Jupiter, Venus, The Moon and Mars

Okay, so if you try to take these shots hand-held, it's interesting how squiggly they become, because as still as you think you are being, you're not.


I hope you can just about make out the little dot that is Mars, in Virgo in the second photo. The moon is currently in Cancer, but not too far away from full on the 8th, in Virgo.

Still stunning how Jupiter and Venus shine so brightly in the early evening sky. Lovely.

Happy Fishy Birthday

Just a big shout out to all my fellow Pisces in this, Pisces season, for a very Happy Birthday whether recently, or today, or in the near future (including my best friend, today! and my sweet sister on Tuesday).

Pisces power!

It's Official - Drought!

This in the news today:

"The south east of England is now in a state of drought, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said.

The region joins parts of eastern England which have been drought-afflicted since last summer, with some reservoirs, rivers and groundwater aquifers in the South East well below normal levels after two dry winters.

The state of drought in the region was declared after the Environment Department convened a summit of water companies, farmers and wildlife groups on Monday to discuss potential water shortages in England.

Following the summit, Thames Water warned that there was a high chance of water restrictions such as hosepipe bans this summer unless there is significant rainfall or customers use less water."

You can be assured there will be a hosepipe ban this summer. Good thing I don't intend on doing a big vegetable garden this year. Maybe I'll do a grow bag of tomatoes, because I would hate for a summer to go by without the homegrown variety.

Good thing I don't have to water the jasmine ...

I intend on clearing the left border of dross (sometime soon!) and putting in flowering shrubs - the intention this year is "easy-care".

Hosepipe bans don't mean you can't water your garden - you just can't use a sprinkler, or the hose, but you can fill your watering can for the purpose.

Oh, I look forward to that. Traipsing up and down with a watering can, back and forth from the spout to the plants.

Sigh.

Do You Know What?

One year ago today, I got the most wonderful, unexpected, out-of-the-blue phone call of my life. And it made me ridiculously happy, and still does to this day, and always will.

It's just a coincidence that it happened to fall on this date in the calendar.

So happy Hallmark-created "day of love" to everyone, which to be honest I've never particularly been a fan of, but hey here's a thought -

Love, flowers and chocolates aren't just for one day of the year. They are for every single day.

Especially love. I feel it every day, and I hope you do, too.

When the cat's away ...

Well actually it's not the cats being away, it's the man. All cat stuff breaks loose.

Ginger of course is in and out every day, and meowing like a big voiced cat that is just ... oh he drives me crazy sometimes. But I love the little guy.

This evening, as I have the night to myself, I discovered Big Brother outside the back door. I let him in of course, it's been about a week since I've seen him, and Ginger left the building to let him share the food.

All well and good. As I walked down the hall and looked into the bedroom, I thought, ah, Ginger is back, and down having a little cat nap.


So I went to give him a pet. Ah no, this was Bro. He did his own meow, and his percolator purr, as I stroked him (I'm told I'm good with my hands). Hey, make yourself at home, okay?

It's been about an hour now, and he shows no sign of moving. We just had a little scratching session and he turned on that purr that could tear down a building.

Between the one who has a meow that could cut glass, and mister purr factory, I've got some cat stuff going on here.

Trouble is, neither one of these really belong to me. Except Ginger I guess, as he insists (daily, and nightly??) that I belong to him.

Ginger cat city in Hither Green.

A Little Pot of Sunshine

Ah, the daffodil.


I love the way, after a few days, this


becomes this.


I was quite surprised to see them in the shops this early, and British grown - perhaps it was before the snow hit, or from a greenhouse. They sell them in bunches for £1.00, and you find yourself carrying armfuls home, and dotting them around the house.

It makes a nice shot of bright yellow into what is usually a dreary month. Not much to be said for February, really (although I have reason to like it!).

Hibernation

has it's uses. I've been very productive on this snowbound Sunday.

I made a batch of yoghurt - very easy of course since I use Easi-Yo. Bio Manuka Honey, this batch, lovely for breakfast with the right cereal and some berries (Grape Nuts are preferable, but they are hard to find here).

I finally got rid of all the eggshells hanging around, waiting to go out to compost. Which means the containers can out to recycling.


Yes I've been a bit lazy on this, but they are now in the staging post, between my kitchen, and the actual compost bin.

My compost caddy, which sits outside the kitchen door and holds the usual - vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells. I just didn't feel like traipsing through the snow to dump it up there.

Especially considering my wellies are in the shed, which would mean traipsing through the snow, anyway, to fetch them. Not in the mood.

I made a batch of breadcrumbs from all the crusts lurking in my freezer (I don't like crusts). Useful in many ways, notably in my favourite pork chop recipe which I'm making tonight for dinner (except I use pork loin steaks, easier to make and eat, without the bone). Tear the bread in pieces and pop them in the food processor, then heat the oven to the highest. Spread them on a baking sheet, turn the oven right down, and leave for 10 minutes or so. They keep for ages in the fridge.

Also lurking in the freezer, chicken bones/leftovers/portions. So I made chicken stock, using up as well some of those vegetables in the fridge that are really just about to go useless. (leek, spring onion, bok choi in this instance. Should be good). This will most likely be used in risotto, or just as a cup of warming wonderfulness, especially when you have a cold. An old remedy, but it's true. Can't beat a warming mug of chicken broth.

Which tickled the nose of this little hibernator.



He's hardly left the house since the snow, unusually. Not surprising.

All very virtuous. Time for a glass of wine, methinks.

You can tell I'm bored, can't you? Two blogs in one day.

Snowpocalypse!

Well no, not really, I just like that word, only a couple of inches fell. Although, with the way a few inches of snow affects the transport system in this country, you would think it was. At least it snowed over Saturday night, so fingers crossed the Monday Morning Rush Hour won't be too hellacious. Here's hoping, as British Rail has a good 24 hours to sort themselves out.



The view from my kitchen window this morning.

Say what you like, I don't find anything remotely "pretty" about snow. It's white, it's wet and cold, and will very soon turn to slush, or even worse when the temperatures plummet tonight, ice. And I will have to make my way out in it in the morning.



Possibly the only thing going for it is that it is hiding the copious amounts of weeds out there. So much for getting stuff done in the garden to deal with the God-awful mess it has once again become. It was temperate all through January, and up until now. I kept saying to myself, every weekend, "must get out there."

You know, until the last 5 years, I could probably count on one hand the number of times it has snowed in London since I lived here, at that point about 17 years.

Damn you, global warming.

Good Fences

make good neighbours. That's an old saying here. I don't know where it comes from, but it's true. None of your see-through chain link in this country, oh no. A good fence is about protection, and privacy. We like our panels here, whether they be waney-lap or shiplap. Six foot high, preferably.

This was our fence between us and the property next door. It was pretty bad when we moved in, and then we had some little munchkins who liked to chuck stuff over, on a regular basis. Rocks, toys, metal bars, didn't matter. Hence the additional height added on, with whatever we could lay our hands on. Note the homemade screens on the right, which were on each window, although we have taken most of them them off now as those children are long gone.

Anything, really, to create a barrier between us and them. The property next door, you see, is kind of a revolving door property. The owner, who actually lives a few doors up the street, rents it out to the council. We've had words with him, occasionally. He doesn't really care.

However, although this would, should be his fence, his responsibility, we took it upon ourselves to erect something shiny and new.

Ahhhhhhhh. We didn't do it ourselves, mind, as it would have been quite a project. No, finally, we got someone in, who turned out to be a wonderful local handyman type of chap, to get it done, and get it done right.

The garden really is, finally, enclosed properly. Any eyesores have been eliminated.

I love our new fence.

Once Upon A Time

In fact exactly, to the day, six years ago, this little chickie had a problem. Her legs went funny, very funny, she was having trouble walking, so she went to the local NHS walk-in centre. They sent her to the A&E (ER). To the finest hopsital for neurological problems that exists in Europe, to say the least, King's College Hospital (interesting that, I thought, as I got my PhD from King's College London).

So I rocked up in a taxi, from the NHS centre in New Cross to Camberwell, since I was having some serious problems making my legs work, and they said, "Oh. Looks like Guillain Barre Syndrome. We'd better check you in."

Really? Really?? I don't do sick. I certainly don't do hospitals. "Are you kidding me? I have things to do!!"??

Two days after that, I couldn't walk at all. The next day after that I couldn't move, arms or legs. Oh, it's a bugger, that GBS. But the very worst part was telling those I love "um, sorry, I seem to be in hospital ..."

It's especially difficut when you have to call your husband, who just flew to LA the day before, that you're in A&E with something weird and inexplicable. It gets worse, when you realise after a few days, you have to finally tell your beloved family, "ummmmmmmm ... actually I'm now in the HDU (high dependency unit) and I have no idea WTF is wrong with me", because you realise you're not coming out any time soon, and you might just possibly be suffering intense pain, too. And then you go into Intensive Care and lose three days out on a resiprator. Which for me was a relief because I thought, "sleep!" but which really sucks for those loved ones having to watch by your bedside.

However! Of course I came out the other side two months later, to the day. After learning to walk again, I left hospital with a cane, and ditched that soon after.

But it weighs on my mind at this time of year, and in this year, on this particular day. I was wondering why I was having dreams about it. Because it was a Monday, and I guess with six years gone by, and a leap year in between, this day would be a milestone. Tonight I just made, ate and shared a lovely meal. Six years ago I had just eaten some hospital *ack* food and was waiting in the hallway, waiting to be given a bed. I had a good friend by my side for part of it for which I will always, always be grateful. Thanks, Caroline.

Wishing everyone who has had it, who is having it now, who has lost a loved one to it (can happen, sadly), the very best of all my love.

We're a rare breed. Wish we could get rid of it completely, so no one would have to suffer it again.

Down with GBS.

Behind The Scenes Of The Affordable Art Fair « CBS Los Angeles

Behind The Scenes Of The International Art Fair « CBS Los Angeles

Out of general interest, I thought I'd share this link to an interview with the founder of the Affordable Art Fair, Will Ramsay, the day before the opening of the newest AAF in Los Angeles.

Happy reading/viewing!

So I said

yes absolutely, I agree, the jasmine is getting out of control and must be cut back. I mean, it's growing over and through the neighbour's fence. That plant needs some serious trimming.

Beautiful of course though it is, with that delicious scent that is just heaven in the summertime. No, it needed a trim.

Um ....

I guess there was some misunderstanding between my "cut it back" and his "cut it down and completely decimate it".

Oh, and why not trample over the entire herb bed and kill those too, at the same time.

Still, I can now clearly see that the rosemary is in bad shape, and I might as well rip that out too.

In fact, I might as well just completely start over.

Did I mention how the scent was delect ............

Oh, nevermind.

Cat Songs

Yes, well. This song came on the radio tonight (WXRT, Chicago's Finest Rock) and as Ginger was in my arms anyway, we ended up dancing around the kitchen. Me singing to him. I don't think he appreciated it much, but hey, I saw the Stray Cats at the Aragon Ballroom so it was perhaps more of a special moment for me, than for him.

He seemed to be hacked off by it actually, and went out the cat flap shortly after.

Cats. No pleasing them sometimes.

A Very Happy New Year

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous New Year -





And sincerely hoping that 2012 brings you everything you desire.

Happy New Year, with much love!

Wishes of the Season

As I close up my suitcase tonight, full of Christmas fun and cheer (and enough clothes for the Chicago weather, I hope!), and ready to board that plane tomorrow morning, I leave you with this heartfelt wish.

To all of my faithful readers and followers, and I am very grateful for your support -

Hector and I wish you a very, very Happy Christmas.

Who needs a Christmas tree, when you have a Christmas giraffe.

Lots of love to all. Hope you have fun!! x

The Night Sky

So I went outside, after chatting with a friend on the phone, and looked up, and saw a beautiful sight.

A nearly full moon, and just below it that bright spark is Jupiter, the friendliest planet you could ever hope to meet. Both are, at the moment, in Taurus. The moon of course will move into the next sign in a few days (Gemini) and then there will be an eclipse. These things happen like clockwork, but always give us something to think about.

This vision, however, encapsulated just how I was feeling at the moment. Taurus is an earth sign, and so any earth sign should feel good seeing this. The sky is supporting you. And how beautiful it looks to boot.

There is a wonderful song by the brilliant Imelda May called "Meet you at the Moon". I haven't been able to add it to my player, but I hope this link works (do Google if it doesn't, and I'm sure you will find it).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLrJm9iOHtY&feature=player_embedded

I kinda thought of that too when I looked up.

So look up, tonight, and you'll see that lovely configuration of Moon and Jupiter. And I'll meet you there.

The Countdown Begins

Now that Thanksgiving is over, thoughts naturally turn towards Christmas.


Hector is in the mood.





I'm very excited.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my American friends.

This most certainly isn't my harvest, I wish it was! But no, this is just to share with you all my desire to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving. I hope it is a time of joy.

Remember to be grateful for what you have - and what is coming ...

Planetary Movements

In the absence of much to say about the garden, I thought I would add in some planetary, astrological information, for those of you who might be interested.

Last Thursday was another Full Moon. There is some information out there, somewhere, about planting by the moon which I fully mean to research, and when I do, my faithful readers will be the first to know what I learned, and if I put it into practice, if it works to the benefit of the garden.

In the meantime, the headline news is that Mars, planet of energy, has moved into Virgo. Now, when Mars moves into a sign, he usually spends about 6-7 weeks there. Time to get energetic, if it happens to be in your own sign, time to grab the bull by the horns, as it were, and take advantage of it. There are times, however, every few years or so, when Mars does a little dance, and therefore spends eight months in a sign. Lucky you, Virgo.

Now is such a time. All Virgos can benefit from this energy, but if you want to look up where Virgo is in your own house, I suggest you try Astrodienst, as I'm not going to get into a full astrological reading for everyone.

Back to Virgo. You have a special opportunity, here and in the next several months, to get what you want. Sometimes, however, the problem is knowing what you want in the first place. If you can figure that out, and focus on that, well, it will be yours.

So go for it.

Affordable Art Fair Mark 2

We premiered a new Affordable Art Fair in North London last week.

I realise this is rather off topic, but the garden out the back is overgrowing and a mess. I've had little time for it lately, but may possibly give it some love this weekend; after I've had a lie in, having worked 12 days in a row. Or maybe, sometime this month. In the meantime, as this art stuff occupies most of my life at the moment, I thought I might as well share it.

New crowd, new clientele, new art.


We had something very fun provided by one of our faithful exhibitors, which was a photo booth in the front, where you could grab a framed print and have your picture taken with it, from an artist who is obsessed with letterpress and creates art from it.

You could also buy the prints at a cheap price, from the artist Stephen Kenney. Specially created for AAF Hampstead. I bought this one.

I thought it was a lovely sentiment, and appropriate. Also, I could pick my edition number, 18, which number has special significance for me in a couple of ways. I'm super pleased.

So as well as buying my giraffe, who wasn't even on show, it was a great fair.

This is a person, by the way, not a piece of art :-)

Long live the Affordable Art Fair, again.