Frosty mornings, cosy roasts, Brats, chicken wine, low key days

Monday 1 July

Breakfast, inspired by Bill Granger, was lemony avocado on toast with a Virgin Mary on the side. Perfect. I got dressed before breakfast today, because it was so cold, and also because I wanted to feel snug and ready for the day.

After breakfast I started on some study and turned out a very productive session, beginning the exegetical draft of my Honours (after many months of research). At lunchtime, I took a break and speared a leg of lamb with garlic and rubbed it in marinade, before covering and setting aside to put into the oven a bit later on. While I did that, the dogs romped about in the backyard, stopping at the very edge of the Mother’s Day garden bed repeatedly and looking up at me in the kitchen window. I shook my finger and they cavorted away. Really I think they are deliberately pranking me with the threat of running all over the newish plants.

Today, while studying, I had Nigella playlists (via YouTube) ticking away in the background and that was very comforting. She was making all kinds of things … rhubarb jelly, caesar salad, spicy prawns, some kind of linguini, pavlova … all the things.

I worked on sewing in the ends for a long-promised, very overdue blanket. Then I put the roast on and prepped all the veggies – roast potatoes, roast carrots, roast parsnip, peas – and did the dishes. It was such a good day to just be at home getting things done and not feeling too sick (yay!) 

I’ve been able to do so much more crafting than, say, two months ago, all thanks to the shoulder injections I got at my long-awaited public rheumatologist visit. Unbeknownst to me I had bursitis in both shoulders, on top of all the other maladies, so having that fixed-for-now has been so incredible. Don’t take your mobility or health for granted, pals. I am sure you don’t. I don’t know why I said that.

I started the new cheerleader show on Netflix in the late afternoon and tore my way through to episode five. Totally recommend. Gosh.

Tuesday 2 July

Avocado and sliced roast potato on toast with sriracha. Heaps of pepper and some salt. Perfection.

Getting dressed: Old op shop jeans, grey skivvy, favourite soft blue jumper (op shopped also!), UGG boots.

I spent the morning studying and the afternoon finishing the long-promised blanket. I THINK I’ve sewn in all the ends. Now I have to find something to pack it into and then mail it on its way. So pleased.

Lunch was cold lamb and cold roast potatoes with tomato sauce and Sriracha.

Dinner was cheese and crackers with semi-dried tomatoes.

It was a cold, cold day, pals.

Wednesday 3 July

Brrrrr. Again. Smoked trout dip on sourdough for breakfast, wth several large cups of tea. The backyard is covered in frost, but it looks like it’s going to be a lovely, chilly sunny day.

I got dressed early, ordered some groceries and then tidied the kitchen (dishes, wiping down backsplash, wiping down stovetop and cupboards … I’m trying to get daily maintenance happening … to take it in my daily stride so I don’t have to panic if we have a rental inspection or similar.)

I made a giant lasagna to tide us over for a couple of meals too.

Getting dressed: PJs

I’m not feeling great, so I am trying to avoid going out if possible. Unless I start to feel better and then I might leave the house and get some fresh air or go to the op shop … just for a little treat.

Yesterday, for some reason, I started watching Wife Swap Australia on Prime. It’s such an entertaining show. So heartbreaking and life affirming and interesting. I know it looks like rubbish on the surface – and from all accounts the US version is pretty nasty –  but it’s really not. I really like it.

Thursday 4 July

Nipped out to the pharmacy early (to beat the parking snarls), now back home having breakfast (grilled cheese and tomato on toast) and a big cup of tea. Also catching up on Love Island UK because I am still in the mood for very low stakes shows.

Getting dressed: Olive green floral dress, black leggings, black marle cardigan (from Saver’s), floral socks, Merry People boots.

I was feeling awful yesterday, so I rested for most of the day. I did make a big tray of lasagna though. That will tide us over for a couple of days. It was so good and not too heavy.

I am hoping I can find the brain power to do some study today. Fingers crossed, pals! I started a feathery ripple blanket the other day, so I am going to work on that a bit too. It’s coming along nicely (and quickly!)

I bought some oracle cards, just for fun. Today’s card was …

The Horse and Bluebell meaning modest fortitude:  Work quietly and consistently. The time to shine will present itself in the future; for now, focus on your process rather than its reward.

Dinner was this recipe for Thai Basil Chicken. I left out the maple syrup, though. The sauces are sweet enough. It was really good! I added a handful of chopped spinach (which I am growing in a pot) to provide some extra green. I also just bought two chicken breasts and chopped them into small pieces, rather than using minced (ground) chicken. I find the chop chop more pleasing. You can also make this recipe with firm tofu, instead of chicken. In case you want to try it and are veggo.

Friday 5 July

Well. I rested for most the the rest of the day yesterday. This illness flare is hanging on and I’m not really up to doing too much, darn it. That’s okay though. I mean… it’s the way things are and it’s best not to worry too much about it, because that makes the flare worse. (If you are catching up I have ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, amongst other things. Yuck.)

I watched a video about a girl who just moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. She did a house tour (with her golden retriever) and it was fun to watch.

Oracle card: The Marten and Foxglove. Mischief. Meaning pay attention to opportunities for spontaneity, travel, and playfulness. A bit of lighthearted mischief – so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone – can be healthy!

I admit I am not very spontaneous, travell-y or playful at the moment, due to illness. I am more careful, planning and measured. There’s something in this, perhaps? Maybe there are ways to care for chronic health AND still do fun things? I am not quite sure. I will think on that.

I read an article about young men and (some of their) fear of feminism this morning, which was food for thought. (I have the PDF if you want to read it, just email me). I also borrowed a copy of Claire Fuller’s Bitter Orange audiobook from the library (it was recommended by Miranda) and also reborrowed Annie Smithers’ Recipe for a Kinder Life, which I had to return before I finished it, then wait for someone else to borrow it, then snaffle it again. That’s one hard thing about elibraries. You really need to borrow and read in earnest. No letting things sit about on a virtual TBR pile. Someone else will be hot on your heels to grab whatever title you are dipping in and out of. That said, I love online libraries! I do!

I’m hoping to feel well enough to go for some walks in the coming days, and listen to Bitter Orange while I do that. Fingers crossed.

I did some pinning (I have started my July 2024 board on Pinterest) while I watched the latest ep of Love Island and drank tea. Breakfast was the same as yesterday – grilled tomato and cheese on toast.

Getting dressed: Jeans (op shopped), striped long sleeve tee, black marle cardigan, fair isle socks, Birkenstocks.

I made a big late lunch for Max and I, copying this gal’s saucy chicken video on TikTok. It was so good. I also bought a bottle of wine and I had a glass with my lunch. I don’t drink usually, due to allergies, but since I had my steroid shots in my shoulders, this has been less of an issue. That said, I still hardly drink. Today’s ‘chicken wine’ was a nice treat and I didn’t seem to have any dumb stuff happen as a result. Winning!

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Good things

Guy Ritchie’s Wild Kitchen looks so interesting.
This IKEA bedspread is nice.
The latest season of The Bear “struggles to make its point about the abuses and toxicity of the restaurant industry because it is willing to absolve the real-life chefs who have actually engaged in that kind of demeaning behavior” – found via Kottke.
Why AI homes miss the mark.
Notable things coming to streaming services in Australia.
Well, this looks beautiful!
Vegetarian batch cooking … so helpful. Six meals with one-hour’s prep.
Blueberry Coffee Cake seems like a good idea.
I’ve loved Jenny’s illustrations since I was a child..
This book looks great.
I loved this Poh home tour. You might too!
A killer-looking Nicoise salad.
Incredible! So many elephants!
A four-leaf clover collection.
A favourite person is getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
These shoes are adorable!

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Saturday 6 July

I woke up early and listened to the BBC podcast about the (stolen) things from the British Museum being stolen. It’s so good! I have only caught this one episode (on BBC Live Radio 4) so I am going to try and listen to them all.

Next I got up and got dressed quickly in yesterday’s clothes because it was so so cold and they were right at hand. I will change later. I fed the cats and made tea and retreated back to my cosy bedroom to catch up on internet things.

My friend pointed out that the Brats film is finally on Disney+, so I am going to watch that this weekend. It’s had some pretty average reviews, so we will seeeeee.

Still feeling you-know-what so I am going to change and zip to the pharmacy and then stay in and stay cosy for the rest of the day. 

…

I watched Brats. It was pretty annoying. I liked the old footage and stuff, but gosh Andrew McCarthy … I don’t even know what to say. I had seen some reviews saying he should have just got therapy and while that’s trite, I agree. It’s kind of a shame that THIS was the documentary we got about The Brat Pack. No wonder Molly and Judd didn’t chime in. My friend said the trailer was the best bit of it, and she’s right. They should have called it “Andrew McCarthy Sadly Misunderstands”.

After that I made a tortilla and some Anzacs and then rested and binged most of FAKE. Gosh. So good. The mother wound. The hopefulness. So unsettling. So woozy. The foreshadowing. The motifs. That daisy pillow. The willow pattern. Those brand new Levis. So many details. Great work my Emma Freeman as always. I really like the way they incorporated the texts too … that can’t have been easy to execute so well. And that beach house. Had to find it immediately. One line stood out for me “If a guy tells you his ex is crazy, run”. * insert pointed side-eye *

Sunday 7 July

How? How are we hurtling through July so quickly? It’ll be spring before we know it! I need to do some gardening. I need to get ready, pals.

I got up late-ish and had breakfast (Promite on rye toast) and watched the final episode of FAKE. 

I watched this video after a bit of tidying up.Then I watched this.

I read a couple of chapters of We All Want Impossible Things on my library app. I’m enjoying it so far, especially the way food is so central to the story.

Lunch was leftovers – roast vegetables and some cold potato tortilla.

I worked on my feathery ripple blanket for a while, then rewatched a few episodes of The Cry. It was so good the first time around, and watching FAKE made me want to dip back in.

Dinner? It was linguini with bacon, chilli and tomato. Just a quick knocked-up type thing that hit the spot.

It was so cold out today, I didn’t leave the house. I stayed cosy indoors instead, snacking and making things and watching things and reading things. The perfect sort of low key day, really.

Hoping you have been having okay times too, reader.

x Pip

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