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Thursday 21 January 2016

Dust If You Must ...

The weather of late has been rather chilly ... well perhaps freezing may be a better description with some parts of the UK having had temperatures as low as -14C. Andrew McCaren took this photo, and it shows the snow-covered hills reflected in the mirror-like surface of Ullswater Lake in Cumbria.


In my part of the UK it was -3C and we finally enjoyed some blue skies and sunshine. I don't know about you, but there is something good about cooler temperatures with blue sky and sunshine! It really does make you want to get your walking shoes on, not forgetting your thicker winter coat, over a layer of jumpers ... and head out and enjoy a brisk walk! I kept my eyes open to see if I could see one of these birds ... but alas I didn't!


but I did see some of these, which in January is quite ridiculous



... getting back indoors the kettle went on and it was nice to sit down in the warm, enjoy a cuppa ... and also the aroma of a casserole cooking. Aren't casseroles just great at this time of year - well this one certainly is!


Pork Casserole with Sunshine Peppers, do try it, you can see the recipe here

All in all a great afternoon, and yes I could have spent time dusting, ironing or vacuuming, but as this rather sweet poem details, getting out and about is so worthwhile ...


‘Dust if you Must’ written by Mrs Rose Milligan from Lancaster. I have seen it around several of the blogs I visit, and it really struck a chord. I have tried to find out a little more about it, and it appears it was first published on September 15th 1998 in the 21st edition of 'The Lady' magazine which is generally respected as England's longest running weekly magazine for women, it has been in continuous publication since 1885... that's a long time!

So 'Dust if you Must' - but a walk in the winter sun can be so enjoyable.
Have you enjoyed a walk recently?

Thanks for reading ...

All the best Jan

34 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, gorgeous images. The mountain reflection is gorgeous and I love your cute Robin. Cute poem! Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

Jo said...

I'm out every day walking Archie, nowhere quite as picturesque as Ullswater though. Isn't that a fabulous photo? It was very frosty here this morning but it's supposed to warm up again from tomorrow, we're forecast rain here too. I think I prefer frosty and dry.

Lowcarb team member said...

Eileen ... yes the mountain reflection caught my eye too!
Many thanks for your comment, hope you have a great day too.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Jo ... yes, I prefer a frosty, dry day too. I'm sure Archie enjoys his walks, and it is good to be out and about! What I really appreciate is coming back to a great tasting meal ...
Enjoy your Thursday

All the best Jan

Martha said...

I love that poem! I'd never seen it before. Lovely post full of good things.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same about a sunny day in winter. Crisp air is so invigorating on a pretty day.
Love the poem, too. Thanks for the reminder, it's a good one.
Cheers! Wendy

Lowcarb team member said...

Martha ... yes, it is a nice poem. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Hope your Thursday is going well,

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Wendy ...yes, "Crisp air is so invigorating" and a pleasant walk works wonders for body and soul!
Many thanks for your comments

All the best Jan

Anonymous said...

We have daffs in the garden, and the grass is growing. Wife is nagging me to cut it. I keep telling her its only January.

Ben

DeniseinVA said...

Great post and love all these pretty photos. Recipe looks great too. Enjoyed the poem :) I love to bundle up and go for a good walk in the cooler weather. However, looks like we will be battening down the hatches as we are told to expect two feet of snow and blizzard conditions this weekend. We have already had a snowfall - last night. And so it begins :) Have a great weekend Jan.

Lowcarb team member said...

Ben ... I know, it is so early to see daffodils in bloom! Normally the grass doesn't grow too much at this time of year either, the operative word here being normally, but the weather has been slightly mixed up of late, no-matter where in the world you live.
Many thanks for your comment

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Denise ... glad you liked the post - it did end up quite a mix - and the casserole was very tasty!
Your weather sounds far, far worse than ours "two feet of snow and blizzard conditions"!!!
Keep warm - keep safe - and thanks for your comments

All the best Jan

Cranberry Morning said...

I actually dusted bookshelves yesterday because otherwise soon it would have taken a scoop shovel to get the amount of dust off! So you can see that it's not high on my list of priorities. LolI figure than when I someday will be lying on my death bed, I probably won't be wishing I'd dusted more often.

We eat a lot of peppers around here. Many of our meals are loaded with peppers, celery, onion, and cayenne. Mmmmmm. The casserole looks good!

Gail said...

LOVE that poem.

Have a blessed day.

Lowcarb team member said...

Judy (Cranberry Morning) ...well done you for getting the duster out! LOL!

Peppers are so handy to have in the kitchen, along with celery, onion and cayenne too. Casseroles are lovely especially in the cooler / colder months.

Many thanks for your comment

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Gail ... it is a great poem isn't it.
Hope the rest of the week goes well for you.

All the best Jan

Carla from The River said...

Ha!! I am stilling laughing. What a fun poem. And it is true. I am not much of a duster. :-)) I would rather do all the poem mentioned.

I enjoyed the photos today.
Carla

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh Jan, I love this "dust if you must" poem because dusting is one of my least favorite chores to do. May I use it sometime on a post? That little bird is so pretty, and the first picture of the snow covered mountains is beautiful. How I wish it would snow here. A splendid post today, Jan, and it made me smile, as I love nature so much.

~Sheri

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jan,

Great post and I enjoyed seeing all your lovely photos and the poem.
I really love the sweet Robin and the casserole looks delicious.
Happy weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Debbie said...

I think casseroles are my favorite way to make dinner. All the work can be done ahead, cleaned up and the kitchen looks great when dinner is served!! Easy cleanup after is always a big plus!!

Too bad you didn't catch a robin, it's always fun to see a special feathered friend!!

Debbie said...

Oooooh and that mountain image is gorgeous!!

Margaret D said...

Lovely photos.
I can't imagine wearing all those clothes :)

Lisa said...

Brisk winter walks which get your cheeks rosy red are very invigorating.
Coming in to tea and homely cooking smells is the perfect end.
Getting the balance between doing what needs to be done and what we like to do is an important one to get right!
Lisa x

Shilpa said...

Great post
I loved dust if you must
http://shilpachandrasekheran.blogspot.in/?m=1

Lowcarb team member said...

Carla ... I've always liked that poem, the words are so good.
Glad you enjoyed the photo's

Have a good Friday and a great weekend too.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Sheri ... so pleased you enjoyed this post, it did end up quite a mix of different things!
By all means use this poem, I do think it one that many of us enjoy.

Hope you are having a lovely day.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Carolyn ... yes, the casserole is a favourite of ours, just perfect for cooler, or cold days.
Pleased that you liked the photo's.

Enjoy your weekend

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Debbie ... yes. I too think a 'one pot' type meal which assists with the clearing up after you've enjoyed the meal is a great idea.
It's lovely not only to see the birds but to hear then too.

Thanks for your comments

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Debbie ... my eyes are always drawn to mountains and lakes, and this photo with our presently cooler weather was a winner for me!

Enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend too.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Margaret ... yes, wearing all those layers is definitely not advised for your part of the world at the moment ... you are having much warmer temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere.

Glad you liked the photo's - have a lovely weekend

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Lisa ... I just so agree with all the points in your comment here ... spot on!
Hope you have had a good week, enjoy your weekend:-
...and many thanks for your comments

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Shilpa ... thank you for your comment.
Glad you liked the poem, it's one that I have always enjoyed.

Have a good weekend

All the best Jan

Crafty Green Poet said...

I try to get out for a walk as often as possible, and the dust on my furniture probably proves i follow the advice in that poem!

Lowcarb team member said...

'CGP' ...do you know, I think a lot of us may have dusty houses! It's so good to be out and about ... let's leave the dusting until the weather gets too horrible!

Enjoy your weekend

All the best Jan