Automatic – My week

Between you and me, I don’t feel like I’ve really got going this week. We’re back in the routine of term time. All after-school clubs are running and I’ve scheduled in time to do the things to keep the house running, but it feels like I’m running on automatic.

As usual on a Friday, I’ve looked back through my photos on my camera. To see what kind of week it’s been. Hmm. There are no photos this week. None. Seriously. Zero.

Fortunately, my phone seems to have seen more action. Including a hastily taken photo this morning of the Boy wearing his new mama-made, knitted hoodie. I put the final stitch in last night. This weekend, I’ll capture a few more photos of it. My children know the rule. It’s not theirs to wear, until I’ve taken a zillion photos of it on them. Harsh, but true.

This week has heralded the beginning of apple cooking season. My kitchen is cinnamon/apple scented. Windfalls are coming in by the barrowful, thanks partly to Storm Aileen.

We’ve had the Aga off for the last few weeks. It had its annual service and then we had to wait for the oil to be delivered.

I’ve missed it. It copes with drying the uniforms and sports kits that are only presented to me at 9pm the night before they are needed (Why?). Also wet dogs dry more easily beside it. Especially ones that think towels are the work of the devil.

I’ve missed it. Drying herbs and hops is easier when it’s on. Also it warms the whole of the downstairs, so no need for central heating, until late October/November.

I’ve missed it. Not so much fun cooking on the temperamental camping stove and much-too-small microwave. Especially when you love cooking from scratch.

At last. Time for some proper cooking and warm plates.

We had our first home-baked mini apple pies of the season, last night. Served with homemade ice cream. Disappeared in no time. I cannot lie. When the whole family appreciates my cooking, it spurs me on with fresh enthusiasm.

Just in time as I have more home grown goodies coming in the kitchen door than I know what to do with. A lovely problem. I’m well practised at turning it all into food for the table, but it feels like a race against time. Good job the squash will store.

Covering school books in sticky back plastic week too. I’m pretty good at it now, but every year, one book ends up with creases. At least the others look smooth.

So, despite looking like I’ve been really busy, I haven’t been. It’s all automatic. I do this each year and am truly grateful for the rhythm of the season. I’m hoping now the Aga is back on that I’ll be more efficient and free up some time, and enthusiasm, to get going on the rest of life. I need to organize my work life better. Start moving forward.

Joining in with #wotw. My word is automatic.

20 comments

  1. hahaha! I have the same rule…The kids can’t have anything until I’ve photographed it. lol They are fine with that.
    I love the sound of your kitchen. I bet it smells amazing!
    When I was a kid and lived on a farm we had a huge aga and we loved it….It had so many uses.
    It does sound like a busy week. x

    1. Then you totally get it. Agas are not just about cooking. I could write a very long list on all the different uses we’ve put our Aga through. I’m more efficient for having one. There is a batch of meringues in there now, a book and a baking tray drying on top, washing finishing off on the rail, herbs above…I could go on.

  2. You sound productive on automatic pilot, though! And I find myself wanting to come to yours for dinner, it all sounds warming and delicious x Thanks for sharing with #WotW

    1. You would be very welcome. Although if you don’t take apple with absolutely everything, then you might be disappointed at the moment.

  3. Such a good idea to take loads of photos of your makes. I made loads of knitwear for the children when they were young and would love to take a look at some photos of them. I remember making a Starsky and Hutch cardigan for my eldest boy, lol
    Briony
    x

    1. Oh WOW! That must have looked fabulous. The pattern was very striking. Please tell me you have a photo hidden away somewhere.

  4. Sometimes it’s easier to run on automatic but then you look back at the week and wonder where it’s gone. Cooking and baking this time of year always seems much more of a pleasure doesn’t it, nothing better than warm apple pie or crumble to mark the start of Autumn. Have a lovely weekend x

    1. That is exactly how my week has gone. Really have not lived in the moment and seem to have lost days. Totally agree with how good cooking is at this time of year

  5. That jumper looks so warm and cosy. I know what you mean I have hardly dine diddly squat and somehow it’s Saturday X #wotw

  6. I used to have to cover all my books in sticky back plastic but they don’t seem to do that in the schools round here anymore. Love the blue hoodie and all the apples, how do you get on with the apple peeler, I tried one but found it more annoying that helpful, enjoy your cooking sessions, its a busy time of year.

    1. The sticky back plastic covering seems to depend on the teacher. Fortunately it only seems to be the language and history departments this year. The apple peeler is my best friend. I honestly don’t know how I survived without it. I find it easy to use and so much faster. Especially when faced with a barrow of apples each day!

  7. Hi Cheryl, I love the fact that the clothes you make your children come with conditions! That’s a blogging Mum for you. I do like that apple peeling contraption, I bet they aren’t easy to find. And I would love an Aga, it would probably provide more heat than we need, but I’d put up with it.

    Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.

    xx

    1. Always with conditions. I bought my apple peeler through Amazon years ago. Such a simple device, but does the job brilliantly. I can imagine the Aga would be too hot for your climate! We turn ours off most summers in the UK because of the heat.

    1. The apple peeler is amazing. The children have always loved using it. Not too hard for them to use either, which is a win win for me.

Comments are closed.