The first week of austerity, as Mr Cooper is without his regular job.  After a deep discussion on saving money, I have agreed to buy the gin in future.  This should keep our heads above water!

Talking of water…..a long time ago, Mr Cooper said he would buy me a swimming costume when I was able to swim two lengths of crawl without a break.  Today, I managed to do just that, spurred on towards the end by the thought that if I succeeded,  I wouldn't have to do it again for a while.
 Here is my new costume!

And another has been promised, when I can swim four lengths of continuous crawl.  Well, that won't be for a little while.  If it could be in breast-stroke or back-stroke, I could have many new costumes!

We embarked on another money-saving scheme, last Wednesday.  As Mr Cooper is not working on Wednesdays now, we went to The Gribble, to redeem our voucher. (Basically, I had to drink a bottle of wine at lunchtime, in order for Mr Cooper to get 25% of his next bill, when he lunches there next week with Jim and Dave.)  What a hardship!
 http://gribbleinn.co.uk/  Have a look.  A beautiful pub, with its own brewery!

 Last time we went to The Gribble, for reasons best known to ourselves, I pretended I was a world famous artist, flying to New York the next day for my exhibition.  And Mr Cooper, rock guitarist, was taking a break from recording his latest album, prior to touring. We both ended up laughing so much  that I nearly had to go outside to compose myself.
Just in case anyone thinks a liquid lunch is a good idea, just make sure you are not having to work the next day………...

On Tuesday night after work at The Greyhound, I found John busily sharpening a selection of woodworking tools ready for the next day, using a diamond honer.  He is helping to construct the Saxon longhouse at Butser Ancient Farm, using only the type of tools that the Saxons had (they did not have a saw!)  http://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/
 I said he should stay over at The Gables soon, and he said that Wednesday would be great, then gave me a leg of lamb to cook for the occasion, from a Manx sheep that had been trotting around Butser Ancient Farm not too long ago.  If you ever have the chance to eat a Manx sheep, please take it.  A small animal, with very little fat, and a great flavour, especially the back legs!

Here is one, looking a little sheepish.

So all we had to do was buy the veg, and dig up another potato plant!  Another cheap meal in our first week of austerity.  I don't think opening a bottle of red to accompany the lamb helped with how I felt the next very long day a work.  Especially as both John and Mr Cooper didn't want any!

I am working on my next commission, again from Nigel White.  He is preaching for the first time on the 9th August, and I am creating an image of the crucifixion of Jesus, which will be present at the event.  http://www.missiontent.co.uk/
Luckily last year I created a piece of work for a friend, which made me learn about a whole new technique, and one which I will be using in the work for Nigel.

I can't show you anything about my latest commission till after the 9th August, and I can't show you my other completed commission for another week or so.  But I can show you a creation from last week, ready for my trips to Sheringham in July, and Puglia in September.

It was lovely to see Juliette and Colin over the weekend, as they were staying just down the road, at a campsite between our house, and the Travellers Joy.
 They went to the Festival of Speed at Goodwood, an event that makes you very thirsty, both before and afterwards. It was great to be able to chat without having to break off to wash pots and pans, and mash potatoes, if it is Tuesday. (Chatting makes you thirsty, too)

I spent part of the weekend starting to de-clutter, beginning with a very dusty exploration exploration under the spare room bed. After a productive two hours, I took a load of clothes to the charity shop, some with sadness.  I put on some clothes for the last time, and was tempted to keep them.  But I decided I had, as a member of the 'Young at Heart' club, to dress nearer my age, not my chest size!

Then one trip to the tip, with less sadness, and then I discovered 3 paintings I had totally forgotten about.  Much happiness!  I painted them after my beautiful cat Fluffy died after having been hit by a car.  I found here on the verge opposite our house. The three paintings are designed to by hung one above the other, and show her ascent into Fluffy Heaven.  The top one, Fluffy Heaven, is not quite complete, as she will be surrounded by all the things she would like to find in heaven.  Namely, milk, cream, and mice.

Here they are, in heavenly order…..

Having re-discovered them, I will now complete 'Fluffy in Heaven'.  I was going to say it will provide me with a little light relief from creating the crucifixion image, but really, I think working on both concurrently will fit together really well.

And on the keeping- awake front, I have managed to stay awake fairly successfully in my evenings at home this week, by avidly knitting.  The front and back are complete, and the first sleeve has been cast on.

Should be finished ready for autumn.

Have a great week, whatever you are doing.  Looking forward to joining you all next weekend.

Just taking a break away from painting, to write my blog.

What looked to be a relatively straightforward week became crazier than a coconut………

There was I, calmly drawing the Owslebury Show sign, then equally calmly painting it thinking I was working to the agreed timescale.  After an email check, I discovered that the show's hosts would like it ready a week sooner if possible.  At a squeeze, I thought, if I start to paint it like a woman possessed.
And also, if life this week treats me kind.

Mr Cooper has a voucher for lunch with a free bottle of wine at the Gribble Inn, and he had a day off from school on Wednesday.  Before the new timescale on Wednesday I was swimming at 7am, working for Joyce in the morning, enjoying a slightly liquid lunch, then emerging for bookclub at 8pm.

Then Joyce rings to ask whether I could do some weeding, as well as housework, as her gardener mows lawns but isn't really what you'd call a gardener.  This would extend my hours on Wednesday and perhaps add some on Friday too.  Answer yes, but my new plan then is, swim at 7 am, work for Joyce 10-1, paint furiously 1.30-6.30, eat soup, attend bookclub, then in bed ready for a 6 am start for a day at the Greyhound.  And goodbye to my slightly liquid lunch!

Plus, a phone call on Tuesday says it is our turn to do the cricket teas on Sunday.  So, add to this the production of a variety of cakes…..but none with pink or sparkly icing.  The cricketers tend not to eat them, as pink is not a manly colour, and as for sparkles……...

So Wednesday morning early swimming, in the medium lane……..it was great practising my stroke in slow motion, and the words 'doing the crawl' took on a whole new meaning, as that was also the speed I was going.  Let's just say that on a Wednesday morning at the pool, I am not only a member of the 'Young at Heart' club, but also the 'Young in Body' club too!

Sunday 15th June, liberation day for the Falkland Islands.  Our local very kindly flew our flag for this event, as Sarah, Mr Cooper's youngest beautiful daughter, lives in the Falklands with her fiance, Ali.

Wednesday evening saw me attending a very exclusive book club.  There had been a mix up somewhere along the line, which resulted in only Diane and myself discussing the book, whilst eating freshly made onion rings, courtesy of Keith, and lots of cheese.  All in all, although not what we expected, the evening was most enjoyable.

The book is definitely worth reading, but with tissues nearby.

I was very tired at work on Thursday, as a few days of painting at every available opportunity made me feel that I was definitely in the 'Young at Heart Not Body' club.  But when I got back from work after midnight, there was good news…Cricket was cancelled, so no baking, no sandwich making, and I had my Sunday back.

Early Saturday morning saw me entering the shed……………

 and leaving it 5 hours later.

Then repeat on Sunday, but this time when I left the shed, I had finished the board!
www.owsleburyhorticulturalshow.co.uk/

Whilst I had been occupied, Mr Cooper had been opening his father's day cards and gifts.
I rather think he did more opening than Mr Hofman would have been doing!

 And to round off a Sunday that just kept getting better, we were able to enjoy our first vegetables this year, from the garden.

So, two commissions completed, and another really interesting one just round the corner.  You will have to join me next week, to find out about that one.
 In the meantime, I hope you all have a good week ahead.

How lovely it was to wake up on Friday, and to realise I had 3 days ahead of me, in which I can work.  In my life, this means I can paint….hurrah.  An activity which is often interrupted by washing up for money, and social activities.

Last weekend was a whirl of social activities, as we went to a family BBQ in Bristol.  Mr Cooper was a bit uneasy as we crossed the river, as the BBQ was being held 'south of the river' in Bristol.  And we were leaving the land of Bristol Rovers (gas heads) to go into the alien land of Bristol City (something-else heads)

We had a lovely day, but 2 things remained in my mind afterwards.  Firstly, although being older means you are almost certainly invisible to those aged 35 and under, and it does mean that you have gained some wisdom.  As a consequence, we did not drink the punch.  It was like being in a game of skittles, and watching the punch-drinking pins fall all around you throughout the afternoon.
Secondly, when someone said 'I do love your shoes', and I said 'thank you,' it came as a sadness to realise it was Mr Cooper she was speaking to, not me! As one who has many different and wonderful shoes, it was sad for not only my face to be invisible (too old) but also my footwear (eclipsed)

They are rather good, though.  As son Sam said later, that is what will happen if we visit the Dr Marten outlet shop in Gunwarf Quay, and I encourage Mr Cooper to make a purchase.

Returning to real work…….I need to get my Owslebury Show board ready for painting today, adhesive removed, rubbed down and primed, and tomorrow the design can be applied.

Here it is on Monday, after 4 layers of primer and five hours of painting.

And also, I have another commission I am very excited about, but one which I can't show you yet, as it is for someone who is a reader of this blog.

Also this weekend, I must read the bookclub book as we meet on Wednesday.  I have been putting this on hold as I have been absolutely captivated by reading 'The Sea' The Sea' by Iris Murdoch.  I finished it this morning, and I am so glad I have read it, this one will stay with me.  A story on so many levels.

Sam was 24 on Wednesday.  When I had got to his house in the morning, put the candles in the cake, and then said 'I have got my camera with me' (another quaint habit from a 'young at heart' person, my camera is separate to my phone) he said, I suppose you only want this for your blog, and ambled off.
Here are his cards, his cake (a recipe for the Green Donkey Cookery Book, Cold Tea Cake)
and the family cat, Millie.  She is in one of her natural habitats which is on top of the table.  Luckily, she doesn't like fruit cake.

Millie hasn't really got red spikes, she is posing in front of an artwork of a shark.

Then Sam and his parents went off to have a fabulous lunch at Tanoshi Fusion in Winchester.
http://www.tanoshiifusion.co.uk/
The food was amazing ( I want to go again, and eat what just I had before, with the addition of soft-shelled crabs) the staff presented Sam with a birthday desert, and sang 'Happy Birthday' all the way through, and George, whilst insisting his remarks were linguistic, not racial, was eventually persuaded not to continue saying 'this chicken is rubbery' 'aaaah so' and others.
If you live near enough to eat there, do so.  Not only are the flavours amazing, but the textures are awesome.

And as well as all that, my jumper is progressing nicely…….

And my shoes for this weekend are these, chosen for being unsuitable for someone over 50.

Looking forward to catching up with you all in a weeks time.

Well, back to writing one day out of seven, plus a paragraph on Monday!

A busy week again, hampered by back pain.  This receded, came back a bit, then went crazy when I was bent forward for 2 hours, completing my artwork on Monday for the Owslebury Show. 

Working at The Greyhound on Tuesday was not good. 

Then after 3 increasingly better days, and an appointment with the osteopath booked for later today, I woke to have a bright idea……..

Earlier this week I was feeling really despondent about the state of the garden this year, really because I have been able to do very little gardening.

Susie had sent me a photo of her beans, not only grown from scratch, planted and looking good, but starting to twine around homemade bean sticks.  I looked over at my vegetable patch, a mass of vegetation, but not all from the vegetables I had planted!

When Juliette (young at heart club) bought me 3 courgette plants yesterday, as an anniversary present (many thanks Juliette, looking forward to sharing the harvest with you) I took these home along with some French runners my son John had grown.  He did protest a little, but not too much, and mainly in riddles.  We shall have beans, I thought.  And a lovely garden (perhaps, might just stick to beans)

Knowing I would not be able to do any digging or exercise after my visit to Jonathan, I got up early to dig and clear enough ground for the beans and courgettes,

 and then I painted more of the bathroom ready for the seagulls, then off to Southsea for manipulation.

So now I have to take it easy for 3 days (what a hardship.) All that remains for me to do today is to continue to arrange my seagulls and shell art collection into their new home.

Above is some of my shell art collection, the really amazing ones purchased many years ago when I was visiting Robin Hood's Bay with Nigel White.  Look at these beauties.

And on Thursday it was a real pleasure to meet up with the same Nigel and his wife Jennifer in Woodfire, Stockbridge, to show them the preliminary design for the Owslebury Show. (They are the show coordinators) We also had a chat with the junior sous chef from Woodfire, as Nigel had not seen my son Sam for many years.

Presenting the design was a success, nothing needs to be changed, and next week I can expect delivery of the 8 x 4 foot board, and start work on it.

Here is the preliminary design, and you will be able to see its progress.

So, from being sad at my lack of progress, I now have a much better back, a really good reason to relax over the weekend, a job to look forward to, a patch of garden to plant, and a newly decorated home for all my seagulls.  What a difference a couple of days make.

As well as that, I have had fun buying presents for the junior sous chef, who is 24 next Wednesday.

Here he is on his 23rd birthday, just going to enjoy a cake flavoured and decorated with lemon balm….from my garden, of course.

I said to Mr cooper that I hadn't realised that Sam was living with us, this time last year.  I thought it had been longer ago.  Oh no, said Mr Cooper. Sam was definitely living with us last year.  He said it as if it was still very much in his mind.