The Simple Woman's Daybook - April

Outside my window: it's still light, at 8pm, which is so fabulous.

I am thinking: what a good boy Barnaby was today. We did seven miles in quite windy weather and he didn't put a foot wrong, bless him.

I am thankful for: my eldest son helping me muck out last week. I was ill on the Wednesday and if he hadn't been here I think I would have cried!

I am wearing: navy blue jods and a sweatshirt, so comfy.

I am reading: The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. I have just satisfied my own curiosity and found that it was first published in 1943. It's a story of a roman called Marcellus who was one of the soldiers who crucified Christ and threw dice afterwards and won Christ's robe. The story is unravelling of his adventures in trying to track down who this man Jesus was and it's gripping. I'm just over half way through.

I am hoping/praying: that the people will come and fix Son 1's boiler so he can actually have a bath, poor man.

On my mind: I must send off entry forms for the Chatsworth sponsored ride, the TREC event in May and the pleasure ride round Clumber Park. And I must get birthday cards made for so many people this month.

From the kitchen: Tonight it was lamb shanks, so delicious. Tessa got her share as Mr O has forgotten to buy dog food yet again!

I am creating: I am practising with my heat embossing gun. It is absolutely fascinating. But how do you hold a stamped image and not burn yourself, as the gun is quite hot? In the end I got an old heat resistant chopping board from the kitchen and stuck the image on that with a glue dot so it didn't blow away while I applied the heat gun, and didn't have to touch it at all - result!

I am hearing: my darling husband sniggering whilst watching his favourite team (Manchester United) playing Chelsea. The washing machine is burbling away in the background (Tiny Cottage is open plan).

Noticing that: the painting of Zak still hasn't been put up somewhere.

Around the house: The place is spotless! This is because Missis rang and said the architect was coming round at 2pm so we had 10 minutes to clean up. I hid all the dirty dishes in the oven! (I bet you've never done that!)

One of my favourite things: Eccles cakes. We saw a TV programme a few weeks ago about how they're made. We both declared that we don't like them. Then Mr O bought me some and I've been eating them ever since! Basically they're loads of sultanas and raisins wrapped in pastry. Gorgeous.

A scripture thought: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

A few plans for the rest of the week: summoning up the strength to walk down to the village and back to see if I've sold any cards. I need to clean my tack before the pleasure ride on Sunday.

A picture thought:

Every year the daffs come up in our field over the road. This year was the perfect time for Mothering Sunday, so the boys sold them to passersby and made quite a bit of money. I think spring must be my favourite season.