This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Well we are well on the way to the weekend and I must admit this week has been rather busy.

Walking and Exercise

This week we have upped our walking considerably which has been lovely and has also made my Fitbit step count go through the roof. I’m also still doing my exercises and I’m really focusing on strength training so I hope it pays off soon.

Flute practice

I’ve also been doing a bit of flute playing this week and trying to get my skills up. The flute is my main instrument and the instrument that I studied at university for my degree and my masters but sadly my asthma over the years has taken its toll and I can no longer play like I used to. I’m really hoping that one day I can get back to where I once was but it will take a lot of time and will only happen if my asthma behaves. It has been fun to play though and get back into it as I really miss playing.

Weddings

On Saturday I played for two weddings which was wonderful but very strange. Everyone wearing masks and sitting two metres apart was very odd but it was so nice that the two couples could finally get married and I learnt a new piece for the occasion which was the Wedding Processional from The Sound of Music. It is always fun to learn new pieces for weddings.

The normal day to day continues and Autumn is fast approaching, I must admit I am rather looking forward to cosy fires, books, blankets and hot chocolate.

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

We are approaching the weekend yay!

This week the usual antics of teaching, reading, and general chores continue but teaching is now getting busier as people who had August off return for their music lessons. I’m also still trying to sort out all my sheet music in the music room which is taking a very long time to organise.

Yummy Snacks

This week I tried a new recipe off FitOn which is Peanut Butter Chocolate Cups and they are amazing and so tasty. I will definitely be making them again as they are such a nice little treat and not too unhealthy as it is dark chocolate and peanut butter with no additives.

Walking

We have gone on some lovely walks this week and I must admit I was fascinated by this tree’s roots, hence the photo. The tree is clinging to the sand stone and you can see the roots and you can see that the tree has been there for many many years.

Music

I’m still practising ready for the weddings I’m playing for on Saturday and I must admit I am rather nervous as it has been a while since I played for a wedding. The Ukulele practice is back as I am now definitely aiming for grade 2 before Christmas but the one piece is a real ear worm so I’m constantly humming or singing it.

So a very musical week really with plenty of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Criminal Minds to relax with.

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

So this week has been a bit more adventurous for me which has been nice.

Organ Playing

This week I went to one of the churches I am an organist for and practiced the organ for a good hour. It was so nice to be back and the fact that I was in the church with no interruptions was wonderful as I could just play until my heart’s content. Thankfully the organ is still working because it is needed for a wedding in September and it hadn’t been played since March. By the way the organ’s name is Bob.

Walking

This week we have been on two lovely walks which have been really nice as it was somewhere different.

Exercise

I have been really getting into my exercise and have been trying out different workouts. This has meant the recent acquisition of a step box, hopefully this will mean some more fun workouts or with my coordination I end up falling off it.

Cat photos

This week has also involved a lot of cat photos for some reason. Think the cats are getting a little sick of it but they are so cute. Here is my favourite of Lyra.

TV Series

We are still working our way through our TV series. We have finished all the Absolutely Fabulous episodes and are still working our way through Buffy the Vampire Slayer, sadly the annoying sister Dawn has turned up now and she does drive me insane.

There is my week. Still quiet but I’m still teaching and studying most days so not too quiet. Right now I’m currently frantically watching out for the enormous spider that is running around our living room.

This and That Thursday

Hello!

Welcome to my week!

Cats’ Instagram

The cats’ instagram is going really well. They have nearly 100 followers and I must admit my husband and myself are enjoying posting pictures and videos of the cats possibly a little too much. The cats are not bothered in the slightest.

Online Cocktail Parties

On Friday it was my best friend’s birthday and we had planned a cocktail party but because of the current situation we had an online one. My bestie’s husband sent us cocktail making kits and we all made the same cocktails during a Facetime call and had some lovely drinks and a good laugh.

Piano Playing

I have two weddings coming up in September to play for so I have been learning some new pieces that have been requested. I have also been looking at other piano pieces for fun and really enjoying playing the piano.

Fish and Chip Picnic

On Saturday we met my family for a fish and chip picnic which was brilliant. It was so good to see my brother and sister and my parents all together after so long. Also we haven’t had fish and chips for ages and my brother had brought ice cream for pudding. It was a brilliant picnic even if it did rain on us.

Baking

I also tried a new recipe this week, chocolate banana loaf. I don’t really like bananas but this loaf is rather yummy as it is so full of chocolate.

The usual bits and pieces that happen during the week have happened but it has been wonderful to catch up with friends and family. All socially distanced of course.

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is well. I will be honest the heat and humidity has rather done me in this week so I haven’t moved much due to no energy and asthma. This has meant a lot of reading though which has been good.

Cat Instagram

Too much time on my hands ended up with me setting an instagram account up for our cats. Yes I have lost the plot but now even the husband has started posting pictures of the cats. If anybody would like to follow Lyra and Pan their instagram is lyraandpancatz.

Sunday Service

On Sundays I am now going over to my parents’ house and watching our church service online which has been really nice to do. The church that I play the organ for has not had a service yet but when it does I will be back and hopefully so will my mom.

Teaching

Teaching has still been going strong and everyone seems to be enjoying their lessons online so hopefully it continues.

So that is my week, as I warned very quiet but actually I’ve quite enjoyed all the reading I have managed and the cats’ instagram is proving rather fun although I think the cats officially think we have lost the plot.

Happy reading

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

This week has been a great week. I’ve had another student return and start online lessons and all my students have been working hard learning new pieces and preparing for exams. I am also loving my blog and reading everyone else’s blog and making new friends.

So here is what I have been up to this week…

Exercise

The exercise is still going strong, I have been using the app FitOn for some new workouts and I gave Zumba a go! I love dance workouts but I must admit Zumba is scarily fast. Also as I was attempting to dance and waving my arms around and trying not to fall over our neighbour walked past the window to post the village newsletter and saw me. I dread to think what she thought about me.

Belly Dancing

I’ve done my second Belly Dancing session and thankfully I wasn’t the only one in the class today. I learnt some new moves and another little routine and didn’t fall over! Always a plus sign. Eeyore is loving the Belly Dancing hip scarf.

Dog Walking

This week I have managed to take my dog Coco for two walks. On Sunday I spent the morning with my mom watching our church service online and then I took Coco for a walk and today I also took her for a walk and had lots of cuddles. Coco is technically my dog but when I moved in with my husband Coco had to stay with my parents because my husband has cats. Also there is no way my dad would have let me take her. This means I have been missing Coco like mad during lockdown as I usually get to see her three times a week so it has been so nice to spend some time with her.

Walking

We are still going for our daily walks and this week we drove to a new location for a walk and got horribly lost but it was still a lot of fun.

Finding new exciting ways to eat courgettes!

My dad always grows a lot of veg but this year he seems to have really gone overboard on the courgette front. So I have been researching recipes to use it in. I’ve done courgette chocolate brownies before and using it instead of spaghetti so wanted something different. This has lead to me discovering my new favourite courgette dish ‘Creamy courgette and bacon pasta’ it was amazing! I added sweetcorn because I add sweetcorn to all my food. Here is the recipe on BBC Goodfood

So there is my week. I hope everyone has also had a good week so far.

This and That Thursday

Hello!

This week has been a little different to other weeks. We have been planning some house and garden improvements and I hope that in August we can get loads done. I’m still teaching and studying and obviously reading.

Cryptic Crosswords

This week I have been attempting cryptic crosswords with the help and guidance of my husband who has done loads. It is very fun but really makes you think in a different way. I will need a lot of practice before I can get any good.

Cross Stitch

I have spent more time on the cross stitch this week. It is still a very slow process but it is getting there slowly. I doubt I will get it finished this year sadly.

Belly Dancing

This week I also started attending Belly Dancing classes again. The instructor is teaching through Zoom but it is really good fun. I haven’t done Belly Dancing for about 3 years so it was good to get back into it. Might ache a bit tomorrow though.

Films

We have finished watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy and also watched Ghostbusters.

So that is my week! I hope everyone is also having a good week.

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far. I have been up to my usual activities this week.

Walking

This week we have been up to some more walks and we ventured to a National Trust walk for the first time since lockdown. It was really nice to go somewhere different this week and thankfully it wasn’t too busy. Also I am still playing Pokemon Go and hatching lots of eggs with all the walking.

Gardening

This week we have been trying to fight the ever increasing battle with the weeds and we have also trimmed a few of the hedges. The weeds sadly are not taking the hint they are not welcome. Here are a few snaps from the garden.

Music

This week I have been working a lot on my ukulele playing and have really been enjoying learning Ziggy Stardust.

Cooking

We also tried a new recipe this week from Davina McCall’s Fakeaway recipes. I am still self shielding so we are trying some new recipes to simulate eating out. It was a very yummy recipe.

Lord of the Rings

We have also started watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I just love the films and they were what started my Tolkien obsession.

That is my week so far. I hope everyone is having a good week.

This and That Thursday

Another Thursday has arrived and so it is time for me to do my This and That Thursday post.

So this week hasn’t been that busy and I haven’t touched my new jigsaw sadly but I’ve still tried to keep busy.

Music

I’ve started getting into my piano practice again. The piano is my nemesis, no matter how hard I try I just can’t progress and get my grade 6 complete. This leads to me getting frustrated and ceasing to practice. So I’m aiming for 30mins a day but not just grade stuff I’m playing fun stuff that will still push my playing in the hope I don’t abandon the instrument again. I have also started working on grade 2 ukulele which is proving to be a good challenge, I’m currently working on Ziggy Stardust which is really fun trying to play on a ukulele.

Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary and to celebrate we went for a walk by the church where we got married and then had a lovely meal which involved pizza and champagne. It was a lovely quiet day and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Tudors

I have started a Tudor course on Future Learn and I love it so far. It is mainly done by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb and it is very informative. Should keep me busy for a few weeks. I highly recommend Future Lear. The courses are excellently done and massively enjoyable to do.

So that is my week. Hopefully the piano playing will continue to get better.

This and That Thursday

Happy Thursday!

I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday! The weeks seem to be flying by.

This week has been rather quiet but this has meant I’ve done more reading.

Studying

I’ve got back into my Future Learn courses and have finally completed the one I was asked to do before I start the second year of my Masters.

Walking and Exercise

Exercise and walking is still going well although all this rain has been causing problems regarding the walking.

New Recipes

This week I made a lemon mouse which I’ve never attempted before and it proved to be very yummy. Sadly I didn’t make the lemon biscuit that went so well with the moose.

Jigsaw

I have started a new jigsaw today but it isn’t going too well. Yet again I have chosen a jigsaw that doesn’t fit on my jigsaw board so this will now have to be moved to the dining room table.

Well that is my week so far. Very quiet but a good week.

Happy Reading!