The Balancing Kiwi

I had planned to do a  big post on 2011 in review and wishing everyone a Happy New Year, but not felt the best today so I will just like to say:

I hope everyone else had a lovely time.

Will catch up with more in depth blogging next week.

We had the most amazing wedding, getting married in Comlongon Castle in Scotland, 14 years ago today.

I made a deep green velvet cloak lined with a gorgeous shimmering lining to wear over my wedding dress anticipation of the cool weather.

We had a horse and carriage, a piper, and a traditional jazz band, it really was a magical time.  We also honeymooned in the castle over the Christmas period as it was 'closed' for a few days so we had it all to ourselves.  I think we were really lucky to get married there when we did.  Everything worked out perfect, from the hairdresser, the flowers, the cake, the photographers (I will never forget the fun we had with them 'tickity boo') and the wonderful minister Reverend Lauri Dennison, who really went out of his way to provide a very special service using words we had written ourselves and including our son Steven.

The final Pause in Advent has arrived, next Sunday Christmas Day will have arrived and we will be enjoying the company of family.  On Christmas Day we walk round to my MIL's and spend the day with her and her partner, our Aunt and Uncle come round in the evening.  We enjoy a lovely day together.

We decided to have real tree for the first time ever this year.

Mark & I chose it on Friday and we have been decorating it and the house this weekend.

It is starting to feel very festive.

Some of the lovely tree decorations I have been given and collected over the last few years.  I'm sure my various friends will recognise the decorations they have given me in the past.  My most recent decorations are a set of musical notes and symbols from my friend Nichola who I stayed with in Germany in September this year.  She saw them in a market and thought of me.  I am really thrilled with them, they are indeed perfect.

A mix of vintage, modern, wooden that we first bought together and handmade by DS1 & DS2

The last of the cards and packages are ready to be sent tomorrow morning after yoga.  I can well imagine the queue in the post office tomorrow...something I am NOT looking forward to.

Wishing everyone a lovely calm and peaceful week and safe travelling for all those who are visiting friends and relatives. 

Gorgeous looking cakes in a shop window.

Scrumptious

The stage set of Phantom of the Opera - fabulous!  We both really enjoyed the performance.

Strolling round London after the show we admired all the lovely Christmas lights.

Arrived home shattered, but happy after a lovely day out.

Some snowfall during the night and early this morning

In progress...

Finished!

A centre piece for the Christmas table.

There really has been a lot of Pausing going on here, especially today, having spent most of it asleep, part in fact due to the increase in medication, but hopefully these side effects will wear off soon as I really need to start some Christmas preparations in earnest tomorrow.  There is only so much pausing one can do without time passing by too quickly, however, it is good to take time out sometimes to just be and rest in readiness of what needs to be done.  So not an especially thoughtful post, but deep thinking is beyond me at the moment while my body and mind adjusts to the dosage, in the hope that I will have a pain free Christmas.

I have three Christmas plates which are now out displayed on the dressers, and one colour changing snowman on display which is the extent of our decorations so far.  This time last year we had all the decorations up, but then we were also having a special visitor to stay for a few days, my friend's daughter Michelle from Australia.  Has it really been a year since she was here?

He is rather cute snowman, a happy little soul, changing colours from red to green to blue to purple.

I have a pretty exciting week ahead.  Visiting friends for a Christmas lunch, an evening Christmas party with quilting friends and something I have been wanting to do for the last twenty years, Mark and I are going to see Phantom of the Opera for our Wedding Anniversary.  So looking forward to it.

Twenty Odd year old Food processor.

3 cups plain flour  

(I usually use 2 cups plain & 1 cup wholemeal.  Yesterday I didn't have enough plain or wholemeal flour so also used gluten free in the mix)

6 teaspoons baking powder

50g butter

1/4 tsp salt

Mix these ingredients together in food processor until resembles fine bread crumbs.

Add the sultanas, I just add whatever amount I feel like, no measuring here (they do get chopped up somewhat, but I can't be bothered doing the mixing by hand)

In a measuring cup I put one egg and then top up to 1 & 1/4 cups milk.

Add to mix while food processor is going until the mixture is dough like.

Turn out on a floured work surface.  Flatten with hand, cut with either round cookie cutter, can use a knife if wish or a glass...whatever is to hand.

Bake in hot oven 220 C (Gas Mark 7) for 10 - 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve with jam and clotted cream and a cup of your favourite brew.

I freeze the scones and then get out one a day for either morning or afternoon tea and reheat in an oven for about 12 minutes.  Yummy!

A walk down the road to post a couple of parcels.

Cream Tea in the afternoon.

A little sewing late afternoon

Now time to snuggle in, think about getting dinner ready, and a spot of knitting this evening.

A Pause indeed, although due to postal deadlines of Monday 5th December, the pressure has been on slightly this weekend.

Family Christmas letter written ready to be posted tomorrow along with the cards for those in New Zealand and Australia.

Some Christmas gifts were ordered last night from Photobox after much playing round trying to decide which photographs to use.

'Annie' the treadle Singer sewing machine has been moved to the sewing studio to allow room for the Christmas Tree...and tidying up and 'shuffling' round has begun.

A few decorations have started to make their appearance, a LED Sparkling Snowman and three Christmas plates...

I found this poem today and thought it was quite good - I'm not ready for Christmas yet and want to keep it away until Christmas Day.

I will keep Christmas in the cold hedgerow,

With red, shining holly and winter snow.

I will keep Christmas far from any town

On the frosted side of the windswept down.

Stars will be candles of sweet silver fire,

Swinging at midnight over tree and spire,

Waves will be booming bells and break the air,

With glory and greeting and winged prayer.

I will keep Christmas alone and away,

Praising the Lord of all on Christmas Day.

P.A. Ropes from The Book of a Thousand Poems for the Young and the Very Young.  That's me! ;-)

I had an interesting consultation with the doctor at the Pain Management Clinic in London on Wednesday.  He was very thorough and listened to everything I had to say. He did some tests and yes, there is an significant hypersensitivity on the right side as well as a fluctuating pulse on my right side as well, so perhaps still some form of compression...from scar tissue?   He admitted that it (neuropathic/nerve pain) is going to be difficult to treat, but he does have a couple of treatments for me to try and I am booked in for one for sometime in the New Year...there is a waiting list again unfortunately.  He has suggested I try a Lidocaine Infusion (intravenously) which may give relief for several days, to several months...of course I am hoping for the several months, so we will see.  Just wish I didn't have to wait.  If that doesn't work then they can try a Ketamine Infusion.  It is nice to know that there is still some hope for treatment out there, but in all honesty I really think my playing days are over.  I think it is highly unlikely I am ever going to be able to perform and play like I was pre-decompression surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.  I think the damage done is just too much and to play just reinforces the pain signals that the nerves react to.   

I'm seriously thinking of selling my saxophones and just keeping the clarinet in the hope that if I am eventually pain free, I can do a little clarinet playing.  It is all so difficult to know just what is the right thing to do.

This time three years ago, I was so hopeful that I would be playing again pain free in the New Year after the operation...

I glanced out the window this morning and was struck by the glow of sunlight on the remaining golden leaves reluctant to release their grasp on the Cherry tree.

So proud of my husband who has been working unimaginable hours these last few weeks.  His dedication has paid off!

HIARCS has just won the 2011 World Chess Software Championship in Tilburg, The Netherlands. It went through the whole tournament undefeated and was able to defeat all its main rivals including Deep Junior and Shredder to win the title outright.

This tournament was held on equal computer hardware so each chess software entry was under equal conditions.

This is HIARCS' fifth World Championship title.

In the World Computer Chess Championship held at the same time on unlimited hardware (super-computers) Deep Junior won the 2011 title with HIARCS second a half point behind.

HIARCS went through both tournaments undefeated, a great achievement.

HIARCS and Deep Junior are available on PC and Mac from  www.hiarcs.com

Annie's belt has been sized and fitted and she has had a good clean up, oil and lubrication and sews lovely.  Once you get your legs co-ordinated to work the treadle she flows lovely and smoothly.

Have I had a slice yet?  You bet I have and it is delicious!  Now just need to tell the boys it is super healthy and hopefully they won't eat it ;-)  Thank you for a great recipe Nichola!  Anyone wanting to try it, you can find the recipe here.

While cooking I was able to spend a little time in the sewing studio, until my back became too sore to continue, so now sitting with some heated wheaty packs on it.

Annie's belt arrived today and I have fitted it.  I will spend tomorrow oiling and servicing her and then will hopefully see how she sews.

Hopefully the hexagon flowers I am making for my November swap partner will be ready to post this week.

I must lay out all the flowers received so far and take a photo of them.