A cup of tea

I asked hubby for a cup of tea, ten minutes ago. He put the kettle on then wandered off somewhere. I can’t make it myself as I’m walking around with crutches. My balance is a bit off and I’m still in pain so I’m struggling to support my weight on my foot, I’m getting better but the damage only happened four days ago.

I know it’s hard for him, his mental health isn’t good. I asked him to cook tea earlier. I had to tell him to read the instructions, he can’t hear me because he gets irritated by his hearing aids. When he’s in the kitchen and I’m in the living room, he says my voice sounds like “wah wah wah”. Then he accused me of “mansplaining”, I was just trying to help him. I know his anxiety is bad, how do I help without appearing to interfere?

I’ve just written this and still no sign of him!

Foods ‘interesting’

I can’t get in the kitchen to cook meals, my ankle won’t take my weight and I can’t stand to stir things. So my hubby has had to discover the microwave and things other than boiled eggs (which he can do). He assumed a frozen potato and a chilled cornish pastie would take the same time to heat in the microwave on the same plate….

I pointed out that he should look on the packaging. Tea is a bit bland and boring, but at least it’s safe. My hubby can’t hear the alarm on the cooker that tells you the food has been in for it’s cooking time…

But very kindly, a friend came and did some shopping for us. Hubby doesn’t always get things that are on the list. He substitutes things like natural yoghurt for fruit yoghurt (probably healthier) or will buy three bunches of grapes and five tins of tomatoes instead of one. It’s not wrong, but I don’t have the cupboard space. BUT he’s learning, making decisions, working things out. And I am truly thankful.

Medicinal garden

At Ford Green Hall there is a small medicinal garden, various herbs are grown there including oriental poppies, marjoram, lavender, mint, teasle and other plants including apples and wild flowers.

I wish I could get some things to knit and heal my foot and ankle. Maybe I should have collected some seeds while I was there. The wet weather has made cottage garden plants really big and blousy. Life is interesting how medicinal plants like feverfew and valerian can help with illness. Not everything is safe to take, but it’s good that medicines have plants as a basis for remedies and cures.

English breakfast

We had to go out early this morning so we popped in a cafe at Penkhull for breakfast. It was nice to sit down and eat in although there was only one table inside, (there are more outside but it was raining).

I don’t normally take photos of food, but this struck me as an image that explains what a full English breakfast is. Hiding under the tomatoes were two slices of bacon. It also came with toast and a cup of tea. Additionally you could have mushrooms and black pudding, but this was too much! I was defeated and left some toast and beans.

I’ve never been sure about hash browns though? Are they part of a traditional full English breakfast? I don’t know.

Don’t forget Ukraine!

Ukrainian grain silos and stores came under fire in Oddessa yesterday after President Putin of Russia stopped allowing ships transporting grain to leave the port and travel in safety.

By doing this Russia is not only attacking the country of Ukraine and it’s Crimean cities, but also the countries that they supply with food.

Before the war started Ukraine exported food around the world. They helped feed hungry people. Now with all the war and vile behaviour the Russia has enacted on the country they are not able to continue. So the behaviour of one man is impacting on people in many countries.

I don’t know what the outcome will be, but the war and destruction, killing of innocent men women and children, and the threats against their infrastructure must stop.

Chomped cherries!

Pecked at!

We just gathered some cherries off the ground because the rain and wind has knocked a lot off the tree. This is about a third of them that were too bruised, damaged or pecked. The rest have just been washed thoroughly in salty water and I’ve put them in the fridge to eat tomorrow. I will thoroughly rinse them again first.

The plan is to get a broom or a stick to try and pull some more down and collect them in an upturned umbrella. I hope the weather doesn’t intervene in the meantime! Praying the wind doesn’t whip up and blow them off. There’s still plenty left for the birds…

Waiting for cherries

Three years ago our cherry crop was already picked. The tree came from the old Woolworths shop in Stoke about twenty five years ago. It must have been happy because now it’s about thirty feet high.

The cherries are starting to ripen, but they are not ready yet. Maybe next week we can reach the lower ones. The rest we donate to the birds. One thing I need to do is buy a big umbrella, it really helps to stop the cherries we pick from rolling off into the undergrowth!

Willows pattern plate (Thai food)

Willow pattern

I haven’t got the hang of social media food posting. I either take photos of the plates before I get the food or after I’ve eaten it!

We’ve just been for a birthday meal at Sawadee Thai taste in Stoke. It’s becoming a redular thing. Tonight we had starters of athai fishcakes and spare ribs, then red duck curry and jasmine rice. We used to have more food but I’m trying to be good as its all too nice but too filling! Plus I had some mango and pineapple pieces for afters. Full up and sleepy now…