Sunday, 23-04-23

Good morning, everyone.  We have quite obviously had some rain overnight and everything is soaking, but it's not raining right now.  The forecast for this morning is not great but the BBC thinks the sun will come out between showers this afternoon - I hope so, that would be really nice.

Yesterday was lovely (although chilly) with plenty of sunshine.  It clouded over later on but by then I was back inside.

The day started with the SET class at Lindsey's Studio while a load of washing did its thing at home.  When I came home, I had breakfast, hung the washing out, put a new load in and set out for another garden centre visit.  I didn't really have enough for a full load but, as I'm away next weekend, I will have enough washing to clear the baskets next Thursday and have a full choice for packing.  

At the garden centre, I treated myself to another garden tool in my set.  I really like the Wolf Garten equipment, the kind with the changeable handles, and the one I got was the weed extractor.

This is it, photo borrowed from their site.  You can see at the top there should be a handle - I have a nice range of handles so didn't need one.

I think they are lovely tools, easy to use and there's such a wide range.

I am considering this a birthday pressie to myself, from me!

When I got home, I set to and worked on the front 'garden' - I call it a garden for want of a better word but, really, it is just a strip of soil along the house, before the car standing space.  It does look a lot nicer now and incomparably better than the whole space looked before the paving was done, although it will be improved when the bulbs have died back properly.

There's not a load of colour yet because established things are still coming up and I put in a couple more perennials, a Veronica and something called Felicia, a sort of daisy-like flower, as well as some bedding which should (fingers crossed) last most of the summer rather than look colourful straight away.  I also planted up the two pots which stand by the front door.

There's some trailing lobelia and violas left and I will pop them in the raised flower bed.

I got all the clothes dried and the ironing done so, all in all, a good day's work!  Oh, I nearly forgot - I also baked a loaf of bread as I was getting short.  I've got the afternoon tea bread but I'm not sure how much of that will be left over.  

Today, there's plenty to do but it is intermittent and none of it is hard work.  I've already sliced the ham, boiled the eggs for egg mayo filling, sliced the loaf and put it in the freezer and got out the two loaves for sandwiches.  I won't be getting the cakes out until later.

In case you're wondering, the two loaves are medium sliced and I slice my everyday bread more thinly.  I'm rather expecting Beth and Alex will take what's left home with them - Alex has already indicated a doggy bag or two would not go amiss, bless him.

I'm expecting Victoria round later on - she's the lady who has her floristry business (she runs the Christmas wreath evenings I always go to) - with a bouquet of flowers.
This may sound silly.  I got the idea from Val who does something similar.  These flowers are bought using a bit of my money from Mum and Dad and I am considering the flowers a birthday gift from them.  Yes, silly, maybe but comforting.

Well, it has brightened up a bit now although the sun is far from emerging, the solar panels are earning their keep and all is well in my little world right now.  Time to have a second coffee, I think.
Have a lovely Sunday, everyone, whether the sun shines or not.  xx