Sadly I’m a terrible cook so have bought in some confection to keep me company in the days ahead 
1 Like
Oh, @Franko, although confection sounds good to me. I also find Mr Sainsbury’s does it so much better than I can.
I have used one supermarket this year for convenience as a regular on line customer, what have others done?
When my son was approaching his thirtieth birthday I made a special card 3 x A4 size with the first page a collage of his life 0-10 years the next sheet the second decade and then the 20-30 years on the third sheet. He loved it.
To my horror my youngest approached his 30 years and said “Oh Mum I can’t wait to see my 0-30 years card!” I had not planned to do it!! But I did manage to do one in super quick time.
This lockdown I realised that my oldest child , my daughter was approaching her 40 years. The perfect lockdown project. I made a birthday book for her online. It was so good to lose myself in all the memories and took about three weeks to make, scanning old photos and making it. It really lifted my spirits and also meant that I sorted all the old photos and threw away bad photos and negatives and cut down by half the space they needed. She had never asked for this and was overwhelmed and so excited when she saw it. Her youngest was totally bemused by it because his sister looks like their Mum when she was little. They still ask to sit down and look through it.
I should be learning more Spanish!
I wish I was disciplined enough to put the hand cream on before bedtime.
If lockdown comes again I gave plans for more shiny white gloss on my door frames and skirting boards! ( maybe)
2 Likes
Wow @GrandmaJo, your collages sound the perfect project for lockdown on so many levels. I would be reminiscing more than achieving.
I also wish I remembered to put the hand cream before bedtime.
As for the Spanish and the painting I shall leave that to you.
Thanks and take care.
Anyone else planning or trying to learn a language out there?
I too have much to be grateful for this year - a combination of things I am happy to have relinquished and others which I am glad to have gained!
Happy to stop includes:
Living my life out of a suitcase, sad Friday nights stuck in an airport, sleeping in characterless hotel rooms
Having to wear uncomfortable heels, making sure my hair and makeup are immaculate
Long, boozy dinners with clients
Having to turn down obligations like my board appointments and voluntary activities
Feeling exhausted every Saturday morning but knowing I only have 36 hours to do all my ‘jobs’ at home before the driver arrives to take me to the airport
Wondering why I am working so hard, but not having time to enjoy the money
Things I am happy to have gained
Sleeping in my own bed!
Time to have long, hot bubble baths
Indulging in cooking and experimenting with new menus
Growing herbs and vegetables and knowing I can keep them alive
The impetus to build a shepherds hut by the river which is now my art studio and small library/reading room
Getting to know my friends and neighbours more intimately
Time to support people, coaching friends, doing random acts of kindness for strangers every week
Being able to pursue my passion of political activism and making a difference
Perfecting my TV and radio appearances
Not thinking that things I love to do are ‘guilty pleasures’ - no guilt at all while shielding!
Here’s a photo of part of my new art studio:
2 Likes
Gosh @SpaceAngel you are really putting me to shame, your new art studio/library/reading room is stunning.
I love your 2 lists, you have obviously really reflected and let’s hope you can continue with the changes in your life and keep more balance.
I haven’t worn a watch since March, I want to continue that.
Yes, there is no guilt whilst shielding, although if I sit down and read during the day the childhood messages come that I am being lazy.
1 Like
Gosh @SpaceAngel, that art studio is AMAZING! I love both of these lists. You have gained so much and it made me smile 
2 Likes
Wow @Space Angel I love your studio. It made me smile my friend has a bedroom just like that , her special space, the difference is that her rainbow is of sewing threads and embroidery silks.
2 Likes
What’s your latest project @SpaceAngel?
1 Like
Happy 2021
I did make a cake for my Grandson. That was all he wanted from Santa.
I also pruned my 5 rows of champagne grapes in the 3 days before Lockdown 3. It took 3 days, well 12 hours spread as it was freezing cold & I got damp twice.
I decided I needed to get my self sorted & decided to write a task list for Lockdown 3.
So, I came home & wrote it.
On it are big, medium & very small tasks. Some were on Lockdown 1 list, but I had my dad shielding with us then & seemed to have lots of boring housework to do then. Well, that’s my excuse anyway!
I’m going to make cushion covers too! Never made a cushion, made skirts shirts, curtains once, but never attempted cushions. I’ve had the material & cushions for ages. Just need to source some zips. I’ve found a website. So not really got an excuse!
1 Like
I can’t wait to see the pictures!
1 Like
Wow, @Corfu80, firstly that cake is stunning.
Do you get, harvest and make champagne with your grapes, 5 rows sounds as if you might get a good crop.
Your self motivation is putting me to shame. Some big tasks that I did in lockdown 1 really need doing again now.
I did make cushions in the 70’s and I think I chickened out and had a foldable opening.
Please keep us posted with photos and telling us how you are getting on.
Anyone else got any unexpected benefits of lockdown?
1 Like
Hi All,
I ‘rent’ my vines. Well I do all the work & get a share of the champagne produced.
It’s a small co-operative. Half the vineyard is maintained by us & the other half belongs directly to the owner.
Our champagne is produced by a local sparkling wine ‘Wiston’. They’ve won a few awards. Their champagne was used by The Queen to launch P&O Britannia.
The quantity varies depending on the harvest.
But I love getting out in the vineyard, usually completely alone, well apart from the wildlife.
I can take as long as I like to complete the tasks, days or weeks.
Our 2016 sparkling was entered in the English Sparkling competition & won Bronze. We missed Silver by 1.5 points.
2 Likes
That’s amazing! I bet it’s a beautiful place to be.
1 Like
Hi @Corfu80, how absolutely fascinating and the champagne is obviously very well thought of. How wonderful to be part of this small co-operative.
I can imagine you just getting lost in that vineyard all day with the vines and nature.
Thanks so much for giving me this image in my head.
Can anyone else beat this unexpected benefit of 2020 image?
1 Like