Friday, October 3, 2025

RIP Dame Patricia Routledge

Dame Patricia Routledge has died at the age of 96. Born February 17, 1929, she had an acting career spanning stage and both large and small screens. She will be most widely remembered for her television work. Her starring role as Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances (1990) netted Dame Patricia the title of Britain's all-time favorite actress in 1996 and led to her achieving global recognition due to the show's incredible popularity. After five years in that role, she left for something new with the show Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1996) and later went on to helm multiple theatrical tours. When interviewers would ask her when she planned to stop performing, she would ask them to spell 'retirement' because: "It's not in my vocabulary." Dame Patricia Routledge (1929 -2025)

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Around the 'Net

 Not intended for political purposes, I am merely posting the link for the government shutdown clock if anyone is interested.


Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Volume 622

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Here are this week's questions, which you should answer on your own blog and then pop over to Joyce's blog (click on the graphic for the link) Wednesday to add your link to the party.

From this Side of the Pond 

1.  What's your favorite fall scent?  Would we find this in or around your home right now?

Pumpkin.  I don't have a pumpkin candle going at the moment, but I received a coupon for Bath & Body Works, so I think I'll head over there and check out their offerings.  Any of these look yummy:

2. October is Country Music Month...are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse? 

It's ok but I don't listen enough or follow enough on social media to know who's who or the names of their songs.  I have never been to Nashville.  I'm definitely a city mouse, a Detroit Motown city mouse! 

3. How about 'country cooking'? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)? 

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-'barbecue'-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven't tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered?

My favorite would be fried chicken.  I'm still using my seventh-grade home economics recipe, and I alternate that with Sophia's godmother's recipe.  I also enjoy biscuits and gravy, mac and cheese, deviled eggs, and barbecue.  On the just ok list would be chicken and dumplings, cornbread, and banana pudding.  A firm no thank you would go to shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, collard or turnip greens, and gumbo.

4. What's something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

A cup of tea.  It's the recipe to lift any mood.  If I went to see my mum and she could see I had something not-so-positive on my mind, the first thing she'd say would be, "Let me put the kettle on".

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you. 

How about a picture?

September, where did you go?

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Dubai Style chocolate, love it or hate it?  Can you even find it in a store near you?  I found a bar at Hallmark ($24.99 for a bar of chocolate!!) and came across a bar at Home Goods (same size but $9.99). Costco has some Dubai Style truffles which were delicious, and I hear that Lindt will be bringing out a bar soon.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

If this is Tuesday, it must be England #192

 

Vic and I both have our top three for our upcoming trip to London.  Vic's list is the Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben), Buckingham Palace, and as many afternoon teas as we can fit in!  Mine is the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and SHOPPING!

I am looking forward to exploring as many of the department store Christmas shops as we can.  I'm sure it will be lots of oohing and aahing and lots of photo snapping and one or two (or three or four) ornaments will no doubt make their way back across the pond.

These are on my list.











Selfridges has announced a festive collaboration with Disney.

I've linked all the Christmas shops in case you'd like to have a look or do a little online shopping!

Monday, September 29, 2025

Life Last Week (22-28 September 2025)


Only two days left in September...the month just flew by.

The weather for the week ahead:::



Lots of lovely rain in the forecast this week.  It means muddy paws but that's ok, I'll take that for the sound of the rain.  Luckily, I only have one appointment outside the house this week.

On my reading pile:::

 Finished The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer from my bookshelves, so it's just The Venetian Daughter by Ella Carey on my Kindle. 


On my TV:::

No change in the usual weekly viewing - Still loving The Hardacres (yay, renewed for a second season!) on BritBox, the Great British Baking Show on Netflix, and the Great Canadian Baking Show on Roku.


More Fall into Love offerings on Hallmark+ - each one we watch makes me long for New England.



And we switched from Hallmark to a few that Vic picked out, both great viewing!



We also watched Episode 9 of Blood of my Blood, the prequel to Outlander.  It's the finale this Friday but I was glad to see there will be a second season.


Checked off the list:::
  • Lots of London booking going on:
    •  Hotel
    • Pantomime 
    • Train Tickets to visit my cousin 
    • Historic Royal Palaces Membership 
    • Transportation from Heathrow to our hotel 
    • Tour of Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey  (most touring we can do on our own, but I really wanted a guide for this one)
  • Tuned in every morning last week for the daily 24-hour sale of past December Daily items and didn't buy a thing!
  • Participated off and on in the virtual crop on Saturday.
  • Did go slightly mad buying holiday acrylic pieces when they were released on Thursday at Color Cast Designs.  I couldn't resist.

Crafts roundup:::

Keeping current on my memory planning.  December Daily 2021 layouts are complete, still need a few embellishments but pivoted to work on our American Girls Club album during the virtual crop.
 
And in other news:::


Week Five sees us into the master bathroom and linen closets for Master Bathroom Week.  We'll clean and organize personal care and linen storage areas and continue working on seasonal clothing plans.
Holiday prep continues to move forward on to-make and to-buy gifts and includes a wardrobe check for kids. 

I'll leave the links up here if you're interested.



Vic and I had a lovely Sunday brunch after church.  The weather was glorious, and we were seated on the deck overlooking the marina.


Vic selected the Corned Beef Hash while I had Biscuits and Gravy - both delicious!


What a view and there were sea lions at the end of the pier above, just relaxing in the sun.


The best latte!

Friday, September 26, 2025

Friday Favorites - September 26, 2025

 

A few favorites from my camera roll as I was out and about this week.

Hobby Lobby - now is the time to stock up on all things Christmas, and believe me, they've got it all!

Who doesn't love a great sale!


I love these little signs that you can tuck here and there.


Any Grinch fans?


I can see this on our Christmas tree - I think I might actually have a Hallmark Uno ornament.


These two, not so much, especially at $15.99 each.  Anyone else notice the price of ornaments has gone through the roof?



For the Peanuts fan in your life at Target.


World Market - I love Ritter SPORT chocolates.  Their Advent calendar section is getting larger.


This is something new - I've purchased the plain cases before, but these chocolate ones will be yummy served with a chocolate mousse filling.  I'm on the hunt for tiny desserts for my tea in November.


These would make a fun stocking stuffer, again World Market.


Does anyone buy food at Home Goods?  They have such a great gourmet section, perfect for international themed meals or parties.


It's called a Belly Mug but to me it's a Mason Mule Mug!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Thursday, September 25, 2025