Lay Lady Lay

Actually ladies, could you have a rest cos we have an egg mountain!  Tiny bantam eggs, rich dark brown huge ones and large paler ones.  We haven't tracked down who's laying what yet but I sincerely hope the big ones are from the maran and not the bantams!!

Our new flock we took on as 10 week old chicks have now blossomed into sweet young ladies. Well. Apart from one. Our beautiful lavender pekin bantam turned out to be a cockerel so sadly we had to give him away. Our neighbours wouldn't have tolerated his lusty crow every morning and several times each day so needs must.  such a shame. He was a beauty. Here he is in the foreground just before we let him go, looking like the king of his castle.  

We had a mixed brood of two chocolate pekins (Titch and  Myrtle) a black maran (Chickneequa) (don't ask), a gorgeous little flitty-about mille-fiore (Millie, natch) and a huge Light Sussex  called Big Bird)

I was surprised when they all started laying before Xmas. I thought they'd have been waiting until around Feb for some reason but they're all merrily popping out eggs all over the place with no sign of slowing down at present! 

This morning Ktt 

and I breakfasted like kings (and Queens!) with boilies and soldiers for him 

And poached for me. Cept I forgot to take a pic until I was being mugged by the hooligan for a toast crust.  This dog would forego prime steak for toast

I use poaching pods cos I'm hopeless at perfectly poached eggs!

Well that's four used up.  Now for the other 19!!

Of dreich days, argumentative kindles and cabbages.

How do?!

Welcome to new followers Briony and Janina. Many thanks for your company.

How are we all then?  Another "dreich" (thanks Aril!!) day here in the Black Country.  I love that word.  DREICH. It says it perfectly doesn't it?  A Scottish word for dreary and bleak. It even sounds like a mixture of those two very words.  The Kindle insisted that it was changing the word to "French"  and I had to retype it about three times. My life revolves around arguing with my Kindle!  It does my swede in.  (Not Sweden.  Sigh)

Lovely fella had his manky tooth (Kindle converted that to manly tooth. Teehee) removed today so he's feeling a bit sore around the gills. At least it's out though. He had a nasty infection in his gum just before Xmas so it needed to be taken out.

Another slow news day here at the pod, so I'll share some old news instead. Long standing readers might remember me posting about my brother's attempts at growing monster cabbages last year. Unfortunately they peaked a little early for the Malvern show and he was just down to one to exhibit; a mighty legume he christened Colin. Unfortunately Colin didn't win any prizes but he certainly stood up well amongst his peers. Bro has already sown his new batch for this year and has them growing under a very intricate hydroponics system to be in with a chance for this year's shows

Colin in his hey day

Bro won first prize with his pot leeks

Mum, on the other hand, was thrilled to receive second prize at a local allotment show for her two cabbages which were in fact runts of the litter she had inherited from Bro which she had grown for fun. Just look at her little face!!

There you go then. How about that for a heap of randomness?!  Aren't you lucky?!

See you soon
Xx

Bubbleicious

So it's back to work time and the first Monday of the new year.  Commuting returns to its usual nightmare state. Over subscribed trains rammed with sullen faced young men and overly perfumed women all glued to their phones. Blimey you can tell there has been much giving of scent for Christmas. Our carriage this morning smelt like a migraine inducing tart's boudoir. I adore perfume but was actually glad to breathe in some Birmingham smog when I got off the train.

The new job is going. Um. Ok I guess.  I still don't know whether I've done the right thing but I haven't broken anything yet and haven't been yelled at. I'm nearing the end of my probation period so I shall know shortly whether I have to look elsewhere.

Man is off for a few days as he has to have a nasty dental appointment tomorrow to remove a shattered tooth. He's currently raising the rafters by snoring his head off. I'm not used to company on a school night as he's usually at work. He best quieten down as he may not need the dentist to remove his tooth tomorrow!!  It's a good job I love him!

I have discovered bubble tea. Have you guys heard of it?  Goodness it's soooo good.  I had a lychee one today. I may have found a new obsession. You can get milky type ones but I go for the fruit ones. It's made with a base syrup, topped up with ice and Jasmine tea then poured over these little ball things which you suck up the straw and pop in your gob releasing tiny bursts of flavour.  The balls are actually made of tapioca but so far removed from anything resembling school puddings!  It's So different. It originated in Taiwan and got very popular in americky before landing here.  As if I need any new obsessions!

See you soon x

Stuff. and nonsense. ( probably)

Hellair!

The house has been de-christmased, everything is back in its rightful place. And you will have noticed, there is a new addition to the "stuff" table.  I love stuff. I couldnt be minimalist if I tried

No hooligan hound, Studhead Sally is waaaay too cool for you!

This is Studhead Sally.  A head customised by my very clever sis in law.  she was a Xmas pressie. Studhead Sally.  Not my sis in law.  Very 'me' don't you think?

Above the stuff table resides our memories of Glastonbury purchase.  At the bottom of the High Street is a shop called Happy Glastonbury which sells the usual Glasto loveliness, crystals, jewellery, charms etc. But we fell in love with these images which were available in a variety of media. Mugs, cards, canvases... each one showing the Tor in the background.    Being limited for space due to travelling by coach, we settled for some cards which I framed in a multi aperture mount and frame when we got home. It makes me happy every time I look at it.

Slow news New Year.

Happy New Year bloglies. I hope all is well in your collective worlds.

I had to go to work on New Years Eve. Boo to that, but unusually I saw a glimpse of sunshine, albeit a brief one, catching the brickwork of the council building which gave it a somewhat honeyed glow. Odd to think that just a couple of weeks ago the German market with all its kitsch rubbish and sausagey scents was in full swing on this very spot.

I rarely take a lunch break, but I decided to take myself over to the new Grand Central shopping arena and dragged myself, kicking and screaming in protest I might add, into Cath Kidston's store whereupon a very pretty orphan handbag leapt into my arms and nestled there, looking lost and forlorn until I promised to adopt it.  This is why I don't take lunch breaks very often.  In my defence I spent Christmas money so there.

I couldn't wait to get home.  The crowds at 5pm were almost as bad as they were on Christmas eve carrying arms full of carrier bags and bemoaning the fact that the shops were having the audacity to close at 5pm.  How much "stuff" do people actually need?

I scurried for the train at home time. Well scurrying was perhaps a bit over ambitious.  For scurrying read limping painfully dragging my gammy leg behind me.  Once home I collapsed into the bath, anointed myself with posh new lotions and potions,  donned new jamas and shared a Chinese takeaway with me lovely fella. Snuggled on the sofa we saw in the New Year with Bryan Adams who put on a surprisingly good sing along.

Yesterday was spent in hibernation. I adore being at home at this time of year and really do feel a physical wrench if I have to go out. The vile weather we are having doesn't help. I just want to be here in my chair; snoozing, resting, crocheting and the occasional web browsing and blog reading makes me a happy bunny.  I feel very weak, tired and bone achey after a really heavy cold just before Xmas so I don't feel guilty at all.

We popped out for a beautiful Indian meal with the family for a couple of hours last night which was just long enough to be out.

It's rained for most of the day today too. Double yuk. Shopping for essentials only was done  quick smart today before home again at top speed.

Gawd what a load of bloody uninteresting drivel that post was!  Must try harder methinks!

Wishing you all good spaces and health for 2016.

May the force be strong in you.  

Blessings x

Another one done

And it's all over for another year.  It doesn't seem five minutes since I left work last Wednesday and now here I am in bed with that familiar sense of dread lying in the pit of my stomach as I'm back at work tomorrow.

We've had a lovely family time though.  Lots of laughs and fun, as well as lots of down time for me and the fella, hibernating in the living room, cat on one sofa, dog on the other, fella watching endless drivel and me catching up on some crochet. I had chronic lurgy the week before Christmas which still has me in its clutches. My son had it at the same time as me, and now man has it. Horrid germs!

My current WIP together with a crafty gift from the kids 

Another crafty gift 

Gratuitous shot of a very unusually clean looking hooligan hound

"I am taking no responsibility at all for this mess"

Gerald in festive attire.  He was not best pleased 

After a blogging break and several busy life events hopefully I can get back to blogging again.  Fingers crossed!

Hope you have all had a splendid festive period.

Seasons of mists...

Or gurt big thick peasoupers more like!!

The fog only lifted for a short while this morning giving us a brief hour or two of weak autumnal sunshine before it rolled back in; enveloping the fields and the top of the garden.  By 5pm it had thickened and now we can barely see to the other side of the road.  Proper November weather.  I'm hoping it will have cleared by morning as British Rail don't need much excuse to cancel the trains!

We have been happy at home today. Man has been stripping pallets and making frames for some rustic planters for outside the front door which I will fill with spring flowering bulbs.

I have pottered in the kitchen, making apple crumble with some windfalls from mom's allotment and making a roast pork dinner.

We had a quick walk to the shop this afternoon and I spotted this tree. It was still foggy but the weak sunshine behind it illuminated the last of it's leaves which were clinging on like a halo.

You may need to click on the pic to see what I mean. 

What a very grey picture!

Have some colour to brighten things up. My lovely autumn planted pots make me happy and are a real splash of colour on a dismal day. 

Hope your weekend was a good one!

See you soon xx

I'm back again

Hello bloglies!!

I made it back!

Blessed Samhain to those of a similar mind. 

If not then happy pumpkin carving and mugging the neighbours for Haribo day!

I took a bit of a blogging respite over the summer as, basically, my head was a shed. As appears to be the new saying!

I've lost the plot with my diet but am still hanging on to a weight loss, albeit a smaller one than last time I posted but I'm taking the positive. I'm hoping now that my life is back on track I can kick start it again.  

I have a new job!  Yep. After 18 years in a job I was beginning to despise because of cynical management I finally decided that I was not a tree. I could actually stop whining about the fact that someone else in the department was being paid more than me for doing the same job and do something positive.  So after a couple of non starters I secured a job in the big bad city. My salary has increased more than I could have achieved in ten years at my previous firm and I have taken on a semi-supervisory role. I've been there a week and although daunting it hasn't gone too badly at all. It will be a huge learning curve but I'm up for the challenge. 

We went to Glastonbury for a few days in September and had the best time. As envisaged we absolutely adored it. We climbed the Tor (almost to the top but the light faded too quickly for us to get up to the very top), we visited the Chalice Well where I lit candles, hid offerings and had a little cry, visited the Abbey where The fella dropped his very expensive sunnies in the fishpond!  Bad luck there but I'm sure there's a very cool looking carp swimming around in them now!  

We gained six gorgeous chickies for our coop. They were just babies when we got them but they're growing into lovely hens now.  Sadly we had to get rid of our beautiful lavender pekin which turned out to be a cockerel and not the hen we had specifically requested rather than potentially incur the wrath of our spiteful neighbour. Sad but necessary as he was far too noisy for a terraced house garden. 

 My son left school and has gone to college to study music tech. Hes also secured a job at a big supermarket and has just started this past week.  How can this be?  He's only 3!!

I have lots of pics to share but can't access them from my phone. Another day maybe? 

Blessings. 

See you soon

X

Jolly Green Giants

Remember me mentioning that my brother was trying his hand at growing some giant veg this year?   Well these are his cabbages so far.  They're bloody hewoooooge! There is no photoshopping involved in these photographs - that really is a garden fork put there for scale!!

In other news, I have 6 ikkle chicks being delivered on Monday.  They'll be about 8 weeks old and will consist of 2 black marans, 2 chocolate orpingtons, 1 lavender pekin and a mille fleur.

I can't wait to have a little flock back in the garden.

See you soon!

Back again

Hello all

I've had a bit of a blogging respite these last few weeks.  Life has been a bit mental to say the least and my feet haven't touched the floor.  I do miss my blog though and still do catch up with all of you even if I may not post a comment at each visit.

Weight loss now stands at 45lbs.  I'm struggling though.  I've had about four weeks where I'm at a complete standstill and am sick of the sight of bloody yoghurts and quark!  I have to kick myself very sharply up the backside now because I can feel myself starting to slip back into bad old ways.

The lottie is looking rather stunning.  We've had pickings of beautiful broad beans and lots of strawberries.

The flag Iris have been stunning this year - and huge to boot!

The redcurrants are beginning to turn

The foxgloves are rife and encouraging bees to visit

I think this one might be a bit of a hybrid!!  A foxglove crossed with a lavatera perhaps?!  Who knows?!

OI! Stop doing that and get eating those ruddy blackflly on my beans!

My brother is growing giant veg this year.  His cabbages are nearly as big as me already!!   I'll try to take some pics this week so you can see their progress.  He's also growing giant swede, leeks, sunflowers, tomatoes and pumpkins!

We've had a busy few weekends too.  Zara and I did a summer fayre stall - me selling my weightloss boards and count down boards and she was selling her jewellery.  It was very wet unfortunately so the attendance was very poor.

Later the same day the family gathered and took Mum on the Severn Valley Railway evening fish and chip supper tour.  It was lovely and the weather was stunning - brilliant after such a soggy day.

This is Mum and her two babies (my brother and I!) at Bridgnorth.

What else?  Oh yes - I completed the "Legal Walk" around Birmingham! 8km if you please!  I certainly couldn't have done that when I was 45lbs heavier!

The dog has been shorn!  His coat was sooooo thick and itchy, and quite matted beneath where he gets silly and doesn't let us brush him out, so we took him to the doggydressers and they clipped him.  He looks about half the dog he was!  It's a little drastic I know but he really did need sorting out and it won't be this close a crop in future.  I think he'll appreciate it in the predicted warmer weather.  He looks sooo funny and his ears are HUGE!

Right - that's me all caught up with my news I think.  I'm off to catch up with all of yours now! 

Toodle pip!!

Lottie time

Had a stint down at the Lottie today.  She's looking rather fetching in her spring finery.

I've sown butternut squash, sunflowers, broccoli and cucamelons today and they're all slumbering in the shed.

The potatoes have been mounded up. The peas are showing now so will need protecting against the marauding pigeons. The raspberries have gone mental so need thinning out drastically and the strawberries are already in flower.  The rhubarb patch is looking like a small prehistoric jungle. As you can imagine there is lots to be done as always.

A froth of forget me nots!

My brother's plot is over the way from mine and mom's and is a complete show piece. He lives, breathes and sleeps gardening and this year is growing some monster veg as well as his usual crops.   He is experimenting with hydroponics and poly tunnels and soil vitamins and all manner of chemistry and witchcraft. I'll take some more pics next time as my phone died, but nestling safely behind the cage within a cage is the first of his giant cabbages!

More Lottie updates soon.

 Blessed Beltane. 

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