On the Campaign trail again...

Hi guys remember last time I hit the campaign trail?
Check me out at the front with my tartan and hi-vis yellow fashion combo! LOL

We'll I've been at it again...

I really feel we all have to stand up and be counted sometimes and I hope the Local Authorities see sense and do so before the communities are destroyed!

(((hugs)))
maz x

Painting...

Hi guys! I've been putting off some much needed redecoration for quite some time and decided today was the day!

I really hate all the upheaval that comes along with even a little decorating job so that and the fact paint fumes make Coo ill means we wait as long as we can before using any paint in the house.
This time though the ceiling and woodwork really needed a touch up so off we went to buy paint.

I'm really please, I found a new low odour water based gloss with practically no nasty smell so I'm hoping Coo will cope ok this time! Anyways, he pitched in and helped paint too so a few hours later (well maybe more than a few!) and a little bit frazzled around the edges too we were all done! Woo Hoo!

I asked our son what he thought as he wandered through and he said..."well, it's much the same isn't it!" I said noooooo it's nice and clean, his repy...'Oh right' is there any more soup left - typical!

Sometimes I wonder why I bother but at least I know it's been painted and I'm quite please we got around to it - at last!


Now what to make over next?
I've still got loads of paint left! LOL

(((hugs)))
maz x

Just keep 'harping' on...

Hi guys, anyone ever tried playing one of these?

I'm not really musical at all but I always wanted to learn to play an instument and liked the autoharp sound so I decided to give it a bash!
I looked all around, on Ebay too. I made up my mind and it took some time too as they're not cheap and I don't usually send that much on me! LOL
Anyway, in the end Coo decided we'd buy me one for my birthday and I've been tootling away ever since.
I love it!

As a Carer, I need to spend a lot of time at home when Coo's poorly so I've found (with a bit of trial and error!) lot's of things to do to keep me occupied and motivated.

From jewellery, soap, jam and even fudge making to sewing, knitting and weaving! believe me, in my quest to stay sane, while stuck in, I've tried 'em all and I admit, at times, with varying degrees of success! LOL

There are only so many hours Television can amuse you and then your brain seems to hurt or what's worse switch off all together...well, mine does anyway!

So when Coo's asleep it's the quieter pastimes and crafts and when he's not? It's harping time! LOL
I'm really please I've picked it up so quickly, I'm certainly no maestro but I'm not too terrible either! LOL
It probably helps that Coo is musical and I'm finding, sometimes while I'm playing, he'll reach for his guitar and join in too and that's when it's most fun!

so I'll bid you a 'happy harping' and a smiley cheerio for now!
(((hugs)))
maz x

Raggedy edged Carers...

Hi guys!
The dumpling tasted lovely!
Coo wasn't too keen but he's not really a 'cake' person so I wasn't offended - all the more for me! LOL

Being a Carer is never what you'd call easy. I think, sometimes it kinda feels like you just lurch from one crisis to another and this week has been one of those weeks!

It's been a bit of a struggle with Coo.
He's had lots of seizures this week so we're both feeling a bit raggedy around the edges! LOL


We're having some problems getting coo's new meds and that's added to the stress. It's turned into a bit of a saga...the Neurologist decided he'd like Coo to try another new drug and things seemed to be going along fine, well that was until our GP decided he didn't want to prescribe the drug! We're still sitting in limbo while they mull over who's responsible for prescribing and monitoring new drugs!

I can see why there's a bit of an issue, it is a new drug but it seems nobody wants to take any responsibility. Meanwhile Coo and I are waiting around and things aren't getting any better!

Hopefully, they will work it out sooner rather than later and then, we can at least try the drug in question and find out if indeed it'll help Coo.
What a medical mess - I hope they sort it out soon!

I suddenly remembered an old lady I used to visit who always said 'it's a great life if you don't weary' and she's right! So...here's hoping we all don't weary! LOL

(((hugs)))
maz x

Anyone for dumpling today?

Hi guys, I've always loved dumpling, especially in cold weather with my feet up (when I can!) and a...nice wee cup of tea! LOL

I would never have attempted to make it the old fashioned 'clootie' way my mum and granny did, all that mixing and boiling in a cloth!
With a troublesome shoulder, it would've been just too much stress with all the mixing involved! Anyways, my mum, gave me a microwave recipe for dumpling and it seems pretty easy so with my......mixing bowl at the ready...I'm giving it a bash right now!LOL

I'll let you know how it tastes once it's cooled enough to try. I must say it sure smells nice! LOL and here's a wee taster of how it should look! Mmmmm

Caring is never easy, I find my concentration is a bit impaired recently and I'm tired too. It's difficult to pin point if it's just the heavy load at the moment or if it's the general 'low' feeling a lot of people get as the colder weather begins to draw in.

Yet another afternoon spent amusing myself while Coo is poorly and asleep. I only wish he had the energy to join in a little.
Never mind though, the main thing is we're both ok and I remain hopeful better days are coming!

Hope you're ok where you are too!
(((hugs)))
maz x

Wee luxury foods...

Hi Guys!
Carers are usually on pretty much of a tight budget and little luxuries are really treasured...well I know I do!
One of my passions is for really good quality jam and Coo usually buys me some on the odd occasion we make it out to a National Trust property or when we're on holiday!

So, I'm really pleased! even though I say so myself, about the recent jam making exploits! LOL
Here's what I've managed to 'cook up'so far...

There's loads of pots of nice foody things and among them...you guessed it...JAM! lol
There's some:
* Bramble & Apple
* Rhubarb & Bramble
* Strawberry & Bramble
* Apple & Raspberry
* Rhubarb & Ginger
* Apple & Plum

Can you tell I love those black or even purple juice filled brambles?
They are by far my favourite fruit...
well for this month anyway! LOL


There's also some tasty chutney in there. Made using mostly things grown in the garden too, I'm not really a big chutney fan but I do like a little on a cheesy toasted sandwich and I found an easy recipe (online where else!)so I've given chutney making a whirl too!

In order to satisfy my sweet tooth, I just had to give both the chocolate and vanilla fudge a go and there's still a box of each in the photo but at the rate it's disappearing it won't last long! LOL

Lastly, there's one sad and solitary (although pretty decent sized!) jar of Beetroot and a big bottle of Spiced vinegar which I made and used to pot up the beets and add to the chutney.
I must admit, I was kinda disappointed with the beetroot this time - not the taste as it's sooo lovely, very sweet and with a hint of heat coming through from the spiced vinegar but all my beet plants were very small so I didn't get as much as I thought...what is it they say about not counting your chickens before they're hatched?
I think, the wet weather here this summer definately affected the beets - they were teeny weeny! Never mind though as I only got the one jar this time, I'm saving it for Christmas!


Both Coo and I are eating really well!
I've still got lots of apples, plums and blackberries on the door step and millions of sweet baby potatoes stored. There's some cabbage and even salad greens still hiding under the big leafy plants!

All in all, as pretty much a novice, it's been fun growing our own. I mentioned to my mum, I'd hardly bought any veggies or potatoes in over six months and still had quite a lot of things on the go, stored or pickled, jam-ed (is that even a word? lol) or just beet into submission! LOL

I must have saved a fortune already and the really cold weather is still a ways off so the growing season 'aint over...yet!

The free food is good but do you know what I've enjoyed most?
The garden has been a happy and productive diversion while I've been at home so much these last few months, especially when Coo's been really poorly.

I know lot's of Carers who need to be home a lot and it's always difficult! It's hard to keep focused and just keep going at times! It really has been great finding and sharing ways to keep occupied and sane but mostly it's been fun!

If you still haven't tried growing your own, give it a bash!
It's definately good for you and I think it's good for the soul too, although I doubt the fudge making (and eating) is much good for the waist-line! LOL

(((hugs)))
maz x

Oh Fudge!

Hi guys, in my quest to keep myself busy while stuck at home caring, I came across this...

The fact that it's chocolatey, looks really good and seemed easy enough to make, was all the incentive I needed! lol

So, a happy hour was spent today fudge making...Yeah!
For those who want to bring a bit of fudge into their life, here's the link...

***Chocolate Fudge for Christmas***

One other thing, be warned!
It's very chocolatey and it's quite hard to resist too so it's not for the faint hearted! lol

Incidently, if like me you're thinking ahead to Christmas and like most Carers also trying to keep a bit of a hold on the pennies, there are loads of other cool ideas on Santas postbag
so...

Happy hunting and have some fun making something, entertaining the wee ones or even yourself for that matter! LOL

(((hugs)))
maz x