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!!

Another goodbye...

It is with great sadness that I have to report the loss of Winifred, my beautiful Light Sussex hen. Over the past few weeks, she has had quite a few quiet days and generally not her usual self. She really went down hill this week and it wasn't fair to prolong her suffering.

This is one of my favourite pictures of her. Her wattles covered in yoghurt!



RIP Winnie.

I am now off and am really relieved. This week has been quite stressful. Only 2 days but have lots planned. I finally started making my patchwork quilt. These are the colours I have decided on -


9 colours and I have used each one twice in a line, so 18 x 5" squares of fabric. I have made 4 lines so far and another 14 to go! that is only 152 squares left to cut! Not a quick weekend project, but one that I am enjoying so far. Remind me of that when the squares don't match up!

Last week was busy, baking wise. Quite a few eggs and lots of bananas needed using up.
Banana & sultana cake -


and a few low calorie muffins -


For some reason, muffins are never 'muffin shaped' when I make them! Please do not email for the recipe. They are ridiculously high fat and artery clogging, but tasted great. You should know to take my 'low fat' with a pinch of salt!

It is getting warmer and I realised that my little greenhouse had succumbed to the winter elements and was full of holes.
Hot footed it to Wilkinsons to see their gardening range and came home with this little beauty!


The blue nylon rope is there to prevent 'wind related' incidents. A couple of years ago, a gust blew my old greenhouse across the garden. Complete with all my seedlings. So far I only have broad beans in there. Hopefully, I can start off my tomatoes and courgettes soon. Will get onto the Organic Gardening Company to order more seeds later in the week.

It is freezing again here. Got in at 7pm this evening and it was already -1. Fire lit now, it's toasty and warm. Jase is back tomorrow afternoon, but we only have 1 day off together this week. Rosters have gone somewhat to pot! It doesn't get much better this month.

Right, have a few egg cosies to sew, so better crack on.

I hope to be back soon and sorry for my long absence.

C x x x

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