Pie Making and Paul Temple

What it should look like

It's the little things that perk you up me thinks.
Today was a case in point.
I've not felt like blogging for a few days ( hence the lazy posts) there has been nothing major to report, just little to write about.
Life gets like that sometimes.
This morning I am just about to make an Italian potato crust pie for lunch whilst listening to reruns of Paul Temple and the Gregory Affair on iplayer.  The Prof has been writing in his study since before dawn.
I have learnt an age ago that Academics often work better creatively in the early mornings.
I cannot speak before 6 am.
At 11 am as I was walking the dogs I spied a young boy of about ten on the village green. He was collecting dead wood from the shrubbery and was placing it into a waste bin. I realised that he thought that the volunteers that I had called for weeding duties was this week instead of next which was a shame
I had not seen him before but I thanked him for coming and promised him extra cake if he turned up next Sunday.
In this busy world , where no one has the time for volunteering , it was nice to see one little boy making an effort.

My " more rustic" pie

Paso

She's nearly 60!

It was all strangely hypnotic 

A Blind Old Dog

My old boy having a hug

He's the sweetest old dog I have ever had

He breaks my heart

No News

Mary accompanied me on the bus today.
We went to collect the car.
Mary loves the bus and No longer gets bus sick.
You may recall that the first time she went, she barfed into the leg pocket of my combat trousers

Animal helper Pat caught the bus too. She is suffering from macular degeneration so cannot now recognise people until they speak, but she remains cheerful and positive and uncomplaining .
She's a brave adorable lady.

Later in the day I bumped into policewoman Jo, who was out with her two greyhounds. They had matching blue leather coats on with fur lined trim. I told her that they looked like Joan and Jackie Collins.

The Prof's had a hard and busy day and is dozing in the arm chair.
I prepared Thai dumplings for supper

Speaking of dumplings

Why I Love Dogs

This photo pleased me today.
The sight of four farm dogs leading their stranded livestock to high ground after the hurricane floods in Florida brought a smile to my face! Enjoy

Autumn

According to my fitbit, I took over 20,000 steps yesterday.
Today I will be stir crazy as I am waiting for our new dining table to be delivered. As I wait I shall be shampooing the living room carpet.
It's a case of the real world muffling excitement today me thinks.
To cap it all , it's raining buckets.

Today the world seems very claustrophobic and small.
In a few weeks, it will feel a whole lot bigger.
New York in early November
I hope the trees in Central Park will be still in leaf

Window Art- Workman/Winnie Update

I'm waiting for a chap to arrive who will measure up the new kitchen window.

It's on the lane side of the cottage and used to be the top bit of the original kitchen door.

The workman has been here before. He is the cheerful one who is frightened of dogs.

Originally I wanted to incorporate this simple bit of glass art into the window itself.

We bought it from a small art shop in Broadstairs and I thought it rather sweet.

It looks lovely with the sun shining through it

Postscript: The window guy turned up after lunch. I met him at the kitchen door with Mary in my arms.
He looked round me at William and George who were wagging their tails at him
" Have you still got the big one?" he asked nervously
" She's upstairs in bed!" I told him " come in" 
The window guy got out his tape measure and moments later was kneeling on the kitchen work top sizing up window with a practised eye.
"You want the window to open inwards don't you? " he asked rather loudly and from upstairs there was a massive thud of bulldog feet on floorboards.
Winnie had heard him.
The workman looked at me suddenly
" Brace Yourself" I told him.
I noticed that he was very slow to get down from the worktop and moments later Winnie thundered into the kitchen puffing like a steam train .
On seeing the workman she launched herself against the worktop with her paws on the drawers and demanded a kiss.
" she's a big bastard!" He laughed patting Winnie on the head.
But he didn't get off the worktop until I pulled her away to the other side of the kitchen!