Shoshiplatypus

Preparations apace!

I made a good start yesterday on my pre-op preparations. I sorted the top of the kitchen freezer which is now virtually empty. While I was at it, and because there wasn’t too much in the fridge prior to my grocery delivery, I took everything out, removed all the shelves etc. and gave it a really good clean. I hardly recognise it…

I’ve now revamped my schedule and got rid of all the confusing separate pieces of paper. I’ve left plenty of room to add stuff as it arises.

Our spring garden

The garden is beginning to look really pretty again with the advent of spring (my favourite time of year). Between my various tasks I went outside and snapped away for a while.

I love all the beautiful tulips with their varied colours.

Lots of primroses on the primrose bank.

We are delighted to see that buds are coming out on our new plum tree. The first tree we bought was dead. Obviously it’s going to be several years before we get any plums.

The first camelias.

The rhubarb is coming along nicely. I hope we get a good crop this year.

Finally, meet our resident triffid. We don’t know what this plant is, but our next door neighbour gave it to us – she has several, and they grow to a great height with a big inflorescence. We will probably have to chain it up soon, before it pulls its roots up and starts wandering around the garden causing mayhem.

Despite appearances, it is planted behind the bird bath, not in it.

Kitties

Coming in from the garden this afternoon, they were really hungry, and then settled down, ultimately together in my hubby’s chair. Whose paw is that?

Visit from a friend

A friend of my hubby’s popped round yesterday afternoon – they discussed their model trains while I updated my grocery order. I then went through and saw the model engine he had made, all from a 3-D printer – very impressive. He ran it along a short section of track he’d also brought to show us, and then steam came out of the funnel! I asked if there was a heater inside and he said no – he took the cover off to reveal a small printed circuit, and he said there was a device for producing water vapour, like those miniature bonsai ornaments you can get, that also humidify the room. It was an amazing effect on this little engine! This man is brilliant and has been an electronics engineer as well as training to be an architect. He is a very interesting person and we all had a lively conversation together about creativity, design and other fun stuff. I showed him my studio and he said his wife and I should get together because she’s really into a lot of the same stuff I do. I wish my dad could have been around for this – he would have loved this guy and all his skills and interesting conversation!

This did stop me pressing on with today’s preparations a bit but I’m not putting huge pressure on myself, having planned to do a little each day till I have to go into hospital. I was in the middle of making bread when my hubby called me to see the train, and all I had to do was go back and stick the rest of the ingredients in the bread maker and the loaf was all done before 10 p.m. and cool enough to slice and freeze before bed. I’m making a couple of loaves to tide us over until I’m well enough to start doing it again.

A big grocery delivery later today, after which I shall begin some serious cooking for the freezer. I feel a lot more organised now, and just hope I’ll be able to squeeze everything in!