tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71463398822440934812024-02-19T07:12:35.635-08:00Windy Island HandmadeCrafting, baking, growing, makingWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-75910713532750520142015-01-02T11:16:00.000-08:002015-01-02T11:16:46.441-08:00A Fond Farewell.When I began writing Windy Island Handmade over two years ago, I was busy making candles, soaps and all manner of fabric loveliness. Since then life has moved on and I now spend my time gardening, dancing and making life as pleasant as possible for my three rapidly growing children. I feel now that there is only so much I can write about baking cakes, weeding the garden and driving to the beach with a car full of teenagers. I no longer make things by hand and therefore feel that anyone tuning in to read my blog and expecting to find just that, will be disappointed.<br />
<br />
I think that I have taken Windy Island Handmade as far as it can go and would like to finish before I completely dry up and write absolute drivel that no one wants to read. That is not to say that I will never write another blog...it will just be different next time.<br />
<br />
I have always loved writing and my blog has taught me so much, not least that people seem to enjoy reading what I have written, which means a lot to me and spurs me on. I am not going to stop, just take a different route.<br />
<br />
Receiving comments was never number one on my list of reasons for writing a blog, but the ones I did get were always so thoughtful and kind and each one left me with a renewed warmth for humanity. Thank you to everyone who took the time to send me a message, they were very much appreciated.<br />
<br />
So for the very last time and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-45491593186409069712014-11-08T06:48:00.000-08:002014-11-08T06:48:23.961-08:00In Pursuit of Happiness<b><span style="color: magenta;"><i>'Who'd have thought it!' said my mum when I told her how much I loved the drug and alcohol course I attended this week. We had such a </i>laugh, <i>which doesn't immediately spring to mind when we think of the seriousness of the subject. But I believe that the more dire something is, the more we need to laugh in order to keep it in its place and not let it take over our lives and minds. Indeed, we laughed a heck of a lot over the two day course, but it was so well delivered by the tutor that we could not help but learn and become absorbed by it. I was the only one of the group who doesn't drink (I can't stand the taste and it gives me a bad headache), so came in for some gentle teasing while others were confessing to having had a 'dabble' with forbidden substances when they were younger. I must have had a very sheltered upbringing in our pretty English village as none of my friends drank or smoked and we all considered people who took anything more serious as being complete idiots. I had my eyes opened this week! </i></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLK7mTpZ4Ew0FlJD061lY2fu9M7VGq6OOTLB1LUYaisrxRNRLbQotY014QCXNZ9lwvOTWAGpz5QJ6ZGmVudcgmwjJc1qUFxpO8pa2ObOyGqkxugqSW9fCz-Sj7bLWP0BazLIiM4-BcIs/s1600/IMG_4785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLK7mTpZ4Ew0FlJD061lY2fu9M7VGq6OOTLB1LUYaisrxRNRLbQotY014QCXNZ9lwvOTWAGpz5QJ6ZGmVudcgmwjJc1qUFxpO8pa2ObOyGqkxugqSW9fCz-Sj7bLWP0BazLIiM4-BcIs/s1600/IMG_4785.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<i style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;"> </i>I suppose the most surprising thing I learnt was that people don't set out to become dependant on a substance; it happens to them for one reason or another. They are just like you and me and deserve our respect and help. It takes a massive amount of determination and strength to beat an addiction and I doubt there are many who can do it alone. I rarely read newspapers or watch news on the telly, but I happened to be channel hopping the other evening and thought I had better tune in with the world to see what was going on. Coincidentally, there was a report about the growing problem of alcoholism in older people. I don't think anyone would label these people as being 'hoodies' or 'yobs' and yet they were suffering just the same. Things happen in life and we never know how we will react until we are at that point. We can't pre-judge anyone, not even ourselves. The main thing I have discovered from this short introductory course is just how much I am deeply fascinated by it! I still do my volunteer work with older people and have spoken to my supervisor about starting a satellite organisation purely to support older people with alcohol problems. Hope she remembers it was my idea when it come to handing out jobs!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uRe_YEoUW2sTqdLbYqBw5sZgXugqbWADuwe8Cvlu4ztfHsSG7bSbgyy_ErqP65SUb7OG69hVibJmAyhO_1pU8Vwy_8pxMXpEbxhEIhNFwOIfx5tL_uAMna3cbXnynsXt0xhRJVDZNQ4/s1600/IMG_4787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1uRe_YEoUW2sTqdLbYqBw5sZgXugqbWADuwe8Cvlu4ztfHsSG7bSbgyy_ErqP65SUb7OG69hVibJmAyhO_1pU8Vwy_8pxMXpEbxhEIhNFwOIfx5tL_uAMna3cbXnynsXt0xhRJVDZNQ4/s1600/IMG_4787.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The children and I went into town today to buy the usual things like dog food and wild bird food. Most of my non-essentials money goes on these things but the pleasure that birds bring to us is worth every penny. Pea spends her money on pet and bird food too, so even if we go without a few things, the animals in our lives are well cared for! As we were paying for our stuff the woman at the counter said someone had crashed their car into a frozen food shop window across the way. We couldn't see from where we were and I am not one for going to have a look. I just hoped that no one was hurt. There couldn't be that much damage, we said to ourselves, they have bollards outside and the car park is so tiny there isn't room for a good run-up. H1 thought someone had deliberately rammed the shop and I told him off for being so silly. As we were heading for home, we unfortunately had a good view of the incident. There was a van <i>inside</i> the shop and had clearly reversed in. The thing that made me feel sick to my stomach was the layout of the shop: there are shelves and freezers just inside the door. If anyone had been standing there when the van reversed...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKo0qvzuXXq2_oGWsj7FUWhFeB3b0yjyvn3T0cIFNOifJH_K1FdqG_XJYFiQ8GNgqaR1V7TSNg2cDwrbXeQqUYhkNx9WNqxpZxAhd1Q6T7SrNRxwVlA3ey__j8JrPmSDZvOS5IiODeHc/s1600/IMG_4784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKo0qvzuXXq2_oGWsj7FUWhFeB3b0yjyvn3T0cIFNOifJH_K1FdqG_XJYFiQ8GNgqaR1V7TSNg2cDwrbXeQqUYhkNx9WNqxpZxAhd1Q6T7SrNRxwVlA3ey__j8JrPmSDZvOS5IiODeHc/s1600/IMG_4784.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
We drove home through the pouring rain in near silence, broken only by H1 regaling us with some horrific story he had heard on the news. The mood in the car was subdued to say the least. H2 said he felt sad and didn't know what to do. Pea hugged me when we arrived home and said she didn't like what was happening today. We all felt kind of <i>wrong</i> and I needed to get us back to our normal selves. The house felt cold and soulless, so I put the heating and lamps on while the boys changed into onesies and lounge pants. Pea set about baking cakes and I suggested we have an afternoon watching Christmas DVDs to cheer us all up. My fave Crimble film is A Christmas Carol, but the boys are scared of the ghost, Jacob Marley. <i>What?!</i> The big girls! Seriously, H1 has no problem with gory stuff that I wouldn't go near, but give him a ghost and he dissolves into a quivering mess! As a compromise, we decided on The Muppet's Christmas Carol, as it's less terrifying. Supposedly. <br />
'It still freaks me out.' Said H1.<br />
'Why? It's meant for little children, you big wuss.'<br />
'Oh, it's that kid, the one that's all bright and shiny with a squeaky voice. Ugh, I can't stand it.' Said H1, shuddering and tucking into a giant bag of Maoams.<br />
'You mean the Ghost of Christmas Present.' I corrected.<br />
'Whatever. It's creepy.' Said H1, shuddering again, draping his long legs over the edge of the chair.<br />
Coward.<br />
Anyway, that's what we are watching now and we feel a bit better about the strange events of this morning. After this we are going to watch Narnia. Yess! Love all the snow when Lucy meets the faun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8BrVVYIuYidSVdBar9hv5q4EMAWSGxoeP8hql55p1CrcCr5CKaLMBcsB4nt39zysFzWIBDdgoEqhl1RBaFDPsN7O4K4fGEJFj45h73t1iUZ2vqJ0sskLc7x7W2TPjpd7QAyovZ-4U0k/s1600/IMG_4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8BrVVYIuYidSVdBar9hv5q4EMAWSGxoeP8hql55p1CrcCr5CKaLMBcsB4nt39zysFzWIBDdgoEqhl1RBaFDPsN7O4K4fGEJFj45h73t1iUZ2vqJ0sskLc7x7W2TPjpd7QAyovZ-4U0k/s1600/IMG_4782.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Dark skies and heavy rain are no good for the soul. The man who filled my car with petrol this morning told me he can't stand this weather but loves the frost. With frost comes glittering sunshine, deep blue skies and every branch, leaf and blade of grass sparkle with a million diamonds. Mood lifting stuff that nature brings to warm our hearts during the coldest months of the year. That and hot chocolate! <br />
<br />
I fear that my boys are now too old for watching lovely Christmas films as all they do is moan and pick fault all the way through. I put this thought to them and they both responded with looks of total disbelief and cries of 'No we're not! We love Christmas films!'. Blimey. Could have fooled me. H1 has turned Kermit off in favour of rugby. Wales are currently hammering Australia and H1 has adopted the typical man pose of perching on the edge of his seat with legs spread and remote in hand, no doubt ready to point at the ref and tell him how to do his job. George North is playing and as he attended the same school as my children and most others on the island, they feel they have some kind of connection with fame. Or something. I don't care. I just wish it would snow.<br />
<br />
The countdown to Christmas starts here!<br />
<br />
I hope you find your happiness today and love every minute.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-76840069132742769032014-10-26T04:35:00.000-07:002014-10-26T04:35:03.496-07:00An Apple Pie Kind Of Day<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>The half term is finally and blissfully upon us. Yay! A good week has passed by and I have accepted the fact that British Summer Time is most definitely over but I can't say I feel any better for it. Pea and I hit the gym this week in an attempt to keep up our exercise levels over the darker months. I can honestly say, pounding away on a treadmill for half and hour is sheer torture. Give me the open countryside every time. And it's free. However, I did feel better for it afterwards and went home in a lighter frame of mind. I have dancing to look forward tomorrow night and plenty going on for the rest of the week. The nights are drawing in rapidly and the wind has stripped the leaves from the trees. Winter is approaching; time to hunker down.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpm0ZI7rdYt4yqP8djT5EkXltZ_TEcHuy8V3KiX6ZxzcxL1BCFdVufV_348mCmUTd2qA_DVbfJvPKjIE6-fDkjf5fIFeJ_q0sk5Ay4LWyXlG4qvBySHmPpLOvOkr8_GiF41ZFI8L0Oz4/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpm0ZI7rdYt4yqP8djT5EkXltZ_TEcHuy8V3KiX6ZxzcxL1BCFdVufV_348mCmUTd2qA_DVbfJvPKjIE6-fDkjf5fIFeJ_q0sk5Ay4LWyXlG4qvBySHmPpLOvOkr8_GiF41ZFI8L0Oz4/s1600/IMG_4749.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
In an attempt to fill my permanently ravenous children with good, home cooked food, I made apple slices this week, which we ate with hot custard. I sprinkled the tops with caster sugar and cinnamon to give them a warm, autumnal flavour. I love apple pie at any time of year and it can easily be tweaked to suit the season. I love it most hot from the oven with ice cream, or with the addition of blackberries in early autumn, accompanied by Bird's custard. Apple pie is country; homemade; wholesome and warm. Comfort food at its best.<br />
<br />
Pea has had an eventful week. She recently filled in her UCAS applications for the university courses she is interested in and heard back this week that she has been accepted on all five. The timing was perfect as Bangor Uni held an open day yesterday, so Pea and I drove off leaving the boys to fester in their pyjamas.<br />
<br />
Bangor is only half an hour away, so we are very lucky to be able to fit it into the day easily. I also knew where I was going, which is half the battle. I did however ignore the sign directing us to the parking area, which is most unlike me. Usually I obey every rule, but lately I am finding a rebellious streak making itself known, much to my surprise. Maybe it has always been there, lying in wait for the perfect opportunity to spring up and shock me. Who knows? Anyway, we arrived in plenty of time, parked the car and found our way to the main building. There were hundreds of teenagers and their parents, all looking slightly miffed at the enormity of the event that would be taking place in all our lives in less than a year. We attended presentations, went on tours of the School of Biological Sciences where Pea will be studying and had a bus ride to view the accommodation on offer. It was all extremely pleasing. Pea will have an amazing time there and I am so fortunate knowing she is but a short distance away, having the time of her life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcU-R4C2NpoJLkUeUDKxYc_kusXj0f57L2c5jQuuqRlTyd47EfjzmxOdDyMPKuAI_9deJGrUQcV4lhBc7B9UgZx-J7AphDWNsWGWis5KZOl5zPrCHXOmMbZoUbER7wHirTD09ZvITAYw/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcU-R4C2NpoJLkUeUDKxYc_kusXj0f57L2c5jQuuqRlTyd47EfjzmxOdDyMPKuAI_9deJGrUQcV4lhBc7B9UgZx-J7AphDWNsWGWis5KZOl5zPrCHXOmMbZoUbER7wHirTD09ZvITAYw/s1600/IMG_4765.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTIFYrmrFHij_6cuhL3rz7qykFtmDGBgmntQIWtjUal7AlavIjVs6Cluf8lwDfiDTRRU3iW0aOBJ8oafqvS_jSjrAIPK2x-7JnXoX4aD7wiYB_4-4M8t8VlV-5kvcJWuwgYME4eN-6mA/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTIFYrmrFHij_6cuhL3rz7qykFtmDGBgmntQIWtjUal7AlavIjVs6Cluf8lwDfiDTRRU3iW0aOBJ8oafqvS_jSjrAIPK2x-7JnXoX4aD7wiYB_4-4M8t8VlV-5kvcJWuwgYME4eN-6mA/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Bangor is a very small city set in a stunning location, sandwiched between the Straights and the Snowdonia mountain range. Pea will have all the opportunities she could ever wish for to spend time enjoying the whole area; hiking, climbing, scuba diving and swimming to name but a few. The buildings are beautifully kept and an absolute fortune is being spent on new student facilities and buildings. They have thought of everything. Despite the short journey, the day was full and intense so we arrived home that afternoon feeling excited but shattered. I grabbed a quick cup of tea before going out for a walk with the dogs. No matter how small the city may be, there are still far too many people in it for my liking. I need the freedom and open space where it is a novelty to see another person. A good walk to clear my head and stretch my legs balanced my scales again and I returned home to an evening of watching Strictly Come Dancing and eating chocolate.<br />
<br />
This morning the weather is matching the mood. The wind is blowing down the chimney making us all want to stay in and eat comforting food. There is a coffee and walnut cake...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsr-60WVHzH2dSZfoW7ijcf6MgrnuW4oYoLPM7fMmrchscm8-zsQRDqK6E-hOxHLVcuSwVWobLK5wmjCPRW7-3-sEPF-y0GyalrMXvB3I8ytgK7tpn4f2zaAvFnGfC1t5KgQchreEOyQ/s1600/IMG_4757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsr-60WVHzH2dSZfoW7ijcf6MgrnuW4oYoLPM7fMmrchscm8-zsQRDqK6E-hOxHLVcuSwVWobLK5wmjCPRW7-3-sEPF-y0GyalrMXvB3I8ytgK7tpn4f2zaAvFnGfC1t5KgQchreEOyQ/s1600/IMG_4757.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
and of course, an apple pie which is currently baking in the oven and filling the house with its warm scent. After the busy-ness of yesterday, today demands to be taken easily and enjoyed. Now and then it is good to have a day where there is nothing to do. They are rare indeed, and should therefore be taken as a treat to be indulged with pleasure, completely guilt-free. Things need to be done of course, like cooking dinner and walking the dogs, but the rest of it will be spent day dreaming and drinking tea. The best kind of treat.<br />
<br />
Relax and enjoy your day and thank you for reading. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-83947697286422310232014-10-19T03:00:00.000-07:002014-10-19T03:00:51.027-07:00Lazy Day<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>This week has been a busy one. I seemed to have spent most of my time in the car, driving about picking up and dropping off the children somewhere for something or other. Then there was the day out visiting my brother on his birthday; the dentist after school one time; my afternoon volunteering and general running about doing every day stuff. Consequently I have ended the week feeling slightly jaded and a bit frayed around the edges. Today is Sunday and I am determined to take it slowly.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
Of course there are still things to be done, even on my supposed day of rest. Cooking dinner for one thing. I was up fairly early as I had to drop Pea off at school at nine. She and some of the other sixth formers are heading into the mountains for a day of hiking. The weather is far from being clement sadly, although it is probably better that she will be out all day, battling with the wind, rather than prowling around the house like a caged panther. The boys have no problems relaxing and are quite happy to be in doors on a bad day. Seeing the darkening skies this morning, H1 dug about in the box of DVDs looking for a 'winter's day' film to watch. During the warmer months of the year we spend so much time outside we hardly ever watch films, but once things take a turn for the worse, out they come. It is like re-discovering old friends. We all have our 'comfort' films for the winter time. H1 chose Finding Nemo for this morning's viewing. I love Sweet Home Alabama at any time of the year but once November arrives and it becomes more acceptable to watch Christmas films, out come A Christmas Carol and The Holiday! Love 'em.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JMVCNxOQUpMWupJ_SENiqcZUxIQUWHekrTGv-2zwEjpqgmy-G5P4cGkWBDgVUanmNdA691Vdu-2HaFeSMldjgSZzQ7Qe979iLm7heenM6yaxUN1jzTIX6hHu8Mmv32k0JoTeGe8JzHE/s1600/IMG_4685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JMVCNxOQUpMWupJ_SENiqcZUxIQUWHekrTGv-2zwEjpqgmy-G5P4cGkWBDgVUanmNdA691Vdu-2HaFeSMldjgSZzQ7Qe979iLm7heenM6yaxUN1jzTIX6hHu8Mmv32k0JoTeGe8JzHE/s1600/IMG_4685.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I haven't had time to take any proper pictures lately. If I take my camera out with me there is never anything I want to take a photo of, but the moment I leave it behind there is a wealth of opportunity for a person who should have taken her camera with her (but didn't). Typical. I have to learn from this and take it with me where ever I go from now on. At least I would have some slightly more interesting images to offer you.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the week I almost burnt the house down. Puppy saved me and the house and has now earned himself the glowing title of Fire Dog. It is a bit embarrassing but I will tell you what happened. I had made an apple and blackberry steamed pudding and put it in the pan to steam on the stove. Then, having had no time to practise my line dancing, I went into the lounge leaving the kitchen door open so I could keep my eye on the pan. You can guess where this is going, right? I put on the music and became so engrossed in dancing that time passed without knowing. Suddenly Puppy began barking at the kitchen door. I went to investigate and detected a funny smell coming from the kitchen. I lifted the pan with the pudding in and discovered the bottom pan had boiled dry so I put it on the draining board to cool down a bit before filling it with water again. In the meantime, I took Puppy in the garden as he was clearly distressed about something. On returning, he refused to come back inside and stood on the doorstep shaking. I left the door open for him while sorting out the pan. It had made a scorch mark on the draining board and was hotter than it should have been by now. I set it in the sink on the oven glove and filled it with cold water. The smell got worse and Puppy was frantic on the door step. The pan melted my oven glove despite the cold water and filled the kitchen with a horrible stench. On reflection, it would appear that had it not been for Puppy, we were only moments away from disaster. That was the end of that, but thankfully the pudding was done to a turn and tasted amazing. Eventually Puppy calmed down enough to come back inside again, but if I so much as burn toast, he shakes, barks and begs to go outside. Poor dog.<br />
<br />
Next time I promise to give you some seriously good pictures. The pressure is on!<br />
<br />
Have a good day and thank you for reading. xxx<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Windy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-81008239660702912802014-10-07T04:27:00.001-07:002014-10-07T04:27:53.596-07:00Full Circle<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>A whole year has passed since the children and I moved into our little house in the woods. One entire year; 12 months; 52 weeks; 365 days, and we have loved every moment of it. This unassuming house has become our safe haven and our cosy home. We are extremely lucky to live here and this is where we want to stay. We now know what the different seasons look like. We have seen each day come and go, rain and sun, wind and frost. The house is open and fresh in the summer and seems to expand its small rooms and lift the ceiling. In the winter it hunkers down, wrapping itself around us, keeping us warm and snugly. And the garden has been a joy to bring back to life. Even now it keeps giving me little surprises in the form of a plant that has self seeded in an unexpected location. Its bright colours shine out from a patch of weeds or a clump of grass letting me know it is there and not to be forgotten. I dig them up and place them in a more suitable spot, where they can grow to their full glory and not fight with weeds. Life at its best is sweet and simple.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gaiw5sub_wWeryMrISnJTJg0sFnfmqfxuaIYlBR3_bmdiGyyhOpTxNzM1KlwsfK7heH70v4VJ2bx65PG50YiK9OhBcRyLL2HW6vcX9iewIFLPJcDlEUKEkAsy3pnTSkbExwEfM_RXIA/s1600/IMG_4725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gaiw5sub_wWeryMrISnJTJg0sFnfmqfxuaIYlBR3_bmdiGyyhOpTxNzM1KlwsfK7heH70v4VJ2bx65PG50YiK9OhBcRyLL2HW6vcX9iewIFLPJcDlEUKEkAsy3pnTSkbExwEfM_RXIA/s1600/IMG_4725.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
October came and with it, Autumn. We have had more rain in the last week than we had all summer. It has turned cold and damp. The mornings are dark and I have given in and put the heating on again. It won't be long before I am digging out my full length, fluffy dressing gown! Last night Pea and I went line dancing. I had been practising hard all week so I was in a better frame of mind to enjoy as much of the dancing as I could. We did rather a lot of new dances, some really good and some not so. If I like the music, it gives me a good incentive to crack the dance. If not, I don't worry if I can't do it. As Pea and I drove down long winding lanes, the moon hung over the mountains and gave us a fabulous view all the way. It was almost completely full with just a slight shadow to the left side, but it was so big and bright, it was hard to keep my eyes on the road! We threw ourselves into dancing for three hours and then it was time to go home. Honestly, I have never known time go so quickly. I couldn't believe it was ten o'clock and I really did not want to go home. However, Pea had spent a whole tiring day at school and was ready for her bed, so we bade goodnight to our friends and set off for home.<br />
The sky was so dark the moon had been blotted out and no stars shone to accompany our journey. All at once there was a massive flash of lightening that lit up the entire countryside. It was so sudden it took us both by surprise. It was a bit spooky driving down silent, dark lanes at that time of night, with a huge storm hovering over us. We waited but heard no thunder. A little while later, another flash, but still no thunder. The thick black cloud that hung over us looked solid and threatening so we were relieved to turn into our driveway. H1 and I took the dogs into the garden for a sniff round and Pea went to bed. As usual after dancing, I was really hungry, so I stood in the empty kitchen and ate a pork pie and a bag of cheese and onion crisps. Not the best thing to go to bed on, but there you go. I got ready for bed and turned the lights out, waiting for the storm to hit. Sometime during the night, I was woken by rain pounding on the roof, but the storm didn't materialise. Such a disappointment after all that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLSrX47W-GfSVPBONpfrtegqCZ7oB4BjH9-b2YHhr3iyFgv8G3hDxEPB_LTvbCa1HdP7mrG28SljAWX-1MfB2KKwJEHZdtm30yowk_34vfyuZBoyaQ2kuomsitN6omKMPfb3pz8eSQaM/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLSrX47W-GfSVPBONpfrtegqCZ7oB4BjH9-b2YHhr3iyFgv8G3hDxEPB_LTvbCa1HdP7mrG28SljAWX-1MfB2KKwJEHZdtm30yowk_34vfyuZBoyaQ2kuomsitN6omKMPfb3pz8eSQaM/s1600/IMG_4733.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Hard to believe that only a few days ago, the sky looked like this when Pea and I took the dogs for a walk. It was definitely chilly with a persistent breeze, but the sun always makes me feel brighter and fresher. Some of the leaves that had fallen to the ground were still dry and crisp then and made a lovely sound when we walked over them. Even Middle Aged Labrador loved the noise they made when she walked through them. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcsOg7iK_lLSuweV541TLyTdEK6OGI9uEaExy9YMVxQoVXznOAx71kIiLx3-wRq7tLBN8hGwO5Zp6lj1ZLwmfEEzyEyd_38nm_jFqNoLTedVJjxmPm8STRrxiLC0YQcu-oLa5lvKJf_I/s1600/IMG_4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcsOg7iK_lLSuweV541TLyTdEK6OGI9uEaExy9YMVxQoVXznOAx71kIiLx3-wRq7tLBN8hGwO5Zp6lj1ZLwmfEEzyEyd_38nm_jFqNoLTedVJjxmPm8STRrxiLC0YQcu-oLa5lvKJf_I/s1600/IMG_4737.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
We walked by a field full of multicoloured sheep, who wanted to come and say hello to us, but were far too scared. They all started walking up the field to get as far away from us as possible. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO8iKgfYzc29wT_nkoyfFKqfX2umo4ErIEAZy-ykMT01zFG7k_lF4l8kKwRwuarixPwZZdSsOOBQf4qeyBSwjvU0cEMEAvlLvbjB5wtrW7pxnahzS1Zu9ZTH5UMxJL2c5SDa2hPceX3g/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCO8iKgfYzc29wT_nkoyfFKqfX2umo4ErIEAZy-ykMT01zFG7k_lF4l8kKwRwuarixPwZZdSsOOBQf4qeyBSwjvU0cEMEAvlLvbjB5wtrW7pxnahzS1Zu9ZTH5UMxJL2c5SDa2hPceX3g/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
In other places the rain had formed huge puddles too deep and wide to walk through with only walking boots on. So we scrambled up a grass and bracken covered wall and forged our way through along the top of the wall. We jumped down again when we had passed the puddles. Brambles kept snagging at our clothes and we had to be careful where we were treading in case there were any mice or birds hiding out in there. All was well though and we carried on with our walk.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqJXewlQyztFg4dOj5i7m5a718yIBW_vpAeeCgrmddgsOYHi_TAd3epslMHbjNLm0oIjXCsOtSjFMCgss0iamLc7FO2Iyn-Lb980XfXABjIv07x4WugRbtSYG6iNb0p5Y6LoQ-YtRdZc/s1600/IMG_4739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqJXewlQyztFg4dOj5i7m5a718yIBW_vpAeeCgrmddgsOYHi_TAd3epslMHbjNLm0oIjXCsOtSjFMCgss0iamLc7FO2Iyn-Lb980XfXABjIv07x4WugRbtSYG6iNb0p5Y6LoQ-YtRdZc/s1600/IMG_4739.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
As we were nearing home the sun went in and the light began to fade. It felt a lot cooler without the cheerfulness of the sun and so we were glad to arrive home. I put the kettle on and made us a cup of tea, then I noticed Puppy looking a bit pathetic and shivering in the door way. I went out to the car and rummaged in a bag of clothes I had meant to take to the charity shop, weeks ago. I found a jumper and then looked for something for MAL. She would feel left out if she didn't have a new cardy to wear too. I took them in and we slipped a fleece on MAL, who predictably loved it. We noticed a startling resemblance to the Jedi Obe Wan, which made us all laugh. MAL didn't care a hoot as she was snugly and warm. H1 had to battle with Puppy a bit, but finally we pinned him down, put his cardy on and did up the buttons. He fought with it a bit and tried to get it off, but suddenly the warmth permeated his brain and he gave in to the feeling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtnJ8MjVPEicRF3kebAfJdGwzhirqyZeylDDgXolatp26DnDcGj3s0LzG3QkKEqA8uDBmOF8y5BXdcaXU55G9vbyHnH18vzUQfMa2sJtE3KwPOxs8KTJEo9gg29GIKpXx2Nm6VbHAOuk/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHtnJ8MjVPEicRF3kebAfJdGwzhirqyZeylDDgXolatp26DnDcGj3s0LzG3QkKEqA8uDBmOF8y5BXdcaXU55G9vbyHnH18vzUQfMa2sJtE3KwPOxs8KTJEo9gg29GIKpXx2Nm6VbHAOuk/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Despite chewing some of the toggles off, he does love his new jumper and drags it about in an attempt to get someone to put it on him.<br />
<br />
Life at its best is sweet and simple, even for a dog.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day and thank you for reading.xxx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Windy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-38473181376135807782014-10-01T02:27:00.001-07:002014-10-01T02:28:34.614-07:00All Change!<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>Here we are at the beginning of October and somehow it feels as if the summer has relinquished her hold and has slipped quietly away, leaving the autumn to take centre stage. I suspect we still have some lovely warm sunshine to enjoy now and then, but each day will be precious and must be thought of as the last, in order to take full advantage. No more squandering! Summer has been wonderful and we have loved every second of it. The children had a last dip in the sea in late September; incredible really considering they were splashing about in the Irish Sea and not the Pacific! Autumn is making herself known to us by gently tugging leaves from the trees, whipping up a stiff breeze and cloaking the garden and countryside in a heavy dew fall each morning. She also insists that we bake and eat in a different way and the cotton dresses so beloved by sun worshippers are making their way to the back of the wardrobe for another year. It's Autumn; bring it on!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr3EbkFy7ePTIRpoAeryaisu30WdEbctRMC3vnt3YdXF5hvDY4PiFJjXTAckJqETW_7rZY_0aPrxmwLtVJlUF_xKQBa-JVEpjgGNV1pEpw5ZIr9EW_gCmG3zyDyObTOhBO4mPaSbz-70/s1600/IMG_4705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr3EbkFy7ePTIRpoAeryaisu30WdEbctRMC3vnt3YdXF5hvDY4PiFJjXTAckJqETW_7rZY_0aPrxmwLtVJlUF_xKQBa-JVEpjgGNV1pEpw5ZIr9EW_gCmG3zyDyObTOhBO4mPaSbz-70/s1600/IMG_4705.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I love the change of the seasons; I love Autumn and her magic and softness. I love the mists that creep in from the sea with stealthy fingers and a chilly kiss. I love the smell of decaying vegetation in the hedgerows and the feeling of sleep descending over everything. What I absolutely loathe and cannot bear are the dark mornings and the damp that creeps into my bones and makes me feel one hundred years old. Hate it with a passion. It is only just getting light when we are rudely awoken by the incessant buzzing of my alarm each morning and I drag myself out of bed and shuffle to turn the hall lamp on. It takes me until mid morning to feel awake. I am a dormouse and should be asleep in my cosy nest at this time of year. Wake me in March and I will be fine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ABFTQSMU6h2qyfYTy59KVxLVv3liVsmzLlwkFpZ5NRBFLmjoatRIVeYjBHxn7kiTfKtJJSsNBV9ZB2vABNP-UwJGqWmG8lYi9aDRKz0U-q0qP0lQXqfH_wY9AYPmBvNF9TaM_l5H2IY/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ABFTQSMU6h2qyfYTy59KVxLVv3liVsmzLlwkFpZ5NRBFLmjoatRIVeYjBHxn7kiTfKtJJSsNBV9ZB2vABNP-UwJGqWmG8lYi9aDRKz0U-q0qP0lQXqfH_wY9AYPmBvNF9TaM_l5H2IY/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Even though summer has all but gone, there are still plenty of signs that she was here. The garden is still producing flowers, courgettes, the odd tiny alpine strawberry and sweetcorn. Autumn is softly laying a blanket of leaves at our feet but I still cling to the hem of Summer's dress as she fades into the mists. The sweetcorn isn't yet fully ripe, so I am really hoping for more sun and warmth to finish the job, then we can tuck into them, dripping with salted Welsh butter. As the children walked down the track to the waiting taxi this morning, I heard a chattering above my head. I looked up and saw a swirl of swallows catching the last of the lazy insects floating on the breeze. They are still with us but it is only a matter of days now before the skies will be empty of their aerial acrobatics for another year. It is hard to believe those tiny birds will see things I will never see, experience danger, fear, hunger and exhaustion. Be close to death and yet survive and will return here to their place of birth next Spring to start the whole circle off again. Can't help but admire them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Q0sf1Ys4wUNYuGvfxvIOlGqqFonUqfcaLYuLZjxETrFhrF8OY2vveADUdQGgLm4vIrvmMS9PDVdGisALBs8kndCfiLAzGazBzeGdmoSfPXJDtyjfkH4LyVsRVwTVk4tCvwUewkpaJ08/s1600/IMG_4712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Q0sf1Ys4wUNYuGvfxvIOlGqqFonUqfcaLYuLZjxETrFhrF8OY2vveADUdQGgLm4vIrvmMS9PDVdGisALBs8kndCfiLAzGazBzeGdmoSfPXJDtyjfkH4LyVsRVwTVk4tCvwUewkpaJ08/s1600/IMG_4712.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw_AOX9QJr-1_GZDeVe4-9W5djN-gR3E7maFJHRj-g7yUhoWKcwdMVYWKKVQr6qTK9Ap2CTMhiFb-Em9a-rYUmW1giXecF1JbItyGnn5KHTI3_fngSysgqvVAsVOHa2eQ9X2iCWW5MQo/s1600/IMG_4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtw_AOX9QJr-1_GZDeVe4-9W5djN-gR3E7maFJHRj-g7yUhoWKcwdMVYWKKVQr6qTK9Ap2CTMhiFb-Em9a-rYUmW1giXecF1JbItyGnn5KHTI3_fngSysgqvVAsVOHa2eQ9X2iCWW5MQo/s1600/IMG_4709.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I made my You-know-what cake last week. It turned out really well and is solid and heavy. I began feeding it this week with a few teaspoons of brandy and will continue once a fortnight until November and then up the dose to once a week. I took the lid off the tin this morning to have a look and the smell of rich fruit and brandy doing their thing drifted up from between the layers of brown paper. It smells like Christmas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxs4cmJ1frZ-_waIix2ltl4efjdmSWT2r2SNo83xVCyRGGhJi4FRNWC3aYaCLfni-B1ItRoKOYN5C8ZC2CepSyOawADl_vpYB8GAAKGGJBYppUS_zJ-eMflbgoS_j-TpsknxODRIQte8/s1600/IMG_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxs4cmJ1frZ-_waIix2ltl4efjdmSWT2r2SNo83xVCyRGGhJi4FRNWC3aYaCLfni-B1ItRoKOYN5C8ZC2CepSyOawADl_vpYB8GAAKGGJBYppUS_zJ-eMflbgoS_j-TpsknxODRIQte8/s1600/IMG_4702.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I met The Bear again and he told me he had made a load of Christmas puddings. Suitably impressed, I told him about my cake. He asked if I'd made it with butter. Well of course I did, I wouldn't make it with coal, would I. What a daft question, thought I. It was only later on when I opened my fridge and saw the huge tub of Stork <i>margarine</i> that I realised what he had been asking. Stork is not butter; he meant butter. He had also told me that marg in a Crimble cake was a Bad Thing to do. Oops. Anyway, we argued the virtues for each case and he said I should take him a bit of cake so he could try it. Not gonna happen. I am not having some wannabe Paul Hollywood prodding my cake and saying 'It's raw.' in that condescending manner he adopts so well. The Bear told me he wouldn't do that and he didn't really like PH anyway. Still not gonna happen. Despite his spade-like hands, he told me he loves making pastry. I was really surprised at that. You can never tell with people. I love discovering something unexpected as it reminds me that despite my now great age (45), I still have so much to learn and find out. I will never know it all and that's just how it should be. Having been surprised at this revelation, we talked for a while about pastry, egg custard tarts and Bakewell tarts. Then, feeling a bit hungry after all this food talk, I went and bought a Bakewell tart. What a <i>sin!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBN5K_dSJ-21eJO-_6W0QvbKE7QxRtPkCoXo_LBM_XLQf9wkSV_HEd_QI_PjBiJHC77zR5grnAnXbCXxVLuc467i1hHXgnGiMWmzWSlHpfGEKq1exEHd9FeqwsIaHSp6Ed88CnipgMrg/s1600/IMG_4700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBN5K_dSJ-21eJO-_6W0QvbKE7QxRtPkCoXo_LBM_XLQf9wkSV_HEd_QI_PjBiJHC77zR5grnAnXbCXxVLuc467i1hHXgnGiMWmzWSlHpfGEKq1exEHd9FeqwsIaHSp6Ed88CnipgMrg/s1600/IMG_4700.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
As life becomes ever more 'indoors' rather than 'outdoors', we are finding ways to fill the hours. It was easy in the Summer as we just sat in the garden and read. I know it's possible to read indoors and I do, but I like to be active too. It helps me sleep. Pea and I have been going to line dancing classes for almost four months now and the tempo is shifting up a notch. We are able to have a go at nearly all the dances, which means an awful lot of concentration for me. Pea can grasp the steps quickly but I need a bit more time to focus. This week my level of focus had dropped below the scale. Somehow I just couldn't find the energy in my head to let all this in. I still managed to dance a lot, but I sat out more than I normally do. It was an odd feeling and I didn't like it one bit. I am a bit of a perfectionist when I'm learning something new and I like to get it right fairly quickly. It doesn't help this state of mind when the only people I can see in front of me are all proficient dancers. I can only measure my ability, or lack of it, against theirs. Not a good idea. I had even forgotten how to do familiar dances, which was quite depressing! I must find time to practise at home as it really does help. Hopefully this week was just a minor blip in the proceedings and I will be back on form next week.<br />
<br />
After all, Strictly has started again and if they can do all that, I can manage a few coasters and montereys!<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day and enjoy the magic of Autumn.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-11766474170606465782014-09-19T02:53:00.000-07:002014-09-19T02:54:50.846-07:00Eggs and Bears<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><i>Half way through September and it feels like Summer is here to stay. Fruit has ripened and wizened on it's branches as the sun beats down and scorches the earth. Barely any rain has fallen for weeks on end but for some unknown reason, my garden is thriving. Flowers are in abundance, sweetcorn is fattening and next years allium bulbs are pushing up through the parched ground. The children leave for school dressed in long sleeved shirts and thick jumpers but return home with knitwear stuffed in bags and shirts hanging out. The days are hot and the nights heavy. It is blissful and I love every minute!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx8PHRD09m59bKQuI3AOnFF8yk3K8rG-oM-VdBiof2DmSaA7GKpVUnx4Bwa3sfwE-74MppAjjXp_P8VhiFiWPaxkeQ1FsNPgIFCRT5PVgsyNfy1UUQMQtWNehQ5pm3jKn0i8jYZ48SwM/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihx8PHRD09m59bKQuI3AOnFF8yk3K8rG-oM-VdBiof2DmSaA7GKpVUnx4Bwa3sfwE-74MppAjjXp_P8VhiFiWPaxkeQ1FsNPgIFCRT5PVgsyNfy1UUQMQtWNehQ5pm3jKn0i8jYZ48SwM/s1600/IMG_4694.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The fruitless search for a job continues to no avail. I have put the whole thing to one side for the time being; it is way too depressing. Anyway, just as I am getting used to not doing the school run at each end of the day, Pea will be starting her study leave next week, so I will be fetching her from school at lunchtime twice a week. Proof positive that I am still needed to ferry my children around.<br />
<br />
H2 is settling well in his new school and on the whole seems to be enjoying it. He has been invited to join the after school drama group, also starting next week and on the same night as my line dancing class. If I juggle things about a bit and eat my tea in very small bites, I can just about manage to do it all. I really don't want H2 to miss out on something he may love but neither can I give up line dancing. I absolutely love it and it is fair to say I am completely addicted to it. I dance about at home, practising the new dances we have learnt. The boys banish me to the kitchen saying I am way too embarrassing to do it in the lounge where I can be seen. The kitchen is quite small, so I have to keep my steps tight in order to fit them in without crashing into the cupboards or kicking the washing machine. Better than not doing it at all though and it really lifts my spirits, even if they are not really flagging in the first place. Half an hour of dancing is seriously good exercise but it gives such a huge buzz. That alone has a massive benefit to health.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOA_dMq59gScT-h6ecZH9EmmzD2doZGvt0qokl_iLEzLLgyuQMDDsnKJ_opHW8NeX2n6wh8YMcuJiDNWIduo5j2JdDudyEF1iHLscddWviwLZFjIEPFYNorGf-qmcEuCxJv4EO6esI_Q/s1600/IMG_4690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOA_dMq59gScT-h6ecZH9EmmzD2doZGvt0qokl_iLEzLLgyuQMDDsnKJ_opHW8NeX2n6wh8YMcuJiDNWIduo5j2JdDudyEF1iHLscddWviwLZFjIEPFYNorGf-qmcEuCxJv4EO6esI_Q/s1600/IMG_4690.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The children and I have been looking after our neighbour's hens this week and in payment we have been allowed to keep all the eggs. Oh my! We must have had about 40 by now. H1 makes pancakes almost every night, I have made my You-Know-What cake, baked a rather large egg custard tart and made a chocolate courgette loaf and still we have more than we know what to do with. Fortunately they keep for a few weeks, so I'm sure a bit more baking will solve the problem.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9SHpPwEHMIVLxbJ5dPIjoQUmpo-_8EIEUqm4e5RwhkuWbALDgwrynDviBUqNrFjC6-1ny4EycjHebAg7xTfbKLAx4uQQA7DXdblVJwpDNHgj2jkeUYe4xFC8cpMRplNMGTvBObY_e98/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9SHpPwEHMIVLxbJ5dPIjoQUmpo-_8EIEUqm4e5RwhkuWbALDgwrynDviBUqNrFjC6-1ny4EycjHebAg7xTfbKLAx4uQQA7DXdblVJwpDNHgj2jkeUYe4xFC8cpMRplNMGTvBObY_e98/s1600/IMG_4693.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
All this lovely sunshine is keeping my garden blooming. The sweet peas are going on and on, no matter how many bunches I pick for the house and to give away. I love pottering about in the garden with a bucket and a pair of scissors, dead heading the cornflowers, calendula, cosmos and sweet peas. They really appreciate it and reward our efforts with more blooms and buds for weeks on end. It is such a relaxing task after the heavy jobs of the Spring. The weeds are still growing, but I am not taking much notice of them now. They are easy enough to pull out as the ground is so dry but I don't make it my life's work to have a weed free garden. There are so many crickets and grass hoppers, I would be depriving them of a home if I pulled everything out. Pea and I have bought a few daffodil and tulip bulbs to plant this weekend and I have a long list of things the boys can help with; much to their obvious disgust. The drive needs weeding (that I <i>do</i> bother about) and there is a load of bind weed climbing it's way heavenward through the trees. All manly stuff the boys can do without needing to have a thorough knowledge of all things botanical.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QLx0Pajr_WYqK0hyphenhyphenwHcFdIllojdZd4tsHWId__xvwrYHMaTf_JAROHBGmkK00fzOlYMBSUkhK7tZQztwdr4Y54-ROKEorl-TqoUKik0eZo4gQEXaN96yzdzoLI5li63rXnCKnnw58YM/s1600/IMG_4697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QLx0Pajr_WYqK0hyphenhyphenwHcFdIllojdZd4tsHWId__xvwrYHMaTf_JAROHBGmkK00fzOlYMBSUkhK7tZQztwdr4Y54-ROKEorl-TqoUKik0eZo4gQEXaN96yzdzoLI5li63rXnCKnnw58YM/s1600/IMG_4697.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Despite the heat and the sun there is a very strange feeling in the air. I met a bear the other day - well not a real bear, but a man who is quite big and has kind eyes. He gives the impression that if he enveloped you in a bear hug, you would be quite happy to spend all eternity snuggled against his chest and never want to come up for air. He was hopping about like a child saying he would have driven me mad by Christmas. Why? I wondered. 'Do you like Christmas then?' I asked. 'Oh, I <i>love </i>it!' He replied. Here then was a man after my own heart. I began hopping too. 'Me too, me too!' I exclaimed, 'You know what though, even though we're having summer weather...' He jumped in and finished my sentence, 'You can feel Christmas in the air. I know!' Wow, a real live grown up human being who is as daft as I am about sentimental stuff. Wonder if he likes snow....I must ask him.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day, what ever you do and thank you for reading.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-76337233687985322332014-09-10T07:11:00.000-07:002014-09-10T07:11:31.530-07:00Love Your Life<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>The children have been back at school for a little while now and we are beginning to get the hang of it. The mornings are far from being dark but neither are they totally light. It only serves to remind me that they will only get darker. Hate that. The evenings and nights are certainly chilly and we have had the fire on a few times now. But when the sun comes up and gets going, it really heats up! We are still wearing Summer clothes; shorts and floaty dresses and sitting out in the garden until it gets too cool, then we scuttle indoors looking for cardigans and socks to pull on. September is one of the best times of year for unexpected hot days, glorious sun sets and softening light. It won't last long, so now is the time to enjoy it.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnDIDGakVwNMUloGtnJF7lmDi14hYfW8oJx7GqHeFgbdoa3oOMYOdCQtgMAlcR28mQwfD0ah7KSLb7j0rPbX91bXf5NGza5zFKGOcM9ed-KzWBa5wtPn0qGJUUrFpLCqT_jHLzVRJ4eI/s1600/IMG_4680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnDIDGakVwNMUloGtnJF7lmDi14hYfW8oJx7GqHeFgbdoa3oOMYOdCQtgMAlcR28mQwfD0ah7KSLb7j0rPbX91bXf5NGza5zFKGOcM9ed-KzWBa5wtPn0qGJUUrFpLCqT_jHLzVRJ4eI/s1600/IMG_4680.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
H2 seems to be settling into his new school now and I'm sure it helps to have Pea and H1 already there. As it is a fairly small school as senior schools go, he bumps into them and their friends through out the day, which I thinks helps things feel less alien. They are always done in by the time they come home and are always starving. I bought half a chicken from the butcher today and have roasted it for tea. As it is quite a hot day they can have it cold with salad and bread and butter. I made a coffee and walnut cake yesterday and there is a tiny piece left which may be enough for pudding. <br />
<br />
I am thrilled and relieved that things are going well for the children and they are getting on with their new routine after the ease of the holidays. I am not doing so well. I really miss them and can only half-fill my day. The house doesn't take much cleaning and even if it did, it would be a thankless task to do it all day every day. I have been looking for jobs suitable for a woman who has stayed at home and looked after children, home, garden and pets for years, but even the most menial tasks require experience that I don't have. The school dinner lady thing came to nothing (thankfully) and clearly cooking for a growing family doesn't cut it in the competitive world of catering. I have noticed that there is an awful lot of shift work available. Even working in a shop demands flexibility and 'willingness to work evenings and weekends'. No thanks. I have accepted that I may have to work during the school holls, but I am definitely not working all the other hours of the day and night as well. The rates of pay are rubbish too and do nothing to tempt an already reluctant job seeker. The employers make great long lists of things they require from the 'successful candidate'; number one is 'Your Life'. It seems that the moment they accept you as part of their ghastly team, they are under the impression that they own you. Just because they give you a few pounds for your blood and sweat, doesn't give them the right to take over your entire life and dictate what you do with it. If you have an ill child at home, you have to find someone willing to care for them as your place is at your job and not by your child's sick bed. The Job comes first; children, husbands, dogs, parents and indeed anything else involved in real life doesn't even get a look in. <br />
<br />
In return for all this juggling, loyalty and out and out stress, they offer a below minimum wage salary and a few measly days off a year, where you can actually go and do something nice. Well you can providing the office doesn't get infested with fleas or the manager doesn't want to go on holiday then as well. If so, forget it. You don't count. Maybe I am being a tad unfair and there really are nice, thoughtful employers out there. I really, really hope so because I will not work for anyone else. Been there, done that and it was horrid. I have a nice life even if it is a little quiet at times and I want to enhance it with work, not ruin it and be miserable. There are people who say if you are having fun you're doing it wrong. Rubbish. I say if you're <i>not</i> having fun you're doing it wrong. We only get one go at life so we may as well enjoy it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F3GiwrvpMXlKvx5JsQnKEEfGHI1tHzpdEmecWe9DUUZpGE5k8gobCRu9t7JSTrpSXnPON_iRvL1L1I2XDGGjgwnYwtSlDYyqVT-nguOYKWsU6Y_SfB-dhPccCQdwy_Q8nAgX4tDhv24/s1600/IMG_4676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F3GiwrvpMXlKvx5JsQnKEEfGHI1tHzpdEmecWe9DUUZpGE5k8gobCRu9t7JSTrpSXnPON_iRvL1L1I2XDGGjgwnYwtSlDYyqVT-nguOYKWsU6Y_SfB-dhPccCQdwy_Q8nAgX4tDhv24/s1600/IMG_4676.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The bottom line is I am terrified of getting a job. I have no qualifications to offer, no experience of the work place, no skills written down on bits of paper. I can't work in an office as it's highly likely I would staple someone to the wall after ten minutes of office politics and being shut in. I need to move about, see different people, be outside a bit. The conundrum occupies my thoughts all day and keeps me awake at night. I need the Perfect Job. Sadly, I have no idea what it could be.<br />
<br />
Excuse me while I go and chop up a chicken (a dead one-I cooked it first) and drown my sorrows in a nice cup of tea. Have a good day and love your life! xxx<br />
<br />
<br />Windy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-23383995946832541902014-09-04T06:55:00.001-07:002014-09-04T06:55:41.120-07:00Rolling Boil<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>So that's it; the Summer holls are finally and most definitely over. School started yesterday and I sent my three children off dressed in their cardboard-like brand new uniforms, dragging their bags and looking miserable. The dogs and I walked to the end of the track to wave them off in the taxi and then we went for a sniff round the garden; well I just watched while the dogs sniffed. The day loomed long and silent before me, but there was no time for stalling, work beckoned and after eating my cereal standing at the kitchen door, I got on with it.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoaGpdcR9xEM-TpZfvBRJ5O-c0CWVdACVcW7n8ZDuDiF4EYRBXgCvEwftZHCl0a8M2IFeI-G7dzGKsGY0gXhFwb8qvXzAoqd3X9VcN762LWx3Dj0BhmNH3UKA4cNhZJ-aAvrSt-dlZgQ/s1600/IMG_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoaGpdcR9xEM-TpZfvBRJ5O-c0CWVdACVcW7n8ZDuDiF4EYRBXgCvEwftZHCl0a8M2IFeI-G7dzGKsGY0gXhFwb8qvXzAoqd3X9VcN762LWx3Dj0BhmNH3UKA4cNhZJ-aAvrSt-dlZgQ/s1600/IMG_4619.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
Cleaning the house is so much easier when there is no one else in it to get in the way. By eleven I had made beds, hoovered, swept the kitchen floor and hung out three loads of washing on the line. Pea and I had started making courgette chutney the day before and left it to stand in the vinegar for 24 hours. It needed boiling and bottling, so I left it simmering away on the stove and wandered up the track in search of a bowl full of blackberries. Even though it is only very early September, most of the blackberries have gone over or just gone. A few weeks ago, we couldn't pick them all as there were so many; the branches weighed down by the heavy clusters of fruit. Now the few that remain are beyond their best and taste watery, but stewed with half a Bramley I found in the fridge, they made a very respectable pie for tea. I wanted to make a good tea for the children to come home to, as I guessed H2 would hardly eat all day for nerves. I decided on salmon, boiled potatoes from the garden, vegetables and parsley sauce, followed by hot blackberry and apple pie and ice cream. I wonder if I will still want to cook like this when I am working? Best not to think about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOiIk3i0J4RaffSnte4ZZ0OawUYw476qGVO4L2WFefDYlgQhRW6EbMNSgcnSLxnobnvMyk8h1lKpsJ1WQSMrvnW_7LybMWz6HacElotGBoay-ZiuWxmCwmF1_v145P00Gob60LFXJKQA/s1600/IMG_4631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOiIk3i0J4RaffSnte4ZZ0OawUYw476qGVO4L2WFefDYlgQhRW6EbMNSgcnSLxnobnvMyk8h1lKpsJ1WQSMrvnW_7LybMWz6HacElotGBoay-ZiuWxmCwmF1_v145P00Gob60LFXJKQA/s1600/IMG_4631.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
By 3.20 I was standing at the door, eagerly awaiting their arrival home. I had been thinking of H2 all day and wondering how he was getting on. Going to senior school is one of the biggest changes in a young child's life. It is terrifying and exhausting but I was really hoping he would have had a good day and come home tired but happy. I heard the car pull up and the slow trudge of three pairs of feet on the track. There was silence and I realised that wasn't a very good sign. H2 appeared first; he looked fed up. Good day? I enquired. S'alright, he said, sighed heavily and then, <i>God, </i>I hate school, and went in the house. Oh dear. Pea walked down the drive with scarlet cheeks and black eyes flashing in her small face. Oh good Lord, I thought. She looked like she could throttle someone at any moment, anyone would do so I smiled and got out of the way. She is quite scary when she's like that. She mumbled something about school sucking and went indoors. Two down one to go. H2 appeared with a pale face and red eyes. My heart went out to him and I hugged him as the words he had held in all day tumbled in a rush to come out. It's horrible, he whispered. I was perfectly happy in my class and I'd filled in my book really neatly and <i>then</i> some random woman came in and said I had to move to a different class and I hate it, every body's really loud, I can't do my work properly and it's just awful. I held on to him and he shed a few quiet tears. The exhaustion is overwhelming as I remember. After a few moments he shuffled off to get changed and later I found his uniform in a corner of his bedroom in a ball. That's what he thinks of <i>that!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Tea worked it's magic as we all sat round the table and they ate silently for a few moments. The day's events unfolded and there were one or two glimpses of hope among it all. The general feeling was that they wish they could stay home all the time and not bother with school at all. Sorry guys, that won't happen. Kind of wish it would myself though. H2 spent most of his evening watching telly and now and then getting up to give me a hug. Reassurrance needed. We talked when he wanted and I promised him that tomorrow would be better and Friday even more so. He went off to bed if not happily then at least a little calmer. H1 calmed down quite quickly and it transpired that he was annoyed because he has to do PE and they always do football, which he has no interest in whatsoever and would much rather do badminton. I reminded him that he had done extremely well in his first few GCSE's and should concentrate on them and not worry about PE. He was thrilled to get an A* in Resistant Materials, his favourite subject; a B in science which he loathes and a C in IT. Extremely well done young man. Now keep it up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuipSKFQngJ88ZFfFpCBnwu3zH5_08gZjYozVRdHj5l34qHV4WdwUsdlf_tlGZ1AjwDmD6Xky4sDUQ011ZvoR8bi2wonxZyhOiUzmt5W7TJpB4ntQSNVvELex89A3W89dXGAx59mWK9k/s1600/IMG_4632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuipSKFQngJ88ZFfFpCBnwu3zH5_08gZjYozVRdHj5l34qHV4WdwUsdlf_tlGZ1AjwDmD6Xky4sDUQ011ZvoR8bi2wonxZyhOiUzmt5W7TJpB4ntQSNVvELex89A3W89dXGAx59mWK9k/s1600/IMG_4632.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I'm not entirely sure that I ever got to the bottom of Pea's grievances, but she cheered up quite quickly anyway. After tea we all washed up and then Pea and I took Middle Aged Labrador for an early evening walk. The air was warm and the light soft and diffused as only September can give. The leaves are turning quickly now and farmers work hard to get grass cut and baled. Fields are dotted with huge rolls of hay waiting to be taken in before the weather finally turns. The hedges are loaded with hawthorn bushes weighed down with scarlet berries like small round beads threaded onto their black branches. The beauty is every where.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0aU4-dslG918jV5EuCfTC8Jp7fPkkDB1X75WYxMuL8lsDuj-s-jhOea9MDg6y2yDvp4j9cU5wJVKUahHF7AL1zkwhCx3gRQCtWfEC2v-lmhcfdCv5z3GDOxouVCAehsPQdKO1W4zCKc/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0aU4-dslG918jV5EuCfTC8Jp7fPkkDB1X75WYxMuL8lsDuj-s-jhOea9MDg6y2yDvp4j9cU5wJVKUahHF7AL1zkwhCx3gRQCtWfEC2v-lmhcfdCv5z3GDOxouVCAehsPQdKO1W4zCKc/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88tQLNjPGWjyFlGSxCY1dA8i2sA8lEjQvVB2PNuZa9gNPjbAW7Zt0kT3gFA3NDD8tEn2Pq8xPDiJBs1_GUa8VMVlEPNUcn2zQDodpniq8gCuZCu3ALbYbgsBZjn5DTiTSdmCrfapZmf4/s1600/IMG_4636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88tQLNjPGWjyFlGSxCY1dA8i2sA8lEjQvVB2PNuZa9gNPjbAW7Zt0kT3gFA3NDD8tEn2Pq8xPDiJBs1_GUa8VMVlEPNUcn2zQDodpniq8gCuZCu3ALbYbgsBZjn5DTiTSdmCrfapZmf4/s1600/IMG_4636.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The weatherman says we are in for a mini Summer over the next few weeks and this morning seemed to be the start of it. By lunch time it was hot and sticky. Mum and I went for a walk on the beach after dropping off my library book and buying a few You-Know-What presents. Most of the holiday makers have gone home to resume their lives, go back to work and school and family. The beaches and lanes are almost empty again for the remaining few to enjoy in peace and quiet. I felt as though I was bunking off school as I walked slowly along the beach in bare feet. The sand was hard and warm and there was hardly a ripple on the sea as the tide meandered in, slowly, lazily, no rush. Stolen moments out of real life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPByi8ybIF1BW9_tpEBNBq-0jLReD5HZ3RBV6wPJVQsyDcNu6eXCI4DSLT8EFXwVW9Z30qWbB26GBA99IMWPICTMDFYpHC0uDQ_6QMrJgicfIrsbM8D6KRIdI-gC4gTqZAqMp7zZA5ESI/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPByi8ybIF1BW9_tpEBNBq-0jLReD5HZ3RBV6wPJVQsyDcNu6eXCI4DSLT8EFXwVW9Z30qWbB26GBA99IMWPICTMDFYpHC0uDQ_6QMrJgicfIrsbM8D6KRIdI-gC4gTqZAqMp7zZA5ESI/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Only one more day before the weekend and hopefully the sun will shine so I can take the children down to the beach for a well deserved paddle. Every day life happens, sometimes it's good and sometimes not, so I think it is important if not vital to have as many small moments of escapism as is humanly possible. It makes the mundane more bearable and gives us something to look forward to when times are tough. The best thing about the beach as a treat is that it's free. You can be yourself on the beach, no one cares or notices what you do or what you think. You can be noisy or quiet, laugh or just sit and look, it doesn't matter. It's one of my favourite things to do and I always feel refreshed, relaxed and more positive after a walk by the waves. I didn't grow up next to the sea so I am completely aware of how utterly lucky my children and I are to be here. I never take it for granted and I hope they never do either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwekkExAWvsI2NDih4a22jGGwZ-VqHoa08NxsPDl6Q0VSgLruBZDfxfCX85MDPLU0XUmnCHjaaaX9vSlw5RKJNNBsfJxXk9K3Mu0pxBxNEkkf8fWgN7-wDTMrjcNBagKEgWvh7ZZKF9w/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwekkExAWvsI2NDih4a22jGGwZ-VqHoa08NxsPDl6Q0VSgLruBZDfxfCX85MDPLU0XUmnCHjaaaX9vSlw5RKJNNBsfJxXk9K3Mu0pxBxNEkkf8fWgN7-wDTMrjcNBagKEgWvh7ZZKF9w/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The children will be home in less than and hour, so I had better go and roast some veg for tea as no doubt they will all be starving when they come in. I am hopeful that H2 at least will have had a much better day. All I want is to see his gorgeous round face lit up with it's usual smile. My life will be complete and everything right with the world.<br />
<br />
I hope your children are settling happily into school life and don't forget - it's nearly weekend! xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-28693869002038834852014-08-31T04:18:00.001-07:002014-08-31T04:18:18.023-07:00The Countdown<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>The last few days of the Summer holidays are upon us. The last six weeks have gone by in a blur of activity; visits to the beach, baking cakes, sunbathing in the garden and reading books. Perfect days that we will hold in our memories and keep us going over the coming Winter months. I find the best way of dealing with the end of something good is to plan for more good things to look forward to. Line dancing will feature heavily over the cold, dark nights and visits to the gym to use the treadmill while listening to Luke Bryan on Pea's borrowed mp3 player will all help. H2 starts senior school in a few days' time so my evenings will be spent gently supporting him while he does homework he is not accustomed to doing and propping him up emotionally when things take a wrong turn. On top of all that, I have applied for a job; my first in 20 years. Oh how I hope I don't get it...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv6SaEAXABs0IvtDfxozKYhXoalUw5IkI8CRejdXWw7AwCNu7MIGioxC0ChvXqdXfI4fn6jh9n-pNv9Ypd_M_XFCoA17VtqP52oAsl6AfAGFwlO-8d-tZ-OvOkkMiOASpL8kQopSODRk/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOv6SaEAXABs0IvtDfxozKYhXoalUw5IkI8CRejdXWw7AwCNu7MIGioxC0ChvXqdXfI4fn6jh9n-pNv9Ypd_M_XFCoA17VtqP52oAsl6AfAGFwlO-8d-tZ-OvOkkMiOASpL8kQopSODRk/s1600/IMG_4603.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The job is for a catering assistant in a school on the island; dinner lady to you and me. Only a few hours a day but the main thing is I would be home at weekends, school holidays and basically whenever the children are, which is what I need and want. I love the holls and love the whole routine-out-of-the-window thing. We go with the flow and the weather, doing different things as the season dictates. Sometimes we do nothing at all, which is the best bit. So the thought of not being home with them and going to work instead is too much to think of, to be honest. I'd rather have less money. Which is just as well as that's exactly what I would get. Anyway, term starts in a few days and I've heard nothing, so I can probably relax again now and forget about it for a bit longer! Having said that, I will miss the children dreadfully when they go back and after the first week, won't know how to fill the hours. I won't be doing the school run again, so won't have the chance to talk to other mums at the school gate, or to sing along with Luke on the journey. I will need some contact with human beings at some point and getting a job seems to be the best way of going about it. Let fate decide!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PhNzNhOUtzN1_qjROHeLL_DKsPTbDMwieomD2H-5iQwT8Cz6A78iOx8I_GqhR4jQl3iGxo0Jwne75SNpFxyzuE8wvgVMQ-Du9eAR8m8sivYrSSHlYE7YxMY4bA5fKUnZE7AzE1KMJ1E/s1600/IMG_4597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PhNzNhOUtzN1_qjROHeLL_DKsPTbDMwieomD2H-5iQwT8Cz6A78iOx8I_GqhR4jQl3iGxo0Jwne75SNpFxyzuE8wvgVMQ-Du9eAR8m8sivYrSSHlYE7YxMY4bA5fKUnZE7AzE1KMJ1E/s1600/IMG_4597.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The countdown to Autumn is underway too. There is still plenty of beauty to be seen and admired, both in the garden and the countryside but it is a balancing act between the dead and decaying and the seeds of new life for the next generation. Bees still bumble around the flowers and butterflies flit over the grass when the sun shines. There are strawberries and tomatoes waiting to ripen in the late summer sun and the sweetcorn holds its tassells aloft hoping for an Indian summer to ripen the fruit within.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0H6mA7cidRa4MWqghm0NnTSRyU__5xCczj1wBMlT_S1pL14NAGYNpclO5D3bLmwFq-RfAwTT4dSPvRwa6A23p6x84MuqXIClS1vDTjhs-QTkjWvdQZqp-pc_YCToClSuD-pJRLSXLcs/s1600/IMG_4590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0H6mA7cidRa4MWqghm0NnTSRyU__5xCczj1wBMlT_S1pL14NAGYNpclO5D3bLmwFq-RfAwTT4dSPvRwa6A23p6x84MuqXIClS1vDTjhs-QTkjWvdQZqp-pc_YCToClSuD-pJRLSXLcs/s1600/IMG_4590.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The end also heralds the beginning. We are planning and planting for next Spring and Summer, the perfect antidote to the impending gloom of colourless days. Nothing in nature really ends, it steps aside to make way for the next part of the cycle. I love that and it helps me move ahead with a smile and a positive thought in my mind. The trick to moving from the end of Summer's flirtatious smile and lazy attitude to the beginning of Winter's serious mood and deep frown is to <i>do something.</i> Don't let it get the better of you, keep moving and keep Summer in your heart all year round. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEODRfvXVKmKScLtJuHlKIJGhTLQkZG2nUbinzMFCFrIsOBS7xodpDPFyvAjWYtOSdrK8dmgF8RYQG56vBquz5eV3KjkQ2PMJJWA0pnmAkVN7EwF4u4FbUDaI1VABEFEjkGpYvvLtqec/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEODRfvXVKmKScLtJuHlKIJGhTLQkZG2nUbinzMFCFrIsOBS7xodpDPFyvAjWYtOSdrK8dmgF8RYQG56vBquz5eV3KjkQ2PMJJWA0pnmAkVN7EwF4u4FbUDaI1VABEFEjkGpYvvLtqec/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryvg7_z-EUSHRQe-L8JyFGJ-xRjeDjFcoRjEYEZaWAekxq-G9ozrptjZR1x6erSmGBI3WEQfKcQBzH9p-NzEEnww8LmZTV8j261iPeFIzXO2rwrWFzGPZfRg8Mpd39WvJsPWDQbwtX7s/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryvg7_z-EUSHRQe-L8JyFGJ-xRjeDjFcoRjEYEZaWAekxq-G9ozrptjZR1x6erSmGBI3WEQfKcQBzH9p-NzEEnww8LmZTV8j261iPeFIzXO2rwrWFzGPZfRg8Mpd39WvJsPWDQbwtX7s/s1600/IMG_4598.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
There are still two more days of freedom and Summer and we fully intend to enjoy them in our individual ways. Pea has gone to see Boyf; H2 is building things with Lego in his bedroom and H1 is rolling around on the floor with the dogs. Boredom kicks in now and then and is a good indicator that they are ready for a new term to start. I am taking the opportunity to read during the day, which is something I won't be able to justify in my heart when school starts again. I will have to stave off the guilt by Being Busy. Yuk. The countdown has begun!<br />
<br />
Enjoy the rest of your Summer and thank you for reading.xxx<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>Windy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-24712392814492248972014-08-23T06:50:00.000-07:002014-08-23T06:50:46.024-07:00Peter Stone<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><i>Friends are important and never more so than when you live in a remote location and no one is passing your door on a regular basis. They don't have to be human; indeed that is why many of us choose pets to be our companions. Dogs, cats, horses and birds live lives of luxury next to their humans, just so we can feel the reassurance and comfort of another warm heartbeat next to ours. On very rare and indeed odd occasions, some prefer an inanimate object to keep them company in the lonely hours. Puppy is one such creature. He has a best friend called Peter Stone. Peter goes everywhere with Puppy but sometimes he craves his own company and the blessing of peace and quiet; at these times he goes for a lie down on the rug and reflects on life in solitude. Not the most demanding of friends, he can leave Puppy feeling a little bemused, but somehow they muddle through and resolve their differences and get down to being good friends again. Would you like to meet Peter Stone?</i></b></span><br />
<b style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Here he is...</i></b><br />
<b style="color: #0b5394;"><i><br /></i></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCSS_KPxJZkrPX_gcJrOfnsN-gThyCXb8IMKZX1b1VSs_GE3l552bJA88fPYdh-dqz4eHEVU2KkPfKv18oDPaEUmVjzEEzRrvQ2cSpQl9tvGWyHcnbgH6PAmZOAuD7WGe5n5BOaYZ77Y/s1600/IMG_4582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCSS_KPxJZkrPX_gcJrOfnsN-gThyCXb8IMKZX1b1VSs_GE3l552bJA88fPYdh-dqz4eHEVU2KkPfKv18oDPaEUmVjzEEzRrvQ2cSpQl9tvGWyHcnbgH6PAmZOAuD7WGe5n5BOaYZ77Y/s1600/IMG_4582.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<i style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;"> </i>I know; he's a rock. Poor dog is so deprived of stimulation he has to find things lying about in the garden to amuse him. Peter Stone seems happy enough being part of our strange little house hold and doesn't make much noise or demand to be fed every five minutes. Apart from almost treading on him during nocturnal trips to the loo, he is a pleasure to have around. Soon after he moved in, he felt he also needed a companion of his own. Puppy can be a bit much at times of great excitement, caused by events known only to him, and Peter Stone felt he needed someone a bit more like himself. Some days later we woke to find Simon Slate had moved in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EDlTLpNJxrQO1d1PWLP1lVsIy9sCEaClVxVHTPzGAPuV2PeyKFUNcq8hRp9__DvZ-retj97SAmdviP7MvY0PBuEgo7bT_SWTgYU45kd9vRtDspvlkqUvCixvGjsQUaWF5aIWe1FLOzQ/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EDlTLpNJxrQO1d1PWLP1lVsIy9sCEaClVxVHTPzGAPuV2PeyKFUNcq8hRp9__DvZ-retj97SAmdviP7MvY0PBuEgo7bT_SWTgYU45kd9vRtDspvlkqUvCixvGjsQUaWF5aIWe1FLOzQ/s1600/IMG_4583.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Two bits of rock hanging about waiting for bare feet to become victims of excruciating pain is one thing, but then almost over night two became three and it began to get out of hand. We think the third is Polly Pebble; Simon Slate's girlfriend. Heaven help us if it gets serious between them...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPKBPAJ8wneIlSEyunSuNlcmdjyGbHkrJBTT5nisC4Mc6XDUu9iHtWSiLiR6Al22dQfuRPR0LaSSUyJSwr0fN80pwQaIuIv5AFc-paQ56bAsz-dFPW9fdjYN9kpT19TZFjtX_jiw6284/s1600/IMG_4576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPKBPAJ8wneIlSEyunSuNlcmdjyGbHkrJBTT5nisC4Mc6XDUu9iHtWSiLiR6Al22dQfuRPR0LaSSUyJSwr0fN80pwQaIuIv5AFc-paQ56bAsz-dFPW9fdjYN9kpT19TZFjtX_jiw6284/s1600/IMG_4576.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The recent cool winds and cloudy skies have marked the end of Summer quite abruptly. Not only are they responsible for sending bits of rock into the house in search of comfort, but they are gaily plucking leaves from their grasp on branches and sending me hunting in my wardrobe for cardigans and jumpers. It feels like Autumn and it looks like Autumn. I have a feeling that our Winter will be very cold and frosty but full of blue skies and sunshine. I would be more than happy with that, but I'm not ready just yet. I have noticed the hedgerows are tinted a deep red as the hawthorn proudly holds out her branches laden with ripe berries for the birds. My mum told me today that that is a sign of a hard Winter to come. Old fashioned hard Winters were usually very cold and very white, so we will see.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMnlDSElwHZd7MBH2qDV58e4-nW51nFawoY3RgQ4jBowymi3icTBwHdK57rEFAdv2opcIp2aleAUtn_kCKujQlxH0aRzXAgTwmQKMAwbqZcnb_NrBsvOR47n6q1zELJcWsOofsHncXvU/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMnlDSElwHZd7MBH2qDV58e4-nW51nFawoY3RgQ4jBowymi3icTBwHdK57rEFAdv2opcIp2aleAUtn_kCKujQlxH0aRzXAgTwmQKMAwbqZcnb_NrBsvOR47n6q1zELJcWsOofsHncXvU/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The damsons are ripening well on the trees and it will very soon be time to pick them and make jam, chutney and pies, something I enjoy doing once I have scrubbed a load of jars and got the labels off, which can take an age as some manufacturers stick them on so well that even if the label comes off, the glue doesn't.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t3Gyul1XTvFM2YbOuUd9uYn3PJG7BakymFZoLM4YpSk77ZdUPnUGbCnV1-ZPXNRLKRMuhTstvSNVH2IXKcM-8-P3H1fyz3-p-epcbHuFaubpn2wBFXznlXowd2h7KsR4y0u0MFjAXtY/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9t3Gyul1XTvFM2YbOuUd9uYn3PJG7BakymFZoLM4YpSk77ZdUPnUGbCnV1-ZPXNRLKRMuhTstvSNVH2IXKcM-8-P3H1fyz3-p-epcbHuFaubpn2wBFXznlXowd2h7KsR4y0u0MFjAXtY/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Planning ahead for Winter stores inevitably makes me think of You-Know-What. The cake and also the main event; You-Know-What dinner. We usually buy a really nice chicken from the butcher and have that but this year I will be purchasing a turkey. Not because I particularly want a massive amount of meat but because the people at the farm have got some rescued turkeys who have laid eggs and they asked me if I wanted one. A bird reared and killed only yards from our home? Yes please! Buying any meat from a butcher means the experience is all fairly well removed from the living animal. But this won't be the case. We have met the birds we will eat. Gulp!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwBTckD1qp81GxMN1pKltmEDsucqLP0UNBq8K8aVMLHPD6sfRhL263PL-Bqe_QHP7BpDZHwG3Nd6yHPIZWWZt86o-5qZG49lkeskmJuGjgg4V25Ay8ceDmy6LYFdJgoC5Q8ow45C6_AQ/s1600/IMG_4527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwBTckD1qp81GxMN1pKltmEDsucqLP0UNBq8K8aVMLHPD6sfRhL263PL-Bqe_QHP7BpDZHwG3Nd6yHPIZWWZt86o-5qZG49lkeskmJuGjgg4V25Ay8ceDmy6LYFdJgoC5Q8ow45C6_AQ/s1600/IMG_4527.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Awww! Aren't they <i>cute!</i> They make lovely little cheeping noises too! Adorable. They have been reared by a broody hen who has also taken a gosling under her wing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9Z_wp-JkVamucYpdMYjisZ7Edzit8gl7GYlSs9K1XbwxXsn0R7Yw4nJpsuXmJeOEAsI2aeYmA_cKRAZXxwPiQ9yZ5Byf2SGVBYA-DQ6q0TzMkdR4Ney353Do3NfyS6LZP1JH9bV3RWI/s1600/IMG_4528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9Z_wp-JkVamucYpdMYjisZ7Edzit8gl7GYlSs9K1XbwxXsn0R7Yw4nJpsuXmJeOEAsI2aeYmA_cKRAZXxwPiQ9yZ5Byf2SGVBYA-DQ6q0TzMkdR4Ney353Do3NfyS6LZP1JH9bV3RWI/s1600/IMG_4528.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Okay so I am quite good at growing vegetables to eat and foraging for fruit in the wild, but actually deciding to eat something that has a heartbeat, eyes and fluffy feathers is quite a Big Thing. But, I keep saying I am a proper country girl, so now is the time to put my money where my mouth is. I won't actually have to kill the turkey thank God, but I will have to gut and pluck it; cut it's head and feet off and bung it in the oven. I feel a bit sick about all that and may have a nicely sanitised chicken in the freezer, just in case. I have gutted ducks and pheasants before now so I'm going on the assumption that a turkey will be the same but bigger. I reckon I will need three buckets: one for the feathers, one for the innards and one for my tears...<br />
<br />
For now they are fluffy chicks enjoying life in the sunshine with out a care in the world. Let's leave them in peace.<br />
<br />
I hope you are enjoying the sunshine, thank you for reading.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-39621591435521375782014-08-20T09:57:00.000-07:002014-08-20T09:57:53.986-07:00Take Your Partner By The Hand<b><i><span style="color: magenta;">I have been a single woman now for over four years. It is not always easy, sometimes lonely but I do have the advantage of being free to please myself and do what I like whenever I like. Granted this can wear a bit thin over time, but then I think back to the bit of my life when that was most definitely not the case, and it makes it all seem fresh and new and very much appreciated. Finding someone to share life with is always tricky but it most certainly gets harder as you get older. I am usually pretty good at reading people and picking up on their vibes - except when it comes to romance, or should I say any romance where I feature as the lead role. Then I am useless. I have no idea if someone is being nice to me because they like me or because they </span></i><span style="color: magenta;">like <i>me..if you see what I mean. I am pre-disposed to warming to people a little too readily and always give the benefit of the doubt way beyond the point where I should have told the person in question to stick it and go and nurse my wounded heart with a huge bar of Dairy Milk. So it would appear that I have a problem and one that I'm not entirely sure can be fixed. I have an invisible sign that flashes above my head only detectable by morons and cretins. Trouble is, I have no idea what it says.</i></span></b><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m7JxPo8_ZOdp0RWSLdGGXB9MxKLEOr__wAXNlkOpZiT9p9ds4BHclfLIk9W65tn-D0fLUIz4bB0AoWrIwSo3OFj_LmC6AsQAgQ5Kwe2qf8sbZVMhkNQhsbvJvC8ijAn-pzwgN8EDMnw/s1600/IMG_4567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m7JxPo8_ZOdp0RWSLdGGXB9MxKLEOr__wAXNlkOpZiT9p9ds4BHclfLIk9W65tn-D0fLUIz4bB0AoWrIwSo3OFj_LmC6AsQAgQ5Kwe2qf8sbZVMhkNQhsbvJvC8ijAn-pzwgN8EDMnw/s1600/IMG_4567.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Many years ago, when I was a young teenager, my sister and I would spend Saturday evenings attending the under 14's disco in the Scout Hut in our village. I loved it and spent ages getting ready and feeling excited about dancing about in the semi dark, where no one knew or cared if you went a bit wrong now and then. It was just nice to dance and have fun. I'm too old for all that now and ballroom dancing requires a partner and I don't have one, so my dancing plans were put to the back of my mind where they languished and gathered an alarming amount of dust. Until one Saturday at the end of May. The children and I had gone to the beach, stopping off at the library on the way back to the car. I noticed a poster in the window listing all the activities going on during the week at the village hall. A few things looked interesting but nothing that I really wanted to do but then I reached the bottom of the list and saw two words that would start a minor addiction and change my Monday nights for ever...Line Dancing.<br />
<br />
Strangely enough, line dancing is something I have wanted to try for the last 20 years but never had the chance. And you don't need a partner. I hopped about a bit wondering if I had the nerve to go. Pea could see I really wanted to do it and like the good daughter she is, she volunteered to come with me. We found a contact number and I rang up. I made sure the lady who answered the phone knew that we were complete beginners and may not be much good. She said 'Just turn up and have a go.' So we did. And boy am I glad! We dance every Monday evening for three hours. We have picked it up quickly, according to the people who have been attending the class for years, and are having so much fun doing it. We have made new friends and have found that everyone has been delighted to have two new, enthusiastic people joining them. The only problem I have found is that I can't sleep at night because I am going through the dances and music in my head. It's exhausting! When we learnt a dance to The Countdown by Lonestar, I hardly slept for three nights. I spent the whole week dancing about in the kitchen, in the lanes and anywhere there was a space to practise my steps. Eventually I cracked it and now I can really go for it when we do it as a class. It's totally addictive and for that I am delighted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohwVUfmk6kD5NBwMbsz7VUOJLxO1jFVwxTDDejIfYuAjxIvBLC-9Y_07oNR4YuTudXD6ubi1Z4ORUmWuzO39apHjP-2KIX-RHrtSagB9MLID3ap-hID3WzvCZNaHACan93HMx8zMDlyU/s1600/IMG_4553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohwVUfmk6kD5NBwMbsz7VUOJLxO1jFVwxTDDejIfYuAjxIvBLC-9Y_07oNR4YuTudXD6ubi1Z4ORUmWuzO39apHjP-2KIX-RHrtSagB9MLID3ap-hID3WzvCZNaHACan93HMx8zMDlyU/s1600/IMG_4553.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The garden is a minor addiction too and just about as tiring! We finally dug out all the weeds from this boarder a week ago and planted the Allium bulbs we bought at the show, some Linaria Purpurea that I grew from seed and a few things that I purchased in a sale. It looks a lot better for it as the weeds and mess were getting me down. Pea and H2 worked hard with me and eventually took over the planting and left me to carry weeds to the compost bin and do the donkey work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VoGgZd5Kn9fBONXQui48aBay08WwJRRAtneqEOeeFbom68m2xAnrhIvq3C0TdTFJ3OoRl-avXRrQ8uhdZ5TT93frcPAdRNvH5n6CLw8Q37z-mMWZ0ru0rKraa6WzYBmI0Otq9bql8Lo/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VoGgZd5Kn9fBONXQui48aBay08WwJRRAtneqEOeeFbom68m2xAnrhIvq3C0TdTFJ3OoRl-avXRrQ8uhdZ5TT93frcPAdRNvH5n6CLw8Q37z-mMWZ0ru0rKraa6WzYBmI0Otq9bql8Lo/s1600/IMG_4554.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwAos3Mc0KSy2iXhQtg5TfkS5UyIjn8PzY8jGlL_1FTMzTUVVmUlaDewD4hVKzjT6IWO12Px2vqsh-bLm9fr6N0DRnu3USJHFnI5FJovPFeDuQKPr3pg25rBedQchX2Wv5vduszSGKxU/s1600/IMG_4558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwAos3Mc0KSy2iXhQtg5TfkS5UyIjn8PzY8jGlL_1FTMzTUVVmUlaDewD4hVKzjT6IWO12Px2vqsh-bLm9fr6N0DRnu3USJHFnI5FJovPFeDuQKPr3pg25rBedQchX2Wv5vduszSGKxU/s1600/IMG_4558.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The rest of the garden is balancing precariously between late Summer abundance and early Autumn sleepiness. There have been signs of the next season knocking gently at the door for a good few weeks now. We have already picked and frozen bags of blackberries, picked from the brambles pushing through the hedges in our garden. Yellow leaves are littering the ground further up the track and the evenings are chilly and dark. August is a transition: Enjoy me while you can, she says, It's almost over. September can be a final song of loveliness with hot days and blue skies, but the late afternoon chill and fading light reminds us that the dark half of the year is close on it's heels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV2hyAh7jw1hQNr0YG6P724WeRq1zUd3BlonEsAZ5G8iiXJQdxGM7X2BUJ-ug_WghyphenhyphenHCFSL5ymPXHWfIhn39od6rMQWnOcDku91GW04ajOgCcWu6Ddt9XeHlv0RcUy5PJg_mv8OZksrw/s1600/IMG_4560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV2hyAh7jw1hQNr0YG6P724WeRq1zUd3BlonEsAZ5G8iiXJQdxGM7X2BUJ-ug_WghyphenhyphenHCFSL5ymPXHWfIhn39od6rMQWnOcDku91GW04ajOgCcWu6Ddt9XeHlv0RcUy5PJg_mv8OZksrw/s1600/IMG_4560.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBrny0CC8rMhcyt8AcWqhZ-_IcQk7wZZNN5wstP7U3wGPXdeknj1plkLokTA_TefcmLHd1rzP5pL3l_32J-RrFJ4s5WWP2SVAU6gDhB44-xN-ckjujbvKyLa9rMdVc0hRIxGj3jY5rx4/s1600/IMG_4562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBrny0CC8rMhcyt8AcWqhZ-_IcQk7wZZNN5wstP7U3wGPXdeknj1plkLokTA_TefcmLHd1rzP5pL3l_32J-RrFJ4s5WWP2SVAU6gDhB44-xN-ckjujbvKyLa9rMdVc0hRIxGj3jY5rx4/s1600/IMG_4562.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Tomorrow is a big day for H1; the GCSE results are out. He has completed his first year exams but the main bulk of them will be taken from Christmas onwards so he only has a few results to collect tomorrow. He has actually worked really hard this time and I really hope his results reflect that, which will encourage him to do more next year. Pea had her AS results last week. She was disappointed but I have no idea why as she did incredibly well. She received an A, two Bs and a C. She couldn't have done anymore if she tried, there just weren't enough hours in the day. Too much hard work and study is good for no one and so she will be whittling down her four A levels to a more manageable three. Thank goodness for that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhL1WgpoCwXVqtMzl6n-MiLoWo8LE1L04njTgcyAM84hVkOqYIUcWJIe5qYkmoKYSnXiT7lwvwZOAqzT6-d5e9BySuVYuNblF6PJp_kCZLY-2oe7YPyTN4mi_NptYvrOHuelYMvg3hEI/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxhL1WgpoCwXVqtMzl6n-MiLoWo8LE1L04njTgcyAM84hVkOqYIUcWJIe5qYkmoKYSnXiT7lwvwZOAqzT6-d5e9BySuVYuNblF6PJp_kCZLY-2oe7YPyTN4mi_NptYvrOHuelYMvg3hEI/s1600/IMG_4564.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The summer holidays are coming to an end and it's hard to believe that five weeks have gone by in a heartbeat. I will miss the children when they return to school but the house will benefit from a good scrub as I have been a bit too relaxed about cleaning over the summer. There is a tell tale line of black dog hairs hugging the gap between the skirting boards and the carpet. There are one or two dead blue bottles desiccating in corners and spiders have reared healthy broods in elaborate webs strung from the ceilings. Soon be time for a pre-Autumn clean. Sadly I cannot achieve the results I desire with a house full of teenagers and dogs, so it will just have to wait a bit longer. What a shame.<br />
<br />
I hope you have a lovely evening and thank you for reading. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-73286647856529574532014-08-17T03:06:00.000-07:002014-08-17T03:06:43.592-07:00An Owl Called Willow (and Other Animals)<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>On a breezy but sunny day, the children and I loaded the boot of the car with a substantial picnic, blankets, rain coats and sunhats and set off for the annual Anglesey County Show. Pea's boyfriend came with us but we left the dogs at home. We took them for a 3 mile walk the day before, so didn't feel too guilty about it. Besides, they would have hated being dragged through thousands of pairs of legs anyway; much nicer for them to enjoy the peace and comfort of their own baskets at home. The show ground was humming with activity and excitement when we arrived but there was plenty of room to look around and enjoy the atmosphere. I love a country show and as we haven't been for quite a few years, I was all set for a grand day out.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBOjkKPmJrRFa_Z16xHCdkh1CwWL7fpiJhDPAhyGZjjooXRIF5wUlASGiKNwNuGIXOq22fkcrLHwPbokgBIZyOM-hCRhxZqZc6mXM2fShBebiOo4LLFXOYKPBXfKK4GF5XkrHmTz-MkM/s1600/IMG_4460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBOjkKPmJrRFa_Z16xHCdkh1CwWL7fpiJhDPAhyGZjjooXRIF5wUlASGiKNwNuGIXOq22fkcrLHwPbokgBIZyOM-hCRhxZqZc6mXM2fShBebiOo4LLFXOYKPBXfKK4GF5XkrHmTz-MkM/s1600/IMG_4460.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I have a thing for owls; they are so elusive and hardly ever seen during daylight hours, which gives them an air of mystery. We are so fortunate as to hear tawny owls in the trees at the back of the house, but as yet I haven't had the pleasure of seeing one. Shows like this one give us all the chance to get up close with these gorgeous birds and even touch them. Willow was one obliging young lady! She is 7 months old and has a sister called Wendy. Her mum was rescued and cared for by the falconry society who then reared the two eggs she laid. Willow and Wendy are so used to people handling them, they took the whole thing in their stride and were very relaxed about being stroked and photographed. She was so beautiful it made my day to be so close to her. Thank you Willow!<br />
<br />
Leaving Pea and Boyf to go their own way, the boys and I set off in search of more animal excitement! I soon spotted the big shed that housed the cows waiting to be taken into the show ring. Oh goody, I thought and mentioned it to the boys. H1 looked at me aghast. Are you mad woman? It seemed to say. 'Now what?' I asked. 'I am <i>not</i> going in there,' he replied, waving a finger in the direction of the shed and the huge sign that read 'BULLS' in giant letters. 'Oh, it's fine,' I replied airily, 'Come with me, please.' H2 joined in the protest and hoped to add weight to the argument against being flattened by rampaging bovines. 'You two are such cowards!', I said and headed for the shed. This seemed to galvanise them into action. 'Wait! We're coming with you!' Presumably they had decided to throw themselves in the path of any bull intent on goring their mother. Sweet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78srPV4wpG_GgNGDhORINAUwyuEzR1uWyNoeTpLpZ3kGxY1Ephysy15aBheLIeMMRP1eLGNvY6Y3cllvtXhxXrx_9QFVkufVJ3RFDz087-g4PHBV1Ud6-VbgubAxKl3jx8cFkFnlYq_g/s1600/IMG_4437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78srPV4wpG_GgNGDhORINAUwyuEzR1uWyNoeTpLpZ3kGxY1Ephysy15aBheLIeMMRP1eLGNvY6Y3cllvtXhxXrx_9QFVkufVJ3RFDz087-g4PHBV1Ud6-VbgubAxKl3jx8cFkFnlYq_g/s1600/IMG_4437.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
H1 sagged with relief when he saw that all the bulls and indeed the cows and calves too, were in fact, tied securely to railings. 'Oh, I thought they'd be loose!' he confessed. Silly boy, as if I'd go in there if they were. I breathed in the sweet, clean smell of fresh straw and bovine breath. Lovely. The animals all looked relaxed and content as if they did this every day of their lives. The people milling around them did nothing to faze them and they just waited patiently for their turn to shine in the ring.<br />
<br />
Some of these creatures were seriously huge...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZCUUJ-lHIXseaIU23GAvxPhmZMt0GigK0Qqd5dqgT5PJUL5DykAQUjsFuFHTO2gD_uCr6TpWfyGM9UTv9iBSLQ7ky8Sw1llqBJcO3LNKGvWzWcKIjoyi4Kv4vJCREk_8BIbJlx7q2eY/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZCUUJ-lHIXseaIU23GAvxPhmZMt0GigK0Qqd5dqgT5PJUL5DykAQUjsFuFHTO2gD_uCr6TpWfyGM9UTv9iBSLQ7ky8Sw1llqBJcO3LNKGvWzWcKIjoyi4Kv4vJCREk_8BIbJlx7q2eY/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Others were just gorgeous..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmYcU2B0wZUtWq3inC2If7O7arZ6So2OqZ20-ioPXJrcwMsgCnC3HEuZt39KPMYNBI9f1YvecVCMZuNZsJzXUet4bUnMdYH_dxeHSGVTDyvIjvOe5s_Ut8FKonhugBiamIvuTm7TPEbc/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmYcU2B0wZUtWq3inC2If7O7arZ6So2OqZ20-ioPXJrcwMsgCnC3HEuZt39KPMYNBI9f1YvecVCMZuNZsJzXUet4bUnMdYH_dxeHSGVTDyvIjvOe5s_Ut8FKonhugBiamIvuTm7TPEbc/s1600/IMG_4476.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And some were feeling a little uncomfortable...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVg_q5I-YE-2kGtbkEIorgo4pW47VCF2rLOnFoYdKlMBhilOj1YRohJ7sX-UOHiflHXwCDTuK5_5C4Cf6JzKNRXKSc_M5OamiCyvrfgd2PWbqKZW-wuHSM7chjsJ3jFXjcK0-wZ-DW5s/s1600/IMG_4479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVg_q5I-YE-2kGtbkEIorgo4pW47VCF2rLOnFoYdKlMBhilOj1YRohJ7sX-UOHiflHXwCDTuK5_5C4Cf6JzKNRXKSc_M5OamiCyvrfgd2PWbqKZW-wuHSM7chjsJ3jFXjcK0-wZ-DW5s/s1600/IMG_4479.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It may be show day but cows still need to be milked! I was thoroughly enjoying myself among the straw and animals, but the boys had seen enough, so we set off to appease H1 and find some cars. I am not a car person at all, but seeing the delight on his face when he found a BMW i8 (or something) gave me as much pleasure as it did him. He waited in the line for his turn to sit in said vehicle and then slunk down in the leather seats and held the wheel like a pro. He beamed and said 'I'm going to save up for one of these!' On the pocket money I give him, he'd have to live to be five hundred and two.<br />
<br />
By now H2 was looking slightly grey and not at all happy. He isn't into cars, hates crowds and being dragged about looking at things he has no interest in. So knowing that the only thing that would revive him was food, we went back to the car for the picnic. Pea and Boyf found us near the horses so we walked back together. We had planned to sit on the grass to eat, but it was too windy, so Pea and I sat in the boot with the door up and handed food and cups of dandelion and burdock to the boys. Very Famous Five! Having given up on enjoyment for the boys for the time being, Pea and I decided to hunt for the poultry tent and look at hens. We trudged off, well fed and for some a little happier than before lunch, having gone from sullen silence to hysterical giggling in one chicken drumstick and a cheese cob.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-hfvNEvBMI4AQgu6MKZEPZgOvBDzv_hyphenhyphenXG6wbNT9loN0Wt881sW3csnvw64MbLiz9AEb7OYov0abYWjF_56KO_ey-tqQ-djzhfQPxZLbGqE5UmDZ9cpzGilraUOGS1idYQMpa-2pHGs/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-hfvNEvBMI4AQgu6MKZEPZgOvBDzv_hyphenhyphenXG6wbNT9loN0Wt881sW3csnvw64MbLiz9AEb7OYov0abYWjF_56KO_ey-tqQ-djzhfQPxZLbGqE5UmDZ9cpzGilraUOGS1idYQMpa-2pHGs/s1600/IMG_4450.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The poultry tent is a peaceful place. Hens are not prone to galloping about and being noisy. H2 seemed to enjoy this experience a lot more than the bulls. I long to keep hens again but it will have to wait until the small matter of getting a job is dealt with first. Anyway, I could certainly take pleasure from looking at the bevvy of beauties on display here. Typically, Pea spotted a cage with two pretty white Pekin bantams residing within and a For Sale card slotted into the bars. She turned to me with a pleading expression and begging words on her lips, but I cut her short before she got into the flow. I can be a hard woman at times!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo6yDeTvxpX_9_GBiuyf7fS6M5o5BfC9gVbFgn6K_TRFs-EVaFV8pPbp5MYac44Spgbaa6MRccOzny1bctmOcijq5Dh9TmKGjiOddCC3IVbIMyigVnTVqWBVf_SIeP4PxhWPHI8yYwfo/s1600/IMG_4448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUo6yDeTvxpX_9_GBiuyf7fS6M5o5BfC9gVbFgn6K_TRFs-EVaFV8pPbp5MYac44Spgbaa6MRccOzny1bctmOcijq5Dh9TmKGjiOddCC3IVbIMyigVnTVqWBVf_SIeP4PxhWPHI8yYwfo/s1600/IMG_4448.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Not sure what variety this little one is, but she looks surprised to find herself bedecked in such an alarming array of feathers. After leaving the chickens and geese (reluctantly) behind, H1 noticed a peregrine falcon soaring about above the crowd. We tracked down the handler in the countryside arena and went to watch and listen. There was a tent nearby where the birds waited on their perches until it was time for them to work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBhr9H35l2o-NF4FjineN83Qjc5gFlowf3Z-SYJrqGdq1sTTury_gaTOmSsGAKuCmR0i_2MbQ7HD2uV9IUKgEdMpo0pcVENJeP4VoJz61oFdXPggv8LOz9Cf8aTN-cNS_gCJuqJ-yBHA/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBhr9H35l2o-NF4FjineN83Qjc5gFlowf3Z-SYJrqGdq1sTTury_gaTOmSsGAKuCmR0i_2MbQ7HD2uV9IUKgEdMpo0pcVENJeP4VoJz61oFdXPggv8LOz9Cf8aTN-cNS_gCJuqJ-yBHA/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1ZCMnozjJpzP9KvwM8tJsnVHkdFD8XmsItSRf-bNPDCAq_flL6D1KHxSKeuaN83tg-w5fxSLI_e4SKtwRZkqoyp2pZBF3ZbR1dVq8Kz_z3MDOLsuvfafx1WSUqIJP2d1HY6GMVXKIrA/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1ZCMnozjJpzP9KvwM8tJsnVHkdFD8XmsItSRf-bNPDCAq_flL6D1KHxSKeuaN83tg-w5fxSLI_e4SKtwRZkqoyp2pZBF3ZbR1dVq8Kz_z3MDOLsuvfafx1WSUqIJP2d1HY6GMVXKIrA/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
After a bit more falcon doting and some dog agility action, the afternoon was waning and everyone was getting tired and a bit peckish again. Some just needed a nap...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_UD66Pa_PiG9HZzpe3bAE1meQIPoq7RPHZGK6ODaePPIHcIQhQ1ozwhIPiG6FIO8L1GVjN-CE1lvMbE1ArnY5qFjO8dloYkEV9vUhAyb-fk8IzObgjOSlnSArg4cWSFuaEbSjwFXU_Y/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_UD66Pa_PiG9HZzpe3bAE1meQIPoq7RPHZGK6ODaePPIHcIQhQ1ozwhIPiG6FIO8L1GVjN-CE1lvMbE1ArnY5qFjO8dloYkEV9vUhAyb-fk8IzObgjOSlnSArg4cWSFuaEbSjwFXU_Y/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
But the little ones needed something a bit more substantial to keep them going...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4aAteFgcljrquMkC0iSQnJyQk4YP3fr9t0n9RcveGusWk9FmlJ8CIpMLxaiWLmVqGaRRmVyik2EQokzYz7LC_gDkVpidt9Ve3lF0VAdKdj2QOz14-bfXn_XVJ5b4WM_VtmyCW167ZI/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM4aAteFgcljrquMkC0iSQnJyQk4YP3fr9t0n9RcveGusWk9FmlJ8CIpMLxaiWLmVqGaRRmVyik2EQokzYz7LC_gDkVpidt9Ve3lF0VAdKdj2QOz14-bfXn_XVJ5b4WM_VtmyCW167ZI/s1600/IMG_4487.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The wind got up and the sun hid behind gathering clouds giving us our cue to think about leaving. On the way back to the car we bought some allium bulbs; fifty to be exact. I could have bought lots more but remembered that I am trying to save up for roses for my garden, so restricted myself to the alliums. Back at home we stood about in the kitchen and finished the picnic. The dogs were excited to see us home but seemed none the worse for being left for the day. Despite a few minor complaints from H2 about the crowds (can't blame him for that), it was a lovely day out and one we will certainly repeat next year. Although I may leave any reluctant children at home to dog sit.<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading and have a good day.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-73262626098122605742014-08-10T05:19:00.001-07:002014-08-10T05:19:36.281-07:00Back In The Groove<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i>Hello everyone! After a three month wait for our Broadband and telephone connection to be fixed, we are finally back on line. Technology is a wonderful thing, unless you live in a remote area then you may as well forget it! Anyway, I have missed writing my blog and really cannot believe that I haven't been able to share my garden with you during what could argueably be the best two months of the year. I am however, extremely grateful to have the Internet in our own home again, so won't complain any more about it. It would take me hours to tell you all that has happened since I last wrote, and it would be dead boring for you to read, so instead I will show you some pics as you can easily glance over them and move on when you have had enough!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
As the temperatures rose by the day, life in June was slow paced and idyllic...<br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b70yUzKKqa25cMURNAXIMWLOFBd4NXj1VLhKZiujRunX3R1AS60obXbFvyT_5c3Qf0ItsSYqVgTNGUTxpz5TZwt157SCuFNXvJKwJiapWgV5etVrhCOICw51ey7HFtn2qK8p-jfTA2Q/s1600/June+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b70yUzKKqa25cMURNAXIMWLOFBd4NXj1VLhKZiujRunX3R1AS60obXbFvyT_5c3Qf0ItsSYqVgTNGUTxpz5TZwt157SCuFNXvJKwJiapWgV5etVrhCOICw51ey7HFtn2qK8p-jfTA2Q/s1600/June+14.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
The hot sun and simmering days continued into July; my garden grew, the farmers worked round the clock to bring in the hay and the children and I ate lazy meals of salad from the garden. We wore shorts and floaty dresses, lay on the beach and read books in the garden. The doors and windows were always open and our arms and legs grew more tanned. We took long walks with the dogs late in the evenings when it was cooler; the lanes still dusty and hot from the blazing sun of the day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyY9IMtBk2chAJe_vToyTrJAXpJrY8Azz44BRz9ERmq6XiBHq7CcpJcyi8o0U_GX8BbkzH3i9I3txsDxMQNpEnzcJ2R6g7leV95WJmECQhvtvVZ1y2RXjMLKOndQUD8asGq-AUhC0IEo/s1600/July+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyY9IMtBk2chAJe_vToyTrJAXpJrY8Azz44BRz9ERmq6XiBHq7CcpJcyi8o0U_GX8BbkzH3i9I3txsDxMQNpEnzcJ2R6g7leV95WJmECQhvtvVZ1y2RXjMLKOndQUD8asGq-AUhC0IEo/s1600/July+14.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Now August is here, the children are on their long Summer holiday from school and typically the temperatures have cooled down. Rain waters the garden for me and we are beginning to harvest French beans, beetroot, potatoes and shallots from our plot. We have made jam and our thoughts are turning to the preservation of our crops for the cold Winter months ahead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwJLsrtO_EUybeU0qje6OwG1jxm3MQm4QiCO8qfqgwwHgwUPD4AHaA_gqSNqPelRfX11wdNaGLOF-8tGl1Fpcg0Xh8v3rI4oI3jT5tPUxcN2te6JpamBrWnnTdGLgKIo1jxhdLKCASk8/s1600/August+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwJLsrtO_EUybeU0qje6OwG1jxm3MQm4QiCO8qfqgwwHgwUPD4AHaA_gqSNqPelRfX11wdNaGLOF-8tGl1Fpcg0Xh8v3rI4oI3jT5tPUxcN2te6JpamBrWnnTdGLgKIo1jxhdLKCASk8/s1600/August+14.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
So there we are; three months in pictures. Quick and painless! My children are beginning to look a little pale and drawn now so I had better go and make them some dinner. Home made bread, gooseberry and apple mint jam and blackberry and apple crumble with ice cream. It may be cool, but it's still Summer!<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading and remembering me after all this time. Next time I will be back to normal with the ramblings and musings of my life on a Windy Island in Wales. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-34011281259596593432014-06-23T03:13:00.000-07:002014-06-23T03:13:24.473-07:00Having Problems!Just to let you all know that I am still here! About a month ago we lost internet and telephone connection at home and have been waiting for it to be fixed ever since. I am currently sitting in a lovely bistro in a seaside village about 6 miles from home. I have possibly used up all my free internet allowance while ordering my food shopping, so I had better make this quick as I have finished my small pot of tea and I don't want to get in the way. I will be popping back as soon as I can to keep in touch with you all, but in the meantime, please don't forget me.<br />
<br />
Oh the joys of living in a remote location! Happy Summer to you all. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-59670527491431912702014-05-22T02:31:00.000-07:002014-05-22T02:37:05.220-07:00Sparkle<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i>After the rain comes the sun and after a day or two of heavy down pours, thunder rumbling across the island and flashes of lightening bright enough to hurt your eyes, it was very welcome indeed. The sun was up and about before I was yesterday. My alarm rudely interrupted my lazy dreaming and while I fumbled about trying to turn it off with my eyes closed, I became aware of a brightness in my bedroom; the sun was beating down on us and beckoning us outside. I slid into my new summer dress and drove H2 to school with windows down and Luke Bryan up, much to his obvious distaste. The world was awake, on the move and in no rush. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPPsIcsf9Bw05argebFf5iZrrhEN3Cm25VHgmyv3xqoyxHyvnRyanA5cvYFBAofzCI4TmaDfH5fRFauwLxFKE1CLLkDmRGTZgd4oqFiCJgB88vlqhlY8JiKxSQahPnFT7jl0gZuu7s6E/s1600/IMG_4118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPPsIcsf9Bw05argebFf5iZrrhEN3Cm25VHgmyv3xqoyxHyvnRyanA5cvYFBAofzCI4TmaDfH5fRFauwLxFKE1CLLkDmRGTZgd4oqFiCJgB88vlqhlY8JiKxSQahPnFT7jl0gZuu7s6E/s1600/IMG_4118.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Mother Nature had sprinkled a million tiny diamonds on all of her creations; the sun's rays making grass, leaves and flowers glitter and sparkle as they moved gently in the cool breeze. Even the sky looked freshly laundered and clouds plumped and clean. I came home, took the dogs into the garden and moved all of my young plants from the poly tunnel into the garden. They will stay there now, in their pots for a few more days then we can start the fun of planting them out and watching them fill the garden with colour, scent and bees. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYoI0IFg6Rc3rizRMIt6aO4kToDX7pyGMOEbsI44G5Dd5mBkvMycaOla4TBSwxmVNvpWR_hSH-LyPOACixPO-av0eHRxrTftZqKNK306b3sKzHwCclnxDFxZmnQn1iSsYWLnOf5-D_I0/s1600/IMG_4121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYoI0IFg6Rc3rizRMIt6aO4kToDX7pyGMOEbsI44G5Dd5mBkvMycaOla4TBSwxmVNvpWR_hSH-LyPOACixPO-av0eHRxrTftZqKNK306b3sKzHwCclnxDFxZmnQn1iSsYWLnOf5-D_I0/s1600/IMG_4121.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
One thing I have noticed is how every one seems much more relaxed when the sun shines. I spend a lot of time driving around country lanes in my car and wave and smile to everyone I pass. I mean, why wouldn't I? I am lucky enough to live on this beautiful island and enjoy everything about it every day, I imagine most of the people I pass regularly do too, so waving to them is like saying 'Hey, aren't WE the lucky ones!' Most wave back happily but sadly some of them just don't get it, they look but they don't respond. Maybe they are having a bad day, haven't really noticed me smiling or are just plain rude, it doesn't matter, it's annoying but I keep doing it anyway. It makes me feel good and because of it I'm now enjoying the benefits of seeing people every day and exchanging a cheerful wave and a beaming smile. It doesn't matter that I don't know them, I may do one day and a smile can be such a powerful thing. At it's best it may be the only nice thing that happens to a person that day; a stranger smiling at them. And the worse thing that can happen is that it leaves them wondering what you know that they don't!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8R8faGFptTzwXAyk748OdyA3KyVwsGZLE5qXpQxjIH8PQTlnZJ_oDKtnmO9ZoAevv02R-4ZgXbHlFhoE99S-wwnWNj4b5N4yRasKDjrXLunaSjTLReR09bk1o-RJQDqjxe3Ay_r0QWs/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8R8faGFptTzwXAyk748OdyA3KyVwsGZLE5qXpQxjIH8PQTlnZJ_oDKtnmO9ZoAevv02R-4ZgXbHlFhoE99S-wwnWNj4b5N4yRasKDjrXLunaSjTLReR09bk1o-RJQDqjxe3Ay_r0QWs/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I do admit to smiling and laughing easily, maybe a bit too much. H1 has receded into his little shell where the walls are impenetrable by me. He doesn't communicate readily with me much and finds me a major embarrassment. I asked him why. 'Why can't you just be normal?' He responded. '<i>Normal?'</i> I asked, 'What the heck does that mean?' 'I dunno, just <i>normal.'</i> Well without a bit more to go on than that I will just have to stay me. Sad and pathetic though I obviously am. Somehow I will have to live with it. It could have something to do with my taste in music, the way I sing, dress, talk, move, laugh (quite loud, actually) breathe....you name it. Pea thinks I am a delight and accepts my unique qualities, maybe because she possesses some herself. To H2 I am still mam and still the best and he will still hold my hand in public and not care who sees. H1 can barely bring himself to be seen in the same shop as me and being in the car together is nothing short of mild torture. As there has been little altercation between the two of us beyond the usual 'How was your day gorgeous?' and his mumbled reply, I decided to try to reach my son on a deeper level. He loves music and is always plugged into something but I never get to hear any of it. When I was that age EVERYONE heard the music I was listening to, whether they liked it or not. I asked what he was currently into. He slowly raised his eyes almost to mine but they stopped short somewhere around my chin level. 'Why do you want to know that?' he asked in a slightly suspicious manner. 'Just making conversation, don't panic.' 'Uh, you wouldn't have heard of any of it.' Well no, I don't doubt that. 'Do they play any of it on the radio? What genre do you like?' (Hey, I sound really cool!) He slowly began to relax a tad and uncurl himself enough to tell me a couple of things I may, possibly, have heard of. He spoke quite fluently for about two minutes, his perfect shaped face and smooth skin flushed with the pleasure of talking on a subject he loved and was comfortable with. For a brief period my son and I connected and then he remembered he was conversing with his seriously un-cool mother and ended the conversation while I was still half way through it. Never mind, at least I know he's still in there and providing I feed and clothe him, I have nothing further to trouble myself with. Thank God.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6LxgLdo9LIjEMqbFHWc8n-srv53qXA4OqVTj-OO9NkNdYviyv0VtvP4VYi_lKxwRmkJh6Vb2rMuE93j6X37qWnncUldmnn4PD0ZBeElBwpafznFP6ZezxLYLVKzMikggMtnRYTHyaug/s1600/IMG_4129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6LxgLdo9LIjEMqbFHWc8n-srv53qXA4OqVTj-OO9NkNdYviyv0VtvP4VYi_lKxwRmkJh6Vb2rMuE93j6X37qWnncUldmnn4PD0ZBeElBwpafznFP6ZezxLYLVKzMikggMtnRYTHyaug/s1600/IMG_4129.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I am delighted he has music to escape to, we all need something when the strain of everyday life gets too much. I love 'singing' loudly in the car as it helps me to release tension and actually prevents me getting too many dreaded migraines. I also love wandering around my garden, weeding and just daydreaming about the way it will look in a few months time. I daydream about most things to be honest; my garden, the country smallholding I will someday own with my gorgeous country loving boyfriend, the produce I can grow and the things I can make with it. Some would say I am wasting time and should really be getting on with paying bills and scrubbing floors but daydreaming means I have something to aspire to. It doesn't mean I'm not happy in the here and now; I couldn't be more so, but the secret to a good life it to keep it moving forward in a positive way that keeps you interested and excited about it. A garden is the same, so is a relationship, a home, the things we eat and the way we dress. Keep it fresh, keep it light and keep it fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlxrENG8YwvGbkVIaAdEP9Rx-mCkPodg_UR-1PaKjbrnj7MfkT3_Qioqjhi9D9aZFkO9mEaT9liBGyF9UXFCJtOsCJyPzPodLsNuuxxBC3l-HGFv6z_p3WSr6L48-aNltXkM_z104ubg/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlxrENG8YwvGbkVIaAdEP9Rx-mCkPodg_UR-1PaKjbrnj7MfkT3_Qioqjhi9D9aZFkO9mEaT9liBGyF9UXFCJtOsCJyPzPodLsNuuxxBC3l-HGFv6z_p3WSr6L48-aNltXkM_z104ubg/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Where ever you go today, smile and share your beauty with everyone you see. Some may think you are mad but you never know, you could just save someone's life. Have a happy day! xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-91372942492024373952014-05-19T03:41:00.001-07:002014-05-19T03:41:06.351-07:00Daydream Drifter<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>Another Monday morning has rolled round again. The last week before the half-term holidays. Pea has an exam every morning this week, but will be home most afternoons to relax a little before revising for the next day's exam. I woke at five this morning to hear tiny feet scuttling about in the ceiling. Just as I was wondering who I could bribe to go into the loft and put bait down, the rain began falling. It came straight down like stair rods, heavily and steadily for a couple of hours. I listened to it, cosy in my bed and let my mind carry me where ever it chose. Two seconds before my alarm went off I began to drift into a peaceful dream as is usually the case after lying awake for hours. The rain was still falling and later, as I was driving home from taking H2 to school, the sky turned a deep grey and cast a metallic glow over the landscape. A flash of lightening lit up the morning sky before a crack of thunder echoed around the countryside.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8u2bTEc0Roi0qgcCN-gHx73Dgp2uGaiuEReMDC36TTdMFwGcf0DDJmvEi5JC0TrnjPeNO85NXnJaTDBISiztMn56bbBLY1no9wmYdIvS6FGNDFe3iM1m2fK5tGg87_QWvPVqmfCFCGM/s1600/IMG_4113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8u2bTEc0Roi0qgcCN-gHx73Dgp2uGaiuEReMDC36TTdMFwGcf0DDJmvEi5JC0TrnjPeNO85NXnJaTDBISiztMn56bbBLY1no9wmYdIvS6FGNDFe3iM1m2fK5tGg87_QWvPVqmfCFCGM/s1600/IMG_4113.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
This picture is a bit blurred as the rain was still falling heavily and soaking my camera. That or I just slipped. I love the light and how fresh and vibrant the plants (and weeds) look. By the time Middle Aged Labrador and I arrived home there was a brief lull in the weather so we took our chance and shot into the poly tunnel. There are trays and trays of small plants that need to be carried outside to harden off each morning and back in again in the evening. If the weather keeps mild, I will be planting them out over the weekend and next week. MAL does not like thunder at all, so as I was dashing in and out with my hands full of plants, she kept trying to run back to the house. The door was shut though so I kept calling her back to stay in the poly tunnel with me but she wasn't too impressed with this idea, so we both went in for a cup of tea (me) and a dog biscuit (MAL).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-LHVaE9ke5gqL2ofPMmPIZ_xGBI09Td-aa_NS-S9q4hCgenb75lXwCw1_dFZC2zDk_gYNTNULozq95lHEo8GrsRrReuWxEfrh_HPhSpZ6GmEqIcleWa7IZ5G3jVIY2Ae_g-XRECu2Mo/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-LHVaE9ke5gqL2ofPMmPIZ_xGBI09Td-aa_NS-S9q4hCgenb75lXwCw1_dFZC2zDk_gYNTNULozq95lHEo8GrsRrReuWxEfrh_HPhSpZ6GmEqIcleWa7IZ5G3jVIY2Ae_g-XRECu2Mo/s1600/IMG_4114.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
This week Mother Nature sent us lots of sunshine, so consequently, things in the garden have been growing like mad. Pea and I had our very first vegetable from our new plot a few days ago. We picked it fresh from the earth, washed it under the garden tap and then ate it between us, standing right where it was growing only seconds before. A magnificent moment and one that was accompanied by us both squealing with delight and jumping up and down quite a bit. Do you want to see why? Do you want to see the superb vegetable we plucked from the rich earth? Okay then, brace yourself.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwgV53upvKpy_W_J2WzRiLi1Z8mu_AyBHXU96WizDILpZbc87F8dsxDPAtLJ5kdjXjvJr49jMk1VQNFgmSnN21pjL412tnePf4YJ9FXSvMHKartej_JnvnKZAtKq08HIYno_q41MzL-Y/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwgV53upvKpy_W_J2WzRiLi1Z8mu_AyBHXU96WizDILpZbc87F8dsxDPAtLJ5kdjXjvJr49jMk1VQNFgmSnN21pjL412tnePf4YJ9FXSvMHKartej_JnvnKZAtKq08HIYno_q41MzL-Y/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
It's a radish. With a face. So exciting! The boys looked at us with an unfathomable expression and then walked off to do something far more important than grow food from bare earth, no doubt. Anyway, this somewhat small radish tasted fresh and sweet and then left a peppery bite in it's wake. Gorgeous. There are plenty more to follow and I sowed another row on Wednesday so these should be ready just when we have eaten the first lot. We have had some casualties and failures with our seeds, but most things have germinated and are growing into fine young plants. The saddest thing was that the mice ate both of my sowings of Crystal Lemon cucumbers. I suppose I could have sent off for another packet of seed, but the postage would have made it a bit ridiculous, so I bought four small plants of two other varieties instead. At least these are at the stage mine would have been <i>sans</i> rodent interference, so we should get plenty of fruit (vegetables?) off them. Ditto with the tomatoes. Mine have germinated, finally but even though they are languishing in the kitchen window they still don't seem to have done an awful lot. I really don't want to have a huge poly tunnel standing empty all Summer, so the purchase of a few young plants seemed a more sensible option. It would have been lovely to grow all of our veg from seed myself, but the main idea is that we have home grown food to eat all Summer and I have merely made sure we will.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFCR7dboe7EKMlRwWakjHzX9JixW3T2tnAet_xDJf_TzBAT4mBxWjwXR3kiRmnLkOmCqOJELVuKG1WpsLD7BTtg5HTLbqtspIXbgQ7R65w5zTlFLv8ALVY82Qoq3ab6TWXNrQCCbNQTw/s1600/IMG_4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFCR7dboe7EKMlRwWakjHzX9JixW3T2tnAet_xDJf_TzBAT4mBxWjwXR3kiRmnLkOmCqOJELVuKG1WpsLD7BTtg5HTLbqtspIXbgQ7R65w5zTlFLv8ALVY82Qoq3ab6TWXNrQCCbNQTw/s1600/IMG_4110.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
All the glorious sunshine has meant that I have been spending almost every spare moment in the garden. The house is taking a back seat for a while and not being cleaned as much as it was during the Winter. Thank goodness for that. A boring, thankless task if ever there was one. At least with gardening I get to enjoy it while I'm working in it. The birds keep me company with their constant beautiful singing; Swallows swoop over the garden and sit twittering on the wires near the house. A blackbird sat in the damson trees and sang his liquid song all day and well into the evening until the sun started slipping from the sky, taking it's heat with it. There is something about the song of a blackbird that stirs a memory from a thousand years ago. It is like looking at a long forgotten photograph, fuzzy with age so that you can't quite see the people in it or remember their names, but you know they were once important to you. For me the blackbird has the best voice of all our avian friends and I could listen to him for ever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp1iTETpi5JMHHxUJLC9mdjU4Rj4sKIQy-Yrb605zf8MkRFHKSsdq-QAOS_KNiPIsGQRyGe7jXasFf9Zyoecfp51s97t9ESjsQOuvTmA0NhUkGKrMcTfL_5nrX4tU_HPNPRThiEhKLvc/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp1iTETpi5JMHHxUJLC9mdjU4Rj4sKIQy-Yrb605zf8MkRFHKSsdq-QAOS_KNiPIsGQRyGe7jXasFf9Zyoecfp51s97t9ESjsQOuvTmA0NhUkGKrMcTfL_5nrX4tU_HPNPRThiEhKLvc/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I quite enjoy hand weeding between rows of shallots. It isn't so easy to use a hoe as there is always the danger you could slice them off by mistake. I've done that before. The weeds coming up round my beetroot and salad onion seedlings were like a sea of green. I managed to carefully extract most of them, leaving the seedlings with more light and space to grow. My parsnips may or may not have germinated yet, I don't know what they look like so I daren't pull out any weeds in case I find out, rather belatedly, that they were parsnips. So I will just have to wait a while longer until I know for sure. It does look a bit of a mess though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw5hG6QB-RanZRis5dnE6LWwYxdjB_OA_fGmKlsOoDSyo0dGlcfL6bYuTP397xVscPsn1MeqUOtYi4bmnElz539f2aTgND5G5ZPKqJuluCwbPk2KL6b4FawwJp0ygCMk5u8sf13r51Zc/s1600/IMG_4100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw5hG6QB-RanZRis5dnE6LWwYxdjB_OA_fGmKlsOoDSyo0dGlcfL6bYuTP397xVscPsn1MeqUOtYi4bmnElz539f2aTgND5G5ZPKqJuluCwbPk2KL6b4FawwJp0ygCMk5u8sf13r51Zc/s1600/IMG_4100.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I am getting a nice tan, tight muscles and a bad back ache from all this weeding, but I'm loving it anyway!<br />
<br />
There are plenty of flowers coming up among the weeds (or wild flowers if you like) and these are a complete surprise as they were already here, sleeping in the earth when we moved in last Autumn. They seem to be following my chosen colour pallet of pastel blue, pink and white.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiESsNeCu71H-QoUWcUtVNFddPjXM1bekq0hsHFr57qx1aMxs3GxnkixHmGvhfdRLBC-O8JqN5o8HSyydqRwlNaoFaINA8mFEnGxkVwpMZs_jbvDK-nbk0_YAgCp8kqpWblcQNCDDh9w/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiESsNeCu71H-QoUWcUtVNFddPjXM1bekq0hsHFr57qx1aMxs3GxnkixHmGvhfdRLBC-O8JqN5o8HSyydqRwlNaoFaINA8mFEnGxkVwpMZs_jbvDK-nbk0_YAgCp8kqpWblcQNCDDh9w/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajW82veoJvAFM9TzZpkHGtea2Aifk_j-2ucxb35yu9wwAC04vsvOASeX818EFf2nvLtBdZF2fPZameoFIM-zlmEsIcrmS6oUdWyD-zh9pzxcgjoqWUxvB28bA44LdE2RwCxaNTSi2mKY/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajW82veoJvAFM9TzZpkHGtea2Aifk_j-2ucxb35yu9wwAC04vsvOASeX818EFf2nvLtBdZF2fPZameoFIM-zlmEsIcrmS6oUdWyD-zh9pzxcgjoqWUxvB28bA44LdE2RwCxaNTSi2mKY/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsscyiuhE43ltGx5eacRJNxdEsE6RebBSVEzUPxbfBMu1nudKmXUweGCty-VaXgYswJfdoh2BkHQwxHGL2pWfc_oEPTH8wAIlCIHv-20n_xAmWbE28bvOqUtpD6VqxgLNKhk7hOelqHO0/s1600/IMG_4105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsscyiuhE43ltGx5eacRJNxdEsE6RebBSVEzUPxbfBMu1nudKmXUweGCty-VaXgYswJfdoh2BkHQwxHGL2pWfc_oEPTH8wAIlCIHv-20n_xAmWbE28bvOqUtpD6VqxgLNKhk7hOelqHO0/s1600/IMG_4105.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
All I want to accomplish this year is a garden that makes people smile when they see it. A place where any person who drifted through the boarders could pick a bunch of scented flowers, a handful of salad leaves, pull a radish from the ground and pluck a ripe tomato from a vine. I want there to be something pretty to behold where ever your eyes rest, scents and sounds to fill your heart with happiness and memories to last in my childrens' minds all their lives. Just simple stuff that daydreams are made of that can be part of our every day reality. <br />
<br />
Why not?<br />
<br />
Love your garden and thank you for reading. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-89371434885380478952014-05-10T11:31:00.000-07:002014-05-10T11:31:03.892-07:00Let's Hear It For The Boys!<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>As I spend a lot of time with my daughter, I tend to write about her a lot too. The boys barely get a mention, especially if they have been doing their usual 'boy' things of being zoned out on hand held gaming devices (no idea what they're called), not listening to anything I say and eating everything in the house. But it is time to rectify that and therefore this entire post will be dedicated to the male of the species. Not just my two boys, but some other boys that mean a lot to me too. Here goes...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
During the recent Easter holidays, H1 cleaned my car for me so it looked nice for my volunteer work. He did a good job and I gave him some money. Being slightly high on car wax he asked if I could give him a driving lesson. Oh dear. Well, no I replied. Oh please, he begged, just to the top of the lane. What? Don't be silly, it's illegal and I'm not insured to take children out on the public highway while they are in the driver's seat. He hopped about a bit and insisted he knew how to do it anyway as he'd watched Top Gear loads of times. Oh for goodness' sake, alright then I said (rather stupidly) BUT I will reverse out of the drive and you can drive it back in. His face lit up like a Christmas tree as he slid into the driver's seat and waggled the steering wheel about. I then began to have second thoughts and decided that driving into the drive and heading straight for the garage door was maybe, on reflection, not such a good plan. You can drive it straight forward on the track, I said, that way there's nothing you can hit. Famous last words...<br />
<br />
I told him which pedals were which and he proceeded to rev the living daylights out of my little car. I had a bad feeling about this. I tried my best to explain about pedal control and going gently at it. He said OK, slammed his foot down and we shot forward at what felt like 90 miles an hour. Break, BREAK! I yelled. WHICH ONE IS IT? He yelled back. I grabbed the hand break and pulled hard. We skidded along, straight towards a small tree on the drive and stopped just before we hit the trunk. That's it, get out! I said. I almost kissed the ground, I can tell you. Oh wow! said H1, clearly pumped up and ready for anything. I was dead scared but can we do it again? Um, NO, I replied, never ever again. You will have to wait until you can afford proper driving lessons with a man who won't pass out if you do that and who has dual control in his car. I need a cup of tea.<br />
<br />
End of lesson.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhMbF_az1DIub519LCSS6UkN9Zc1IiW4JE3TpUbWeN495RuLthSWZFikOpgg-Z7ujuzsqLpm1K6M2c1PFF8AIaJ1gcyif3aEb7iJD0jpAFrVyVuT8_B0-VFdfaBOwwyxazqMHXlifDKg/s1600/IMG_4035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhMbF_az1DIub519LCSS6UkN9Zc1IiW4JE3TpUbWeN495RuLthSWZFikOpgg-Z7ujuzsqLpm1K6M2c1PFF8AIaJ1gcyif3aEb7iJD0jpAFrVyVuT8_B0-VFdfaBOwwyxazqMHXlifDKg/s1600/IMG_4035.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Fortunately neither H1 nor I were worse for wear, apart from me feeling a bit sick. The tree had lost a lower branch but my car was unscathed. Thank goodness' for that as I need it so much, especially on Tuesday mornings when I collect Mrs M and take her out for a walk somewhere nice and usually windy. This week the weather was bright and breezy so we headed off for a walk along the cliffs nearby. As she got in the car she bent her head and gestured to her husband standing at the door. Would you just get out of the car so he can see you properly? He doesn't feel as if he can get through the day otherwise. Mr M was clearly embarrassed and flapped his hands about saying <i>Don't tell her that!</i> I obliged and gave him a twirl, which seemed to please him. Mrs M said that would have cheered him up no end. Happy to help!<br />
<br />
We spent a good two hours walking along the cliff paths and sitting admiring the view when we felt the need for a breather. Even though the wind was a bit stiff, the air felt so healthy and clear we didn't mind being buffeted about. There were lots of people walking their dogs and a few stopped to chat for a minute or two.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9yIT78ZVH0kcSeDmeXFtpksH5kVZtqyEU5comr-J4wakMZoKB6FDoSKuz4qEApW0a4zTNY9Oh81ek0N-Oi2L6yL6aKhoO5JJ-1p8GlyqQBi1vFYyDKFNUtbY7aNICE4WPJHF-tQzVfA/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9yIT78ZVH0kcSeDmeXFtpksH5kVZtqyEU5comr-J4wakMZoKB6FDoSKuz4qEApW0a4zTNY9Oh81ek0N-Oi2L6yL6aKhoO5JJ-1p8GlyqQBi1vFYyDKFNUtbY7aNICE4WPJHF-tQzVfA/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UtKab3aJPv2te3jiXbY92TEYEohjLmV2cm250os2Q1Qim9itFV6hAujzagwkF42sYgqPLfPHsext-6n7EpxY_nLnguZbnjNxkVOXUrsSowNaMIbnCk6yhiDFDAEB_Hg96UL7hYfECmk/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UtKab3aJPv2te3jiXbY92TEYEohjLmV2cm250os2Q1Qim9itFV6hAujzagwkF42sYgqPLfPHsext-6n7EpxY_nLnguZbnjNxkVOXUrsSowNaMIbnCk6yhiDFDAEB_Hg96UL7hYfECmk/s1600/IMG_4031.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
We took shelter in a cafe to share a pot of tea and while away another half an hour before I took her back home, where she probably spent the rest of the afternoon asleep in her chair. The combination of exercise and powerful fresh sea air is a sure fire way to make sure you sleep well! On the way home I played one of my Luke Bryan CDs. I ordered one from Amazon and the Postie pushed it through my door less than 24 hours later. How did that happen? Incredible. The music is everything I could have wished for and I have spent a whole week driving through winding country lanes with my windows rolled down and the soft southern tones of LB blaring out. I know almost every word to every song on those two CDs and believe me, I sing them loud. It is doing wonders for the shape of my face, sculpting a nice firm jaw line and is a perfect way to release tension. This is all fine and dandy when I'm driving alone, as no one can hear but I still do it when I have a car full of children. They sit cringing in the back, pretending I am nothing to do with them whatsoever and they have never seen me in their lives before. Why would they do this? Well, it could be because I can't actually sing. Really sad, wish I could. The only good thing is that Luke Bryan has a lovely deep voice and I have quite a deep voice too, not in a butch way I must stress, but not squeaky and glass shattering either, so even though my notes may be a tad off, I can actually match his depth of voice.<br />
<br />
We drove by an old lady standing at a bus stop and H2 reached over to shut my window just in case she thought it was <i>him</i> into modern country music. I slapped his hand away and asked why he was so bothered about impressing an elderly lady anyway. He admitted he hadn't thought of that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRxZMpXVoeRV2ZYjSrKKSYu1Lg3PDs67zk4lGFya65VB-stslfkA_-tUGJRO06WrMGLlo1TtkhpT1mCRbxpLq_CsqgRlBqFM593abxE6z5iN9KvOhtffgTkYAmYlvNg-M13GApERRn0M/s1600/IMG_4025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRxZMpXVoeRV2ZYjSrKKSYu1Lg3PDs67zk4lGFya65VB-stslfkA_-tUGJRO06WrMGLlo1TtkhpT1mCRbxpLq_CsqgRlBqFM593abxE6z5iN9KvOhtffgTkYAmYlvNg-M13GApERRn0M/s1600/IMG_4025.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
He also hadn't thought how his distinct dislike of physical exercise will do him no good now or in the future. Having had this pointed out to him many, many times, he finally agreed to come on regular evening walks with Pea and I. On a fine calm evening we drove to the reservoir and walked the paths and through the woods. He actually really enjoyed it once he stopped fretting about how far we were going and how long we would be. There were plenty of sticks about for him to whack weeds and tree trunks with and he loved the woods and the disused railway track. He has been walking an hour every night for a week and feels so much better for it. He looks rosy cheeked and bright eyed and feels his muscles tightening. Hopefully it will be something that stays with him through his life and keeps him fit and healthy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIraS8WOCa0-PWLJkloNfkfNc5epBd5snug-zwWtpdw6lv_zLgdVLfi8_tTDr5RNYxTHoTpRwhozLqXh0r34XyPKbOhi8-1te3I03NFtQ6Dc0_Ch6PCRkdIFaeCTN3AKM2WiSa2ZevAEg/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIraS8WOCa0-PWLJkloNfkfNc5epBd5snug-zwWtpdw6lv_zLgdVLfi8_tTDr5RNYxTHoTpRwhozLqXh0r34XyPKbOhi8-1te3I03NFtQ6Dc0_Ch6PCRkdIFaeCTN3AKM2WiSa2ZevAEg/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
There is another really special man who came into my life in the Autumn; my gorgeous nephew. Tomorrow is a very special day for him as it is his Christening day. There will be lots of people there to cheer him on and give him lots of love and cuddles. My brother (another very special man in my life) said he will either be so chilled out he won't care a jot, or he will become overwhelmed by all the attention and not enjoy his day at all. Babies eh? It will be a treat just to see his beautiful smile and if I get chance to give him a hug that will be the best bit of the entire day for me. My brother gleefully informed me of the wealth of handsome farmers and hunky guys attending the Christening. He described their rugged features, bulging muscular arms and mud covered trucks, all stuff of my dreams, then flattened it by telling me they are all either married or old enough to be my grandfathers. Great, thanks bro.<br />
<br />
I will keep my eyes open though, just in case he missed one.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day and hug your boys! xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-22180622725407905262014-04-30T05:31:00.000-07:002014-04-30T05:31:29.798-07:00Just Doin' My Thing<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i>A strange kind of surrealism has come over my life lately. I wake each day filled with a feeling of happiness and contentment. The fact that the sun is shining most days helps this feeling enormously and my children are healthy and happy, which means everything. Life is simple; nothing really happens and yet at the same time it feels as if something major could happen at any second. Could it just be that I'm finally fitting into my own skin and being me?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzZGEhg2zJwJ1afstUPD71jwQjS40Viogeq4rVlaBdZRHB417e4uKElRNaKc-zdJgCkfOIK1n_xeoJAMKa266YEjoSkzMC28v63aAN-lAcO96kEGYhIsWA77bRFuf2nKZKEpBlHYBwCc/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzZGEhg2zJwJ1afstUPD71jwQjS40Viogeq4rVlaBdZRHB417e4uKElRNaKc-zdJgCkfOIK1n_xeoJAMKa266YEjoSkzMC28v63aAN-lAcO96kEGYhIsWA77bRFuf2nKZKEpBlHYBwCc/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Yesterday was my morning out doing volunteer work. I picked Mrs M up from her home and off we went for a walk by the sea and a wander into the woods. The sun shone brightly and there was a faint stirring of breeze drifting in off the sea. I am astonished at the amount of bluebell woods I keep finding around here. There is a fabulous one within a twenty minute walk of our home and here I was, half an hour away and I find another. The scent is intoxicating and leaves me feeling slightly light-headed. We sat for a few minutes to catch our breath and enjoy this beautiful sight; it may not be here next time we come. Someone had cut down some trees near the path and had had a bit of fun with the stumps...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWIjVUuJKnpIxW5nP_itnFCtV6V8fqusz2PD8ZTfFqnyDbBgyDlGhbcHzSpRKYpdou-nvDtL6cDpA7LTn2x41FtaE50iJEvvrEaJ2TSFTZ5_Q9x4H9dGEGJ-oYM8ncRMJnNXZdYITm14/s1600/IMG_4012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWIjVUuJKnpIxW5nP_itnFCtV6V8fqusz2PD8ZTfFqnyDbBgyDlGhbcHzSpRKYpdou-nvDtL6cDpA7LTn2x41FtaE50iJEvvrEaJ2TSFTZ5_Q9x4H9dGEGJ-oYM8ncRMJnNXZdYITm14/s1600/IMG_4012.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKHnuP3k-Yz2mvePYZutpMv0N7DQRhKhsulyKzQufsVBqXv2DoBNBWNNkmadCm8jOgR1irPPtPfWP6qIWvGTF3fxSpHtRmgwajr375IzOyrPWMcLO2zAlIcx9Ac4ZD-2UDUdOxPgH7EM/s1600/IMG_4013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKHnuP3k-Yz2mvePYZutpMv0N7DQRhKhsulyKzQufsVBqXv2DoBNBWNNkmadCm8jOgR1irPPtPfWP6qIWvGTF3fxSpHtRmgwajr375IzOyrPWMcLO2zAlIcx9Ac4ZD-2UDUdOxPgH7EM/s1600/IMG_4013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
My philosophy in life exactly!<br />
<br />
After dragging Mrs M around the paths for a good hour or more, we had a cup of tea by the sea before I took her safely home and she gave me a hug goodbye. I drove home full of gratitude that I am in a position to do this small thing for someone and make such a difference to her life. Doing that makes such a difference to my life too and I can justify my existence a little and enjoy doing my thing. My thing at the moment consists of worrying about my carbon footprint. I will explain: in my last post I mentioned that I have recently discovered a fabulous Country singer from South Georgia, called Luke Bryan. Finding I could no longer live a happy and fulfilled life without purchasing at least one of his CDs, I proceeded to purchase three from overseas. You see, as we don't really 'do' Country music in Britain, it was way, way cheaper for me to buy the CDs from abroad than at home. Silly really but there you go. I will have to wait a bit longer to get them but it will be worth it! I really want to play his music in the car as I'm driving about the lanes but haven't had a stereo in my car for over a year and haven't really missed it, until now. I found one I could just about afford, if I saved up, but then I'd have to find someone to fit it and pay them too. A friend of mine bought one of my candles and I put the money in a jar towards my stereo.<br />
<br />
As I drove home yesterday lunch time I heard an odd knocking sound coming from the front wheel of my car. Oh here we go, I thought, time to panic. I dug out a phone number for a man who fixes cars in his spare time and who happens to live just down the lane from me. I got in touch and he asked me to drop round that evening. Pea came with me and we had a good laugh for an hour and a half as he and his mate fiddled with my car and eventually found out what was wrong. Fortunately it can wait a few months until the MOT is due. I asked if he could get me a stereo and fit it for me. He dug around in a cupboard and re-appeared with a brand new stereo still in it's box and unopened. He said it cost £100 but I could have it for £50. As it was much better than anything I could afford I agreed. He fit it there and then and only charged me for the stereo and none of the other work he did. I am extremely chuffed! When my CDs finally arrive I will be able to play them straight away. Yay!<br />
<br />
But back to the carbon footprint thing; to redress the balance a bit and ease my guilt I am conserving water like mad. There is a jug by the kitchen sink to catch the water from the hot tap while we are waiting for hot water to come through and there is a rather bright red bucket in the bath to do the same with the water from the shower. This can all be used to water the garden and polytunnel and also to fill the kettle for my copious cups of tea. We use the washing up water too, providing it is relatively clean and there isn't too much washing up liquid in it. I would otherwise be paying for all this water to go down the drain, so using it on the garden makes more sense. Growing our own salads and veggies helps too as we won't be spending money buying them from abroad (just the CDs then!) and damaging the planet in the process.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVzxHy5qS-W-KfJSgfbXR7-aNV6pnStl0OyUzJiLQwvVlJKqEl7GUpBT1mjv7T6ogchYxKmMUVuSntWsHW34vocxVL2Szf97E4WdJ6hgv2ZlegRxjX2L6PSOqtnrLyew3m3pzVVUEtIw/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVzxHy5qS-W-KfJSgfbXR7-aNV6pnStl0OyUzJiLQwvVlJKqEl7GUpBT1mjv7T6ogchYxKmMUVuSntWsHW34vocxVL2Szf97E4WdJ6hgv2ZlegRxjX2L6PSOqtnrLyew3m3pzVVUEtIw/s1600/IMG_3983.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The mouse in the polytunnel is on borrowed time as he has pushed his luck way too far now. He has eaten all the courgette seeds and the sunflower seeds too. I have found some more courgette seeds in the bottom of my fridge (I keep them there for years), so I can plant some more, but only after mouse eviction has taken place. I have been patient, I have asked him to go next door and eat their seeds and I have even allowed him to eat the nuts from the bird feeder and he has done all this AND carried on invading my polytunnel. Enough! I'm afraid the only thing I can do now is to put some bait down and let it do it's deadly work. I could set traps, but they only catch one mouse at a time and bait will make sure it gets rid of all the little critters who are dining out on my seeds. And I am a coward; I don't want to go in one morning and find two bits of mouse spattered on the floor. Yuk. Once the deed has been done I can sow more seeds and hope they get chance to grow this time. I think we may be planting out this weekend as the weather has been so mild and my salads have been hardening off for a short while. I will probably plant a few in the garden and see how they go before I commit myself to doing them all - just in case!<br />
<br />
The Spring is well underway now and the children are half way through their first week of the new term. All is ticking along just as it should be, thankfully. I have lots of Welsh homework to do and have done precisely none of it. My classes begin again on Friday, so I should really get on with it, but I am lacking a serious dose of commitment to the cause at the moment. I'd rather be gardening and listening to Luke Bryan (and if I'm honest, watching his music videos too!) than struggling with a Welsh language book and filling in gaps in sentences that I really don't care about. I am a disgrace and I have no staying power.<br />
<br />
But heck, it's Summer and I intend to live every moment of it!<br />
<br />
What ever you do today, enjoy it and keep doin' your thing. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-20551313399054729052014-04-25T11:22:00.000-07:002014-04-25T11:25:54.684-07:00Snow White Forest and The Seed Thief<span style="color: red;"><b><i>My alarm woke me at seven this morning, but as it is still the Easter holidays and I was feeling a little tired after a busy few days, I stayed in bed a while longer and enjoyed listening to the birds singing in the garden. At eight, I forced myself to get up and go and make a cup of tea. I spent an hour sitting in the lounge with the boys before I finally had a shower and dressed for a day of pottering about. I had planned on doing nothing, but as usual, the moment I get going I find tons of things that need my attention. One of those things was the poly tunnel, or to be more accurate, the seeds that had been dug up and devoured during the night; we can only guess by a nocturnal rodent. My neighbour has the same problem in his greenhouse. Time to get tough on mice.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm-X0bom9OrIywVgLECe4Ofk-VSzf7ewxNqrmet_5bEm25yXeQXzK9BVOOPw1I0y77T_z75aEC74m70G8rwHGbWAoFT1AI6EVark2twNYZ1GD9vJ0l2WCiA_5jiCUO7m5fgyjN_AGTlw/s1600/IMG_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm-X0bom9OrIywVgLECe4Ofk-VSzf7ewxNqrmet_5bEm25yXeQXzK9BVOOPw1I0y77T_z75aEC74m70G8rwHGbWAoFT1AI6EVark2twNYZ1GD9vJ0l2WCiA_5jiCUO7m5fgyjN_AGTlw/s1600/IMG_3978.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I also began hardening off the young plants that will be planted out into the garden in a few weeks' time. I will put them outside during the day for the next week, bringing them in at night and covering them with fleece. During the second week, they will get the same treatment but won't be covered at night (getting tougher!) and finally they will spend a few days and nights outside, in their pots before being planted out in the garden where they will have to be strong enough to cope with the elements and the weeds. It takes a while and is a bit of effort and time every morning and evening, taking lots of trays and pots in and out of the poly tunnel, but it's really the only way to do it to be sure the plants will live happily ever after.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCCO0LJjfp9CjvlaRPStflIyps0yOIPORO2HefZSZqTFqNF5C8_a4veEBzUhB2uN0Wr51OusNfcrAMVnBSmOWeVN5hQfsoNPPw9j3i7oI1hgPkhhbNPKOTh77XfFKrgah2yczQgftUSo/s1600/IMG_3979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCCO0LJjfp9CjvlaRPStflIyps0yOIPORO2HefZSZqTFqNF5C8_a4veEBzUhB2uN0Wr51OusNfcrAMVnBSmOWeVN5hQfsoNPPw9j3i7oI1hgPkhhbNPKOTh77XfFKrgah2yczQgftUSo/s1600/IMG_3979.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
My gorgeous daughter is studying hard as usual for her AS levels, coming up in a few weeks' time. The amount of work she has is unbelievable and it really gets her down from time to time. She has been to school for two days during this holiday, for maths revision work and spends hours a day revising. We went to buy a hose pipe this morning and then she was back to work as soon as we got home again. I did some potting up and Pea wandered into the poly tunnel in her slippers and her hands wrapped round a mug of coffee. She looked pale and exhausted and hardly spoke. We walked into the garden and sat on the bench. She picked up her books and attempted to start work again. I could see by her face that she was on the edge of tears, so I gave her a hug and let her cry. It was heart rending to see her so upset and especially as there is nothing practical I can do for her. I'd love to wave a magic wand and have it all go away, so she can be relaxed and happy. We talked when her tears subsided and we both know she will feel better once the first exams are over and the work load has reduced a little. It's hard going and I try to help as much as I can by making her home life as easy and calm as possible. Not always easy with a mad Puppy and two boys in the house!<br />
<br />
One thing I can do is to take her for nice walks. This afternoon we drove ten minutes or so and went for a long walk around a reservoir we discovered on Monday, thanks to Puppy's brother's owner. It was very quiet, the weather was over cast but mild and we just walked and enjoyed the scenery. There were two men out on the water fishing. Swallows swooped and scooped up insects over the lake and a grebe dived for fish. Middle Aged Labrador took to the water and scared the fish until we yelled at her to get out before the fishermen realised what had happened! She then found a stream and swam about in that for a bit. She was soaked but obviously loved every minute.<br />
<br />
One thing I love about pine woods is the darkness. I know that sounds a bit odd but they evoke a kind of memory within me. When I look into the depth of the forest, between the trunks and see nothing but shadows and bare earth, it stirs something akin to an old, half-forgotten dream that lurks at the edge of my mind but evades capture. Most odd. Castle ruins and old houses do the same thing. I have very vivid memories of certain places I visited as a child and the things I did there, but on questioning my parents about them, they tell me we never went to those places and have no idea what I can be thinking of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpzEoHu4jW_LnUpbI2PxiLurWO7DAqWazFAGPqx21QEjP3M6mfWBXs8yT7z3JrjIaAd9XKzHd_m1EP-wi0L4SX8hs6UjUQ4PtVVZr47V5SSkuFkyU8nXBRoRVVUxCbbjWe7_Hik0Tnog/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpzEoHu4jW_LnUpbI2PxiLurWO7DAqWazFAGPqx21QEjP3M6mfWBXs8yT7z3JrjIaAd9XKzHd_m1EP-wi0L4SX8hs6UjUQ4PtVVZr47V5SSkuFkyU8nXBRoRVVUxCbbjWe7_Hik0Tnog/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Pea said she could imagine Snow White running through here after the huntsman let her go. Me too! Very dark and spooky but in a good way. If I was a Disney princess, I would be Snow White and live in a tiny cottage in the woods. I suppose having the Queen hunting you down at every opportunity would be a bit of a worry and cleaning up after seven messy little men would certainly be a trial, but she does get her man in the end, so it was worth it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2_MpAVDVJ3HbjptRETfVr7u-70rH3EqjmoBxdX-THGqptURhfx4H5-4e2sWPQ6dUcC-SNna2H6t_Q9DdHC1EjYARCNX7AnVJTmAq7fiP69G1zJWhdC1q4N3PBrLhq_QoNKr-S-XBrfo/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2_MpAVDVJ3HbjptRETfVr7u-70rH3EqjmoBxdX-THGqptURhfx4H5-4e2sWPQ6dUcC-SNna2H6t_Q9DdHC1EjYARCNX7AnVJTmAq7fiP69G1zJWhdC1q4N3PBrLhq_QoNKr-S-XBrfo/s1600/IMG_3999.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
One thing I love doing as a way of winding down is playing on Pinterest! Recently I have been spending quite a bit of time on my boards and through them I have discovered a country boy called Luke Bryan. Being a country girl to the core, some would say it is odd that I have never listened to Country music. Until I listened to Luke Bryan that is. Oh my, he's soooo good! Absolutely love his music and he's quite handsome too, if I'm honest. The trouble is, I am such a country girl that I am not into technology and therefore don't have the gadgets to download music and play it. Sadly, my car sports an oblong shaped gap where there used to be a CD player. So, firstly I must purchase some sort of device which will allow me to play music in my car and secondly, I will have to find out how on earth I can get said music in the first place. Oh I long for the days when you could walk into a shop and buy a record...<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading. xxx<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b><i><span id="goog_1969653003"></span><span id="goog_1969653004"></span><br /></i></b></span>Windy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-6228833173309297892014-04-21T12:15:00.000-07:002014-04-21T12:15:10.864-07:00Bird Bunting Update<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i>The weather just gets better and better. It is still only April and yet today I wore a strappy summer dress and cardigan, but it had to go as it got too warm to keep it on. Absolute bliss! At 9.30 this morning the vet who owns Puppy's brother rang and asked if she could come round on her way home from doing a prolapse at a nearby farm. We had a chat while the dogs tore round the garden, sprang over the fence and shot up the lane and out of sight. We decided we should perhaps take them for a walk around a reservoir, not farm from us. It was lovely to wander along, talking, while the dogs sniffed new smells and trotted along happily. This is the stuff that perfect days are made of.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXbCFVb_mbNocvNp8S173Ny5WUxlwMXqHBcyqOaFwZkgIS447XtrcyfojPZ7Uj27SULtShjZUyzC8uBp6gqJk186zLVUFYqR8QKD61RAx7pf86rqCWdtxy4jUu5ldm3u0TmDcFXOKV10/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXbCFVb_mbNocvNp8S173Ny5WUxlwMXqHBcyqOaFwZkgIS447XtrcyfojPZ7Uj27SULtShjZUyzC8uBp6gqJk186zLVUFYqR8QKD61RAx7pf86rqCWdtxy4jUu5ldm3u0TmDcFXOKV10/s1600/IMG_3963.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Just over an hour later, H1, Puppy and I returned home to find Pea studying hard in the garden with MAL for company and H2 was digging about for bits of Lego in his bedroom. I set to with my gardening tools and dug up a few more clumps of weeds. It got a bit hot around lunch time, so I downed tools and took up my sewing needle instead and finished the last string of bird scaring bunting. I found a few sturdy sticks behind the poly tunnel and almost did myself a minor injury while trying to force them into the ground. The combination of being a small female and firm, dry ground made certain I couldn't just push the sticks in and be done with it; I had to dig holes and heel them in. Anyway, a bit of time spent now should hopefully help avoid the necessity of having to re-do them in the future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNk_EcjepAqQ-NSXIOhDi3r6CJh7ZR2Gi2L9-sazOPktY7bDYeYm7Iz7hVEBEIQqZkeoJY-b6lILbfh8lZOE7i2DDaSqmGVLyQ655EffbqetZWxuleKFs2SHechyoeVjyD03t1lBhix4/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNk_EcjepAqQ-NSXIOhDi3r6CJh7ZR2Gi2L9-sazOPktY7bDYeYm7Iz7hVEBEIQqZkeoJY-b6lILbfh8lZOE7i2DDaSqmGVLyQ655EffbqetZWxuleKFs2SHechyoeVjyD03t1lBhix4/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I tied the bunting at each end to the sticks and strung it across the garden where I have sowed seeds I want to protect from birds. In the light breeze the flags fluttered about and looked so charming and country cottagey, I was jiggling about in excitement like a three year old!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXwUOhYjQAMvZX59noONhGQhlzzjHmOCYreV6gc5FUf5TGWfjRlY80V9UWECnkPviVUVpZHkISwkdU5eXAySJYOlHH_7ddOjvePZqEOyQ3iwsw_EBly-F9I3n7qqt9B4bc6w02bF7e5Y/s1600/IMG_3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXwUOhYjQAMvZX59noONhGQhlzzjHmOCYreV6gc5FUf5TGWfjRlY80V9UWECnkPviVUVpZHkISwkdU5eXAySJYOlHH_7ddOjvePZqEOyQ3iwsw_EBly-F9I3n7qqt9B4bc6w02bF7e5Y/s1600/IMG_3966.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
To save any accidents with someone bending down and taking their eyes out on the end of the sticks, I found some clay pots in the poly tunnel and popped them over the tops. Very Mr McGreggor!<br />
<br />
Time will tell if the bunting does the job of keeping birds away or not, but I do have an idea of adding some tiny wind chimes for added security - and in all honesty, it would be really pretty too!<br />
<br />
I will write a longer post next time, but for now I am going to make a cup of tea and sit down to watch a programme about bees. Thank you for reading.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-34637478576389403872014-04-19T10:58:00.001-07:002014-04-19T10:58:20.595-07:00Garden Bunting<span style="color: red;"><b><i>Well, what amazing, gorgeous weather we're having this Easter holiday! We are making the most of every second and spending as much time outside as we can. This morning we cut the lawns, watered the seeds and planted two rows of shallots - before half past ten! The long, warm days are bringing the seeds in the poly tunnel on in leaps and bounds and the weeds in the garden are reaching for the sky. It feels more like early Summer than Spring, but I am not complaining in the least. I love it!</i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR208RGc0ae2Kn0zSEaCw9cCrJjtwb92CXr6FNCfLcy0sIxlkFUAzhnvwxLAKZzBMPqp1G-WryJQnAcv-S1e29nRHngMUmR5wyRtFQPKlr3KiNXjp2ViaQfF3eiGvgztdE95NQ7HCJAaE/s1600/IMG_3939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR208RGc0ae2Kn0zSEaCw9cCrJjtwb92CXr6FNCfLcy0sIxlkFUAzhnvwxLAKZzBMPqp1G-WryJQnAcv-S1e29nRHngMUmR5wyRtFQPKlr3KiNXjp2ViaQfF3eiGvgztdE95NQ7HCJAaE/s1600/IMG_3939.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Yesterday morning, while there was still a faint breeze floating across the skies, Pea and I went shopping. I bought a pretty new blue floral dress with a little lace collar. It is for wearing to my baby nephew's Christening next month, but it's the kind of dress that will feel so lovely all Summer long, what ever the occasion. I also purchased a new gardening book - the first in many years, I might add. It took a bit of soul searching before I splashed out, but as it was way less than half price, it would have been churlish to leave it behind. After a busy day potting up salads and annual flowers in the poly tunnel, I was longing to curl up in my comfy chair in the evening with my new book. And to top it all, I had chocolate! The perfect end to a perfect day in my opinion. The book doesn't disappoint. (The Patch:The Big Allotment Challenge.) It has lots of lovely pictures and tons of sound advice for growing food and flowers. I am most pleased.<br />
<br />
I got up fairly early this morning as the sun was streaming in through my bedroom window and the birds were singing fit to burst, making it impossible to stay in bed any longer. I made my usual cup of tea and snuggled up in my chair with my book again. Pea and I had been thinking of some way to scare the birds off our newly planted seeds and future crops. We have used childrens' windmills in previous gardens but haven't seen any for sale yet. As I flicked through my book, I saw a picture that gave me an idea for the solution...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tsmmxa12ahdwtVo-W7Ri6Ic_V3FKrZBd_icmGWTCqYUrAmTcXj9RkQy5QEM7Qqw-X4XWfR0fv3kOojQw5H-zlDpVcnnPdbQaA2gpdOyC8CUpqh6lAFZciQ8heia27aB6oyZ6IzgL_Vs/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4tsmmxa12ahdwtVo-W7Ri6Ic_V3FKrZBd_icmGWTCqYUrAmTcXj9RkQy5QEM7Qqw-X4XWfR0fv3kOojQw5H-zlDpVcnnPdbQaA2gpdOyC8CUpqh6lAFZciQ8heia27aB6oyZ6IzgL_Vs/s1600/IMG_3959.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Bunting! Sorry the picture quality is so poor, but I'm rubbish at photographing pictures in books. Anyway, after the initial gardening jobs and a trip out to fetch Pea's boyfriend for the day and to buy a chicken for dinner tomorrow, I sat at the table in the garden with a selection of fabrics and my mug of tea and began making bird scaring bunting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuVJp5z9FwrVm9-RTUuztcVndPXfBQvmHR158PM2XPbcosJlWmM0oYMxN6w4EVeWNC4HjChHdoAtKIr9kLdnlB6-D9OaZmol9uR01QpQh4isx2vtaaVSLc7u55LteIJW35yOCHtHMMIU/s1600/IMG_3947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuVJp5z9FwrVm9-RTUuztcVndPXfBQvmHR158PM2XPbcosJlWmM0oYMxN6w4EVeWNC4HjChHdoAtKIr9kLdnlB6-D9OaZmol9uR01QpQh4isx2vtaaVSLc7u55LteIJW35yOCHtHMMIU/s1600/IMG_3947.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As it will be spending all Summer outside, there seemed little point in taking ages fussing over detail and immaculate stitches. This has to be functional and look pretty from a few feet away; not hung up indoors for close inspection. Therefore I could whip up a yard or two in no time and enjoy the fun of it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_d3xKO5oar5Z5MU9dOt60c8BnNT3cLojOV8sxpdGtXdMQSAy0aGaeylA1CGcN_yyqNZ_gjfcPr3zlIzkjlOkJNYMCLuBm-eKe1Ar2jDTH-9cTE8L7O0YZkhOdV0BldqgZI9NIbxzG2g/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_d3xKO5oar5Z5MU9dOt60c8BnNT3cLojOV8sxpdGtXdMQSAy0aGaeylA1CGcN_yyqNZ_gjfcPr3zlIzkjlOkJNYMCLuBm-eKe1Ar2jDTH-9cTE8L7O0YZkhOdV0BldqgZI9NIbxzG2g/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
To make life even easier (and I always like to do that), I cut strips of fabric instead of triangles, wrapped them over a length of string and stitched them along the tops; no edging and no nice neat finishing. In this manner, they will flap daintily in the wind and deter any foraging avians away from our seeds and crops.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0suw5kUm2uA77sspU5pkSwlM6mxYOXpXIHRD5D7L5kVKL5unnO20hrC-53ZCj0JBnCZqN5NuIhOuMrbSWoiMzwcMSQCKDxSZV4U34EU54r51uM6I1bmRW7yVaF5AyygobX0ygYCAEkI/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0suw5kUm2uA77sspU5pkSwlM6mxYOXpXIHRD5D7L5kVKL5unnO20hrC-53ZCj0JBnCZqN5NuIhOuMrbSWoiMzwcMSQCKDxSZV4U34EU54r51uM6I1bmRW7yVaF5AyygobX0ygYCAEkI/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As I finished sewing the first length of bunting, the sky darkened and the threat of rain hung in the air. A chill breeze made us pull jumpers on and head indoors, taking our days activities with us. We will have to wait until tomorrow before we hang the bunting and see if it works. Until then, have a lovely evening and thank you for dropping by my Windy (and very sunny!) Island. xxx<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Windy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-60817512011290888012014-04-16T08:37:00.000-07:002014-04-16T08:37:01.535-07:00Seeds and Sunshine<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b><i>We have been enjoying some lovely warm sunshine for the last four days and have spent much of that in the garden; either pottering about or sitting getting a tan. Yesterday I spent the morning doing my volunteer work. I fetched the lady I support from her home and as it was such a lovely day, we took full advantage of it and went for a walk by the sea.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGvqTgbD_5IAepHIhntXHAkjgoTUSkX6TgHLMTbP3oDYYZsYOq4XPIMq7Y5xYgHPRcR27qFue2WUAlMQ8mH5Ra0R7sJhqFkQ4P9BF62GX2ElbT_T5Jweaue9GexNee-0GOJm047VZ6Ps/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGvqTgbD_5IAepHIhntXHAkjgoTUSkX6TgHLMTbP3oDYYZsYOq4XPIMq7Y5xYgHPRcR27qFue2WUAlMQ8mH5Ra0R7sJhqFkQ4P9BF62GX2ElbT_T5Jweaue9GexNee-0GOJm047VZ6Ps/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The harbour was full of the first flush of holiday makers, local people walking and sailors getting their boats back in the water after a winter on dry land. The tide was high and a gentle breeze drifted across the water making it necessary to wear the cardigan I had been carrying. We had a lovely walk and my charge was delighted to meet some friends of hers while she was walking next to me, unaided. They were thrilled to see her looking so well and sprightly, which of course made her day - and mine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13czE341Oqm8xwbiOjaDt1-Lc57Bj0-x-2x2h8hFYkh6rLJkwv6o4l-_fP5SobyaElf8UUbvQBrD2aWdgAs8Uod9cVbyCmmptLy81zFhTPI6PN9sYrEHlVPNlEdhcNaxmD4w4t8P8Bkk/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13czE341Oqm8xwbiOjaDt1-Lc57Bj0-x-2x2h8hFYkh6rLJkwv6o4l-_fP5SobyaElf8UUbvQBrD2aWdgAs8Uod9cVbyCmmptLy81zFhTPI6PN9sYrEHlVPNlEdhcNaxmD4w4t8P8Bkk/s1600/IMG_3911.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Back at home Pea and I made a teepee for the Clematis we found struggling for life among a clump of weeds. I would have liked to buy a ready made one, but the one I really liked was quite expensive at £25.00. It would have looked really nice as it had birds and leaves twining over it but I couldn't justify the money, especially as I will need several more. So instead we bought a few canes for £1.50 and made our own with string! I'm quite pleased with it and to be honest, it will hardly be seen once the Clematis has grown through it.<br />
<br />
Birds bring our gardens to life in a unique way; their movement, song and colour. We are lucky enough to have lots to admire here and in addition to wild birds, we are often honoured with a visit from Darren, our neighbour's cockerel. I love to hear him crowing throughout the day and to see him strutting down the track to our house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyAY6FSQgongzzO6aS5SFn21KR8pzvGQBPvcOGBYAQXfePPTk57Q9BL5vck_o7Q4dALIjjT9ai4J3ePWj97cK9aLXQn5HqPcS-mkgsGqMF-4LTu-5HXc2zatiE2xIXZgKtOsjbtYHKs8/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyAY6FSQgongzzO6aS5SFn21KR8pzvGQBPvcOGBYAQXfePPTk57Q9BL5vck_o7Q4dALIjjT9ai4J3ePWj97cK9aLXQn5HqPcS-mkgsGqMF-4LTu-5HXc2zatiE2xIXZgKtOsjbtYHKs8/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvNgHvwXBzEm7279IYHzdPHjKB04kuRk4YlMY2JEOiPW6v01688qq6eDK2fbtfmN5O4-cM8pNfXyKYfPBpaZogHuHQq25Xp2zV32BCk6Vgt6kN71OXkuC8LqD_tqBpoLmqnMGur2ps2s/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvNgHvwXBzEm7279IYHzdPHjKB04kuRk4YlMY2JEOiPW6v01688qq6eDK2fbtfmN5O4-cM8pNfXyKYfPBpaZogHuHQq25Xp2zV32BCk6Vgt6kN71OXkuC8LqD_tqBpoLmqnMGur2ps2s/s1600/IMG_3923.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Isn't he handsome! He can be a bit feisty at times so we don't get too friendly, but I am giving him the benefit of the doubt as he has recently suffered a bereavement. His wife died and he spent two days wandering far and wide searching for his lost love. My neighbours thought the fox had got him and were surprised to hear him crowing from his house early one morning. To cheer him up they are getting him some new girls so hopefully he will feel a lot better soon.<br />
<br />
The seeds in the poly tunnel are coming up well in this sunshine and I have been leafing through my Chilterns Seeds and Sarah Raven catalogues, dreaming up new planting combinations. I am sowing hardy annuals at the moment and to help me choose from the myriad of gorgeous flowers available I have decided on three important factors: attraction to insects, good for cutting and sporting a knock out scent. I seem to have a colour theme of white, pink and blue going on with the odd dazzling orange from the Calendulas. Lots of the flowers we are growing are also edible, so they have the added benefit of making our salads look pretty too. <br />
<br />
I have sowed tomatoes and cucumbers this week, but as it will be a while before they bear any fruit for us to eat I have bought two tomato plug plants. I have potted them on twice since and they are growing well with the promise of huge beefsteak fruits to come.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhOJrsSMnVGmAIRvfSWnBzE34VZvv6xO3mMNumStvUlsc3OZMV2W4x4ArUcvN31WcvY7SQZrO5SMVsGLN9zc6lu4tURbsGXds6MAshUeGhX_Y2mWSxNRU2CrBFV-4WFhcekWaq6CfY0/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhOJrsSMnVGmAIRvfSWnBzE34VZvv6xO3mMNumStvUlsc3OZMV2W4x4ArUcvN31WcvY7SQZrO5SMVsGLN9zc6lu4tURbsGXds6MAshUeGhX_Y2mWSxNRU2CrBFV-4WFhcekWaq6CfY0/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwRrXjbP-TBscANVsMyv5SiZre-lHEaS9uKeNUsmr53uMFw62HhUiJOAcpDRv3da3MCOMaGudTo25ICflnJg0HyS5y3AryMB4XKvwcWpra7Yhr3iGZk3P9vk-BpQ3HEcHNb-FKPQ9aR0/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwRrXjbP-TBscANVsMyv5SiZre-lHEaS9uKeNUsmr53uMFw62HhUiJOAcpDRv3da3MCOMaGudTo25ICflnJg0HyS5y3AryMB4XKvwcWpra7Yhr3iGZk3P9vk-BpQ3HEcHNb-FKPQ9aR0/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
After all this exhausting weeding and seed ordering it is wonderful to sit in the evening with a cup of tea and feel my muscles tighten. We are half way through the first week of the Easter holidays and we are all relaxing nicely, fully enjoying the lovely Spring weather, the garden and a few trips out. I am even getting back to my reading after a while away from it. Nothing too heavy or serious; something easy going and suitable for the time of year. I am re-reading Thyme Out by Katie Fforde. Love it!<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day and thank you for reading. xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-49129201911150516642014-04-13T03:18:00.000-07:002014-04-13T03:18:46.976-07:00Just Pottering<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>Well the weekend is here and so are the Easter holidays. The children broke up on a warm, sunny Friday afternoon with huge sighs of relief. Poor Pea had to stay in school until five having extra maths lessons. They have to go in during the holidays too, which I think is really off. By the time Pea arrived home, the best of the day was over and a cool breeze drifted over the countryside. Not to be deterred and because she would be bouncing off the walls if we stayed in, Pea and I went for our usual post tea time walk.</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelF4D61SowjlXM1vW1i8fwc0CmiuTVrbMX6ViaZe38Aal6F5u1RYARwXOj7d72IRmAduz39xRHRCdeSL1BZLrk8Gov41o8qsWauNLKsOJblile0EhXE8uQo2qpHXTh7ht2sNHyrbg1hI/s1600/IMG_3854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelF4D61SowjlXM1vW1i8fwc0CmiuTVrbMX6ViaZe38Aal6F5u1RYARwXOj7d72IRmAduz39xRHRCdeSL1BZLrk8Gov41o8qsWauNLKsOJblile0EhXE8uQo2qpHXTh7ht2sNHyrbg1hI/s1600/IMG_3854.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The island is wide awake now and the magic of Spring is all around. Lambs litter the fields like small clouds, birds sing from every twig and tree top, flowers bloom in the most unexpected places and my heart sings with the sheer pleasure of it all. I am so lucky to live with all this around me, every day. If I live to be a hundred I will never for one second take any of it for granted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVjg55IMslGHvl6qkjF5iPlTR_Zzk2P9XTDvUxEW8pjKoefnLYNI4dRpS4qxob9plYyckaScyPAJk0iwyE6AiCbJgwkp1AJCp9smt5jJ647_Xkzv_mniw84uJriBSScmc78rpliRqvgc/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVjg55IMslGHvl6qkjF5iPlTR_Zzk2P9XTDvUxEW8pjKoefnLYNI4dRpS4qxob9plYyckaScyPAJk0iwyE6AiCbJgwkp1AJCp9smt5jJ647_Xkzv_mniw84uJriBSScmc78rpliRqvgc/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Since moving to our present house six months ago, the children and I discovered a woodland about half an hours walk from home. We often walk to the woods as it is just the right distance for a good stretch without going mad and wearing ourselves out! Recently, we found to our delight that the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells. It is still a bit early yet, but on Friday evening we saw that the flowers are just starting to open out; there was a slight haze of blue between the trees and the heady scent of bluebells hung on the still, warm air. We breathed in so deep it made us dizzy. The scent of bluebells in a wood is one of the most beautiful things in the world. Can't wait for them to be fully open!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5sRa_FasaQ83LQMpRVR80J5LJNqZRdcH-kk1Hm99zDULR1hLWp-EgPyWhn19YNecjvr9T_l329zV_1Fy-2L4hAlAGL9FQh3Om5gaTAMr5mDMuwz7Mae7SIg6hmiPv18K_rc8qlazkE0/s1600/IMG_3864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5sRa_FasaQ83LQMpRVR80J5LJNqZRdcH-kk1Hm99zDULR1hLWp-EgPyWhn19YNecjvr9T_l329zV_1Fy-2L4hAlAGL9FQh3Om5gaTAMr5mDMuwz7Mae7SIg6hmiPv18K_rc8qlazkE0/s1600/IMG_3864.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Yesterday saw us in the garden for most of the day. It started of pretty chilly so we went to do some shopping first. The boys wanted chocolate (as did I!) and I needed a few bits for the garden; a new trug, some canes and weedkiller. I didn't really want to spray chemicals all over the place but sometimes we have to admit defeat and accept we need to take an easier path or spend our entire lives battling with nettles. I don't want to do that. Our gorgeous garden is home to all manner of really horrid weeds; nettles, bindweed, ground elder and mare's tail. The latter will become the bane of my life if I allow it too. According to my book 'Botany for Gardeners', Mare's tail (Equisetum arvense in case you wanted to know) is the only genus alive today of it's class and apparently enjoys the status of 'living fossil'. Whooppee. It goes on: 400 million years ago it dominated the forest floors of the world and could reach up to 100 feet tall. Given the chance then, it would happily dominate my entire garden. So, weedkiller it is. This could be a bit of a problem though as most of it seems to have taken up residence in the veggie plot. Oh <i>NOOOOOO!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl4moMQ8jvUIJ7fghALFpR7Dxcp7GkzZGc6MfVRIpMiYxy0PVXM9mosiuUYnoA_LBRdh4vzW-pmpeH_dlQiNwlug19ATrGJHTaph7xxUC_nxvxT2pXlNs9Yg1c4NXff6hI41kIY7IJxE/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBl4moMQ8jvUIJ7fghALFpR7Dxcp7GkzZGc6MfVRIpMiYxy0PVXM9mosiuUYnoA_LBRdh4vzW-pmpeH_dlQiNwlug19ATrGJHTaph7xxUC_nxvxT2pXlNs9Yg1c4NXff6hI41kIY7IJxE/s1600/IMG_3850.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
This isn't mare's tail, this is apple mint - much nicer. I planted it in an old laundry basket and put it by the gate next to a sunny wall. It will probably fill this basket by the end of summer and give us lots of soft, fresh leaves to chop up in salads and cream cheese sandwiches. Putting it in a basket means it's easy to go out and pick some, even if it's raining but it is contained so can't go rampant in the boarders and choke other plants to death. I think it is less of a thug than normal garden mint, so it could be alright given plenty of space. I have planted some garden mint at the back of a boarder, between a hedge and some holly trees. The ground is stony and not much would grow, so it doesn't matter if the mint takes over a bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QfZGW9DCJEO4DBBphyX0Nz2yvDwj4dqaSSKj9CYP3bk6CGrbj3RVJz5ohz_r1aH5YMMF2k_IRj35WQkRUQhGSZCg_8awTMUWdyptY1Naqpuhbi2k0ywxWxO60R7y-MkRoGoPSen_irg/s1600/IMG_3848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QfZGW9DCJEO4DBBphyX0Nz2yvDwj4dqaSSKj9CYP3bk6CGrbj3RVJz5ohz_r1aH5YMMF2k_IRj35WQkRUQhGSZCg_8awTMUWdyptY1Naqpuhbi2k0ywxWxO60R7y-MkRoGoPSen_irg/s1600/IMG_3848.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
No idea what this is, but I found a little clump hidden among the grass and weeds. It looks so pretty in the morning sun. Not that we had much morning sun yesterday, so Pea and I took refuge in the poly tunnel and sowed lots more annual seeds and half a tray of Linaria purpurea 'Cannon Went', a perennial. The seeds we sowed before are all doing well and we seemed to have foiled the sweet pea nibbling mouse by laying fleece over the pots and tucking it underneath, so mousey can't get at the seedlings. When the sun finally came out later on, we cut the grass and dug over a bit more of the vegetable garden. The potatoes still haven't come up yet, so I carefully weeded the soil and lightly forked it over. It looks so much better just for a bit of effort. We are taking control little by little but I suspect Mother Nature will always have the final say in this garden! I don't want a regimented, perfect space anyway, I want lots of flowers drifting naturally and self seeding where they may. I want birds and insects to live and feed here and for it to look like it has always been this way. There will always be wild, untamed areas and bits that are cultivated, so hopefully it will be a harmonious garden for all of us to enjoy.<br />
<br />
After all that work I felt my muscles tightening and aching. H2 came outside to ask when tea would be ready. I almost blew a gasket. He has been skulking indoors all day knowing full well I was outside - busy. He knew I hadn't made tea or even thought about it. So why ask? In the end I decided to make use of the left over bits in the freezer. We could have faggots, parsnips, mashed potatoes and veg. Nice and comforting, filling and easy as all I'd have to do is peel the potatoes as the rest would go straight in the oven. Actually it would be even easier if I went for a shower and left the children to sort it out. I gave some vague directions and left them to it. Post shower and clean clothes, I wandered into the kitchen for a cup of tea - and smelled something burning. I pulled open the oven door to find that H1 had inadvertently set the oven to 'grill' rather than main oven. So the faggots were burning and smouldering nicely. I gave him a telling off to which he replied 'Well I didn't know!' Of course not. Should have done it myself.<br />
<br />
Have a relaxing weekend and thank you for reading.xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7146339882244093481.post-26920620871699657662014-04-09T03:14:00.000-07:002014-04-09T03:14:30.215-07:00April Showers<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>April is here and cracking on at an alarming pace. We are well into the year now and the Winter is most certainly over and done with. Yesss! The Easter holidays are just a few days away and there is plenty to look forward to and enjoy. But not everything in the garden is rosy. Poor H2 is at home this week with a chest infection brought on by a bad cold last week. Because he suffers from asthma I took him to the doctor on Monday and he gave us lots of medicine and a few changes to how I monitor the asthma. Hopefully after a few days rest he will be feeling more like his usual self and be able to enjoy the holidays and an Easter egg or two!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZfbkbUtTA5n-TaMgeMlCyU0JP-I0b1T-dN1JWkRIB_wTQX9dMqpIO2LelswwblWg3AfdX3kG2CWaqU4fIz-h3AQAQ3kCvkkRD3Oan3lxxwZcb0u-1QO0ruFpAn6rK0pI9ZzObXY07YI/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZfbkbUtTA5n-TaMgeMlCyU0JP-I0b1T-dN1JWkRIB_wTQX9dMqpIO2LelswwblWg3AfdX3kG2CWaqU4fIz-h3AQAQ3kCvkkRD3Oan3lxxwZcb0u-1QO0ruFpAn6rK0pI9ZzObXY07YI/s1600/IMG_3832.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
After a day of showers and cool breezes, the evening turned out, as it so often does, to be sunny, mild and calm. Pea and I took Middle Aged Labrador out for an evening stroll up the lane. The puddles were back after all the rain but it has also made everything so lush and green. There are buds popping out on almost every branch and twig right across the island. The grass is more vibrant and the hedges look fuller and rounder. As we stood gazing across the fields, we saw the first Swallow of summer swoop across the sky. It was so lovely and heartwarming to see; a little lone bird that has seen things that I never will and endured hardships that I could only imagine. But he's back in his place of birth and will soon be looking for a mate to start his own family with. The perfect cycle of nature.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1tacxGRjn8FBCZjUFUUyLwQaWJdrgcpMfHrN8nCgjR8GXqOniJrh6tHYz5NdBa00Bu4lPnlbaUX30i4Wh0YexTxEKWwB6MHW1-m1BFm8rsBm9hOrnYfqxoWqz4U1fauOpfCVw2wh1wE/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1tacxGRjn8FBCZjUFUUyLwQaWJdrgcpMfHrN8nCgjR8GXqOniJrh6tHYz5NdBa00Bu4lPnlbaUX30i4Wh0YexTxEKWwB6MHW1-m1BFm8rsBm9hOrnYfqxoWqz4U1fauOpfCVw2wh1wE/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1qqhNkyOrArqbI1y5-ORPjt0Ip3OcW_nor4ae4UzCwgOFO8FKDLRA6EFnb6sWjL5OhDwgZYKlAnDcwv-Kwwl4KFOgVHpUknLprIyhJSOaMepHWtuaOkG4jQG-9WTRFeuoMbA1FOvZzI/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1qqhNkyOrArqbI1y5-ORPjt0Ip3OcW_nor4ae4UzCwgOFO8FKDLRA6EFnb6sWjL5OhDwgZYKlAnDcwv-Kwwl4KFOgVHpUknLprIyhJSOaMepHWtuaOkG4jQG-9WTRFeuoMbA1FOvZzI/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
The problem with April showers is getting washing dry. I have washed a load of towels about four times now and each time it starts raining as I am heading for the back door to go and hang them out on the line. Then they sit in the wash basket for days until they start to smell. Then I wash them again in the hope that the rain will keep off long enough to dry them. It doesn't and the whole circle starts again. Today however, there is a good breeze and the sun is most definitely out. The sky is blue and there are only faint wisps of white cloud here and there. I have already put a load of sheets out and the towels will join them in a moment. H2 is curled up on the settee with his Lego Batman book and a dog and all the jobs I had earmarked to do today will be left undone. I can never do housework with a poorly child at home. It doesn't feel right somehow, or maybe that's just an excuse for me to be lazy and drink lots of tea! I have been to the butcher in the next village, 6 miles away, so we can have a comforting tea of sausages in mustard sauce with mashed potato. I made an apple and berry pie yesterday and there is (miraculously) half left, so that will be pudding. I have an urge to make a Simnel cake too, but that could just be an excuse to open the marzipan and start nibbling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRkYSLxfWuQCvKUnE-323Kl2DF7fV36wUXATxJCBYHKrDFaV2kNSp-C1EPdTaefHtTTbkoYRqONhbfz8AXChfeN6lNNPU6h3bu0EiRxVBPWDGSLrCwq4zJWgOO2sFHX7IaYnfOZkr9q4/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRkYSLxfWuQCvKUnE-323Kl2DF7fV36wUXATxJCBYHKrDFaV2kNSp-C1EPdTaefHtTTbkoYRqONhbfz8AXChfeN6lNNPU6h3bu0EiRxVBPWDGSLrCwq4zJWgOO2sFHX7IaYnfOZkr9q4/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Look at the seedlings! One of the greatest pleasures of my life at the moment is to go into my poly tunnel and look at my seed trays. Almost everything has germinated now but there are lots more seeds to sow over the next three weeks. The radishes have germinated in the garden and this weekend we will be sowing parsnip seeds and some salads out there too. Of course it's not that simple. As the weather warms up and the seeds start to grow, so do the weeds and the downside of having a garden in a rural location is the wildlife. Well no, the wildlife is a major plus - until it's gardening time. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing pheasants and partridge pottering round the garden, until they start to graze on the delicate seedlings that we have painstakingly planted. Then it's a different story. Something in the poly tunnel has been helping itself to our sweet peas too. We don't want to harm anything at all, but neither do we want them nibbling our precious plants. It's an ugly battle.<br />
<br />
I must go and hang the washing out now and then stick another load in while the going is good. Then it will be time for a cup of tea, some baking and tea preparation and before I know it, Pea and H1 will be home at the end of another day. Sometimes I long for a bit of excitement in my day, but really it is the days of nothing-ness that we treasure the most when excitement does come into our lives. I will try to treasure this one, hope you do too.<br />
<br />
Have a lovely day, get some washing dry and bake a cake! xxxWindy Island Handmadehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13645253035139819824noreply@blogger.com2