With the sun on my back

Oh my...what a glorious few days we are having. I have been preparing fruits and vegetables for Winter storage outside and even brought out my baking things and mixed up an apple cake outside yesterday...it really has been that lovely.
I continue my quest to be ready for whatever Winter throws at us this year. Each walk I venture on my trusty basket comes too. I have this morning collected blackberries, rose-hips and hazelnuts...only a few of each mind...slight disappointment when I reached the field of my choice which had previously had hedges laden with a veritable array of Autumn goodies only to find the hedges had been trimmed. Walking back up the lane with Heidi I couldn't help but feel a sadness...I am able to reach into my cupboards, freezers, and shops to get food...but the wildlife...they really needed what the hedge had to offer. I have made sure all our bird feeders are well topped up. They don't do too badly at our house...mealworms, nuts, sunflower hearts, and niger seed are all provided liberally. I will not be complaining at the cost...we are all in some way responsible for the depletion in natural habitats and food for wildlife. I feel I owe them something at least.

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I don't have too long before I must trundle along to work for the afternoon...early evening. I am lucky to have a job I enjoy mostly and must put a brave face on not being able to just sit on the sun-drenched patio all afternoon and be lazy!

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Young Henry is one tomorrow and I cannot think where this last year has gone to in such a hurry. Eldest has a pre-natal appointment in the afternoon so he will be spending some of his birthday with his Grandma! I hope I can make it a special time for him...no trying to sneak in any jobs tomorrow!

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Due to needing to have my photo taken and due to being way overtired I really need to apply a little makeup before going out the door today, so until next time...

Blessings, J. x

Oh Beautiful Autumn

Well today has dawned beautifully after the full harvest moon last night.
I do so love to see the glow of the harvest moon, yet mourn the year passing so quickly at the same time.
We were up before the lark this morning as it is the day of the local historic ploughing match which hubby has a lot to do with. Sonshine made it home last evening and he has taken off with his Father before dawn loaded with veg for them to exhibit at the show. I'm afraid I bottled out this year...having rather overdone working during the month of August I knew better than push myself too hard making jams chutneys and cooking for the show. Just as well...I've had to do lots of prep. work for hubby's entries! Yes being married to him is rather akin to having another child sometimes...one I have little control over. Insert weary smile! I often joke that his guarantee has run out so I have to keep him now!

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Yesterday I managed to prepare for the freezer most of a bag of pears that one of my sisters in law kindly gifted us. I still have some to do but most of that particular task is done. In the afternoon I went out with Heidi to our youngest daughters and raided her orchard of a large quantity of apples. Luckily there is plenty of room in the freezer if I ignore the value of 16 bags of ice cubes we were given after a friends wedding! Yes really. She has a little puppy and we also all went for a short walk. She is a Beagle and boy does she have energy to burn. At one point she skidded past me on her back under an apple tree...obviously tearing around so fast and didn't corner too well! Luckily Heidi tolerates her well...that is until the claws dig into her face a little too deeply...then a warning grunt exudes.

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So a little later I am duly off to the ploughing match...most likely to get tasked with selling raffle tickets...I got put on that job for the whole day last year and am not keen to repeat the feat! Then this evening I shall go to our local town's carnival...not so much for the carnival but for the pipes and drums event that occurs afterwards. In the dying light on the quay, massed pipes and bands march up and down playing. Sends shivers down my spine every year. Hubby I believe is staying on for the after ploughing match entertainment elsewhere...no worries...not sure about the children...think 2 are coming with me and Son is making his mind up later...no really it's not a problem. Can't be in two places at once unfortunately.

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So I must be away to some chores before the clock beats me...a lovely load of dishes has materialised, though I did the massive pile from taking the ploughing event helpers tea last night...had a bit of a mishap with a large cottage pie in the boot of my car! It's the Devon hills and corners I'm blaming. It tasted good though despite looking a little worse for wear!

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Have a good Saturday everyone...

Blessings J. x

Not getting everything done

As my week off is nearing its close in the not too distant future I thought maybe I should reckon on how productive I've been. I had such grand plans...to make curtains for our patio doors that are situated near the table. I was going to pick bowls of blackberries, rose hips, and haws. Well it is past dusk on Thursday evening and not one pin has been placed and not one berry picked! The rain has prevented berry picking and I have kept busy enough without starting sewing.

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So what have I accomplished so far this week. Well our business inputs and outputs are bang up to date. I've looked after young Henry on more that one occasion. I've this afternoon defrosted both freezers and made an inventory of their contents! Almost succumbed to frost bite doing them but a job well done. I've collected several pocketfuls of hazelnuts whilst out walking with Heidi. Washing is nearing a reasonable level. I've baked bread, made sausage rolls, rock cakes and cream slices. The household budget has been updated and adjusted for the season. Our mortgage introductory rate is nearing it's close and I've sorted out the next deal. I've caught up with a good friend. I've even uploaded a few recent photos so they can be shared. Here are a couple of the patio garden, some birthday flowers and of course, Arthur.

Until next time,

Blessings, J. x

Grrr...

Quite frankly I just don't know what is going on with Blogger. I used to be able to leave comments on my iPad...then that became intermittent, so I would log on to my laptop. Well guess what...now not even on my laptop can I leave comments. Have I missed something?

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So Sheila...hello to you too! I honestly cannot think where the time has gone to. Really this year is on skates or something. I hope you and yours are keeping well. I feel really out of the loop right now.

Sue...OMG yes I realise that Mummy will be really tired, sometimes grumpy and constantly worrying about something...I am thinking that even when she's on maternity leave again I shall have to help in some way. Lovely to hear your grandchild number 4 is on the way.

Janice yes I indeed need to value my time a little more. Am anticipating a battling down of the finances to make life more controllable. 

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Blessings J. x

Coming Soon...

Summer...we had a Summer? Must have missed that one...Autumn has certainly arrived and with it an urgency to pick and preserve nature’s bounty. I also have begun to have Henry once a week as daughter heads back to work part time. What a joy...this week I am on holiday and had him yesterday for the first time. Usually I work Tuesday afternoon/evening and will have to hand him over after lunch to my other daughter. I’m presently number crunching to see if I can give up my Tuesday shift...he will be young for such a short while so why would I want to give up my time with him. He is hopefully going to become a big brother in early February! He’ll be a little under 17 months...goodness, daughter will have her hands full!

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Lots has been happening here at Little Winter, the pig house roof...AKA the utility has been re-roofed with the original pan tiles...hopefully keeping the inside much cleaner. 

The water wheel is up and pond and stream are coming along...I can’t claim finished because they are not by a long way. Hubby has agreed that come Winter we will put our lovely greenhouse up in the vegetable garden...poor thing has been in storage for around eight years.

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We have had satellite broadband installed as fibre was useless and regular was as well. I can’t say that it is amazing, however it has been a definite improvement. My work life balance has been so out of kilter this Summer...I have however been keeping the tax man happy...Yes number crunching needs to happen...I sometimes think I am working for nothing as I can easily miss things on hubby’s paperwork that end up costing us more in the long run. I just feel good bringing home enough to cover the mortgage however it’s time to be realistic.

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We have a new addition to the family...Arthur...Arthur is a budgie who came to us in rather unusual circumstances a few months ago...he has however settled in remarkably well and has learnt some interesting phrases...Love you....usually followed by Grumpy git! Wonder who he learnt that from...hides face grinning...You ok and you alright Arthur, good boy, kissy kissy xxx are more of his chirpings. Not sure if he talked in his past life but he seems to just say what I do.

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The weather is really not conducive to hunting the hedges for tasty treats...I am bound for some fun with a friend today instead. We are both working ladies and time off at the same moment rarely occurs. Hopefully I will at least amble down the lane later with Heidi and pocket some more fallen hazelnuts. Right now the thought of a hot cup of tea beckons and I shall then do some long overdue catching up on favourite blogs.

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Blessings J. x