Wednesday evening, 14-08-24

Evening, everyone.

It's felt an 'odd' sort of day but I can't quite put my finger on why.

It started off very, very early; I didn't sleep all that well and by four I was down and doing. so, of course, now I am shattered and fighting to stay awake.

The car, obviously, was still in the car hospital, so I grabbed the opportunity to really get going to tidy up the front.  I did more slab weeding, including as much of next door's side as I could reach (they're away at the moment so the car was staying put.  I neatened round the 'lawn' before mowing it and now the whole front looks so very much better.

While I was doing that, I had two workmen visitors.  The first was a lad from Seth's company to sort out a couple of issues with the garden room (all sorted now) and then later on, Bob (the builder!) turned up with his power tools and now the spike is in the ground and it is all done and dusted.  I can now set up both washing line and parasol without having to wedge them in.  Excellent.

The other was Matt the plumber to give my boiler it's annual service.   However, he needs to sort something out and didn't have nuts or bolts of something so I will get what's needed and come back on Friday to finish.  I'm out so he has a key - I have known Matt long enough to totally trust him.

As for the car - I have it back and have handed over an exorbitant amount but there's still one thing to get done.  Spare parts, of course.  So it's going back in again next Wednesday and I will wait there while they get it done.  Ho hum!

In the meanwhile, everything is back in it again.

It's the first time in a very long while that these two things haven't been totally straightforward but there you go - it has to happen at some point.  As Matt said, it's not that anything is wrong, it's to prevent something going wrong in the future.

I carried on sorting out the garden and pretty much everything is now crossed off the list for now.

The day plodded on, I went to get some washing out of the machine only to find I hadn't turned it on.  Doh!!

Just a bit of an odd day.

Finishing on a positive note . . .

Perhaps the confused dahlia is becoming a little less confused in its older age - this is the first single colour flower it has ever produced (that I've noticed).

And I am picking beans and tomatoes every day now - lovely.  No broad bean shoots but then there wouldn't be yet, would there?

I'm going to love you and leave you now.  I want to stay awake another hour and then I should get to sleep very quickly (fingers crossed).  

Sleep well, everyone.

Oh, by the way, I'll let you know what that photo is tomorrow.  A few clues - microwave, pop up, snack.  

xx

Tuesday evening, 13-08-24

Hi, everyone.  Yes, it has been warm again but below 30C today and with a really pleasant breeze and it's been gorgeous.

Yesterday I bought two things which arrived today.

I think I must be entering my second childhood!  The idea came to me and I just couldn't resist ordering this!

I just hope I won't succumb to garden gnomes now - no, surely not . . it isn't possible - is it???

In case any of you don't know the song, I will post the lyrics and a YouTube link at the bottom.  Obviously, it is a children's' song.

That was one of yesterday's purchases.

This is the other.  Who knows what it is?  Post in comments . . .

Apart from those arrivals, it's been quite a busy day.

Chris and I walked down to the hall for Groove, got hot and sweaty, walked back again and cooled down nicely because we were in shade much of the way and there was a lovely breeze a-blowing.

Then the car was picked up for the MOT and a major service - and there was other work recommended too.  It didn't fail the MOT at all, things like brakes, tyres and so on are absolutely fine but certain things needed replacing/refilling and, because of its age, there was stuff recommended.  Reasonably expensive stuff but I wanted it done because one would be daft not to and this car has been so trouble free over the years; this is the first more expensive service it has had.
So they have kept the car in and will do the work tomorrow, dropping it back afterwards all clean and shiny because they do a 'complimentary valet'.

Not showing off or anything, but I do save a certain percentage of my income each month into short term savings for exactly this sort of inevitable expense so the money is there and has been transferred across for payment tomorrow.

And I now need to start considering when to replace the car.  I think I will see how next year's service goes and progress from there.

While the car was off the drive and as soon as the sun was off it too, I got out the relevant tools and gave the paving a good scrape over to clear the weeds.  It looks really good and clean now so it was worth the sweat and the time it took.
I will tackle the part that belongs to next door too while they are away on holiday but my bit was enough for today.

As I don't know when the car will be back, I have been in conversation with Lindsey and she's giving me a slot for personal training on Thursday morning.  I am so lucky that she is so very adaptable and understanding, aren't I?  

So it has been quite a day today.  I'm going to get this posted early (it's only five thirty) and then chill.  I do hope you have had a satisfying day too and all the best for the evening and tomorrow.  xx

Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green
Strawberries are sweeter than any I've seen
Beetroots purple and onions white
All grow steadily day and night

The apples are ripe, the plums are red
The broadbeans are sleepin' in a blankety bed

Blackberries are juicy and rhubards are sour
Marrows are fattening hour by hour
Gooseberries hairy and lettuces fat
Radishes round and runner beans flat

The apples are ripe, the plums are red
The broadbeans are sleepin' in a blankety bed

Orangey carrots and turnips cream
Reddening tomatoes that used to be green
Brown potatoes in little heaps
Down in the darkness where the celery sleeps

The apples are ripe, the plums are red
The broadbeans are sleepin' in a blankety bed

Monday evening, 12-08-24

Evening, everyone.  Oh, my goodness, it has been a scorcher around here today.  I gather it was into the 30s which is hot by anyone's standard.

I drove over to Lindsey's for circuits and it was really pleasant.  The heat hadn't really started up, it was all outside and it was great fun.  We had four young lads that came with their mums so it was a lively session.

I didn't have long back at home before my lovely friend, L, came over.  We sat out in the garden under the parasol (I am so glad I got it) and talked non stop for over two hours while it got hotter and hotter and hotter.

When she left, I checked my List Of Things To Do and decided that it was way too hot to do most of them, (and not urgent either) so I cleared the car and got the necessary things together for her annual service and MOT tomorrow, made a couple of Amazon orders (I'll tell you about them when they arrive), did a bit of housework, watered my long suffering plants , had my lunch and then did the hot weather thing - curtains closed, windows open to make the most of the breeze and fans on - before sitting down and nodding off.  😉

I joined Lindsey's online Groove class at six, thinking I would never last out but I did.  OK, so the fan was blowing on me and, yes, I got exceedingly sweaty but it was good.  And finally I joined a group chat for a Facebook group I belong to.  I've just finished that, watered the pots and done this post and it is almost bedtime.  The day seems to have passed very quickly indeed.

I believe it is supposed to be more moderate tomorrow.  I do hope so.
Stay cool, everyone, keep hydrated and I hope you have great sleep tonight.  xx

Sunday evening, 11-08-24

 Evening.  It's been a hot day at times, for sure.  I gather tomorrow the temperature will jump up so let's be careful, keep water to hand and use that sun block!

I had quite a lot to do today so I made a Little List.

1.  Sort out fridge, clean and tidy.  Done.  Actually, it didn't take too long and there were only a few old jars, opened and past their date.  I was pleased.

2.  Downstairs housework.  I usually do this tomorrow but tomorrow I have a friend round, the place needs a clean and I won't have time tomorrow because of circuits first thing.  Done now.  I don't usually do that sort of housework on a Sunday but, just for once . . .

Then there were some garden things.

3.  Finish bed and plant broad beans.

♬🎜♫ The broad beans are sleepin' in a blankety bed 🎝♬♫

I love that song.

Hopefully they won't sleep too soundly though!

4.  Compost leaves and cucumber plants.  All done and in the compost heap and the soil left in the planter went on the blankety bed.

5.  Clear weeds from between slabs, etc.

Started.  There's more to do at the front but the back looks better.  It got rather too hot.

6.  Feed tomatoes, etc.

Ooops - must do this tomorrow.  I've watered now.

So, all in all, quite a productive and satisfying day and I should sleep well.

It's a busy week coming up, for sure.  Bit spendy too.
Monday:  two fitness classes (and it is going to be hot), a friend round for coffee am and an online chat in the evening
Tuesday:  Groove and the walk there and back, car in for a service (ouch), a helpful phone call to sort something out (nothing nasty or bad, thankfully)
Wednesday:  boiler service (which is stopping me going to circuits but priorities!), Personal Training
Thursday:  SET online, Chat with Chris, someone from Seth's company round (I hope) to sort something else out.
Friday:  Slimming World, over to Diane's and out for lunch
Saturday:  SET online and a Writtle walk.
. . . plus all the usual stuff, of course.

So, I will need my beauty sleep!

I hope it's not been too hot for you today and that, whatever you've done, it's been a good day for you.

All the best - nighty night.xx

Saturday evening, 10-08-24

Hi, everyone.  Today may have started off a bit dull and gloomy but it soon brightened up and it has been so lovely.  No complaints whatsoever.

It has turned out to be quite a busy day today.

It started off with me deciding I really needed to change my sheets and get some more washing done so I got going pretty pronto and got one load on the line before I did the SET class online and another load out between SET and leaving for our Writtle walk.  The third load was done when I got back and as I type, it's all been ironed, etc, and just needs putting away - and my bed needs making up too.  That won't take long.

Both SET and the walk were really good so the morning passed quickly.

Come the afternoon, there were various bits and bobs that needed doing including going to Morrisons for some potatoes.  I did have some but they were not in great nick and I had planned a jacket potato for dinner and you need good skin for a jacket potato - well, I do.

Once home again, I did some peeling and chopping of the wrinkled and sprouting ones, parboiled what I could salvage, steam dried them, dredged then in flour and open froze them.  So now I have a bag of potatoes that will take no time at all to roast.  I'm so glad they were salvageable.

I didn't get anything started in the garden so that's on tomorrow's list now.

I did take a few photos though . . .

Guess what I'm having as part of my Sunday roast tomorrow.

And ditto . . .

Not such good news about the cucumbers though.  

To be fair, I have had nine or ten cucumbers off the right hand plant but nothing off the other and they are now over and done so they're coming out tomorrow.

Ditto for the right hand pot of leaves, destined for the compost bin.  I will sow one more lot and start cutting from the left hand pot.

All fd, ready, waiting and looking good - another task for tomorrow.

It had better not rain!

On the flower front . . .

Some future Autumnal colour - some chrysanthemums.  Pink, of course!

One of the dahlia bedding plants - isn't it pretty?  I do hope they all survive until next year and become regulars, like the confused one at the front.

A third flowering of the lupin.  Great value there.

And now I'm getting this posted before picking up my knitting and catching up on some telly.  I had some of that blue yarn left so I'm making a hat and scarf set for me to use it up.  I need to have something for my hands to do come the evening.

Have you had a good day too?  I do hope so.

Night, everyone.  Sleep well.  xx

Friday evening, 09-08-24

Evening,. everyone.   How's your day gone?

Round here, it started off ever so dull and dismal and none too warm but by midday the sun was out and shining warmly and it's been a delightful summer's day.

I went to Slimming World as usual (a pound off) and then, after breakfast, did a bit of garden stuff before it got hot.
The veg bed is nearly ready for planting those winter-harvesting broad beans (applied with a good dollop of crossed fingers) as I have now added to the soil some compost and some well rotted horse manure (so it says on the bag) that I bought via Amazon.  I think I just want to add some garden compost, give it all a good fork over and Bob's your uncle, I don't think I can do any more!

I also went round doing some deadheading.  The Japanese anemones are lovely this year, as is the confused dahlia at the front.

Also round the front I have a few gladioli that always come up year after year but have done better this year.  I don't pick them but one spire got bent right over somehow (may have been a random football from the next door children - an occupational; hazard of having that sort of thing round the front) so I cut it off, took off all the faded flowers and popped what was left in a bud vase.  It's very pretty and I think I might like to have some round the back too.  I won't dig them out of the front, I will get some new bulbs - if they are bulbs . . .

Apart from the usual daily stuff, the day passed quietly and I felt very rested after a great night's sleep last night.  Tomorrow will be a bit more energetic with an online SET class and then a walk with some Slimming World friends so I'll probably get an early-ish night again tonight.

Do you have any exciting weekend plans.

Night, everyone, sleep well and sweet dreams.  xx

Thursday evening, 08-08-24

Evening, everyone.
I'm desperately weary this evening; I woke so early this morning and haven't had a snooze during the day so, for two pins, I could go to bed right now - but I won't!

It was a beautifully sunny morning so I set the parasol up and the chairs for Chris and me to sit out to enjoy our coffee and chat.

I did a very small weekly shop as really the only things I needed were fruit and veg - great for the August budget!

And I've finished the blue jumper.  It's very slouchy and floppy and should be perfect for a winter snuggle in my recliner.
It wasn't' the best written pattern I have ever come across and when I make it again (which I will) there are several small changes I want to make.

I enjoyed knitting it though.

Later on the sunshine vanished as the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up and we have had rain.  At least it stopped the day from getting super-warm and humid and the plants looked grateful.

And that's about it for the day.  The rest is just same old same old.

Thank you for your understanding of my concerns yesterday.  It's been all over the news, hasn't it - the police were ready, the troublemakers didn't turn up nearly as much as rumoured and the general public seems to be making a stand and saying, in effect, 'you don't speak for us at all - just go away and get lost'.  Although I am concerned that even peaceful protest can turn nasty, it did my heart good to see so many people standing up to be counted, so to speak.

Well, I will love you, leave you and get this posted.  I hope your day was lovely, as mine was.  See you tomorrow.  xx