon possets in shot glasses came next. Then there was Alan's touching speech. The tables were thinning as the evening wore on. Apple crumble and chocolate roulade and plates of cheese and chutney all went out together. The last men standing finished with tea/coffee homemade sloe gin, port and brandy.

It is late. The party was wonderful if a bit chilly.

I am going to bed now.

Alan's Speech
Pen