I can't deny, I am relieved this week has gone by quickly. These dark mornings are making it more and more difficult for me to get out of bed early each day, and once again I'm more than ready for the break our half-term brings. A time to unwind, unhurried mornings and days to do whatever I please.
Today has been one such day. After enjoying my first coffee of the day in bed, I spent the next hour or so lazily putting a wash on, ironing and having a general tidy up of the downstairs rooms before breakfast.
Now that the weather has turned cooler, one thing I do look forward to each morning is a delicious bowl of hot porridge. I always make this on the hob, never in the microwave. Now I'm not someone for whom it can keep me going until lunchtime, but it definitely helps me make it through to my mid morning snack. 😆 And to go with it I've also discovered the perfect use for my leftover blackberries, which have been taking up room in the freezer since August - compote. *
Breakfast over, I finally got around to colouring my hair, which I'm sure would have proved a far less arduous task had I not kept putting it off for several weeks. Mog, who was sleeping on the bed ocassionally opening one eye just to see what I was doing.
The rest of the day was spent working my way through various household chores, including a trip to the supermarket, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Lunch was quite delicious - leftover curry from last night, which just needed heating through. Yum!
The rest of the day was spent working my way through various household chores, including a trip to the supermarket, and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Lunch was quite delicious - leftover curry from last night, which just needed heating through. Yum!
The best part of the day, however, has been the fact that my hip is feeling absolutely fine, not so much as a twinge, even following a short run with a friend last night, and also my sore throat has all but disappeared. This makes me so happy. Thank you all so much for your concern, I hope I've seen the last of any ailments for a while now.
This evening I've baked some flapjack, the candles are lit and I intend to read a few chapters of my book.
J. X
*To make the compote, weigh the blackberries and add half their weight in sugar - I used some leftover jam sugar which gives a slightly firmer set. Add to a pan and heat gently until the fruit softens and it begins to simmer. Add a generous pinch of ground cinnamon and ground cloves and continue to simmer for approximately five minutes. Pour into a jar and allow to cool.
It's delicious served on porridge or stirred into natural yoghurt. The cinnamon and cloves add a tasty seasonal flavour.
