Louisa Parry

Things I’ve been doing and saying in the week ending 29 January 2012

louisa — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:06:38 +0000

29 January 2012

	Posted really_good: Failing to come up with an Bruce Willis/Die Hard/chicken puns. The ‘best’ @johnleach managed was "john clucklane". Any better suggestions?.
	Posted really_good: @swillingtonfarm haha, yes! You win puns :) (it was your chicken that inspired us in the first place – yum!).
	Posted really_good: RT @swillingtonfarm: RT @really_good: Failing to come up with an Bruce Willis/Die Hard/chicken puns. < "Yippee Ki Yay Mother Clucker"?.
	Posted really_good: RT @ViksterBean: @really_good Chickie ay yay, mother plucker?! gets coat.
	Posted really_good: RT @lightandwhistle: @really_good @johnleach GOT IT! Hens Gruber!.
	Posted really_good: @lightandwhistle oh that’s brilliant. I was trying for a gruber/grub-eater pun but yours is far superior :).
	Posted really_good: @swillingtonfarm the story is far too long for twitter & nowhere near as funny as the ‘mother clucker’/'hens gruber’ puns its inspired :).
	Posted really_good: @swillingtonfarm i think we do – still got lots left from last one after an unanticipated influx of xmas leftovers! Will order today. :).
	Posted louisa_: Worried the pun lobe of my brain has atrophied. For the second time in less than 24hrs I’ve failed to find adequate puns on demand. Sad :(.
	Posted louisa_: @katethejuggler: next thing you know i won’t be making any funny typos any more and then i might as well curl up and die..
	Posted How can I reuse or recycle an old toaster oven?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse or recycle an old toaster oven? http://t.co/mcdRCjTT.
	Posted really_good: @Sophinda1: ooh, they sound good – got a recipe you can share?.
	Posted really_good: @Sophinda1: ooh thanks for the link – they look yum, I’ll have to give them a go :).
	Posted In my life.
	Posted really_good: New: In my life http://t.co/8TSIdEPR.
	Posted really_good: RT @Savvy_Woman: I have to replace my printer as it’s off to printer heaven. Any suggestions for ones that don’t need a 2nd mortgage to ….
	Posted louisa_: RT @flying_rodent: The northern lights: This is how it starts. First, it’s "Oooh, look at all the pretty colours" and before you know it ….
	Posted really_good: RT @VerticalVeg: New blog post: 6 fun crops to grow in containers in 2012: http://t.co/Ec39hnFp / What would you add to this list?.
	Posted really_good: So many people seem to be struggling/having a slow start to 2012. Shall we call a do-over and start 2012 again on 1st Feb?.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @Greenhouse_Anna: RT @Good_Energy: Great article on why behaviour change is at the heart of sustainable business @guardianeco http:// ….
	Posted recycle_this: RT @Recycle4Wales: Halve food waste by 2025, say MEPs http://t.co/Dd84xLe5.
	Posted louisa_: ? @accio_cupcake: #Santorum. I am interpretively dancing my rage because there are no more words. http://t.co/Ymn9igwf.
	Posted really_good: @betonyjoy: it’s because you don’t have a newspaper spread out on the floor. if you did, he’d be there instead of in front of the tv :).
	Posted really_good: @betonyjoy: hehe, do you wish he was just back blocking the tv? :).
	Posted really_good: @betonyjoy "calmed down?" what is this cat thing of which you speak? ;) i’d love him, i’d love ALL THE CATS but my current cats would not :).
	Posted really_good: New: If you go down to the woods today… http://t.co/1LwrIk3b.
	Posted If you go down to the woods today….
	Posted recycle_this: RT @really_good: New: If you go down to the woods today… http://t.co/PM6XKkZv.
	Published Lily in the winter sunshine … doing what dogs do.
	Posted really_good: @Sophinda1: we had lots of leftover turkey & chorizo jambalaya after xmas – not sure the huge portions we had were only 455kcals though! :).
	Posted louisa_: Spent the afternoon making the most elaborate, prettiest coloured 2012 project planner ever. Now have no time leftover to actually do things.
	Posted really_good: @CoopAndTheGang nope! Except for when the yolks are too bright for bleary eyes at such an early hour :).
	Posted louisa_: Sometimes I’m just too ace for my own good..
	Posted really_good: Have possibly been thinking about @chiotsrun’s lovely green office wall (http://t.co/azGMD5EB) too much – I had a dream about it last night!.
	Shared Chicken having a dust bath in wood shavings.
	Posted Chicken having a (saw)dust bath.
	Posted really_good: New: Chicken having a (saw)dust bath http://t.co/8T2frzr3.
	Posted really_good: Gorgeous textile art from MarmaladeRose – http://t.co/jQrievwY.
	Posted How can I reuse or recycle leftover chips?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse or recycle leftover chips? http://t.co/v3Eos5tT.
	Posted louisa_: @johnleach it didn’t work. :).
	Posted louisa_: Various bits of me ache after doing belly dancing at drama. I had to dance with extra enthusiasm to spur on the kids. PAIN..
	Posted An example of extreme minimalism?.
	Posted really_good: New: An example of extreme minimalism? http://t.co/1aq9jZ3p.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @makeitandmendit: Come on – it’s time we all started to think outside the bin http://t.co/SX5C0XgS.
	Posted really_good: Woo, our first 5 eggs day (from 6 chickens) in ages – looks like the moulters are finally producing again. We’ll have a lovely glut soon :).
	Posted louisa_: Been playing with paint this afternoon – some ideas worked, some didn’t, but lots of fun either way :).
	Shared louisa_: http://twitpic.com/8c0rzd.
	Posted louisa_: http://t.co/oCmsUB15.
	Posted louisa_: So much meat from @swillingtonfarm this month – I could barely lift the box! I would highly, highly recommend the meat box delivery! :).
	Posted really_good: RT @louisa_: So much meat from @swillingtonfarm this month – I could barely lift the box! I would highly, highly recommend the meat box ….
	Posted really_good: Boron-cat has decided the pheasant we got from @swillingtonfarm is for him. It’s him sized, unlike the massive chicken. He knows his limits..
	Posted louisa_: @emmakirton hehe yes, a meat tweet. I couldn’t believe how much was in the box! :).
	Posted really_good: RT @fennelandfern: Foraging for salad: Stuck for salad leaves? Here are five that you can forage from your garden and the countryside. h ….
	Posted really_good: To clarify, Boron just wanted the pheasant, he didn’t get it. I did let him sniff it a little through the packaging though..
	Posted louisa_: @fabulousgarne: it says i’m 55-64 too, and we went to college together, so that must be right. we should get our birth certs changed ASAP..
	Posted really_good: RT @swillingtonfarm: Didn’t get home from delivering #meatboxes until late last night. Think I may have to spin off #Bradford into it’s ….
	Posted louisa_: RT @Threebt: The baby wants milk. The dishwasher wants rinse aid. The husband wants lunch. The fridge wants its door closed. Why is ever ….
	Posted really_good: Currently having our chimneys swept by a man with a big pole. #notaeuphemism.
	Posted really_good: RT @plantmanjrw: @really_good just watch he does not wipe his big pole on your curtains #notaeuphamisum.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @leethal do stuff! Pendleton scrap blanket and matching pillow! [oh my, that's fab! I want to make it out of old checked clothes ASAP!].
	Posted really_good: @GBPoultry: i love it for blogging (i use it a LOT, running various blogs) but i’m not sure it’s good in itself for networking….
	Posted really_good: does the leftovers for lunch dance.
	Posted really_good: @katethejuggler: singapore style noodles. john is at gusto having mega pizza though so i think he still wins lunch. what did you have?.
	Posted really_good: @katethejuggler: lily is asleep & i’m wishing i was too now i’m full of noodles. hope it stops raining soon so we can walk. how is team s?.
	Posted really_good: @katethejuggler: yeah, here too. i did belly dancing on weds btw! anna was fab with all the chatty kids – most of them really enjoyed it! :).
	Posted really_good: @katethejuggler i very much liked remembering the one where you vibrate & it jiggles your bum :) and yes, thank dog i didn’t have to run it!.
	Posted really_good: RT @RichardLucas3: I think that if everyone slowed down a bit, grew some veg, kept 3 or 4 hens, they’d all relax and the world would be ….
	Posted louisa_: @emmakirton I heart the charity shopping in southport. Where did you have fish and chips?.
	Posted louisa_: @emmakirton we used to go there when I was small – not been in 20+ years. Do they still have the wishing well thing?.
	Posted really_good: @CoopAndTheGang we had THE BEST fried eggs is the world yesterday but usually love scrambled for breakfast – so yummy :).
	Posted really_good: @CoopAndTheGang my chap @johnleach is the eggpert in this house: i do chickens, he cooks perfect fried eggs & creamy scrambled. A good deal!.
	Posted really_good: Lily is a brave defender of the house and garden … as long as the "attackers" are at least 100m away, behind 2 gates and over a stream..
	Posted really_good: Unable to find my earring findings stash..

Lily in the winter sunshine … doing what dogs do

louisa — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:02:46 +0000

I know, I thought, I’ll take a picture of the dog looking pretty running around in the hazy winter sun. I raised my phone and clicked.

And it was at that moment that Lily decided to do a poo.

Beautiful. Thanks dog. Thog.

Things I’ve been doing and saying in the week ending 22 January 2012

louisa — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:09:35 +0000

22 January 2012

	Posted really_good: @Felinfachgriff: heh, i feel the same way about our house. they’ve really gone out of their way to do things wrong sometimes!.
	Posted How can I reuse or recycle leached wood ash left over from lye making?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse or recycle leached wood ash left over from lye making? http://t.co/g9UEADRn.
	Posted really_good: Got lots on your to-do list? Then do what I do – something that isn’t on there, takes up loads of time & is of exactly no consequence. Sigh..
	Posted really_good: @strowger78 haha, i didn’t mean you guys, silly. i’ve spent the time since you went failing to redesign a button that is fine as it is..
	Published Lily’s hectic morning.
	Posted louisa_: ? @johnleach: Our dog has had a hectic morning: http://t.co/5Lw6m8nI.
	Posted Frozen days.
	Posted really_good: New: Frozen days http://t.co/nOLckKrC.
	Posted really_good: We seem to have generated a lot of laundry recently. I think I need to review everyone’s great reduce laundry ideas! http://t.co/lG3EXBTW.
	Posted really_good: @rural_idiocy: wow, lucky you! i can’t wait for the WG to kick around here :).
	Posted louisa_: @katethejuggler: @strowger78 just sent me this link. it made me girl-splurge my knickers & simultaneously think of you: http://t.co/mH3rCFKa.
	Posted louisa_: Read a short blog post over lunch which led to another with 200+ comments. Now it’s 5pm. Well that was a good way to spend the afternoon..
	Posted really_good: RT @HolmfirthEvents: Dog found tonight on woodhead road in Holmfirth, please retweet ! http://t.co/3DNXyazZ.
	Posted really_good: @ChickenStreet: that’s pretty much our tea tonight too – i can’t wait :).
	Posted really_good: RT @EthelGloves: It Happens to the Best of Us: The death of a Houseplant on the Your Day Blog http://t.co/7Gha3XmD #IndoorGardening #gar ….
	Posted really_good: @EthelGloves I am a terrible mass murderer of house plants – though I’m glad I’m not the only one that has feline accomplices in my crimes!.
	Posted really_good: @sowitgrowit ace! welcome to the #growyourown & blogging party. I look forward to hearing about your adventures :).
	Posted really_good: @carrotsandkids: it’s never too early for pjs!.
	Posted recycle_this: @makeitandmendit: i have a solution: bake them then post them out to all your twitter followers. a win-win situation for all of us :).
	Posted Our office.
	Posted really_good: New: Our office http://t.co/nNx4qheN.
	Posted louisa_: Anyone lost a lovely liver & white springer in greengates/apperley bridge/calverley woods? Our neighbour found her. #bd10 / #ls28.
	Posted louisa_: First question the drama kids asked me when I got to class – ‘what’s this SOPA thing about?’ – and I got to tell them all about it :).
	Posted louisa_: Well hellow mister low ebb. How lovely of you to visit..
	Posted really_good: @louisabourchier there are a lot of fun word & puzzle/resource management games for the DS – not obvious educational titles, just fun games..
	Posted Our mouse in the house.
	Posted really_good: New: Our mouse in the house http://t.co/bPpvO1Li.
	Posted really_good: I need to buy both a mousetrap (http://t.co/qTzT03jW) & a computer mouse today. Hope I can get them from the same place & confuse someone :).
	Posted really_good: Bought a top in a charity shop yesterday. After 3+months without buying clothes (& only buying 11 clothes things in 2011), it felt very odd!.
	Posted really_good: @Cats1957: i know what you mean about them getting expensive but thankfully this top looks new & only 1.99. Still felt odd buying it though!.
	Posted Do you darn?.
	Posted really_good: New: Do you darn? http://t.co/kTgu5Shr.
	Posted really_good: @clairecircuit: they might not be able to do the turnaround time but have you tried http://t.co/rTibzYEc ?.
	Posted really_good: @HijabiDiaries: yes, a surprisingly great screen but we have problems reading PDFs on it, unless they’ve been reformatted especially for it.
	Posted How can I reuse or recycle an old cast iron casserole dish/pan?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse or recycle an old cast iron casserole dish/pan? http://t.co/S1vjhHwv.
	Posted really_good: @HijabiDiaries: yeah, quite a problem for us – we’re very glad we borrowed one to check it out before buying our own!.

Lily’s hectic morning

louisa — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:17:49 +0000

Oh hai:

I’m so sleepy:

So very sleepy:

No, wakey wide awake!:

No, very, very sleepy.

Things I’ve been doing and saying in the week ending 15 January 2012

louisa — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:06:29 +0000

15 January 2012

	Posted really_good: My feet feel naked if I’m only wearing one pair of socks..
	Posted louisa_: ? @LauraBlackwell: How about 2012 is the year where we don’t comment on women’s weight? Fat / thin, it’s not really fucking relevant, is it..
	Posted recycle_this: RT @pouchbags: latest blog post: decluttering the house with a little help from the @recycle_this website! http://t.co/Siim8XzS.
	Posted louisa_: I think it’s might convenient that "smelly" rhymes with "belly", and "dog" rhymes with "bog". #sillysongcomposition.
	Published Lily-dog supervising the living room renovation.
	Posted really_good: @LittleSpottyHen: ours were very slow to get started this time last year – i had the secret boy fears when one reached 7mths without an egg!.
	Posted How can I reuse or recycle water from a condenser dryer/air conditioner/dehumidifier?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse or recycle water from a condenser dryer/air conditioner/dehumidifier? http://t.co/HgSIDrHM.
	Posted really_good: Our eggs were too fresh to make good hard-boiled ones today. #chickenownerproblems.
	Posted really_good: Am impressed by how much salad @CarlLegge has growing in his garden in January even if some is accidental http://t.co/jR5941lf.
	Posted really_good: @Cats1957: the white sticks to the shell more if they’re fresh – a week old is best for hard boiled. the one time fresher isn’t better!.
	Posted louisa_: ? @comicnrrd: maybe I’ll get it right in 2012 http://t.co/JUCscnFz.
	Posted louisa_: Rocking out like it’s Friday afternoon on a Monday. #worldturnedupsidedown.
	Posted #ChickenOwnerProblems.
	Posted really_good: New: #ChickenOwnerProblems http://t.co/rtb0ou87.
	Posted louisa_: @emmakirton: either damage yourself or lose one of your nipple pasties in the sea ;).
	Posted really_good: New: In my life http://t.co/R5AreB4C.
	Posted In my life.
	Posted She knows and is judging you.
	Posted really_good: New: She knows and is judging you http://t.co/AzaaCL99.
	Posted louisa_: I smile/stick my tongue out/grin whenever I type that emoticon. Is that the typing equivalent of moving your lips when you read?.
	Posted Portion control.
	Posted really_good: New: Portion control http://t.co/YsH3C3H7.
	Posted recycle_this: ? @makeitandmendit: It’s that time of year again – put your old bras to good use! http://t.co/egAhEHGi.
	Posted really_good: RT @chiotsrun: Eat Outside the Bag http://t.co/zj2J8AYJ #cooking #blog #eatoutsidethebag #newblog #piecrust #recipe.
	Posted really_good: In winter, I like standing in bits of the woods blocked off by nettles/brambles for the rest of the year. I feel like I’ve conquered nature..
	Posted really_good: @chiotsrun my tummy is already rumbling in anticipation of the recipes :).
	Posted louisa_: RT @curlydena: Manchester peeps – need a web design/dev person that’s interested in a wee project for a small, independent brewery based ….
	Posted louisa_: @tim_waters I did ginger – powder and tiny chunks of crystallised – last year. Was yum! Next time very finely chopped chilli flakes maybe?.
	Posted louisa_: @tim_waters that would be a taste sensation :).
	Posted louisa_: The guy on the bus in front of me is trying to seem tough but doesn’t realise he is being undermined by having glitter on his face..
	Posted really_good: RT @auntyrubbish: I’ve just bubblewrapped my wormery. #notaeuphemism.
	Posted really_good: RT @RealMenSow: Must not sow stuff, its still winter. Must not sow stuff, its still winter. Must not sow stuff, its still winter..
	Posted really_good: @swillingtonfarm blog! Blog! I demand an @swillingtonfarm blog :).
	Posted really_good: @swillingtonfarm i use wordpress.I’ve tried lots of different blog software but it seems the best to me. Can help you with it if you want :).
	Posted louisa_: Had to scrape ice from the bus stop timetable to see when the bus is due. Am wrapped up warm though so don’t mind waiting :).
	Posted louisa_: Watching people in their pyjamas climbing over their garden fence to visit their neighbours..

Lily-dog supervising the living room renovation

louisa — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:45:50 +0000

Things I’ve been doing and saying in the week ending 8 January 2012

louisa — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 15:08:16 +0000

8 January 2012

	Posted really_good: I’ve forgotten to pick up my towels from the bedroom for 100% of the shower I’ve taken in 2012. Sucks!.
	Posted louisa_: Think it might take me most of 2012 to catch up with everything I’ve put off doing over the last two weeks..
	Posted louisa_: @NewlandsCom: yeah, that’s our fault, sorry – we were just about to step out for a dog walk ;).
	Posted louisa_: @johnleach and dog wellingtons.
	Posted louisa_: Buddies :) http://t.co/JLMPs81K.
	Posted Buy less than 12 items of clothing in 2011 challenge – end of year update.
	Posted really_good: New: Buy less than 12 items of clothing in 2011 challenge – end of year update http://t.co/pV8qZg0i.
	Posted really_good: @louisaarcher: good luck with it fellow louisa! I found it much easier than I’d imagined but learnt a lot from it all the same :).
	Posted really_good: @rosiemop aww, thanks for saying so. I try to live by @FrugalTrenches mantra: "bloom where you’re planted" :).
	Posted really_good: @BereMarshFarm I think the Handmade Bakery’s Bread bond/course bonds are an interesting way to do it – http://t.co/srLHdQZ2.
	Posted louisa_: @living_yen: oh sigh, sounds like a challenge! hope they get down one way or another & husband doesn’t get too clawed/bitten!.
	Posted really_good: @BereMarshFarm: i didn’t mean for you to start a bakery (in case you thought that’s what i meant!) i thought you could apply it to the farm.
	Posted recycle_this: Reducing your waste in 2012: what one thing are you going to refuse/reduce over the next year? Tell me your plans – I need inspiration!.
	Posted really_good: Chickens got a new load of wood chips in their run today – they’re happy hens – the quagmire is no more! (despite the ongoing rain).
	Posted louisa_: RT @DougCoupland: Thank you Internet: http://t.co/0ZImaJBp.
	Posted really_good: RT @local_food: Are you a food business in #Yorkshire wanting to grow in 2012? Check out our funded workshops and "Get Set to Grow!" htt ….
	Posted louisa_: Just accidentally hit "mark all as read" on my feed reader. i probably gained more from the slip-click than i have lost ;).
	Posted recycle_this: Soapmakers – am I imagining that you can use Weetabix as an exfoliant in homemade soaps? I’m sure I read it somewhere but can’t find it now!.
	Posted really_good: The roof I bodged for the chicken run last month survived the gales, therefore I am ace..
	Posted really_good: ? @urbanwide: Woo, blue sky! The world suddenly seems much happier..
	Posted recycle_this: @RecyclebankUK: I’d add Lindisfarne to that list too. It’s only a part-time island but it’s got great beaches – sandy, rock pools & pebbles..
	Posted really_good: There is so much jelly ear fungus on the elder tree next to our house – such a shame it’s not more appetising….
	Posted louisa_: @swirlyarts: i can see the site and matt’s test post – but it’s a default theme (firefox 3.6.17 on ubuntu).
	Posted louisa_: @swirlyarts: oh, reloaded and the proper theme is showing now :).
	Posted What are your green goals for 2012?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: What are your green goals for 2012? http://t.co/qAFr8Pln.
	Posted louisa_: Even after nearly three hours and dog walk, I’m still too full to eat biscuits. Damn you fish and chips. shakes fist.
	Posted really_good: New: No storm damage but a fluffy bottom http://t.co/5aphD48R.
	Posted No storm damage but a fluffy bottom.
	Posted really_good: @RealMenSow: I call winter "soup season" ;).
	Posted louisa_: Strained my shoulder muscles putting on my boots. That’s joining severely bruising my palm while spinning yarn on my pathetic injuries list..
	Posted louisa_: In World of Warcraft, it takes one simple mouse click to equip boots – no shoulder pain at all. #whyWoWisbetterthanreallife.
	Published Just read: Britain’s Rottenest Years.
	Posted really_good: @LittleSpottyHen: hurrah! hopefully the fractionally longer days will help them come slightly more regularly again from now on :).
	Posted really_good: New: Demolishing someone else’s living room http://t.co/UlXhqwgl.
	Posted Demolishing someone else’s living room.
	Posted really_good: @CasCowan: oh that’s not too bad – mine have a tendency to sit on the other side of the keyboard which completely blocks me from using it..
	Posted really_good: @CasCowan: it’s as if they want me to stop working and just cuddle them instead. As if. ;).
	Posted really_good: Lily-dog thinks the woods smell FANTASTIC today and all the rabbit poo in the field was just a bonus..
	Posted really_good: @Muckycluckers: yes, but on the other hand, it feels like we haven’t had one since last year ;).
	Posted really_good: @Hobby_Farmer: an interesting idea – something to consider when designing our next coop (deep litter would block off nest boxes now).
	Posted really_good: ? @Hobby_Farmer: Make compost inside a chicken coop for healthier birds, less work http://t.co/xQpy7xkN.
	Posted louisa_: My hair is currently being held up by a pencil. Can’t forget it’s there lest I a) stab myself or b) become like Grace in Ferris Bueller..
	Posted How can I reuse, recycle or upcycle biscuit/cookie cutters?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse, recycle or upcycle biscuit/cookie cutters? http://t.co/Ze3hJIjz.
	Posted really_good: That bag of cat nip treats isn’t where I left it. I suspect someone has had a fun afternoon..
	Posted really_good: Demolition progress: an hour’s work. Boron was asleep upstairs and pulled a great WTF face when he saw the mess :) http://t.co/1Pk28bKU.
	Shared louisa_: http://twitpic.com/84dxti Lily-dog is exhausted from supervising our demolition work this afternoon..
	Posted louisa_: Lily-dog is exhausted from supervising our demolition work this afternoon. http://t.co/XbXfthK0.
	Posted really_good: The stone monstrosity of a fireplace is no more! Wood panelling to pull down tomorrow. #destructionisfun.

Just read: Britain’s Rottenest Years

louisa — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:51:32 +0000

I haven’t finalised my list of goals for 2012 but one of them is going to be keeping a track of every book I read.

The first finish of the year was a pop history book: Britain’s Rottenest Years by Derek Wilson. It covers ten separate years from the past 2000 that that make 21st century recession and riots look like fairy stories of the over-enthusiastic media. It was a bit of a random pick-up from Shipley Library – I don’t usually like list books but it sounded more interesting than the others there.

Because it covers ten different time periods/situations, it’s inevitable that some are going to be more interesting to me/the reader than others. I’m usually considerably more interested in post-industrial revolution/20th century history but after reading the excellent Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England (a horrible title but essentially just a fab social history of the 14th century) last month, I was more interested in the earlier chapters of Rottenest Years – Boudicca (who I haven’t read about since primary school), the harrowing of the North, the Black Death and the mysterious dry fog of 1783. The latter chapters – 1812, 1936-7 and 1981 – actually left me pretty cold (the latter especially as it felt a little … held back).

As expected, it was an easy read and like all these overview books should do, it’s inspired me to look further into the bits that did interest me. I am glad that I borrowed it from the library rather than bought it though – it’s not the type of thing I’d properly read a second time.

Things I’ve been doing and saying in the week ending 1 January 2012

louisa — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:07:12 +0000

1 January 2012

	Posted recycle_this: We don’t celebrate Christmas but have still ended up with lots of turkey leftovers. My fave recipes – http://t.co/j20ANl7E.
	Posted Don’t wait until Spring cleaning to declutter after Christmas.
	Posted recycle_this: .: Don’t wait until Spring cleaning to declutter after Christmas http://t.co/IA41i83L.
	Posted louisa_: RT @johnleach: In case you needed another reason to avoid the grotesque Olympics circus: soldiers, warships and missiles: http://t.co/EZ ….
	Posted A few things from the week.
	Posted really_good: New: A few things from the week http://t.co/MKhTBNin.
	Posted louisa_: @living_yen pate has always been a winner for us :).
	Posted louisa_: Watching lily-dog gnaw an actual bone while @johnleach and @paulhorsfall chew over a philosophical one..
	Posted louisa_: Watching showgirls. Was worried it wouldn’t be so hilarious this time around but it’s even funnier..
	Posted Six things that have helped me live a simple, frugal life in 2011.
	Posted really_good: New: Six things that have helped me live a simple, frugal life in 2011 http://t.co/MK6LQxUS.
	Posted really_good: Picked a bad time to go see the chickens: Lily & I are both soggy doggies now. Though one of us smells more of actual wet dog than the other.

Things I’ve been doing and saying in the week ending 25 December 2011

louisa — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:06:30 +0000

25 December 2011

	Posted really_good: RT @CatsProtection hi I’ve found a youngish black + white cat in Calverley, Leeds. V hungry! Could you RT? http://t.co/4zN1P2OH.
	Posted How can I reuse Sunday roast/Christmas dinner leftovers?.
	Posted recycle_this: .: How can I reuse Sunday roast/Christmas dinner leftovers? http://t.co/0yzUNNwQ.
	Posted really_good: @EcoGitesLenault: it’s why I buy nutella ;) although i do have a strange delight in eating it with a fork – can draw patterns in it first ;).
	Posted louisa_: @mygoditsraining: some of our girls have come out of moult lighter, others darker. They obviously can’t agree on the trend for 2012 ;).
	Posted Our second time killing & butchering a chicken.
	Posted really_good: New: Our second time killing & butchering a chicken http://t.co/xQ7MIY32.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @AlysFowler: Am thinking of going plastic free for a 2012. No disposable plastic/cups/bags anywhere. Anyone want to join in?.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @AlysFowler: I am going to create a nice little sign for the front door to remind me to take containers/travelmug/knife and fork. #pl ….
	Posted really_good: New: New (partial) roof for the chicken run http://t.co/zJlLlPFo.
	Posted New (partial) roof for the chicken run.
	Posted really_good: Just had an ace winter warmer soups: chicken, carrot & ginger soup (with a hint of chilli). I feel like I’ve got a Ready Brek glow now!.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @makeitandmendit: A pull-together of all our ideas for cheap recycled/ upcycled /revamped Christmas decorations http://t.co/pGWi05Sz.
	Posted louisa_: Procrastinating..
	Posted really_good: Done stage 1 of decluttering our booze cabinet (moving everything out of it onto the counter) but now don’t know where to put it….
	Posted louisa_: I love how my dog smells her own farts, looks confused then wags her tail in happiness (or to disperse the smell). She’s as classy as me..
	Posted Chicken meets sprout.
	Posted really_good: New: Chicken meets sprout http://t.co/eaI5Licv.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @EcoWanders: Upcycled Paper Christmas Trees decorating ideas. Check these out! http://t.co/NEy9tohH.
	Posted recycle_this: Washing in winter: how do you reduce the amount of laundry generated in winter to save energy/money? http://t.co/1kVgiltQ.
	Posted really_good: @tinepgh: no, of course not. But I would find it hilarious if you wrapped it really snuggly :).
	Posted louisa_: Can anyone think of any types/breed of cat that are silvery – either domestic or wild ones? I have a new laptop in need of a name ;).
	Posted louisa_: @jeremyjarvis: that was my first thought but i’ve gone for "korat" because it’s shorter to type ;) http://t.co/sux4zmJn.
	Posted recycle_this: RT @wwwfoecouk: We’ve won legal challenge against Govt! Judge rules #solar #fits cuts are illegal. More to follow..
	Posted Recycled Christmas Decorations: our favourite ideas for 2011.
	Posted recycle_this: .: Recycled Christmas Decorations: our favourite ideas for 2011 http://t.co/IaxUxoTZ.
	Posted louisa_: Beef shin (from @swillingtonfarm) & parsnip casserole in the oven and World of Warcraft patches downloading. Gonna be a good evening :).
	Posted really_good: RT @louisa_: Beef shin (from @swillingtonfarm) & parsnip casserole in the oven and World of Warcraft patches downloading. Gonna be a goo ….
	Posted really_good: Seem to have eaten an awful lot of carrots this week..
	Posted really_good: Cooking mistake: cutting parsnips too small so they unintentionally melted into the casserole’s gravy. Cooking revelation: parsnip gravy!.
	Posted louisa_: Playing World of Catcraft while waiting for WoW to patch. Lvl 1: get 1 cat playing; Lvl 2: get 2 cats playing; Lvl3: get dog playing too..
	Posted louisa_: Lvl4 of World of Catcraft was to accidentally get a cat to do a forward roll off the step. He has decided he’s not the gymnastic type..
	Posted louisa_: @Scampering: i was going to go for ocelot because http://t.co/Y5OsGEat is so cute but i went for "korat" instead – pretty grey purries :).
	Posted really_good: RT @johnleach: More photos of chicken killing here if you’re interested: http://t.co/RryGtlpS.
	Posted louisa_: @thattommyhall my previous infatuation. PREVIOUS. That’s important! :).
	Posted really_good: Cor, it’s wet out there – it doesn’t look like it’s raining much but it’s mega-soggy – the beck is pretty much as high as I’ve ever seen it.
	Posted louisa_: @mygoditsraining: I hear that. I spend far too much time "aww"ing instead of working. Cute animals will be the downfall of civilisation..