May round up

 Nothing on crafting, most of my time is outside, gardening spend was much better, over half was for landscaping and compost, I don't have much room for new plants, but already in 5 months I have spent almost £500, I was hoping to keep my spend under £1000 this year, which I think is a lost cause. I did purchase a new pair of shoes, a modern design of deck shoes, plus a couple cotton T shirts and 2 pairs of shorts, a similar amount was sent to recycling bins, hubby was commenting I was looking scruffy. 

4 Books read this month

It's been an expensive month, our bedroom is huge so the carpet was expensive, plus the cost of the rendering of our outside wall, this was all planned in our budget. We also got a new floor fan which links to Alexa, for our bedroom and new curtains. Hubby also got a modern electronic wall calendar, he does love his tech.

We are starting to eat small harvest, I only pick what we need, our freezers are full, so we have saved as we are using the meat and fish we already have, I am reluctant to run them down, there is so much uncertainty in our world.

Hubby and I have started walking again, we both need the exercise, it should help me tone up. My weight is much the same as last month. I am moving much more, gardening does keep you fit, I'm outside everyday.

A living fence

This pyracantha in our neighbours garden behind our garage is full of bloom, every time I pop to my composter all I can hear is the buzz of bees, they love these blossoms, later in the year the berries form and then the birds descend for a feast. These berries are orange, I have a smaller plant growing along our fence below, it's a fantastic wildlife attraction. 

My honeysuckle behind my tiny shed is blooming, the scent is wonderful, I took a cutting last year and I now have a second plant, which I will pop in further along this back fence. This area is dense, I have smaller plants further along, which should grow and fill the rest of the space. My white climbing rose is blooming in the far corner, finally my living hedge is growing.

I could not plant my mock orange plant into the ground, not enough root room, there is nothing behind the fence as the garden behind is lower, so I moved a broken big pot here, it's growing well and for the first time I have flowers growing. This area can't be seen from the house, it's purely for me to view and enjoy when I am working close to or in my greenhouse, it's wilder than the rest of the garden, I do love mixed hedges, and this is becoming my version. 

This area was last shown here, at the beginning of the month, hubby has cleared all the dried wood from the wood store, we were not using it, he advertised it on a free site and various people came with bags to take it all away. We have kept the structure of the wood store, hubby made a raised base for the green plastic trays to sit on, the structure was too wide so he popped a dividing wall inside, the trays sit neatly inside, with spare roof tiles stored underneath and bigger items in the other space, I can access everything much easier.

I keep all the plastic pots and saucers in the green trays, I reuse them every year for growing on plants, I was given the trays from our fruit and veg guy, they are very useful. I do tend to hoard bits for the garden, things can always be reused, the frame the trays sit on inside the shelter was made using the old gate posts, which I kept from our refit 18 months ago. The camping table with small plants on will soon be packed away, leaving plenty of space.

We have had plenty of rain and my water buts are full again, everything is growing in the garden, the little ones visited and helped to eat all the ripe strawberries,  there are plenty more to come, we also have picked more rhubarb, my blueberries are forming. Broadbeans and cabbage plants are all doing well, I have flowers on all four of my tomato plants and my cucumber plant, I aim to pull my Japanese onions on the next dry day, I will add to the soil and then plant my runner beans, I got another pot of them from the market, my beans are a no show.

Treats

 This was a bargain at £2.50 from our local pet shop, there are 2 different colours of coleus in one pot, I have separated them, they are fast growers. I also took a cutting of the bigger lighter one, it will root quickly in water.

My strawberries are doing well, popping the green berries into the net bags have protected them from bugs, they are a nice size and very sweet, I have loads more which will ripen very soon. We rarely buy soft fruit from supermarkets, we try and eat fruit and veg only when in season, preferring farm shops. 

Hubby baked a cake, Victoria Sandwich with both butter cream and jam, that's our treat for the next few days. It's lovely and light, he has baked a seeded loaf as well.

In an effort to do more, I baked two quiches, one with cheese the other without, hubby does not eat cheese, I've use the same recipe for years, 4ozs of flour, half a pint of milk, 4 eggs and whatever ingredients you want to add, I added bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes and onion, cook for 40mins in med oven. No pastry, the 'batter' mix sets, it's very light and very tasty.

This book is 25 of his column's from The Sunday Times, each is short and too the point, as well as all his silly ideas, he also speaks of the hurdles farmers have to go through, how local councils and various government departments put up barriers. He never forgets he has various incomes which support the farm, which most farmers don't have, working to help local suppliers to try and obtain better prices for their produce. A quick easy read, book 42 read this year.

This is a new author to me, and a different style of writing, I did enjoy the story, I guessed the plot very early on, which did not spoil anything, other than the big reveal was a damp squid. I'm not sure if I would read another of her books, book 43 read this year.

I'm feeling a bit better, I'm still struggling to do things, we had planned a trip to IKEA in Southampton on Friday which I put off, for no real reason, we will plan to go in a couple of weeks after the school half term. I have tried to motivate myself, there is nothing I can do outside, just water the greenhouse and check the last of my seedlings. 

This wet cooler weather is great for the garden, not enough rain to fill my water buts, at least they are no longer empty, the blustery winds are causing a few issues, I have tied up plants, nothing has blown over yet. I'm stuck inside, planning to sort behind the garage, I will have some unexpected space this week.

Lilly is in and out the catflap like a yoyo, she loves her freedom, still spending most of her time in our garden, she does wander, going along the back fence of our nice neighbours, there is a lovely cat a couple houses up, she does not jump on the fence with our horrible neighbour, there are often foxes in there, so we are happy she keeps out.

Remembering

Sister Lena, Martin and myself

Junior school

18 years old

Myself and mum

80's, good looking hubby.

90's

I love my Grancha, Sam

Sisters

Cousins, Sam and Logan, both teenagers now.

Molly

All fingers and toes

Siblings, 2024

Grace

Just a few of my favourite photo's 

We have more photos than ever in our lives,

 but do we look at them, 

as a child mum was always adding and looking through photo albums, 

so many memories.

Is it ever too late

 Popping these net bags over my strawberries is working, we shared the first berry to ripen, I check every few days to see if I need to bag more. On my tower which is six levels high, each level with 3 plants, it's going to be a bumper crop so I have left the bottom level for the wildlife, I'm happy to share. We will now get a small regular crop which taste way better than any from the supermarkets.

I got 2 packs of shallots, they were half price, I'm a couple weeks later in planting them, since we visited Cornwall and had such a lovely ploughman's lunch, we have been making them at home, and hubby eating pickled onions, so I suggested I would grow some to pickle at home. I also planted some parsnip seeds which started growing on wet kitchen towel.

I saw this begonia on our local pant market stall, just £4.50, it will go in the middle of the hosta tub I just love the colour, hubby got a salvia, with blue spikes for his front garden, he very kindly let me take cuttings, they root easy and I get plants for free.

I finished another book, I was beginning to think this book might not be as good as others written by this author, a tale of mom's in USA, perfect homes, families, lives, which I do find boring, then she changed the narrator and opened up the book, what lies beneath these people. I enjoyed the second half more. Book 41 read this year. 

I had very little to do on Wednesday, so I did more work on my 2023 blog book, for me it's a simple task, just very repetitive, each post becomes a page with text and photo's, my title and dates all have their font and sizes, you can see more here and here. I am way behind with these books, if I finish a year I will get it published, I have published more than I intended, but I do like to see our grandchildren included. We did walk to the village, it was market day, I got 2 pairs of long shorts for gardening, they were a great price.

I've not watched much of Chelsea flower show this year, it just does not interest me, I did watch the hour where they showed all the gold medal winners and the show overall winners, sadly all the gardens seam unreal to me, I feel the same about Gardeners World on TV and the magazine.

I'm having an off week, I'm not tired or ill, just lethargic and for no reason, it started on Monday morning, I woke up tired after a good nights sleep, and it has hung over me all week. I'm not crafting or reading much, just lazing about, maybe it's just what I need. 

We are very pleased with Lilly, she has been using the cat flap to go out for over a week, but refusing to use it to come in, on Wednesday when it rained she used it for the first time, I gave her a treat, so she knows it a good thing, now she has her daytime freedom, for now we still lock the flap at night.

Water

 I cleaned my pond, it was full of green slimy weed, I also redid the pebbles, I had seen a pond on Instagram and loved what they had designed. I collected my big pebbles from around my garden for the front of the pond and added tiny smooth pea shingle, I did purchase just two tiny plants and the yellow poppy.

It now looks more natural, I can't wait for the flowers to grow, I had been given too many silly bits which I thought I should use, I now only have the fake waterlily and a couple of resin fish, much nicer, I won't put real fish in here as they eat all smaller bugs and flies.

I am loving these pebbles rising out of the water and over the edge of the pond, I have tried to mix the stones to make it interesting, the only thing I'm not liking is being able to see the front edge of the container, hopefully the plants will spread and grow and soften the look. 

I have had this rain chain for years, I ensure it is full of water everyday, we love to see the small birds swoop down for a drink, often seeing birds at different levels at the same time, it hangs in the magnolia tree.

This pot was purchased second hand with the intention of filling it with daisies, that did not work, so again we created another water spot for birds, the bigger birds often drink here, it's in the shade under the acer.

All of these features are along the same fence, it's the sunny side of the garden, along with a huge bird feeder full of sunflower hearts, behind our fence is our neighbours overgrown jungle, which is a perfect place for the birds to perch, swoop and retreat. Hubbies water barrel is nearest the house, we do like to see and hear the water splashing, the birds do not use this one very often. 

We do love to encourage birds into the garden, I have been watching them eat the bugs on my climbing rose, we have seen more bugs, bees as well, not many butterflies. We do feed the birds and ensure there is water all the year round, now is an important time as many have young in their nest, we just ensure if they come to our feeders there is always food, our neighbour puts out seeds but often her table is empty.

I don't cut plants back at the end of the season, for years I did, I was given a tip to purchase plants all year round and not just in the spring and summer months, this advice allows interest through out 12 months, I have earlier flowering plants to prolong the nectar season and have an open all year space. All these measures will help wildlife of all sizes thrive in our garden.

We have the time to sit and watch the wild visitors who visit our garden, Lilly will chase flies but nothing bigger, we do have mice in the back corner, I often see them as I am working, these we do not mind at all, we have not seen any recent rat activity, which is pleasing, the foxes who live in a nearby garden and visit next door, have left no trace of coming into our garden. 

We had rain last night, I am overjoyed, it's dull and cloudy with the risk of more rain today, I have everything crossed. 

Overshoot day

Today here in UK is our earth overshoot day, today we have used all the renewable resources our planet has which can be replaced within one year, we are on borrowed time. Below the wheel shows each countries dates, we are not alone, almost every country ignores this date. 

Whilst we have slowed down the rate of usage, we are doing very little to reverse the situation, you can read more here.  It's very interesting, our earth can only give us so much.

I love this quote.

It's not Earth day, but the message it the right one, if we all did our bit.

I show these charts every year, there is far too much information on this subject to make a meaningful post, it's best if you want to know more to search overshoot day. This date has been monitored since the 70's and whilst the date is not any earlier each year, it is not moving back, for a very important date, very little is heard.

Most of my readers are like me, we don't waste, we don't over consume, we have left the commercial world, just turned our backs, the government aren't too involved because the taxes raised from our spending (VAT) is a huge income. Our parents had the right idea, purchase only what you need, use until it breaks and repair if possible. 

 

Edibles

 I have planted runner beans in this big pot, in previous years I have used it for tomato plants, but the pot is much bigger than required, I purchased these beans from our local market £2 for 12 plants, mine are still tiny, which is OK, we do get a long growing season here. 

The cucumbers are in their big pot, tulips are all put in storage, there are 2 plants here, these produce tiny cucumbers, which we both love, I had such a bad year last year, so I'm hoping I get a good crop.

Three of the four tomato plants, for now these are still in my greenhouse, I am undecided where to place them, I will keep at least one inside.

My first strawberry, in this pot I popped 3 spare plants, it's placed in the sunniest spot in the garden, there are loads of berries on here, I am using tiny net bags which are popped over the fruit in hope they are not ate by bugs and mice. My tower located further back in the garden has 6 levels and the strawberries are forming in numbers, again I am using these tiny bags. Just a couple more days and we can have our first taste.

My second sowing of peas again has come to nothing, so I cleared the area and planted out the 5 cauliflower and 5 cabbage plants from tubs into the raised bed, I did find 7 peas with roots, so they are in a tub, with a 3rd sowing of peas. I have also planted out the beetroot I was growing on, they were a nice size. My 3rd and 4th bags of potatoes are sprouting, I used supermarket potatoes which had gone soft and their eyes were growing, it's a mixed year.

The blueberry bushes are full, one has loads of fruit and the other is coming into flower, the raspberries are growing tall, they bear fruit later in the summer, we are enjoying the rhubarb. My blackberry plant is growing, it's the length of the back of the garage and growing well down the side, my gooseberry is healthy with lots of new growth, I did have a couple berries forming, I have cut them off, preferring the plant to gain strength this year. 

Saturday I spent the day inside, I cleaned top to bottom, there was dust everywhere and bits of carpets, it was hard work and I'm pleased its done, hubby was out all day playing petanque, a fundraising day for our local Downs Syndrome Charity. Sunday we had daughter here with her three for a BBQ, loads of laughter and relaxing, the children are so good they know our few rules and play well, Lilly was close to them most of the time.

Master

We finally carpeted the stairs, waiting until our bedroom was done as the offcuts were enough for this area, when hubby did the stairs last November, we thought they were finished, as there was no lovely wood to leave bare. Then we saw photo's of the risers being painted and just the step being carpeted, which we both loved, so hubby got his paint brushes out again, it does look much brighter here, there is no window on these stairs.

We have a huge bedroom, it's part of the reason we purchased this bungalow, here before we decorated, I say we, hubby does most of the work, mainly painting.

This time the plan was to build a frame behind our bed and panel the whole wall, making it all level, we are both fed up with the recess left from the dorma build. Plus we don't have to paint over the very dark purple. 

We decided on panelling, as it saves us getting plasterboard and painting, so less work, and it's hard wearing, we got rid of our headboard when we moved in as it would not fit, we decided not to get another one. The panels were easy to install once the frame was built, we used 4 panels, hubby had to cut each one as they were too high. Doing this has taken away 5" of floor space, we won't miss it, it feels very luxurious, our quilt cover has not been changed, we have two matching ones, which I love.

Hubby has worked hard to finish these rooms, the 3 doors were rubbed down and repainted white, and the ceiling and walls we redone the same colours, the carpet is new, so it's all finished. We both were worn out most evenings, it's hard work as we age to do the simplest DIY, everywhere inside is now looking good, time to relax. The wait for the carpet was a bit longer than expected, and more expensive as the room is so large, now it's finished and we love it. The carpet is sage green, it does look grey in these photos,  I have ordered green curtains in hope it will bring out the colour in the carpet, if it doesn't I will return them.

Thursday was a busy day, we had the carpet fitted, which took time as our bedroom is not a square shape, lots a banging fixing the grippers, they fitted it as one piece, no joins, Lily was in our office with us, door shut, she was not happy, we were unable to let her outside as we had a man rendering the wall outside the back door, the gates were open, so not safe for her there either. 

Friday we put everything back, we are both pleased with this space, we only have a radio in the room, no TV, no Internet, we prefer our room to be a quiet restful place. We get morning sun through our en suite window and leave the door open, we don't get any direct sunlight through our huge bedroom window, it's a cool room.

Back garden

 I decided to wash the outside of my greenhouse whilst the path is clear, it's a very simple job, the inside is dirty, that will be done once all the plants are gone. I managed with just one bucket of soapy water and a couple of kitchen waste water.

 

The leaves are forming on our Magnolia tree, which is very pleasing after the huge chop it had late last year, I was never worried about the tree, we have used the tree surgeon before so I trusted him. The tree in full leaf is important as it gives shade to my greenhouse throughout the hot summer months. 

Hubby had a bit of a trip in the garden and fell, he landed on my raised bed with the onions in, the onions were flattened but will be OK, but my woven fence is hanging in, it's propped up and very delicate. I said before I was very disappointed with them, now I need to decide what should replace them. Hubby is ok, just needs to watch where he is going, he tripped on my plastic trug.

One of my foxglove plants is blooming, the other is a bit behind, most of the plants in this bed are returning from last year, soon it will be full of colour. I am having to water this bed daily, it's on the sunny side of the garden, our neighbour has not cut back any of her plants, there are elderflowers growing which are taller than our Magnolia tree, it's always dry. If you look you can see Lilly sat on my pot under the acer.

Monday we had rain, not a storm, not a shower, not enough to wash away the chalk drawings the children had made the day before. I just hope our reservoirs got more rain. We are going into water saving here, I got a camping bucket, one which folds down, it's now in the kitchen sink, capturing loads of water, which will keep one water but topped up. We have always been very careful of our water use, we do not have a water meter, it won't save us money, but it make me happier. 

We saw a huge hornet flying around our garden, I know there have been sightings here in UK of the Asian giant hornet, it's the first time we have spotted one, on checking Mr Google, it's seams I don't need to worry. We have seen so many more bees, and similar flying creatures in our garden this year, they swarm the daisy flowers, we do love to watch them.

We are both enjoying the hot sunny days, often inside for a couple of hours to avoid the heat, we did pop to our favourite garden centre, hubby wanted some new heather's, the squirrels dug his out of their pots, a few small plants were purchased for around my wildlife pond and a huge yellow poppy just called to me.

Village life

 Once a month our village has an artisan market, we completely forgot it was on, not so busy here at 9.30am, but very busy through the day. So nice to see so many different stalls, our butcher set up a BBQ and the tap house had seats outside as did the pub at the other end. We did get a few bits, chutney, marmalade and local honey.

My sweet-peas and roses are starting to bloom, along with my fleabane daisies, add a couple acer leaves, it's only a small posy, it's a promise of more to come. I am hoping to have a summer of sweet peas and daises. 

Like alot of husbands mine is a tech geek, he has our washing machine apt on his phone, we have Alexa who turns on plugs, lights and our bedroom fan, at first I was not sure, but it is handy to be able to control things by your voice or phone. We have always had separate calanders, I prefer seeing mine, old fashioned hung on the wall, where I can glance every day, hubby uses the Google calender on his phone. So when he saw this electronic display calendar which links to your phone, he was hooked, to be honest I am happy to use my phone apt, it's handy to have it with me, but I am extremely happy to have a display as well. We each have a diary, as does the house and a separate birthday list all colour coded. 

Last year I subscribed to Kitchen Garden magazine, it's primarily about growing fruit and veg, whilst I did not use all the free seeds, there were so many packs I did use, I passed the rest onto a local school. I enjoyed reading the monthly tips, but decided one year was enough, I received an email with the offer below, which is so good, so from June I will receive my monthly magazine and seeds.

I've not been reading too much, this is a clever book, you know what is happening, you know who did it, until you don't, a great twist at the end. Book 40 read this year.

This weekend was our local gardener plant sale, I got loads of plants from him last year, they are all re-growing again, I did not go, I don't have much space in my flower beds, he raises monies for a local charity. I still have too many plants and will start sharing them locally.

Sunday we had Molly and Will, mummy took George to a party, afterwards George and Molly played outside, I keep suntan lotion here, and they both know they need to wear it. I do love to hear laughter in our home.

It's been a quiet few days, we rarely go anywhere at weekends, hubby was supposed to go to a veterans meeting, but at the last moment decided to stay at home, it was in Windsor, he has changed the hotel booking, now going in June, we will have a couple of days away together. 

We have a busy week ahead, most of the work being done by others, I'm excited to get things done and finished, we have no big plans for the rest of the year.