The last photo prompt of Susannah Conway's August BreakProject is 'love'.
One of the most beautiful love songs in the world is 'Ae Fond Kiss' by scottish poet Robert Burns ; a man with love on his mind for much of his short life.
Hereis a transcript of the original poem, written in 1791, on the occasion of his parting from 'Clarinda' (aka Agnes Maclehose), a married woman with whom he had been having an affair. It is worth listening to the short readings, which give a sense of the emotional weight of the poem.
'Ae Fond Kiss' has also been covered by scottish singer Eddie Reader, who recently re-released thisexcellent compilation of Robert Burns songs.
The penultimate photo prompt from The August Break project is 'soft'.
There are lots of soft things in our house; feather duvets, fluffy towels, squishy sofas, cuddly cushions, comfy chairs, and soft toys that are still very loved despite the boys' advancing ages. (For the best soft toy story ever, can I recommend 'Dogger' by Shirley Hughes. We almost knew it by heart when the boys were small).
However, the biggest, daftest, most loveable, affectionate and softest thing in our house has to be our yellow labrador, Meg.
The finishing line is in sight now with The August Break photography challenge. Today's prompt is 'nature'
When I was at primary school, there was usually a Nature Table at the back of the classroom, where seasonal finds and treasures were displayed. Acorns, old birds' nests, autumn leaves, conkers, jam jars of spring flowers, all were carefully arranged, with cardboard signs in wobbly handwriting identifying each item.
Too old now for Nature Tables, I find my daily walks with Meg, our yellow labrador, helps me take note of the changing colours, smells, plants, foliage, birds and animals as the seasons progress. For seasonal reading about the natural world, viewed through the domestic prism, I can strongly recommend 'The Magic Apple Tree' by Susan Hill. If you can find a few minutes to sit down with a cup of tea, and read the relevent section at the beginning of each season, you will feel connected to nature and the seasons through her beautiful writing. It is worth putting a reminder in your diary, truly. Whilst we are on the topic of Susan Hill, can I also recommend another of her books 'Through The Garden Gate' where she talks evocatively about seasonal gardening.
On to today's photograph, taken a couple of days ago whilst out with Meg. Much of the summer foliage is dying back, the seed heads are blowing now in cooler winds, the brambles are ripening, Autumn is on its way.
The next photo prompt in Susannah Conway's The August Break photo project is 'new'.
This sweet little 'Marimekko' bowl is new, I bought it a couple of days ago. I loved it as soon as I saw it, and am so glad I bought it. It is the perfect size for hummus; nuts, a few sweets, even a small bowl of soup.
Charging through my August posts with a steely glint in my eye, I am determined to complete Susannah Conways The August Breakchallenge, and the next photo prompt is 'Lines'.
Failing to find myself in a suitable outdoor environment full of potential material for my 'lines' photograph, I cast about my home, and realised that the strongly drawn lines on a plate that hangs on my kitchen wall might fit the bill.
Derek bought this for me, having bid for it at an exhibition some years ago; it was designed by RobertKelsey. When we brought it home we realised it has a noticeable chip on the rim. I don't really mind, I just love the colours and lines, and the slightly squashy depiction of thecroft.
The next photo prompt from blogging project The August Break is 'morning'
Regardless of season, my morning always starts with a cup of tea. That first cup is sipped at odd moments during the morning flurry of packed lunch making; boys' breakfast preperations, last minute gym kit assemblies, 'Clean your teeth' naggings and morning goodbye kisses. After everyone has gone, I put the kettle back on the hob again: it's never too soon for another cup of tea as far as I am concerned, particularly if a bit of rootling around in the cake tin turns up a slightly elderley banana loaf, ready to be toasted and spread generously with pale, creamy butter.
The next prompt from Susannah Conway for the August Break project is 'memory'.
I took this photograph of Allan Ramsay's fine statue, and theCastle, when I attended the Edinburgh Book Festival in Charlotte Square in Edinburgh.
The annual BookFestivalis delightful; small, intimate and manageable, a self contained Festival within the enormous event that is the annualEdinburgh Festival and Fringe.
I had a ticket for a reading and book signing by the very talented and, as it turns out, funny and likable Nina Stibbe, who wrote 'Love, Nina'; letters written to her sister circa 1982 when she worked as a Nanny*.
I also worked as a Nanny in the early 1980's, so her book brought back lots of good memories. My memory must have failed me recently though, because I had forgotten how utterley beautiful Edinburgh can be, very early on a cool Sunday morning at the end of August.
*She also read exerpts from her new book, 'Man at the Helm', which were so funny I laughed my mascara off.
Continuing with the August Break, and today's photo prompt is 'shadow'
Rich, crisp butter biscuits with a hint of nutmeg, cooling on a wire tray, creating an interesting shadow. I will post the biscuit recipe after the August Break project is finished.
Ten days left of the August Break, hosted by Susanne Collins. Today's photo prompt is 'treasures'.
In this picture are some small items I treasure:
My favourite photograph of the boys and me, taken a few years ago. I love it because I have my arms round them both, squeezing them tight.
A photograph of the boys on Jacob's 5th birthday. I love their closeness in the photograph, and the way Isaac is looking at Jacob.
A photograph of a very plump me as a baby, resplendent in home knits and white tights, with my dad.
A small, heavy, ugly brass boot. This belonged to my paternal granny. It used to have more detail on it, including a small shield and a mouse. The mouse was gradually rubbed away over many years of vigorous weekly polishings. I think the shield met the same fate; it was rubbed into submission and eventually dropped off.
Two champagne corks from my 50th birthday. If we ever have a bottle of champagne, or fizz, I keep the cork, and write the date and occasion on it (cork is a very receptive surface to ball point pen). I keep them in a two large Kilner jars. Periodically the boys and I tip the jars out and go through them.
Silver bookmark, a precious gift given to me by Isaac on my 50th birthday.
My wedding ring; traditional, plain, simple.
Silver and green tourmaline ring, given to me by Derek for my 40th birthday.
Button shaped stones, gathered from beaches in Northumberland during summer holidays when the boys were younger. They usually sit in a small horn bowl (from here,) on the mantlepiece.
Very few of these items are of monetary value, and I am not sure if they would be defined as treasures in any dictionary, but they are very precious indeed to me.
Today's photo prompt for theAugust Break project is 'peaceful'
There is a beautiful churchin Abergavenny, which I was keen to visit whilst we were on holiday in the area, having heard that some historically significant marble tombs were housed there. I was not prepared, however, for the sheer number of tombs in the church, effigies of long departed knights, and their wives, in various attitudes of devotion and prayer. A small community of the long departed, silently marking off the centuries.
Particularly moving was the the 15th C marble efigy of Sir William, and his wife Gwladys. They lay peacefully side by side unto eternity, their marble likenesses a testament to their love, as well as to the religeous conventions of the times. I found it hard to walk away and leave them.
A day behind with my photo prompts from Susannah Collins who is hosting The August Break but continuing undaunted. The prompt for this post is 'black and white'
One hot summer day I lifted a heart shaped stone from the river Usk, and took a photograph before the sun dried it to the same colour as the stones upon which it rested. Not quite black and white, but close enough for me.
Forging ahead withThe August Break challenge hosted by Susannah Conway, the next prompt is 'Jump'
Here are Jacob (R) and Isaac (L) walking across the park opposite our house last Thursday morning. Jacob is making the jump to S4, becoming a senior pupil, and this year (academically at least) will be concentrated on working towards exams.
Isaac is making the huge jump from Primary to Secondary school. The first few days have not been without their challenges. He is exhausted in the evenings with so much new information to assimilate: the timetable, culture, multiple teachers, new classmates, and he finds the day very long. So do I, missing them both terribly until we all get used to the school routine after the summer holidays.
One part of the jump that I am enjoying though, is knowing they are at the same school again, and will be for the next three years, until Jacob leaves and jumps again.
Continuing to work my way through the one-photo-per-day August Breakchallenge set by Susannah Conway. Today's prompt is 'bookshelf'.
This is my cookery book shelf. This is where I turn to for inspiration, advice and comfort. I particularly love cookery books with lengthy introductions to each recipe, written in a friendly tone, advising, but not hectoring. Some I have owned for many years, some are comparatively new, all are loved. I have no compunction about writing all over them, making notes on any changes I have made; the exact timings for my oven, or halving, doubling or in some other way altering the recipes.
I also have an unwritten merit system for my cookery books, where, if I haven't consulted a recipe book for over a year or so, it is demoted to a distant bookshelf elsewhere in the house. If it languishes there for any length of time, it is quietly dispatched to the charity shop.
Some cookery books are kept, however, not because they are frequently consulted, but for other reasons. Perhaps because they contain one much loved recipe,e.g. 'French Leave', bought some years ago in Oxfam, and kept for the cauliflower soup recipe. Others are kept because they have been received as gifts, e.g. 'Home Cooking' by Rachel Allen, given to me by Jacob, with a treasured message from him written on the fly leaf. I will keep it for ever.
The Readers' Digest 'Cookery Year'is the grand old man of the collection; kept because it was given as a gift from my family when Derek and I became engaged. I still turn to it regularly for no nonsense advice and classic recipes.
One of my favourites cookery books is the Roald Dahl's Cook Book, many of the recipes have introductions and explanations by Roald, which add charm and give an insight into his life with his family.
My christmas cookery books live on the shelf all year round. Opening them 'out of season' gives a pinprick of nostalgia for christmases past, and getting them down from the shelf in November for my christmas cake, or christmas pudding recipe, is one of the most enjoyable parts of the festive season.
I still remember the pleasure of saving up for and buying Delia's'Summer Collection'and 'WinterCollection' books when Derek and I were quite newly married, and a new recipe book was a big purchase.
I love Mary Berrytoo, her down to earth approach with recipes, as well as her strength of character, humour, and sense of style. I have several of her books, and they are well used.
I can't talk about my cookery book shelf without mentioning the fabulous 'Home Cook'by Alistair Hendy. Written with a quick wit and sly wink, Alistair is the man to turn to when you can't quite remember how to make recipes you feel you should know. I love this book so much I bought an extra copy incase anything happened to the first one I had.
In the same way that each of our friends brings a different joy or richness to our lives, so each of my recipe books gives me pleasure. Like friends, they too have their foibles and quirks, and they are not without their flaws, but my kitchen, and home, would be poorer without them.
What cookery books you treasure, and turn to often?
This evening found me looking down into a big baking bowl full of egg yolks and caster sugar, into which I was carefully folding stiffly whisked egg whites.
Although a metal spoon is the traditional implement for this job, I prefer a slim rubber spatula. It's just as effective, and enables me to scrape the sides of the bowl easily, without having to endure the awful sound of metal scraping against metal.
TheAugust Breakprompt 'Guilty Pleasure' gave me some pause for thought. After a bit of head scratching I came to the conclusion that I really don't have a guity pleasure. Sometimes I feel guilty, and it is such an unpleasant sensation that no pleasure could ever be derived from it, and those things that give me pleasure are nothing to feel guilty about. So a Venn diagram of my guilty pleasures would have virtually no overlap.
However, in the spirit of the August Break, I eventually concluded that one area of slight overlap is my baking book collection. I could probably manage with 4 or 5, but instead I have many. I find the lure of a new baking book almost irresistable, and am strongly influenced by the writing style and book design as well as the actual recipes. My baking book shelf is testament to this (fairly harmless) guilty pleasure, though in my defence, they are well used, and well loved.
Do I feel guilty when I look at this shelf?...no, but I do feel lots of pleasure.
The kitchen table is my favourite spot to work when I have some time to myself. It's close to the kettle and the radio, with good overhead lighting and plenty of space to spread out.
On my kitchen table this evening:
My rather wobbly crochet, destined to be a bag, using the shell pattern on p78 of this book.
Playing catch-up this morning, as my August Break post didn't quite materialise yesterday. Susannah's prompt for yesterday was 'Handwriting'.
Handwriting is so evocative of time, place and person, sometimes more so even than a photograph. One of my most treasured posessions is a small notebook that belonged to my dad. He always kept a notebook in his shirt pocket, and scribbled notes in it constantly; which medications he needed that week, drafts of furious letters to politicians; scattered song lyrics to be worked on later, or a quick chord sequence for a tune that came to him suddenly. He loved a new notebook, especially one with an elastic closure. It would be opened, examined appreciatively, and with a 'Thank you, darling' and a smile, he would slip it into his shirt pocket, ready for when the next thought struck. Opening his notebook now, and reading the notes he made in his firm, spidery handwriting moves me almost to tears, yet brings him closer for a fleeting moment.
I also have in my posession a bundle of my old school jotters, and thought it would be fun to illustrate Susannah's 'handwriting' prompt by showing a page of my 'News' jotter from when I was almost 9, copying one of the entries in my current handwriting.
Although I seem to remember myself as quite an optimistic, cheery child, my News Book tells a different story. Volcanoes; bombings, disasters at sea and on land, shootings, infanticide, deaths of politicians and poets, tornadoes, death by freak accident, arsen, and abandoned children feature prominently, all announced in placid tones. The litany of death and disaster is eventually relieved on the last page when I announce the happy news that Princess Anne has become engaged to Captain Mark Phillips, illustrated by a drawing of a large hand with vermillion nails and an electric-blue engagement ring, carefully executed in wax crayon.
Here, then, is one of the more optimsitic entries, from 6th February 1973.
(I resisted the temptation to correct the spelling!)
Do you have any old school jotters that bring back memories, or treasured handwritten mementoes?
Hello again, and welcome to those kind souls who are sticking with me through this month of daily posts as part of the August Breakproject.
Today's prompt is 'in my bag'.
I am a serial monogamist when it comes to bags. I love them, and find them just perfect for a couple of years, but then begin to experience a vague feeling of discontent. I start to note the handbags of others' (disloyal), I drift towards the handbag department in John Lewis (dangerous), I browse 'handbags' on eBay (fatal), until one day the call can no longer be resisted; I openly declare that my love affair with my current bag is over, and start look for a replacement.
I keep quite a tidy bag, I dislike a silt of old receipts, paper tissues and sweetie papers building up. Of course when the boys were small, everything from lego pieces to toy cars, emergency sandwiches, drinks and story books all rattled around in there, but now the contents are much more predictable.
Today in my bag:
Small 'Wade' flower vase, bought yesterday in a charity shop. I already have its place earmarked on the kitchen shelves.
'Fat Face' reusable bag.
'London' notebook. My brother lives in London, and I miss him, so I usually have a couple of little items on or around my person that have London branding on them; somehow makes me feel we are living closer to each other than we actually are.
Handwipes.
Inexpensive perfume for quick spritz during the day.
Champney's Miracle Balm for dry skin. Who could resist it with a name like that?
Pen filched from my dear husband.
Recycled cardboard card holder; love the colour.
Blackberry.
London branded make up bag for inhaler, lipstick, anti-histamine tablets, mascara.
Purse. Love it. Inside; the usual bits and pieces, including photo's of the boys, receipts from special meals, and always, a book of stamps.
Tape measure. You'd be amazed how often I find myself needing this when I'm out and about.
Gardener's Hand Cream. Yep, another small miracle in a tube. Smells lovely too.
House keys. Precious in themselves, but easily enough replaced, unlike the charms; a purple leather heart from my lovely brother, the little wren fob from my wee mum, and, not clearly see in the photograph, a brass number tag given to me by an ex miner when we visited Big Pit, Blaenafon in Wales (there's a story attached to that which I might share one day).
Coin purse. Usually lives inside my big blue purse. Like a little leather pebble or worry bead, another gift from my brother and very precious to me.
My ticket from the last night of the Commonwealth Games; the Athletics at Hampden in Glasgow. Fantastic night, we all loved it.
Two train tickets (used) from Glasgow Central to Abergavenny.
There is something fascinating about other peoples' handbags, here are some more. And who hasn't, at some time, wondered what the Queen keeps in her handbag?
I love the concept of the Selfie; it's one of those unplanned consequences of digital media that is now part of everyday life. Famous individuals are no longer asked to sign autographs, but to take selfies with their delighted fans, and of course even the Pope and Royalty have posed for selfies. For many people, taking selfies is a normal part of their day, and as long as they are comfortable, not exploiting others, or being exploited themselves, that's fine.
Loving the selfie concept, and actually taking a selfie are though, two different things, and I just couldn't bring myself to take a full frontal, so to speak, instead choosing to slightly hide behind my camera. Being a mid century child of the Scottish Highlands, with a drop of Scottish Presbyterianism in my blood, my very dna rises up against taking a selfie, interpreting it as that worst of all behaviours: showing off . Showing Off was never to be tolerated in my childhood, my teenage years, or indeed since, and I have now become very self-censoring.
In the villages where I grew up, drunkenness; all sorts of petty criminality, incest, and murder were more easily tolerated than any behaviour that could be construed as self-promoting. Anything from wearing a too brightly coloured cardigan to school, to your dad buying an ostentatious car, was viewed with tight lipped disapproval and dark mutterings from the wider community. Even within my own, very loving family, we were warned time and time again not to display any behaviour that could be construed as immodest or self promoting.
So it is with very slight hesitation, a great big grin, and loving hug to my childhood self, that I post my selfie...
Continuing with Susannah Conway's August Break project.
Commitment is an interesting concept; I have been taking part in this project now for 7 days, and though the rules (such as they are) are very loose, the driving principle is that you post a photograph every day, related to the list of prompts supplied by Susannah, who also sends a daily email expanding on the prompt, giving pointers etc.
However, I am already missing my regular posting pattern. Cakes have been baked, books have been read, flowers have been planted, places have been visited, and doggy walks taken; I would like to be writing about these things; not that they are hugely interesting, but they are my topics and I feel comfortable with them. I have, though, committed to this project, so I am going to see it through, and hope that those kind enough to visit me here will stick with it too.
So, onto today's prompt, which is 'today is.....'
In Susannah's accompnying email, she explained that today is the day to show an 'uncurated' moment of your life. I never have a moment that is curated (and am fascinated by the thought of those who do....) however, I couldn't bring myself to post a photo of the uncurated pile of ironing awaiting attention, or the uncurated dirty dishes piled haphazardly beside the kitchen sink. Looking round the house, I thought my bookcase represented the 'uncurated' theme quite well. I love my books so much, love reading, find it almost impossible to resist buying books, but don't have unlimited storage (does anyone?) The flip side of this is that a very stringent sorting and tidying session is regularly required. I don't really 'do' stringent (or curated) So....
'Today is.... the day I realised that the August Break Project is quite a big committment, and that I really need to tidy my bookcase'
Before I go, a book recommendation for bibliophiles; 'Howard's End Is On The Landing' by Susan Hill, which describes her year (yes a whole year) of not buying any new books, but instead re-reading those long forgotten, or never-read books from her many bookcases and bookshelves (hence the title). It is fascinating, personal and of course, as one would expect, beautifully written. And hereis another really nice piece on books (and some very tidy bookshelves!)
Another August Breakphotograph. If you haven't had a look at Susannah Conway's blog yet, why not pop over? The August Break project is gathering momentum, with 386 bloggers currently signed up. Lots of new blogs to visit.
Onto today's prompt, which is 'reflection'. Thankfully quite straightforward after yesterdays 'Three Bananas' debacle! Initially I messed about taking photographs in a mirror etc, but the dust kept showing; I looked like I was taking shelter behind my camera from a particularly nasty sandstorm. I was just on the point of doing the unthinkable ( getting a duster out) when I remembered Isaac's 12th birthday meal in April, in a local pub/restaurant beside the canal, and this photograph....
Continuing the August Break blogger project, and today's prompt is 'three'.
I spent most of the day telling myself I couldn't possibly post a photo of three speckled bananas, but in the end I did, because three speckled bananas mean something specific to me, and I find numbers a bit meaningless without a visual or personal reference. (I am in fact quietly convinced that had I been educated in a different era I may have been spotted as having a definable problem with numbers, and helped accordingly. My beleagured maths teacher could probably done with some professional counselling too, come to think of it).
Hence when I look at three speckled bananas I don't really think of the number, I instead think of one of my favourite things to bake; banana loaf. Comforting, not too sweet, quick to make, even quicker to eat. I shared my oft-used recipe in this post . Feel free to try it and don't feel obliged to say your nine times table at any time during the baking or eating of this simple, homely treat.
Day three of the AugustBreak, and today's prompt is 'window'
Question: Why did this window catch my eye?
Answers:
1) The quirky window within the window.
2) Contrasting vertical lines of the surround with horizontal lines of the blind.
3) Slight bow shape of the window bringing a curved edge to all those straight lines.
4) Gorgeous pale blue paint job.
I am bending the rules of the August Break today, as I am posting more than one photograph; the reason being it is time for The Year in Books link up. I have found some lovely blogs through The Year in Books, as well as some excellent book recommendations. If you haven't done so already, pop over to Laura's lovely blog Circle of Pine Trees and read all about it.
My book choice this month is Stella Gibbon's The Bachelor .
I chose this book because I have read (and re-read!) 'Cold Comfort Farm' by the same author, and never fail to be amused by the maneuvres of cool headed, shrewd heroine Flora Post, as she drags her rural, inbred cousins from the clutches of the manipulative Aunt Ada Doom, tidying up their sex education, their farm, and their marriage prospects in the process.
'The Bachelor' was published some years later. It is set during WWII and concerns siblings Kenneth and Constance Fielding, whose quiet lives are turned upside down by the arrival of several unexpected guests.
I read this whilst on holiday and found it utterly absorbing. It is funny; pithy, touching, realistic, and very well written. Irma Kurtz describes travelling across America on Greyhound buses, sitting beside (and sometimes trying to avoid sitting beside) her variously unwashed; verbose, friendly, silent, troubled, dull, charming, insane, extraordinary fellow passengers. It is the true account of an acutely observant middle aged woman travelling alone on Greyhound buses; and it is totally fab.
A quick note on my other July reads:
The Days of Anna Madrigal; the last in the Tales of the City series, a quick, enjoyable, pacey read, with Armistead Maupin's trademark unabashed approach to the more intimate side of his characters' lives.
Mrs Sinclair's Suitcase ; a gentle read from Louise Walters, but don't choose this if you are looking for a suspensful plot...
Life After Life ; by Kate Atkinson. Technically brilliant, intricate novel about Ursula, whose life ends many times throughout the novel; several times on the day she is born; throughout her childhood and into adulthood. Each life throws a glimmering shadow into the next life, or shines a ghostly light on an episode in a previous life. I read this during a long, solitary train journey last month, and can happily report that it is absolutely brilliant; one of the best books I have read in recent years. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
This is essentially a photography link up with a daily prompt, where all participants take a photograph, and post with accompanying text, every day in August (or as many days as they wish or can manage within the month). Today's prompt is 'lunch'
So without further ado....
Croissant with cheese and tomato (with some extra tomatoes to dip in the salt); coffee.
I find during the summer holidays that brunch is the more usual meal on days at home, but the savouriness of the cheese makes it feel quite lunch-y (savouriness and lunche-y; real words?)
Welcome to The Homemade Heart. My name is Penny, and I am very happy that you are here.
I live in Central Scotland, with my husband, and our Labrador, Meg. I have two big grown up boys, who are the light of my life.
I do hope you'll visit often. The kettle's always on, and there's usually a cake or some pancakes, so you'll stay a while, won't you?
