An exhibition, cooking and sewing

This week has been a bit of a pain with lots to do at work, a heap of things I'd have liked to do at home and feeling less than 100%. No I haven't been ill but I hadn't got a lot of energy and everything I did seemed to drain more energy. I didn't even write a post about our visit to an exhibition. Fortunately yesterday was a me day and slowly over the day I did some cooking, some sewing and watched a film. Doing things at home always makes me happy and I sleep better. Over the week I've been slowly preparing hexies for the grandmother's garden quilt. These don't take any brain power so are perfect at the end of a long day whilst chatting or watching TV. 

Winding back to last Sunday, John and I went to the Jenny Saville exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London. We had tickets for 4p.m. but arrived early so we had a walk around Trafalgar square since the weather was so nice. That's when I noticed the buildings on the road opposite. When you live somewhere you don't always see thing around you. I've visited Trafalgar Square numerous times over the years but I've never fully noticed the architecture of the building opposite. I love the different styles and sizes.

The Jenny Saville exhibition was amazing with 50 works on display. Here are some photos of my favourites.

Most of the paintings on display were huge so it was good that there was room to stand back and study them. After the exhibition we visited the cafe for tea and cake. The cake was delicious.

Once home I'd promised I'd make some chocolate brownies. I've never made them before but have loved eating them. Like many things they are quick and easy to make and totally moreish. I forgot to take a picture when I left them to cool but when I came back some time later I found only 7 of the 16 brownies left. I quickly took a photo and then took a piece to make sure I got some.

Fast forward to yesterday and I needed to make some bread. 

Whilst the bread was cooking I made a lemon drizzle cake, my favourite. I had also planned to make some Moroccan style lamb balls. When I roasted the cumin and coriander seeds the smell was delightful. The roasted seeds were crushed and added to the lamb along with an egg, mint and salt and pepper. I can't wait for dinner.

Yesterday evening I decided to work on my embroidered table cloth. It was very relaxing to be concentrating on my stitching and I listened to an audio book whilst I worked. I don't get on with my embroidery very quickly if I watch TV so listening to a book or podcast is perfect. Here is how much I got done. I finished off the yellow flowers and all other flowers in the hoop except the blue flower on the left

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I've moved the hoop ready for the next time I stitch on this piece.

Tomorrow afternoon we are going to visit older daughter and family. I can't decide whether to take my knitting or this embroidery with me to work on while we chat.

Today has been a slow day, walking the dogs, catching up on housework and some time to baste some more hexies. We had planned to go for a long walk but the weather is very unsettled, one minute sunny and the next pouring with rain. Much better to stay home and get on with some jobs.

Take care

Lyndsey