I can't deny, I am relieved this week has gone by quickly. These dark mornings are making it more and more difficult for me to get out of bed early each day, and once again I'm more than ready for the break our half-term brings. A time to unwind, unhurried mornings and days to do whatever I please.
Today has been one such day. After enjoying my first coffee of the day in bed, I spent the next hour or so lazily putting a wash on, ironing and having a general tidy up of the downstairs rooms before breakfast.
Now that the weather has turned cooler, one thing I do look forward to each morning is a delicious bowl of hot porridge. I always make this on the hob, never in the microwave. Now I'm not someone for whom it can keep me going until lunchtime, but it definitely helps me make it through to my mid morning snack. 😆 And to go with it I've also discovered the perfect use for my leftover blackberries, which have been taking up room in the freezer since August - compote. *
Breakfast over, I finally got around to colouring my hair, which I'm sure would have proved a far less arduous task had I not kept putting it off for several weeks. Mog, who was sleeping on the bed ocassionally opening one eye just to see what I was doing.
The rest of the day was spent working my way through various household chores, including a trip to the supermarket, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Lunch was quite delicious - leftover curry from last night, which just needed heating through. Yum!
The rest of the day was spent working my way through various household chores, including a trip to the supermarket, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Lunch was quite delicious - leftover curry from last night, which just needed heating through. Yum!
The best part of the day, however, has been the fact that my hip is feeling absolutely fine, not so much as a twinge, even following a short run with a friend last night, and also my sore throat has all but disappeared. This makes me so happy. Thank you all so much for your concern, I hope I've seen the last of any ailments for a while now.
This evening I've baked some flapjack, the candles are lit and I intend to read a few chapters of my book.
J. X
*To make the compote, weigh the blackberries and add half their weight in sugar - I used some leftover jam sugar which gives a slightly firmer set. Add to a pan and heat gently until the fruit softens and it begins to simmer. Add a generous pinch of ground cinnamon and ground cloves and continue to simmer for approximately five minutes. Pour into a jar and allow to cool.
It's delicious served on porridge or stirred into natural yoghurt. The cinnamon and cloves add a tasty seasonal flavour.
Oh, that sounds so delicious! I'm so happy to hear that your hip is feeling better. That must be such a relief.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Stephenie. It is a huge relief. X
DeleteSo glad to hear you're feeling better. I had a huge pile of ironing to do as I kept putting it off and John didn't have a pair of trousers- oops! The weather's been hit and miss here. We managed to get out for a god walk this afternoon. I like a substantial breakfast, it's got to be filling. Best, Jane x
ReplyDeleteIt's a rare day here when I don't have any ironing to do :) I'm glad you managed to enjoy a walk between the showers. X
DeleteI'm so glad that your hip is feeling better. It really puzzles me that one day you can be in absolute agony and the next....nothing. I have the same thing with my back and legs.
ReplyDeleteYour ordinary day sounds quite wonderful to me. I love nothing more than a cosy day at home.
Hugs-x-
It's a funny old thing isn't it. I'm relieved to be rid of the pain now. X
DeleteI can't believe it's half term already, it doesn't seem five minutes since the kids went back to school after the long holiday. That was the one thing I liked about working in a school, I had a holiday every six weeks! It's good to know that your hip is okay now and I hope you and Lily manage to get out and about during the week :)
ReplyDeleteThis term has flown by. It seems no time at all since Lily first started back at the end of summer.
DeleteI'm so relieved my hip is much better now, as we've already been on a little adventure :) X
Love the sound of your compote recipe. We are in porridge mode too. I made some plum jam but it was so runny I have decided to call it compote. No doubt it has too much sugar though. Glad you are feeling better. B x
ReplyDeleteThe compote is really tasty, Barbara. I think I will have eaten it all this week. Plum jam sounds delicious. X
DeleteI'm glad your hip is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteJust realised why I love your blog so much. You have a very peaceful way of describing your days. Ordinary or not! It's soothing to read about your life. And your photos are always beautiful.
And there is a lot of food! You know little old greedy guts here likes her food!
Exactly the same regarding half term. Normally I'm up and out of bed as soon as I need to be, but this week, oof, the struggle was real. At least with the clocks going back it won't be quite as dark when school starts again.
happy Sunday to you xx
Me too, Sadie. With any discomfort like that there is always that nagging doubt it could be something ongoing. It must have been those boots affecting my posture, I daren't wear them now :D
DeleteThat's a really lovely thing to say about the blog, thank you.
I no longer mind the dark evenings at this time of year but the dark mornings I could do without. Enjoy your half-term week. X
I'm so pleased to hear you're feeling better, that must be a huge relief for you. I do wish I enjoyed porridge, no matter how many times I try, I just don't find it palatable. I'm not a huge breakfast eater anyway, at least during the week, weekends are a little different when we often have a cooked breakfast.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jo. Yes, it is a huge relief to be rid of the hip pain, especially given where I've been the last two days ;)
DeleteI never would have eaten porridge when I was younger and even now I have to make it 'properly' on the hob, although I could happily enjoy a cooked breakfast every morning if it were made for me :) X
Glad to hear that your hip is pain free and long may that continue for you. Local schools still have one more week before the half term break so you must be a week ahead of us. Enjoy yourselves, whatever you choose to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I think the half-term week differs throughout the country and I believe some areas are getting two weeks! X
DeleteI love days like that, they go at their own pace and you can accomplish so much, but gently; your 'ordinary' actually sounds quite special, and good news about the hip. xx
ReplyDeleteHow did it get to be half-term? Whoosh, any minute now we'll all be starting on the "C" word {{giggle}}.
I was determined not to think about the 'C' word until after bonfire night :D However, two tree decorations might just have been purchased this weekend and I've been drooling over the Booth's book ever since. X
DeletePeaceful days... Hip now feeling fine.... Sore throat gone..... All good! All to be celebrated!
ReplyDeleteQuietly of course. -smile- Don't want to disturb the peaceful aura.
🍁🍂🍎🍂🍁
I can't begin to explain my relief, WoW. I was convinced it was something minor but there is always some nagging doubt with anything like this. X
DeleteSo very pleased to read that your hip is now feeling absolutely fine … but do take care.
ReplyDeleteWe seem to have a split half term! Three grandchildren are off school this coming week and when they go back the other two are off for a week … then of course it really will be count down to Christmas :)
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. My hip is absolutely fine now, which is a good thing considering where I've been this weekend ;)
DeleteI hope you have a fun two weeks with your grandchildren. X
Like you, porridge does not fill me up for a long time but it is a lovely tummy warmer on cold mornings. I do make overnight oats and add compote to that with Fat Free Greek yogurt in the summer. I'm pleased to hear your hip is better.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's not just me. I often hear how porridge is meant to fill you up until lunchtime but it's never been the case for me. X
DeleteI love the sound of the start of your day, that is the perfect way to start a slow day. I am so glad to hear that your hip is better now and that your sore throat has gone. I hope that you had a good weekend and that you have a lovely week with Lily.
ReplyDeleteIt was a relief to be feeling so much better, just in time to enjoy our weekend. X
DeleteDays like that are lovely. Although retired for many years I find that I do tend to let certain jobs (like ironing) pile up - then I have a busy day clearing it all - not a sensible idea.
ReplyDeleteIroning is something I often wish I could overlook, but I do like clothes neatly pressed before being put away. I try to keep on top of it but there is usually a large pile of clothes to be found heaped on top of the dining table. X
DeletePleased to hear you are feeling much better - I have had a dodgy hip this last week or two and it is no fun - I am hoping it doesn't interfere with my list of must do gardening tasks at the cottage this week. You have reminded me I have blackberries in the freezer too. Have a lovely week. x
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you haven't been overdoing things and your hip sorts itself out soon. You want to be able to enjoy your time at the cottage.
DeleteI was desperate to use up the blackberries rather than leave them festering away at the back of the freezer. The compote has almost all gone now. X
Thank you for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteAnd I would love to know the recipe for your porridge!
I enjoy the cozy feel of your blog, and your photos are beautiful.
Have a nice evening,
There is no recipe, Billie Jo. Our porridge is just your oatmeal. I make mine with milk. X
DeleteSounds like a lovely day, Jules! I am not a porridge person, myself, but, my daughter loves it (it's called oatmeal, over here). I am glad to hear that your hip feels fine now and you are pain-free. Plus, your sore throat is better, too. Hope you have a lovely week. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless. I never used to like the idea of porridge but I've found I do enjoy it on these cold mornings.
DeleteIt's a relief to be feeling so much better. I hope it lasts. X
I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling all well. It sounds like you had a nice day. The compote sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nil. Having an easy day probably helped. X
DeleteSometimes ordinary days are just the tonic that's needed. Glad to hear your hip is on the mend. I sprained my ankle a few weeks ago and it's been frustrating trying to get things done, not to mention the dog's not happy with our shortened walks! xx Susan
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. Wishing you a speedy recovery. X
DeleteSo glad your hip is pain free now, Jules. I must say your porridge looks delicious. I normally have honey and a banana on mine, but seeing the richnessof your compote, I feel I need to make a change.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann. I'm relieved to be pain free now. Usually I'll have banana and sultanas on my porridge but this compote gives it a real seasonal flavour. X
DeleteOh look at me late again - you've probably finished that book by now and the flapjack is long gone. You have tempted me back to porridge, it looks lovely with the compote!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend
Wren x
The flapjack is long gone, although there is usually another batch being baked in this house.
DeleteIt's good to 'see' you. X
I'm almost a week later commenting but I was travelling North last Saturday and I'm just about catching up with life back home. Of course, as I am long retired from gainful employment, every day is 'ordinary'. The difference is that my ordinary is exceptionally varied but, largely, under my control. However my average day comprises a lot of the elements you mentioned - including the coffee (usually at The Woodlands and often with friends).
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased to hear that your hip is feeling good. Aching joints are not fun.
I hope that this week has been a good one and that tomorrow allows you more porridge (which I prepare the night before but almost always microwave slowly).
Coffee with friends is always good and I'm relieved to read you're OK following your time in Glasgow, although I'm standing in judgement of your microwaved porridge! ;)
DeleteCompote looks wonderful, and sounds less onerous than jam making
ReplyDeleteIt is so much easier to make than jam, Eloise. Sadly, it didn't last very long. X
DeleteI'm with you on the cinnamon, but I'm giving cloves a miss...they always remind me of the dentist! xx
ReplyDeleteDentist? You will need to elaborate. X
DeleteThe cure for toothache back in the day used to be oil of cloves.
DeleteThank you Graham. I had no idea, but then I've also been very fortunate never to have suffered from toothache.
Delete