Good Monday Morning
japra | Apr 21, 2008 | Comments 11
This door is actually more charming in photos than in real life. In reality, the door leads from the garden to our garage. It doesn’t shut all the way, swings open on blustery days and has an old fashioned hinge (I guess). I have no idea what it’s called but when you open the door all the way, this hinge locks the door open and you have to pull a string to close the door. Plus the door is peeling. But in the photo, I think the door has a sort of romantic look.
It’s raining here. I know, I know, what a surprise. Actually, I don’t mind the rain today because I’ve got lots of stuff to do and it would distract me terribly if it were a beautiful day.
But before it started raining this morning, I was in my garden and saw a couple of snails in the grass. Something must be wrong with me because I thought they actually looked pretty cute in that English garden sort of way. Then I wondered where these little guys go when I cut the grass? I sure hope they skidaddle because English garden cute or not, I refuse to round them up before I run the mower.
We had a quiet weekend, some due to the rain, mostly due to Roxi and Mr. DJ being too tired to do anything other than veg. I made bread on Saturday and I am excited to report I CAN make bread! I have also found that radiators are an excellent place for resting dough. Unfortunately, when I went to put the bread pan in my pre-heated oven, I realized that the oven was too short and the bread would rise right up into the heating element. Yeah, it’s a small oven. There’s another oven below it that I had never tried before and when I went to turn it on, it started smoking. Not a good sign. So, my bread loaf turned into monkey bread instead. Mmmm. It was good!
And I made calzone too. I used the same recipe that I used for pizza dough last week, substituting bread flour for regular flour. That was fine for calzone, but I prefer the texture of the regular flour for pizza crust. I used Emeril’s Kicked-Up Calzone al Forno using a strong Irish cheddar for half of the mozzarella. Mmmmm! That’s definitely going on rotation.
And speaking of rotation, I made some Texas chili too.
Although it sounds like I spent all my weekend in the kitchen, I did do some other stuff–but that’s for my other blog. The one I haven’t updated yet. Ahem.
Anyway, Mr. DJ is in the Hague today and then off to Hamburg for a couple of days. Roxi has a band concert on Tuesday, an open house at school on Wednesday, and another dance on Friday. Oh, and I start my driving lessons tomorrow. The fun just never ends! Actually, I will be SO happy to be able to drive again, even if it’s for errands. Seriously! Some paper for school? Some more shampoo? Mail a letter? I’m your girl. It’s been a rather frustrating two months.
Rain aside, the weather has been reasonable around here lately, by the way, with lows in the mid-40s and highs hovering right around 60. Sunrise at 5:54 AM and sunset at 8:06 PM. Hello Spring! I’ll take you as you are, raindrops and all.
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
That turquoise door reminds me of Trinidad . . . where the sun and the rain would eat paint before your eyes. An unusual color for England — but striking!
Baking is always a good activity for a rainy day. I find that I do much more baking in England — partly weather, and partly necessity, I think.
Where do you stand on the chili issue? I feel like a bad Texan, because I never realized that Texans weren’t supposed to put beans in their chili! (I learned this from Homesick Texan.) I always put beans in my chili, by the way. Not only do I like beans, but I also like my colon.
I just came back from a very wet walk. But it was fresh; yes, I will give it that!
Good luck on getting things done today!
Bee–Well, I pumped up that color a bit. In person, the door is a very English green, I promise you. I like how the owners went from bright red to kind of a piney green. Our little rental has such… quirky features. For example, we have this very odd hospital green on the walls in the “lounge”. I keep wanting it to be tiffany blue, but it persists with the hospital green. I suppose it goes with the forest green/burgandy/mustardy-gold curtains (gulp!).
As for the chili, I am sorry to say I’m a purist and would rather have it without beans. I’ll eat it with but I’d rather it without ;-)
Glad you got out for a walk. I’ll be going out to the post in a bit.
Well that is a testament to your skill as a photographer because that door looks so charming in the photo!
Sounds like you had a nice, quiet weekend. We hovered around 80 degrees all weekend. It was lovely. Well, except that now the mosquitoes are out!!
Those curtains sound familiar!
As a veteran of English rental houses, I can rightly claim to have suffered aesthetic assault through curtains, wallpaper, and soft furnishings of every kind.
Alyson–I keep reading on other blogs that people are out in shorts and wearing flip flops. I’m still in my socks and yoga pants. I walked to the post office today and was warm for the first time in months and months. I hope that is a sign that Spring is here to stay!
Bee–Yes, the British certainly have a different decorating style. I like to be surrounded by a lot of neutrals (probably because I look at color all day). We have the aforementioned hospital green lounge, an orange kitchen (not the walls, but yes on the tiles), a purple bedroom (poor Roxi), a blue wallpapered studio (hmmm), a royal blue master bedroom (noooooooo), a pink wallpapered cloakroom, a green and putty family bath, BUT a white ensuite. I have to say at least the family room and the conservatory are a nice pale yellow–cheerful. I do miss my white tiles and white plantation shutters ;-)
The photo of the door is stunning. Did you use the 50 for that shot? It’s lovely.
And sorry Bee – No beans. Although, in “family style” chili, they are tasty.
Brave Brave Brave Brave Sir Robin–Love your name! And yes, that was the 50. I’m fairly new to photography and very new to the fixed lens. I try to take photos everyday, even if it’s just of my garage door :-) Thanks for stopping by!
Goodness, lots more new friends for you! This is fun!
BTW, this native Texan likes beans in her chili just because she likes beans. Proportionately, however, I prefer lots more meat. The beans are an accessory. Mimsy
Dearest Mimsy–I have been thinking of you. XOXO
Love the picture of the door and love, love, love all the friends/fans you’re attracting.
Laurie–Thank you and thanks for coming back day after day!