The Chicken Whisperer

Monday didn't start too well. I woke up feeling the worst I have ever felt. Tight throat again and the same hacking cough, but pain further down my throat. Then I tried to talk. And couldn't. Now you have to understand, some people are quite quiet and can happily plod through life without too much conversation. I am NOT one of those people. A quick phone call is always an hour. My 2 hour chicken courses last at least 2 1/2 hours. You catch my drift? Hee hee.

So, I resorted to a croaky whisper. After lots of help from Jase and NetDoctor.com (the internet is amazing, if a little scary), Laryngitis was diagnosed. Rest, no caffeine (which includes diet coke, could things get any worse)???, no talking, no smoking, lots of fruit tea (makes me heave) and more rest. By Monday afternoon I called the Doctor's and had a very quiet conversation with the receptionist. The Doctor was busy, but managed to call me back and spoke to Jase, who went through my symptoms. Yes, Laryngitis. No antibiotics as it is viral and wouldn't do any good.

By Wednesday, my Birthday, I felt better but was talking in a voice akin to Barry White. Woke up to a blackberry and nettle tea (heave) and opened my pressies! Determined to not let it get me down.

Jase got me lots of dvds, mainly because he bought some months ago and put them away for safe keeping and forgot! Sounds just like me! The complete set of Dinnerladies, Avatar, 2012, The Inbetweeners and a new electric toothbrush that sonically removes the skin from the roof of your mouth. Also got a new compost scoop to shovel chicken bedding, a large cloth bag filled with books, a propogator, bookmark, ribbon, a wooden hanging chicken and money towards my new iphone, if I ever get round to getting one! More chicken cards than you could shake a stick at. What is it about that expression?? Never understood it!?!

Next door made me a teddy bear! He even has a chicken in his apron!! (she based him on me, always wearing an apron when I pop over).


View her other bears at Lovelock Bears

The propogator was set up before breakfast and filled with sweetcorn and squash seeds before the toast had popped up! Unbelievably, the seedlings are up already! I love my Propogator!

Will sit down later and read through My new Allotment book and see what I should have done in May! Desperate to get outside and do some weeding, but for once I have to stop and rest. The smallest thing exhausts me and I am getting slightly concerned now. If I am not feeling better by tonight, then I will go and see the Doctor tomorrow. Just to confirm it is laryngitis.

The garden is in bloom and starting to look summery. I was brave and bit the bullet as far as frost was concerned. The tomatoes were planted out (but with fleece at the ready, just in case). I have 5 more plants upstairs on a sunny windowsill and 10 more plants in the greenhouse.


The spinach and strawberries are coming into their own and flowering well. The enviromesh is now left off as the sparrows don't seem that interested.


My little rainbow chard seedlings will soon be ready to plant out. Not sure quite where to put them as the veggie garden is already planned. Might tuck them amongst the flower borders as they are striking plants.


Rob next door made a dust bath house for a lady on one of my hen courses. Here is it!


I have just received an email from her friend who would also like one. I should get commission!

I had to cancel my quilt stretching session at the local Quilter's Dream and was quite disappointed. But there is no rush (sorry to start with a 'but') - I will get it finished soon. I decided to play around and make something, just to sit and sew really.
A little hen change purse!


Her little tail doubles as a zip tab and I have lined the purse in green fabric. Couldn't find an egg fabric as that would have been ideal!

Next door are away and we are bantam sitting again. 2 of the 3 are now broody and clamped to the nest 24/7. I keep going over and turfing them off, but within 2 minutes they are back again, grumbling away. Once Lilly, the White Pekin, has laid I shut off the nesting area, but they still find somewhere to brood.

Loved this picture of Lavender and Marigold!


It was scorching hot yesterday and the girls weren't happy. They spent most of the day under the privet hedge avoiding the sun. I made sure they had extra water and put another shade over the run to give them more protection from the sun. Cornelia's egg drought is over and we have had 4 large dark brown eggs from her this week. Just seen that she is sat on the nest, so it might be five!

I did a chicken course yesterday as was feeling better on Friday night. After 2 hours, I was exhausted and wished I had cancelled it. Nice group though and happy to cuddle a broody bantam! Once everyone had left I slept for 2 hours.

Looks like it is going to be hot again today as it is 21C already and only 9.30. Umbrella is up. Caffeine free diet coke is chilling and books are waiting for me. *smiles*

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!

C x x x

Quilting Kraut *wink*

Last week was pretty much a write off, as I was under strict instructions from the Doctor (and Jase) to take it easy. Not possible for me I'm afraid which is probably why I ended up with tonsillitis in the first place.
Spent my time pottering around, which is my favourite pastime. Manged to get a few bits of sewing done though!

A little car pencil case with button wheels -


A new tea cosy and matching egg cosies -



I have been thinking about the Michaelmas fair at the craft centre and realised it is only a few months away, so got cracking on things for the stall.

Little tote bags -


and a more flowery one.....



I went down to the craft centre and had a chat with one of the ladies that runs a shop there. They have 2 shops available at the moment (I say 'shop' - I think they are all converted stables)! All really prettily done with wooden shutters in different colours and tubs of flowers outside.

I would love to run my own shop, but can't see a way to do it at the moment. Such a shame as the rent is quite reasonable, but need the security of my current job. Maybe one day? Anyway, we got chatting and she mentioned a quilting shop just a few miles down the road. I couldn't believe my luck! Acres of beautiful fabrics and a quilt stretching service! Have booked in for next week to get my quilt laid out perfectly with wadding and backing, to tack in place. Really excited that it will be done soon. It has been sat on the dining table for weeks taunting me.

The lady that works there is German, so we had a very long chat about food, Christmas markets and gravy! Yes, gravy. Best not to ask.

They also run quilting classes as well as other fabric related stuff, so might book in for a class or two! I have a strange feeling that I will be a regular visitor.........

In Milan at the moment and just back from a lovely meal with the crew. All older, experienced people who are a joy to fly with! We are off to Stockholm for the night tomorrow and then I have 10 days off!!!!

After scraping the windscreen this morning, I am hoping that is the last frost, as my runner beans are reaching for the sky and need planting out. Tomatoes are doing well too and have flowers on my pea seedlings. They all need to go out asap. The sweetcorn on the other hand is pathetic, so have bought another packet of seeds and will try again.

The girls are all well and laying ok. They are being wormed at the moment, so less treats and that always puts them in a bad mood. I think they are withholding eggs until they see green veg again.

Off to bed in a sec as up again at 4.30 tomorrow morning.

Sleep well everyone.

C x x x

Tea for two?

Got up at 5am this morning, ready for work. Had a coughing fit which felt like my tonsils were being ripped open *sorry, way too graphic*, so decided to call in sick.

Been popping the antib's all day but my throat feels worse, so copious amounts of tea and trips to the toilet! I'm not one to sit and do nothing, so as Mum had fixed my new sewing machine, now affectionately names Doris, I gave her a trial run.
What do you think?


Have loads of that Laura Ashley gingham fabric left, after making some egg cosies and thought a matching tea cosy would look good. It is getting lots of use today!



The hens need cleaning out, but don't have the energy. Had an Elsbeth egg already early this morning, Cornelia sat on the nest with Agnes watching and chatting. Pru was on the other nest, so maybe another 4 egg day? Am tempting fate, I know.

Off to finish my book now........

C x x x

Barbed wire throat

Feeling icky today. It isn't often that I feel this rough, but woke up at 6am with a sore throat this morning. Felt like a dagger wedged in my tonsil. Jase was up early for work and pestered me to call the Doctor. Not so easy on a Bank holiday, but managed to see an emergency Doctor a few miles away.

Definitely tonsillitis, so 4 tablets a day for 7 days. Swallowing is hard enough! Lots of piping hot tea and fluids and I should be fine again soon. Managed to suck a brioche roll for breakfast this morning, took me 40 minutes!

Thought a mini jaffa cake would be easier, but alas no. Have been out and bought low calorie berry sorbet to ease my throat and a tub of strawberries and cream, full fat ice cream for when I need comforting!!
Hoping to lose some weight - 3 stone by Friday would be good - as tea is about the only thing I can swallow. Picked up an industrial amount of Strepsils, to tide me over.

Am supposed to be back at work tomorrow, but will see how I feel. If it is anything like today, then I won't be going in.

Next door's bantams are fine, Lavender is still broody and bok boking like a banshee, every time I shove her off the nest. Gave them a clean out today. Ours are fine too, 3 eggs today, none from Cornelia but that is the norm now. When we do get an egg it is even more exciting!

After gorging on far too many M&S avocado and feta salads, I have now written down the ingredients to make my own. The one thing I didn't have was pea shoots. Not anymore!


I simply planted loads of seeds in a pot and left them on the window sill. 2 weeks later, it is full of delicious pea flavour (funny that) greens! I keep walking past a picking a few shoots. Jase likes them too, so have planted up another pot full.

Fire is stacked ready for later and tempted to get into bed time attire. Can pop over to next door's dressed like that and no one will see me! Thinking a quiet chill out time this evening.

Bye for now.

C x x x

Little green shoots

Good evening everyone!

Another day spent pottering around in the garden as it was a lovely out there. Did another chicken course and that went well. I did shock them all by wearing shorts, but summer is here after all. Any excuse to try and turn my milk bottle white legs a nicer shade. Cornelia was a star and was passed around without too much fuss! Agnes decided to flap around, but to my surprise, Elsbeth was quite content having a cuddle. That is a first!

After two weeks, my courgette seeds have finally broken through. Might not be the most exciting picture I have posted, but when you plant a tiny dry seed and watch it emerge into a tiny plant, I can't help but marvel *smiles*

Having transplanted my spinach, to make way for the tatties, I caught the sparrows trying their luck. Now safely protected by a couple of bamboo cloches!



The free tomato seeds I got with a magazine are doing ok. I usually buy in tomato plants, but grew them all from seed this year. Perfect little plants. Mum will be getting a couple and I'm sure next door would appreciate some.



Talking of sparrows, or should that be larks?, I am up with them tomorrow, A nice early flight to Aberdeen for the night and will then be flying to Stockholm with Jase as we have a trip together on Monday!

Heard from a good forum friend tonight, have been worried about her, so glad to hear that she is ok. Time passes so quickly and before you know it, it is days or weeks and things keep plodding on as normal.

My hayfever is still playing up but getting better. Not sure if the daily elderflower intake is working but will keep drinking it. Will have to smuggle some into my liquids bag to take with me to work. At least Kleanex is profitting from my runny nose.

Sat here watching Lord of the Rings for the hundredth time. Wish I lived in Hobbiton! Such wonderful little underground houses. Eco living at it's finest.

Blimmin' freezing tonight. Was tempted to light the fire, but refuse to put the heating on until late autumn now. Maybe if I had finished my quilt, that would keep me warm, but it is sat on the table still needing to be wadded (?),backed and bound. I will get it done as have worked really hard on it so far.

Sleepy vibes are calling me now, need to be up at 5am. Hideous time of day. At least it is starting to get lighter in the mornings, so not such a shock to the system. Travel mug of tea for the journey, set up by the kettle. One thing about earlies is that you do become very organised and can stumble out of the house quite quickly!

Night night,

C x x x

A couple of new arrivals.

The sun is out and the past week has been glorious. I was lucky to land back on Thursday morning just hours before the airport was shut for 5 days. Shame that I was due to be off anyway! The volcano that erupted in Iceland has caused massive chaos around Europe, as the ash cloud meant that most of the UK air space was closed for a few days.

Spent yesterday outside in the sun, pottering around the veggie garden. Cleaned out the hens and then cracked on with digging over the raised beds. I fixed the cover for the strawberry beds and gave it a top dressing of 'grow bag' compost. Managed to get caught by a few stinging nettles through my gloves. My God, they hurt!

I went to the garden centre a couple of weeks ago and saw an old sewing machine tucked away in the corner. They often have a few odd things inside, like an old stool, lampshade etc. I took an instant liking to the machine and wondered where I could put it? Decided a week later to give them a ring and see if it was still there. It was. Welcome Doris the sewing machine!


She is a 1920's Hexagon, the precursor to Singer or so I am told. In full working order, complete with a wooden lid and key! Not bad for £20. Still trying to play around and work out how to use her. The bobbin and threading is proving challenging, but I will get there eventually. The sewing action is so smooth, I think she will be a joy to use.

The sparrows have been feasting on the spinach for long enough! Just as the new tender leaves are poking through, they dive down and grab them! I decided to plant some spare strawberry plants in the trough and covered the whole lot in enviromesh that I got for Christmas. That ought to stop them!


Dug out the watering system from the shed and dusted it off. Most of the back garden and veggie area are now linked up, to save me watering all summer long.

Parsnip seeds are in, along with a row of radishes either side to remind me that something is there. Also planted some King Edward potatoes even though I never do too well with tatties. Beetroot also went in, with some more spinach for the hens.

The girls spent a bit of time in the 'posh' garden, whilst I sat on the patio reading a sipping home made elderflower cordial - in an attempt to try natural hayfever relief! Not sure if it is volcanic ash setting me off, but have been sneezing and itching for days now. Within 2 minutes, the girls had scratched the moss out of the borders, along with stones and the bark mulch. Nothing a quick rake didn't solve. getting 2-3 eggs a day, 4 when Cornelia can be bothered!


I had a delivery this week! An eglu Go, in sunshine yellow! I have been after one for a while, to use at my hen parties and for any hen sitting I do over the summer. I haven't built the run yet, as that will take more patience. Jase is wondering where we are going to keep it, as it would be a shame to keep it empty........


Have a hen party tomorrow, so scones have been baked, table laid and everything ready. Best get to bed now as hadn't realised it was half past 12!

Have a good weekend everyone.

C x x

Buntings a go go!

Afternoon!

Back from Spain, one flight home and easy-peasy. Managed to have a quick cuppa with Jase before he headed off to work.

Am now in shorts, yes, you heard right. Didn't you know? Summer is officially here. It must be. I have been wearing shorts for 4 days and we had a Barbeque on Saturday. Lovely sunny weather with a freezing breeze. Hence the fleece to keep me a bit warmer, but my milk bottle legs need some rays.

Next door are away overnight, so we are looking after the Bantinies. They are so cute and squeak like guinea pigs. I have collected 5 eggs in 2 days so far, not bad from 3 of them. Have just cleaned out our hens - just a quick 'poo pick' and refill of food, changing of water type clean out. Doing 2 chicken courses this weekend and next, so they will get a thorough clean out before then. Things are picking up. Must be the warmer weather and the springtime urge to keep chickens.

Picture of the bunting I made last week and forgot to take a photo of!


Even the 'anti-gingham' Jase liked it and asked where we could put it! I put fabric both sides, so you don't see the back when it is flapping in the wind. That would never do! I think this one is already sold.

A friend has designed a logo for my website (the one I still haven't set up) and I really should start doing more work for it. Just never seem to have the time.

Had a go at making chana masala this week. I love it when ever we go for an Indian and met someone at work who gave me a recipe. What a faff soaking chick peas overnight, then rinsing and boiling, but I promised I wouldn't use tinned chick peas. It turned out rather well, even though we have enough for a small army. Talking of small armies, I made enough sticky toffee pudding for them too! Maybe I should invite some soldiers over?.............

Up at the crack of sparrows tomorrow for a 6am start. Will leave here at 4.15, but only 2 days until my part time week, so looking forward to that. Lots of planting to do and (more) weeding.

Better go and plan dinner. Something with chickpea masala and sticky toffee pudding I think.

Have a good week everyone!


C x x x

A cat litter tray?

A brilliant blue cloudless sky all day today! Really felt like spring had arrived. Weather set to be good for the rest of the week. I spent most of today in the garden, a spot of weeding, planting seeds and soaking up the sun. Lovely. The plum tree at the back is nearly in full blossom....



Wasn't needed at work today, gutted, as if, so got up early and headed for the hairdressers, then onto the garden centre. Big mistake. £35 on compost, grow bags and seeds later, I returned. Decided to sort out my seed box and get rid of old paper packets of long forgotten veg and flower seeds.

Being so impatient, I lifted the bags out of the car, without waiting for help, and gently moved them to the back garden. Not gently enough. Am feeling the tightness across my lower back AGAIN! I cannot seem to do any lifting without my dratted back hurting. Hot bath for me tonight. Might invest in one of those 'old people sock-puller-oners'. Is that even a word? You know what I mean. I'm sure Innovations will have one on line. Unable to put socks on without hoiking your foot onto your opposite knee in the morning is shocking. I am only 35! Ok, 36 next month, but still a spring chicken!

My new seed collection is ready and 'filed' in planting order. OCD lives and breathes in the shed too! How many wooden plant labels is too many I wonder?


I sowed peas and sweetcorn in my bargain lidl seed trays. Popped lids on top and then a 'mouse barrier' block to stop those pesky critters eating the sprouting seeds. Hope it works. They love my peas!


The Girls have been laying well, now that the 'bird cannon' in the field down the road isn't going off every 45 minutes. We are getting 3-4 eggs a day and I have boxed up a dozen to sell. Still have a couple to make muffins tomorrow.
Pru and scruffy, 3 tone, Elsbeth, ready for their close ups. Cornelia and Agnes were camera shy and retreated to the eglu. No eggs from then today, but they deserve a day off.

They spent today in a self dug crater. All 4 dust bathing in dry soil and wood chip, loving the sun.

Whilst weeding the veggie garden, I found a few parsnips that I forgot to dig up and use.

Cracking, aren't they? Will definitely be planting more this year.

French marigold seeds sown - not a big fan of them, but they work well with companion planting. Tomatoes sown, as are some courgette seeds! All coming along nicely. Need to sort out the watering system next.

I discovered a raised section of soil under the weed suppressing membrane today. Another Mole family!!!! We are surrounded by fields and they choose my veggie garden to make tunnels. Blimmin' things.

Mowed the front lawn for the first time this year. Looks lovely apart from the winter moss. Might have to get the hens onto that!

I had forgotten that I planted rhubarb in the back garden a couple of years ago. The leaves are huge and it seems to have come up overnight. I will turn it into crumble this year and pop it in the freezer.

It seems that everything is bursting into life. The currants bushes are looking healthy, even my neglected gooseberry bush is showing leaves. A few more hours of digging, weeding and top dressing and I think we are set for a bumper crop of flowers and veg. Happy days.

My quilt wadding arrived in the post! I went for natural cotton and will probably regret it, but it is so soft and cuddly. Shame it will be sandwiched between the top and backing. just need to cut it to size. Being an awkward so and so, my quilt isn't standard size, so I had to buy enough wadding to cover an Olympic sized pool. Must remember - Measure TWICE, cut once!! Been caught out before.

Made some bunting this week and forgot to take pictures, will do so tomorrow! Just need to find somewhere to hang it.

The house that backs onto ours, has been rented out to a Lady with 2 dogs and a cat. Operation 'net raised beds' will begin soon. A 4 pawed onslaught on freshly dug veggie beds must be avoided at all costs. I might sprinkle catnip seeds in next door's garden borders!!! Hee hee.

A bath with lavender oil, to soothe aching backs, is calling, so will sign off now.

C x x x

In the shed somewhere..?

Ok, feeling much better about things now! Had a few days to chill out and do what I wanted and things are getting back to normal again. Thanks for all your kind messages and support!

Thought I would do a spot of 'freezer batch cooking' today so lasagne is in the oven, enough for 10 people. Why can't they make a lasagne dish the same size as the pasta sheets? I end up having to snap the dried pasta, pinging bits of lasagne verde across the kitchen!

I am helping out at the Ideal Home Show on Thursday this week. representing Omlet! It means getting up quite early, driving to Hatton Cross, to get the tube in. You know how I love the underground and Central London, but it should be a nice day out. Will pack my crocs as it is always a strain on the feet. Oh and some cakes. You can never have too many cakes. Need to keep my sugar levels up. Omlet fleece ordered to cover up my wobbly bits *wink*

The weather warmed up briefly this week and the garden is coming to life again. Feels like an age since we had sunny weather. The broad beans are coming along nicely.


Last years lupins are doing well, much to my Mum's annoyance. Her garden is home to most of Surrey's slug population and therefore can't grow lupins.

Mum & Dad have just bought a wooden raised bed to start growing some veggies. I need to pop over and give them a hand. Will plant some broad bean seeds in pots to take over in the next week or so.

I have to get some compost as the raised beds in the veggie garden are seriously lacking. My compost bucket is empty and the 3 bins aren't ready yet. I haven't turned them in months which hasn't helped. It is such a God awful job though, not helped by torrential rain.

Planted some sweet peas seeds that came free with a magazine. All have germinated! *smiles*. I only had mini pots, so must plant them in bigger ones when I get a chance.



Frost and possible snow forecast for Tuesday/Wednesday, so will get the young plants safely tucked away. I know I have garden fleece in the shed somewhere..........

Been a bit worried about Pru this week. Every morning when I let the hens out, she is sat in the nest box as if she is laying, but doesn't. Maybe she is having a phantom pregnancy? Can that happen to chickens? Who knows how their minds work? Anyway, she did surprise me with an egg yesterday!! She is scratching around and looking happy, so clearly ok. 3 out of 4 hens laid. Only Cornelia let the home team down (who is actually sat on the nest as I am typing, so fingers crossed)!

The field down the lane must have been planted with seeds. A bird scarer 'canon', is going off every 45 minutes, 3 times in 20 seconds (yes I am sad and counted)! Not difficult to miss as it rocks the Village! What is wrong with a good, old fashioned scarecrow? The thunder and lightning we had earlier in the week, didn't help the egg situation either. My hens are sensitive souls. They like peace and quiet (as do I).

Having watched Sophie Dahl's cookery programme on telly, I decided to make her peanut butter fudge. This is certainly not a recipe for dieters. What fudge recipe is? 500g of dark brown sugar? Makes the fudge quite treacly which is ok, but will make it with light brown sugar next time. Nice crumbly texture though, which is the key to good fudge. Must cut it into chunks and put it away. Far too tempting to grab a spoonful every time i open the fridge. *mental note - take spoon out of fudge*

Quilt top is finally finished. I promised myself that I wanted the top done this week and here it is!


...and a close up to see the pattern detail - don't look too closely or you might see the odd square that doesn't match up perfectly!!


My Mum loves it and Dad asked how much I was selling it for? I told him £700 if he was interested?? It is for us and will not be sold. My thoughts of making them to sell are just that, thoughts. The work involved means you would have to charge exorbitant amounts to make it worthwhile. I have ordered industrial size wadding from the t'interweb and need to decide on the backing fabric and edging now. The quilt sage continues.......

I treated myself to this little book on Friday. I am in the process of making a rabbit, so will post pictures if it doesn't look too awful! Good patterns and relatively easy to make if you know your way around a sewing machine. Shame the fabrics used aren't easy to get hold of. The photography is beautiful too, as are the backgrounds. I am a sucker for nice pictures. Some fabric is on order and should arrive this week.

Oven is calling me, as lasagne should be cooked and can hear one of the girls calling, above the noise of the cooker and fan!

Will leave you with a cheerly mini daffodil to sign off!






C x x x

I'm a patchworker! Ish.

Evening All!

Once again, apologies for not posting in a while. I cannot talk about it at the moment, but I haven't slept properly for a few weeks. Nurofen is my constant companion to try and stop the headache that I seem to wake up with every morning. Sometimes you have to stand up and be counted. I did that today.

I am at home tonight, with the fire lit and waiting for Jase to come back tomorrow.

On to happier things!! I have managed to get more of my quilt done!


All the squares are cut and ready to sew. I am loving the look of it so far. 2 weeks off now, so there is no excuse not to get it done. Although the garden is still screaming for loving attention.

I have planted some sweetpea seeds this week. They are snuggled up in the green house with my broad beans, that are doing well. I will order more seeds this week, as spring is officially here now! *smiles*

The girls are laying well. A full house today. Jase was out with them this week, doing some garden clearance. A job their feet are well designed for! More moss out of the lawn too! Plus, with the warmer weather, they did a spot of sun bathing!!

That's me done for tonight. Sorry if this post sounds negative. I really try and keep my blog entries upbeat, but this week has taken it's toll and drained all my 'happy vibes'. Next week will be better!!