Sunday 29 September 2019

Photo diary: week 39, project 365

September is reluctant to leave, the last couple of days it's sobbing its heart out with a persistent rain and rages of wet fury.
To be honest, I won't be sorry to see it gone, it's been a difficult month, and I'm hopeful October will be more cheerful. My Mum is planning to come for a month, if everything goes well. Last year, she had to postpone her trip twice due to her bad health, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

I was poorly last week as well, so this weekly post is a bit of a cheat, as I wasn't taking photos every day. Sunday was full-on, with Sash being challenging, then mid-week I spent two days in bed, so these three days are image-free, but I'm still posting seven photos, because seven is my favourite number.

On Monday I walked across the town to Sainsbury's, as Eddie begged me to get him some more trading cards for his album. As it happened, there were some of the Marvel cards he didn't have in his collection, so he was very pleased.
This is St Mary's church, my favourite photo model, as mentioned before.

churches in Witney

Every time I see this bunch of pampas grass, I think of my late friend Trudy, who was originally from Illinois. She told me how much she hated this plant - as a child, they were brought up to be careful around it, as the snakes liked to hide in it.

I don't have these associations with it, I like it as a decorative plant with its fluffy mane, but I also read that in this country it's a sign that people who live in the house with the pampas grass next to it, are the swingers. Not sure if it's true, or just an urban myth, but I wouldn't want to give anyone any ideas, so won't be planting it in my garden.

Witney

A view of the flood fields on the way to school, with the aeroplane going so low above the town.


Tuesday's furious downpour. I peeked into the garden through the back door, and there was a spider's web in the corner, all glistening with the raindrops.


Wednesday was pretty abysmal. I got up early, wobbly on my feet, got down to make breakfast for my boys, and felt so dizzy, I had to literally crawl back upstairs to wake them up. I knew I wouldn't be able to take Eddie to school, and frantically texted some friends. They helped me with the school run for two days, thanks goodness for lovely friends.

I spent most of the day in bed, that is when I wasn't being sick. I couldn't hold a sip of water, my innards felt like I was on the airplane amidst a bad turbulence.

And thank God for small mercies, it was a respite overnight stay for Sash, as I don't know how I would have coped with him.
Poor Eddie had to spend the afternoon and evening in his own company, bless him, he didn't complain.

Thursday was a better day, but I still spent it in bed.

Waiting for Sasha's school transport to arrive on Friday, I saw this dog in the red van. And that's the only rubbish photo I took that day.


Every autumn I make a mistake of ordering a pumpkin spice latte, and then after the first sip, instantly regretting it. When will I learn?! They add so much syrup, it's revoltingly sweet.
And through the years I have tried the spiced pumpkin latte in all major coffee chains.


It felt like a baking sort of day yesterday. I wanted to bake the Jewish honey cake called Lekach for a long time, and finally got to make it. Will try to post the recipe some time this week.
It's made with rye flour, lots of honey and spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger, allspice).

Jewish honey cake




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17 comments:

  1. The cake looks gorgeous! I bought some pumpkin syrup (from TKMaxx, a bargain) to make lattes at home because, like you, I can't have any at coffee shops as they are too sweet for me.
    I used to be annoyed if I didn't take a picture on a particular day, but this year I'm adding the pictures I want to remember, even if I count two in two different days.

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    1. I sent an email a couple of minutes ago. I'm mentioning it as it might get into your spam folder. x

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    2. Thank you, Anca, I'll have a look in TKMaxx, when I'll have a chance to do shopping in Oxford. I replied to your email.

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  2. Sorry to hear you've had a tough week. Hope you are feeling back to normal now. You must be looking forward to your mum's visit. I don't drink coffee, but am fascinated to know what the big deal is with pumpkin spiced lattes. I understand from my kids that they're mainly aged at teenage girls!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah, I do like coffee, but prefer either plain latte or just a bit of flavour.

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  3. Argh, you blog never lets me comment first time then I lose my comment! Hope you're feeling a lot better now.
    I do the same as you with the festive hot chocolates. I always think I'll try them because they smell good, but they never taste good.

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    1. Thank you, Emma, sorry about the comment issue, I have no idea what the problem is and how to fix it. I have the same problem with some blogs as well.

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  4. Oh no! I hope October is better for you and your mum us well enough to visit.
    Gorgeous photos!
    The only thing I like about spiders is the beautiful webs they leave.
    I have never tried a pumpkin spice latte before. I am planning to just to see what all the fuss is about.
    The honey cake looks delicious x

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    1. Thank you, Kim, agree re spiders, the webs are beautiful, as long as they are in the garden. :)

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  5. what a shame you lost 2 days to illness, but yes thank goodness for friends and respite.
    The latte does not sound overly nice.
    take the honey and the ginger out and I might try your cake.

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    1. Thank you, Elaine, I love honey in bakes. Is it the taste that you dislike of honey and ginger, or is it for health reasons that you can't have them?!
      My Mum loves honey, but cannot eat it because of her diabetes.

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  6. I'm going to have to tell my parents about that pampas myth (I've never heard of it) as they had one in their back garden in Banbury and we have one in the front garden here, which was planted years before I arrived, in totally the wring place. I'm not a fan #365

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    1. Thank you, Mary, I have no idea where this myth has originated, but I definitely heard of it (and read) a few times.

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  7. Yuk to any coffee with a flavour in it, no i really don't want to try it even if it's free. Hope you're feeling better and I look forward to hearing about your mums visit

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  8. I have never tried pumpkin at all, never fancied the sound of it in coffee! But I have bought 3 real ones for halloween so looking for recipes! I hope the rain stops and you feel better #project365

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  9. The spiced cake sounds delicious. I am sorry to hear you have not been well, glad it was short lived. yes Ive heard that about Pampas Grass too and blue vases on the window sills.!!

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  10. We've had quite a spell of rain here & now its loke winter is approaching. St Mary's church looks great. Hmm intereating myth about pompass grass, although i wouldn't take it too seriously.
    Does the dog want to drive or something?
    I haven't heard of pumpkin spice latte. It sounds interesting but definitely doesn't sound sweet. Honey cake looks so great and see and looks Delicious!

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