And then - the sky's the limit - a full roast dinner come the autumn.
Saturday, 26 July 2025
Well done, Alex
And then - the sky's the limit - a full roast dinner come the autumn.
Friday, 25 July 2025
25-07-25
What I am going to do is buy some very cheap sheets and practise with a toile (I had to look that up) which basically is a mock up of what you want to make for fitting purposes. All the patterns I have are multi sized and I have no idea at the moment. So I guess it is back to Temu and I will also look elsewhere.
Anyway, enough of that. Today is Slimming World and then Alex is over. At his request, we are practising shaping pizza dough because we really made a right mess of it last time.
Should be interesting!
Thursday, 24 July 2025
24-07-25
Morning. Another very dull start, more rain and another humid spell overnight which may or may not have been a storm. Light rain and a breeze is on the cards for today. I'm now starting to be concerned for my tomatoes and the dreaded blight . . . not that there is anything I can do.
A bit random and lurid but I did enjoy making this and I've learned how to make half hexagons and triangles that fit round the edge. If I were to make it again, I would change lots of things about it but it was fun to make all the same.I also had a good look at some very gorgeous and lavish sewing machines. Oh, my!
PT was fun, as always.
Today I have the usual coffee and chat with Christine and then I am off out round to Val's for lunch, bearing a gift of a cucumber. lol!#
Better go and get the day started. Have a good one, whatever the weather. Jackie, I hope your air quality improves soon.
Bye, all xx
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
23-07-25
There's a few other bits and bobs I want to get too in other places.
Tuesday, 22 July 2025
22-07-25
(no spoilers in case anyone hasn't seen it yet).
Hoping you had a lovely day yesterday. All the best, stay safe and stay dry. xx
Monday, 21 July 2025
Sunday, 20 July 2025
20-07-25
No complaints from me!
Saturday, 19 July 2025
19-07-25
The herb and foliage bed with the cucumbers to the left and some of the tomatoes along the fence. And while on the subject, I am now picking a small handful of tomatoes each day and, for the first time since last Autumn, tomatoes were not on the shopping list. They taste amazing!
Straight down the garden, over the flower bed, to the garden room. I am so glad I put the cover on the egg chair.
Right again and it is the blankety bed and you can see how happy the tomatoes and runner beans are in that bed. You can't see the chilli; it is well camouflaged and the fruit is still green but slowly lightening. To the right of that is the baby corn. Still no baby corns but time will tell. :-)
Finally, I braved the rain to grab a photo of one of the hanging baskets. Very pretty.
I also want to catch up on the first of the new Sewing Bee series.
Friday, 18 July 2025
18-07-25
You have a good day too. xx
Thursday, 17 July 2025
17-07-25
Good morning again, everyone. No sun this morning and the forecast seems to indicate a very dull day ahead of us round here. Not terribly hot though, thankfully.
Yesterday was a pretty good day. I got a lot of little things done, personal training was, as always, useful and fun, and I went to the open evening at school and saw several old friends. I don't know any of the children now though - it's been nine years, or will be at the end of August, since I retired. Would I go back now? Not a chance. It was lovely looking round but I'm over that kind of life now, well over.
Confession time, folks. I've booked another break - a Monday to Friday at one of my favourite places, Center Parcs, Elveden. As always, I've taken a self catering apartment by the lake; they are so very comfortable and smart and then have balconies overlooking the lake so fingers crossed for nice weather. Early morning coffee on the balcony is lovely!
Surprisingly, it wasn't that expensive. I mean, CP holidays aren't cheap but it seemed to be quite a lot less that a couple of weeks later. Maybe the end of September is a less busy time there. Anyway - done, dusted and paid for. It's put the clappers on any extra savings this month but I'm OK with that.
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
16-07-25
Good morning, everyone. It is a fine, sunny start to the day but we had some rain yesterday evening and overnight. Not loads, not enough, but it all helps.
The runner beans must have appreciated it and maybe the insects heard what I wrote yesterday because here's the first baby runner bean (that I can see). There's loads of flowers though so I really must start making more gaps in my freezer so I can freeze bags of runners for the colder weather.I was looking through my diary for the Broomfield coach trips, all day trips apart from Edinburgh, that I have booked.
This year (from here on):
Brighton
Rye
Evita
Knit and stitch show
John Rutter concert
Norwich
Edinburgh
Kew Gardens (lights
Thursford (maybe)
Harrods and then carols at RAH
And in 2026 (so far)
Leeds Castle
St Albans
Paddington, the Musical
Stratford upon Avon.
Plus Crete and Spain - not Broomfield coach trips.
A really nice mix of interest, shows, specials and visiting interesting places
I don't think my children can argue that I'm not enjoying my money in my 'old age', can they?
So why am I pondering on a short break in September? lol
Today starts nice and easy as I don't have to get out for a class. The first scheduled thing is personal training this afternoon and then, early evening, I am into school because it is Open Evening and the governors are all invited. It's a good excuse to wander round, be nosey and see some old friends again in their natural environment. :-)
So - after the necessaries, I should have time to play with some hexagons - and puzzle out how to do the middle.
Have a great day. Bye. xx
Tuesday, 15 July 2025
15-07-25
The one I cut yesterday was proper nice, no bitterness at all.
The first Sungold to begin to ripen. Thought of Dad when I saw it.
And others. They are definitely on their way now.
I wonder if I forgot to add crushed egg shells to the soil in that pot. All the others are fine . . .
Better up my intake of spicy foods! So many chillies!
A bit hard to see but I've picked loads of blueberries and there's still loads more. I am now putting some in the freezer. Blueberry jam, maybe?
I've decided that next week's loaf for Lindsey is going to be my first go at a cheese and chorizo one. I'll use the recipe I got from the course and guess at the amounts of cheese and chorizo. It was such a delicious loaf.
Monday, 14 July 2025
14-07-25
So there's a bag of rind in the freezer (which might have been the wrong thing to do but we will see) and when I've finished the rest of the water melon, I will have a go.
Has anyone made this pickle before? How did it work out? Was it nice?
Sunday, 13 July 2025
13-07-25
Goodness knows how it will turn out but I just want a quick something to try with a quick turn around!
Bye - see you tomorrow! xx
Saturday, 12 July 2025
12-07-25
I don't know about you but it was so hot here that I have not slept very well at all. It's fresher now so windows are open, etc, but will get hot again. I'm trying to keep the vegetables watered but it's hot work! :-)
I just hope I haven't picked it too soon - if I have, it will taste a bit bitter. I guess that's how you find out. It did snap off its stem very easily so fingers crossed. However, with several snapping at its heels, I felt I ought to pick it.
I'm trying to keep them well watered - runner beans need so much water - and there are plenty of insects around so maybe the early flowers will set and give me beans in a few weeks time. That would be great.
I'm not sure I ever showed you the finished Trellis CAL. Here it is, is situ, draped over the back of my sofa The colours are just perfect.
Friday, 11 July 2025
11-07-25
Also, some of the tomatoes are showing colour. I give them a week, maybe ten days, and I'll be picking enough to stop buying them.
The runner beans are sending out plenty of flower stems now.
And, talking of the whole Alex and work situation - here is something Beth posted on Facebook so it's not private or anything. It's quite long and please excuse the language . . .
Thursday, 10 July 2025
10-07-25
Morning, everyone! How are you all? It was getting hot yesterday afternoon so look out for the rest of the week.
First of all, I left you with a question yesterday. My cucumber teenager measured 13.5 cms and I asked how much it would grow in 24 hours.
I have just measured it and it's now 16.67 cms so it has grown 3.2 cms in 24 hours. Wow! Well done to My Piece of Earth who said 3 cms. Very close.
This surprised me - I didn't think it would be quite so much. It's starting to fill out a bit too so I will definitely be eating home grown cucumber next week, I should say.
While on the subject, I had the first two ripe tomatoes (yellow, Tumbling Tom) in a salad yesterday - lovely! That's it for a while although several are looking ready to start ripening.
I did get her bread baked though and popped it over. The warm weather helped to speed things up and I made three baguettes. Veronica, I sliced along as you suggested. The tops ended up a bit ragged but lovely and rustic looking and the rise was good so thanks very much for your help.
And I need to ask Beth if/when she wants bread, etc.
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
09-07-25
Good morning, everyone. It's a lovely fresh start to Wednesday but it's going to get hot! My second fan arrived yesterday so it will be put to good use, I promise. That particular one has sold out on Amazon now - I got one - two - just in time.
I had such a lovely time with my friend yesterday. She lives in Maldon but needed to come over to Chelmsford and the bus she was on is the same one as I use to get into town so I met her at the stop and we had lunch followed by a good old catch up in the garden room. So, so pleasant!
Thank you for your lovely comments re the cucumbers! I'm really pleased with the way the garden is coming on this year. I don't grow a lot but it's nice when what I do grow is happy.You've seen the cucumbers, the runner beans are starting to send out flower stems (see photo), the tomatoes are flourishing apart from one that has blossom end rot. It's the 'novelty' one and it's a bit weird anyway. Odd shaped fruit and odd droopy leaves. I don't like it much and it may see the inside of the bin soon. If the fruit can't be eaten . . .
Then the blueberry is absolutely smothered with ripening fruit and the raspberries look promising for the autumn. The chilli is also covered and they should start ripening soon. Finally, the runner beans are sending out flower stems now. Yay!
Not a lot, but it's all good.
A little garden game for you. I've just measured the right hand side cucumber - 13.5 cms. How many more cms/mms do you think it will have grown by this time tomorrow? Answers in comments. :-)
Today is busy. Not tricky, just busy. It starts with circuits class, then the lovely Sharon is round to do my hair. Back to the Shimmy Studio for my personal training and then there's a governor's meeting. I just need to give the paperwork a last read through and the rest is just happening.
I do have some ironing and the usual stuff, but that's OK.
I'd better get going then - I have started this week's Lindsey sourdough and had better get on with it. The fridge will be my best friend for this week's loaf, I think.
Take care, all, stay cool, have a lovely day and see you again tomorrow. Bye. xx
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
08-07-25
Monday, 7 July 2025
07-07-25
And on the coach was a couple, the lady of whom was a dinner lady and another lady whose son I taught in Y1.
I won't inflict too many plant/flower photos, but there were some stunning ones. These were part of a huge display of lilies and the impact was stunning.
Memorable.
This one was really pretty .
People were queueing to go in and look round so I didn't bother.
This is all hand embroidery. It almost looked like a photograph.
Mind you, fair enough - there was some extremely skilled and detailed work going on.
If I ever win big on my premium bonds, that's the sort of thing I will indulge in. Things like that and there was also some lovely garden sculpture sort of stuff, stone carvings in organically flowing shapes. I'd be concerned about leaving them in the garden, the value of some of them. They're the sort of thing you design a whole garden around.
I was looking for something nice for my friend, Diane, who is eighty this month, and I found my main gift to her. I won't show it here in case she sees it but I so hope she likes it.
There were loads of garden equipment stalls and I was greatly tempted by a composter that makes your garden compost in eight to ten weeks. You know what I mean - it's a kind of barrel that you rotate now and again to accelerate the composting process. I am seriously thinking about it. Do any of you have one? How do you find it?
We had a very sudden and severe downpour around lunch time. I was under an avenue of trees so it wasn't so bad, even when the wind got up for a brief time. I was lucky.
Saturday, 5 July 2025
05-07-25 - evening
So that was a bit of positive news.
I found another way of making sure Beth, Dave and Alex don't have to shell out anything before probate is granted or take out any expensive loans. No more funeral plans for me, thank you!
I've ordered another one for my bedroom!
The chillies can be seen quite clearly now.
Despite my reservations regarding how there are planted, they seem to be going great guns. No baby corns yet though.
Fingers are crossed.