Angel Jem's City Cottage

Yesterday we went to the funeral of one of Mr AJ's cousins. She was called Paddy, although she'd been christened Irene, because her Dad had wanted a boy. Now, Peter's family are a dying breed. We had six cousins in total there yesterday and there were only another 3 or 4 missing. At our wedding, my family could have gone on forever: his was distinctly smaller. And 24 years have only made it shrink more. I'm rambling. Yes. Back to my point. My point is that her true family actually weren't the relatives. There were 5 or 6 neighbours there, many of whom had known Paddy for the 40 years she lived in the house, who talked about her with such love, and sadness at her passing, that it made me smile. They had given her food, took her out for drives, been there for her when the closest family were almost an hour away. Two of them even had power of attorney at the end, because of the closeness and the proximity. I wish we could all say that we had neighbours as clos...

This weekend has been a chance to take a breather out from work and rampaging and doing so much to do a lot of little things that needed doing. A little crafting, a little reading, some planning for Christmas and some housework. Next week will be a week from hell, with parents evenings (both doing and attending) evening events that I need to go to, and a list of things to do ready for half term next Friday. And breathe....... Ninjabread men cookies. Sarah made them, and they were delicious! Can you tell they're all doing different kung fu moves? Such a simple idea! I bought the kit from Dobbies and brought them home, worrying that they were too childish for my sophisticated teenagers. Not a bit of it; James (15) has claimed the patterns as his own. Apparently I must have bought the kit for him, because he is my Ninjaboy! The Cherry Heart CAL; this week I have gone slowly. I have until next Tuesday (the 25th?) to complete these parts. I'm hoping to sit and do s...

I don't know... I remember so many moments from childhood Christmasses. I seem to remember that it was a frosty Christmas Eve on the way to Midnight Mass when I first realised that the street lights made my red coats look strange, that I loved the feel of sheepskin mittens inside and out when Santa let me open them early for Midnight Mass and the cold plaster of the Baby Jesus figure for the church crib as I carried it out to the scene. My childhood church is St Bartholomew's, Rainhill . It's not famous for much, except at Christmas when it puts up an almost life size crib scene; not on the grass or floor anywhere sensible; oh no. Their crib scene is suspended in the entrance gate to the churchyard. It takes a team of dedicated crib erectors to put it up. They have the skills down to a fine art. After all, the eldest member is 75 and has been putting the scene up for 50 years. That's him in the hat. He came over from Ireland 50+ years ago and started helping i...

For years when mine were little, we studiously avoided Hallowe'en. We went to the Church's Light Party (if fancy dress was in order, it was superheroes, or princesses not witches or skeletons) and made little or no adjustment to the daily order, so no bobbing for apples, peeling skins for divination or any thing that smacked of magicality at all. It worked for us; we didn't go Trick or treating, and those who visited us were politely told, "We don't celebrate Hallowe'en here" The children grew up sensible and well-adjusted, they don't do gross horror films and I'm proud of them. This year they are all old enough to make up their own mind. The lads are easy; if it involves effort, then they're not bothered. But the Princess is a great joiner, and wants to be part of her group. So when a friend invited her to a Hallowe'en party I gave her the option; of course the answer was yes. "I'm not celebrating Hallowe'en," she said,...

Whether this is your most sacred festival or not, Easter is always a chance to contemplate new beginnings; death and rebirth, and the joy of being. May this Easter bring you peace, joy, love and a heart of gratitude for all the great gifts of the world. Michaelangelo's Pieta; in miniature, of course!

Thursday. No tutee turning up at 10am. No child out anywhere until midday at the earliest. No place I need to be. I can lie in. My essential kit; my Kindle app on my tablet, Audible on my phone and a decent magazine. Not in shot (but even more essential) some lavender handcream , a chai tea and a lock on the bedroom door.

Back again after 3 months. I am really bad at anything requiring consistency. Never can manage too many days on the run but today I need to record my gratitude. Really I need to get my gratitude out there. My Dad, who makes things and takes me to B&Q and is always there. I am so grateful for him. An hour sat chatting with Number 2. He's 14 and mothers are not often spoken to as knowledgeable colleagues of Minecraft and Steam but tonight I was. Yarn packs by Attic 24. Dang but that girl is lucky to be so famous for crochet. I'm glad it's possible. Pasta meals. Quick, easy and tasty. Thank God. Sarah Ban Breathnach. I'm reading Peace and Plenty, a sort of financial tome. Will I have more money at the end? I doubt it, but I'll be happy.

Last Monday I took my Mini Me off for breakfast. We had to get up early (for a holiday) at 8am to take DP to school. Poor lad, he's in his GCSE year so he had 4 days in school for revision and extra cramming during his Easter holidays. Thank God this week has been easier on the lad, with a chance for more lie ins. A fruit smoothie for elevenses? So we took the opportunity of spending quality time together, Mummy and Daughter. This was a chance to go to Dunelm Mill (we have a new one near us now ; we both love a good smooch in a homewares store) and to indulge in their excellent breakfast special; pot of tea and a bacon bap for 2.95. It's always expensive to take a whole family out; breakfast for all of us would very easily mount up to £15 or £18. This way even with our coffee and cake for elevenses it came to about £10 for a morning's worth of quality family interaction. Does anyone else love those caramelised biscuits? I adore them!  This way we got to talk a...

WI quiz night. We won! Roast pork made into tortillas tonight. Hostages on TV and finding a new programme to watch. Watching my hyacinths growing daily. Sashenka on my Kindle.  I'm enjoying this book a lot.

My nephew helping me to add a sitemap to Mr Angel Jem's website. Slow cooked lamb with mint sauce. Match of the day and some good football. Building links both virtual and actual. Crocheting a ripple blanket that keeps my knees warm.

Football on Sky. I love watching it with Mr AJ who gets real enjoyment from it. Cheap hyacinths at Morrisons. January isn't January without them. Brisket beef that takes 5 hours to cook. And Yorkshire pudding. Closing the curtains at dusk after a cold sharp day. A new crochet magazine with interesting reading and a cute free gift. What I spent Hyacinths 4×1.25 Magazines 2× 4.99 Mini chocolate 2× 42p

Tivo meaning I could watch an excellent episode of Simon Schama's history of the Jews that I recorded back in September. Kindle meaning I can read Robert Harris' new novel, An Officer and  Spy about the Dreyfuss Affair in France. Laptops meaning I spent about 2 hours trying to get a site web for Mr Angel Jem's website. Galaxy Tab meaning I can post on Blogger even now while my laptop recharges. My Family meaning all of the above are only tools to enhance my life with Mr AJ, DP, JW and the Princess. Money spent 4.48 on a wrap from McDonald's for lunch 9.30 on fish for tea and a small custard pie that had my name on. I haven't spent much on line this week: what I have has been refundable by other sources (for school or business) so I'm happy with that.  First sign of the laptop out and I get asked to do this, that or the other. Being busy is a good way to avoid spending.

Going back to school after a holiday knowing that I was going BACK to the same school. Baked camembert for lunch thus combining a treat for the first day with finishing off some stuff from Christmas. Watching Dead Poets Society with DP and wishing I could have had or been a teacher like Mr Keating. Fried mushrooms. Teaching someone to multiply decimals and watching him get it. Money spent today. 9.50 on Doritos for lunch, chorizo and peas for tea.

Mr Angel Jem's new business and the fact he keeps pushing me past my comfort zone. A quiet Sunday afternoon with the FA cup and the last of the Christmas tin of Roses, Planning ahead for the week; menu planned, work planned and social life, such as it is, planned. Playing Filofax. New diary, new year. Cottage pie for tea. I still have to make this; a quiet half hour in the kitchen and something warm and rib sticking for tea! Money Spent Nothing today. No books, no magazines, nothing.

Watching Death Comes to Pemberley with Mr Angel Jem and then today with my eldest and youngest. Having a lovely chicken and chorizo paella to make for candlelit supper for just me and Mr AJ tonight. Watching the rain on the windowpane outside as I sit inside. Rippling along with MY blanket Pear cider nicely chilled Money Spent today £29 in Tesco's. It was 4 pies for lunch, some ladies necessities, 2 tea towels for £1.75 and two magazines that fell into my basket; this month's Country Homes and Interiors and Craftseller, just for the Scotty Dog. £2.99 on John Newman's album, Tribute. This was with a £2 voucher from Money Saving Expert

Messing on the computer to draw up a poster for Attendance Tigers at school Sharing chips with curry sauce with my three children A Virgin TiVo box that means I can watch Sherlock again (and again and again) Having Nordic slippers that keep my feet warm The final day of Christmas lights. I'm de-Noelling tomorrow Money Spent today Chips £9 (included a curry sauce and large sausages) Drinks £3 Filofax Finance sheets £2.50 I sort of feel I should record what I've smoked and what I weigh in a Bridget Jones way, but I didn't ever enjoy that book, I don't smoke, and I daren't tell anyone yet the truth. So, no. Gratitude and spending are enough for now.

My children My parents Being able to sort out the firm's IT so far Sherlock.... how did he survive? My favourite is the bungee jump. Having a footie mad husband who comes in from a game and expects me to have ordered flyers without him. Duh?