tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70178742024-03-18T10:20:38.120+00:00Three Beautiful ThingsEvery day I want to record three things that have given me pleasure. This 3BT site is the original Three Beautiful Things.Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comBlogger4772125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-57575623280580437812024-03-18T10:19:00.003+00:002024-03-18T10:19:49.755+00:00Bud vase, tomato and the poem I needed to hear.<p>1. Among the faded cut daffodils that I'm putting on the compost heap there is one that will do for another day in a bud vase.</p><p>2. For the burger that Alec has cooked me, slices of tomato with the seeds discarded.</p><p>3. Tonight, I hear a poem that I really needed to hear, in which the teenagers in someone else's house sleep long and deep, just like my son.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-44115305358524346872024-03-15T10:29:00.002+00:002024-03-15T10:29:39.393+00:00Puzzles, tea time and the new rug.<p>1. This morning, while we are still lying in bed waiting for the bathroom to come free, I share my morning New York Times puzzles with Bettany.</p><p>2. At tea time, a dark chocolate biscuit and hot mug appear at my elbow.</p><p>3. I'm still enjoying the give of the new rug under my feet.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-78629515967976615822024-03-14T09:20:00.002+00:002024-03-14T09:20:27.090+00:00Using up that cauliflower, sunset and a bit of a moon.<p>1. For lunch, there is a particularly good cauliflower and chickpea curry that Nick has made.</p><p>2. On my way over the common, I come across the place where people dawdle so they can watch the sunset tangling in the trees to the west. I stop for a moment, too.</p><p>3. High above us is a bit of a moon, veiled in the mist.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-62240599285002281712024-03-13T09:27:00.006+00:002024-03-13T09:27:51.997+00:00Avocado, in the rain and supper smells.<p>1. I didn't expect this: the avocado is perfectly ripe.</p><p>2. The world runs with water today -- all about me in the woods, there is movement.</p><p>3. I come downstairs before Nick calls supper because the spicy scents are so enticing, and I'm curious to see what he's making.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-33868351480866804332024-03-12T09:44:00.000+00:002024-03-12T09:44:49.398+00:00Locked away, milkshake and last stitch.<p>1. Halfway through the afternoon, I spot the builder carrying his power saw across the car park so he can lock it away in his truck.</p><p>2. Making a milkshake for Alec when he comes in from school.</p><p>3. Pulling the cut yarn through the final knitted stitch.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-27458985677085094722024-03-11T11:08:00.002+00:002024-03-11T11:08:54.093+00:00Pinks, robin and not dead.<p>1. Waiting for me at breakfast is a pot of pinks, just perfect for the front garden.</p><p>2. Later in the day, Alec produces a card he has made for me -- a drawing of a robin in oil pastels, made from a photo he took on a day out we had together in the autumn.</p><p>3. I go to take out a dead fern to make room for my pinks, but find close to the soil, tight furled fronds, waiting for next week, or the week after.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-21500439499906996162024-03-08T09:57:00.002+00:002024-03-08T09:57:29.416+00:00Wallflowers, birdseed and tinkering.<p>1. I have been waiting since before Christmas, recently without much hope, for my wallflowers to bloom. And now there are bobbly little buds in the rosettes of leaves at the top of the stems.</p><p>2. At coffee time, Nick throws a cup of seed out for the birds.</p><p>3. Last thing at night I go in to check on Alec and find him tinkering with the poem he is writing for his English homework.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-46238530718579444122024-03-07T14:10:00.006+00:002024-03-07T14:10:54.647+00:00Stars, move on and late.<p>1. It's just handful of the very brightest celestial bodies scattered across a smeary sky -- but after weeks of flat orange night cloud, they seem quite precious.</p><p>2. Sarah Millican makes a particularly earthy observation and comments about our response, 'That was a move-on laugh.' </p><p>3. I have a piece of gravel in my hand when Alec, in his dressing gown, unbolts the front door.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-8876999625199194552024-03-05T10:22:00.000+00:002024-03-05T10:22:25.756+00:00Apple, end and almanac.<p>1. The trick of slopping bottled lemon juice over apple slices to stop them browning.</p><p>2. In the hedge, withered sloes. Winter will end soon.</p><p>3. A few days late -- but we make time to look over the almanac for the month to see what to look out for in the sky and in the garden this month.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-84155220295589550172024-03-04T09:57:00.002+00:002024-03-04T09:57:21.762+00:00Phone, Sunday walk and new rug.<p>1. A leisurely chat on the phone.</p><p>2. On a sunny afternoon at the end of winter to walk around the market picking out cakes for tea.</p><p>3. Now, at last, I have time to roll up the old worn rug in the front room and put down a new one. The room immediately feels tidier and brighter and more intended.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-48159089472620421742024-03-01T09:20:00.000+00:002024-03-01T09:20:44.919+00:00At the table, night at the theatre and part way home.<p>1. We've had to hurry a bit because our train was delayed -- the relief of seeing our friends at the cafe table.</p><p>2. Sitting high up in the Barbican theatre to watch the magical production of <i>My Neighbour Totoro.</i> It has the gentle feeling on the original, and the sense of a modern world overlaid on a very, very old and mysterious world.</p><p>3. We took a gamble and jumped on a train that was going part of way, rather than wait for the very delayed and probably extremely crowded service that was going all the way home. Now we are standing on a cold platform at close to midnight, I have my doubts. But then connecting train -- the one we should have caught -- arrives. There are almost no seats, even this far down the line, and the air is a fuggy mess of beer and frustration. I feel like we made the right choice.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-33056848256491963062024-02-28T09:56:00.002+00:002024-02-28T09:56:11.597+00:00Dawn early, self-care and last of the sunset.<p>1. When the alarm goes, it's daylight, and my phone has turned off the blue light filter.</p><p>2. Early on, Bettany told me she hadn't slept well and asked if she could walk with me. I had to tell her that I've got meetings all day, so I won't have time to walk. But the call ends just before darkness falls, and we get out quickly before supper and walk around the park.</p><p>3. From the top of the park, I can view the last streaks and washes of the sunset.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-81790749186139910382024-02-26T08:40:00.005+00:002024-02-26T08:40:52.198+00:00Grape hyacinths, there he is and buttered.<p>1. Spotting the waxy blue tops of grape hyacinths among the tiny daffodils in my tiny back garden. They are a very welcome sight.</p><p>2. Before Nick even gets home, I can see him in social media coverage of the wargaming event he's at.</p><p>3. Alec puts butter and honey on a crumpet for me. Then he makes hot honey and lemon for Nick, who is still suffering with that cough. </p><p><br /></p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-3626915621155234742024-02-23T12:29:00.005+00:002024-02-23T12:29:49.847+00:00Late home, warming up and Letters from a Long Marriage.<p>1. A polite message from Alec to say that he may be late home from school because he is exploring with a friend.</p><p>2. When I come downstairs to the kitchen for my teatime break, I find two damp boys drinking cocoa and eating banana bread.</p><p>3. Last thing at night, when I'm always ready to wind down with some lightweight entertainment, discovering that a new series of <i>Letters from a Long Marriage</i> has dropped.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-73994663052471681662024-02-21T14:18:00.006+00:002024-02-21T14:18:53.270+00:00Interview, gloves and pancakes.<p>1. Interviewing tasks have been just outside my comfort zone, even when I was doing two or three a week. But now today's is done, and I have a recording that I can draw on for the article.</p><p>2. There's an edge to the air, and I do not regret picking up my gloves as I left the house.</p><p>3. For supper, everyone has a go at making savoury pancakes. They are delicious with ham and slices of Emmental.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-71426066506192729342024-02-19T12:04:00.006+00:002024-02-19T12:04:51.575+00:00Banana bread, knitting and from the fridge.<p>1. Through the magic of baking, we swap a backlog of rapidly ripening bananas for two loaves of banana bread.</p><p>2. When your child asks for a thing that is easy to agree to. We sit side by side knitting and half listening to YouTube commentary about Stardew Valley.</p><p>3. Alec spends some time confessing to the things he ate from the fridge when he felt hungry overnight. 'I opened that smoked salmon. And I had some of the pasta, which was delicious. And some cottage cheese, which I didn't like.'</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-10325066033729059832024-02-14T07:59:00.002+00:002024-02-14T07:59:06.311+00:00Rise, black tea pirates and gelatinous.<p>1. Coming to the end of the uphill section of my walk.</p><p>2. Rumours suggest that there is a shortage of black tea. One proposed reason is pirates in the Red Sea, which seems like something from history. I expect the reality is more along the lines of new sources speculating about a bad season in the tea gardens have caused shoppers to buy more than usual, which has amplified supply chain issues. Anyway, Nick has managed to get a box of tea, so we'll be okay for a while. </p><p>3. I think the GM is miffed that we dispatch his boss enemy with a single (rather enhanced) shot, but it does splatter everywhere in a very satisfying gelatinous manner, and we're pleased with our haul of experience points.</p><div><br /></div>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-2753780294917383472024-02-13T08:40:00.001+00:002024-02-13T08:41:22.059+00:00Bench in the sun, afternoon up town and westering sun.<p>1. The dentist was mostly pleased with us so we walk across the common to the coffee van for hot drinks. We have them seated on a bench in the sun on what is probably the only fine day of half term.</p><p>2. Alec and I have a poke around in Waterstones, and then we buy a cake for tea. He picks one that he thinks Bettany will enjoy decorating.</p><p>3. We take the long way home to enjoy the 4pm sun on the sandstone houses.</p><div><br /></div>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-52779920559752590442024-02-12T09:28:00.000+00:002024-02-12T09:28:06.273+00:00Late, early spring flowers and winter scented.<p>1. I wake late and only when Bettany gets into bed beside me. We already have in the house one teenager keen to protect his space. So I try to be present for all these moments when Bettany wants me.</p><p>2. Today my snowdrops are properly out; and in another pot, deep purple crocuses stand tall, waiting for a their moment to open.</p><p>3. At this time of year, scented things with unseen flowers lie in wait on the cold street corners </p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-73804661585028327242024-02-08T09:36:00.005+00:002024-02-08T09:36:41.998+00:00Longer walk, the find and herbal tea.<p>1. There is time today for a longer walk than usual. I've set out early, and I've got a quiet day ahead.</p><p>2. I vacuum the sofa and find 20p.</p><p>3. Nick comments that he is starting to get used to the taste of the herbal tea I am making him drink for his cold.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-85010123088996198772024-02-07T12:17:00.008+00:002024-02-07T12:17:55.973+00:00Not fade away, sheet music and Christmas chocolate.<p>1. There is a wild grass on the common that died and dried at the end of the summer. It is still standing in this season of faded greys and duns and drabs, shining bright as sunlight.</p><p>2. For Christmas, I got Alec access to a digital sheet music website so he can download any songs he fancies trying to play. It suddenly occurs to me that I, too, can use it. And within five minutes I'm picking out Peter Maxwell Davies' <i>Farewell to Stromness</i>.</p><p>3. Nick halves the last of the crazy expensive chocolate he bought me for Christmas and we eat it very slowly.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-84743461126305397582024-02-06T10:46:00.001+00:002024-02-06T10:46:09.929+00:00Startle, Traitors and art book.<p>1. I go to wake Alec and he does a startley thing that I recognise from when he was a baby.</p><p>2. Bettany complains that everyone at school is playing <i>Traitors </i>and that she feels left out because she hasn't seen it<i>.</i> I tell her that in my meeting people were saying how entertaining it is and I felt a bit sad that I couldn't join in the conversation. So we agree to watch half an episode a night.</p><p>3. I still have an art book from Christmas that I haven't looked at yet. So as I have a spare evening, I spend it enjoying the pictures.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-83328977068357307012024-01-31T10:27:00.004+00:002024-01-31T10:27:39.530+00:00Speaking up , through the woods and frozen raspberries.<p>1. Sitting in the school hall and feeling quietly proud at my child's clear, firm voice.</p><p>2. To walk home across the common rather than along the road.</p><p>3. A chocolate tart with plenty of raspberries.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-68681655630384134562024-01-29T10:41:00.002+00:002024-01-29T10:41:18.316+00:00Shaking tails, chocolate bombe and practice.<p>1. In the bushes to the side of the path, I catch movement. First one wren then a second shake their stubby tails at us.</p><p>2. It never gets old, seeing the waiter pour hot chocolate sauce over Bettany's favourite dessert. And I like getting a taste of the chocolate mousse hidden beneath.</p><p>3. At last -- right at the very end of the day -- I can sit down and listen to Alec's music practice.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7017874.post-73876865972025689062024-01-25T10:35:00.002+00:002024-01-25T10:35:35.105+00:00Coming up, saved and task completed.<p>1. To find snowdrops shouldering their way to the surface in one of my containers.</p><p>2. A few of the daisy leaves have frost scorched tips, but right down in the centre of the rosettes there are tight fists of flower buds.</p><p>3. ...and that's my tax return done.</p>Clarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13411950678231892082noreply@blogger.com