1. Dry crisp bacon and sweet fluffy pancakes for breakfast. AWESOME. John made it all, including the accompanying tea and coffee, but I claim partial credit since it was my idea.

2. I add “the thin plastic slip that now comes with Ikea allen keys” to my list of simple little things that deserve more recognition because they make the task at hand so much easier. (Also on the list: the blade attached to sewing machines for cutting thread and the pierce point on tomato puree tub lids.)

3. A clean mid-blue, a rich purple and a blood red: my favourite colourway yet on my Ann Perkins blanket. And I get two and two-thirds squares made in a single (slightly longer than normal) evening — such an increase from my “one square a night” a fortnight ago!

1. I love the transformation that occurs when textiles are blocked: it somehow makes the colours clearer as well as the shapes.

2. The addition of a neutral round improves the colour balance. I gleefully show off the change.

3. It’s funny how creative our lunches become when neither of us can be bothered making the short walk to the shops – funny and strangely delicious.

1. I think Ginger the chicken is scared by her own adventuring: normally she won’t let me touch her but she lets me guide her from under the holly bush and pick her up to return her to the garden.

1b. The dull clunk as Little Red taps the greenhouse glass.

1c. The pots fit perfectly in the tin pails: one fuchsia, two freesia and two phlox.

2. Wednesdays always feel a bit rushed and chaotic but today is mysteriously relaxed. I get various chores finished, have time for a spot of spur-of-the-moment creativity and still catch the early bus to drama.

3. I ferret around in the depths of my bag then hold aloft my trophy: gloves!

We both had a rare day off mid-week to go for lunch and work on our own hobby projects and what-have-you. It’s been lovely!

1. The lemon sweetness of the fish contrasts beautifully with the smoky casserole. It reminds me of meals past: of cod and dover sole at Sous Le Nez a decade ago and the similar casserole I made last week (though I put lentils with the merguez sausages rather than beans).

1b. Melancholy dogs peek around the chair legs and people legs to keep an eye on each other.

1c. A fresh cream bun and a nice cup of tea.

2. Unusually for her, Lily is interested in the lively young springer racing around at the edge of the cricket pitch. The pup wants to meet her too, but, more importantly, wants to protect his toys from the interloper.

2b. That park always surprises me. In my mind’s eye, it’s just a flat stretch of green with a problematic pond at the back but actually, there are copses, a beck, secret slopes and interesting old buildings (or bits of buildings) to wonder about too.

3. Crocheting granny square blankets tickles my micro-reward lobe, just like certain computer games. The end of each round is a little achievement; then the end of each colour; each square; each colourway… It drives me on.

1. Apparently the key to success when framing artwork or embroidery is to finally give up trying and just bung it in.

2. I add chunks of red onion and some cherry tomatoes to the roasting tray and suddenly the meal seems so much more complete.

3. An evening of crochet – and a personal best: one and two-thirds squares! At this rate, I might be able to use my blanket before it’s no longer needed.

1. Is there a word for when you only spot an interesting newspaper article when you’re on the verge of destroying the paper, for example just about to use it light a fire or line a chicken coop? If there isn’t a word, there should be and that would be my title for this entry.

2. I like bread that grows more enjoyable with age.

3. We are distracted from the chill by a conversation that loops and winds as much as our path.

4. I *finally* discover Garfunkle and Oates; amazed that I haven’t found them before but better late than never. I found them after someone linked to this video (“29/31”) without comment/explanation, so I shall (by and large) do the same.