Splinters everywhere....

Evening All!

We went on a train ride yesterday. The Watercress line offers trips out and a Sunday lunch along the way! It was a Christmas present from my Uncle for Mum, Dad, Jase and I.
I wasn't too sure at first, but we had a nice day. It was stinking hot all day and has been getting hotter all week. Expecting 30c+ tomorrow. Glad I am off and can wear shorts all day!

I have been busy today! I donned my carpenter's shorts (he didn't mind)! and decided to visit Wickes and get some wood for a raised planter for the patio. I can link it up to the watering system and make this a dedicated salad planter.



My wood working skills are not the best, but I do have a rather impressive blister on my palm now though. The splinters or 'skelfs' as Jase would say, are out and have been treated with tea tree oil!! Decided to use screws rather than my usual 'hammer and nails, give it a whack' approach!


Looks good in green! -




Was on a roll, so made a window box for the utility room window.








The carrot and onion bed are doing well. The tomatoes are on the left, broad beans taking over at the back.



Jase is feeling the effects of the radiotherapy now and is getting tired. Only 11 zaps to go though!

Work is getting everyone down, with constant talk of cost savings and working for nothing. I won't go into details here, but it is driving me nuts and I am glad to be away from it for a few days. My roster for July is good with several night stops which means less trips down the motorway!


My next project is lip balm, so have been 'brewing' calendula oil for a week now. Need to strain it through muslin and mix with bees wax and a few other choice ingredients. Doesn't look nice does it? Gorgeous colour though.



Heading off to the garden centre tomorrow to get some compost and a few herb plants, as my other window box dried up and all the herbs died. Might see if they have any perennials for the back garden too. The willow fence is looking a tad bare. Might even treat the girls to some dried meal worms. They are laying really well with 4-5 eggs a day. Although with the heat, they aren't too happy, spending most of the day sleeping under the shade of the privet hedge. Would it be too much to give them a sun umbrella? Probably.

Don't know my right from left....

Ok, some time to blog!

I have finally finished the wedding favours. They are wrapped, posted and have arrived safely! I think. Slight damage to the box, but haven't had a screaming bride-to-be calling yet!



And wrapped up! -
























As I mentioned before, Jase started radiotherapy last week and has had 10 'zaps' so far. 15 more to go. He is doing well and isn't too tired, but has the odd day where he feels whacked. They did advise him that the treatment might be tiring. I am secretly hoping that he will also gain super powers as is so often the case with radiation.


The strawberry cage is producing fruit! Here is our first harvest. Modest to say the least, but it is their first year in situ. Next year i will be jammin' for England!!




I am going to attempt my first craft fair this year The Fairground near me always hosts a Christmas fair in November and I am going to attend this year. That is, if they will let me!! I have to show them my wares to see if they are up to scratch. Blimmin' cheek really as I am paying for a stall!! If the timing is right, I will also do the local school Christmas fayre. I've been told it is full of 'Yummy Mummies' with more money than sense! "Anything with a gingham ribbon will fly off the stall" according to my source! Sounds like the kind of thing I buy!

Have already started making lavender bags using lovely fabrics from ebay. 40 down and lots more to go. Will post pictures soon. The jars and bottles have arrived -



On Saturday I braved the new Ikea in Southampton. A glutton for punishment. In fairness it wasn't too vile, but after nearly 2 hours sat on the motorway, stuck in traffic, I was desperate for meatballs and chips. Just to up my blood sugar level you understand. Picked up enough candles to last a lifetime. We should be self sufficient in candle light for several months. £45 total for a trip to Ikea is unheard of. Although a few metres of gorgeous fabric were purchased.


I am now back at work for 5 days, awful there and backs and no night stops. July is a much better roster, so looking forward to shopping my way around Europe. A quick Glasgow and back today (was up at 3.30am) but still feeling remarkably awake.
My new trial contact lenses arrived, so I thought I would wear them to work today. They were fine in the house but my vision rapidly deteriorated by the time i hit the motorway. Foggy eyes and 'surprise' road works, with cones everywhere, are not a good combination. Turns out I had them in the wrong eyes. I worry about me sometimes.

The girls are laying really well. We gave Mum and Dad 5 boxes yesterday. Next door got a box today too. 4-5 eggs a day and no sign of slowing down. Have just jinxed them now! I do wish they would take a break sometimes.

Time to sat nightie night.

Hope you all have a good week. The temperature is set to soar this weekend. Oh, and in answer to your question Chickenlover, my legs are still gloriously brown!

C x x x

A quickie!

Have been off for nearly 2 weeks, so no excuse. Just busy pottering around, getting stuff done as always.

Back to work tomorrow, which I am looking forward to. *cough* However, July roster is so much better than June's.

Will update you all on the goings on soon, I promise.

Jase started his radiotherapy last week and all is going well. He is tired but managing ok. At least he is off work and can do some jobs around the house *wink*

Will leave you with a little picture of some strawberry jam I made. Easiest jam in the world! Tastes good too!






Speak soon!


C x x

Spotted in public.

Ok, finally a couple of days off and time to update you all.

It has been fantastic weather since we got back from holiday. Today it changed though and I had to wear jeans. Most upset as my legs are never this brown and I wanted to show them off! Hee hee.

There is a local craft centre down the road that I visited today. Looking for a Father's day pressie for Dad. The centre was featured on Village Voices last year (you remember the one with me on - shudder). Managed to get him a hand made 'scientific' pencil, made from laburnum. The Lady that works there was so excited that I came into the shop. She screeched "it's the Chicken Man", as I walked in. Celebrity. Apparently. Lots of people have been coming to the craft centre asking about chicken courses, so I said I would drop off my details next week.

I did ask her about the Christmas fayre that the centre holds every year. It is open to anyone with 'craft type things' to sell. Local people only. Might be another chance for me to sell some bits and bobs as I am only a few miles down the lane.

I then went into Stockbridge to get the raffia that I need to wrap the wedding favours. Simple white tissue paper and a raffia bow. Bought a couple of packs as it is nice stuff and will come in handy for something I'm sure.

I popped into the Garden Inn, my favourite shop, and was very restrained. To be honest I was chomping at the bit to get everything in the shop, but luckily the Lady who works there distracted me by asking how the courses were going and what I was up to, not that I was acting suspiciously!

Came home via Waitrose, with a boot full of food (well, boot, front and rear seats - it is a Mini after all) and a very long till receipt. It is never a quick, cheap shop, is it?

Finished off the first batch of elderflower cordial.


You can tell summer has arrived at last. The utility room smells heavenly. I made about a litre of the golden stuff and it is decanted into sterile bottles ready for later in the year. A second bowl is brewing nicely. Will probably make another couple of batches next week.

The Girls were honoured earlier in the week. We put up the netting and allowed them to free range on the lawn.


Elsbeth and Winifred fascinated by a bucket of water. Agnes just amazed that she is allowed so close to the 'top' hens!




"You keep a lookout and I'll try and grab the geraniums"




We harvested our first lettuce this week. We splurged on a new Barbeque as had friends staying for the weekend and our old one was beyond cleaning. *Top tip, when you have used the barbie, clean it and put it away for the winter! Life forms grow on barbeque grills if they are dirty* Local sausages from the Butcher and home grown salad. Lovely.




I have been quite concerned about Cornelia all week as she hasn't been eating much and her crop is practically empty at night. Checked again yesterday and she was bulging with food *smiles*. She hasn't laid in weeks due to being broody, but we finally got a lovely dark egg from her this morning. She was happily scratching at the grass all day, picking up bugs and tasty morsels.

They all look so healthy and content. The lawn is not faring so well.


Time to say goodnight. I am so hungry and need to make a cake for Mum and Dad visiting tomorrow.

TTFN.

C x x