well it didn't take long! One brown hen in the garden today, but she was desperate to get back to the run when she realise the others had bread!!!
We have had a lot of rain in the last two days and I think it has diluted the weedkiller as they are still holding their own, maybe by the time we get back they will have recovered.
I braved the 'shop with no name' to get the bita and pieces Samantha wanted us to take down. It's called IKEA, a Swedish firm which specialises in inexpensive, but good quality flat pack furniture and all things swedish for the home. It's a good idea but on principle you are taken in a circular route through a large aircraft hangar style store to view the products, then are led to a warehouse section where you load your trolley and finally to queue at the checkouts. Paul just can't cope with this especially if he has gone for a specific item and there is no shortcut! He becomes impossible and has refused to go in again!! We are not allowed to say the store name in the house or in polite society! It's become like Macbeth ( the Scottish Play) we have to make the sign of the cross and say ( the Swedish Place) or the ( shope with no name)!!!
Well I braved it and managed to get all the items she wanted!
so just some redwork to draw and blocks to cut for hand sewing while we are away!! Haircut and counselling today, we plan to leave really early in the morning about 4am so we should get there for about 10am!!
Oh and I joined slimming world last evening, I must get some tonnage off before we go on holiday!!
Friday, 28 May 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Two more sleeps!
Every morning this week Samantha has let Daisy ring to talk to us, she will be 3yrs in July and she iscounting down the days until we visit in sleeps!! Yesterday totally unprompted she told Grandad 3 more sleeps!!!
We have had a mixed bag of weather this week, very breezy and cold, some rain but when sheltered and in the sun, gloriously hot!
Pride goes before a fall they say, I was so pleased at planting up my pots, finding a watering can and remembering to water regularly. I was disappointed that the plants looks a bit sick but thought I watered too late and the sun had scorched them. Paul has now fixed the hose and outside tap for me, while making sure it would extend to the back patio he remarked that the plants looked very sick and were they supposed to look like that?
Then announce Oh I think I used that watering can for weedkiller last year!!!!!!!!! I know he wont have rinsed it out so I have been weeding the pots!!!!
Oh well if they survive our week 'down south' with Samantha and the girls, then they were meant to and if they dont I will drag him to his favourite place, the garden centre for more!!
My little redwork from Paula is nearly finished, just one more block to sew, then the fun time of handquilting in the garden ( or on the beach).
My Starry quilt is coming together, I have 3 big blocks of 5 stars put together, when I have 4 I will lay it out and decide if I need more or just sashing and borders!
Samantha has asked for me to take the sewing machine home, I think she has realised how quickly it can put up hems, sew curtains etc!!
The other momentous news is that Poppy is crawling!!!! Daisy said we have to mind her fingers!!
We have had a mixed bag of weather this week, very breezy and cold, some rain but when sheltered and in the sun, gloriously hot!
Pride goes before a fall they say, I was so pleased at planting up my pots, finding a watering can and remembering to water regularly. I was disappointed that the plants looks a bit sick but thought I watered too late and the sun had scorched them. Paul has now fixed the hose and outside tap for me, while making sure it would extend to the back patio he remarked that the plants looked very sick and were they supposed to look like that?
Then announce Oh I think I used that watering can for weedkiller last year!!!!!!!!! I know he wont have rinsed it out so I have been weeding the pots!!!!
Oh well if they survive our week 'down south' with Samantha and the girls, then they were meant to and if they dont I will drag him to his favourite place, the garden centre for more!!
My little redwork from Paula is nearly finished, just one more block to sew, then the fun time of handquilting in the garden ( or on the beach).
My Starry quilt is coming together, I have 3 big blocks of 5 stars put together, when I have 4 I will lay it out and decide if I need more or just sashing and borders!
Samantha has asked for me to take the sewing machine home, I think she has realised how quickly it can put up hems, sew curtains etc!!
The other momentous news is that Poppy is crawling!!!! Daisy said we have to mind her fingers!!
Sunday, 23 May 2010
First BBQ of the summer
We had a beautiful day yesterday. Christine's garden is so peaceful and tranquil, with stunning views over the Dale and the weather was perfect. We had John's own beef which was superb and cooked to perfection!!
At the table Christine announced it was a celebration for Paul's good news and her own recovery from a very nasty virus! We are truly blessed with such very good friends! Conversation flowed easily and ranged over all sorts of topics close to our hearts! The men bantered and teased and John ended proceedings in the evening by threatening to squirt us all with the hose! He only managed to 'get' his sister! I suspect she was the only one who he could rely on not to retaliate!!!
Christine has finished the quilting on the playmat and made the binding, just got to put the two together and slipstitch it then it will be finished. Next Saturday is Eastgate Sheep Show, our local one, and she has had strict instructions from Leanne it is to be ready for then!!! I really love the pink polka dot fabric she has chosen for the border and binding!!
I have been good 'resting' my ankle this week and wearing a support and it is much better, so next week I can get back to walking the dog with Paul again, unfortunately the forecast is for it to be cooler and more unsettled! That figures!
While the good weather lasts I am frantically catching up on 2yrs weeding and planting up pots. Today's task is to clear the garden patio of moss!!! and reinstate the patio table and chairs. It does feel strange to think in two weeks I will be back at school, even though it's for a limited time. I think because when I left I was doing three afternoons which effectively meant three whole days it feels more onerous than it will be. When I go back I will be doing just Monday of each week. Talking to the cover teacher at the meal on Friday there is quite a bit organised so it should be quite easy with not too much planning. They are taking part in the International singing Festival mid June, I entered it before I went off sick. So the first couple of weeks will be rehearsing and perfecting their pronounciation as they are singing in French. She has also organised two speakers for RE, a Sikh and our local Vicar to talk about aspects of their respective faiths, once we add in swimming it should fly by !!!
At the table Christine announced it was a celebration for Paul's good news and her own recovery from a very nasty virus! We are truly blessed with such very good friends! Conversation flowed easily and ranged over all sorts of topics close to our hearts! The men bantered and teased and John ended proceedings in the evening by threatening to squirt us all with the hose! He only managed to 'get' his sister! I suspect she was the only one who he could rely on not to retaliate!!!
Christine has finished the quilting on the playmat and made the binding, just got to put the two together and slipstitch it then it will be finished. Next Saturday is Eastgate Sheep Show, our local one, and she has had strict instructions from Leanne it is to be ready for then!!! I really love the pink polka dot fabric she has chosen for the border and binding!!
I have been good 'resting' my ankle this week and wearing a support and it is much better, so next week I can get back to walking the dog with Paul again, unfortunately the forecast is for it to be cooler and more unsettled! That figures!
While the good weather lasts I am frantically catching up on 2yrs weeding and planting up pots. Today's task is to clear the garden patio of moss!!! and reinstate the patio table and chairs. It does feel strange to think in two weeks I will be back at school, even though it's for a limited time. I think because when I left I was doing three afternoons which effectively meant three whole days it feels more onerous than it will be. When I go back I will be doing just Monday of each week. Talking to the cover teacher at the meal on Friday there is quite a bit organised so it should be quite easy with not too much planning. They are taking part in the International singing Festival mid June, I entered it before I went off sick. So the first couple of weeks will be rehearsing and perfecting their pronounciation as they are singing in French. She has also organised two speakers for RE, a Sikh and our local Vicar to talk about aspects of their respective faiths, once we add in swimming it should fly by !!!
Saturday, 22 May 2010
Almost Summer!
It was so hot yesterday while I was planting up the pots I took the momentous decision to remove our winter quilt and wash it! I decided that if I folded it inside out it could dry on the line. No sooner had I pegged it out when we had a thunderstorm, then intermittent showers all afternoon! Who said God doesn't have a sense of humour!!!
I could bear it dripping all over the kitchen floor so I left it on the line, well rainwater is good for rinsing!!
It was strange to be out with the staff from Rookhope School last night, good to break my duck as it were before starting again after half term. I felt like an outsider looking in and actually it was quite nice! I will be pleased when I am really an outsider!! I have been planning in my head a timetable for all the quilts I want to make from September and they were quite surprised at how much I was intending to sew!
Today it's clear blue and hot again, although next week we are to revert to normal, so we are making the most of it and going to a friends for a barbecue! Paul has volunteered me to make a strawberry meringue roulade so I had better go and get started!!
I could bear it dripping all over the kitchen floor so I left it on the line, well rainwater is good for rinsing!!
It was strange to be out with the staff from Rookhope School last night, good to break my duck as it were before starting again after half term. I felt like an outsider looking in and actually it was quite nice! I will be pleased when I am really an outsider!! I have been planning in my head a timetable for all the quilts I want to make from September and they were quite surprised at how much I was intending to sew!
Today it's clear blue and hot again, although next week we are to revert to normal, so we are making the most of it and going to a friends for a barbecue! Paul has volunteered me to make a strawberry meringue roulade so I had better go and get started!!
Thursday, 20 May 2010
beautiful day
It's been glorious here today, clear blue skies and hot!!! We spent a profitable morning sorting out the pots on the patio. They have been emptied of old compost and refilled ready to plant up again tomorrow! Paul used the old compost to fill in all the rat and rabbit holes so we feel very 'green' as we recycled it all!
Quick lunch and then the long drive to the hospital, it's 60 miles away, for Paul's endoscopy. We were both a bit apprehensive and had warned the children and everyone else that we were unlikely to have any results today.
So you can imagine our joy when not only were we given results but GOOD ones as well!! Mr Davies, the surgeon who did Paul's oesophagectomy, was there to do the endoscopy and he couldn't find anything nasty at all, nothing to biopsy and told Paul it was all fine. He thinks the symptoms Paul gets is probably due to scarring after the operation and the radiotherapy. We are hoping that they will subside with time, it's still early days, apparently it can take up to a year to recover from the radiotherapy so he is doing really well.
I may even be inspired to do some sewing at the weekend!!! I want to cut some more fabric to hand piece some more stars. Especially if the weather is fine, perfect to hand piece in the sunshine, I can imagine myself on the beach!!
Quick lunch and then the long drive to the hospital, it's 60 miles away, for Paul's endoscopy. We were both a bit apprehensive and had warned the children and everyone else that we were unlikely to have any results today.
So you can imagine our joy when not only were we given results but GOOD ones as well!! Mr Davies, the surgeon who did Paul's oesophagectomy, was there to do the endoscopy and he couldn't find anything nasty at all, nothing to biopsy and told Paul it was all fine. He thinks the symptoms Paul gets is probably due to scarring after the operation and the radiotherapy. We are hoping that they will subside with time, it's still early days, apparently it can take up to a year to recover from the radiotherapy so he is doing really well.
I may even be inspired to do some sewing at the weekend!!! I want to cut some more fabric to hand piece some more stars. Especially if the weather is fine, perfect to hand piece in the sunshine, I can imagine myself on the beach!!
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
gardening!
Well it was blue skies all the way and warm so after handing in my notice at school I came home and did an hour weeding in the garden. Sadly my ankle complained despite the support so I have come in for lunch and a sit down! Hopefully I will get another hour in this afternoon, as I haven't done any serious gardening for the last 2 years with Paul's illness it really needs some love. Paul nailed some boarding to the base of the fencing to try to keep the hens out of the garden, so far it's worked. I wonder how long it will take them to figure out a new way in! We are planning to try to cut the lawn and clear up some of the mess they have made!
I had a play with EQ6 the other evening and I think I have come up with a way to make my log cabin idea work. There was a log cabin like block which had a large centre square with logs coming off in triangles rather than rectangles, when set on point it made a ribbon of movement across the quilt. I have been playing with different colour schemes to try to 'get' my idea on paper and work out how to sew it ! So far so good! I cant work out how to post a picture of it here but it's looking quite promising. I put the block in the border and it drags it out to fit which creates a really nice framing for the centre. I did try to add photos but as I haven't read that chapter yet it didn't go too well!!
I like how you can ask it to work out fabric requirements and templates too! so with luck I should be able to take a printout to the quilt shop when I need to get fabric!
I had a play with EQ6 the other evening and I think I have come up with a way to make my log cabin idea work. There was a log cabin like block which had a large centre square with logs coming off in triangles rather than rectangles, when set on point it made a ribbon of movement across the quilt. I have been playing with different colour schemes to try to 'get' my idea on paper and work out how to sew it ! So far so good! I cant work out how to post a picture of it here but it's looking quite promising. I put the block in the border and it drags it out to fit which creates a really nice framing for the centre. I did try to add photos but as I haven't read that chapter yet it didn't go too well!!
I like how you can ask it to work out fabric requirements and templates too! so with luck I should be able to take a printout to the quilt shop when I need to get fabric!
Sunday, 16 May 2010
tip run
I was so lucky a school friend took all my old school books and 'stuff' apparently anything she doesn't want will go to another friend who has links with a 3rd world school who desperately need resources. Now that's what I call recycling!! I have finally cleared the coffe table in the study and moved it away from the windowledge to the front of the sofa! My room is beginning to resemble a room!!! Can't wait for my new desk to complete the 'look'.
Today it's wardrobe and dressing table, I am 'wizzling' out all the faded washed out jumpers and clothes I no longer wear! It's such a good feelling to get rid of clutter, I feel mentally de cluttered and stronger too. The counsellor said it would probably have that effect and she was so right.
Paul comes home this afternoon, he sounds as though he has had a really good time, probably did him good to have some male company and get away from home for a break.
I walked Barney too far up the 'lonnen' today and have irritated my turned ankle so I will have to sit and sew this afternoon to rest it!! As it's a choice between sitting and sewing and standing and ironing it's really no contest! I have a brilliant idea for a quilt for my neice but can't work out how to draw it in EQ6 or on paper! I want to do an irregular log cabin on point with photos of the family as the log centres. She wants purples and plums with touches of pink and silver. My idea was a diagonal 'line' of pink blocks across the centre of the quilt, each subsequent 'row' graduating out to deep purple at the sides with just one log of silver in each cabin so it looks like a river running through! I can see it in my head but can't work out how to do it!!! Any suggestions greatly appreciated! I don't even know how to make an irregular log cabin!!This is what I mean about improving my design and piecing skills, I have ideas but now clue how to do them.
Today it's wardrobe and dressing table, I am 'wizzling' out all the faded washed out jumpers and clothes I no longer wear! It's such a good feelling to get rid of clutter, I feel mentally de cluttered and stronger too. The counsellor said it would probably have that effect and she was so right.
Paul comes home this afternoon, he sounds as though he has had a really good time, probably did him good to have some male company and get away from home for a break.
I walked Barney too far up the 'lonnen' today and have irritated my turned ankle so I will have to sit and sew this afternoon to rest it!! As it's a choice between sitting and sewing and standing and ironing it's really no contest! I have a brilliant idea for a quilt for my neice but can't work out how to draw it in EQ6 or on paper! I want to do an irregular log cabin on point with photos of the family as the log centres. She wants purples and plums with touches of pink and silver. My idea was a diagonal 'line' of pink blocks across the centre of the quilt, each subsequent 'row' graduating out to deep purple at the sides with just one log of silver in each cabin so it looks like a river running through! I can see it in my head but can't work out how to do it!!! Any suggestions greatly appreciated! I don't even know how to make an irregular log cabin!!This is what I mean about improving my design and piecing skills, I have ideas but now clue how to do them.
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Plans gang oft awry!
well the good thing about plans is they change!! Counselling went well and confirmed my resignation decision. Unfortunately the Associate Head wasn't able to fit me in so it will be next week now that I hand in my letter. I didn't get to the library but for a very good reason....... I found a new quilt shop!
well new to me! It's a unit on an industrial estate so in British terms it's huge! A big range of all kinds of fabrics, dressmaking, curtains as well as a very good range of quilt fabric. They have a workshop programme but even better they have lots of sessions where you work on your own but have access to a teacher for when you get stuck! That really suits me because I have got passed the complete beginner stage and don't want to make bags, quillows and table runners, I can do that at home! I want to develop my designing and piecing skills and I like to think big!! All my beds need king size quilts! I tend to use queen size as sofa throws!! Maybe I am compensating because I am only 5ft tall!!! Well off to walk the dog and make a start on my big clear out!!
well new to me! It's a unit on an industrial estate so in British terms it's huge! A big range of all kinds of fabrics, dressmaking, curtains as well as a very good range of quilt fabric. They have a workshop programme but even better they have lots of sessions where you work on your own but have access to a teacher for when you get stuck! That really suits me because I have got passed the complete beginner stage and don't want to make bags, quillows and table runners, I can do that at home! I want to develop my designing and piecing skills and I like to think big!! All my beds need king size quilts! I tend to use queen size as sofa throws!! Maybe I am compensating because I am only 5ft tall!!! Well off to walk the dog and make a start on my big clear out!!
Friday, 14 May 2010
Brave girl!
well today I am being very brave! Paul has gone away for the weekend with old colleagues! It's the first weekend we have been apart since the cancer came back! I know he will have a brilliant time and all his friends are aware of his illness and will take care of him but it feels strange to be here on my own.
The second brave thing is I have written my resignation letter and made the phone call to set it all in motion! No turning back now!! It feels strange too! But I know its the right time and I really am looking forward to not going to school in september, it will make the last 7 weeks of the summer term all the sweeter when I go back, knowing they are the last!!!
Needless to say its freezing cold and grey today!!! The hens dont mind they are still scrating up the garden, little do they know Paul has plans to end that next week. He has found some old planks he intends nailing to the bottom of the fencing, just burying the last inch and putting heavy stones against them! Hopefully that will fool them for a while!
I plan to spend the afternoon quilting tomorrow, today I have counselling and the library and hopefully a meeting at school with the associate head to formally hand over my letter!!!
As Paul is away I am going to do some serious wardrobe and old school plan 'weeding'! How nice it will be to get rid of clutter!!!
The second brave thing is I have written my resignation letter and made the phone call to set it all in motion! No turning back now!! It feels strange too! But I know its the right time and I really am looking forward to not going to school in september, it will make the last 7 weeks of the summer term all the sweeter when I go back, knowing they are the last!!!
Needless to say its freezing cold and grey today!!! The hens dont mind they are still scrating up the garden, little do they know Paul has plans to end that next week. He has found some old planks he intends nailing to the bottom of the fencing, just burying the last inch and putting heavy stones against them! Hopefully that will fool them for a while!
I plan to spend the afternoon quilting tomorrow, today I have counselling and the library and hopefully a meeting at school with the associate head to formally hand over my letter!!!
As Paul is away I am going to do some serious wardrobe and old school plan 'weeding'! How nice it will be to get rid of clutter!!!
Thursday, 13 May 2010
family reunion
We had a lovely two days with Paul's sister Denise and her family! What lovely children, although as teenagers they aren't really children any more. It was as though the last 15yrs had never happened and there was no break!
They loved the house and location and can't wait to come back for a 'proper' visit when we can show them around more. Denise was very pleased with Paul's progress and as a current nurse was able to reassure him more than I can that he is actually making very good progress. He still feels its slow!!
We laughed over all the old photos and remembered different days, it was so good and I felt so pleased that Katie her daughter had pestered until contact was re made.
My quilts were admired in a local exhibition, apparently some people actually wanted to buy them! They weren't for sale as I use them but it was gratifying to think someone would want them!
I am still slowly making stars for the 'study' sofa! I am making them by hand so I am reallly enjoying the relaxing rythmn in the evenings!! Its sunny here today so a major hen hut clean out is on the cards! We had the septic tank emptied last night as well, we will be so squeaky clean we wont know ourselves!!
They loved the house and location and can't wait to come back for a 'proper' visit when we can show them around more. Denise was very pleased with Paul's progress and as a current nurse was able to reassure him more than I can that he is actually making very good progress. He still feels its slow!!
We laughed over all the old photos and remembered different days, it was so good and I felt so pleased that Katie her daughter had pestered until contact was re made.
My quilts were admired in a local exhibition, apparently some people actually wanted to buy them! They weren't for sale as I use them but it was gratifying to think someone would want them!
I am still slowly making stars for the 'study' sofa! I am making them by hand so I am reallly enjoying the relaxing rythmn in the evenings!! Its sunny here today so a major hen hut clean out is on the cards! We had the septic tank emptied last night as well, we will be so squeaky clean we wont know ourselves!!
Sunday, 9 May 2010
exciting day
I spoke to Paul's sister Denise yesterday and she sounds so excited about coming to visit! she said," I'll probably cry!!!" Today we are tidying up and doing some baking and meal prep so I don't have to waste too much time in the kitchen while they are here. I am planning Christmas dinner as we didn't get to eat our turkey at xmas as Paul was too ill!! The sun is shining so let's hope Denise gets to see the dale in all it's glory!
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Choir
Choir was brilliant! I got such a lovely reaction when I walked in big hugs and kisses and everyone wanted to say hello and welcome! Isabel the choir mistress is not a particularly demonstrative lady but she had a big grin and was obviously so pleased to see me. Rushed to get music out of the cupboard so I would be up to speed!
It was really good to sing again and I was pleased how well I could sight read!! Miriam and I fell into our old joking ways easily and I felt really at home, she had done a good job letting everyone know about Paul so I didn't have lots of explaining to do but everyone sent him their love so I knew they were thinking about us! Another hurdle crossed!!
It was really good to sing again and I was pleased how well I could sight read!! Miriam and I fell into our old joking ways easily and I felt really at home, she had done a good job letting everyone know about Paul so I didn't have lots of explaining to do but everyone sent him their love so I knew they were thinking about us! Another hurdle crossed!!
Friday, 7 May 2010
tidy washhouse!
I must be such a sad person! I am gettnig a real thrill out of going into the washhouse now it is clean and tidy! I find myself running a loving finger over the washing machine now I have washed all Barney's mud off it!!! Its so nice not to have to negotiate all sorts of chaos when I go in to feed him at night. If I can get the lighting and door to the house sorted out I will be ecstatic!! Once we get a shelf above the washing machine for the tumble dryer I will be able to have a broom cupboard to hide the mop, bucket, broom and ironing board!!!
The sewing room is beginning to shout at me! I really need some plastic shoeboxes with lids to accommodate the different sizes of strips I have managed to cut from all the scraps. Maybe when I can see the wood from the trees I will be able to work more easily in there. Somehow I know deep down the room isn't really big enough for 2 full size quilt frames, and the 6ftx 4ft cutting table no matter what I do! Well just going through everything will make a bit more sense!!
We have abandoned out plans for an outing this week, the weather is not co operating and we have a busy weekend ahead as Paul's sister is visiting after an absence of about 15 yrs!! It's so good they are in contact again. So I want the visit to be a success!
Tonight I go back to choir for the first time since before xmas! I am looking forward to it but aprehensive at the same time. I went to the WI birthday dinner last week and it was less traumatic than I thought it would be, I think Sue had warned everyone that I am still fragile when talking about Paul's illness and results. I susupect she had already passed on news so other than a general hope all is ok I didn't need to go into great depth!
People are so kind here, they really expect to be told exactly how you are when they ask and expect to be asked themselves in return. Details of previous conversations are remembered and specific questions asked, not pruriently but part of the community caring which was why we moved here. The only problem is that it means the same stuff has to be constantly rehashed and sometimes it isn't easy, I decided for self protection to absent myself from various groups to cut that down, but of course now I am picking up the threads again it has to be gone through but hopefully only once!!! and I will enjoy the singing!!!
The sewing room is beginning to shout at me! I really need some plastic shoeboxes with lids to accommodate the different sizes of strips I have managed to cut from all the scraps. Maybe when I can see the wood from the trees I will be able to work more easily in there. Somehow I know deep down the room isn't really big enough for 2 full size quilt frames, and the 6ftx 4ft cutting table no matter what I do! Well just going through everything will make a bit more sense!!
We have abandoned out plans for an outing this week, the weather is not co operating and we have a busy weekend ahead as Paul's sister is visiting after an absence of about 15 yrs!! It's so good they are in contact again. So I want the visit to be a success!
Tonight I go back to choir for the first time since before xmas! I am looking forward to it but aprehensive at the same time. I went to the WI birthday dinner last week and it was less traumatic than I thought it would be, I think Sue had warned everyone that I am still fragile when talking about Paul's illness and results. I susupect she had already passed on news so other than a general hope all is ok I didn't need to go into great depth!
People are so kind here, they really expect to be told exactly how you are when they ask and expect to be asked themselves in return. Details of previous conversations are remembered and specific questions asked, not pruriently but part of the community caring which was why we moved here. The only problem is that it means the same stuff has to be constantly rehashed and sometimes it isn't easy, I decided for self protection to absent myself from various groups to cut that down, but of course now I am picking up the threads again it has to be gone through but hopefully only once!!! and I will enjoy the singing!!!
Thursday, 6 May 2010
something's growing!
It's pouring today and low cloud so we have postponed our outing to Leyburn for a more practical outing to go shopping for our visitor's food!! If it cheers up we will go tomorrow, the idea we can be flexible is wonderful!
I looked out of the study window while I was waiting for the computer to boot up and as well as the hens I could see signs of garden life!! Despite the hard winter, rabbit predations and naughty hens scratching up everything there are signs that the perennial plants are finally fighting back! We have some daffodills, spirea and dogwoods are in bud, clumps of geranium greening up and the currant bush is in flower! Hostas are poking through and the sidalcea is starting to show! Maybe it wont be quite such a desert out there as I thought. The yellow loosestrife under the tree is also trying hard!!! Nature is so resiliant!
I looked out of the study window while I was waiting for the computer to boot up and as well as the hens I could see signs of garden life!! Despite the hard winter, rabbit predations and naughty hens scratching up everything there are signs that the perennial plants are finally fighting back! We have some daffodills, spirea and dogwoods are in bud, clumps of geranium greening up and the currant bush is in flower! Hostas are poking through and the sidalcea is starting to show! Maybe it wont be quite such a desert out there as I thought. The yellow loosestrife under the tree is also trying hard!!! Nature is so resiliant!
Monday, 3 May 2010
Spring hasSprung!
It must be Spring! I have the nesting syndrome, I am decluttering and deep cleaning the house room by room and adding in general maintenance and light decorating! It hasnt been done since Paul was taken ill two years ago so its really ready for it!! We have redecorated the study, and moved furniture, cleared cupboards and ordered a new desk!! Gradually the school stuff is being whittled down and disposed of in preparation for retirement in the summer!!!
I moved on to the kitchen, its also my dining room so its huge! The dresser has been decluttered and cleaned, and the sideboard drawers, today its windowledges and touching up water damage on the ceiling!
Next week the washhouse beckons! I have decided on a new layout which will be neater and easier to clean, as well as new storage to get rid of the disgusting mess under the sink and on the windowledge.
This is all leading up to the BIG ONE! Yes the sewing room! I think that may well take me the rest of the year! I have UFO block of the month, loads of scraps to strip and file in the new storage I have yet to buy! As well as surplace 'stuff' which has been dumped for want of a better place! I think it will be my Autumn project once I have left school!!
More urgently we have to repair the shed door, some pesky rats have chewed through the door to get to the chicken feed, mostly its stored in plastic bins with lids but of course because of the Bank Holiday we had a spare sack of layers which they have chewed into! I have put it in the bin now, horses and stable doors spring to mind. but we still have the problem of making it secure again. I think we will have to be very careful to shut the chickens away at night and put out lots of slaymore till the rats have moved on somewhere else!
I moved on to the kitchen, its also my dining room so its huge! The dresser has been decluttered and cleaned, and the sideboard drawers, today its windowledges and touching up water damage on the ceiling!
Next week the washhouse beckons! I have decided on a new layout which will be neater and easier to clean, as well as new storage to get rid of the disgusting mess under the sink and on the windowledge.
This is all leading up to the BIG ONE! Yes the sewing room! I think that may well take me the rest of the year! I have UFO block of the month, loads of scraps to strip and file in the new storage I have yet to buy! As well as surplace 'stuff' which has been dumped for want of a better place! I think it will be my Autumn project once I have left school!!
More urgently we have to repair the shed door, some pesky rats have chewed through the door to get to the chicken feed, mostly its stored in plastic bins with lids but of course because of the Bank Holiday we had a spare sack of layers which they have chewed into! I have put it in the bin now, horses and stable doors spring to mind. but we still have the problem of making it secure again. I think we will have to be very careful to shut the chickens away at night and put out lots of slaymore till the rats have moved on somewhere else!
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