Bandaging for beginners

Good morning!

Unusual for me to be writing during the day, more of a night owl when it comes to the written word.

Am off until the 2nd of March now. Really need to get away from work as things are getting fraught. They will sort themselves out, I have to believe that. Just hope it is sooner, rather than later.

I have a chicken course in a couple of hours. House has been blitzed, toilet clean, scones baked and table laid out with jam, plates, chicken books etc etc. Jase woke me at 4.30am to say goodbye and I drifted in and out of sleep until 7, when Pru decided she was up, so why not wake the neighbourhood? I let them out and looked for eggs - none! We did get 3 yesterday though.

My wrist is still sore, but the splint is driving me mad. It hurts more when I wear it. Have resorted to using a small bandage to strap it up and give me some support. Getting quite good at it now. Left handed, using teeth and a lot of patience. Won't win a St John's Ambulance prize, but it does the trick.

Mum and Dad are popping over later, so will bake a cake after my course, if I get time. It is so unlike me, but my courses always over run. Nothing to do with my 'talking for England'. *Blush*

The best news I have had all week is that my egg cosies are wanted! I need to speak about the number etc, but they would like to stock them. *smiles* If only I could find some pale green wool felt, then I could make red, green and blue. Not happy with the green I have found and if I don't like it, then I won't sell it.

The hens got a spring clean yesterday, just before the sleet/snow and rain hit. Eglus spotless and new wood chippings in the chicken garden. They enjoyed scratching around for several hours!

Have to dash now, but will be back at some point in the week. Must dig my camera out and take a few pictures this week.

TTFN

C x x

A fashion accessory?

Evening All!

Just a quickie today as have a list as long as your arm (well my arm) *wink*

Off until Tuesday, and lots to squeeze in before then.

Just in from locking the girls up for the night. Jase is in Glasgow visiting a friend and I am back in the door from a friend's retirement party in the depths of Surrey. All the sign posts were covered in algae! Got hopelessly lost, but found it in the end.

Had a weird week. Finally went to see the Doctor, about my wrist, who recommended that I have it xrayed. Turns out I have a tiny hair line fracture which is nothing to worry about, but it is the sprain that is causing the soreness. Am now wearing a rather fetching wrist split in 'hearing aid' beige. Trying to coordinate with brown moleskin trousers isn't easy. I might just wear a golfing tank top and be done with it! It isn't too bad as long as I don't use my hand. Easier said than done when you are right handed and that is the hand restricted! My left hand is refusing to follow my brains instructions.

Fire is stacked ready to light, no idea what to have for dinner. I went mad yesterday and bought M&S macaroni cheese for dinner. I called Jase and said that I was stunned that a tiny portion was 700 calories. He said that wasn't bad, but he wasn't aware of the potato croquettes that were in the oven too! Over dosed on carbs last night.

Sat and made a few more egg cosies, whilst watching Die Hard 13 (or was it 2, there are so many) last night. Freezing cold outside, but snug by the fire. Expecting to drop to -4 tonight. Hot water bottle is on stand by.

My Brother came over today and fixed the leak upstairs, leaving me the leaky pipe as a souvenir. And all the mess to tidy up. Ever tried forcing carpet under skirting boards with your wrist in a splint? No? I don't advise it. Just glad that he was able to come over and fix it. He left with a big bag of chocolate cookies, made with pain from creaming butter and sugar with a wooden spoon - left handed!!!!

Elsbeth, Pru and Agnes and laying nearly every day, just free loaders Cornelia and WInifred to start laying. According to the Old Timers' poultry books, hens should be back in lay by Valentine's day. Must leave a copy in their eglu as they are already late!

Off to have a rummage in the freezer and see what culinary delight jumps out at me.

Have a lovely week everyone.

C x x

Dripping?

Good afternoon and greetings from Germany! I arrived late last night and fly back tomorrow at the crack of sparrows!
Been out to the supermarket and bought 3 pots of goose fat, gravy powder, bread and cheese. I still have a few things to finish off sewing. The crazy life of cabin crew. We know how to live!

Last week at work, I managed to burn my hand on a boiling pot of coffee. Ever since, my wrist has been killing me. It is just under a week now and it is still so sore. Loathed as I am to visiting the Doctor, I might have to later this week.

Not much going on in the garden, but did spot the first of the snowdrops



The daffs are springing up everywhere too. A sign that Spring is finally on the way.


My part time week starts on the 20th Feb and I have to do something with the back and front garden. The geraniums are a brown sloppy mess and I seem to have piles of rotting vegetation that were once flowers. I am a gardening slut and am ashamed. Have left it way too long and am now faced with a mammoth task ahead of me. Have a chicken course planned for the 21st and then I will tackle the garden. Promise.

The 3 bins need turning and should give me plenty of rich compost to spread around the garden and veggie plot.

Woke up yesterday to see a massive damp patch on the beam that separates the lounge/diner. About 1.5 metres long! Just what we need. Spoke to next door and was told that there aren't any water pipes as such through that part of the house, only heating pipes. Jump to me, turning off the mains water, boiler and radiators in that part of the house. Realising that I need to change the hens' water, I climbed behind the washing machine again to turn the water back on! What a stupid place for a stop cock! I went into the loft to see if there was a problem up there, but nothing. No leaks into the office or our bedroom, so it must be the heating pipes under the floorboards.

Am away until Tuesday, so will deal with it then. Just one thing after another. *rolls eyes*

On a more positive note, the egg cosies I made have been well received and I might be selling them on line. Just need to send a couple off for inspection by the 'Chief buyer' *wink* and then who knows? Next stop John Lewis. Hee hee.

Better sign off now as my wrist is playing up again!

Have a great week everyone.

C x x

No more sprouts

The weather was really strange today. Jase left at some ungodly hour of the morning and I got up around 7am. Black clouds whizzing across the sky, rain, then sun, hail and a few snow showers.

I drove into Marlborough to get some bits and did a food shop. Made the huge mistake of visiting Laura Ashley and spent rather too much on nice material for my next project. Have blown my self proclaimed fabric budget for the year, in one transaction.

This week has been dry, so we managed to stack the logs and I spent a couple of days in the veggie garden. All the beds have been dug over and weeded. The Hens decided to help.

Elsbeth and Pru paired off to search the perimeter. Lots of bugs to be had!




Winnie and Agnes with their bums in the air! Cornelia found a secret corner and feasted on slug eggs *yuck*


I started the week by going into town to renew my passport. What is it with passport photo booths? Eeek. Horrible photo. I was really hoping it would be returned quickly, as I am due back to work on Monday. Luckily, the courier arrived with my new passport at lunchtime. Complete with the kind of picture that will have me whisked away for interrogation by immigration.


As it was so nice this week, I got the planting bug. Broad beans went in and I plan to sit down next week and get the seed catalogues out. Will only plant what we actually eat and does well here. Gone are the days of brussels and broccoli, I just can't grow them. The cabbage whites will be so disappointed.


I spent tonight cutting squares for the patchwork quilt that, I think, will be a very long project. Cut 30, only 195 to go! Fire was lit early as it was baltic by 5pm. Fished out my Cath Kidson 'Sew' book and decided to make a couple of egg cosies. Well, it seems only fitting, as Agnes is laying nearly every day and the egg stock is looking healthier than it has done in months. Quite happy with the result. Will post a picture tomorrow.

Time for bed. Nighty nighty.

C x x

Update! A little pic of my egg cosy! 4 made so far!! Think I might sell these at my next craft fayre. What do you think?

Chicken cuddles

The big melt is on it's way and flooding is now forecast! Oh, how we like some drama in Britain. The roads are slushy, but the chicken area has finally met the chickens' exacting standards. Enough bark is showing for them to scratch around, so they are prepared to come out of the run!

Work went wrong earlier in the week and I lost part of my trip due to snow at Heathrow. Came home and popped out to take a few more snow pictures.




There are raised beds somewhere under the snow -


I drove Jase to the airport today. He flew up to Glasgow to visit friends, I am going up tomorrow. All checked in and boarding card printed. The power of the internet!

We had a wood delivery tonight. 2 cubic metres of logs blocking the garage now. Many, many wheelbarrow loads to get that lot stacked. Just hope it stays dry on Monday.

Just chilling out with the fire lit and finished off the cushion for my neighbour. A proper commission piece. Sounds odd writing that, but I guess it is? I think he is rather sweet, just hope she likes him. *anxious* I have named him Hamish! He needs a collar still and maybe a name tag.


Elsbeth has no tail feathers and is looking like a right scruff. However, she did lay an egg yesterday! Agnes' comb is looking quite red and she squatted in front of me today, so that is a good sign. Eggs are on their way. I even managed to pick her up and give her a cuddle before bed. She is usually quite frosty towards me.

Plans are underway for making my quilt. I have ordered a rotary cutter and self sealing mat. No idea what they are for, but was told they would make it much easier! We will see. Just the fabric to choose and then I will get started! Now, do I have fabric in the house? I think I might have a bit stashed away somewhere.


Have to be up at the crack of sparrows, so better sign off.

C x x

Any eggs?

Good afternoon!

Glad to report that my 3 days of classroom training did not result in a fail, or losing the will to live (not quite). A day of lifting training and customer service (please, taking crew off the aircraft is not conducive to customer service) followed by aviation medicine and then on the last day, emergency training. When you cannot take anymore, they make you do an exam at the eleventh hour! Clicking away on the mouse, to get out as soon as poss, before the building suffocated me. It has to be the most depressing place on Earth. BUT IT IS DONE FOR ANOTHER YEAR!! Yay!!!!!

Am now in Royal Edinburgh, on my own as the rest of the crew flew back to London (that was the plan, it wasn't because they didn't like me) and my new crew arrive later. Am due to fly to Hamburg tomorrow, but more snow is forecast, so time and gritting will see if I get there!

Our lane is still covered in snow and ice and Councils are running out of grit. They have been told to only grit major roads now, so if we do get more snow we will be scuppered. I don't mind when at home, as have enough food to eat and wood to burn (ish - running low) and plenty to do in the house, but it is the driving to work that becomes a problem.

Reports on the tv have shown neighbours actually helping each other. Like War time Britain, people are chatting, clearing snow and helping the elderly, as so many roads are still blocked with snow. Nice that people pull together when they need to.

It is freezing here. 'They' (who ever they are)? are forecasting more heavy snow for our area on the Hampshire/Wiltshire borders. It has already started snowing in Devon/Cornwall and heading our way. Lovely, If I am at home, but worried it will head for Heathrow! First thing they do is cancel Domestic flights! Might be up here a while.

Non smoking hotel, damn and blast, so having to pop outside every so often! Luckily, there is a 'crew room' next to the exit, so filling up on tea and home made biscuits every time I go out. That wasn't a New Years resolution. I am still eating biscuits *wink*

Having had a chance to chill out and catch up on a few blogs I like, I saw that many are making quilts. Something I fancy doing! A large quilt for our bed, simple colours, nothing complicated. Will crack on with that soon I think.

The garden can wait as it still a blanket of white. Veggie garden is worst, so not much to be done out there at present.

The hens are really hacked off with the snow and I don't even open the run doors in the morning. They would rather stay in under the protection of the run. Ruth, who I get my chicken feed from, very kindly dropped off a 20kg sack of wheat, so they aren't going without! Pru laid another egg yesterday!!!! A whopper, bless her. They are still getting their pellets porridge mixed with sweetcorn and a sprinkle of chicken spice every day. Spoilt hens.

Have started listing chicken courses again now. The runs are looking good, except for the snow and am so pleased that they are all done for a few months. Having said that, the amount of time the hens are spending inside, they might need cleaning out sooner.

Waiting for Jase to call with a snow report! He has milk and bread so should be ok!

C x x

I'm dreaming of.....

...a white January!

As anticipated, the snow that was forecast finally hit Hampshire yesterday! Luckily we are both off, although work emailed us and said that all flights this afternoon were cancelled, so we would have been off anyway! Sod's law!

We stocked up on food yesterday and headed back home to weather proof the chicken area. We hung a couple of shades up from the fence to the end of the run, to try and give the hens some protection from the snow. Wood stacked up by the back door to save frozen feet traipsing to the log store!

Having had a power cut a couple of years ago, that lasted 4 days *shock*, we bought a small gas camping stove. The house has a oil boiler and electric cooker, so if we lose power, we cannot cook or heat the house! The fire in the lounge comes into it's own and the camping stove will help! I always have enough candles in the house, enough wax to rival Madame Tussauds!

The girls are less than impressed. I let them out this morning and they refused to leave the eglus. A bowl of warming pellet porridge did tempt them to venture in the run though. Was amazed when we heard the 'egg laying call' yesterday morning. Rushed out and Prudence had laid! Our first egg of 2010! Well done that girl.

Jase fell asleep on the sofa after lunch, so I wrapped up warm and took a few pictures.

Our lane -




The house -



The view from the office window -



The driveway -


As you can see, not very deep, but enough to cause chaos around here. Very few cars on the road, just the occasional tractor. We have lots of food, milk and wood. We'll be ok!

Both back to work on Saturday, so wondering if the roads will be any better by then? The main roads are clear according to our neighbour, but I am not risking it on the country lanes around here. Mortimer the Mini is ok in snow, as he is pretty heavy (well with me in him) and front wheel drive, but Jase's BMW is rear wheel drive and a nightmare on ice! Will see what the roads are like on Friday and see how we go.

More snow forecast for Sunday! It is already -3.2 now and dropping! We have had temperatures of -8 this week. The coldest winter for 30 years according to the press. At least it will kill off some bugs. Time to get the nuclear tog duvet out I think. The hot water bottle will be in use tonight.

Hope you are all ok? Stay warm!

C x x

Is that the alarm?

I got up early again today and set about finishing off the chicken area MAJOR clearout. Put on my filthy clothes from yesterday and attempted to pressure wash the blue eglu. Top tip; Frozen hose pipes and pressure washers aren't a good combination. Ended up using a bucket of water and a brush until the hose pipe thawed out.

The orange eglu was scrubbed to within an inch of it's life yesterday. Slabs were cleaned, powdered liberally with disinfectant and refilled with soft, fluffy bedding.


Ignore the uneven slabs to the left of the picture. I was never very good at anything manual. Hence the patchwork, 'up and down' look to my paving! It does the job.....!

Whilst the cleaning crew (me), spent time scrubbing, digging and tidying, the girls had free range time in the garden. Surrounding by netting, they happily scratched at the lawn, rootling around for bugs.




Not sure what has happened, but Winnie's pantaloons are mighty impressive. She finished moulting a while ago, but these seem to have appeared over night.


Forgot to post a picture of the new dust bath 'house' that Next door made for the hens' Christmas pressie. They are still scared of it, but will get used to it eventually. They have managed to sit on the roof and leave a little present, but as yet, haven't had a bath.




I am actually quite embarrassed by the next picture. The veggie garden shut down for winter in about November and has stayed untouched since then!!


Having frozen my bits off for two days, I might as well spend another day outside tomorrow, to try and reclaim some 'veg cred'. I did add some composted chicken poo to the raised beds, but serious weeding needs to be done.

The chocolate mountain is being dented slightly. It is everywhere, in every room! I can't resist.

Jase is away on a 3 day trip tomorrow and I am back on Monday. Still don't know what I am doing, as they haven't filled my roster yet. Will find out at 6pm tomorrow night. Might get up with him at 4am tomorrow as that way I can get more done before work. That is the theory anyway. Will see how I feel in the morning........

C x x

January the first!

Seeing as it is the first of January, I would like to wish you all HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I hope you all have a happy & healthy one. *smiles*

Another year and another blog entry. Don't you get bored reading my stuff?? Hee hee.

Jase went to bed around 10ish late night, after falling asleep on the sofa. I managed to keep my eyes open until 11, then headed upstairs. Woke up around 7 and let the hens out. The bantams next door fancied a lie in, but thought I had corn and came dashing out! Blimmin' freezing start to the new year. Minus 1 and really cold in the wind.

Have decided to get my hat, scarf and gloves, brave the elements and finally clear out the chicken runs today. The lifting of soiled bedding should keep me warm! Just need to find somewhere to put it! We have a paddock behind the house that is unused and the neighbours all seem to use it for garden waste. Might take the wheel barrow for a walk around there *wink*

I am looking at a mountain of chocolate and thinking 'is it wrong to have that for breakfast'? Yes it is. I know. Will make toast. With nutella. A compromise.

Better get my backside ready. Enjoy your day!

C x x .

Chickens on ice!

Morning everyone! I DID make it home! Arrived back on the 22nd of December in the early evening. Panic hadn't quite set in, but I did have visions of spending Christmas in Manchester!

Haven't been around much as Festivities seem to get in the way of blogging.

Spent Christmas eve chilled out wrapping presents. Ridiculously late - not like me at all, but time ran away with me this year.

On Christmas morning, we lit the fire and opened our presents. I did very well! A Nigella colander, 6 1/2 litres Le Parfait jars (yes, I was excited)! A huge bag of M&M's from the M&M factory in Las Vegas (Jase had been the week before), an Abercrombie and Fitch hoodie - I am now 'down with the kids', a Coke thermos mug for my early morning drive to work, enviromesh and fleece for the veggie garden, to scupper those pests, and lots of other bits and bobs.

Jase is loving the OWL electricity monitor I bought him. Think I might regret it though. He keeps turning the lights off!
My Mum, Dad & Gran popped over in the afternoon and we had nibbles, before they headed home. Christmas dinner was served at 5.30 and we were too stuffed to have the pudding I made, so settled for Dime bar cheesecake instead!

On Boxing day we all descended on my Parents and had a really nice day with my Niece and Nephew, who were very patient and waited until after lunch to open their presents. We left around 8.30pm as we were driving to Scotland the next day.

We planned to leave at 7.30am for the long drive to Ayr, but didn't get up until 7.45, so that put us back a bit! The journey was fine apart from a traffic jam somewhere on the M5 - it all blurs into one after a while. Made a few pit stops to refuel on Coffee (tea for me), but arrived safely around 5pm. Had a very relaxing time, with J's Mum force feeding us home made treats, chocolates and cakes! We did plan to stay until the 30th, but a severe weather warning around Wales/the Midlands forced us to leave on the 29th and drive back, praying the snow wouldn't start! Shame we had to leave early, but better than being stuck on the motorway, with not enough food! Heaven forbid!

Realised I haven't posted any Christmas pictures, so here you go!

Rita, the Christmas tree. The name seemed to suit her!




The fireplace complete with wooden reindeer, made by next door as part of our Christmas present!


You have to have a box of treats on the coffee table!



I couldn't bring myself to stick cards to our new doors with sellotape, so hung ribbons from the pegs at the back and stapled cards to them. Looks much nicer IMO. Must get the pinking shears out to make tags for next year!


Jase left for work at 6am this morning and I got up not long after. I am back on the 4th January, so a bit of time to get stuff done. I have promised next door that I would make her a tartan scottie dog cushion. Have the fabric and pattern ready, just need to muster the energy. Haven't sewn for a couple of weeks, but every time I sit down to do it, I think about the state of the chicken area, garden and veggie plot and the thousand and one other jobs that need doing.

January isn't too busy roster-wise. A couple of 3 days trips and my annual check - jumping out of mock up planes, pretending to evacuate and playing nurse with resuss-Annie! 3 days of classroom stuff. Yuck. We are heading up to Glasgow for a weekend to visit friends, so that'll be good.

Still no eggs from the free loaders. They are fine and very content, eating little and often and pleased that their run is no longer 2 inches thick with ice. They refused to come out of their run, even for corn, but mealworms did tempt them eventually. Winifred the brave, was first out. using her claws like a rock climbing pro, to stab the ice and get her grip. Elsbeth came flying around the corner, slipped, and skidded around the run on her fluffy knickers! The others were more sensible and waited until I put the mealworms inside their covered run!

If it stays dry, then I will clean them out tomorrow and Saturday. Thinking it will be about 4-5 wheelbarrows of used bedding from the covered runs, but I have an empty compost bin now.

Next door are away over New Year, so we are on Bantam watch. At least we will get some eggs!

Have put on a bit of weight I think. My New Years resolution is to stop weighing myself. There is no need. If my clothes are tight, I have put on weight, why did I need to know the figure??? It only gets you down! Actually, scrub that. I am not making any New Year's resolutions. I do want to learn more about photography and set up my website shop, but that has nothing to do with NYRs. Just something I want to do and now is a good time.

Will change the bedding today and get some cash out. MUST have fresh sheets and a small amount of cash for New Year's day. Just something I always do. Quirky, but very me.

Will leave you with a nice picture of my Father Christmas! Hope you all have a very happy and healthy New year!




C x x x