Reflections

My spending in August was below my allotted spend

I am now in credit on last year by £74.04

I am not trying to save money on last year, most of the saving are coming from the fact I am not doing any craft, and I am reading book loaned from our local library. Which for me is a triple bonus, firstly I am not paying for the book, secondly saving the resources of the production of the book, thirdly I am reading new to me authors.
My first month of retirement has been a complete joy, I have done nothing big or exciting, but better I have relaxed, settled into a slower pace having more time to enjoy each thing I do.
Our garden is looking great, yesterday, I took cuttings from a few plants I have a neighbour who loves one of my fuchsias, I hope to have a plant for her next spring, plus a few spare ones.
The larger jobs in our camper van is sorted, hubby had on big task to sort to make a bit more space, I have changed the kitchen items around, it now looks less cluttered, we are away again later in September. I am also making all the curtains, photo's next time.
We have spent loads of time with Will, getting to know this lovely little man, and missing our other grandsons like mad.
I am not looking to promise any of my time for volunteering as yet. I will do something, but I don't want to jump into anything too quickly and maybe regret it later.
I am hoping to do a course at our local community center, I fancy water colours, after having a taster half day earlier in the year, but I will look at booking for the following term starting in the new year.
Our household had a more expensive month in August, we had not planned to purchase shoes, plus a couple of our more expensive food items were on special, and we always bulk buy when the price is right.  The important issue was we did not over spend. So I'm happy all round with August.

Bank holiday

I did well from the clearance section of B&Q

Plus primroses from garden center

 I separated into 3 plants Nemesia, got for £1

The daisy marked £3 was in fact £2 at the till

 I have put it into a larger pot for the winter months

I renewed the compost in the primroses, reduced to £4.99, replanted 3 plants

There were another 4 small plants which I have put into another pot. 

I call these plants English marigolds, I know they have another name

I could not get any seeds, so a neighbour let me dig up these from their garden,

 they self seed every year. 

 These are in my raised cut flower bed. 

 I'm still reading Italian Girl, 

neither book  was brilliant, but still enjoying reading them 

 We are off to a BBQ later, so I made a Spanish Omelette

It stuck to the bottom of the pan

but it won't change the taste 

 Our local shoe shop has closed, they had a final reduction, these were £14.99 each, 

retail price for both should have been £125.00 

Good leather shoes at a low price, just had to get them. 

It's a perfect Bank Holiday weekend here, hot sunny days, no rain in the immediate fore caste. We decided to stay at home for a few days, the local roads are always so busy.
Saturday we were in the garden, me in back, hubby in front, he has renewed the compost for 2 Azaleas from Wins into pots, they now look good in our front garden. We had Will in the evening for a sleep over.
Sunday, We were up early, Will sleeps well but is awake by 7am, we had an early walk through our park, Will loves to watch people and dogs. He was crawling after our cats once home, we now have to watch him. After lunch mummy popped in for a while, then I settled down to an afternoon reading, in the shade. I had a bit too much sun on Saturday. We watched TV for the first time in ages, watching Cuckoo Calling, we have both read the book and wanted to see how TV deals with the plot, we were both pleased.
Today I made the Spanish Omelette, hubby did a bit of ironing, and soon we will go to an afternoon BBQ, I will see loads of workmates from a few years ago.
I am pleased with my spending this month, I have under spent again, this is mainly because I am doing no craft, but I am beginning to think of projects to do.

Back in the garden

Tiny bit of retail, 3 pop up 'greenhouses' for £1.50

I have had the one in use for 3 years, 

they are brilliant

in the end of season sale from the pound shop. 

 

 A few flowers from the garden,
the pink ones in the front are from my £1 reduced plant
which is now full of blooms

 1st of my dahlia's, they are all late this year

 Late raspberries, the fruits are all looking good. 

My cut flower raised bed was a let down,  two reasons, 

firstly the tomato plant placed in front made it difficult to get to the bed, 

secondly using seeds did not work. lesson learnt for next year. 

I spent an hour in the back of my garden

none of the primroses or cyclamen, are new 

I just separated ones from last year, which I had in pots all through the summer

I left the sweet peas in the corner, they did not do well this year, 

but I hope they may come back next year. 

 This area is tidy again, 

my long pots have bird seed growing in them

The late summer flowers are now coming into their own, I am pleased now with my garden, the side garden only missed on summer flowers, which next year I will grow from seeds in the greenhouse  and plant out. I would also like a few shrubs, I watched last Fridays gardening world, where Monty showed how to purchase a going over cheap plant, cut the top growth off and take the roots apart to make more plants for next year. I need to get farmyard manure for the side bed, which I get from the garden center, so I will get a couple cheap plants and try and make new plants for next year, I feel it's worth a go.
We have been given two lovely pots from Win's garden, and two azaleas, hubby wants them for his front garden, so we will get the ericaceous compost.
The yellow tomatoes have gone into our freezer, I did not have enough jam jars to make chutney, so I left the bowl on the side whilst we were away and most of them ripen so I blanched them to remove the skins and chopped them, and bagged them up for use in sauces. We will use the rest of the red tiny gardeners delight tomatoes.
My worms are now happy in their home, we are adding the small amount of kitchen waste for them to eat, I am also getting some liquid fertilizer, but I think alot of it is water, as the rain still gets in.
Lunch out on Monday was fun, it's nice to have time to chat, my friend still works but does shifts of 4 days working and then 4 days off. I have no desire to work even part time.

Lyme Regis

The main street

 Near the sea front

 Along the front 

 On top of the hill, from our camp site 

 Walking down to Lyme Regis, all down hill. 

 Beautiful views.

 Typical country view, 

We stopped on top of the hills above Lyme Regis, our site was just inside the Devon border, Lyme Regis is in Dorset, so we passed the welcome to Dorset sign each day we walked into the resort.
The walk from our van was almost an hour, but we stopped often to enjoy the view and take photo's, we did not try and walk back up the hill, we found a local bus to get us very close to the camp site. Hubby has a bus pass so I only had to pay my fare.
The site had very limited facilities, which allowed us to  completely test the van. We had rain both nights, but we stayed warm and snug inside. we used the heater one evening. We now feel most everything is sorted in the van, we have one rearrangement to do, which will help the flow of living inside the van, nothing big, plus just a couple of other items to add for comfort. So after a 4 day trip, we are still giving the van a thumbs up.
I love Lyme Regis, it is a truly English resort, we enjoyed fresh fish and chips, cream tea (our's with coffee), we even had a cornish pastie. We take food prepared at home for one meal, and got a couple of curries from our local Co-op, 2 for £6, so we are not doing loads of cooking. Next time we will take bacon and eggs for breakfast. We also sat about and read alot, I did not use my big camera, hubby was out early one morning to catch the lovely light.

Reading

The Crow Girl, was a confusing and dark book for me, I have not read anything like this before, I have been trying out new to me authors, I won't read another of his books. I did read to the end, almost 800 pages, the story was good enough.

The Olive tree, was a brilliant read, told from the son's view, not a romance which I don't always enjoy. This book had 600 pages each one I enjoyed. 

 I really enjoyed I let you go, so was looking forward to I See You, clever plot, I did not want to put this book down, loved every word. 

I have just stared Last Seen Alive, another new author for me,  it has started well, hope to read some more later.

 Whilst away hubby got me this book, reduced to £7, I am looking forward to reading it and trying a few recipes, I do like Nigel Slaters way of cooking. 

 I was given this beautiful book a couple of years ago and did not want to use it for just anything. We decided whilst we were away to have a book to list any sites we visit, rating them and would we return. I have two sites to list. 

So this is my campervan book. 

Three of the books above has  Fast back stickers on, these are from our library, they are new books and you only have two weeks in which to read them, plus you are not able to extend the loan, great for me as a very quick reader. I always look on this stand first.
We had a wonderful few days away in our campervan, we did have rain and a thunder storm, but we stayed dry, the van has a fan heater so we stayed warm as well. I will post about our trip next time, we are already planning a trip in September.
Another Monday, I am having lunch with a friend today, we catch up once every couple of months. I will pop out on my own, nothing required in town, so hubby will stay at home. It's dull here today, but there is a suggestion the sun will come through.

Relaxing

I have baked another Lemon yogurt cake

we both love the taste the recipe can be found on my page at top of blog. 

 We will be over run with tomatoes soon, so I decided to strip the yellow tomato bush of all it's fruit.

I have four pounds of unripe tomatoes, so I am going to make green tomato chutney.  

 This citrus juicer cost me £1.43 in the sale

I will use it in my greenhouse, I will make wider holes for planting seedlings.

 Another clever purchase is these four plastic rings.

They should be used over mixing bowls, but we required something to keep the pigeons away from our feeders, they don't manage to eat much, but they do manage to throw all the seeds across our garden.

On the plus, reduced in Wilko's just 25p each. 

I had the most fantastic weekend, Saturday, I spent most of the day reading, The Shadow Sister, Lucinda Riley was good, I have read The Angel tree by her before.  I also have read When the music's over, Peter Robinson, which whilst well written, it was not a subject I would want to read again. I am now reading The Crow girl, Erik Axl Sund.
Sunday  doing housework, a bit of baking, again loads of  reading, later after hubby came home we went for a nice walk. Having the sunny warm weather helped as I could sit out side for most of the time.
This morning I spent time in the greenhouse, it looks much tidier without the tomato plant, I have loads more room. I have cut the plant down to one small shoot, I am going to try and see if it will grow and I can get a late crop, the greenhouse is in a very sunny spot. Hubby cut the leaves off the second plant outside, that too is full of fruits.
Later we took the bus into town, only I had to pay hubby has his bus pass, I won't get mine until I can get my government pension. We did not stay too long, just the few bargains above, we then walked to the garage and picked up our camper van, all serviced ready to go away later this week. We popped to the main library in hope for more titles from a couple of my favorite authors, I was very disappointed, I thought our local library was better stocked.
Soon we will pop for our evening walk.

Week two

Will came over today, so loads of floor play

he is 6 months old next week

He is now sitting in a highchair and eating selected foods

He was good with lunch and even drank water from a new cup

 I am a coffee drinker, never instant always fresh, we have a filter coffee maker, which when we are both home it's cost effective.  When I am home alone or hubby wants to drink tea, I don't often put the coffee pot on. Solution at our local Co-op, 10 bags reduced to £2.49, I got a pack, liked the coffee so I went back and got a few more packs whilst they are on special.  

More saving money, trip to our local library

This time I got four new authors. 

 We planted the hydrangea in a corner spot, 

looks a bit small, but give it a couple of years.  

 Hubby was driving disabled children today, 

took a trip to Fishers Adventure Farm Park, 

he had 3 hours there by himself, and promises next year to take Will for a visit.

I love metal birds and had been looking for a small chicken, hubby saw this and thought of me. He also loved the over sized hedgehog and he came home as well. 

I really enjoyed having Will this morning, mummy came home early afternoon and we walked to the nice coffee shop for a thank you treat. It's great watching Will with people, he loves everyone, we sat close to an elderly lady who took a shine to Will, he smiled and grunted to her delight.
I managed to do a small tidy of the garden early this morning, everything is looking good. Win's nephew was in the house next door today and has gifted me two large lovely pots, plus an Azalea which I will pot up.
I am home alone for a couple of days, hubby has gone on a golf weekend, with the promise of dry weather it should be fun for him. I have no plans, hubby took my car, so no transport, so two days at home for me.

Sunny morning

I have a few projects to make, this cotton mix sheet and pillow cases are going to be stitched into a reading wigwam. The poles are from a garden set of pick up sticks, which I don't have out, the older children almost always use them as javelins.  The grey goes well with the quilt fabrics I have.

We popped to Asda for a few food items, 

and were aware they were selling off summer items.

These tapes were reduced from £2 to £1 each, so I got five, I have already got loads of my pots done, I have used hardly any slug pellets this summer, this type of tape and our visiting hedgehog have keep my plants safe. 

I had visitors yesterday, my young neighbour and her children, Maddie who is 5 has started loosing her baby teeth and we required a solution for the tooth fairy. I was given her summer school dress, where the skirt had paint stains on, so not enough fabric for a big cushion. Mum suggested we made use of the small pocket on the dress. So I cut a small square just bigger than the pocket, cut a back and made a small handle so it can be hung. It was quick to make and Maddie loved it, I forgot to take a photo, but was pleased to be able to make a keepsake from her 1st school dress.
I have finished reading The Stolen Child, Keith Donohue, it got much better as I was reading, and once completed made a good story. I don't think I will look for another of his books.
We have been sorting our kitchen cupboards and freezers, we have decided to work our way through the contents, our freezers are fill and there is so much we were not sure what we had, yesterday we did not purchase any meat, we have enough frozen to last the rest of this month. Other than the copper tape we did not buy any other summer sale items.
Today is another day at home, hubby has popped to garage for the final part of the van service, we only have the paintwork to sort now, it is all working perfectly.
Tomorrow I have Will, hubby is working and daughter will leave us together for a few hours.

Mix it up

Hubby got this hydrangea for the front of the house

we have a large untidy pot we will move and plant this in the corner

He is enjoying taking over the front of the house.

 The owner of our lovely local shoe shop is retiring

so he has a sale on, I could not resist these at half price

I will miss the shop, I often get shoes in their sale

I enjoyed this book about and American farming family

set through 60's,70's & 80's

 My neighbour has swapped some books with me.

both authors are new to me.
I have started the stolen child, but it's a bit hard going

I have had problems with my wormery, they have been escaping

The original kit did not have enough 'earth', the rain got inside and was washing the small amount away, and so the worms moved on. I ordered more coir, which the worms love, a mat for the bottom tray to stop the worms getting away, and another pack of worms. The bottom tray is almost full, but I can lift some of the coir into the next tray as the bottom tray fills. I have sited it in the corner of my side garden, it's in the shade all afternoon and evening. 

I spent yesterday with daughter and baby Will, we popped to Southampton for a few hours, daughter had a few tasks to do, I was very good and made only 1 purchase, I got a cheap cotton grey sheet and a pair of darker grey pillowcases, daughter wants a reading wigwam in Will's room, and the sheet is the cheapest way to get the fabric. I will also use the sheet as backing to Will's cot quilt, which I have been pattern designing.
Today we woke up to an over caste sky, hubby has popped to drive his ladies to their lunch club, a task he loves, and will be back mid afternoon. I plan to stay inside, later I have a sewing job for my young neighbour, she is loosing her milk teeth and we are going to make her a tooth fairy cushion with pocket.
Nothing else on my radar, I am enjoying this week again in holiday mode, soon I will start bringing more structure into our days, I am also trying to get my steps back up, my back is pain free, but it's not completely gone away, so I am taking care.

Celebration BBQ

Hubby turned my woodwork project into a sign

I wanted nice legs so it was free standing, he even managed to get a green pole so the legs matched the colour of the lettering. The clear varnish has brought out the grain in the wood. 

 Also finished is my hedgehog and birdhouse. 

This corner is very wildlife friendly

 Another new Orchid £5 from B&Q.

 I have been given lovely cards and flowers for my retirement. 

 This bunch is stunning

 The best card and a sign which upset alot of my working friends 

Yesterday, we had a huge storm at mid day, every where was drenched. But by 4pm as people started arriving for our BBQ the sun was bright and every where was dry. Our artificial grass dries very quickly, so the children were able to run around and play.
Hubby cooked a lovely BBQ, I sorted quiche and salad items. I found on Pintrest  a recipe for French Grandmothers Lemon Yogurt Cake and decided to make it, it was lovely, I have a new page at the top of my blog and will add the recipe there.
We had loads of family and friends, we spent all of yesterday later afternoon and evening sat in sunshine, chatting, watching the children playing, with a few glasses of wine.

Most of our family are traveling home this afternoon, we are having a lazy time, the house and garden is back tidy.
Thank you for all your kind comments, my back is much better, after two very good nights sleep, I am almost back to normal, I can feel the spot, it does not hurt, but I know to still take care.  I now have to start walking again, my steps this week have been very low each day.