Mr Darcy and the Dowager Countess as cats

 My Mum has two tabby adorable cats who she frequently sends pictures to us in our family WhatsApp group.  A few weeks ago, she sent me a picture of Rowan, her male cat.  

He had a really different facial expression from normal, it was a kind of mesmerised, loving gaze, a sort of smile from the eyes but not quite...

And it reminded me of Mr Darcy at Pemberley.  He's just heard Elizabeth sing and then his sister Georgiana plays the piano and Elizabeth ends up page-turning for her as a cover for when Miss Bingley spitefully mentions Mr Wickham in Elizabeth's hearing. The music changes from piano to strings and flute and we see him gaze at her and she at him. It's at the end of this clip...

I sent my Mum the particular shot of Mr Darcy from the video and she laughed and agreed!

Funnily enough, a friend of hers commented that her other cat, Bramble, in another photo, had pursed lips just like a disapproving Dowager Countess in Downton Abbey, as portrayed by Dame Maggie Smith.

She posted the side by sides on her Facebook...

What do you think?

Do you agree with the comparisons?

Catalan cuisine

When we went to Girona last April, our last night, we ate in a Catalan bistro really near our hotel.

The menu was in Catalan so CBC used Google Lens to translate it and it produced some really funny translations!!!!

Dog with bechamel

We were crying with laughter at 

Assortment of Legs,

Plate of sausages

Spirals with Spinach and walnuts

Branded elbows and black olives

Entrecote Carpaccio with ice-cream

Dog with Bechamel

Plus, it DOESN'T say it but I keep reading it as Orange and CoBRA fillet!

CBC will also kill me for mentioning this but he doesn't read this so I am going to for my own amusement.  

He ordered a crepe with a hazelnut sort of sauce. I ordered a Chocolate mousse.  When his turned up, I took one look at it and burst into hysterical laughter.  I didn't say A THING!!!!

But we both knew it looked like a folded pancake where a cat/dog had casually taken a poo on the side.  The presentation was HILARIOUS!!! 

(To be fair, mine looked like a glass of poo also) 

He became really cross with me as he couldn't stop thinking about it as he ate and the more he got cross, the funnier I found it!

I was in trouble for the rest of the evening though- bad girl!

xx

 

Snail-smoocher

 On Friday, I ended up on afternoon playground duty with Year 1 and 2.  One cheerful little boy came up to me and informed me he had done something most unusual.

In honour of this bizarre and hilarious moment, I wrote a triolet poem

Snail-smoocher

Noel told me he’d kissed a snail

He told me ooh so proudly!

Did he peck its head or smooch its tail?

Noel told me he’d kissed a snail.

I wondered if it left a trail?

Did it protest at the affection loudly?

Noel told me he’d kissed a snail

He told me ooh so proudly!

K.Allin-Garner 

October 2024

Divisive humour

I saw a funny tweet:

"There's a fine line between a numerator and a denominator.  Only a fraction of people will find this funny"

I posted it to my family Whatsapp saying, "I am one of those people"

My Dad responded:

"As long as you aren't in the fraction that is vulgar. Boom, boom!

I replied:

"I would never be guilty of such improper behaviour!"

CBC replied:

"I prefer decimal humour.  It's more to the point.  (Except when it's recurring.)

My BiL replied:

"I've told you many TIMES these kind of jokes are not a good ADDITION to your repertoire."

CBC replied:

"There's no need to be divisive!"

What would you ADD to this conversation?

The most unexpected packed lunch item on a school trip

A hilarious moment from our drumming club trip.

So, picture the feeling. It's a school trip. You are allowed to have packed lunch.  You decide to ask your mum and dad to give you something special and tasty for your lunch box.  

The trip involves a mile walk there and back, plus your walk to school.

What special item do you ask for?

Chocolate cake?

A burger?

A big bag of crisps?

A club sandwich?

No, no, no, no, that is far too logical.

Instead, what did one of my lovely pupils pull out from her bag?

A large glass jar of green olives in brine!!!!!

I was utterly perplexed.

She proceeded to drink the brine and share the olives with us all.

The fact that she had carried all the way in her rucksack?

The fact that she didn't find it bizarre?  

The fact that she took great pleasure in my state of befuddlement? 

What's the weirdest item you have ever heard of taken for a school trip???

xx

 

Does exactly what it says on the tin

 

As a teacher, sometimes you have a hard time marking children's work and it is sometimes a bit disheartening.  

However, sometimes, they write or do something that really makes you giggle.

In this case, you need to read my instruction in the box.

Then look below as to how he interpreted my instruction.

It made me giggle a lot!!!

Funny squirrels!

Just a little post from me! This made me laugh a lot! I thought I'd share it!

Advent Calendar Day 16- Since we're on the subject of Brussel Sprout earrings...

Hi All,

On my previous brooch post, Vix referred to some lovely Brussel sprout earrings, suggesting I acquire some, egged on by the rest of you!

However, I am one step ahead of you...

I am the proud owner of crocheted brussel sprout earrings!

They were crocheted by my friend Lara who started selling her wonderful crocheted items this year. I am keen to support a friend in her endeavours but her miniature crochet-items are frankly genius!

When I saw her post her 'jar of crocheted sprouts'all with different facial expressions, I knew I had to have a pair of them to make into earrings.

She made me 4 sprouts with loops and I attached jump rings and earring backs to them! Aren't they cute???

She's crocheted me a couple of gifts (some of which I can't share on here in case anyone is reading who mustn't see them!)

Pictured above, is a present for my Dad.  We've always bought my dad Pickles, pickled items and olives in jars. He adores them. When Lara told me about the crocheted gherkins where a little boy lost one and was distraught, I saw an opportunity to make my Dad giggle at Christmas. So this year's pickles have an unexpected item!

If you have the chance or your are interested in a commission, she crochets your pet to order and her prices are extremely reasonable... Her page is well worth a look and she was really hoping to get to 100 likes by Christmas. She's reached that now but it would be lovely if she could get to 200 likes as an unexpected surprise!!! Don't mention my blog but you can mention me if you wanted to or just like without comment if you wish!

You can find her here.  I'd LOVE it if you went to like...

Ooh,one more make of hers you can see are these orange Spats she made for me on commision to emulate Doctor Who, Colin Baker with his turquoise boots and orange spats!!!

This is my Advent Calendar with Julie

Possibly the most sinister book cover ever...

Last week, I revisited the wonderful Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland and had a very jolly time.  I'll write more about that soon.  But, I had to share this book cover I sighted. It was prominently displayed in a craft section of books.

Seriously, That. Is. One. Scary. Doll.

Doll massacre dot com.

Surely the thing of nightmares!??!?!

xx

Park Life: If I only had a brain

Hi! Thank you for your kindness on my feeling a bit blog-uninspired. I definitely don't want a blogging break but I definitely was feeling I wanted something fresh and different and inspiring rather than the same old.  Feeling a bit better this evening though still want to work on it...

You know I love my local park. Photos of it have featured in many of my posts but last Sunday when I went for a post-church meander around it, I discovered something new and exciting.  The community team who take care of the park launched a scarecrow competition for the Wildflower meadows.  Families and schools were invited to make their own scarecrows which were to stand in the wildflower area.  Obviously, at this time of year, the area is largely brown and brushy but the scarecrows give it character whilst it lacks its floral glory.  I thought this was a wonderful idea to encourage creativity and I love the scarecrows featured.
Hope you like them too!

Kiddie in school uniform, Darth Vader and a snowman in jeans!



Gangly caretaker, tiny red-haired child and stylish lady.


Globe head, country bumpkin and Scarecrow in wheelchair.


And here you can see the wildflower area from afar. I can't wait for the flowers to grow again!

Does your local community have competitions like this? There's also a photography competition which I might try to take part in just for fun!
xxx

Disgusting cat tales

Luan shared a post of cool cat quotes recently. I loved it!  It reminded of all the quirky things that cats do or have done in the past.

Now, put your chocolate down if you are munching whilst reading but one of my lovely, dear cats pooed on my bed when I was in it once.  Thankfully, that happened the one time only.

I had a family friend (she who supervised my sewing machine endeavours) who had a series of totally loopy of eccentric cats.  There was this one time when she awoke in the middle of the night and thought she'd had a stroke once, or polio or something, as she couldn't breathe or move. Then she discovered two cats were pinning the sheet down on her on either side and a third was lying heavily on her chest with its face in hers.  She couldn't move. It then proceeded to dribble down her nostrils. Again, she couldn't move with the combined weight of these cats. She said it was the most disgusting experience of her life! Imagine that- cat dribble down your nostrils.

The same cat, who was lying on her chest, was a particularly disgusting (but you couldn't help but love him) Burmese called Lenny. Or Loathsome Lenny as he fast became known.  On one occasion, she was working in the garden, kneeling down in the flower beds and looked up to be sprayed in the eye by his notorious tom.

I loved that cat-he dribbled on you like anyone's business but that purr and you always forgave him.  I attended his 18th birthday party. He had a bowl of chicken and wore a pearl necklace with silver fish hanging down.

Burmese and Siamese cats are always a little odd and very very vocal.  My friend Liz had a pair of Siamese cats.  When I used to phone her, we used to get constantly interrupted by large baby-like cries of "OOOOOOOOOOOOW!" all the time- that was her cat. When I went to stay there, we tried to watch a film and that dear cat, spent the whole film trying to get our attention by crying OW! I have honestly never heard anything like it!

Well, until I went on youtube to see if anyone had shared their Siamese cats meowing. It seems a common complaint.  Watch these,hilarious, especially the second video- I have not heard anything like THIS!







Ever tried outstaring a cat? Well, I did and won.  We had this grumpy (but oh so loving) tortoiseshell cat called Solstice.  One day, as I was lying in bed, she got up onto the bed, sat up and just stood staring at me.  Determined not to let her triumph, I stared back.  And so it continued.  Finally, she looked away first.  I smiled and laughed and then she swiped me in the face. She looked so cross that she had looked away, I could see it in her eyes.


What disgusting cat tales could you share?

Frustrated sailor

The Twobirds came up with a great inspiration today!  Nothing says Sailor like a stripy top and nothing pleases me more than an opportunity to pretend I am a member of Her Majesty's navy!
You'd be forgiven for thinking this was Megan Bird in the outfit (SOOOOOO looks like her!) but it's actually Selina Gomez who I HAVE heard of because she's in 'Another Cinderella Story', a film I have on TV (I love Cinderella films- if you know any that I might not have heard not, please pop them in the comments box because I'd love to find more- I have Ever After, The Slipper and the Rose, Cinderella Story, Another Cinderella Story, Disney Cinderella, Ella Enchanted)

Here's my sort of inverted attempt (Wish I'd remembered she was wearing what look like Toms on her feet otherwise I'd have worn mine too!)




It's Visible Monday with Patti and co, so obviously I had to make this a really bright outfit to make me feel confident despite the gloom of returning to school today!

Last time I wore these trousers on this blog, I spent most of the post moaning about how creased and horrid they look so last night I had the foresight to iron (my family gasp in shock!) them AND the t-shirt AND scarf.  However, as you can see, by the time I reached home, they look like I managed to screw them up so thus I conclude I should not bother to iron in the first place as it all comes to the same!

I saw a tip on Ang's blog a while back about 20 different ways of tying scarves so I tried to achieve the infinity look with this cheapy shop special by tying it in a loop!  The earrings are genius ones that Jille gave me during the Christmas swap we did!
(Other details, t-shirt: H&M, Cardie: Primark, Trousers: Dorothy Perkins, Earrings: Swap gift, Hare Necklace: Wolf and Moon, Shoes and socks: Peacocks, Hat- Collectif)

The hat is featuring for the first time on this blog. (It must be Let them eat hats 45 or something like that!) .  Now contrary to popular belief, I do not set out with the intention of buying hats- somehow it just happens.  Take this hat for example.  I bought a sailor dress from Collectif (ahem, yeh, you could have guessed that!) and when I got it home (because I had 5 minutes flat before CBC came and hauled me out of the shop, I didn't try it on!) it didn't fit and they have only an exchange policy on items.  So when I returned, everything was very expensive and somehow, the only thing I could find for a reasonable price was this hat! It looked quite nice in the shop.  When I got home, I discovered it looked really stupid on and couldn't make it look good.  THAT is until I went to the famous Chipshop near Spitafields and saw all the waitresses wearing these Collectif hats on the BACK of their heads with hairgrips rather than the front and voila, I was happy to wear the hat!

Let's not mention the BAD choice in terms of wearing stripy socks with this outfit!  One day I will be able to wear these adorable socks in a way that makes them look good not like a Michael Jackson bad ripoff!

This evening I went to pick up a parcel from town and had the most hilarious moment on the bus coming home.  This man came to sit down next to me and he let out the most ENORMOUS fart as he sat down.  I looked up and started soundlessly laughing my head off as did his wife and friend. We were in hysterics for most of the journey home!

School was actually alright today.  Reception were very responsive and well-behaved and Year 6, who are learning about the Balinese Gamelan were mostly focused and joining properly.  If you want to try playing a virtual gamelan, click here and choose the Baris Bali option.  Click your mouse on the gongs and keys of the instruments (and the drum heads on either side) and you too can play the gamelan!)

After school we had a PE inset on Athletics.  I must say, these sport insets are actually restoring my self-esteem in terms of sport.  I was ALWAYS the worst at sports at school and never won races but to my surprise, when we were doing running, I was actually one of the fastest!  It's nice to be able to do something you couldn't do when you were young!

52 weeks of happy (possibly 11- haven't got a clue!)

Hey! Lots of happy stuff this week (Stuff, the word that is the bane of the teacher trying to produce articulate children with high levels of oracy!  On the Ire-scale it is closely followed by thingie and thing)


1. Need I say, that Lindy-hop dance (and in fact swing dance in general- the shag and charleston too!) have been the highlight of my week!  Here I am dancing with a lovely old chap who kindly dances with me every time I see him despite him being really good and me being not so!)


2.  Finally wearing my birthday dress- the Cath Kidston train dress I hoped for (with a red petticoat underneath!).  However, then our eyes met across a crowded dance room and we noticed we were wearing the same dress!  We laughed lots and couldn't resist the opportunity for a twin photo!  Also, Char was wearing hers on Saturday too I think!!!!)


3.  Making really nice meals to come home to this week:  Salmon teriyaki with sweet potato mash with peas and sweetcorn on Monday (plus chinese leaf cabbage which I unfortunately consumed before plating!).  Wednesday- chicken fillet with chives and roasted with leeks, roast potatoes,  (and again, sweet corn and chinese leaf cabbage was consumed beforehand as I was in a hurry!).  A shame my camera battery died tonight as I had a smashing Chipolata, onion and tomato bake with boiled potatoes (with butter) and you've guessed it- chinese leaf cabbage (and peas!) with oodles of coriander on top

4.  Coriander!  Oh how I adore it!  It amused me greatly that as soon as I had left the Self-service checkout at Tescos, I greedily ate handfuls of the plant, much to the bemusement of shoppers entering the shop! It's quite fun being weird sometimes! Excuse Mr Aloe Vera who wanted in on the photo action!

5.  Over the top blingie jewellery inspired by Kate Middleton ring (Peacocks and Primark respectively) which prompted loads of 'Diana and Kate' comments.  Oh and finding a hat (handknitted by friend) in my collection that hasn't been shared on this blog (actually there are still a few that haven't!  Despite the fact I've shown about 45 on her)

What has made you happy this week???



Linking up to Claire Justine oxo

Valentines by day and by night TA DAH!

Hello!

Since I am not allowed to moan (tis hard- what exactly is classified as moaning!), I will say, my day started off in an unfortunate way since I woke late and had to take Year 6 boosters at 8.15.  I then couldn't find their books (which were in a hidden pocket in my bag which I found after raging round for minutes!)

However, it continued in a fun way.  Lovely text from CBC.  Ostentatious bunches of flowers arrived from delivery people to various school staff. Very nice, but I'm happy with just a card as I am too lazy not skilled in the art of caring for flowers

Having seen the lovely Kate-Gabrielle talking about Valentines-themed outfits, I thought this would be quite fun to do!

It all stemmed from a chance sighting of a heart-print top which I teamed with a selection of bright (Including that skirt!) and dark clothing and the most obnoxious magenta tights ever.  Eeek, can't moan- how to say this- let's just say, my tights decided they rather liked the idea of gravity and battled tenaciously against hoiking for much of the day! (oh and wellies of course, because it rained this morning!)



The afternoon was spent with year 1 making Valentines cards for their parents and Chinese New year, snake puppets!  This was THAT class, mentioned last week.  Surprisingly well-behaved and chilled afternoon. Lots of lovely looking cards were produced and I cut some filigree paper hearts as I was wandering! Didn't want to get annoyed at anyone, was all very positive even though it involved sequins, PVA glue and glitter!

After a great, fun drumming club in which we prepared for a Samba-performance to Nursery and Reception tomorrow (totally excited about this!!!!), I headed off home.

There was a gorgeous, gorgeous sunset as I walked the main road home but unfortunately, due to lots of buildings and wires in the way, there was no real chance to take a picture of it! Sufficed to say it was bathing everything in a glorious golden hue!

I changed into my Valentines night outfit when I got home! More hearts! Pity I didn't see fit to locate the iron!!!



After attempting to do interesting things with my hair which looked interesting, to put it positively, I headed on over to CBC's for dinner which was yummy Breton chicken, rice and coriander, endives and "Tough-stem broccili" (which actually wasn't!)!  He has a real knack for putting together lovely dishes!

Here's the card I made him:


I always like to use male-colours and of course a little recycling!  In this case, envelopes!  It is a well-known fact (to, well-me!) that I am totally useless at origami but I saw a really easy tutorial on the Freebies for crafters blog which I decided to give a go and it was surprisingly quick! Topically, making an origami frog was the focus of the instructions for Year 6 boosters!

After last year's no-card debacle, CBC presented me with one of his wonderfully original and eccentric hand-made cards:



He also makes use of household items and recycled some bits! The thing I love is the detail he puts in.  The inside always resembles a rather tastefully-wall-papered living room which lots of fun elements! The postcard of the chap and lady is one that I have long-loved that CBC has sitting on his dressing-table!!! Thank you CBC, I love it!

The joke on the back refers to my love of Jenny Packham wedding dresses (in my dreams!)

And choccies!


Random funnies of the day:
My little niece has named her Triceritops toy Cirro-cumulus.   (She's a genius!  Or a cloud-enthusiast! I'm so proud!)
Deputy-head, overheard going through a maths SATs paper:  "You're throwing away marks like confetti!" (Mwa ha ha!!)
Year 2 pupils, who rushed up to greet me and hug my legs in the playground, admiring Valentines outfit: As I walked away, one stated, "She's soooooo pretty!" (I was touched!)

CBC is currently zonked on the sofa, so naturally, I snuck off to blog!!! However, I'd like some key-lime pie so ciao for now and incidently, may I wish you a really happy Valentines day!

Linking to Lakota's Tah Dah Thursday!!! (Ooooh, spooky, I called my post TAH dah and then saw Lakota's post!!!!)