Inside & Out

On the move

2009-03-20T10:48:00.004Z

I am very sorry for the inconvenience again, but I am moving blogs! I have explained why on the new blog.
I hope you will join me at
Woodlands World 2

and please don't forget to change your links etc!

In the Greenhouse & Mum

2009-03-18T12:23:00.012Z

Update:- My mum was due to have a CT scan yesterday, or so we thought, anyway apparently it was only an appointment to see the specialist????? So the Ct scan is not for awhile as other tests have to be done first!!!
My sister left her today, mum has driven and done some cooking and C (sister) thinks she will be fine, with her partners help.
So I awoke this morning feeling like death warmed up, ear ache, sore throat etc. As hubby said, I am no longer on standby, so have switched off!!

________________________________________________
*******************************************************************

I am so behind in the gardening stakes I should be planting seeds galore, but to be honest all I want to do is 'sit'! So I have done that, although I pottered down the garden to take some pics to share with you...

Currently in flower in the greenhouse

so cheerful, its a shame they are shut away in the greenhouse!

I like the pink purply hues of this one.

Here is my Manihot Grahami

this is much sort of on the Hardy Tropicals forum. I am surprised it has survived as to be honest I am very neglectful of my greenhouse plants during the winter. All I do is make sure the temps do not fall below 5C other than that they are on there own!!!

Bromeliads

these where a bargain buy last autumn about 50p each. I saw them when I went to 'Will Giles' Tropical Garden in Norwich last year. Then when I saw them in the garden centre going cheap I grabbed them with both hands and brought them home. Only then did I read the label!!!! They need good light and quite a warm temp all winter, so I used my heat mat, popped it into my propagator then popped the plants on top and covered them with the lid. I made a concerted effort to water these as they like rain water in the centre of the plant. As you can see they survived!! Which is all very well for this year, I'm just not sure what to do with them next year as they will be quite large by then!!

They are going to be big this year Tropical Pete! I only popped some water on them for the first time this winter last week!!

My Bird of Paradise plants have really done well this winter

I am chuffed, as they are alot bigger than last year. Although I think I still have some wait before we see any flowers!!

Growing in the Garden at the Mo!!!

2009-03-17T09:56:00.000Z

In no particular order

Pulmenaria, the bees love this and I have loads of it.

Helabores, I do love these and threaten to get more every year but have still to do so!

Winter Onions... doing well

3 tubs of tulips all doing well but at slightly differing stages, due to their placement...

Frogspawn

No comment about all the 'dead' plants in the greenhouses

Theres alot of work to be done this year, as last year we had sooooooooooooo much rain that alot was neglected!
Should keep me out of mischief though!!! lol!!

In the Garden

2009-03-15T14:47:00.003Z

What a glorious day it has been, in fact what a glorious weekend it has been. Loads and loads of washing dried!

K came home for the weekend as she can't make it next weekend, so I had mothering Sunday today!

She enjoys gardening as much as I do, so we drew up a plan

this bed has never been very successful in the growing department, so it is going! The red bit will be slabbed, and the bar-b-que will be here! The blue bit will be a herb bed and the green bit 'maybe' a strawberry bed.

this is where the veg bed will move too.

and this is a new veg bed that we will be building opposite the last one. They will be a slightly odd shape so as to follow the path, rather than having to re-route it!

This is looking back up the garden so you can see how it will look.

Everyone has taken a week off at Easter to give me a hand with the hard work. In the mean time I will try and do alot of the preparation work.

Great Excitement

2009-03-12T06:39:00.004Z

We have had Jake just over 6 months now. We got him on the 25th August 2008. Its as if he always lived here. Sassy and he really do not like one another. Tango just gives him a 'biff' if he gets out of line!!

So imagine my excitement yesterday when I saw him outside having a 'tiddle'!! I must admit I had been cleaning his litter tray twice daily, but just not registered how little was in there!

Mind you as soon as he finished he was back through the catflap like a bullet. Poor chap is so timid, I wonder if he will ever be able to stay outside long enough to do No 2's!!

And I have just bought a HUGE bag of cat litter!!!!

Next time I will definately do a garden post! Promise!!!!???? Well OK I will try!!

My Mum

2009-03-10T13:39:00.004Z

Is improving daily although still has the most awful cough. It really tires her out and scares the living daylights out of me everytime she coughs!!

Funny how things turn out, she has been really lovely to look after, mum is a very strong person, she has had to be....

this was with her brother, her dad was a Chief Engineer and often went to America where he bought 'Shirley Temple' dresses for her as she was the spitting image of her in theose days!

Dad was a seafarer and was often away for 9 months plus each year, so she raised us more or less single handedly.

Mum and Dad on there Wedding Day

My sister and I where often puzzled by this strange man that used to come home and kiss mum!!!!

At my sisters first wedding in 1982, dad died a year later, he didn't look well!

So mum has been a widow for 26 years now and is used to doing and getting her own way, she is not good at sharing and to be honest can be quite difficult on occasions.

With her Great Granddaughter last year

This is a good photo of mum as she doesn't like having her pic taken. We have always disagreed quite strongly, as I won't stand any nonsense from her, well I did leave home at 17! I can't stand her rudeness!
Anyway, it has been rather lovely looking after her, chatting and laughing and generally getting on. I had over the years distanced myself from her, so could take or leave any of the nonsense she gave me. I did my duty as a daughter, nothing more, nothing less. I had no intention of feeling any guilt when she died. But that has changed and I am actually quite fond of her. So we shall see.

Home for a week!

2009-03-07T15:36:00.002Z

Hi back for a week with my mum. She is very poorly but has improved enough to come away from her doctor for a short while.

Mum has Bronchiectasis, something she got due to having whooping cough as a child.

Something happened either before, during or just after the funeral and although she was not well when we left by the Thursday I knew I had to return. She had an X-Ray on the friday which shows a shadow on her lung, so we now have to wait for the CT scan which is on the 17th.

This illness means mum is coughing all the time. Its tiring to listen too so, I can't imagine how awful it must be to own it!! Being such a light sleeper, I wake through the night as well so am pretty bushed.

Anyway my sister is coming to collect her next Saturday and I will follow up on the Tuesday and will probably stay until the results or until she is well enough to drive and cook for herself again.

Just to let you know...

2009-02-28T12:08:00.003Z

Hi, this is Libby's youngest daughter T. She has asked me to let you know that she hasn't given up blogging she just hasn't got access to a computer whilst she is up north looking after her mum who is rather poorly at the moment.

We'll keep you posted.

T

Pudding Club!

2009-02-24T16:20:00.004Z

This is where I was taken for a 50th Birthday surprise by my friends C & P, if you remember hubby & I where bestman and bestlady at their wedding.

The Pudding Club was set up in 1985 to preserve the tradition of the 'Great British Pudding'.

They suggest you have a small main course, no starter.

The Menu

The Puddings

There are 7 puddings Syrup Sponge, Lord Randall's Pudding,( steamed pudding made with marmalade and Apricots)Sticky Toffee Pudding, Spotted Dick and Custard, Rhubarb Crumble, Squidgy Chocolate Pudding and Apple & Mincemeat Pudding, plus they make 8 gallons of custard!

You are expected to sample them all (if you can)and the rules are that you are not allowed to have two puddings in your bowl at one time so you must finish each one in turn! I though I was very clever and had very small portions of each pudding.

Yes I did manage all 7, I have a certificate to prove it! At the end of the evening we voted on the favourite pudding of the night...... Squidgy Chocolate Pudding won, followed by my particular favourite Apple & Mincemeat Pudding!

One gentleman had 8 helpings of Spotted Dick??? Which begs the question why go to a Pudding Evening and only have one pudding????

Our room...

The view from our room...

Would I recommend this, most definately, fantastic food, beautiful hotel, wonderful location and to die for puddings!! Well try it at least once!

I think I maybe 50 again next year and I'm sure with my bad memory I could convince evreyone that I had never had a birthday or any presents so they would have to do it all over again!!!!!!!!!!!

Growing!

2009-02-16T17:05:00.003Z

I planted the Amaryllis on the 17th January expecting it to flower in March, it has exceeded my expectations and flowered now. I am going to have at least five big blooms on it!

Around the garden we have clumps of lovely snowdrops

I also have some lovely yellow crocus, but I didn't manage an 'infocus' photograph!
The Hellabores are coming through too...

and wherever I am in the garden Sassy comes too!

she is half burmese puss cat and great company!

Coming off a High!

2009-02-13T13:35:00.002Z

What to do with oneself when you have had such a wonderful time!!!???

Head for the kitchen and make

Pickled Red Cabbage

such a lovely colour!

and Marmalade

All homemade, cabbage sliced and salted, rinsed, spun and packed into jars then pickled vinegar poured over!

Seville oranges halved, squeezed, membrane and pips into muslin, pith scrapped off, skins minced, put into pan with water and boiled fro 2 hours sugar added, boiled until setting point is reached!!!

Simple as that!!!

The Big Five Oh..... extended!!!

2009-02-12T09:47:00.006Z

I had such a wonderful day yesterday, that I have decided to extend it! I don't know what all the fuss is about I mean 'five Oh' is just a number! Had I been having my party this would have been easy but instead I shall enjoy the party atmosphere in my house

with glittery things on the carpet

cards and gifts by the window

flowers

and beautiful balloons!!!

but best of all it means I can have birthday cake for breakfast

The Big Five Oh!

2009-02-11T07:55:00.002Z

It is turning out to be a rather special day!

I have tickets to Chelsea Flower Show, I have always wanted to go! 2 nights B & B so we can get there early and fall into bed when we get back! £50 in garden vouchers which will go a long way towards creating my bee garden!!!

Plus 6 beautiful cards some full of glittery things

and the postman hasn't even been yet!

Stuff!

2009-02-10T12:39:00.001Z

I am missing the snow. I loved it!

And, a nice man came and cleaned my oven today in preparation for my now cancelled party on Saturday!!!

now all I need to do is wash the floor!!!

Out of Sorts!

2009-02-08T10:13:00.003Z

My dear adopted sister J (my neighbour from my childhood home) sent me the sadest of emails yesterday, Her youngest son (16) died on Thursday after a short illness. I have no comprehension of what she is going through but I know it has affected me, as I never seem to stop thinking about it.
Being a parent I think it hits you hard, but 16 for goodness sake!

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!

Mary Frye (1932)

Snow Day, Number 2

2009-02-06T10:29:00.005Z

Yesterday was the first day in the 20 years of living here that hubby and T had a 'Snow Day'! T's college along with most of the schools in Wiltshire where closed. The roads where really rather dangerous for driving and as we already have one car off the road and still waiting for an insurance claim to be dealt with (the accident occurred 31st October last year) we couldn't afford to go down by another car!

So we played Snowman and Snowcat building with my good friend Annie and her husband Richard

This is Annie making a Snow Angel

and here is one T made earlier!

Snowball fights

Today we woke up and there was even more snow! You can see in the earlier pic around the snowcat and snow man how we had kicked up the snow well you can see how much more has fallen here!

The road has been used mainly by tractors, but is treacherous as it had frozen underneath.

Tonight they forecast -5 to -10 shock!!!

I have become very sleepy, I'm not sure if its a hibernation thing, but I could sleep for England at the mo!!

UK Snow

2009-02-04T12:08:00.006Z

Everyone moans about snow in the UK! How the country grinds to a halt! The airports can't run fully, the roads aren't gritted, the schools are shut etc etc.

It really really annoys me. When I was a youngster, we used to regularly, well more often than we do now, get snow in winter. People just got on with it. Schools where never shut, playgrounds had icy slides the children had made. Health and Safety was not heard of. Mums where at home in case of any accidents and life was brill!

Now the counties run out of salt for gritting the roads, and that's after a couple of days of snow. I came home from Swindon on a sheet of glass, last night, as no one had gritted. I passed a young girl of about T's age who had pulled in and probably had no idea how to drive in such treacherous conditions. Well we don't need to teach them how too as these conditions so rarely happen!

Buses don't run because its too dangerous, but what they really worry about is someone suing them for Health & Safety reasons because something is wet, icy or just to darn slippy!

Sadly a young girl was killed sledging yesterday, no doubt some silly law will come in to stop children sledging! We have to take some risks otherwise where is the fun in life.

Other countries cope! Yes they do but then they have snow falls most winters and so have all the equipment. I would go out and buy chains for tyres, special boots for walking, I would pay for my girls to learn to skid too, if I knew this was going to be a regular occurrence.

So stop moaning UK, take your time, walk slowly, drive slowly and enjoy this very rare occurrence!

Rant over!!!

The whole, yes the WHOLE of my house is going to be cleaned! All my carpets cleaned, curtains, duvets, pillows, walls, ceilings, suites, lamps, you name it, it will be cleaned, because of smoke damage! If the carpet in the lounge and in fact the walls and ceiling don't clean up well enough I will get a new carpet and be redecorated!!

Now I didn't think it was quite that bad but it is! Excellent says I, thinking I won't need to clean the house before my party........ WRONG

This is the culprit

my chimney needs to be reboarded

and it can't be done in time, hrmph. So instead I will get it all spring cleaned afterwards!!

Fire!

2009-02-02T07:54:00.006Z

The weather is turning colder here in the UK. Apparently we will be getting the biggest snowfall for 18 years!!! In our 180year old cottage it is difficult to eliminate all the drafts (giraffes)so to prepare for this I lit the front fire yesterday! For some unknown reason it took off like I have never seen it, before

It was soooooooo cold, even Jake took to bed!

During the day, we had an awful smell of smoldering wood, which got worse and worse! My neighbours have a wood burner and only burn wood and I wondered if somehow the smoke was coming through as we share chimneys. Sadly no.

By the afternoon it was so bad, we decided to shovel out the fire. Which involves basically using a shovel to scoop out the fire into the ashcan and carrying a red hot ashcan outside, praying to goodness the bottom doesn't drop out! Then raking out the rest so it goes out!

This appeared to make things better, and whilst it cooled we went through to the kitchen to eat our dinner!

After dinner I came back through and the lounge was full of smoke, the stove was cool to touch but the chimney board which blocks the chimney was red hot!

we called the fire brigade! They came as you can see, and pulled out the board and in one corner was a small pile of soot which was smouldering! They checked the whole of the chimney, up through the house with there 'thermal imaging camera' and found that to be fine. They then proceeded to sweep the chimney.

I am fanatical about 'fire safety' as I have two solid fuel appliances in the centre of my house and get the chimneys swept every year without fail.

Anyway they said it was very obvious that I have had the chimney swept. Tidied up and left.

They did a brilliant job and I thank them from the bottom of my heart as there was no way we could have dealt with it.

But..........

my lounge is covered in soot and cinders and stinks and to be honest I'm not sure where to begin! So I shall call my sweep and see if he can recommend someone to come and refit the flue and board. I will then phone the insurance company and see whether they can help with the costs of this and cleaning the carpet, curtains and suite. I will keep you posted!

I have been away visiting my mum, hence the lack of blog posts, but I put all the names in a hat

of everyone who entered my giveaway and the winner was......

Lottie!
These will be winging there way to you, once I can get to the post office!

January Giveaway

2009-01-27T07:58:00.005Z

Primarily I see my blog as a gardening blog. During the winter though, when there is not alot going on in my garden, I craft,cook and do lots of other bits and pieces. I had thought about joining 'blotanical' but I'm not sure I'd qualify as I waffle on about so many other things!

I thought as Spring is coming (I know its is)(well it has too doesn't it?) I would do a giveaway based around a gardening theme, but include a crafty item too! Below is what you would get, a hand knitted (by me) cotton dishcloth, some 'Gardeners' playing cards, seeds, Sunflower, Sungold bright and cheerful I love them; Coleus, a bit of the tropical; Sweetcorn, Minipop some vegetables

and some seed I saved from this

Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' this was a huge hit with the bees last year so I will definitely be growing this all over the place!

If you would like to be entered into this giveaway then please leave a comment on this post before the 1st Feb 2009.

Good Luck!

Rescue Operation!

2009-01-25T10:54:00.008Z

I know this probably should have taken place abit sooner, but I had to wait till hubby could go and get the bark chippings for me.

This is the banana that has flopped and it was soft all the way down, so I cut it back and scarily it was soft in the centre as well.

So covered it with a good layer of bark chippings.

The same down by the pond

this was even softer when cut back as you can see from the pic,

but we try and you never know!?

Although I am relatively confident the gunnera will be ok

I gave that a layer of chippings too. Now all we can do is keep our fingers and toes crossed.

Surprisingly my Cordyline

and the bamboos

are doing really well. I do love the bamboos as they sway in the wind, they make a very pleasant rustling sound.

The new Caster Oil plant, which if you remember I bought for £5 last year and is currently in a large pot on the north side of the house, has collapsed occasionally from the very low temps but is currently looking very good as you can see.

Again I like this plant but can see it may very well outgrow this spot!
I wonder if maybe I don't care enough for my plants, but I believe I must be realistic, especially with my back being as bad as it can be. If I lose the banana on the patio will it be so bad, not really as I will get to see the trachycarpus abit better.

The one by the pond wound probably get too big for where it is anyway, so maybe fate or should I say mother nature has other plans!

Better than Moving Furniture.

2009-01-22T06:55:00.008Z

I am one of those people who gets bored with the same old, same old!

I like change.

When we first lived here, hubby used to come home from work and very gingerley open the door as he could never be certain where I had put the furniture!!

I moved it alot in those days.

When I had finished in the lounge, I would move to the bedrooms.

The girls thought it was great!!

Nowadays I still want to move furniture, but don't.

I have a blog.

and can change the design of this on a daily basis,

from new headers, to flowery backgrounds and different coloured fonts.

It seems to satisfy my need and is so much easier than moving furniture!!!

and yes, all the header pics are taken by me.

some are planned, like the mincepies and the jam jars,

others are just pure luck!!

Happy Birthday

2009-01-21T07:52:00.003Z

To Hubbie, he's the one on the right, just in case you weren't sure lol!!

My bestest friend, my soul mate. He works soooooooooo hard, that I worry.

I think what still amazes me is we actually only had one chance of meeting, if either of us had missed that, who knows where we would be now!!

Love you lots Markie Bear!

5 a Day!

2009-01-20T12:01:00.003Z

I presume you all know that we are supposed to have at least 5 fruit & veg portions a day. We are a big fruit and veg eating family, and it costs me a fortune. Well how many of your daily portions would you reckon this lot is???

Looking at it I would have said 3, what do you think?

Its actually only 1! Weighs 85grams, so top and tail and peel and you have 80gram. I was flabbergasted!!!

Now this one looks like 80grams

I was watching a programme the other day about poor memory, and they put blueberries to the test, 3 ladies had a memory test then had to eat 80g a day for 3 months, they then had a further memory test and the improvements where amazing. So as I have been having memory problems and having never eaten a blueberry in my life I thought I might give it a go, that was until I saw the price of them!!!!! Maybe I shall just forget I have a problem!!!!!

Oh Dear!

2009-01-18T10:23:00.004Z

We had very bad gales last night, and this morning I went out to survey the damage. It turned out to be worse than I thought. Obviously the -10C we had earlier this year was devastating to my 'Hardy tropicals' and sadly I just didn't think about it at the time, not that I coulds probably have done anything then.

The tree ferns are now well and truly brown, I just hope the fleece, stuffed in the crowns will be enough.

The very first banana I ever bought has been ruined, I am totally devastated about this one in particular, as chances are it would have flowered this year! It is soft all the way to the bottom.

The Red Tiger has probably had it as well as it only went in last year.

The banana by the pond is just as bad

The fan palm has gone too although I probably shouldn't have left this one out,

I get confused when plants are given to me and people tell me a name, I usually forget!
Need to decide what to do with these now?

Planning!

2009-01-17T08:32:00.000Z

This isn't all I will be growing, I still have peas and French Beans and potatoes and aubergines...............

Hehehehehehehehe!
and then I found this at the Garden Centre reduced from £9.99 which I wouldn't have paid, to £3 which I paid

I'm not sure I like them but I wanted a flower in the house in March!

Bees

2009-01-16T08:28:00.001Z

As you know, I have a passion for the Hardy Tropical plants. Last year I had decided to extend my Tropicals to the beds at the bottom of the garden. But then autumn winter came and I had to dig up and lift into the greenhouse alot of these plants. Which proved to cause a few problems with my back.

Well now I have come to a decision. Sit down and take a deep breathe and read on please.

I was watching 'Its Not Easy Being Green' on BBC2 at 8pm on Wednesday, I was/am a huge fan of the first series and in fact it was watching this programme that got me into veg growing. Anyway I digress. I was watching this the other night and Dick Strawbridge was talking about the humble 'Bumble Bee' and how its struggling and what is said may happen if they die out. I have also enjoyed Cheryl's Blog and her many happenings with the bees in her garden.
Bearing this in mind I shall keep the jungle at the top,

it helps keep the patio cool in the summer and I have decided to return the bottom plot of land to plants for the Bumble Bees. Which I believe will look very pretty and be better for my back. I will keep a couple of my 'Large Leaved Jungle ' plants but I will plant alot more flowers.
I shall also improve the flowerbed up by the Veg Patch.

I shall join Bumblebee Conservation
and if I had the space I would have had a go at a bee hive.
But the good thing as far as I am concerned is I still get to grow my Brugmansias, as I know from past years the Bees love these!

Peace & Tranquility

2009-01-15T07:57:00.006Z

Isn't this view gorgeous, so peaceful

I love the sun and the fog

I love living where I live too, so tranquil

Two kitties in harmony

Please excuse the state of the floor, in the thaw kitties have muddy paws and refuse to wipe there feet!!!!!!! and I hadn't washed it last night but I will do this morning!!

Similarities

2009-01-14T07:56:00.005Z

I was tidying up my photos on the computer and came across these. I always knew there where similarities but this is scary!!!

My eldest neice at our wedding, with a mouthful of food!!

and my favourite pic

now meet her daughter, my Great Niece

Scary!!

Hrmph!

2009-01-12T19:21:00.006Z

I've had a couple of those days! They involve T and we are in battle with her college after a meeting with them tonight, they are bang out of order and are 'reviewing policies' but will that get my daughter the support, they wrongly dropped,( which was proved tonight) will it heck!! Hrmph!
To top it all four of those lovely oranges I bought at Devizes market went all mouldy and horrible, hrmph!

Look what hubby found in the Recycle bin at work, even if I didn't want the plant just look at the pot!

We have had the most beautiful weather. Frost, upon frost, upon deep frost, it was better than snow and oh so pretty. This was the other night with the full moon, you can see the frost.

Anyway we are back to rain again!!!

My neighbour bought me a beautiful cyclamen in a white pot for looking after her kitties and chickens and being a good friend.

Well I think it was for being a good friend? I could have made that bit up!! lol! Anyway I am kittie and chicken sitting again whilst she attends her Dads funeral! The Poinsettia I got given by hubby for our anniversary of when we first met. I love these to as my Auntie Pam always had them at Christmas and would keep it through to the following year getting it back to its red bracts again so I shall have a go. They are such a cheerful sight on a typical wet and windy British Day!

Remember I told you I had restarted my diet? Well I lost 8lbs this week, I know its alot but I can assure you its mainly water and I have spent most of the week on the loo!!! So I have lost my Christmas weight plus 2 and am at my lightest for 10+ years!

So that is not a Hrmph! is it!!!.

Devizes Market

2009-01-08T14:07:00.004Z

I love Devizes Market, which occurs every Thursday, but I really only go when K is home as I struggle to carry the bags. What I need is a shopping trolley with a long handle (being tall I need this) then at least I wouldn't be lifting and carrying so much. Mind you having said that you still have to lift from the trolley to the car boot, and from the car boot to the house etc. etc. so maybe it isn't such a good idea.

As you know I am really motivated to lose weight at the moment, so bearing this in mind I bought alot of Fresh produce

the oranges, apples and pink grapefruit cost me £3.00

the garlic, onions, courgettes, peppers and tomatoes, cost a bit more at £7.50. The peppers being the expensive item. But these have already been prepared into 3 meals with lots of garlic (obviously), 3 onions and 1 pepper left. 2 of the onions and the pepper will go into a curry for tomorrow night.

I am trying hard to do better with my housekeeping, I can be naughty and waste food so I really want to get organised. We eat alot of wholewheat pasta meals, our curry meal is usually made with quorn and then we do enjoy a roast on Sunday with leftovers used up on Monday!

Tomorrow I shall be looking at what I can grow in the garden to help supplement our diet!

Whats Been Going On!

2009-01-07T15:13:00.006Z

Where has the time gone too since I last blogged?? We have been chicken and kitten sitting. Each morning and evening we would go round and play with the kittens for at least an hour, more often longer.
Ripple the stripy kitten was first at everything, barging, pushing, didn't like Ruffle getting any attention!!

Ruffle on the other hand is very withdrawn and quiet, we had to work hard to get her to play.

Yes that is Ruffle disappearing under the units!

Whilst are neighbours where away we had some exceptionally low temperatures and snow! This is looking down my patio!

A couple of mornings it was so cold I had to take the whole of the water container from the chickens run inside to defrost in hot water as it was solid! On the morning of the snow they didn't even want to come out of the run lol!

On the first day of the snow Ripple came out with me but made certain she stepped on the non snowy bits, it was funny to watch

When ever I am out in the garden I was either chatting to the chickens or to Ripple so guess who came to join us

this is not his first meeting with Ripple, she is very forward and demanded a kiss lol!

I have been very pleased with myself over Christmas and New Year, I only gained 4lbs. So with an amazing amount of motivation I have set myself a target to get into the next stones by the 11th February! To help this along we have been walking! On Monday we went round the village but I forgot to take my camera. So today I remembered.

This is just down the road from me

but further round I found these

aren't they soooooo cute. I hope you can feed donkeys carrots because when I go on Friday I may have a few in my pocket!!!!

Christmas Past

2009-01-04T07:45:00.003Z

As we haven't quite got to 12th night I thought it would be alright, still, to share with you the Christmas cards I made last year(2008). I know I gave you a clue but I never quite got round to showing you the finished product!

I got the idea from Kitschenpinks blog she has made a lovely tutorial over here which basically I adapted to what I wanted to achieve

I thoroughly enjoyed making them and have promised to try and be more organised this year...

So I can make more to send out.

I must admit I do enjoy sewing, I just wish I had a room I could leave everything out in, not that this is likely to happen, never mind!

Nearly Finished

2009-01-03T16:37:00.004Z

We are busily finishing all the fattening food, not that there is alot left, but Tango and Sassy appreciated the cream we gave them.

I have blitzed the house as hubby decided to pop into work and T is out with friends in Swindon, so it felt like a Monday to me. Tomorrow the decorations will come down and it will all be over for another year.

I shall leave you with a most magnificent sunset, I got yesterday. As much as I love the frost, I've missed the sun!

Thank you

2009-01-01T08:47:00.001Z

Happy New Year to all my blog friends

from a frosty Wiltshire.

Cold Outside!

2008-12-29T16:02:00.005Z

Today was the third day I hung washing out, blue sky, sunshine and bitterly cold, but it all lightened and my bathroom, where I air it all, smells gorgeous and fresh!

The ground is all covered in frost.

The pond has been frozen at this end for awhile.

The winter onions seem to be doing well.

The Hellabores are just popping their heads through, whether they will flower this year or not I don't know as I was rather ruthless cutting them back.

The tree ferns hardly seem bothered by the cold weather

All seems fine in the greenhouse, no disasters yet!

The cordyline seems to get ever bigger, I think this would look good at the front of the house actually.

The bamboo seems happy on the patio.
Right nipping back inside now to thaw out, till next time, TTFN

So Its Over!

2008-12-28T13:32:00.004Z

For another year!
I'm sad as Christmas seems to go quicker and quicker each year. Gone are the days of shops shutting on Christmas Eve and nothing opening till 27th December. Family time seems to be fading away as we move away from our homes towns in search of work.
I come from a close knit family, with my dad being a seafarer, mum was left to raise me and my sister for long periods of time (9 - 13 months) alone. Her mum and dad lived a 40 minute drive away , her brother about 10 mins, but mum had a good circle of friends, who would step in and help at a moments notice.
My nana and grandpa took it in turns to stay with either us or my Uncle at Christmas time. We always had Christmas morning and dinner in our own homes then Christmas Day evening we went to my uncles, I loved this, yet I found out this year that my sister found it boring!
Boxing Day was our day, we always had a 'drinks and nibbles' party at lunch time, mum would invite all her good friends and neighbours and of course the family as well and this usually started at 12ish by about 3pm all the friends and neighbours would have gone but family stayed till the evening, again I loved this.
Now it gets harder and harder as we are scattered across England at 3 extreme points, East Sussex, Wiltshire and Cheshire. I never see my cousins who are in Spain and North Wales.
So although the time together is short, I realise that time marches on and it gets harder to get us all together, I cherish the time we manage to do it.
Seeing my Great Neice again always brings a smile to my face

Just look at those curls, she is the spitting image of her mother when she was our bridesmaid and just as cheeky too!

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T14:53:00.001Z

The final piece in my Advent Calender

I may not have time to post over the next few days so I wish you all
A very Merry Christmas

I will raise my glass to absent friends at 12.00 GMT on 25th December 2008 so please join me.

Christmas Eve, Eve!

2008-12-23T08:48:00.001Z

Only one more person to add to my advent calender!

The ham is in soak after a bit of a disaster.

It slipped out of my hand as I was putting in the pan so I ended up with a tidal wave of water all over the kitchen! At least I didn't drop the ham!!!

Christmas Tree

2008-12-22T16:39:00.003Z

Decorate the tree with lots of baubles
Falalalalaa la la la laa

Next we add the Christmas lights
Falalalalaa la la la laa

Then we turn of all the other lights
Falalalalaa la la la laa

Then we try and take a picture
Falalalaa la la la laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Now we go and have a sherry, Falalala la la la la laaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

More Christmas Baking!!

2008-12-21T14:31:00.005Z

Little chocolate cakes, a slab cake to cut up

2 dozen mince pies and another dozen in the oven!

A Chocolate cake.

I haven't quite worked out how we will fit it in the car along with us, a large ham, presents, clothes, booze and the first Christmas cake etc etc????????

Christmas Cake No 2

2008-12-20T17:00:00.001Z

Finished

One more to go!

Christmas Cards

2008-12-19T12:17:00.005Z

are finished! Phew!
Made the last posting day by the skin of my teeth.

I can't give too much away as some of the recipients read my blog!!!
It involves a bit of this

some of these

and some of these

and even though I say so myself, I think they look pretty good!

I have even thought about what I could do for next year, which involves wire, knitting needles and small beads. A work in progress but you get my drift!

Advent Calender

2008-12-18T09:27:00.003Z

I would just like to share with you the best ever advent calender I have had. I love advent calenders, infact I love Christmas and everything to do with it!

This was bought for me by my daughters when we went to the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre.

Its a stained glass advent card. You have to open a door each side and let the light shine through!

I Love It!!!

Finished Cake

2008-12-17T13:25:00.005Z

I thought I would get on and finish one of the cakes. I had seen something which I quite liked so decided to go along with a Rustic look!
Yesterday I dried some oranges in the Rayburn having sprinkled them with icing sugar first.I then assembled all the ingredients........

I can assure you the Vodka was not for drinking, it is what you use to spread over the marzipan to sterilize and stick the fondant icing. If you use water it eats away at the icing.

I have rolled out the icing and put the vodka on the marzipan.

Smoothed out the icing ready for decoration.

I frosted some Rosemary with egg white and caster sugar

Then finished it off with the dried Orange slices and some sticks of cinnamon. All I need now are 3 slim gold coloured candles about 4 inches high to finish it, sadly I haven't found any locally.

I am pleased with the result!

Christmas Cake!

2008-12-16T11:27:00.004Z

When we went out to South Africa to spend Christmas with hubbies sister a number of years ago and she kicked us out and we had to fly home early. My girls where so badly affected by this, as they had never witnessed anyone treating family like their Aunty treated their Dad, that I decided we should have a 2nd Christmas and invited all the family. We did it at the end of January, put up all the Christmas decorations which my neighbours thought was hysterical. We had a such a lovely time and the family still talk of it now, so I have decided to have a 2nd Christmas this year.
I already have a Turkey Crown in the freezer and the other bits and pieces are easily obtained, the only thing I don't have is crackers. You can't have Christmas dinner without crackers can you??
So to get me underway I started to marzipan one of the Cakes (I still have 3)one to take up with us, one for home and one for hubbies birthday!

When I opened the box that the cake had been kept in it smelt divine, mmmmmmmmmm,

rolled out the marzipan, having melted some apricot jam and spread that on the cake, so it will stick

placed it over

and finished off.

I used to make and decorate cakes for friends, weddings and christnings, I'll show you some pics one day!
No one is keen on marzipan in our family and I think they would quite like me to leave it off. But I am very particular about this. You will see that my cakes are quite deep. I like a deep cake and make the mixture for a 9 inch round tin and bake it in an 8 inch round! Using marzipan gives you a better finish for the fondant icing, as you will see.

My decoration this year is going to be very different from any I have done before. I just hope it works

Christmas Spirit?

2008-12-15T15:12:00.003Z

As you get older I wonder, do you lose your Christmas Spirit?

We as a family, me and mine and my sister and hers are all putting ourselves to alot of trouble this year, so we can spend Christmas with my mum. It is costing us alot more than it usually would, as we have long travelling costs to include. I am buying more presents as we have extra people to buy for etc etc.

Sadly for me I will not be cooking the Christmas dinner, something I thoroughly enjoy. I plan for months, buying magazines trying out new recipies, just so we can have the bestest Christmas ever. This year we will be going out for our Christmas dinner, as no one apart from me has room to seat 15.

So my sister and I get together (more expense) to write up a list for food we will eat whilst staying up north. I send this list along with the money to my mum, who phones me this morning, screaming down the phone, about I don't know where I am to put all this food, how can I empty my freezer, do you really need all this etc. etc. etc. she goes on so much about it, that although I was reluctant to do this, I had been coming round to the idea, but now I'm thinking I might get flu!

Floods

2008-12-13T10:00:00.004Z

What I am about to show you is unprecedented!

20 years we have lived here and the stream and I do mean stream has risen and fallen with in its banks but never done this!

I had to go out and take pics.The stream normally runs under the bridge here, between the post in the middle of the pic and the large tree trunk on the left so as you can see quite small.

It was cold and wet and rising..

the football floating past comes from the farm about half a mile up the road!

I let the farmer know about his bulls. but this guy hates us so much he will probably think I am winding him up.

My neighbours garden to the right of the lane

and the bottom of my good friends and neighbours to the left of the lane

there compost bins where awash! Their chickens are alot further up the garden which is very sodden.

This is the view from my bedroom window.

String, paper, wire, beads and glue!

2008-12-12T13:06:00.004Z

I am in a very flittery, fluttery mood at the moment and should be concentrating on finishing off my homemade Christmas Cards, but I can't settle to them. So after the snowflake making yesterday I had a go at a garland of course apart from the stars I altered everything else. To be honest the photo does not do it justice and I should really put them on the tree but as that is still outside and its raining and bearing in mind the stars are paper, I didn't want a paper maiche!

then I did something with string and buttons.

which again looks nothing on it own, but then put it on a tree

and its totally different. Anyway I enjoyed myself!

Paper, Sissors, Glue!

2008-12-11T07:27:00.007Z

I have had a hectic few days and seem to have spent most of those days driving, which has done my back and now my hips, no good at all. I'm a wreck and my physio says she thinks I need to see an Osteopath!!! More money but hey ho, whats money, only paper!!!!

Talking of paper, I had a quick fiddle the other day after finding this site

I started to make this snowflake and as you can see the first prong (if snowflakes have prongs) was a bit large.

Living in an old cottage, we don't do large, so I sized it down to this...

which I think is rather effective. It was fiddly as you don't use your fingers to press the paper together to glue, I used a pencil that slipped inside and then pressed on that! Clever huh!!! I do like cutting glueing and sticking!

But I have plans which could change it from the last pic to this..

just by using gold wrapping paper.

Things

2008-12-09T14:17:00.007Z

My Cats rely very much on what I give them although Tango does supplement his diet with the odd rat or two!
During the winter they spend alot of time indoors, in fact, apart from Tango the majority of their time is spent sleeping and eating! Because of this I have to change there food so they are now on this......

I usually buy 15Kg bags but for some unknown reason the Pet shop couldn't get hold of them so I have 2 5kg instead!

Sassy is looking very beautiful in this pic...

but viewed from the rear , we can see she is abit rotund!

and when in the sleeping position

we see a few more lumps and bumps!

Tango on the other hand is a lean, fighting machine that talks alot!

You can see in this pic as he walks towards me he is talking. But there is not a mean streak in him. When ever he enters a room no matter what time of the day or night he announces his arrival!!!
He loves to snuggle me especially after he has eaten Ratty and breathe rat breath all over me, which I'm sure if you where a lady cat is quite a pleasant aroma but for me it is revolting!!

I think if we hadn't had him neutered he would be a bit of Casanova!

Jake on the other hand, is just Jake!

When they where handing out brains he was definitely at the end of the line. He lives on his nerves! But is popping outside more but also returns at great speed! we have to leave the curtains by the cat flap open so he can't ambush Sassy. I have moved the Feliway to the landing and recently we have had no major spats!

Plus today we have lived in our house for exactly 20 years!

This is what it looked like when we bought it

Front:-

Back

and the Rateable Value was £76!!!!!!!

We moved from here

this had a rateable value of £307!

Crisp and Evening.

2008-12-08T19:27:00.003Z

No snow but a lovely frost the other morning, by the time I thought to take this photo alot of it had gone, but it stayed crisp most of the day!!

Then in the evening we had another beautiful sunset!

Been busy today and again tomorrow so may not be blogging, but I haven't gone, just missing lol!!!

Living the High Life!

2008-12-06T17:15:00.004Z

I love living where I live, I only wish I could share with you the view of the sky at night. Being out in the country we have no light polution and some nights there are so many stars in the sky, you just stare in wonder. Tonight is one of those nights and its chilly!!

As usually I have not been sat around on my butt! Hubby went to work and T went on her Passplus lesson and had her first drive on the motorway and into Bristol on a busy Christmas Saturday, she loved it. Anyway whilst she was out I went to Devizes for fireproof rope for my multifuel stove in the front room, it had worn away so needed replacing which involves scraping and wire brushing and cutting and glueing!

I apologise for the pic, I am taking some terrible photos at the moment, probably because I am using a different camera as my old one is being held together with elasticbands!! I miss it!! As you can see the new rope is in place. I thought to try and save our coal I would saw up some old pallets I had been using to edge beds with. Huh! easier said than done, boy was it hard, but at least I have one box full

which will be enough if we need it. Sometimes our front room being north facing can get a bit chilly in the evening and you need a burst of fire to help warm it up abit! We have found where the giraffe (draft to everyone else) is coming from and we may have to remove the ceiling in the porch to find out! That is one job I don't mind supervising but won't do as I'm not keen on spiders!!

Then I topped up one of the cakes with some brandy

ate a couple of mincepies, mmmmmmmmmm they are so lovely. But I have frozen 4 dozen now. Still have some mincemeat left to make some more.

Note to self: 2009 make more mincemeat than you did this year!!!!

Now I am here, typing and catching up!

Mincepies

2008-12-05T16:56:00.003Z

This is all that remains of the mincepies I made yesterday!

Fortunately they weren't all eaten, I managed to freeze 2 dozen!!

And made some more!!

the tray on the right I will freeze! Well I will if I can cool them quickly enough as hubby is home and already tucking in!!!

Wish me luck!!! lol!

Best Kept Secret

2008-12-05T09:00:00.001Z

Now this is my best kept secret ever, don't tell everyone, you must promise, I'm sharing it with you and you alone, OK?

I know most people can make their own mincepies, but do you know the real secret to getting the beautiful pastry you get in some of the more expensive shop bought ones?

Pate a Sucre, to you and me Sugar Pastry. I learnt this when I went to Catering College, one or two years ago!!! It is the business.

Now I have doubled up my ingredients as I know I will use it, but I suggest if your going to try it for the first time to use the following recipe.

Just 5 Ingredients

200g flour (soft) 8oz
50g sugar 2oz
pinch of salt
125g butter 5oz
1 egg

Sieve the flour and salt (by the way I use plain flour)
Lightly rub in the butter to a sandy texture.

Mix the sugar and egg until dissolved.

Add the sugar and beaten egg.

Gradually incorporate the flour and butter and lightly mix to a smooth paste.

Now this is a little bit sticky so you would need to add a little(I mean a little) bit of flour!

Allow to rest in a cool place before using.
I pop it in the fridge, wrapped in clingfilm and leave for about 45 mins, or until you are ready to use it.
This is a very delicate (short) pastry so will not take heavy handling. Don't let it get too warm otheriwse it will break. Take your time!

First batch ready for the oven!

Now cooked

another 2 dozen cooking

If I don't get these in the freezer quickly they will be eaten!!!!!!

Power Struggle!

2008-12-04T10:01:00.004Z

Jake has been throwing his weight around again, by picking on Sassy, but sadly Tango was involved and fortunately for us did not retaliate, he did the next best thing

and is now sleeping in Jake's favourite spot!! lol!! Jake is wandering round like a lost soul, keeps popping in and out the cat flap as he has nowhere else to sleep! If he carries on at this rate he is going to wear the battery out!

But look where he is down the garden, I have marked the pics and he's just below the mark,

you can just spot his back legs in this pic.

Off to the greenhouse here! He has never been this far from the house before!!

Sassy is ensconced as usual on our bed!

Meanwhile there is the most beautiful aroma of Christmas Cake around, it has been in the oven since yesterday, as the warming oven had cooled so much overnight I moved it up to the main oven which is also still quite cool.

Right it has stopped pouring with rain so I'm off out into the garden for awhile, whilst the sunshines!!

In the Kitchen.......... again!!

2008-12-03T12:51:00.004Z

I picked up a bag of pickling onions from Asda the other day so as I had got up so early and had nothing else to do, I peeled them and had them in vinegar before breakfast, but not before my cup of tea!

Here is one with the spiced vinegar and one with it still to be added!

Then after breakfast, still having loads of the day ahead, I decided to make another Christmas Cake. Well it was a matter of having too really as there is now only one left from the two I made before!

I forgot to take one of it in the cake tin. But its in the bottom oven where it will stay for probably over 24 hours!

Meanwhile my friend Tango was observing from the other side of the kitchen.

I don't approve of them being on the work surfaces, but hubby lays an old towel out for them here in the winter as it is warmed from below by the freezer. You can tell how cold it is as to whether they use it or not. This is not where any food preperation occurs!

Found this and thought of you

2008-12-01T15:08:00.003Z

I found this here shoeboxblog it made me smile!

30 Posts in 30 Days

2008-11-30T16:31:00.002Z

Today is post 30 and I have achieved what I set out to do at the Beginning of November. A Post a Day!
What has it taught me:-

that basically I can talk about anything to anyone at anytime! Waffle!! Lol!
and it is actually quite a challenge!

I have thoroughly enjoyed it, I have visited lots of new blogs too, which has opened my eyes to lots of new and varied crafts and hobbies.

Is blogging a waste of time and space?
Definately not. For people like me who live in an isolated area, it is my contact with the outside world. Even though I have never met any of you, it has given you the chance to get to know me and me a chance to know you. And yes it is possible to have friends you have never met. This is 'penfriends' on a better level!

Thank you very much for visiting my blog. I shall be visiting yours very soon. but have a hectic couple of days ahead of me. See you soon.

Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre!

2008-11-29T15:46:00.008Z

This is where I have been for the past couple of days! Even though I had scheduled posts each day I was away!

We where there for the very long and laborious opening speeches. Everyone spoke, Mayor, people from their 3 twinned towns, and Christian Church leaders. I did feel sorry for the children waiting patiently on the Merry-go-round.

But once it got going it was great! Lots of lovely stalls with all the stall holders wearing Victorian Clothes, mind you they would have needed the layers it was bitterly cold!

Just a very small selection of the stores available.

Street entertainment

Places to eat

and lots lots more, I recommend you go next year!!

Cat Bully!

2008-11-28T09:28:00.000Z

My friend came round with her daughter the other day and Sassy stayed around, which is most unusual. She usually scarpers but I think she is feeling very picked on by Jake!

He is being a proverbial bully especially towards Sassy. I can't seem to break it and to be honest am not sure how too either. I have Feliway plugged in and a spray to use around the place. But he lies in wait for her either just inside the catflap, or third step from the top of the stairs.

He always catches her in the evening when I am sat downstairs and so far has not done this when I'm around. If he does I walk up to him quickly, don't shout, don't do anything else, just make my presence felt. If I have the water spray to hand he gets a quick squirt!

If anyone know of a way to deal with this please let me know!

Knitted Wire Jewellery

2008-11-27T09:00:00.001Z

I have been practising knitting with wire for awhile. I made this for a swop I was in, this is the first one I have given to someone outside the family! It was very well recieved and I asked the lady who got it to give me honest feedback. She loved it, her only worry was the loop I had made to go over the button, she was not sure it was strong enough. I think this was a fair statement and will now look into how too improve the loop!

Welcome

2008-11-26T09:00:00.000Z

Welcome to my new blog, thank you for taking the time to find me again!

How Many Plant Pots does a Girl Need

I spent an hour in the Garden yesterday, it was beautiful sunshine but oh! so cold, my tootsies got frozen! Anyway I decided to tackle this area

I cut back the neighbours plant above the water butts, cleared up all the plant pots, raked up the leaves and generally tidied up

Look space, I plan to put a couple of compost bins on the earth once the two shrubs have been destroyed. But look what I have been left with.........

lots and lots of plant pots. Do you think I have too many????