A nice day and string lights are in place.

I had written some thank you notes last night and a couple of them were local so I went out quite early to pop them into the houses at different ends of the town, also posted those that ar out of town. I had to walk via the sea to th first house, it was quite misty early on but has been a bright day from mid morning.

We were given some home grown rhubarb before the weekend so thought I had better get using it, had some stewed apple in the freezer so got that out as well and made two crumbles. One to eat this week and then I have put four portions in the freezer.

After lunch I did a puzzle for a while and was really pleased to completely finish the cryptic crossword!

I went out into the front garden to try and tidy up the bed by the front wall and the area behind it. Those weeds and unwanted plants grow at an alarming rate!

I made a good start on the footpath area but just did surface clearing on the particularly wild area!

I had a cup of tea in the summer house and then Tina suggested that we get my new string of lights up on the summer house. She put up all the hooks as she is to taller than me. They haven’t been in the sun yet so it will probably be a couple of days before they light up.

Seems to have been a busy day so nothing strenuous this evening!

Hello gardens!

Back to serious gardening today, the rain was welcome and needed but it has given the weeds a mega growth spurt! I was expecting a delivery today so made a start in the front garden, there was a big patch left along the right hand side that I hadn’t attached yet! It is surprising just how much stuff I remove, planted a couple of things and it is obvious I have been working out there again.

Was going to finish when I realised there was one area at that side that I hadn’t done anything to. I only did a quick clearance as I was tired and it as lunch time!

When I was emptying the rubbish in the garden bin I noticed how well the tamarin was doing, it will be delightful when the blossoms open.

This afternoon I caught the bus up to Freeport, had a chat with Amy but didn’t buy anything today. I did catch the bus home instead of walking as I knew I wanted to get on with the new bed in the back garden. Got it done well enough to plant one of the acers in it.

My package did arrive and it is a very special gift. A hand painted bottle by young friends. Delightful.

Been a busy day but productive.

Jigsaw time

This morning Anya and I set off about 7 am to go into Hull and and collect Isobel after her sleepover at The Deep. We had to wait for a while but she was came out with her purchases and artwork and had enjoyed herself but was very tired. Anya and I wanted a drink and the loo so we went to a McDonalds and ended up having breakfast there. I did get out for a wander while we were waiting and walked to a bridge and took some pictures.

When we got home Isobel went to have a rest for a while. Darren had been to the boot sale and got me a very attractive brooch.

Anya and I had started the crossword jigsaw that I had received as a birthday present yesterday evening. It is r ally quite tricky but with her help I will now be able to continue with it. We had to actually do the crossword first so that we knew what letters went where!

When they left for home after lunch I went into the garden for a while, I didn’t take a before picture but marked out the edges of the lawn again and did some weeding. Had to take a picture of the lovely, wide open white tulips.

Darren has been painting tiny figures that are part of his gaming collection. Very fiddly.

A good birthday weekend, I have been very lucky.

Miserable weather but good day

Anya and Isobel arrived quite late yesterday evening, so a fairly late night but everybody slept well. This morning we went into the town, made a quick surprise visit to Sarah and David just to say hello and for Anya and Isobel to meet them. They are off away again today so it was literally a flying visit. Then we went to a coffee morning, the Crafty Coffee shop and into Missy where I tried on trousers and Anya bought them for my birthday. Isobel tried out the new funky seat in the town.

We came home and then went to the mere with Darren and Tina for lunch. It was wet and cold but Isobel and I did go and feed the ducks, although there were mountains of grain left so they weren’t very interested today.

Isobel was happily teasing uncle Darren in the cafe!

We came back here for a while and then I went with Anya to drop Isobel off at The Deep for her sleepover. Just took a few pictures while we were by the Humber.

This evening Anya and I have watched a few episodes of Grace and Frankie, she bought me a box set of the first two series as she thought I would enjoy them. It is funny with great actors. Then we did a bit of my crossword jigsaw. Quite a challenge.

We are off early in the morning to collect Isobel so not such a late night tonight!

Happy birthday to me!

This morning Tina took me over to Skirlaugh garden centre but we arrived before it opened so we went to a very good plant nursery and got quite a lot of flowers for the hanging baskets. When we got back to the garden centre we. Had a very tasty bacon sandwich and had a good look round. I got a pair of opal earrings set in silver. They are old and had a very thick bar so I almost didn’t get them, especially when the lady who opened the cabinet winced at the thought of wearing them! But I bought them and did struggle a bit to get them in but have been wearing them for several hours now with no problem.

They really are very pretty. When we got home I had flowers waiting on the doorstop and mare that Tian and Darren had ordered indoors. I had already been very lucky with cards and gifts so lovely to have fresh flowers too.

This afternoon Tina, Darren and myself went to Eastfield garden centre for afternoon tea. It was really lovely and in a designated area. We had to have a doggy bag to bring home as there was a lot of cake!

I should have mentioned that we did get the dolls house home this morning, after a bit of a struggle getting it into the car. It is on the dining room table at the moment while I decide where it will live. More pics of it, I am excited to have a Tudor house now.

My first job will be painting the timbers black and maybe adding some different colour to the roof tiles.

This evening Anya and Isobel are arriving late so it will have been a really lovely birthday.

Great outing

This morning Sarah and David picked me up as the rain had arrived and we went off to Skirlaugh garden centre. We set off fairly late so it was lunch time when we arrived. We ordered our food, it was alittle while arriving but very tasty and worth the wait. We chatted and enjoyed the meal before going to look around.

It is not just a garden centre but like a small village with interesting different outlets. It did rain on and off but it didn’t spoil our browsing.

To my surprise there was a dolls house shop and even more exciting there was a Tudor house for sale at a very reasonable price. Ever since I made a dolls house for Isobel I have had the dream of making a Tudor dolls house. I don’t have a workroom as such now but don’t need much space to make furniture. We went away and wandered a bit more, then I decided I was buying it. By then it was tipping down with rain but the lady kindly took measurements and came out to work out whether we could get it into the car! We decided it wouldn’t fit so I bought the house and said I would get Darren or Tina to come and collect it with me. I did take photos, the second one not quite in focus but it gives the general idea.

I went back and had a drink with them before coming home. Tina has said she will take me over to collect the house in the morning. It will be a busy day as we are going to Eastfield garden centre in the afternoon for birthday afternoon tea!

The storm has rolled in tonight so the garden has had a good watering. The first picture was through the landing window which isn’t too clean!

Tina sent me this one of the stormy skies over the mere.

A very nice day and a good one to look forward to tomorrow.