I’m bored tonight..

Not a lot to put the past couple of days I'm afraid. I have had a bit of a slow time doing nothing in particular, so I will post a meme that I saw on Yvestown's blog today.

• What time did you get up today? 9.00am
  
• Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds.
  
• Latest movie in a movie theater? I can't remember .. oops!!
  
• Favorite TV series? House
  
• What did you have for breakfast? A bowl of malted shreddies and a cup of tea.
  
• What's your middle name? Alice.
  
• Favorite food? Traditional English cooking, for example jam roly poly, meat pie, stews etc..
  
• Which food don't you like? Gypsy Tart and Butterscotch Tarts, as well as Liver..ugh! Remind me too much of school!
  
• What's your favorite CD at the moment? I haven't got a favourite one I'm afraid.
  
• What car do you drive? Daewoo Lanos
  
• Favorite sandwich? Fried Egg.
  
• Which human traits can't you stand? Jealousy, arrogance, ignorance.
  
• What are your favorite clothes? Jeans and a cute top.
  
• If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Alaska..
  
• Favorite clothing brand? I haven't got a particular favourite.
  
• Where would you like to retire? The Cotswolds in the UK.
  
• Favorite time of day? Sunset..
  
• Where were you born? Farnborough, UK
  
• Which is your favorite sport to watch? I don't watch sports :-(
  
• Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke
  
• Soccer or hockey? Neither
  
• Are you a morning person or a night owl? A night owl.
  
• Pedicure or manicure? Manicure, I can't stand anyone near my feet.
  
• Any exciting news to share? I'm going to a 25 year school reunion in July!
  
• What did you want to become as a child? I always wanted to be a nurse, no good now as I can't stand the sight of blood.
  
• Best childhood memory? Sitting outside my grandma's bungalow, in the garden, shelling peas and drinking homemade lemon barley.
  
• Ever been to Africa? No but I would certainly like to go one day.
  
• Ever rolled anybody in toilet paper? No
  
• Have you ever been in a car accident? I've had one serious one where I wrote my car off after a nasty accident
  
• Favorite day of the week? Every day is a favourite for me..
  
• Favorite flower? Lillies, sweet peas and roses.
  
• Favorite - Hot dog or Chinese food? Chinese food.
  
• Do you own a bike? No
  
• Who was you latest e-mail from? An old school friend.
  
• Where would you like to shop more if you could afford to? New York if I could afford it.
  
• Bed time? Between 11 and 11.30pm
  
• Latest person to share dinner with? My husband D.
  
• What are you up to now? Chatting to old school friends on Facebook.
  
• Favorite color? Pink, silver, peach, purple and all pastel colours.
  
• How many tattoos? None!
  

To be a caring friend..

Yesterday was spent being there for a friend. Although it was a quiet day it was a day I was glad that I could do.

Early in the morning I had a Dr's appointment at my local hospital to look over my moles that I was a wee bit worried about. Thankfully they weren't anything to get worried about. I was so relieved that I really felt like crying for some strange reason.

Then it was on to my friends house. I had to sit in the car outside her house for a while as I knew she was at a meeting in town. It was quite a pleasant day considering the dreadful weather we had that night.. Anyway I sat and read my wartime diary book while awaiting my friend. Luckily I didn't have to wait too long as she turned up quite quickly after me getting there.

We then spent a lovely afternoon just doing nothing except chatting and relaxing. We put the world to rights and various other things. Lunch was pleasant, she had got some lovely cheese and onion pastry rolls in which I thoroughly enjoyed. And we drank copious amounts of tea :-)

Unfortunately the afternoon went too quickly and I had to make my way home :-(

It was then a trip to Asda to pick up some cat litter and various bits and then fill up with petrol. I couldn't believe how much petrol had gone up in the space of two days – before the weekend it was 111.9p per litre, and yesterday it was 112.9p per litre. Although when I drove past a couple of other petrol stations near my home petrol ranged from 111.9 to 114.9 – ack!! And if it goes up too much I am going to have to start rethinking whether I can justify using my car as often as I do. I will always make sure that I have enough petrol in the car to get me to my friends' house at least once a month for our girlie day out :-) But I think the days of just popping to the supermarket or the library for a wander around are gone now, I am going to have to go out and combine my trips to the supermarket/library when they are necessary. And this is mainly due to the petrol rise..

Late evening I decided to plant up my seeds that I bought at the weekend – cucumber, carrots and spring onions. I think D thought I had gone mad suddenly going outside at 9.30pm to plant out some seeds.. But then he should be used to the mad things I do by now. :-)

I have to sort out my beetroot seeds, as I am sure I had some of them somewhere, so that I can plant them out today/tonight.

It was a bit of a disturbed night as well as we had terrific thunderstorms and lightening during the night. Bizarrely it was only me and D that woke up, the dogs and cats never stirred.!

Miserable Monday..

The day started wet, and I mean wet!! The wind was howling almost all of the night, and also rained nearly all the night too. I certainly had some flooded empty plant pots – thankfully the plants we bought at the Garden Show on Saturday, were okay. I had visions of opening the curtains and seeing all the veg floating across the lawn!!

It was a quiet day in all. D did some more stripping of wallpaper and I caught up on some TiVo'd programmes.

A friend called round for a cup of tea and a natter this afternoon. She also bought her dog, Beth, round. She is a right little pickle but absolutely loves my dogs, and they love her too. Beth often comes and stays with us while her mum/dad go away overnight or on holiday. She treats our house like a second home now, even to the point that she came and sat in front of the fridge waiting for a piece of ham, as she knows she has a slice when she normally stays here. Cheeky little dog!!

D cooked a nice roast beef dinner, which was a nice change.

An hour was spent ironing in the evening and then I settled down to watch t.v. for a while.

A very quiet Bank Holiday but a wet one!!!!

Garden show..

Not such an early or leisurely start today. Had to be up at 7.30am due to going to the garden show. We also had to get to my friends house, to pick her up, for 10ish.

I'm not sure I like these mornings where I have to rush about. I'm not the world's fastest person in the mornings..

Weather was glorious all day

We got to the show just after 11am and I couldn't believe how busy it was. And people were already leaving with plants at this time of the morning.

We were very lucky with a parking space – right next to the entrance. I think next time we go to an event at Detling we'll go at this time again.

I was totally overwhelmed with all the plant stalls and we went round once, then had lunch, then it was onto serious spending !!!!

We came home with the following plants:

• 3 x Patio French Beans
  
• 3 x Sweet Peas (10 plants to a pot)
  
• 8 x Onion plants
  
• 3 x Rhubarb plants
  
• 1 x Jasmine plant
  
• 1 x Red Robin plant
  
• 1 x Acer (Atropupureum) – Red Japanese Maple
  
• 1 x Weigela – Bristol Ruby
  
• 1 x Pumpkin plant
  
• 2 x Courgette plants
  
• 1 x Aubergine plant
  
• 1 x Leptospermum (Red Dwarf)
  
• 1 x Prunus Cistena (Red in colour)
  
• 1 x Calycanthus Floridus (Red flowers)
  

Can you see a colour scheme showing here??

It was a long day but a happy day. Although I did catch the sun on the back of my shoulders and chest rather heavily and that is with a sun hat on too.

Dropped N off home and then drove to Homebase to buy a new lawnmower and some outdoor Cucumber, Carrots and Red Spring Onion seeds.

Did battle with Asda then drove home.

After a leisurely tea we settled down to cheer on Andy Abrahams in the Eurovision Song Contest. Well that was a total farce!! I will admit some of the other countries entries were great for a laugh. The voting was a farce – unofortunately UK got 14 points in total and came last. Russia came first with 172 points although it was almost determined that Russion, or one other Eastern European country would win. The sad thing is that the great institution of Eurovison – Terry Wogan is considering pulling out of commentating. It has also been announced that Italy and Austria have pulled out totally of the competition.

I also think it may be the last year we watch it. And to think they didn't put Dr Who on because of this..

Thank crunchie it’s Friday!!

Another early start – 6am. I'm quite liking these early starts. I'm amazed at what I can get done.

Washing in machine, sausages browned and already in the slow cooker on low.

Thinking about jobs to do today – I would like to make some lemon and sultana bars, hoover upstairs and do a couple of hours of ironing. No sign of my blackbird or dove couple this morning. But I did see Mr Mouse having his early breakfast feast! My lettuces have picked up from their transplant the other day – that is a relief. I was so worried about whether they would take or not.

I've lost a cheque that D wrote to pay for one of my bills. I can't figure out where it has gone. It can't be far unless it got caught up with some papers threw away – I do hope not!! Sorted out my fabric to make apron. If it isn't too hot this weekend I would like to make that. Extra long weekend th weekend as its Whitsun Bank Holiday.

Wrote my list out for the plants I would like to get at the garden show tomorrow. Hopefully I can pick up some vegetabes and herb plants as well.

Heard on the radio today about a labrador called Bella who is 29 years old. Yikes and I thought that my old dog, Patchy, living to 17years was good for a dog. I imagine Bella doesn't do too much being that age.

Sat and repaired one of my tops while having my third cup of tea this morning. This has been waiting to be repaired for a while now, so I am glad that it is finally done

The day was spent pottering around, checking emails, making phone calls and just general housework duties.

After tea was eaten I made some of my Lemon and Sultana Bars for Saturdays trip to the Garden Show.

Another early start..

The morning started at 6am. I got up when D was getting ready to go to work. Although it probably didn't help that I had Amycat mewing in my ear. I spent a pleasant hour sitting watching the birds in the garden while drinking copious amounts of tea and planning what to do during the day.

I never realised how much I liked this time of the morning. Everyone – man or beast just waking up.!

Mr Blackbird seemed really active this morning, running in and out of the redcurrant bu. I there there maybe the beginnings of a nest in there I have noticed that Mr and Mrs Dove aren't early risers although I did see Mrs Dove fly down to the bird bath but she didn't stay long.

Sat and watched this little sparrow spend a good 10 minutes trying to get a twig off the fence. I think its part of last years dead growth from the passion flower. He was determined to get this twig. He did get it in the end, although there was a lot of flapping of wings and moveing around. If birds could smile I am sure he would have been when he flew off with this huge twig in his beak.

Decided on a takeway for dinner as it was too hot to cook.

Popped to the library to pick up another 8 books – D reakons I should get a season ticket to there the amount of times I am popping in and out. Either that or free reservations for a month, I am keeping them in business with the amount of online reservations I do..

Couldn't believe how hot it was just going from the car to the library. Was going to have quick look around town but decided against it.

Had a nice chay on the computer with some old school friends.

D came home and we had a nice walk to the village, with the dogs, to get our takeaway. The boys loved their early walk and Jet was especially happy as I let him off his lead to play fetch for a while.

We then came home and settled down for the day.

My thought for the day – there is nothing nicer than freshly laundered sheets on the bed

A late start..

After a very late start – I overslept. I didn't even hear D go at 6.15am. And all the animals stayed asleep. It wasn't until Jet barked at the postman delivering the mail that I woke up and went downstairs. I sat and checked emails, fed the cats some biscuits, watered the indoor plants and watched the bird life in the garden while having a late breakfast.

Duing the day I pottered around the house tidying up. I also sorted out my banking, paid a few bills online and then I looked into changing my blog design.

Late afternoon I planted up my lettuce seedlings. I hope they grow now, they were quite big in their nursery pots!!.

We had a lovely chilli and pasta for tea, when D got home. It was one I had made a couple of weeks ago and had frozen what we didn't eat. With the additon of a handful of frozen peppers it turned out well.

The evening was spent relaxing in front of the t.v. and chatting to D about the day.

The mouse was feeding later this evening.

The start of a new change..

This is an idea that I have borrowed from The Simple Woman blog..



I am hearing...the latest BBC lunchtime news.

A Thought Crossing my mind...It's so nice that the sun is out and the washing is drying on the line.

A Few Plans Today...Write letters, drink tea, tidy up, bake some biscuits, make dinner, do some sewing, plant up my lettuce seedlings, plant some flower seeds in my old teapot.

On My Table...a hot cup of steaming tea and a cookie.

What’s For Supper...Homemade spaghetti bolognese and fruit and ice cream for dessert.

The Animals are...asleap in their various hidey holes.

I Awoke to...My dog Jet barking as the postman was delivering some letters.

Tomorrow In Brief...I want to get outside early tidy up my overgrown pots ready for new plants.

Here is a picture I am sharing of a delightful photo that a friend sent me. I thought it was so cute..

It's time for a change..

I have been thinking about a few things lately and one of these things is that I am going to be changing my blog concept. Over the next week or so there will be a change of colour scheme etc, plus there will be a subtle change in the contents of the posts. This will be to reflect my interest in creating a simple and plentiful homelife.

Yep I know it sounds a bit hippy, but I think this may be the way I am heading at the moment. I have had enough of taking things for granted and doing nothing for this. I want to have something to show for what I do at home as a housewife. I suppose you could say it's another spiritual awakening - crumbs I do have a lot of these..!!

I have been reading a lot of "simplifying life" blogs and it almost feels like "I have come home" so to speak!!

There will still be stitching, my crafts (when I do them) plus my cooking. But I am hoping that there will be a better content to my blog that will appeal to many readers.

So without further ado my next post will be the first of my new posts.. I do hope you enjoy :-)

A Day in the Life of me…

Up early this morning – before 6am. Washing in machine, one load ready to hang on line outside. Next load in machine. Checked on vegetable seedlings. Need to plant out lettuces, they are too big for their seed pots.

Peppers and tomatoes are growing, cabbage plants are getting stronger.
Sat and watched the birds feeding on the feeder in the garden. Noticed the garden is really springing to life. My sambucca plant has got lovely pink flowers on – just about to burst out of bud.

Have noticed how quiet it is in the early morning in my area.

Listened to the radio while having my 2^nd cup of tea and mind wandered to what I have to do today. I fanced trying a new dish for tea, the only trouble is I need to get raw king prawns. Have you ever tried to find raw prawns? They are a rarity here in my town for some unknown reason. All I can find is cooked ones. This may be a trip out of area to the bigger supermarket.

Not much of a lunch – it was rather a hit and miss affair. I just rummaged in the fridge and came out with picnic pork pies and some cucumber. So with a bit of salad cream, cucumber and the pork pies it was quite an enjoyable impromtu meal.

After washing up lunch things and a quick tidy around I decided to go and pick up my library books that I had reserved. I also spent a happy hour browsing the war/history section for wartime diaries. I did find a couple and then got chatting to a very nice pensioner who told me a few stories about the war here in Kent. Oh the tales he told. If I could bottle them I would have done.

Then it was onto find these prawns. Well funnily enough I did find them and a few other bits needed to make this curry – although it was the most I had spent on making a curry - £12.00 eeks!!!

So then home to make a couple of phonecalls, check emails and prepare the curry. It wasn't as hard as I thought to make, although it doesn't need a couple of tweaks!! It was thoroughly enjoyed by D and me. And then we both had a relaxing evening watching t.v. together. Even our resident field mouse came out for a late on the bird feeder.

Sunny Sunday..

Haven't really had a lot to say lately, plus the stitching is almost non-existant..but I am in the process of rectifying that matter. In the meantime here are a few photo's that I took of some flowers in bloom in my garden at the moment.. Enjoy!!

This is mum's clematis that I rescued from her garden. This is the first year since I have had it that it has flowered :-)

This is the aquilega plant that is growing with mum's clematis. This was planted in the same pot when I got it.

The pansie and small lilac plant are in the flower in the garden at the moment.

And finally a lovely picture of my dog Jet with his favourite toy - Choggy!!

~~Blessed Beltane~~

Just wanted to wish Beltane blessings as it's the 1st May today. Although it will nearly be 2nd May if I'm not careful..

Here's a poem which I would like to share:

Embrace the purifying flame,
throw off the cloak of inhibition.
Stoke the good fires of Beltane
and let the flames fuel love’s fission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun climbs high to summer glory,
unfolds the leaf and swells the bud,
delivering all of nature’s dowry
and a promise, now misunderstood.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From atom’s heart to human heart
spring passes the vitalising flame
and in each nucleus a spark
sets passion’s ardent torch aflame.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Goodfellow lies with Queen of Mai,
the goddess smiles on merrybegot.
Fires of love join earth and sky,
reaching where men and gods cannot.

written by Ian R Thorpe

Can you tell I'm bored..

I know exciting title eh?

I have been playing around on Facebook today and found some old school friends, one of them was even my old ex from many years ago. Sheesh how scary those days were. I also didn't realise how addictive Facebook was..ooops. Before you know it the whole day has disappeared and all you have done is literally play around. So I decided to be constructive and get my astrological chart done.. Yep really constructive eh?

Planetary Positions

Sun: 22°05' Aquarius
Jupiter: 02°01' Virgo
Moon: 20°47' Cancer
Saturn: 09°08' Aries
Mercury: 00°01' Pisces
Uranus: 28°34' Virgo
Venus: 19°37' Capricorn
Neptune: 26°28' Scorpio
Mars: 25°52' Pisces
Pluto: 22°17' Virgo

N.B
Sun, Feb 11, 1968 5:55 PM
Time Zone: 00:00 (UT)
Bromley, United Kingdom
Latitude: 51d N 24m
Longitude: 000d E 02m

Rising Sign is in 01 Degrees Virgo

Your ascendant or rising sign which tells you about the image you project is Virgo, so on first meeting you appear neat, tidy, hard working, rather understated and modest. Appearances can be deceptive and your inner nature may be somewhat different as your long term friends realise but you do come across to others as well organised, genuine if a little critical at times. Helping others is one of the most important thing in your life. You want to be seen to be caring and compassionate. You do sweep a good deal of the untidiness in your life out of sight.

Sun is in 22 Degrees Aquarius

With the Sun in Aquarius you are a communicative, detached, strongly independent personality with a witty, inventive mind, and a quirky outlook on life. Safety in numbers is often your motto since you are wary of too much intimacy. Large groups of people around make you much more relaxed than claustrophobic twosomes. Your airy, chatty approach to life at times can make you appear emotionally cool or detached, but you prefer it that way. Close relationships do try your patience so you need an independent mate who gives you space, ideally another Aquarian. That way you can blow kisses across a crowded room and feel connected. You will keep your own friends even after you have committed yourself to a long term relationship. Domesticity is not your ideal, since you loathe drudgery and are not inherently practical. Basically a hippie at heart, you care little what others think and blithely walk your own path. You are a born radical, pioneer or rebel. Despite a really stubborn streak you are often seen as amazingly tolerant since you are humanitarian at heart and exceptionally good with friends. You have a real sense of the great brotherhood/sisterhood of mankind and want to make a better society in which independence and freedom are the keynotes.

Moon is in 20 Degrees Cancer

With the Moon in Cancer so the family are your most important support. Nurturing for you is having your nearest and dearest around in large numbers in your familiar, intimate surroundings. You are deeply sensitive and easily hurt so you protect your feelings often by withdrawing into your self rather like an oyster into its shell. Leaving the past behind is never easy for you, so situations of emotional change and transition can be painful. Your sentimentality often stops you seeing the past clearly, since you permanently wear rose-tinted glasses. You can be moody and over judgemental. But you gain great comfort from creating a beautiful home, to which you can invite elegant friends, who over time become part of the family.

And now I am spooked as to how accurate this is. But it also explains why I am very much like a Cancer when I read my stars. So now it looks like I will have to read Virgo as well to get a more accurate picture.

Oh how I wish I could have a proper astrological report drawn up but they are way to expensive, and I wouldn't even know which one to choose from. So for now I shall stick with the freebies.

A pondering on nails...

How come nails only grow a certain length before they blooming snap or break.? My nails don't seem to get very far on the growth stage at the moment. Oh don't get me wrong I do actually have reasonable length nails now. Which is surprising considering for 39 years I used to bite them down to nothing. And now I haven't bitten for over a year. But I have now got two nails that have broken down to nothing within the past two days. I wouldn't mind if I bit them still but I file them regularly and put nail strengthener on them every other day..grr!!

Ok that's my rant over..