Last week we broke our ceramic wok.
To be honest, I’m not sure how it lasted as long as it did. But I was desperate to keep the glass lid as it’s the perfect size for my dough bowl…but it’s a tricky item to store. My initial plan – to store it upside down above head level, balanced on a stack of mixing bowls – did not meet with approval. So my oh-so-clever husband created a dedicated spot to store it by adding two spare knobs to the old warming oven we use as shelves.
I was reflecting (ha!) this morning on what a blessed life I’ve had. It’s been pretty tumultuous too, with our fair share of sickness and loss and sadness, but it’s always been underpinned and supported by this amazing relationship which started when we were just 18 years old. And I never take it for granted – possibly because I’m a sentimental fool – but every little word or gesture, every kiss on the head, every small act – feels like a gift. Last night he saw the glass lid precariously jammed (upside down) on the top shelf, shook his head and smiled, then solved the problem. He didn’t berate me for being daft or insist we get rid of it. This is how it’s been for 38 years.
A couple of days ago, my daughter-in-law told me about how she was upset because she’d spilled something all over their new tablecloth. She said Big Boy saw her distress, shook his head and smiled, then scooped up the cloth and said “don’t worry, it’s gone now”. And I told her it was because he’d trained at the foot of the master, and that she was going to have the best life ever. 💕
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
That’s an ingenious solution from Pete and what a lovely way Big Boy dealt with his wife’s distress.
I only found your blog fairly recently and have gone right back to the start and have been enjoying reading all your posts – I’m currently up to the beginning of 2011 and already have loads of recipes saved to my favourites. Lots of useful ideas and links too, I’m currently about to buy a Danish dough whisk!
Wise words. This is brilliant!
It’s only stuff and it’s the little life hacks that make things easier. The boy and I are working together to build a routine to make house cleaning more efficient. The Hub is in charge of the laundry. He built a a laundry stand for the washer and dryer so he doesn’t have to bend over every time he puts the clothes in and out.
Our kitchen is set up so I can put away the dishes in less than three minutes. I know it sounds obsessive but the little things add up.
What a lovely story.
Gosh what a lovely post!!! Much love to you and your beautiful family!!!
Yes Celia, truly blessed!
Oh though a wonderful love 💕 story you have shared with us…
Thank you xx
I have a husband like that. The best.
What a great idea!
Your musings are a true gift. Thank you.
That’s such a lovely story – and being able to look around the kitchen and remember the richness and happiness of life in each item really makes it such a wonderful place to be.
Love your story and the people in it. Being grateful for what we have makes for a happy life.
I’ve just made your Winston Knot bread – the tutorial was so easy to follow and the bread looks beautiful!
That’s great, thanks for letting me know! And thank you for reading and leaving comments too! x
Brilliant! Always thinking that guy!! What a treasure :) You are one of the lucky ones…
I just had to say that I’m currently reading your 2014 posts and I’m up to the amazing exhibition of the Somerville Collection. I am fascinated by fossils, crystals and similar and this man’s life work is just incredible. My favourite mineral is also malachite.
Also, I really enjoyed your bird posts, what a wonderful variety of species and beautiful photos. I enjoy photography and when able to, I take a lot of bird photos – nothing much recently though.
Me again. I’m now in March 2016 and wanted to tell you how much I love your ammonite steampunk combination jewellery. What amazing artistry on the part of Olivia and Juan, and your creative vision too.
Lovely story. Nice… dressing gown is it?
What a lovely story. I met my husband in 1979 and I rushed home and practiced writing my married name, I was that sure! We were very fortunate, they are the good ones.
Dear Celia and your families, I hope you’re all thriving during your Sydney lockdown. You have shared all the necessary skills and knowledge to help so many people feel more resilient. To say nothing of Priscilla and her progeny helping fill the hours and tummies.
Much love to everyone. Stay safe and healthy.
Hello Celia, I hope you remember me , I used to follow your writings avidly some years ago and was one of the lucky recipients of your sourdough starter which you very kindly sent all the way to N.Wales!!! I kepr it going for quite some time, in fact I have some of it that I dried for the future, I don;t know whether it would still work. the reason I stopped making sourdough which my husband , Tom, loved was because I lost him in the summer of 2016. I am writing this because i’ve just read your item above and I’m comparing your wonderful husband to mine. I think I may have told you in the past that I thought we were both so lucky to have such good husbands , Tom was just the best! I still griieve for him constantly but remember the lovely marriage we had, I was so lucky to have him for 56 years. Hope you don’t mind me writing this.
Lovely Jeannette, so nice to hear from you! I’m not blogging much these days, but we still have the lovely carved spoon you sent us on the fridge! Hope you’re well, much love to you. xx
Celia, I hope you are well, am I right in saying that you haven’t posted for quite a few months. I retired from work and used to subscribe through my work email which I now don’t have and I can’t seem to re-subscribe with my personal email. But the purpose of my comment is that I hope you are all ok.
Thanks for checking, Marie! I’m all good, hope you are too! Haven’t been blogging much lately, sorry!