Thursday, 17th October 2024 - Foraging for Sorrel

My culinary skills were put to the test this morning with poached eggs, scrambled eggs, toasting bread, baking pain au chocolate and slicing fresh fruit salad. I jest. A full English breakfast is a thing of the past that I do not regret taking off my breakfast menu. And now I get to stay in bed for an extra half an hour. 

I have been printing lino prints in my studio. Some have been upside down and back to front. What a messy process. It's very relaxing and pleasing when they come out the right way round. It was text that I was experimenting with today.

A recipe in a soup book got Tim and I on a foraging mission. We were looking for sorrel. The first field yielded very little. Nothing in the woods. A field next to lake was peppered with the delightful spear shaped plants. Our harvest is being make into soup as I type. We are testing a recipe for an upcoming dinner party.

Tonight I am off to watch Tom Marsh demonstrate something in oils with the WOKAS group. 

Foraging for Sorrel
Pen and Watercolour
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Wednesday, 16th October 2024 - Sweet Chestnuts for Wisdom

I woke up alone. Tim had left and gone to London before my eyes had opened. A mug of tea kept me company to start my Wednesday. 

I have been going through photos to make up a poster for the WOKAS Open Day on Saturday. Seeing pictures of the grandchildren as babies, toddlers and the antics they got up to and the defeats they have made me feel squeezy of my heart - I love them so much.

The trees are turning and the ripening sweet chestnuts are being closely watched by the squirrels.

Sweet chestnuts for wisdom
Pen and Watercolour
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Tuesday, 15th October 2024 - Favourite Fields

I have been in my studio (I love my studio) printing linocut cards for the WOKAS open day this coming Saturday in Tenterden. We are in Highbury Hall that is not the most exclusive of venues but excellent for its location. Pop in is you are passing.

I have been experimenting with our air fryer. It cooks fish tastily. I tried chips to go with our cod. They tasted more like crips. I will persevere. 

Today's postcard is of a view of fields that we walk frequently. Sometimes alone, sometimes with Tom and Fable, sometimes with family and sometimes with friends. I would like to show it to Tom's friend when she visits next time.

Favourite Fields
Watercolour
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Monday, 14th October 2024 - Two Scottish Otters

This morning Lindsey dropped in. We had tea. I love hearing about her weekend adventures.

Later Ray came by with a misbehaving phone. It mended itself! Over coffee we chatted about 'to move or not to move'. 

Tim and I went for a misty walk through the soggy fields of Benenden this afternoon. We both needed to stretch our lazy legs.

Bill, my bed and breakfast guest, knew of my passion for making art. He paid with a Scottish ten pound note as he thought I would like the image on the back of two otters. I did and do. Today's postcard is my linocut interpretation of the otters. Thank you Bill for your thoughtfulness.

Two Scottish Otters
Linocut
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Sunday, 13th October 2024 - Nigel's Russets

We had an excellent meal at a very busy and friendly Salehurst Halt last night. Sarah and I shared a many layered starter with crispy choizo, black pudding, avocado, black beans on a tiny round of flat bread - absolutely delicious. The rose wine was pétillant which I like very much. I had short rib baised beef with a rich sauce and polenta with shavings of parmesan. Chatting with friends is a lovely way to spend a Saturday evening. I slept very well and had to set my alarm so I was up and ready to poach eggs for our bnb guests.

Tim has been hedge cutting. I gave a hand with the clearing and started a bonfire that quickly turned from flames to smoke to nothing at all. It needs to dry out a lot. I love a bonfire. It is ready for attention on another day.

Nigel gave Tim a bag of his favourite apples. They are russets. The perfect model for today's postcard.

Nigel's Russets
Watercolour
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Saturday, 12th October 2024 - Hesperantha coccinea that's not coccinea

 Lindsey gave me this plant a few years ago. I have divided it and have four pots in my greenhouse. At this time of year it sends up spears of pink flowers. It should be put out into the garden but so many plants disappear in our flower beds I don't want to risk losing it to the slugs/snails/deer or rotting in our water clogged clay. I might be a devil and plant one out as an experiment. It's name is and isn't correct. It is a hesperantha coccinea but coccinea means red and mine is triumphant in its pinkness.

We have sparkling windows, weatherboard and cars. Tim got his brush with its hose attachment out!!!!

I must go and change my blouse and put on my green necklace. We are off to dinner with Sarah and Nigel at The Salehurst Halt. I am very much looking forward to an evening out. Tim had lobster risotto at The Savoy last night. That is probably not on the menu this evening. I will tell you any intriguing stories tomorrow.

Hesperantha coccinea that's not coccinea 

Pen and Watercolour

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Friday, 11th October 2024 - Lucky Black Cat

Lindsey and I headed into Tenterden this morning. We were on a mission to find a small gift to post to our brother. He's not feeling at his best and had to cancel a trip to see us a while ago. We both love a wander around the shops. We were examined the glorious books in Waterstones. I returned a blouse to White Stuff and got cash back in my wallet. I returned a bag to another shop and left annoyed that I had been given a credit note. Brett and James are replacing some very very rotten timber beams in one of the shops. Brett came up with the marvellous idea of getting Chris some Tiger balm. Excellent. We found it in Boots with vitamin D tablets and a little gift for my advent calendar collection for Harriet, this is a secret so don't tell her!!! The Grape Tree added to our shopping with roasted nuts. Nutmeg was a perfect place to stop for frothy coffee and a shared pork roll. Thank you Lindsey. I was just a bit envious of Lindsey. She was spending the afternoon making an autumn wreath.  BUT I remembered that I have the charming lavender wreath that Alli made me on my door so wouldn't have room for another. Enviousness averted.

This evening I am alone as Tim is at an awards dinner at The Savoy. I hope he brings me home a truffle. I watched a stupid romance that made me cry while eating a steak that caught fire under the grill. It had a nice charred crust. When I had stopped crying I spread myself out on the dining room table with my lino cutting blades and spent a happy time cutting a cat. This I will send to my cousin Susan as she is a lover of cats.

Lucky Black Cat
Linocut
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Thursday, 10th October 2024 - Nuthatch and Portraits

I am home from a portrait session with WOKAS. Thank you Wendy for giving me paper and pencil. I have a glass of white wine and binging on a Sci-fi film. 

These are my portraits. They don't look very much like Cliff but at least they look like a man.

Portraits of Cliff

The birds are very busy in the garden. There was a nuthatch being bullied by a bluetit on the bird table. Today's postcard is of the feisty nuthatch using watercolour crystals.

Nuthatch
Watercolour crystals, pen and watercolour
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Wednesday, 9th October 2024 - Salmon

I had an excellent yoga session with Adriene before meeting Gay in Cranbrook for coffee. Her youngest daughter has just got married. It looked like a wonderful celebration. Congratulations to Rhi and Ollie. Gay wore a red and blue trouser suit that was fabulous. I am just a little bit envious. She looked amazing, 

Tony dropped some bits of wood round yesterday. Tim is making shoe racks. Our shoes have been congregating by the back door for ages with no home. They will now reside vertically in our utility room. I made him tea and baked cinammon buns that we ate at our garden table that is soon to be packed away for winter. These last few sunny autumn days are glorious.

We had salmon for dinner. I cut a lino interpretation of our salmon while watching a detective series this evening. The salmon was my inspiration for today's postcard. 

Salmon
Linocut
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Tuesday, 8th October 2024 - Cyclamen for Love and Affection

The winter cyclamen have started to flower under the trees in the garden. They are lovely bright little patches of colour as the garden fades to autumn. They are a symbol of love and affection. We can all do with a bit of that.

I am really enjoying doing some lino cuts. I need to colour the lino so I can see the cuts better. My latest attempt at using green acrylic ink looked good but came off and I was left with very green hands. Going to try acrylic paint next.

As I type this evening the rain is hammering down outside. It is so loud it is making it difficult to listen to The Resident. Lots of drama this evening in the ER.

Cyclamen for Love and Affection
Pen and Watercolour
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Monday, 7th October 2024 - Spiced Cauliflower with Pea Yogurt

Fish and lizard were today's yoga poses with Adriene today. I tried my best and didn't pass out from holding my breath in concentration. Great fun even if my head wont get anywhere near my knee.....yet.

It has been a day of jobs. Emails and ironing top of my list. Done and crossed off. The bnb rooms will have to wait until tomorrow as I had no enthusiasm to tackle them. My arms are sore from flu and covid vaccines.

This evening I made roasted spiced cauliflower with pea yogurt to go with last nights fish curry. It reminded me of Tom as the last time I made it was when he was with us. I miss our talks and walks with Fable.

Cauliflower and Pea Yogurt 

Pen and Watercolour

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Sunday, 6th October 2024 - Benenden Allotment Open Day

Tim and I spent the sunny part of the day gardening, clearing and weeding. We have exposed part of the garden that has been overtaken by brambles and exuberant treelings. I planted a couple of hydrangeas and a little shrub that has lost its label which makes it all the more intriguing.

This afternoon we walked into the village to find Tony and Wendy. They were at the Open Day for the new Benenden Allotments. It was a drizzly but the tea and chocolate cake made up for it. It was impressive what keen gardening and a lot of spade work can be achieved in less than a year. As we were a little damp from the rain we decided to pop into The Bull for a warm up before we ventured the walk home.

Benenden Allotment Open Day
Pen and Watercolour
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Saturday, 5th October 2024 - The Brede Steam Giants

What a glorious sunny morning for a bit of weeding. I tidied up around our pond. Tim did some more major bramble and sapling removal. The plants in our garden must be related to triffids they grow so fast.

We had an unusual afternoon. With Lindsey, Tony and Wendy we parked by Brede church and walked to see The Brede Steam Giants. They are water pumping engines. One is an impressive 35 feet high. The day got better with tea, cake and cheese scones in the cafe. I learnt a lot about how water was drawn out the ground and pumped from Brede to Fairlight. It was much more interesting than I anticipated. We plan to take Herbie our grandson in the future he would be fascinated. We walked through cattle filled fields to The Red Lion for a couple of drinks. The food looked good so we plan to return. Thank you Tony and Wendy for suggesting today's outing. 

The Brede Steam Giants 

Pen and Watercolour

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Friday, 4th October 2024 - Inspiration

I had my last walk with Tom, Fable and the whistling frisbee this morning before he returned to Northampton. It has been lovely having him to stay. The last four weeks have gone in a flash. We came back to find Lindsey in the garden. Perfect timing for coffee for me and tea for Lindsey. We sat in the sunshine which was an October treat.

I watched the last art Webinar with Michelle Armas. It was using inks and watercolour on raw canvas. I have some canvas in my studio that I have never used. Now I will. Today's postcard is made with liquid watercolour. It comes in tiny bottles with droppers that are impossible to control. I had great fun and I hope that Akira likes it.

Inspiration 

Liquid Watercolour

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Thursday, 3rd October 2024 - Cote du Rhone Villages

At 4pm I started making a fish pie ready for eating with Tom this evening so we could go for an early evening drink with Mike at Pippa at The Ewe and Lamb. We had to have an extra round of drinks as we had much to catch up on.

We are watching The Resident. I love a medical drama. Great way to end the day.

This painting is of a red wine we like and it is even better when on offer for our local retailer.

Cotes du Rhone Villages 

Pen and Watercolour

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Wednesday, 2nd October 2024 - Fish going Abstract

I tackled a Rebirth yoga this morning. Blimey I am as stiff as an old board. I thought it was very appropriate as it is my son, Tom's, 37th birthday today. We had a late breakfast together. I had plans for a delicious Eggs Royale with a side of spinach and bacon. It was ok but the hollandaise I made but a bit thin in taste and texture. It didn't detract from the joy of celebrating Tom's birthday. We finished with a carrot cake topped with gold leaf from Tom's friend that was perfect for candles and a happy birthday song. Happy Birthday Tom. 

I am doing a webinar short course with Michelle Armas. For five days she gives a tutorial on painting abstract. This is something I would love to do but really struggle with the concept. Today's postcard is for Digby, a friend's four years old grandson and very very loosely based on the lesson from Michelle. 

Fish going Abstract 

Inks

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Tuesday, 1st October 2024 - Campton Oast

I was back in my yoga gear this morning. I did yoga for mobility with Adriene thinking it would be an easy 23 minutes. I had forgotten how hard it is being a lizard, cat, cow, dog and eagle. 

The rain held off just long enough for me to paint today's postcard. It was the last en plein air session of the year with WOKAS. Such a shame more members didn't turn up. Thank you Wendy for hosting it at your home.

Tim and I went to Wickhambreaux this afternoon. Harriet and I chatted while building a Brio track in readiness for Herbie's return from school. Such a wonderful toy. Herbie was the first to be collected and had an excellent day of playing and learning. He took me on a journey around the playground hopping, jumpng, hop scotch ending with a sprint!!! I was impressed by our agility. Raffy was next to arrive after a successful two bus journey home. Hetty was later as the bus was full and her phone ran out of data. Well done girls getting yourselves home safely. So proud of my grandchildren.

Campton Oast 

Pen and Watercolour

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