Well Blogger, you’ve really gone and done it now. I have unfortunately been unable to access my past blogs or your pages. No idea how to fix this, no idea if this will even post.
Is anyone else getting issues, I can see comments when I click on the comment side bar but am unable to replay to any.
What an inconvenience!
Stay safe everyone.
Blessings, J. x
Just a quickie update after my last post.
Hubby entered in the fruit and vegetable classes and did very well indeed, nabbing prizes for all classes except potatoes, and that may have been down to me as I only picked out 3 instead of the required 6…oops, well he could have done it himself,, except he couldn’t as he was too busy helping out! Nearly forgot to mention, I came second (to my eldest daughter) in the Cottage loaf class, that was the only cookery I entered. A couple of prizes for photos and that was me done this year. Guess what, I didn’t take a single picture. Oh and hubby entered the companion set he made for us in the metalwork. Prizes all round too!
I’m happy to report that I successfully enticed hubby away from the event long enough for us to watch another local carnival, well not the carnival so much as the massed pipes and drums they have afterwards. If you want a look, try facebook for Bideford Carnival Massed Pipes and Drums.
Currently debating whether I should have lit a fire, however I’ll soon be off to bed and no it’s not really cold, it would just look nice and cosy.
Anyway, it’s a work night so I’d better be off up the little wooden hill as they say.
Blessings J. x
Well, we’re well on our way to Autumn now, and I fear those long hot days of sunshine will soon be but a distant memory. OK some were a little too hot for me, but with the warm wind we kept getting it dried the washing beautifully. Less happy were the garden plants, some have not survived, and we have now pulled out much of the wild Crocosmia from under the fruit trees along with some tall shallow rooted Daisies that did not agree with the dry heat one little bit. Now the fruit trees are more mature it’s time to change up to Spring bulbs and some Cyclamen in order to be able to see fallen fruits. A few Honeysuckle plants have also outgrown their welcome, honestly the amount of pruning and pullings taken from our garden has been enormous!
It’s been a mixed bag for us in other ways, some happiness, some sadness and a lot of keeping on keeping on the work merry go round. I now travel to the bigger town which is further away for many of my shifts, unfortunately this town is quite famous for its bad traffic. I’d dearly love to be able to drop a day, however the mortgage rate rise imminent for us will be a bitter and quite large pill to swallow financially, and I don’t yet know if we could manage, well we would, but my wage pops into the account reliably each month whereas hubby’s is from self employment so has to rely on me getting bills out timely and the customers being able to pay promptly. Catch 22 really. Anyway for now I am trying to put aside the amount each month I would lose by dropping a day and seeing how doable it is in real life.
I’ve been adjusting to life without Wilbur in it, Kitty also kept going out at bedtime to look for him I feel, she never asked to go outside after supper before we lost him, though I did let her see him after the accident.
We have entered a couple local carnivals as The Darling Bus Of May, to promote the Ploughing Match, which is happening as I type this, I have been without hubby each evening the past week as he helped get things ready, eldest daughter and I have not long returned from the venue with produce, cooking and crafts for the accompanying show. I cut back my entries drastically this year. Although I took the last two days off I have been anxious to preserve some of our garden produce. The larger softer pears have been canned in syrup, one batch of the smaller harder ones also. Tomatoes blitzed and frozen. Runner beans have been dreadful this year, though hubby did still enter them along with the other veg, we’re not expecting high hopes for anything…I’ll add results later! After all if I don’t make time now to write a few lines I fear I never shall. Anyway I digress, the carnival float consisted of orchard scene with grandchildren sat around a table, lots of food and daughters as Mariette and Primrose, eldest daughters’ hubby as Charlie, youngest daughters hubby would rather die than do something so raucous in public, but was happy to support from the sidelines! Hubby was the Brigadier and drove his tractor, I was Edith, anyway the cute factor had people oohing and aching, until they saw behind the screen…Mom & Pop Larkin in the bath! (Friends and Secretary & Committee member of said association), who both deserve bravery medals!! It got lots of laughs and publicity for the Ploughing Match.
The lower photos of of my extravagant purchase, after looking at said pumpkin candle for ages I told myself I did not need it, it was money for nothing and continued on round the store finishing getting what I needed, only to return later and pick it up anyway..it has proven useful, the living room having no damp course begins to smell and feel a little damp this time of year, the fragrance has improved things so it was not after all money for nothing! Well it’s a good enough excuse anyway.
I have a few days off, and oh it’s so lovely…yesterday we (me and the caveman), ventured across the border into North Cornwall. A trip on the Launceston Steam Train was enjoyed, then back to Homeleigh Garden Centre where we had a generous voucher to spend. And spend we did!
I have been gardening this morning, and have actually just cut back the lovely (well it was), Coreopsis from under a Plum tree as it was past its best and rather mildewed. It only seems a few days ago I took a picture of it in its’ glory. Aah well, such is gardening.
In the cooler air of the late evening I have been cutting back some not worth their space Honeysuckle plants, one was smothering a Lilac, and another a Pear tree. Though we love Honeysuckle, these plants were just scrubby imitations of our other Honeysuckle plants which are flowering beautifully and well worth keeping.
I’m afraid to say, actually no I’m not, it’s a mere fact, that I have not picked up a duster yet at all this week, nobody has died that I know of, and so I may yet continue in this ilk for the rest of the week.
The wee ones will be breaking up from school next week, so I expect the Atlantic will have something to say on that matter as it quite often does.
One of the littlest boys had just finished podding some of Grumpys’ peas the other weekend, when he disappeared. The little monkey then set about screaming rather alarmingly and gagging. It was a bit of a to do all be said. We quickly discovered he had found a Lords and Ladies plant tucked away behind their Bay tree, and nibbled a berry, obviously thinking he’d found some more peas. Anyway after a night in hospital he seems as good as new. Luckily the berries were green and not red. Initially I was reluctant to remove all our Lords and Ladies plants as I would rather he learn not to pick and eat things willy nilly, however they began to turn red and we really had quite a few of them so they have been pulled and consigned to the bonfire, I’m sure they will re grow next year, and hopefully by then he will have a little more sense. Then again, he is a boy, and has some very silly ideas sometimes.
And sigh…
Yes, I’ve found something in my life more neglected than this little space!
It sits upon the worktop and stares menacingly at me each time I enter the kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I do iron regularly, but the bottom of that pile is getting rather past it’s sell by date, perhaps I’ll turn it upside down soon and maybe feel much better about it!
I have however managed to have a good sort out of the pantry cupboard, which incidentally used to be a wardrobe. Having purchased a couple of stick down pull out drawer inserts life has been transformed. Who knew you could lose 4 bags of icing sugar in a cupboard…no, me neither, but it has obviously been entirely possible because I am the proud owner of 5!
Last two top shelves to go…a job for the coming weekend…such a treat.
Anyway who wants to be inside ironing or pantry sorting when the weather is at its glorious best. I spend quite enough time indoors working so every opportunity to be out when home I’m going to grab with both hands.
The garden, well, nature’s good right, I am rather relaxed about the whole thing, hubby would prefer rows and regimented, but I like the floppy about almost overgrown look.
And so from a triplet Dahlia to some rather flattened wild flowers, and a Clematis having far too much fun, some of the garden at the moment, not perfect by a long shot, but home.
Blessings, J. x
How time flies when you’re enjoying yourself…or not as the case may be.
Some of you may remember that last year we dug up the awful excuse of a lawn and paved the area out, well hubby did. In the main it’s great, lovely not having to wait for the grass to dry before hanging out laundry, better for the garden furniture, no grass to cut, always a time consuming job. There are some caveats however, mainly we have many plants and trees, plants with beautiful flowers, with numerous petals and leaves which delight in falling on the paving, which then necessitates sweeping up before the rain allows it all to stick fast to the slabs and create an unholy mess, also our fruit trees have attracted numerous, actually quite possibly half of the world population of aphids which upon me spraying with the upturned hose have covered the area and also deposited stickiness everywhere which has quickly turned to black sooty yuck!
I feel I am quickly becoming very proficient at wielding a pressure washer which inevitably leaves me absolutely drenched.
Calm Mrs, keep calm.
Well anyway the cottage and garden has certainly been keeping me busy, we have begun to paint the cottage, an exhausting job. Dead heading the rose which has been in my family for generations has proven quite the task, I can only reach so high and so above a certain level it’s just brown as you go still.
Cooking has definitely gone by the wayside, in the now two hot spells the Aga has been off so it’s been grill all the way.
Not sure how we’re even going to attempt to sleep tonight, but sleep we must as there is certainly no rest for the wicked and work will be a calling!
Some of the new colour!
And so Midsummer has past, I honestly cannot recall a year flying so fast. Work is rather exhausting and I’m desperately trying to find a way to save a little me for other activities.
Think I’d like to start taking a few more snaps again, I have many of the grandchildren but don’t feel it right to share them here.
So until next time, blessings, J. x
Spring has well and truly sprung here in the South West.
For many weeks I fear I had an acute case of the can’t be _rsed, and have just begun to find a little more energy after many rounds of germ infested grandchildren infiltrating our boundaries in various ways, rendering us either getting the lurgy, or living in fear of the latest round of vomiting etc.
All lovely, the wisteria is giving off the most amazing scent, as are the lilacs.
May has arrived with some stormy skies, but even they are quite beautiful. This afternoon I am being baked in glorious sunshine which is currently drying washing on the line.
Typing is a little difficult at the moment, I crushed my thumb 6 weeks ago in the under counter freezer door, and after a period of healing it became very painful again from last Tuesday.
I have now had an emergency X-ray and though it appears to be a soft tissue injury there is evidence of a previous break…waw!
Anyway, that is nothing compared with the tragedy that befell us yesterday morning.
Our beloved Wilbur ran in front of a car (actually being driven by a relative), and was killed instantly.
After the initial shock the tears came, and I’m not ashamed to say I’ve been a hot snotty mess for most of the period since the accident.
That cat adored, and was adored by our grandchildren, often joining them for bath time, and bedtime stories.
He allowed them to push him around in their trolley when they were younger and he gave the most wonderful cuddles.
RIP lovely boy.
Until next time, J. x
The delightful snot sponges I’m writing about are my grandchildren. Honestly I don’t remember a time when there has consistently been someone ill over several weeks. I currently have charge of the two youngest cousins. Both have had long sleeps this morning, one is kind of drying up, the other is doing his best to spread his little germy hangers on. Lucky grandma.
Now I have recently had 2 lots of antibiotics, well I’d almost finished the course of the first lot when it became apparent I really wasn’t tolerating them so I’m feeling quite nervous, no that’s the wrong word, I’m being very careful that I wash my hands after each contact with the little darlings.
I have changed my tea and coffee drinking habits since being poorly myself. I used to have one proper cup of coffee first thing followed by however many cups of regular tea as necessary throughout the day. Now I’ve abandoned coffee totally at the moment, and I only have regular tea at mealtimes and have replaced the rest with various fruit, and mint teas.
Latest to be ill Friday evening via the up chuck system was eldest daughter…consequently Mothering Sunday roast was cancelled at ours. We spent rather a quiet day, visited a local shop which has a small garden section briefly for some compost, had a FT call from son and his family. But for once I wasn’t cooking for everybody so had time to sit and enjoy doing some of my on the go jigsaw.
It was also the anniversary of my Mother’s passing so actually a rather quiet contemplative day caused me less angst than the anniversary normally does.
Last Wednesday found me planting some primroses and hellebores in part of the garden. Since then we’ve had wind, rain, hail, sleet, and snow, oh and some glorious sunshine, the sort that makes you glad to be alive but shows up just how dirty the windows really are!
 |
Such a delicate blossom.
Things are livening up with the terrors now, and I think I’m needed to referee.
Blessings, J. x
Now it’s not on the cards for a good few years yet, but having had a couple of sick days this week it’s got me wondering what I’ll actually do should I get to retirement.
I really wanted to watch the Winter Olympics, however after the telly being on all Wednesday while I lay dozing on the sofa has almost put me off of it all.
Summer months I think will be easier, lovely walks unrestricted by the clock, lazy lie ins, though I’m not a lie in sort of girl…
I love a good book, a jigsaw, money will be tighter. Should we consider another dog? I’d love one in theory, however at the moment working 3 days a week it wouldn’t be easy, though daughter is willing to have joint custody! On a lovely Summers evening there’s nothing better than a dog walk, however the amount of wind and rain we’ve had lately has made me glad I don’t need to wrap up and go outside once I finish work. I suppose when retired I could pick my walkies schedule.
The flu/Covid or whatever it is has rattled through the family next door and now me. Being rather fed up of it lingering, this morning I decided to pretend it didn’t exist.
The boys came around to paint their clay scenes made a few weeks ago…how much energy would that need…apparently quite a lot…now feel wiped out and I was literally dolling out tiny amounts of different paint colours and reminding them to wash and dry their brushes in between swopping colours.
One boy took his time, thought about what colours to use…
I basically let them get on with it…there is only one way to learn after all.
Apparently next time we are making castles…oh heaven help me!
Anyway, I hope you are by and large feeling well, and happy. Just managed to place a quick Morrisons order for tomorrow. The taste buds aren’t playing ball at the moment and I fancy absolutely nothing except what I don’t have…extra strong mints…so hopefully they will arrive and be just what the Dr. ordered, along with some orange Lucozade.
Blessings J. x
So last Sunday, with the weather unusually quiet I was persuaded to hop in the car and make the journey to Cutcombe near Dunkery Beacon.
Our destination Snowdrop Valley. Sounds all rather romantic and pretty doesn’t it…it was…kind of.
Unfortunately it has been very wet of late so think mud…lots of lovely mud…steep woodland and someone who is not as fit as they like to think they are!
Anyway, a few photos…
Scary beasts guarding the church
We also found some of these…I think they might have been Elf cups…
Blessings, J. x
Oh my…what a night…having been alerted to some strange happenings the night before by neighbours we checked our CCTV and sure enough had had some visitors.
Apparently they had spent the night down the dead end road opposite having driven in a ditch. Strangely waiting until 05:30 in the morning to start ringing doorbells.
Not going to lie, they had at least one phone, which looked very much like it was used to take a picture of hubbies van and then our front windows. We actually heard something that woke us, but then it stopped so presumed it must have been the cat fence playing up in the rain. Then kept getting flashes of light through the curtains…that was the torch flashing to see round the back.
Now they really were in a ditch, so why wait all night then wake people up on a Sunday morning so early?
If you have a phone why not phone someone for assistance.
Why cover your face with your hood when you look up and notice security cameras?
So many unanswered questions…
So you know the film Home Alone…yep we are out to protect our home in whatever way necessary…though I really didn’t sleep much last night.
Also both us and our neighbour found marks to the right of our doors that we’ve not noticed before, could be a coincidence, or not.
Turned bitterly cold here as the morning has worn on…I mean really raw. Is the Beast stirring?
Anyways, life still busy busy, and now have to be night watchman too…
I’ll leave your with my flattish fail loaf of maslin sourdough bread…now if I threw that at somebody up to no good they’d certainly know it…
Keep warm, keep safe, blessings J. x
Apologies, I have just realised that I have commented on several of your blogs (and replied to comments on my own) as anonymous…tut tut…
All down to new set up hiccups…hopefully now resolved.
Been having a few days off, today is dull and pretty lifeless here. Not sure how we’ll be affected by the impending storm but feeling unsettled knowing that I will have to travel to work.
Fire lit, and my first ever pitta bread dough currently rising to take care of some leftover lamb bits languishing in the fridge.
Thinking I have a case of the January blues…not helped by the recent stress…just can't get my head around the paperwork at all…brain feels stuck and know it’s not worth trying as I’ll just make mistakes at the moment. Be kind to self, be kind to self!
I spent half the night down on the sofa, though think the culprit to have been the mixture of butter and cream in my sliced potato and onion dish topped with some leftover pastry. It tasted wonderful, but in hindsight could have been the cause of my 2am wake up and subsequent failure to get back to sleep, at least in part.
Is that a glimmer of sunshine I see through the kitchen window? I really ought to fetch in some logs for the next few days as be it rain or snow, neither will make for fun trips to the log store. It will probably help lift my mood also. Best foot forward and all that…but it’s so hard when an invisible thread holds you back.
Not a very interesting photo, however this was our turkey after I spent an hour deboning, stuffing and rolling it. It made for much easier carving, and we’d sorted the carcass and eaten the stew and orts before the big day. I do not however own a boning knife so managed a small self inflicted injury during the process using a carving knife.
Make sure to keep warm and safe in the coming few days, unfortunately I return to work tomorrow, and will be taking stout boots and extra clothing with me just in case of unforeseen circumstances on my journey home.
Blessings J. x
