Come and tell me your dull and unexciting news 5: Calmly through the day

[MissConductUS]

I've started a new one. Please join us and share the boring and mundane things happening in your world. It will be calming for all.

Mars was at a close approach on 6 October. That's why it's so prominent in the sky now. This happens every 26 months or so.

mars.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/night-sky/close-approach/

@Mooselaurels - Great job on the photo. What kind of scope do you have and what did you pick for your new one?

Oh, and I just got up from a lovely 2 hour nap and am having coffee. DD has applied for a job at a chain fabric and sewing store, which would be perfect for her as she's really good at sewing.

I gave in to everyone on Reddit talking about dipping dates into peanut butter.
O.
M.
G.
it was amazing
I might have ate one too many though

Just about to try the first bread from the breadmaker. DS just came up and said that DH didn't follow the recipe as DH decided he knew better than the receipe book and DS said the bread looks deflated. Hopefully it will taste better than it looks.

@MissConductUS

I'm currently using a 5" Newtonian. It's a beginner's scope though, so it's a bit cheap and cheerful - aspheric mirror, crappy focuser. Kinda short focal length.

I bought a better mount locally 2nd hand, so now I can track things a lot better.
The new scope, if it ever arrives, is an 8" newt with a parabolic mirror and dual speed focuser, with a bit more focal length so higher magnification.

I've also bought a 3x Barlow lens for photographing planets, but typically it's now thick cloud for the foreseeable future!

Ds has just come upstairs munching the bread and said its good. It sounds a bit crunchy. DS says its like tordu bread. I will try some soon.

Had a lovely walk with my parents and DS2 this afternoon. Well the actual walking bit was about a mile, then it was letting DS2 climb on lots of logs, explore dens built by other people and take us on exploratory trips but he enjoyed it and we were happy to follow him.

I’m horizontal on the sofa under a cosy blanket with my phone & kindle. Now DS1 has gone to bed, Sodding has joined me for a cuddle.

DD just told me I bought the world's smallest breadmaker which makes the smallest loaves ever. I pointed out that DH, DS and I had all eaten 3 slices each of thickly cut bread then she realised it makes normal sized loaves.

I am thinking of buying some binoculars for star gazing. There is proper Dark Sky about 45 min away, if I ever get round to it.

I made a "Sunday dinner" but I forgot the sainted honey glazed parsnips.
So disappointed.

I'm starting a free-motion quilting course on Friday. I've never really got the hang of it despite a few (admittedly half-hearted) attempts. The woman who is running the course is insanely artistic and talented, I send some of my quilts to her to be quilted here's a picture of my most recent one that she quilted for me. It's all online so I think the deal is that I watch the videos, have a go myself and then have a Zoom call with her where she watches me trying and gives advice.

@TheSilveryPussycat

I am thinking of buying some binoculars for star gazing. There is proper Dark Sky about 45 min away, if I ever get round to it.

I have these and they're amazing and a very good price. They're also heavy, so you'll need a tripod to use them for extended viewing.

Celestron - SkyMaster Giant 15x70 Binoculars - Top Rated Astronomy Binoculars - Binoculars for Stargazing and Long Distance Viewing - Includes Tripod Adapter and Case

DH just put burgers on the grill for dinner. We're also having oven chips and onion rings.

We had a lovely day at a local National Trust property. We've been trying to get tickets for three weeks. We finally got organised,and booked them last weekend.

I have decided that give making bread a go. And whilst googling simple recipes, identified the unknown attachments for our hand held mixer as dough attachments. So that felt like a trumph. DH will go shopping tomorrow, so I've told him to buy yeast.

@MissConductUS @TheSilveryPussycat I think DH has those same binoculars, or something very similar. They’re definitely stargazing ones. They are great but definitely do weigh a ton - I can’t hold them steady for any time at all without leaning my elbows on something!

Americano
I like that!
Quilting features in a lot of American movies. I do not think I have ever seen sb doing it. The workshop I intend to take my next sewing lessons runs quilting courses, so perhaps I'll see it done then.

@Spudlet. Ask for a tripod for Christmas?

I had a double chocolate mocha and a croissant for breakfast. I'm debating whether to eat the second croissant.

Have the second croissant Vanilla. I just cracked and made a third slice of toast.

I got out of bed because I had to go and plug my Kindle in to charge. I’m in the middle of a long book and against a deadline to finish it.

DH didn't bring any croissants yesterday so I had to make do with pide. It's nice but not the same.

I am watching old episodes of Star Trek The Next Generation. It is soothing in its familiarity and the near-certainty of a happy ending to every episode. It is also nice to watch something where the episodes largely stand alone instead of being chapters in a story arc.

I am caving. I'm also making a second coffee but will have a vanilla latte this time.

Spookily I also made bread yesterday, using James Morton's no knead method.

Today (in a suitably uninteresting fashion) we are doing the grand sum of nothing. I should pop out and buy some heat logs for the fire (which would involve getting dressed first) and we would often pop up to the pub for a couple pints, but it is too gloomy to sit outdoors.

I may push the boat out and do some ironing.

I’m settling to the ironing with a coffee. May also indulge in an homemade lemon and blueberry biscotti (made by one of the DC yesterday)

How are the biscotti helenajustina? I'm guessing (purely due to the timing) that they are from the BakedIn subscription?

If so, DS will be making these later today