"Your absence has gone through me like thread through a needle. Everything I do is stitched with its color." ~MS Merwin, American poet, United States Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry, 1927-2019
Eight years ago today, February 6th, 2013: Moored up at Fenny Stratford. Shopped at IKEA, and now it has begun snowing! We had a brilliant day out yesterday with our friends Sue and Ken Deveson (NB Cleddau/Boatwif blog site). We spent the entire day at their lovely home, eating a scrummy meal discussing education and all manner of things, playing Phase Ten, and having slices of homemade Coffee sponge cake with afternoon tea. They suggested we bring laundry to wash, so our down comforter and duvet cover are clean, dry and fluffy! Good thing as it is supposed to drop down and freeze again for awhile. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, and Cream gravy on the menu tonight, then hot showers, warm jammies and our feet up in front of the telly for a show.
Hello Jaq,
ReplyDeleteTreasured memories! I've been wondering how you have been coping with everything that's been going on in the US. Good to see you are still blogging, and I hope you and your family have been keeping well. I imagine you have snow and biting temperatures? I can't remember whereabouts you are.
Love and a distanced hug,
Debby
Hi Jaq,
ReplyDeleteWas it really eight years ago - it feels a lot more recent than that...
Guess what, a week ago I bought another Phase Ten set as my pack is out of reach up in Cheshire on the boat!
A few days ago a neighbour suggested using Camp Coffee for flavouring sponge cake - I'll give it a go and report on the outcome to you.
We are expecting a 'Beast from the East, mark 2' over the next few days - I hope your winter weather is not too grim.
Love
Sue /Boatwif
Dear Sue,
ReplyDeleteOooh Ah the Beast From The East 2!! Batten down the hatches. I remember TBFTE1. It was no fun to be out in! I was moored in Nantwich and had a job interview in Chester and the buses were running seriously behind.
Do let me know about the Camp Coffee. I keep a small jar of Medaglia D'oro instant espresso powder in the cupboard for such things. It seems to keep forever if the lid is screwed on tightly. Your cakes are always divine Sue. I remember a Rosemary cake you shared with us when we met up with Cleddau on the Peak Forest Canal back in 2012. Yummm!
We've not yet had any really testing weather here in Portlandia as I call the Portland, Oregon greater suburbs. Only two nights just below freezing. I've the fireplace all set for a fire but it really has not been cold enough to warrant one yet. No snow here. Apparently it snows here so little that Oregonians lose their minds when it does. Our weather forecast for later this next week is calling for two fronts to collide just north of us across the Columbia River: one dry freezing front dropping down form Canada to mix with a warm, wet front off the Pacific which may actually produce a sugar sprinkling of snow and two or three days when I can use the fireplace!
I miss you both more than a lost limb! Stay safe, stay healthy,
Love Jaq xxx
Hi Debby!
ReplyDeleteWell, the way I cope with all this over here is to follow the news on the PBS Newshour, and then go to FaceBook and rant in a private group I belong to for LikeMinded souls who are liberal and mostly democrats or Independents who despise Trump and what was formerly the Republican Party. Once I've vented my spleen there in safety, I feel better. Of course things are much better figuratively with Biden/Harris in the White House.
With regard to the Pandemic, I only go outside to pick up packages from the apartment complex office, or to get groceries.
I am in Gladstone, Oregon about 15 minutes south and east of downtown Portland, Oregon.
I hope you are well and staying that way. Hugs to you both!!
Love Jaq xxx
How lovely to read your blog, I keep popping in so I don't miss one. Sorry to hear you've had eye trouble, I've had the same thing happen to me some time ago. I don't like this getting older thing. We have been home with the family in Wales since early November. No idea when we will be able to get back to Serena, we really do miss it.
ReplyDeleteWhen all the trouble with Trump was in the news I kept thinking of you and hopeing things would improve and he wouldn't be re-elected.
Glad you've managed to steer clear of the Covid, we've all remained well. John has had his first vaccine but I am still waiting to be called in for mine.
What a lovely memory of you and Les.
Take care and stay safe. Love and hugs Judith nb Serena