The Lockdown Gang - Indomitable Lobstars ?⭐️

Grammaretto that must have been very sad to lose your father at such a young age. You mother must have found it hard to cope especially with a young baby.
Ok I must confess. I am sorry but I really like kale so I nipped up and stole it when you weren’t looking. ?
It was very cold and windy here today. Glad you your impromptu garden party went well and a lovely visit from your son too. What a nice day for you. ?
Mamissimo a new puppy in the family. That’s nice. What make of puppy is it?
So, sowing and sewing. I hope you don’t muddle the two up or MrM will go to bed and find it is full of turnips and garlic ?
Ah I see you’re a secret Sherry drinker. Now we know what you mean when you say you’re going to play in the compost. ?
Nfk so you are expecting a grand puppy next year too. Nice for the older dog to have company.
Love the sound of your playroom. I have visions of a wooden rocking horse and a dolls house. ?
Cherry I’m sorry to hear you too lost your father at such a young age. Must have been difficult for your mother too.
She does indeed sound amazing.
It’s a shame social services don’t take note of children being shouted at. Hope those 2 young ones are being looked after by their dad.
How do you know if you are having a brain cell breakdown if you don’t mind me asking? (Or was that a joke, it’s hard to tell with you cheeky Cherry ?)
We went for a walk this afternoon and nearly got blown away.
So cold. We met a friend we hadn’t seen for a while and ha d a socially distanced catch-up and then our son came over with our elder DGD to drop off a card and gift for tomorrow which was nice.
We have decided to give up on watching the Terror. Apart from the sound quality we don’t find it that interesting. Next week Line of Duty is due to start a new series so we will watch that instead.
Hope the Panaches are doing ok.
Have a good night all.

Jan I can't really imagine the shock it must have been to you and your family for your DH to have died to suddenly whilst undergoing a medical check. I'm glad that you found love again in your life ?

Nfk, like Doodle I have my own ideas about your playroom and it's not dissimilar either. May I ask if, in "normal" times is any one else allowed in your room to play? ?

Brr, your walk sounded bracing ?. Nice that you met a friend and had a catch-up. How lovely of your DS and DGD to come over to give you a gift and card for tomorrow ?
My WP is still watching The Terror and happily told me all about the last episode I avoided like the plague missed. I can't remember a single thing he told me ?
Ah, my brain cell breakdown knowledge ?. Yes, joke in part but not entirely. In recent years, due to my epilepsy, I have become a bit aphasic and I don't always know if I can locate the words I need to ?. When I'm tired it's more difficult and I seem to tire easily these days ?.

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So much proof over the last few postings that come what may, we are indeed Indomitable.
Grammaretto a successful and obviously fun party at your place with your dear wee matriarch, despite the cold (the champagne an ideal antidote )

Cherry You are right on all counts about my student so I'm trying to inject some lightness and humour into our tuition sessions. Despite my gloomy reportage of same, we also laugh quite a lot. I'm hoping that will lead to a breakthrough.

Have SS never heard that verbal abuse has long been regarded as just as damaging as physical? How sad that Dad doesn't seem to care much either.

Gubbins didn't come for breakfast (bacon, spinach, tomatoes - then artisan almond croissants and blueberry tart to take home) because DS doesn't feel his car is safe enough now.

He's hoping to get a hybrid. Our excellent mechanic is taking him, tomorrow, to a friend who sells them.

Pictures from the website:
www.facebook.com/craftybakernz
How sad I'm carb-free and can enjoy only the pictures!

More energetic talk about moving to the UK of course. He's not an impulsive person but a planner and researcher and likes to have absolutely every T crossed and every i dotted, so there'll be no moves overseas quite yet.

We also discussed (much to his chagrin) funerals.

I do so envy people who have dogs, or even access to one. There's a lady lives down our road whose sister used to visit with a gorgeous Borzoi called Ruby.
She and I made great friends (sister was amazed I knew the breed) but we're all a lot more arthritic now and visits are infrequent.

I hope Panache and indeed all our friends who are battling on, can find some cheerfulness as the weather brightens and the Springtime flowers emerge.

You all seem so busy with so much going on. I'm really envious of the gardeners and wish I enjoyed planting and growing and looking forward to harvesting. We have a lovely outside space and it is calming and peaceful although the loss of a couple of trees last year needs addressing. I'd like to replace our Bramley Apple tree, although in a different part of the garden but can't buy one anywhere. I also want to put another tree close to where the Bramley stood but would like a tree that we can sit under (never sit under a Bramley in June or July).

Last night, the microwave part of our built-in combi oven made a sort of 'clonk' noise and stopped working. It is 2 months outside the guarantee. Everything else works but the combi and main oven came as a pair so I really want the microwave working. DH and I spent ages today trying to find someone who will try to repair it. Fingers crossed we have someone coming with some bits later in the week.

I'm still trying to keep as fit as I can! Walking and Pilates today, my youngest DS has asked if he can meet us for a walk tomorrow as well. I'm really looking forward to that.

Today we had a long video session with our eldest DGD, her Dad and our DiL. It's amazing, our DGD hated school but this week she seems to have enjoyed it - especially the chocolate cake and ice cream at lunch (normally she is such a very fussy eater). DS seems less stressed too and was on good form. They plan to visit us outside in the garden in April. How will I keep myself from hugging them - I don't know?

We took delivery of a large, cast iron chiminea today - we thought we would be more likely to see friends in the garden if we have some heating. It is very heavy. DH will have to assemble it - I'll read out the instructions.

Next week I need to tackle my car insurers. The annual cost has risen by 20%. My car has done just 2000 miles in a year. I think they should be paying me to stay with them.

Panache, I hope you are finding some calm with your dearest.

I hope that Cherry's neighbour gets the help she and her children need.

I'm tired and need some hot chocolate tonight. Please Doodle, is it OK if Jeeves makes me some?

Bramley Apple trees for sale, various heights.

www.ashridgetrees.co.uk/bramley-apple-trees

www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/trees/apple-trees/cooking-apples/bramleys-seedling

www.primrose.co.uk/bramley-apple-trees-c-4561_12797_5684_5685_12995.html

www.treesdirect.co.uk/product/bramley-apple-trees/

Save the old apple wood, it makes a wonderful basis for smoking and BBQing things.

Kaimoana, I have PM'd you. Thank you.

Wow! Kaimoana you beat me to it by a long way with all the places Missedout can find herself a Bramley.
I have a Bramley and I am still enjoying apples from last year. I'm down to the small ones now they don't look much like the picture but are delish.

Funny coincidence too. I bought a microwave on gumtree last night and am off to fetch it in a wee while.

If DH knew he would be horrified but I use the one in the grannyflat all the time so I am buying the new/ 2ndhand one for either the flat or for me. I am about to take the plunge and advertise the flat.

I am a lazy gardener and I employ a gardener one morning a week so it doesn't look too disreputable. I dabble and sow seeds. The Birnam oaks acorns have almost broken through but not quite. I am also impressed by the real gardeners like Mamissimo

Looking forward to hearing more news of walks, sunshine and DGC.

Panache

Missedout for simply the best advice on an apple replacement give the wonderful people at Brogdale a ring....

brogdaleonline.co.uk/buy-mail-order-trees/

They are fruit specialists, non exploitative and so helpful and knowledgeable. I've really enjoyed my fruit tree journey with their help.

The new grand puppy seems to be settling in well but I do notice in the endless cascade of puppy pictures hourly updates, that the carpet shampooer is in every photo!

Grammaretto I love a microwave.....they're deeply unfashionable but so useful for real life nuking ease. DS would have lived on junk food when he was working late evening shifts if it hadn't been for the dinners I plated for him to nuke. If something makes life easier I'm all for it!

As it's Mothering Sunday I can choose what to do.....so I'm nipping out to dibble ?

Thank you all for the advice and links for online Bramley apple trees. The trouble is, when I follow the links, they are out of stock, apart from the last link in Kaimoana's list which has a small (1- 1.2 m) tree in a pot available. All say they will not have any until the autumn 2021. I want to replace a large tree with one that will grow to a similar size. I don't think I will be around for a 1 metre tree to gain it's full height.

I'm just getting over a very long walk with DH and our DS. We walked further than I would normally have liked but we didn't want DS to leave and he wouldn't come in the house. My other ACs sent flowers for Mother's Day. I don't usually worry about Mother's Day but this year, I feel sad.

Hello all. A late entry for me today. DH decided he wanted our main meal about 3pm rather than our usual 6 or 7 as he wanted to see if having a meal earlier would help him sleep better. We sat and watched an old film, The Ipcress File with Michael Cane. Very nostalgic. Old phones, old style music and dress. ?
Cherry thank you for explaining your brain cell breakdown. I now understand what you mean.
I am glad we have given up on The Terror. I read the book first so I know what happens otherwise I might have persevered.
Kaimoana I think I will put a ban on food photos. Every time I scroll past that photo of the almond croissants my mouth starts watering ?
Glad you had a nice time with your son. Hope he finds a suitable car soon so you can have more visits with Gubbins
Funerals are a difficult topic to discuss I agree but how will our children know what we want if we don’t tell them. You’re not planning on going anywhere are you??
Missedout we don’t have a garden anymore but a communal space. Recently it has become a bit overgrown so our more green fingered neighbours have been out and bought a whole new range of plants based on colour and fragrance. These will be plated this coming week so we are looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
I have a combi oven too. It sits side by side with my ordinary oven. I would be lost without it, I use it every day. Hope yours gets fixed soon.
Hope you enjoyed your walk with your son. Bit blustery here.
Good luck with your heater. Hopefully we can get to spend more time with others soon.
Jeeves is always at your beck and call. No need to ask. He loves being wanted. ?
Grammaretto good luck with your purchase hope the microwave is ok.
Is the flat part of your house or a separate building. It might be nice to have someone living near by.
Mamissimo your mention of the carpet shampooer made me laugh. Oh the joys of a new puppy ?
Hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day dibble. I am enjoying a restful day apart from DH having an argument with the online prescription requesting service at our local surgery. It keeps timing out before he has finished. I think another glass of wine is called for ?
Panache hope all is well with you.
Not heard from dragonfly for a while, hope all is ok.
Take care all

Ooh Kaimoana those pastries do look yummy ?, I've not long eaten my dinner but they look very inviting - just as well they are only pictures!
It sounds like you had a lovely bit of one to one time with your DS ?. I hope he finds his new car soon, if he thinks his current mode of transport isn't safe for Gubbins it definitely needs to be ditched. I'll skip over one of the topics you discussed, not because of my own sensibilities, I'm amending my will tomorrow! Nothing major, but when I originally did it it never in a million years occurred to me idiot that I'd become a great aunt again.
No, it appears that SS have never heard of verbal abuse, even when laws have been changed to explicitly recognise it! It almost makes my blood boil to be honest.

I'm definitely no gardening expert Missedout, I let my WP worry about that, but it's curious to me why the apple trees will be available at the very same time of year as they tend to fruit ?. I know we didn't buy any of our fruit trees close to their fruiting time. I'm wondering now whether that's when we should have bought them? They're all healthy and produce copious amounts of fruit so my WP must have done something right ?
Sorry to hear that the microwave part of your cooker has gone, especially since it's not long after the guarantee ran out. Something that does mysteriously seem to happen to these kind of things. It happened to us with our last fridge freezer ?

Have you Welsh people watched the Pottery Throwdown yet?
Just asking

I have enjoyed rather too much white wine this evening. Thanks Jeeves for keeping me upright.

Puppies. Who'd have 'em. They are adorable but a lot of work. I came across several on my walk today and also a Romanian rescue dog. I am highly suspicious of these rescue dogs as I can't help thinking it is the awful puppy farmers again. It was a nice enough dog.

Collecting the microwave was interesting. The person selling it was someone I know but I didn't recognise the name as he got someone else to put the advert on. His adult son, who I had also met a few times, died recently from kidney failure and his poor dad was clearing his flat and trying to raise some money for a kidney disease charity. Mum died a few years ago.

Tomorrow someone is coming to collect the riser/recliner chair which we were given when DH needed it and nobody would take it back. A woman who has had a stroke is going to use it, hopefully.

The granny flat is within the house Doodle so it is not everyone's choice but we have let it out successfully in the past. It is self contained.

Your communal garden sounds lovely. I have great sympathy for MrDude. I loathe with a capital L dealing with robots!

I agree with you and Cherry about Kaimoana's pastries Too good by far.

I'm going to have a hot chocolate now, thankyou Jeeves. To sober me up?

I'm never sure about these rescue dogs Grammaretto. I remember that equine charities being taken for a ride (no pun intended) by not very nice people in Ireland breeding donkeys to sell to them as rescue animals.

I like puppies, they're adorable - but only when they belong to other people and don't live with me.

Those Bramley apples look wonderful Kaimoan. DH doesn't like cooked apple though, I think its the texture, so we rarely have need of a Bramley. Our neighbour planted an apple tree just the other side of the fence, seemingly not realising or noticing our resident plum tree growing well above the fence on our side. It must be all of fourteen inches away. And its a Bramley - we can't even benefit from any windfalls on our side!

Endless trouble with my computer this week.
Seems as if the new one DS is facilitating, will arrive just in the Nicholas of Tempus (family joke).

You're brave Grammaretto, to have people living in the house; self contained or not.
I'd be sleeping with an axe under my pillow

Yes, I have a Will extant but left every subsequent decision to DS - who is free NOT to have a funeral if he chooses.
I want the cheapest possible container; my mother had a carboard coffin. The rest is silence

Yes, dragonfly has been quiet for a while, at least on here. Hope she's all right.

Good idea of Mamissimo's to consult the fruit tree experts, they may have advice on how you could access a non-advertised tree of the height you need Missedout

If I whisper this very quietly, do you promise not to tell?

I limited my intake off bakery goodies to one corner of an almond croissant and finally, this morning, got round to the half chocolate doughnut I'd chosen. The rest went to the family as treats.

The croissant was too dense, all that lovely almond paste and nuts was a bit OTT for me. And there was far too much chocolate, deliciously gooey though it was, in the doughnut.

It was a first purchase in an attempt to support a local, family-run shop which is doing extremely well without my patronage.
So I doubt I'll go again, unless the family want something but truth to tell, they don't have sweet tooths either and I'd guess they too found it all a bit rich.

Give me a Nairn's oatcake and a fresh tomato and you can keep your fancy pastries

Doodle my recalcitrant computer has prevented me visiting the Dean for a few days. I miss that garden.

And finally, for the dog who has everything - except a trained bladder - Dog Diapers.
Come in a variety of sizes and colours and brings a whole new meaning to dog napping.

Hiya Gang,
You have to eat the whole almond croissant to get the full impact Kaimoana. I think the most delicious I ever tasted was from a baker in Wellington with a queue outside. In Kandallah? Kilbirnie? NZ is very cosmopolitan nowadays and everywhere we went there was International street food.
I must have breakfast.

How did you find the photo of DS's puppy? She is fully house trained now, I am assured, so doesn't need the nappies.

Are you a gt uncle or a gt aunt, Cherry? That was what my DB asked me when he became an uncle. and now he's a DGF himself....... Tempus Fugit unless you catch him early

I want to invite a df to have coffee in my garden cos we are allowed to but I will have to check with the weather Gods.
I hope it's sunny where you all are.

When you think you had better paint your toenails cause they are really horrible and the sun is shinning so you might want to put sandals on and you finish one foot and find the b....y bottle of varnish is empty - ???

Grammaretto I have Welsh ancestry and have watched pottery throw down but I expect it the Welsh in Wales you are talking to .
I hope your new microwave is working ok. Strange you knew the family it came from.. How sad that the young man died.
It’s nice that someone can make use is your reclining chair. We had a push along trolley that my SIL had before she died and so far 3 families have benefited from it being passed on.
Does your granny flat have a separate entrance? It may be nice to have someone else around.
Our communal garden is nice. Not very big but a lawned area with high borders and some flower beds. We have some neighbours who love gardening and they have been out on our behalf and picked a variety of shrubs for all round colour and fragrance. We are also having a herb garden based round a bay tree with mint, sage, thyme and something I have forgotten ?
Nfk I had a friend once who took a rescue dog. They had to get rid of it after it bit one of the children. Others I know have had lovely dogs. Hard to tell unless the background is known.
My sons both have dogs. One is cute and cuddly the other a very beautiful looking dog. Both are being careful as there is a lot of dog stealing happening in lockdown. I think those that steal dogs need high sentences to deter them. The poor owners are left devastated.
My DH doesn’t eat apples. They don’t agree with him shame really as he loves Apple strudel ?
Kaimoana ooh a new computer. That will be helpful if the old one’s playing up. Oh what a shame you’ve missed the Dean’s garden congregation. He was in the Turkey house today as it was raining. They have three turkeys the male being named Darcy. What a splendid creature he is with the most wonderful rear feather display. I must confess I get so carried away with watching him fan out his feathers I forget what else is going on ?
I think any self respecting dog would be terribly embarrassed to wear one of those nappies. Just look at the expression on his face.
Grammaretto if that’s like your DS’s puppy, he is very cute and cuddly.
Nice day for us. We expected rain but it didn’t happen. Hope you have a nice coffee with your friends in the garden.
Jan if only I could reach my toes. I only once varnished my toenails when my son got married and I was wearing scrappy sandals. I have to wear tights, I can’t go barefoot in shoes. The nail varnish hadn’t set and I was attached to the tights for some time before I could peel them off ?.
Had a long chat with a friend this morning who was very upset about an incident in her family. I haven’t been able to shake it off all day. I feel so sorry for them.
Cherry Panache Dragonfly hope you are all ok.

Your joke about Rosemary (for remembrance) Doodle began my day with a laugh.

We are also having a herb garden based round a bay tree with mint, sage, thyme and something I have forgotten
Love it!
?

May or may not be back today - son is calling in with new car and to chat.
It's either feast or famine isn't it? But I'm taking advantage of the current feast.
Love to all.

Wish it was a joke Kaimoana ?
Ooh exciting news about the car. Enjoy your visit.

Third time lucky? I've had trouble posting on GN today, very hit and miss. Had trouble getting online this morning too. Hope this one succeeds before it evaporates in the the ether.

Yesterday's Match Report
?. We lost. The opposition didn't score but we lost anyway. We lost 1 nil. We lost because of an OG (own goal) ?. Drat!

Straight answer to your question Grammaretto. No. Apart from the footie I watch very little TV these days. I watch the occasional drama series, eg. Grace last night but maybe only watch a couple of things on tv each week. There are things I think I'd like to watch, like the Great Pottery Throwdown, but when the time comes round I find I don't want to watch tv at all so I don't.
?, I'm definitely a great aunt not a great uncle! Cherry the Great you could say ?. Tsar of ...? Okay, maybe not Cherry the Great then!
That's really sad Grammaretto, a father clearing his son's flat because his son died. It's never meant to be that way round is it. I think it's great that the money he raises is going to a kidney disease charity, a wonderful way to honour his son and you have donated to that by buying the microwave ?

We won't tell anyone about the croissant nibbling or doughnut munching Kaimoana ?. I shouldn't eat cheese so please don't tell anyone that I ate cauliflower cheese for dinner. It was naughtily gorgeous though.

Oh Cherry an own goal. ?. Better luck next time as they say.
I had cauliflower tonight too. I ordered one online and when it came it was huge. But it was all show and no substance if you know what I mean. Very frilly on the outside but nothing in the middle. I decided to make cauliflower rice. Never done it before but I thought I would give it a go.
Wasn’t too bad, a bit dry I suppose but I put peas and bored beans in with it and zapped it in the microwave.
Cherry the Great, Tsar of being cheerful ?
Jeeves will be round later with the beverage trolley. He is now ready to dispense whatever takes your pleasure .......within reason. ?

Your son didn't mess around getting his new car then Kaimoana. I am pleased. Enjoy your feast ?

Jan ?. I have strange toes so I rarely wear sandals and I don't use nail varnish, it would draw too much attention to them ?.

Shame apples don't agree with Mr D when he likes an apple strudel Doodle. I love bramley apples cooked with dried fruit.

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Oooh Cheery me too!
I core an apple and fill it full of sultanas and/or apricots, then bake it. Lovely with a sharp, plain yoghurt.

Ah, the secret wasn't that I ate a bit of croissant and half a donut but that having paid that much for artisan luxury baking, I actually didn't reckon much to it

And I too have wonky psoriatic toes, so though I can still get to them, no varnish is involved much insulting language though

Communicare tomorrow and I'm taking printed placemats for our clients to colour.
Happy Easter ones and Bunnies. The Co-ordinator will laminate them - and the ones I did.

Back to the elders' group on Thursday and it seems the buffoon who's made things difficult for me over the past 2+ years, is going to be hauled before the committee. About flippin' time.

I'm re-reading/listening to Ian Mortimer's Time Traveller Guide; this one to the Restoration. I love it, even though the narration is a little lacklustre with no apparent change in voice tone between dialogue and narrative which makes it hard to differentiate on audio.

Has anyone ever tried 'blob (or splodge) painting'?

Wet water colour paper splodged with diluted w/c paint, left to dry and then, with a little imagination and a fine, black pen, turned into a picture.
I think maybe I could manage that.
Picture is example from the webpage, not mine.

The new car: Honda Fit
well named too because it needs to be fit to carry my precious family.

The boy only stayed long enough to show me his new chariot and eat eggs on toast, his not having had any breakfast, silly lad but I'm not complaining.

Cherry, the Tzarina of Cheerfulness

Hi Lobstars,

My witty, pithy, missive written last night has vanished and I can no longer remember what it was about.

I'm sure you can do splodge painting Kaimoana
I still use the book Fun with Art, bought in the 1970s and includes many methods of creating attractive daubs.

I may buy it for DGD with birthday approaching. I have been told no clothes as she has plenty and now has no time to wear most of them so it's pyjamas and school uniform only.

The electric chair left in a white van yesterday with a man and his son who are landscapers and offered to do any jobs I needed doing.

My feet don't get pampered Jan though they could sure do with attention. I love the thought of walking barefoot on grass although one of the cats who thinks my garden is his has just pooed on the lawn.

A df came for a cuppa in the garden but it was late, cold and began to rain. Her DB was knocked down by a car and killed in the summer so we were a pair of miserable mourners.

A sad mixture of good and tragic news from you today Grammaretto but your electric chair went to a good home it seems.

Do we assume you'll be open to the public after Tom Stuart-Smith has had a go at your property?