Photo diary: Project 365, week 14 2026

Easter holidays have come to an end, it's back to school and early mornings from tomorrow.

We had a very quiet celebration, just the four of us. I cooked salmon with blood oranges among other dishes (Canadian lobster was pre-cooked and not particularly good). 

For dessert we had an Italian cake Colomba from M&S (top marks) and, of course, chocolate eggs.

 

All the weekend I was listening to Classic FM Hall of Fame, an annual tradition of mine. I forgot to cast my votes this year, doh. They kept remiding regularly on the show, and I thought I still had time, until there wasn't, well, that will teach me to be more organised. There was a bit of a reshuffle among the top three.

My husband left early in the morning to fly to Italy to give a talk and see his parents.

Sasha went out with his PAs, and I had a quick run to the bakery to buy some fresh bread. On the way, I saw some lovely clouds and patterns in the sky.

These squiggles made me think of the music notes.

And this one made me think of a Phoenix or a fire bird, with a long beak and the wings spread widely.

The only photo I snapped on Tuesday was of a Dexter collection at the local Oxfam shop. I actually was looking for any Dick Francis books that I haven't read yet. Eddie read a couple of Dexter books last year, and I sent him this photo, asking if he wanted any of those.

We had a few warm days, and I tried to weed as much as I could in the garden. The blasted ground elder is out again, it is totally indestructible, and a bain of my life. It's a yearly battle which I am always losing.

I've been also clearing the ivy and climbing plants from the stone walls. Last year we hired someone to clear the lot, and it's back. 

I didn't do any sketches the week before, and decided to join in with the Penandinkchallenge this week. This is my illustration of the nursery rhyme to the Moon prompt.

The latest My Waitrose Little Treat is a voucher for a Gü dessert. I fancied trying a new pistachio cheesecake. It is just OK, nothing special, pistachio tastes rather artificial, and I wouldn't be buying it again. I should have got a Gü Zillionaire cheesecake instead, which Eddie likes a lot.

I'm a big fan of Sophie Anderson's books, ever since her first book came out in 2018. I was lucky to meet her in person at one of the book events in Oxford in the pre-Covid days. 

Sophie is a talented author, a wise woman, and a very very lovely person. We keep in touch online. 

I was thrilled to find out that there was a new book going to be published in April. I read the proofs, downloaded from NetGalley, and absolutely loved The House with Chicken Legs Runs Away. It is such a beautiful book. The tale explores themes of death and profound grief, and also acceptance of one's foibles and forgiveness of one's mistakes.

If you enjoy middle grade books, and also stories based on folk tales, I believe you will love it. It's now in the book shops.

Yesterday night Eddie and I had dinner with our friends, while my husband looked after Sasha at home. 

It was a Mexican-themed dinner, with a tortilla made of blue corn, and lots of spices. It was the first time I tried a blue corn product, and hominy too.

A bit too hot for my unsophisticated palate. It was tasty, but oh boy, I needed plenty of sour cream and water. And some Rennies, when I came home. 

What else did I do? I read Proof by Dick Francis. This is the sixth book by Francis that I've read this year, and it's probably one of the two that I enjoyed the most. An original start, albeit on the gruesome side, a great plot and an excellent protagonist. 

I also started reading one of the historical fiction books for reviewing, and I'm slightly regretting it. The book is great, if you enjoy a lot of historical battles, and testosterone-filled atmosphere. It's just I am struggling with it. 

There were too many sweet treats in the last couple of weeks, and I feel I need to go on a diet. 

How was your week?

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Photo diary: Project 365, week 13

 Happy Easter! I'm feeling quite stuffed after a big meal, and a good chunk of a chocolate egg. Hope you're having a relaxed day.

I mentioned in the last week's post about venturing into the craft fair in town and buying a vintage Scottish brooch/pin shaped like a hunting horn, with a little thistle on it. I put it on my coat the next day.

And by now quite a few people commented on it.

A bit of an upheaval during the start of the Easter holidays week. Sasha's PAs arrived on Monday to take him out, one was a totally new guy who has never worked with Sasha before, the other also only accompanied him once before. They were clueless about what they were supposed to do. So I had to give a quick update before they all left. I was anxious that Sasha might get upset. Thankfully, it went OK. 

We have such a fluctuation of PAs, and are never informed in advance who is coming, which is not helpful. I mean, the new person didn't even know that Sasha is non verbal. Not his fault, as he should have been informed earlier what kind of patient he is working with.

From the original team of PAs who started with us two years ago, there is only one left, and even he is not a regular any longer. It would have been better for our boy to have a continuity of care, so that he gets familiar with his team. They are nice guys, very polite and friendly. Not much older that Sasha. 

One of them keeps calling me Mma, which makes me smile. I feel like my favourite character, Mma Ramotswe from the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series. 

In fact, right now I am reading In the Time of Five Pumpkins - book no.26 - and enjoying it. By book 26, you know all the characters like your own family. 

Dyed my hair. It had to be done. I'm too lazy to do it more often than once a month. Talked to my Mum, and the first thing she said was, Did you wash your hair? Thanks, Mum, does my hair usually look so bad? 

Ran into town to buy more Easter eggs for Sasha's PAs. I have the chocolate eggs squirreled for my guys, and we've already polished off two boxes of Divine mini eggs (soooo good). 

Treated myself to a Co-Op Neapolitan egg for £3 (it's £7 for non-members, £4.50 for members, plus I had a £1.50 off).

An "exciting" day, as our new recycling wheelie bin was delivered finally on Wednesday. I'm clearly turning into a certain age demographic if the arrival of a wheelie bin makes my day. :)

The previous one was broken by the rubbish collection team four weeks earlier. There must have been something wrong with their equipment, as I noticed a few bins in the neighbourhood with the lids torn off. 

I applied for a replacement, and was told to keep the broken bin outside the front door. Of course, then all the neighbourhood jerks were throing their rubbish in while passing by, including the dog poo bags. How do these people justify putting their dog's mess into someone's recycling bin?! Just want to add, that I love dogs, it's the entitled dog owners that get my goat.

Yesterday I bought a bag of Forest Feast pistachio milk chocolate dates. My darling Sash found it, nibbled all the chocolate and put the dates back in the bag, which made me laugh. I would so love to know what he thinks, "I'll just eat the chocolate, put the dates back, and nobody would notice the difference".

My husband was travelling back from France and asked what to bring for our guys. I told him, anything sweet. And that's the pack of madeleines and macaroons that he brought with him.

When Sasha was out on Thursday with his PAs, we had a quick visit to Huffkins cafe. Eddie's been doing quite a bit of revision during holidays, and we thought he needed a break. 

Our kitchen is built as an extension, and there is a glass dome over the ceiling. I've been looking at the roof and the dome from the bathroom window, thinking it really needs cleaning. One third of the roof was covered with the clematis growing from the neighbour's side, and there was moss too.

I climbed out and did a good clearing, cutting down the branches and sweeping the surface. Good timing, as there was rain in the night. I wouldn't want to walk over the wet roof.

At the moment we have lots and lots of muscari in the garden, as well as some tulips.

Taking Sasha out on Friday. His hair is so long now, but he hates having it cut. I need to find courage and do it. It's going to be stressful for both of us. It's a total sensory overload for him, and quite distressing. He just about allows me to trim his facial hair, so at the moment my big boy looks like Jesus.

What else did I do?

I finished listening to Hart's Ridge by Kay Bratt (free on Audible), which I enjoyed more than I thought I would, and even got the second book in the series, currently on offer.

It's a small town mystery series, with a likable main character, Taylor Gray, who happens to work as a deputy in the local police department. Growing up in poverty, with an alcoholic father, she and her sisters were in and out of foster care. Taylor reaches her dream of working in law enforcement. An only female in the male environment, she is overlooked and jeered at. 

As an older sister, she's been looking after her sisters, and even now feels responsible to care for her dysfunctional family, especially Dad and junkie sister Lucy.

Aside from her personal life story, there is a mystery around a little girl Molly who's been found wandering on her own, and her mother is missing. Taylor is called to investigate where she could come from and how she happened to be left alone.

The narrator Mare Trewathen is pretty good overall, except when she tries to speak for men's characters. I rolled my eyes every time she tried to make her voice sound gruff.

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March Box Degustabox: Hello, Spring and Easter

 Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I otherwise wouldn't have tried.

Each time a monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when placing an order. 

What did we get in March Box: Hello, Spring and Easter Degustabox?

Bisto Signature Chicken Ready to Use Gravy (£3.50) is Product of the Month. Made with natural ingredients, it's slowly simmered with succulent meat juices for maximum flavour.

Heat up on the hob, or in the microwave, and serve with the roast chicken.

If you have any leftover gravy, add it to your homemade pies or casseroles.

Nutritional values: 32kcal and 0.73g of salt per 83ml portion (one package = six servings).

Available in Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons.

Urban Noodle Soba Noodle/or Ramen Noodle/ or Udon Noodle (£1.50) are designed for rich broths and hearty bowls.

These Japanese style noodles offer an authentic taste and texture. Ready in just 3-5 minutes.

Crafted with quality ingerdients and free from artificiail flavours, these noodles will make a quick and easy meal.

You will receive 1 item out of three. We got Soba Noodle, made from a mix of wheat and buckwheat flour, perfect for any stir fry meal, with chicken and vegetables, tuna or tofu.

Typical values: 346kcal and 1g of sugat per 100g.

Paxo Quick Cook Sage & Red Onion stuffing mix (£2.65) will come handy for our Easter meal.

One pack makes 12 stuffing balls, crispy outside and fluffy inside. Thanks to a blend of tasty herbs and rich flavours, the stuffing will enhance any roast meal.

Nutritional values: 45kcal and 0.26g of salt per 22g portion (stuffing ball); vegan; no artificial colours or preservatives.

Available in Sainsbury's, Morrisons and ASDA.

Kanzen Meal Japanese Curry (£3.50) is a quick and easy meal, which provides optimal nutritional balance at any time.

Each meal contains more than 20g of protein, 26 types of vitamins and minerals, and controls the amount of fat, sugar, saturated fatty acids and salt that are of concern. Kanzen means complete or perfect in Japanese.

Nutritional information: 129kcal and 0.57g of salt per 100g as prepared.

Available online.

I used this pot of rice as an ingredient for stuffed sweet peppers, as I have been trying to use odds and ends in the pantry before grocery shopping. I'm not quite sure what the meat-like pieces are supposed to be. I added less than a half of the curry seasoning.

It was tasty enough (but I do prefer meals with a simpler ingredients' list).

Sweet Freedom Fizz Pineapple & Coconut/ Lime & Mint/ Raspberry & Cranberry/ Mango & Mandarin sparkling water (£1.50) is a range of low calorie drinks.

There are four light flavours available, and you should receive one of four. We got Pineapple & Coconut. It was light and refreshing.

Nutritional values: 14kcal per can and 2.4g of sugar, no artificial sweeteners; made of all natural ingredients (pineapple and cocount, and also surprisingly, dandelion leaf and baobab, naturally sweetened with upcycled cocoa juice).

Available on www.sweetfreedom.co.uk and Amazon.

And finally, Nescafe Iced Classic Unsweetened Espresso Concentrated (£4.99) is the ultimate coffee hack.

If you enjoy iced coffee on hot days, this is a cost-effective concentrated coffee. 

A big bonus is that it is unsweetened. As much as I love iced coffee, most of the bottles/tins made by the major coffee brands are way too sweet, you can barely taste anything for the amount of sugar, so thumbs up for the unsweetened variety. 

To make a glass, just add milk of your choice and ice. One bottle makes 16 servings.

Nutritional values: 43kcal and 4.1g of sugar per 100ml prepared.

We had the same Espresso bottle last summer, which had the right weather for iced drinks. So far spring has been quite blustery and still chilly. If not iced drinks, what would you make with this coffee concentrate? Have you tried making a tiramisu with it? Please let me know.

Available in the major supermarket chains.

What's your favourite product from the latest box?