sometimes it's just best to cook

Sometimes it's just best to cook.

Hot today, walking home was a chore. When I got in my brain defaulted to wanted to put some pre-cooked item in the microwave and then sit down. But I couldn't do that as, at first glance, the cupboards were bare.

Hubby offered to walk down to the store and get something.

Logic came back and I said, no, I'll just get on with it.

40 minutes later we had

cous cous with yellow pepper and butternut squash

served along side pork chops for us

and

tofu for the kids.

Followed by a pineapple upside down cake with custard.

It turns out that we needed that sustenance as the internet and the tv went out for 2 and a half hours. It was difficult and reminded me of the days when the electricity went out and we had to light hurricane lamps. We had to actually read, write with a pen and talk on the phone.

I really need to review my dependence on technology.

watermelon

I woke up and I knew it was going to be hot

proper hot, like back home in the summer

downstairs

open windows but keep the curtains shut

tea

lift lid on laptop

emails

mom

photo

watermelon

And this is especially for you. :)

Your Dad has turned out to be the best at getting

really good ones! Fabulousity! :D

I click on the image and save it to the hard drive

I see him sitting on the woven black white and grey couch

thin worn chambrey shirt 

red brown skin

smell of hay and sweat

standing metal fan 

whirring 

setting the scene

on the arm of the couch sits

a huge wedge of watermelon

in an old rectangle metal pan 

at least that is what I remember

a salt shaker

yes salt, fruit is salted at point of eating in this house

my father digging at the melon with a large flat metal spoon

and slurping it into his mouth

the black seeds returned to the pan 

 

 at 7:26pm May 28

Hey! Don't be spending all your money on Ebay!! You have to have some to come get that watermelon in my fridge! :)

at 8:51pm May 28

mmmm. watermelon. must get some watermelon..

will have to take the pushchair without mamma's boy to carry it back!

I’m supposed to want to come home

but

that Dad

that watermelon

that black white and grey woven couch

that metal fan

that summer

is no more

I Took A TAXI, am so pleased with myself!! : )

I’m not

but that is how it is

this watermelon

this now

strawberries tarts

Nanna, who has had a spot of bother but is better now, sent the girl a recipe book. Everything from it has been terrific. Today, The Girl and a mate made strawberry tarts and pizzas. The tarts comprised of an own-made sweet pastry, own-made lemon curd and cream and West Country strawberries. They were lush. And the pizza was pizza. Which is all kids want from pizza.  It had pineapple on it, as Mamma's Boy demanded pineapple very loudly in the store this morning. It was terrifically funny. He wanted a proper pineapple with leaves and everything but had to settle for a basics .14p tin. 

As usual, 'cause I'm on school holiday, I've been thinking too much again. I fancy a mental ramble, but won't until it's a bit more structured. Thoughts are about: allowing my kids to be themselves, encouraging them and pushing them to do well, sewing my own clothes, and trying to put disappointments at work in their proper place and painting. I want to paint.