This is another charity shop find that I love. It lives on shelf in the kitchen. It's about 6inches high. I throw all my small change in it, and it's readily available when the older grandkids ask for an ice-cream or a treat. In fact, if anyone is looking for change, you will hear the youngest one (3) say "Check Grandma's Cash !"
At the moment I am reading "The Other Woman" by Jane Green. I have had this book for a few months, but it's been a case of too much to read and too little time. I would class it as a light read, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I've taken the synopsis below directly from Jane Green's website.
Ellie and Dan are living proof that opposites attract. She's impulsive; he follows all the rules. He loves sports; she's allergic to any form of exercise. Ellie doesn't have a mother. Dan does -- a very involved mother.
At first, Ellie is thrilled to be accepted into the loving Cooper clan and have Dan's mom, Linda, as her "adopted" mother. But then Ellie starts to wonder, how has the intimate civil ceremony she always dreamed of turned into a black-tie affair? And what can Dan and his mother possibly have to talk about on the phone twice a day?
Ellie's problems have just begun. When she discovers she's pregnant, she realizes that Linda has only been rehearsing for the real takeover. Linda seems to want to live her life through Ellie and, in the words of the immortal Princess Diana, there are three of them in the marriage.
When a crisis strains family bonds, Ellie turns to her friends -- glamorous Lisa, who always looks like she's just stepped off a runway, and wonderfully frazzled Trish -- and tries to rediscover the independence she once had and the man she still loves. But it seems that having a child and saving a marriage means growing up in ways she'd never imagined.
Today was my youngest granddaughter's 3rd birthday, so she was a Princess for the day. (She's actually my princess every day !) She got loads of lovely presents, and was very happy all day. She helped me in the garden this morning as one her presents was a miniature garden set for children. What fun !
I absolutely love chickens !! We have had chickens (real ones) at many times over the years - mainly for eggs - and they have always been a favourite of mine. I'm sure, in time, I will be able to have chickens once again, and I really look forward to that. But until then, I collect chickens, and chickeny thingies, so I'll share a few with you.
These two jaunty cocks are sitting on my kitchen windowsill. They were a charity shop find - 50p each - and are carved from a light wood. I think they are just great.
We had a wonderful time at Millet's Farm today. We took a picnic lunch and sat on the grass in the warm sunshine eating our sandwiches. Glorious !
(Just look at hair on those pigs !!)
It was very crowded - lots of Mums, Grans & children. We spent a couple of hours visiting all the animals, and playing in the park - and then went on to the Garden Centre - my favourite spot. I bought some really nice rustic-looking pots, and a few seedlings. I'll detail what I bought when I take some photos tomorrow.
(Peaceful Alpaca - I love knitting with their wool !!)
Later this afternoon, Baz poured the concrete in between the paving slabs, so I will be ready to start planting tomorrow. Can't wait !!
All in all - a very good day !
Delicious looking herb, isn't it ? I love it. It makes a very useful groundcover but I'm growing it in a small pot in the sun. The smell is wonderful. I could just bury my face in it. I'll be using it for cooking when it's a bit bigger. I LOVE herbs.
Now isn't that a beautiful sight ! It's the Clematis - Rosy Pagoda, and that is a photo of mine with the flowers about to open. Gorgeous. I speak to it every day. It's in a pot as I don't want to make it a permanent dweller in this garden. When we buy our own home eventually, it's coming with me. At the moment, it's only about 2 feet high, but I expect it to grow well this year as I will be taking extra special care of it.
The weather today was absolutely glorious. I just couldn't spend any time in the house - the call to the garden was far too strong. So I spent most of the day digging loads of compost into the tiny beds. Such great fun ! There is nothing more relaxing than gardening. It's a great stress reliever (it does bring on backache though !) Granddaughter (nearly 3) helped me ! She really enjoyed herself. The garden was her sandpit for the day. She can't do any harm yet - but I'll have to watch her when the seedlings go in.
The sunflower corner is ready for planting up. That was a lot of hard work ! I have seeds, but I am going to see if I can get some seedlings from our garden centre tomorrow. Much easier - and I have a lot of birds raking around looking for seeds. They may eat any seeds I put in.
Tomorrow, I will have to clean the house !! It needs some attention after the holiday weekend. In the afternoon, I'm off to Millet's Farm (it's about 2 miles from me) and taking the grandchildren with me. There is a lovely play area, a beautiful little lake, lots of farm animals, ducks, swans etc. There is also a wonderful garden centre and Farm shop. A good afternoon's outing. I'll take photos.
While Baz worked on the paving all day today (and has finished it although he says his back is broken), I potted up some bits and pieces. I bought annuals and summer bulbs at our local garden centre. Great fun !!
At the far end of the garden (hmphhhh - where is the far end ? A few feet away !!!) here is the checkerboard effect I want. I am planning on growing veg here and there in the spaces. It doesn't look much now - but wait till I'm finished ! I've been researching growing veg and flowers together - and in small spaces. This just might work, but I won't know until I try it. In the corner, I plan on sowing sunflower seeds - giant sunflowers. Just to cheer us up.
Of course, there is still so much work to do. I bought bags and bags of compost. The soil is awful, so compacted. I can't wait to get stuck into it and add the compost. First though, Baz has to cement between the paving slabs. He'll get to that some time this week.
Here's Baz cleaning up the paving slabs. Do you know he's only 4 years away from 60 ? (*whisper*we both are). Yes..incredible. He's always kept himself fit and healthy. It's really handy to have such a strong hubby - quite useful !
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