Thursday, 28 February 2013

Bad Technology day


Thursday 28th February.

A fantastic sunny day.  I have been continuing to put all my photos onto an external hard drive as my second back up of those I had to put on USB sticks in an emergency, a while back. It can be very slow- sometimes drag and drop works and at other times I have to move photos one at a time and it can take 10-15 seconds for the photo to be copied. My Mac froze twice today and I had to forcibly shut it. Husband wanted me to scan some old family photos and yet again my Mac couldn’t find the scanner so I had to perform an un-install and re-install- even then I couldn’t get it to work properly. It seems there may be a compatibility with the Lion OSX 10.7.5. So plugged in Husbands old Windows PC and it had the same problem. *Frustrating*
On a better note, I brought my Mum to look at the new stove which I have to say is keeping me very warm (yippee), when I took her home, I snapped her utility room work surface- cluttered as ever, but then spotted her fruit in the drainer, beautifully lit by the late afternoon sun! I can’t believe tomorrow is the 1st March!
Just read this through and really I had a pants day with technology.


This is my last Blog entry, follow me on http://www.blipfoto.com/Nicoiseannie

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

NickNack tray


Wednesday 27th February.

The sun shone all afternoon!!!
I was out a lot today and got home later than normal. The back of the house is lovely and warm with the stove gently heating the area- already paying for itself!
I left finding inspiration a bit late for my photo, but then thought my printers tray full of Fèves, champagne cork tops and other nic-naks looked rather nice in the warm light of the breakfast room!!

For an explanation of Fèves see January 8th 2013

Tomorrow is my last blog
Follow me at www.blipfoto.com/Nicoiseannie

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

My new stove!!


Tuesday 26th February.

Today was long and cold.  The multi-fuel stove was installed- and as usual in this house nothing went to plan. However after open doors all day – no heating as radiator couldn’t be just removed and repositioned until the whole system was drained…..There was no cold water as it was all shut off- the men failed to tell me to put water into containers- tough on them as they had no tea but nor did I. But now I finally have a working stove- and the very cold part of the house is toasting- YYYIIIPPPEEE!!!!  I have tried to start to clean the dust from everywhere. There are still a few bits to finish so they are due back tomorrow to finish off. Low light with lots of noise blip from iphone.

Monday, 25 February 2013

Knackered!


Monday 25th February.

I have spent quite a bit of time clearing the breakfast room ready for the multi-fuel stove that is being fitted tomorrow. This clear out ricocheted *(sp) all round the house…butchers block moved to where Dan’s no 2 amp was, no 2 amp moved to join no 1 amp in downstairs loo, guitars in loo to Dan’s bedroom, desk in his bedroom to my daughters bedroom where eventually it will replace the massive desk in the study that I want to sell!!! Office chair in Dan’s bedroom to family room and hopefully the dump tomorrow as knackered!
Left over Bouillabaisse for dinner with a few fresh prawns and mussels!

*To Ricochet.  Is the perfect tense (according to Google (I know don’t trust Google), ) really ricocheted- that’s not how I would ‘say’ it.

Sunday, 24 February 2013

Limoncello part two


Sunday 24th February.

Grey, cloudy, cold, and white things occasionally fluttered past the window.
Today’s task was to book our road trip to Belfast to collect the bits and bobs Husband has received from his Mum. The plan is to go from Holyhead to Dublin, stay a couple of nights before going to Belfast and returning home. I have to say I am nervous of the Irish Sea, storms and seasickness travelling at this time of year- not quite the Mediterranean cruise I am accustomed to! Task nearly completed just the Belfast hotel to sort (if necessary we can stay with his brother or sister).
Limoncello finished.
Recipe cont…
Drain the lemon and sugar mix through muslin, add 200-250ml vodka and bottle.
Depending on how juicy the lemons are it makes 700-800ml.


Remember I shall stop this Blog at the end of the month. Follow me at

Saturday, 23 February 2013

Limoncello


Saturday 23rd February.

Little flurries of snow from a grey sky were the norm all morning. We have run out of wood, and of course the price has gone up since the summer when I said we need to stock up….   * just saying! *   * making my point again!!*
Completed stage one of Limoncello making today. Normally it takes 10mins or less, but wanting a nice still life Blip meant I took nearly half an hour to get 20 shots that I reduced to 3!! Note I am again using the black tea towel as background.
RECIPE. 
Wash 8 unwaxed lemons. Remove the zest and place in a bowl. Squeeze the juice-and add with flesh and seeds to the bowl. Stir in 200g caster sugar. Leave for 1-2 days.
Part two tomorrow or Monday!!!


On another note, I am going to stop this Blog on 28th Feb, as it is identical to my Blipfoto blog. It seems silly to write two identical blogs. You can follow me on: 

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Carnaval de Nice


Thursday 21st February.

I am so cold…..
I am half way through Lyn’s photo book and I am really pleased with the results so far- I hope she will be- we are going to meet up to discuss backgrounds etc.
On another, and probably warmer and sunnier note, Nice (the town in France!!) is holding its ‘Carnaval’ at the present time. It runs from the 15th Feb to the 6th March.  This is something I am desperate to go to, my Mum nor my French grandparents never took me as a child - such a shame as it was on their doorstep. The photo is of the Place Massena, a stunning square in Nice, not far from the sea or old town. This is the main area for the parades, which then wind themselves along the edge of the Jardin Albert 1er (where I used to play whilst my grandparents held polite conversations with their friends in the shade) and along the Promenade des Anglais.
In Menton at the moment there is the Lemon festival- something else I am desperate to see.
Oh dear I have waffled…..