#PhotoAnHour | April 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020My last Photo An Hour post was for March 21st before lockdown was introduced. I only went out one more time after this, to the post office, and I haven't left the farm since.
10am
I’ve been up a while but only just remembered it’s photo an hour today.
I’m not dressed, I haven’t had breakfast, this is only my second cup of tea (Whittards Chelsea Garden - delicious). The sun isn’t shining, and I’m feeling pretty meh.
11am
Still not dressed, still not eaten, still meh. Third cuppa (Twinings Jasmine Green Tea - lovely), and a Times Crime Book of the Year, although I don’t know what year.
12pm
I’m dressed at least albeit in an outfit that looks like I grabbed what was closest to me, which is exactly what I did. My hair could do with a wash. I have another cuppa (Twinings Salted Caramel Green Tea - love this, haven’t had it for ages so treated myself to a box). Now I’m about to put some make up on, because everyone knows a face of make up is required to do the ironing and to go for a walk when you’ll see not another soul, and it’s complements my really not very clean hair perfectly. Today I’m going for a ‘whatever works’ works approach.
1pm
Lunch eaten - spaghetti hoops on toast, yep we’re going all out today. Jasmine green tea made by my husband, which is why there is SO MUCH SPACE at the top of my mug (my Mum would ask if the vicar was coming to tea). We’ve just had a chat about feeling fed up, it doesn’t change it but it’s nice to know he feels it too. From this point I have no inkling of what to do next...
2pm
Have taken myself back to bed to read for a while. More tea (made by me, the vicar was not invited this time). I’m under the duvet as it’s chilly today, but we’ve had some rain which has pleased my farmer husband. This book, The Stranger by Elly Griffiths, is actually rather good. If I achieve nothing else today it will be to get a number of chapters read.
3pm
Mug is empty! Off to make more tea. Up to chapter 23.
4pm
A productive hour. Tea made, tea consumed. Dishwasher loaded. Cat litter tray sorted. A basket of ironing done. Kitchen surfaces wiped down. Kettle is on. And now I’m about to bake a cherry cake with the help of Grandma’s ancient Kenwood Chefette.
5pm
Currently stuck under my girl cat. Not that I’m complaining. The cherry cake is in the oven and smells delicious. And I’ve vacuumed the house, not thoroughly, I didn’t move furniture or anything, it’s not Christmas.
6pm
Cherry cake out, pasta bake in.
The rest of my evening involved reading and watching a bit of TV, which couldn't have been every interesting as I have no recollection of what we watched.
Looking back on the day I started out feeling pretty low but it was nice that taking some time to just be allowed me to come out of it and be productive, I felt rather chipper by the end of the day. And the full face of make up did make me feel a little better, I felt crap but looked alright, it was a fake it til you make it kinda deal.
I finished The Stranger Diaries the next day, and have since read another, and started a third.
I hope you had a lovely weekend. Thanks to Jane and Louisa for hosting #PhotoAnHour.
20 comments
I'm glad your meh! day turned into something far more productive and enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteI love a gripping crime thriller.
The cake looks lovely and girl cat is snuggly and gorgeous. xxx
The book was really good! The cake is almost gone :)
Deletexx
When I get out of bed feeling like that I like to get myself out, even if it's just for a drive, so it's quite hard at the moment when we're all stuck at home. Books are great for transporting us to other places though, and furry friends are a real comfort.
ReplyDeleteThe book was a great distraction, and Tinker always seems to know when I'm feeling down.
Deletexx
What an interesting meme. A photo an hour. Even though you mentioned feeling meh, your photos give a feeling of aliveness and even a sense of joy 'in the midst'. Your kitty is sweet and that loaf looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a beautiful day...
Brenda xox
Thanks Brenda xx
DeleteIf there's a shortage of tea in a cup my parents say 'the tide's gone out'.
ReplyDeleteNot heard the vicar one before xx
That's a new one on me, I like it
Deletexx
Nice that you are using your grandmothers kitchen tools, I like the idea of passing things like this on, the continuity, the memories that would be attached to days gone by. Having time to waste makes us feel guilty as we are used to justifying every waking hour, we will get used to it and then we will learn to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI think of her when I use it, all the baking I've done in this house has been with this. It's lovely.
DeleteI have enjoyed the extra time, the opportunity to spend more time on things, I just woke up on Saturday feeling a bit off, which can happen at any time, but I don't doubt that lockdown contributed to Saturday's mood.
xx
I'm glad your meh mood improved later in the day. Must have been all the tea. And the make-up. That always helps for me, even if my hair is unwashed. The cake looks delicious! xxx
ReplyDeleteI knew the feeling would pass. Tea always helps, and escaping to a world within the pages of a book did too. Make up does pick me, I don't normally do a full face but I find it's quite therapeutic, something, that when you take your time, you can become immersed in.
DeleteThe cake was delicious, and it didn't last long.
xx
Chris is exactly the same! Why is so much space left in the mug!???!! Yeh, I felt like that on Saturday (well, this Saturday!). Exactly the same- meh!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're feeling brighter now.
Deletexx
P.S. The cake looks very impressive!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it's one of my favourites, and so easy to bake.
Deletexx
I loved that comment about it not being Christmas and therefore not moving the furniture. It'll take another pandemic for me to 'deep clean' again. The house is clean by my standards but not others; for example, my sister said that a deep clean involved cleaning inside cupboards which I haven't done - that's what doors are for, right? I loved that novel - got another by the same author on my TBR pile x
ReplyDeleteIt does take a special occasion for me to move furniture. And, yes, the the doors thing.
DeleteI've read a few of Elly Griffiths, all so far have been really engaging.
xx
I quite often have meh days, especially on days when I have nothing planned! I find it hard to even get out of bed if I don't have something specific to get up for (I'm not a morning person anyway and being furloughed doesn't help!). It annoys me as I have no reason to feel that way at all and when I am up and about I can easily fill my time, sometimes it just takes a while to get going and I dither and mope!
ReplyDeleteWe have the same drinks situation in our house - husband always leaves a gap at the top of a cup or glass and it annoys me, I feel short changed! I always fill it right up!
I've never read a Elly Griffiths book but they always catch my eye and I think I'd enjoy them. Same with Val McDermid. I often see them in the shops and get tempted but they seem to have a new book out so often, I resist as I have enough to read without adding new authors!
I don't mind starting a day feeling meh, as long as it doesn't end that way.
DeleteI'm getting through my TBR pile thanks to lockdown. I've read two books this week, which I know doesn't sound a lot but it's unusual for me. As I buy my books second hand from charity shops I'm on an enforced book buying ban, which is probably a good thing! I've also identified some books that I probably won't read as they're just not calling to me. My shelves might look quite empty by the time this is all over.
xx
Thank you for taking the time to comment x