When is a corner, not a corner......?

...when Christian is trying to crochet!

Evening all!

Just a quick update on life at Bramble Cottage.

Milo is doing well and I have had a few visitors this week.  He is interested at first, but soon wanders off when people ignore him.  Training is working slowly!  No growling or nipping in weeks!!

I have the window man coming on Friday, he has been warned!  I need a new bedroom window and don't want to put UPVC in the house.  Wooden double glazed windows cost the earth, but that is what I would like.  Will get the bedroom one done first as the curtains moving with the wind is freaking me out now!  2 needed in the kitchen and finally the spare room one day.

Cannot believe it is the 16th of May and I have the fire lit.  It's my Birthday in 3 days and it is always nice and sunny.  The cold weather has tempted me to relight Stanley the Rayburn, but I don't have loads of oil left and wanted to save a bit as it is supposed to be summer!  Will need to order more soon, as the price has dropped a bit.

I have now sold 8 boxes of eggs from the front door!  Business is booming! When the weather is better I might even put a few jars of jam outside.  You never know?

Elsbeth and Agnes are laying well, Pru a couple of times a week and Cornelia is clamped to the nest.  Still.  5 weeks that hen has been grumpy and fluffed up, with little concern for her house mates, as she barges them out of the way to get to dried mealworms and mixed corn.  She is in for a shock when she stops being broody.  I think the others are tolerating her mood swings as she is hormonal.  God help her when she snaps out of it!

Just back from a quick stroll round the field with Milo.  I have to say, when it is sunnyish and not raining, the eye candy and their dogs go walking!  A couple of very suitable attractions were out this evening!

Had another mini crochet lesson today, thanks to Jen at Beaker Button at the Weyhill Fairground.  I'm still incompetent when it comes to squares, can't seem to figure out what a corner is.  Slightly concerned by my lack of ability, but it'll all fall into place. Unfortunately, a new fabric shop has opened next door, so I can fuel my addiction within 45 seconds of the front door.  They even stock Moda fabrics, so if you don't see me for a while, I'll be hiding amongst bolts of fabric at The Fairground...........

Time to switch off the laptop and do some reading.  Am totally into the Game of Thrones series of books and cannot seem to find enough time to sit and read.  I no longer have Sky tv, so can't watch the latest series on the box.  Will have to wait for the dvds.

Night night everyone.

C x x

Matchsticks needed

Greetings everyone, a tired hello from Barcelona!  I was up so early this morning I have no energy to go out, so thought I would update my blog.  Having pilfered all the lovely Aveda toiletries from the bathroom, it's time to sit and write!

On my last days off, I did manage to pop to the garden centre and get a few bits.  I wanted some garden mint and needed a couple of bags of compost to fill the last raised bed.

Just the gravel to order now and the back garden will be done.  Once my brother has sorted the garden tap, I can plumb in the watering system and get planting!


The pear tree that Mum bought me is doing well, even if it is a strange shape at the moment.  It'll look ok in a couple of years with careful pruning.

I couldn't resist the terracotta pots, so planted up some tiny alpine strawberries too. 

Work has been full on, with just one day off between 2 working blocks, I haven't had a chance to write/do much.  2 more days to go and I have 12 days off which I am looking forward to.  Plus it is my Birthday soon!!

With ironing being my least favourite chore, it didn't take much to distract me, when Milo decided it would be fun to explore under the spare bed.  He is ever so camera shy, so I took my chances, lay on the floor and called him from under the quilt......out he came, all waggy tail and I got this picture!!  I love it and it really shows his cute side.  I decided to enter it into a competition to win worming tablets (I know, hardly exciting, but why not)??

If you would like to vote, click Here You can vote every day if you have the time....I only need another 5000 clicks to beat the current winner! ;0)

I thought one was special too.

I am to blame for the cold weather.  On the 30th of April I was busy packing for a trip and decided that May was 'round the corner, so turned Stanley the Rayburn off.  He has been guzzling oil at a rate of knots and needs a service! May day arrives and I get up for work at some ungodly hour to discover it is 2 degrees outside!  Apologies.

My basil seedlings are growing slowly.  Not looking too good, but should be ok. Am tempted to buy them from a supermarket next time, separate and pot them on.

The crocheting isn't going to well.  All fingers and thumbs still and think I need another lesson.  I have the basics, but am struggling to make a square.  I have resisted the urge to stab my hands with the hook, although sometimes I feel like it. Added to the fact that Milo has taken a liking to nicking my ball of wool and running off with it, things are progressing slowly.  'Dog drool' granny squares aren't the most attractive. 

Having spent the best part of 2 hours sorting out the garden, cleaning out the hens, (Cornelia is still broody and grumpy, the others are staying out of her way wisely) and adding composted farm yard manure to the long bed along the front of the house - the soil is like dust as it gets so little rain - I came back in to find yet another ball of yarn on the front door mat, courtesy of Milo and not a terrier to be found!  I called and called and dashed upstairs to see if he was asleep on my bed - something he hasn't done yet.  Couldn't find him anywhere!  Back into the garden to find an exhausted terrier spark out by the new raised bed.  He is a dog after my own heart - likes a nap! 

Things seem to be going well and I have had a few visitors to test the theory.  Mark and Ed popped in with strict instructions to ignore him and avoid his Yoda stare.  Not easy when you are sat in the kitchen and a dog is sniffing your crotch.  They did very well (as did he) with a lick of Ed's hand, I think we are making progress.  Mark still won't look at him.........

(side note * sorry Linda, not been in contact but will email you soon re visit*) ;0) 

I have received a couple more emails inviting me to various craft fairs in November and December!  I have no stock and am worried about accepting.  Jams and jellies sell well as do the hot water bottles but I seriously need some new ideas on what to make and sell.  Time just seems to be flying by and the fabric stash keeps growing, I have to use some of it up before it takes over the house! Answers on a post card please...

The Cadburys Dairy Milk with Turkish delight is calling me.  My brain is saying 'feed me sugar', so I think I will have to do it.  Just can't keep my eyes open.  Pick up is at 4.50 in the MORNING! At least it is only one flight and I can have a nap when I get home.  Looking forward to Thursday afternoon when I can pick up Milo and chill out for a few days.  

Time to go and find the chambermaid to complain about the 'lack' of toiletries in my bathroom! 

C x x x