'Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!'  The bells are still jingling, but I will be very glad to stop the journey now.

In between working and travelling, I had a very productive day creating festive puddings and chutney.  Christmas would not be Christmas without either of these.  The recipe for the chutney never varies (it really is delicious) but the pudding recipe changes yearly.  If this one is truly delicious, I will share it with you. The recipe, that is, not the pudding!  Or if you are really wanting a slice of pudding, come round tomorrow, we should be attempting to eat it at around 8pm.

Last weekend saw us setting sail again, starting with Bristol on Friday night.  This makes me and Mr Cooper sound very adventurous, almost as if we were going out clubbing, but fear not.  
 We had a night far more suitable for those no longer young, but no less enjoyable for all that.  As we are getting on a bit, we have become creatures of habit, and the Friday before Christmas always finds us staying with Val, John's cousin, eating curry and putting the world to rights.  Ellen was there too, and this year we were also joined by playful Poppy.  She demonstrated leaping, and standing on high objects before being put into the kitchen, where she did a little sad whining (puppy, not human.)

Then onto Clifton, an area of Bristol that I love.  Each year, we walk round fascinated, enjoying the lovely shops that are there.  But each year also, we have to dine first. This year we went into the Somerset House pub, which was a lovely place to be.  Natural furnishings used really well.  We stood out a little, by being the only couple that weren't young professionals, but we enjoyed our lunch nevertheless.

 In our wanderings, we found a jewellers called The Dragon Workshop.  Luckily the shop was shut, and we had only had one pint (we aim to drink responsibly) as there was the most charming silver bracelet in the window, perfect for Christmas, as it was of jingle bells, and holly leaves.  Oh well.....

 Then off to Portishead, for an early celebration with little brother Mark, and his children.  We had not visited his new house before, and the builders had not long left, after completing an extension to his living room.  In fact, Mark had completed decorating in the early hours of the morning.  We spent a festive couple of hours cleaning and polishing the furnishings for the new room, then re-assembling the dining table, ready for the festive feasts to come!  Mark was so pleased as not only did the rooms look amazing, but he had been without a table since the summer, when the works had commenced.

Then off for a wander round Portishead, where we all had a reviving pint, this one in The Phoenix.
Not only was the pub really homely, but the beer glasses were delightful.

 This year we were joined by Mark's old school friend Philip and his wife Jayne.  Philip was in Bristol for a Karate event, so they were able to join us for Mark's early Christmas Day.  In fact, Jayne was lucky enough to join us for the cleaning afternoon the previous day!
We all got into the festive spirit, including Oakley, Mark's elderly cat.  As we all sat watching Elf (watching films really makes you thirsty) Philip captured the moment beautifully when Oakley had his own impromptu drink, whilst perched on the tin of Quality Streets.
Can it really get more festive than that?

 When we left on Monday morning, it felt very sad to be returning to the 'real world'  (Perhaps that is why I spend as much time as I can in my shed, creating paintings and my own world)
But the festive spirit lived on, and when I went to Trinity in the afternoon, we had an hour of art, then a small party, with presents!  It is just over a year ago that I decided to become a volunteer there, as a result of Juliette and Colin's wedding*, and I am so pleased that I did.
Thank you very much for my flowers, Ali, and I look forward to the next year with you all.  I was also very touched to be given a present, along with everyone else in the art group.  Everyone who uses Trinity was to receive their present during that week, and the pile of presents ready underneath the tree looked very joyful.  It was sad to think that for some people there, that would be their only present.  For some of us, Christmas is very far from a happy time.  I am so pleased to be involved with Trinity, and be a very small part of  all the work they do to make many people's lives better in many different ways.  Here are me and Mr Cooper wondering if we have made enough pigs in blankets, where, for some people, if it were not for Trinity, they would have no food that day.

I have been sitting here for a while now, not writing, but thinking how fortunate I am, and how we can sometimes take our good fortune too much for granted.
 But it's time now to return to the festive season.
Here are my flowers from Ali surrounded by unwritten cards, and clementines, next to my present from Mark, all ready for Christmas Day.  I am so fortunate to have many wonderful people in my life to share things with, so here is a big thank you to my friends and family.

And talking of friends........such a lovely thing has happened to me this month.
Earlier on, I had a friends request on Facebook from a name I did not recognise, but I looked at their photos and all seemed good, so 'request confirmed.'  How lovely to find that the name I did not recognise is the married name of Anne Shuttleworth, who was my best friend for an all too brief time at primary school.  Totally unexpected, but so lovely to be in touch again!  I think it must be thirty years since we last wrote to each other.
And then, another request.  I started to get excited when I realised this person had also been to Peterborough County Grammar, so request confirmed.  And now, after many years, I am reunited with my best friend from secondary school, Deborah Ellerby!  I am just so pleased.
I think I will be spending a large part of next year writing letters, as well as a blog.  What fun!

And whilst on the subject of friendship, yesterday I saw my friend Juliette, all newly returned from her 'honeymoon cruise', which was also a cruise to celebrate her and Colin's first  anniversary.

Here she is bearing gifts, as we won't see each other now till after Christmas.  It was so funny as when Juliette handed me my gift, the beautifully adorned flamingo umberella, pictured on the left, I handed Juliette her gift, a less beautifully wrapped flamingo umberella, pictured on the right.
We did really laugh, before making sure we had glitter in our hair, ready for an exciting day at work.
Best to get the laughter in early, as the days close to Christmas are more full of hard work than hilarity.

Whilst we were laughing, Cuddles and Snooty had entered Juliettes bag, where they found their own Christmas present, beautifully wrapped by Colin and addressed to Kitten 1 and Kitten 2.  They removed the present, then proceeded to open it! 
They are going to work on improving their manners next year!

Well, it is nearly here now......it's 4pm on Christmas Eve.  The ham is coming to the end of its cooking time, and the tree has only just been decorated.  Time to stuff the turkey, and finish a little more preparation in readiness for when we stuff ourselves tomorrow.

Last year the fairy stood out a little more, as our room was red.  Now she has a more conservative colour scheme around her, all ready to impress the people who will be flocking to view our house in the New Year, prior to making huge offers, of course.

Until that happens, we will happy to enjoy our last Christmas at 'The Gables', and a little excited to be wondering where we will be celebrating Christmas next year.

I must away now, as Mr Cooper has informed me that our Christmas tree lights have just stopped working.  I know just how they feel, I might come out in sympathy!

I hope you all have a most enjoyable Christmas, with very few mishaps.  In fact, it would be lovely if 2017 was also filled with very few mishaps!.

So I leave you now with best wishes for a wonderful day tomorrow, and a last picture of the fairy on the tree, who is even older than me!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

*  At Juliette and Col's wedding I sat next to Michelle, who worked for Trinity, and after talking to her about her job, I decided I would like to work there too, as a volunteer.

In this week's blog, I demonstrate how to condense a fortnight's activities into a week.
 And I also  embark on several journeys whose destinations keep changing.

Monday saw me heading off to Andover Mind bright and early.  Next January I start as a volunteer to help run the handicrafts session, and I was going there to meet the group again.
The size of the group has diminished somewhat since I was there in September, so I will have to put together some sessions that will hopefully be both appealing, and rewarding to do.
My box of magic tricks accompanied me just in case, plus festive glitter.  I wasn't called to use it, but instead joined in with making decorations for the tree.
I think papier mâché bowls will be my first project there, complete with tissue paper decorations.
Must make some examples, perhaps start these after Christmas?

Then off to Winchester afterwards, as the Monday art session at Trinity starts at 2pm.
'Let's get there a little early, and do some quality Christmas shopping', thought I.
I saw myself visiting Winchester's magical  Christmas market and buying a beautiful 'something' from there, whilst perhaps nibbling on a frosted Christmas biscuit......
 Forget all that!  After a slow and frustrating  hour spent driving around Winchester unable to park, I ended up in Hilliers Garden Centre car park.  No frosted biscuits or beautiful lights for me, just my usual lunch of cottage cheese and nuts followed by a couple of Nurofen, before braving the traffic to drive back through Winchester to Trinity, where I spent the afternoon headache-free, and happily making Christmas cards for their market stall.

On Tuesday, instead of leaving at 6.50am for a day of washing up, I was looking forward to seeing Sonia from Shake Culture, to meet the team I would be working with, in the creation of the community cookery book.  Since learning that I was to write and illustrate this book, including 16 full pages of illustrations, I have been excitedly thinking of potential ways to create the images.
So there I was, rushing to greet Sonia when I heard the knock at the door.  You just know when a meeting is taking an unforeseen direction, when Sonia's opening line to me was  'Just invoice me for the time you have spent planning for this book, I really don't see how all this is going to work'
But fortunately, after talking, tea drinking, and a slice or two of iced ginger shortbread, Sonia left, saying 'We'll go ahead with the book, but with a different direction '
And so that is what we will start to do, in January. The outcome has changed a little, as has the planned route towards it, but we are still very much off on a culinary adventure, and there is still a book for me to write and illustrate, and be paid for doing so! Hurrah! (I think)
  It is a good job I am flexible.

 Sonia left with one of my cake illustrations. A taste of things to come, perhaps?

As  I had taken the day off work to meet with Sonia, I had some time to spare before hitting the road at 4pm, ready for a shorter session at the sinks.

What better way to spend my time than to complete a commission from chef Neil, another design for a tattoo.  This was a really fun design to put together.

And then to paint and varnish 3 signs for our local, 'The Traveller's Joy'.
Less fun to do perhaps, and what you would call a bread and butter job.
 But as I was always told when growing up, 'Life is not always swings and roundabouts' and you definitely 'Have to take the rough with the smooth'
In fact, as I am not completely grown up yet, I am still told this by my Mum, just in case I haven't quite understood that concept......perhaps she is concerned that I haven't had enough 'rough' in my super-smooth life yet?

And with the festive season fast upon us, at least the customers in 'The Travs' will be heading off in the right direction, after their food and drinks!

No matter how busy life is, there is always, for me anyway, a little time to read.
If you read and truly enjoyed the 'Jeeves and Wooster' books by P.G Wodehouse, this book is a must.
It is written so delightfully well, and is so in keeping with the style of Wodehouse.  Just the concept of this book filled me with excitement.  Wodehouse and Faulks? Wow!
The book was a real joy, and what I liked best of all was it's conclusion.  I liked it so much that I shed a few tears...... of happiness, of course.

But don't bother of you don't like P.G.Wodehouse, leave it for those of us who do.

Wednesday, early committee meeting for the Chichester Open Studios Art Trail.  Good news here, at least 140 artists have registered for 2017, so it is all systems go.
The committee members very kindly agreed to an early meeting so I could then dash down the road to Tuppenny Barn for a treat.....a Creative Writing session. http://www.tuppennybarn.co.uk/events-programme/
It is well over a year ago now that I attended the first session there, not quite knowing what to expect.  And now, you still never quite know what to expect, but I am always heading there with excitement.  Thanks Lizzie.
After 4 hours considering, and writing about 'earth', the element, I left the group chatting and whizzed into Chichester.  Shortly after your 50th birthday party, the NHS send a different type of card, and regular mammograms become part of your life.  The first was decidedly peculiar, starting with being in a mobile unit in a car park.  But now, it is a doddle, and the nurse said I had been her 'number one patient' that day, and was 'very flexible.'  Praise indeed for someone in their 50's!  Then back for a banana and off to 'Bodyblast' and 'Arms and Abs' to maintain my amazing flexible form.
Apparently, when I have had my 60th birthday party, the NHS will give me another surprise present.  Can't wait for that one!

Thursday was hard work, but started with high hopes.  The Greyhound were hosting a charity event that evening, for the Alex Lewis trust, and Tom Kerridge and his team were coming over to cater for this event, producing a 4 course meal for 70 excited guests.
I was looking forward to meeting Tom, and washing up for his crew.
Our chefs provided the canapes (and very good they were too) and then it was over to Tom and his team of 3.
At midnight, when I had been working furiously for a few hours, I was thinking that a 'thank you' would not have come amiss.  And indeed, from The Greyhound's front of house team, perhaps a cup of tea too!  Next time there is a pop-up event, I might just pop out instead for the evening.
 When people ask me 'What was he like?' I can safely say he has large legs.

But all that hard work and gloom faded on Friday, as me and Mr Cooper set off for Leeds, to spend the weekend Rachael, Ben and Henry.
As we had not seen Henry since August, we were really excited, and this excitement managed to last although the journey got longer and longer, with more and more deviations.  However, 7 hours later, we were there, and it really was the beginning of our Christmas festivities.
And here is Henry on his Christmas card, heralding the start of them.

It was so lovely to be there, and so lovely too to play with Henry.
Mr Cooper was in his element as 'Grandolph' (Rachael's idea, not his!) and I enjoyed my supporting role as Nana Sue.  Henry enjoyed chewing his toys, examining wheels closely, and trying really hard to crawl.  I should imagine that he will be crawling, when they come and stay on Boxing Day.

In our mini break we did a whole load of fun things (walks with Banjo, pub visit, meal in Pizza Express, intense wheel examining) but one of the best was the visit to the Chinese Lantern festival, at Roundhay Park in Leeds.  http://www.magicallantern.uk/?gclid=CKzkqa6y-NACFeGT7QodBLAAJg
When we knew we were going, both Mr Cooper and myself imagined that we would be walking through trees that were hung with Chinese lanterns, of the sort you could make from instructions you would find in an old Rupert Annual.  In fact, I thought we might run into Tiger-Lily and the Chinese Magician.  We did think that there would have to be an awful lot of lanterns, as apparently it took an hour to see them all.  But no, the world has moved on, though at times it seems that me and Mr Cooper have not (but we are very happy together in our low-tech, Rupert Bear-infused world)  Chinese lanterns are really illuminated forms and figures.  A bit like a wonderful carnival procession, but static, and in the dark.

I took so many photos, but fear not, I am adding just two for you to see.  The insect below was well over 8 feet tall........

.......and this magical garden was also on an impressively large scale.

Thanks you Rachael and Ben for such a fun weekend, and here are Mr Cooper and Henry in their respective starring roles.

Just a final image to finish with.  Chef Neil loved the tattoo design, but wanted a couple of additions.  The rabbit was to be a Chinese rabbit (as he was born in the Chinese year of the rabbit) and was also to be sporting also a meat cleaver.
I think the end result is a little closer also to Neil's personality, as this rabbit looks far more dangerous to know!  A rabbit with attitude.

So after a week of twists and turns, I am looking forward to a smooth path leading to Christmas.  Well, lets be a little more realistic, and just look forward to a little smoothness amongst the mayhem that is called 'preparing for Christmas'.
It's time now to stop paddling at the edges and just put on a Christmas swimming costume, jump in at the deep end, and swim along with it all.
I hope you are able to 'go with the flow', and tick things off your list whilst appearing un-ruffled.
Christmas itself is over so quickly that we may as well include the preparations as part of the enjoyment..........staying afloat is indeed a good outcome!
I will let you know how 'ruffled' I am, next week.
Till then, drink plenty of water and remember to breath, and to buy a Sellotape dispenser.

This has been a week of festive feasts, with friends and family.
In fact, on the 'entertainment' front, my life has gone somewhat from famine to feast.
So lets start at the beginning of my '5 feasts in 5 days' week.

Just a little warm-up photo first.  When I took my 'Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2  exam, I had to choose which answers were true or false.
The answer 'Cats in the kitchen help to keep the workers happy' was said to be false.
But here is proof that it is actually true.  Cuddles and Snoots* are enjoying a bowl of kitten milk on George's kitchen table.  George is out of picture, but looking on with fondness and pride.
In fact, the only time he takes them off the table is when he is painting something on it, and doesn't want their delightful paw prints on it.

Anyway, let's go in search of a table in a restaurant now, to find good food and good company.
Before meeting my former head of department in Chichester, I spent a most productive hour wandering around, exchanging pieces of coloured paper for various goods.  This happens rarely for me, but I understand that many people like do do this weekly, for enjoyment!
Then onwards to Wahaca, in south Street, to spend a very pleasant lunchtime with Jeanette.
http://www.wahaca.co.uk/locations/chichester/

We spent a long time catching up, aided by really tasty food, and Margueritas containing tamarind.

Then back to 'The Gables' on the bus.  This was almost as enjoyable as the meal....one comes along every 20 minutes, and for only £2.30, I was dropped off just over the road from The Gables.
 Even more convenient than catching the train (which I couldn't, as they were on strike)

Then back for a slight rest and two exercise classes (yes, really, I had just the one Marguerita) and then onwards to Porters in Southsea. http://www.porterswinebar.com/food-and-drink/
Wow, I could get used to this, thought I.... but probably not twice each day, plus shopping!
In the morning I was exchanging pieces of paper for goods, and these transactions sort of continued into the evening.  I was given some pieces of paper as payment for 'The Swimmers' from it's delighted new owner and my wonderful friend Diane.

And then I shared my initial ideas and sketches for a commission that I am very excited about.
The commission is for another wonderful friend, Janeese.

Here are my initial sketches, and already more thoughts are spilling out, and colours and types of flowers have been confirmed.  Think ranunculus, and pinks, reds, greens and yellows. Fabulous!

I was boring Mr Cooper the other day, talking about art.  (He is very kind, and manages to appear interested)  I was trying to explain that so much thought and emotion goes into the planning of each painting, and this emotion continues to become part of the work as it progresses. The result of this being that they become very precious to me, and it is wonderful when someone else finds them so.
I am really enjoying seeing 'The Swimmers' looking so happy in their new loving home.
And it is very exciting to be working with Janeese, to create just the painting she wants.
 Next step, apply paint to canvas!

After the excitement of Wednesday, it was back to normal for Thursday.  Frugal food and lots of washing up.  Well, almost frugal.  As I was feeling a little 'tired' when I got to work, (going out is both mentally stimulating and physically exhausting, especially when you are 'getting on,' as I am) chef Neil very kindly made me poached eggs on toast to help with my recovery, and at 6pm I enjoyed my usual staff dinner, a large and delicious smoked salmon salad.

Then back home ready for Mr Cooper's big day, as he became older and even wiser on Friday 25th.
I had booked dinner for us at The Richmond in West Ashling, and we had the whole day to ourselves before that.
 How we laughed when we remembered one of Mr Cooper's birthdays when we popped out for a little lunchtime snack in Gunwharf Quays, before dining out that night at Raymond Blancs, in Chichester.
We started out with good intentions, as always, but after enjoying a selection of tapas teamed with a selection of lager, we went on to purchase  2 purple artificial Christmas trees, a pair of Levis plus other luxury items, before catching the train home and wishing we hadn't eaten so much.

'Let's not do that again,' we laughed to each other as we went to the Horse and Groom in East Ashling for a little light snack.  Thank goodness this time we were sensible!

Then after a few hours recovery, wishing we had been a little more sensible, we put on our finery and set off to The Richmond Arms, where I exchanged bits of paper I had received for 'The Swimmers' for an exceptional  dinner for two.  http://www.therichmondarms.co.uk/
Mr Cooper looked a little sad at the size of his starter, but by the end of the third course, he was heartily glad it had not been larger.  Such delicious food, in a lovely, vibrant atmosphere.

The next day saw us driving to Peterborough, for a weekend with Mum.  We had with us ingredients for that night's meal, and it was when I started to cook that I realised that one of us needed a little guidance when buying fish.  There is a distinct difference between a whole fish and fish fillets.
Sadly, as Mum regards a sharp knife as a lethal implement, I was unable to fillet the whole fish which one of us had bought as fillets, but it all turned out rather well.  It reminded me of the time I had asked Mr Cooper to buy two whole fish of his choice for me to cook at night.  When it came to baking them, I found four plaice fillets in the bag, and Mr Cooper insisting it was a whole fish, as it has come from a whole fish...........

Far safer to go back to eating out, and that is what we did, when Mark joined us on the Sunday.
Safely sitting in Maccaloo, we excitedly chose our food from the 'specials' board, as all the specials featured were Polish.  I think as the restaurant is owned and run by a Polish family, on Sunday they add Polish foods to the menu.  I would definitely go there again on a Sunday.
After the usual catching-up chat, I excitedly told Mum and Mark about next year's project, when I would be working for Shake Culture to illustrate and write the community cookery book.  After congratulating me, Mark said that Si was also writing a book, and he thought perhaps he should now write one too.
Si's book is, I think, about management (I have got to catch up with him) and Mark was wondering whether he should jump in at the deep end with his book, and write 'How to Solve World Hunger'
(We did indeed outline a few good ideas here, but we were probably looking at it from a different angle, as Chapter Three was headed 'now eat This Book'......problem solved!
We decided perhaps to start with things you are familiar with, and a title 'Tim Ted Goes Spinning' was felt to hold many possibilities.  If it took off, who knows what Tim Ted could get up to next?

Well, that was the end of the five feasts, and Monday found us heading back to normal life, or what is normal for us.  At Trinity on Monday afternoon,  we began to make Christmas decorations which will be sold in the Winchester Christmas market.  It is a long time since I have used Fimo, and we spent a fiddly but fun two hours.  I made the snowman pendant with the red scarf, but I loved the gingerbread men pendants.

On Wednesday, I went for my induction with Andover Mind,  http://www.andovermind.org.uk/contact-us/ where I will be working as a volunteer with the handicrafts group on Monday mornings.  That will be very exciting, as it will involve planning and running the projects.  This will begin properly next year, and I am even now getting excited, thinking about papier mache, tissue paper, printing........  I think some people are said to get excited thinking about handbags and designer labels........how weird!

As Juliette and Colin set sail soon on their honeymoon cruise to cold lands, I reached for the balls of tinsel wool to knit Juliette a 'Happy First Anniversary/honeymoon/cruise scarf.  When we met before work Thursday morning, it was to excitedly exchange presents, as Juliette had bought for me a December gift, a pair of gingerbread men earrings!  Thanks Juliette, they are fab!  And when did you become a mind-reader? That was were the treats ended for Thursday, as, with the new menu being launched, there was an awful lot of prep, plus Christmas parties too, which left me with an awful lot of washing up.  Still, it will give me bits of paper to exchange for all sorts of wonderful things, like new tyres, car tax, petrol, gin, truffle oil......

Back now for one last food-related paragraph, before I leave you all to prepare some food, as I am cooking a feast tonight for some friends.  Apples need to be poached and caramel needs to be sharded before sieving soup and lovingly adding truffle oil.  Not to mention making pastry with suet and butter....plus starting to sew my outfit for Sarah's wedding.  What better way to spend a day!
 Did I mention Radio 4, too?

When I was at Mum's, looking for things like frying pans and sharp knives, I found a plate from long ago.  We three all had a set of a dish, plate and mug.  Si's set had a design of clowns, Mark had Pinky and Perky, and I had forgotten what was on mine.  And here it is, the sole surviving plate.
I remember it now, particularly the naughty toucan.  Perhaps this helped to inspire me with my lifelong love of pottery.  Or, looking at the toucan, perhaps it explains why I used to drink a Guinness a day, when John and Sam were small!  Be warned when buying gifts for small children!

Just off now to be creative in different directions.  I hope you are enjoying being creative in December, or just building up to be creative.  Enjoy the feasts that beginning to happen now but, as with drinking, eat responsibly.  Remember, 5 feasts in 5 days is the exception, not the rule!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon, after a week of cottage cheese and fruit.

*Real names, Commander Cuddles and Lord Snooty.

This week, a little look at changes, choices and chances.
There was once a time in my life, many years ago now, when I was surrounded by so many changes.
It was not the easiest or happiest of times.
I remember a friend saying to me that 'The only constant thing in your life at the moment is change!'
 But the changes I made then were necessary, if difficult, and they ultimately led to me being able to sit here now, a practising artist, an art teacher,  a new writer, and the current wife of Mr Cooper.

This week has brought with it many changes, and also the opportunities to make changes.
How different I feel now to then.
 Instead of being overwhelmed by an unknown future, today I say 'Bring it on'.
 But ask me again in a month, and I might be saying 'Take some of it away!'
We shall see.

So hopefully this blog will give you a taste of the changes to come, but also of things that need no changing.  (If you choose to make them, that is!)

One change I made this year was to use my art in a far different way to teaching art in schools.
 I joined Trinity in January, as a volunteer, where I work weekly with the women's service art class.  Perhaps 'work' is not quite the right word to use here.  'Engage', 'join in', have fun' describe what I do a little better.  This Tuesday saw us on our second art outing of the year, heading to the Southampton City Art Gallery, to see the British Art Show 8.

To quote from the catalogue, 'The British Art Show is a touring exhibition that provides a vital overview of the most contemporary art produced in the UK.'
It was so lovely for us that Ali, who runs the weekly class, also works for the gallery.
We had a brilliant hour where he talked about the work in the exhibition.  To know more about the artist and their thoughts and intent really increased the interest, and personal response that we had to the creations.

Several of us really liked an amazing textiles piece, called 'Diagram of Love: Marriage of Eyes'
by Linder.

This beautiful 'artistic carpet'  has lots of eyes all over it, and is also part of a stage set for a ballet.
 It reminded me of the first book we ever read in book group, which was The Electric Michelangelo, by Sarah Hall.  http://www.sarahhallauthor.com/electric.htm
 I don't remember the book in great detail now, apart from the fact that it was fascinating, and that one woman was in the process of having her body completely covered in eye tattoos.
If you haven't read it, please do.  At the end of the book, we all wanted a tattoo.
Perhaps we should have each had a small eye tattoo, to show we belonged to an exclusive club.

 Returning to the gallery.........we did not have time enough to watch all the films through.
We watched a small section of 'Feed Me,' by Rachael Maclean, and I would very much like to see it in it's entirety.  (It's an hour long, but you do get bean bags to sit on.....)

I think I will take Mr Cooper back to the gallery with me, for his yearly dose of culture.

We all agreed, on the way back in the minibus, that it had been interesting, exciting and mind-opening to spend time looking at many different forms of art, thanks Ali!
And also very enjoyable to spend the day together.  As well as visiting the exhibition, we had a coffee and chat straight after the gallery, then a picnic in the park, and finally a visit to the
Bargate Monument, where there were two art installations.  Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday!

Trinity have just made a film  on youtube about what they do, and their hopes for the future.
Here is the link to it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWz8KHlTMY

Just returning the tenuous book-thread for a moment..........
 I have recently completed the 7th Flavia de Luce Novel.  I say 'please do read' the Electric Michelangelo.  With the Flavia de Luce novels, if you are in anyway a fan of detective fiction combined with beautifully written, intelligent reads,  you must seek these out and devour them.
The first one is called 'The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.'  I feel sure you can add them to your kindle, or buy them from Amazon, or even go to an actual bookshop.  I am yet more old-fashioned than the latter, and order them from my local library (at a cost of just 50p)
I must warn you, it does mean that I have to visit the library twice, and talk to the librarians.
Also, when I am walking round Emsworth, I do stand the risk of meeting someone I know, and having to have further conversations!  A bit more risky than clicking 'add to basket'.........

A little over a year ago,  I was pleased to be involved with a project run by Shake Culture.  You may remember it at the time, when I ran three textiles workshops in Portsmouth, where a group of mainly Bangladeshi women worked to create a textiles piece in response to their memories.
 Here is one of my own textile designs I used in the introduction to the workshops.

When I was asked, out of the blue, to run the first workshop, there was so much going on at the time what with hospital appointments and future operations that my initial reaction was to say no.
In fact, the first workshop was on the morning of Mr Cooper's hospital appointment in Guildford.  This appointment was to decide whether he would be able to be given the treatment that he did go on to receive, which would have far fewer side-effects than the other treatments.
Let's just say that the side effects he has received have been sufficient!  I can only imagine how the other treatments must affect your whole life, and we are both so pleased he was accepted as a recipient for the least invasive treatment.

But as well as with all the medical turmoil in my head, something was also saying 'Don't say no,'
and I agreed to go ahead with the workshop.

The best decision.
That workshop led to a couple more, and also to lots of exciting things in the pipeline.
Sonia Vidal, who is at the forefront of Shake Culture, liked both my work, and me (always handy in a working relationship) and I liked Sonia, her ways of thinking, and was very excited to be on her team.
http://shakecultureworks.co.uk/

 Then came a period of silence from Shake Culture, which passed me by as I have been a little busy of late.  Then, out of the blue, an  email from Sonia, saying she was leaving shortly, for Amsterdam, but would like to see me very soon. 
All is lost, I thought.  A whole load of missed opportunities.

One of the ideas in the pipeline had been to create a community cookery book, and Sonia came round not only armed with dates for when this is to happen, but with the added information that I was to write and illustrate it! In my head I was going both 'yippee!' and 'help!'

Luckily, though in Amsterdam, Sonia will still oversee the project, and I now find myself even more busy at the start of next year, as I will be attending 4 meals in different people's homes, and using that event to record not only the recipes, but views of the family's life and culture, and their thoughts as to how Brexit will affect them.  Plus, creating four full page illustrations from each visit!  This starts in January and is to be completed by the 21st May (no pressure there then!)
So, as it is when Sonia appears in my life.....common sense says 'No, you are too busy' but the excitement of a creative challenge always says 'Just say yes, and work it all out later.'

 Should be a doddle really.......especially as we are away for the whole of February, and also selling 'The Gables' and buying our future home.
Did I forget to mention that we are finally on the market?

After a year of decoration and de-cluttering, we invited 6 different estate agents to value our home, and talk about their commission rates, etc.  It was a very interesting experience, and now we have a
 'For Sale' board outside our property.  In the end we were choosing between 3 agents, then between 2, which was a more difficult decision.  Last weekend we decided to go ahead with Treagust (who were recommended to us) and now we are waiting to OK the sales brochure.
So, goodbye paint brushes, hello Hoover.

Luckily the hard work has paid off, and phrases such as 'well presented', 'really attractive' and 'light and cheery' were heard. 'How colourful' most agents said. 'You should have seen it before,'  thought I.

Below is some evidence that I really have managed to tone down the colour scheme!

Last week found me marinading pork, and I said I would give you the recipe if it proved to be delicious.  It proved to be OK, but I probably won't make it again.  So rather than leave you recipe-less, I include one of my most favourite pork chop recipes, from a book that I use frequently, and always with good results.

The recipe is on page 149, it is delicious, fairly straight forward, and  is called
 'Pan-fried pork chops with rocket, capers and a cider butter sauce.'*
On the eve of my marriage, I ensured that I had a house empty of people (Mr Cooper had a mini stag do with Kevin, and Sarah spent the night with her mum)
Then I indulged myself by painting my toenails, drinking Prosecco with rhubarb syrup (my favourite) and cooking and eating the above dish.  I then watched an episode of Midsummer murders that  had been saved for the occasion.  Unfortunately it must be the only one ever made that was actually scary!  And then, next morning, off to school to teach my year 11s, before a trip to Taniques to have pink roses woven into my hair. Those were the days!

I probably ate my meal in the dining room.  Here it is, all neutral, ready for sale.

So, goodbye to a week of exciting changes, and hello to a week of eating!
For nearly a month each year, I am married to a man 8 years my senior (only in age, not intellect!)
Next week, he becomes even more mature and attractive, and is back to being 9 years my senior.
Added to this, as I now have exchanged the decorating brushes for dusters and polish, I have time to socialise again.  So, in the space of 5 days, I find myself eating out 4 times.

Better get ready for all that, by having a relaxing bath, in my magnolia bathroom....

And at the end of all that feasting, how lovely to go to bed, nestling between those crisp white sheets.

Another room significantly toned down, ready for sale! (Or should I say, pinky for sale....)

Before I leave you all, to get myself ready for the first feast (I am trying to go for the 'little and often' approach with all these meals, rather than the 'in for a penny, in for a pound one'......)
Remember, if the opportunity arises this week for you to eat with friends, go for it.
Also, if the opportunity arises for you to do something a little bit different, and edge out of your comfort zone, try it.  You never know, you might like it, and if not, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Or just jump out of your comfort zone, like what I have!

I leave you with an excellent message I heard on the radio last Saturday.
As well as all that eating and experimenting you will be doing, consider how much better the world would be, if we all took this message to heart.

Treat your elders with respect,

Your juniors with kindness,

And approach each situation with a cheerful disposition.

So, try the above, and try the below too.  Unless you are a veggie, that is. (For the below only!)
See you all very soon.  Happy eating!



*

This week, me and Mr Cooper stepped away from our normal weekend routine, and also kept a  treasure safely hidden in my pink roses cake tin.  We had a great weekend that not only went with a bang, but several.  In fact, 'many' is a word I would use.  You can't fault a weekend like that.

                                

Saturday was a day of two distinct parts.  Early Saturday found me filling and sanding an upstairs area of The Gables (interspersed with a gruelling 45 minutes spent spinning). After a hasty lunch and a prolonged but necessary scrub in the bath, I packed my overnight bag, and me and Mr Cooper sped down the M4 to Bristol.  We spent most of the journey travelling in the dark, which added greatly to the atmosphere as we listened to a most amazing CD, sadly David Bowie's last release, Blackstar..  

It was my third hearing of it and Mr Cooper's first, and we both said 'WOW' at the end, and we both urge you to give it a go.  http://legacy.davidbowie.com/

The first time I listened to it, I arrived at my destination with tears in my eyes, and that was not just because I had reached The Greyhound, for an eleven hour stint at the sinks.

Our Bristol destination was at Mr Cooper's cousin Alan's house, for his annual bonfire party.  As Alan always holds his party on the 5th of November, it was the first one we had been able to attend, and it was fantastic.  All the things a good party should be, plus excellent fireworks and a brilliant bonfire.

After a night of sitting by the fire, talking away, listening avidly, interrupting, and eating salty snacks which were washed down by an assortment of liquids (I loved the mulled cider, Alan) I found myself climbing the stairs to bed at 2 o'clock.  Next morning at 10 o'clock I came to, to find myself lying with clothes off but jewellery still on, contact lenses intact and a bit hazy as to my location.  

Luckily I  turned over in bed to find no other than Mr Cooper. (He was in a similar state to me, minus earrings and lenses)

After tea and chat we sped onwards again, to cousin Val. Here we had more tea with Val, Ellen, Katie and Maddie before setting out for a pub lunch.  Poppy didn't have tea with us, but did a lot of leaping and licking instead. Luckily, as she is a puppy, this was appropriate behaviour.

What a treat, a party and lunch out!  And what a treat it was.  If you live in Bristol and fancy Sunday lunch, make your way to the 'Gloucester Old Spot'.  http://theoldspotbristol.co.uk/
The roast beef was wonderful, beautifully pink (well, red really, just how I like it) and was kindly supplied by a Dorset Ruby.

  As I felt Mr Cooper probably needed his carbs after the party, I donated a couple of roasties.  This was exceptionally kind of me, as they were delicious.

Then back on the M4 and home again, to a house almost empty of food.  Nearly, but not quite, as in the biscuit tin were many chocolate, toasted almond and ginger cakes that had been destined for the party, but hadn't quite made it.
 We found them just next to the front door, ready to be packed into the car.  Oh well, what better thing to eat, as we settled down to watch 'Strictly'.  (They went really well with a glass of red, too.)

As well as eating gingery cakes, I have been working on my commissions (I can never have too many of these, so if you like my work, why not get one created just for you?)
Recently, I went to photograph an absolute poppet of a ledge wagon, as part of a commission.
I love this photo, I think it's because of the way the red of the wagon appears in other areas, such as the bollard, but best of all, on the garden gnome's hats!

It was a pleasure to do this commission, and here you see the above wagon sitting outside the
Mission Tent.  Nigel was very pleased with the drawing, which can now be seen on his website.  There is a lot of change around us all at the moment, and not all of them bad.  Nigel is experiencing new and exciting changes of direction, and I am pleased my artwork is assisting him in this.
http://www.missiontent.co.uk/book-us 

A few weeks ago now, I was reading the Chichester Theatre's winter brochure, and in it there was advertised a tap dancing taster session.  It might be because I was reading this in a pub whilst sipping red wine that I decided that I really wanted to book a place on the workshop. 

 Which I did, as well as booking to see 'Stepping Out' the evening before the workshop, in order to get me in the tap-dancing mood.

So on Thursday, Mr Cooper and I put on our theatre outfits.  I teamed a silk dress from Monsoon with a beautiful pair of embroidered green Converse, topped with my fluffy purple jacket.

  Mr Cooper looked very dashing in a dark suit, accents of colour being provided by his floral Dr Marten boots, and his shirt covered with a design of yellow, pink and green roses. 

I must say we looked a treat. ( According to us, anyway!)

Sadly, looking forward to the performance was actually more rewarding than the performance itself.  We enjoyed the second half more, but both felt it seemed a little halting and under-rehearsed.

Oh well, there was always the the tap dancing to look forward to.

When I booked the class, it definitely said 'no previous experience necessary'.  It should have said, 'if you have no experience, you are in for a frustrating hour when not only are you having to learn a large variety of moves, but then you will be putting them together to form a lengthy routine.'

Most of the people present had tap-danced before.....there was a handful of us total beginners at the back, struggling not only to learn new moves, but then to actually remember the sequence of events!

I spent so long trying to perfect one manoeuvre, which involved a lot of shuffling and hopping, that later that day I developed pains in my hips.  It wasn't all bad however, and I will be looking to find a class for real beginners in the New Year.

See below for proof of my pain!

Each week seems to contain a real variety of happenings, and at work on Tuesday I was told I had to take an exam in food safety.  So I went on line to prepare for my Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering.  After going through the initial stages, it was soon time to take the actual exam.  I had forgotten how much I love multiple choice questions.  When it says 'Pick out the correct answer,' how tempting it was to choose a) the different coloured chopping boards in the kitchen help to make it look cheery, and c) having a cat in the kitchen helps to keep the workers happy.  You will be pleased to know that I left all temptation behind me, and passed with a score of 100%. 

There it is, proof that I am safe around food, apart from eating it.  I just wish my score had been printed on the certificate too.  I might get a T-shirt designed with it on.........

Well, I must away now, to cook the evening meal for me and Mr Cooper.  I am making Afelia, the pork chops are marinading in red wine, together with crushed coriander and cumin.  The recipe looks very uncomplicated.  If it also proves to be delicious, I will share it with you next time.  

I hope you will be discovering something new and delicious in the week to come, as well as enjoying a diet of existing favourites.

Until then, wrap up well when venturing outside, and when you reach your destination, don't forget to take your coat off, or you 'won't feel the benefit.'

Until next time, stay warm, have fun, and make sure you really 'feel the benefit!'

Here I am contemplating a week that has involved too much washing up, almost too much walking,
and lots of birthday cards, birthday messages and presents. (Notice I don't say too many, just in case you decide to economise in that direction, next year!)
 Thank you so much for the cards, the messages and the presents.

It has been a while since you have seen my window next to the sinks, where I spend two days a week, helping to fund my life as an artist.  Last week at the sinks got a little hectic at times, but was not without its compensations.  Here is a birthday bunch of flowers from all the chefs, pictured in juxtaposition with a speckled banana and the necessary plunger.  Thanks chefs, that was a lovely start to my celebrations.

Another good thing to happen last Thursday was having to pause from scrubbing the pans every so often, to do something far more rewarding.......create Halloween designs for Juliette to carve.  I wish I could have joined in the carving too, but I had to spend my work time washing the pots as fast as I could, to enable the chefs to keep feeding the hoards who decided Thursday lunch was the time to eat.

Some time ago, I decided that I would like to spend my birthday walking the Seven Sisters again.  Then, after a night in Eastbourne, walking back to our car on the last piece of the South Downs Way we had yet to complete, the inland section between Alfriston and Eastbourne.
I don't know whether it is because I live in Nutbourne, next to Southbourne, and just down the road from Westbourne that I am finding Eastbourne rather fascinating.  This is the second time we have stayed there in a year, and I am looking forward to staying there again, perhaps combined with a trip to the theatre, and not another trip over the Seven Sisters!

Well, let's start at the beginning.  Our first stop on my birthday was at The York House Hotel in Eastbourne, where we left our case.  http://www.bw-yorkhouse.co.uk/  As we had to set out that morning at 7am, I had packed all my gifts to unwrap later.  As a result, the case was far heavier for a night's stay than when we had packed it for a week in Corfu!  The receptionist almost managed to not look too startled as they dragged it behind their desk.  Then onto a charming little village called Litlington where we left the car, and picked up the South Downs Way

Here is proof that we were there, not bad going really for 10 o'clock on a Friday morning!
Luckily this is not a close-up, so you can't see the increasing lines on my ageing face.  You can see a white horse behind me, but no white hairs!  (Courtesy of Jimmy and Billy at Garbo's, Southsea)

We climbed steadily up until we reached the river Cuckmere, where we exchanged the word 'steadily' for 'steeply'.  There is a saying 'no gain without pain' which springs to mind.  The views that you see all the time on this walk are incredible, as are the steepness of the ascents and descents.

It has been really hard not to add all the photos I took during our walk.  On the one below I love how the 2 walkers really help to show the sheer scale of this beautiful stretch of coast.  Don't take my word for it, grab your boots and see for yourself.  But do take water and snacks.

One benefit of being on our own, and not part of the South Downs annual walk was that there were far less people around.  When we reached the Birling Gap this time, it was not over-populated.  Not only were we able to visit the loo without queuing, but we also enjoyed beer and crisps and a welcome sit down, outside in the sunshine.
 At this point, I was still glad that we were doing this walk.

And then we had to leave these comforts behind.  When you leave the Birling Gap, you start what is really a rather hard slog to Eastbourne.  A steep, well-populated climb to Belle Tout, then the crowds really thin out.  Most return to their cars, leaving the hardy few to carry on to Eastbourne.
Of course there are still some amazing view to see, I love the Beachy Head lighthouse at the bottom of the cliffs, but after having walked the Seven Sisters, we were very excited to see Eastbourne on the horizon, and even more excited to reach the Pavilion Cafe for another welcome drink, tea!
Normal tea for me, and green in a glass for Mr Cooper ( he is developing refined tastes in his sixties) 

The worst part of the day was walking along the front for two miles, to our hotel.  Two miles!  This was when I had ceased to be glad that we were doing this walk!
When we reached it, we were pleased that we had opted for a dinner, bed and breakfast package.
 Mr Cooper removed his boots and flatly refused to leave the hotel till the next morning.  I removed my boots and proceeded to open cards and gifts, then spent a happy hour or two reading whilst drinking Prosecco (thanks Juliette and Colin) and stuffing down Champagne truffles (thanks again, you two!)


What a difference a day makes.....
Yesterday we were having lunch in the sunshine, and here we are now, somewhere on our return walk, unable to see for more than a few feet.  Here is Mr Cooper making sure we are heading into the thick fog in the right direction.

After a couple of hours, the fog lifted, and when we entered Jevington (another charming village) we could actually see, which was handy.  This was a plaque on one of the houses there. 
The only thing that was puzzling to me was if it was created in 1972, why had it taken me so long to discover it? (1990)
Anyway, it quite rightly deserves its blue plaque.  And it is no bad store to have a couple of tins of condensed milk on your shelves, already boiled and ready to go.

When we reached Litlington, it was to find that the Eastbourne marathon was taking place, and the runners had completed 16 miles by the time they arrived there.  We made tracks to the wonderful pub there, the Plough and Harrow.  https://www.ploughandharrowlitlington.co.uk/  There we were joined by several runners after my own heart.  As we sat there supping, many runners were buying pints and packets of crisps, to fortify themselves for the final 10 miles.  Perhaps I could do this marathon stuff, I thought.  Perhaps I had better keep on practising my pint drinking and crisp eating first, then attempt the running bit when that part is perfected.

Perhaps seeing the Banoffi Pie inspired me to make a rare pudding myself.  Rare in two ways.
 I hardly ever make a dessert unless we are entertaining (well, we are usually entertaining, but I mean when we have guests round) and the pudding I intended to make was from a very old recipe, and required a little leap of faith when you read the ingredients
What can I say but the Marmalade Cheese Pudding was a triumph, and will definitely be part of the Green Donkey Cookbook (You know, the one I am supposed to be writing.)
Thank you Aunty Sally, for providing the recipe.  I include it below, for all you fellow adventurous cooks out there.  If you try it, you will realise that it is definitely a recipe where the end result is greater than the sum of its parts.

Well, that is my birthday over for another year.  Next year I will be living in another house and a slightly different location.  But hopefully somewhere where we are able to pop over to Eastbourne for a bit of variety.
 Do make sure you are getting enough variety in your week, especially now the clocks have changed.  Perhaps try something new, as long as it is legal, of course.  I am going to my second spinning class in half an hour, which is providing variety in quite an extreme way.*
Why don't you do something more pleasurable, like baking?
 Fun to do and delicious to eat.......and to share.
Happy sharing in the week ahead, and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
 I leave you here with a treasured recipe, to share with you, and for you to also share. 
(Frank, in the recipe, is my uncle Frank; who is married to my Mum's youngest sister Sally.

A 7" pastry flan case works a treat.  I crisped the meringue for 10 minutes in the oven.
*Sadly spinning on a bike, not spinning with wool.