Count to ten....

After a week off, it is nearly time for me to return to work. Couldn't tell you what I have done all week, but managed to fill my days with pottering, cooking, cleaning and general bits and bobs.

A few weeks ago I went to the Opticians, for an eye test and contact lens check up. My contacts are not due to vanity. I prefer my glasses, as they make me feel more comfortable and less exposed to the World. Sorry, that is baring my soul somewhat,isn't it? Should I be lying down on a couch somewhere chatting to a therapist holding a clipboard? Anyway, I digress, so unlike me. I was diagnosed a few years ago, ahem, at 16 with Kerataconus, Which means that I have to wear lenses to protect my corneas. To be honest, I haven't really worn them in over a year and the sight test confirmed it! The vision in my left eye is worse, so back to the lenses! Just a pain with work as it means taking so many little bottles of cleaner and saline etc with me.

Had to go into Town as we had run out of toothpaste, what a bad house Husband I am. Had a bimble around the charity shops, but obviously February is a bad month for people decluttering. I did pick up a small pot of tete a tete daffodils from the market. My favourite little flower.



Jase has been away for what seems like weeks, but in reality only a few days. He came home last night, but left again at the crack of dawn. Actually, it was 4am, so Dawn was nowhere to be seen.

I've been playing around with felt all week. My new wonder material. Bought some from The Felt Fairy - her website, not a real fairy - and have been making badges for children. You know the tacky plastic ones with a number on? I've come up with a neat idea which I love!

Cut out felt numbers -





Using a blanket stitch, my new favourite way of hand sewing, sew the raw edges together and stuff with wadding.


A giant safety pin on the back and ta-daaa, a wonderful birthday badge! Will put a few in my shop later. See how they do.

The bantinies next door are still laying so well, I have so many eggs. Lucky as mine aren't really that bothered! Elsbeth is laying a couple every week, Pru likes to keep her company when she is on the nest and lays the odd egg when she feels like it. All are now crouching when you get close to them, so a good sign. They are stuffing their faces with pellets and I seem to be topping up their feeders every other day. I think it is time to add a couple more hens.........*whistles*

When next door are back, our neighbour Rob is going to refit the utility room. The work tops have been sat in the lounge for weeks, units in the garage along with the new sink. Can't wait. New wall units will mean the end to the current work top being covered in cluttered Le Parfait jars. I have a problem with Le Parfait jars. According to Jase. Wall units will mean more storage for bakeware too! Might need to go to Lakeland.

The next job on the list is to make a curtain to hide the boiler. Already have some sage and cream checked fabric from Laura Ashley that will be perfect for the job. Just hope I am away when the building work starts! Rob very kindly made me 12 wooden hearts that I want to turn into blackboards. The plan was to sell them at the Garden fair in May, but that being cancelled I will take them to the Michaelmas fair in September. Just need a dry day to paint them.


Life in the garden is springing up everywhere. I still haven't tackled most of it. The weather this week hasn't been great and it is fair to say that I am not happy gardening in a waterproof poncho. Back trouble has also meant no digging. Excuses, excuses I know. The broad beans are coming along nicely though.


After plodding on with my old Ibook, it is getting too much. Things keep shutting down, I lost all my pictures for a few hours and couldn't log onto the t'interweb yesterday. Jase fixed it, but the time has come for a new laptop. Jase is getting me one today at the airport and bringing it home tomorrow. I haven't got any money for a new one, but it is never a good time. A couple of months of paying interest on it via the evil credit card is my only option. I never buy things that I can't afford, but needs must. Dreading copying over all my book marked pages - that'll take me a day!

Time to make lasagne and chilli for the freezer. Another banana cake to bake as the 'nanas are past their best.


Bye for now

C x x x