Weekend

 Everyone loves a BBQ, hubby cooked a simple one, just burgers, sausages and chicken, I made a grown up selection of salads for daughter and us, alongside a cider shandy, bliss. Hubby is going to sell his BBQ, these days it is far to big for us, so he made the decision to sell it and get a smaller one, he has already seen one he likes.

The children used all of the garden again, this space is just so perfect for them, Molly approved of our new sunroom, she was happy to be able to get scooters out, I put the smaller garden rug in a shady spot with cushions for them to play.

My daughter told me there was a prequel to Ask For Andrea, so I found it on Kindle, again I'm not going to tell you the plot, again I could not put it down, a wonderful plot, I'm  off to look for more of her books. Book 41 read this year.

Gardening is on hold, except watering, I  do enjoy the time spent with the hose, checking the plants and surrounding garden. There is very little in the greenhouse, half has a net curtain up to help with shade. These cuttings are all doing well, mainly gaura, 7 tiny ones and 1 bigger plant, 2 begonias, and a tray of mixed salad leaves. 

My peanuts are still doing well, I do hope I manage to get a harvest for hubby, I can't eat these due to an allergy, I check my greenhouse at least twice a day, just to ensure the few plants inside are doing OK.

Saturday evening we watched the live feed of TakeThat circus concert in Manchester, hubby enjoyed it, we shared a bottle of red wine, a very different and enjoyable few hours. I have no desire to go to any of these huge venues, but I do still love music, so watching on our bigger screens at home is just perfect.

We are under another amber weather warning for heat in the next few days, its going to be at least 34° again, I'm not great in the heat, so we are sitting in the shade trying to find any breeze, we have a few nice spots. I'm back watering the garden again. We had planned a trip to Oxford with an overnight stay on Monday/Tuesday, we have delayed our trip for almost a week, just to hot to go sightseeing. 

Green all round

 

It's sweet pea time again, I adore these blooms, I did not plant as many as last year, probably a mistake, still they keep our downstairs bathroom scented, and look good in this tiny bottle.

I thought after the heatwave and then the cold spell my cucumber plant looked poorly, I took off all the tiny sprouting cucumbers to help the plant, now I have loads of lovely new growth, the tomatoes behind are doing well, just a bit slowly, soon we will have our first tiny harvest. The second veg bed has runner beans growing up the poles and some lupins, I am hoping will grow. 

My salad bed here in the tall raised bed is producing, we have been eating various lettuce for weeks, any messy bits go to our neighbours chickens. My radishes and spring onions are not doing well, they were old seeds, lesson learnt, I will get new seeds and resow.

My blueberry plant has loads of new growth, I did cut it back hard, the berries grow on second years stems, so fingers crossed for next year, it does love this spot, it has more room here, still not quiet enough, but I will work with the space I have.. 

I had a sleepover on Thursday night, both little ones were happy for me to do their bedtime routines, giving mummy a restful evening, on Friday daughter and I popped to IKEA, nothing much required, we both just got a few bits and pieces, we then went to Whitley for lunch at M&S, then we popped into our favourite shop, again just a few bits purchased.

Saturday is a day at home, it is cloudy, much cooler to start with and a dampness in the air, I'm not complaining, I watered the garden last night, I expect the rain is falling to the north of our area. I've no plans, just let the day roll, housework should be done, but won't get done, it's not dirty here just dusty. We are preparing for a BBQ tomorrow, little people have booked their menu, including sausages on a stick.

Relaxing

 This stitching is still keeping me busy, I am enjoying every moment, the lower pattern has been done across to the middle, like the first side it crashes into the centre stars. I have not touched my knitted blanket in ages, it's too warm to knit blankets, maybe I should start my socks.

Whilst in town we picked up daughters pottery items, including my plaque, this has a back and a glass piece for the heart, it should be a photo frame, I kind of like it as it is, it's on my shelf in the sunroom.

A new author to me, hubby had popped it on my Kindle last month, it was a fantastic read, brilliant storyline, I'm not giving any details, I could not put it down, a proper page turner, a fascinating tale. Book 40 read this year.

Hubby relaxes in the kitchen, he cooked a brisket of beef in the slow cooker on Monday, we had homegrown new potatoes and carrots with it. Tuesday, he added veg to the shredded beef and made 5 huge pasties, and a double portion of beef and veg frozen for more pasties or shepherd's pie, loads added to the freezer. The pasties were great, we shared one for tea with a salad.

We did not stay in town long on Tuesday, there are so few shops about, recently I purchased a cheap pair of knee length shorts from Poundland, just £9, hoping they would be OK to wear in garden, the shorts are great, so I got a second pair, also got Molly a pink football shirt, both boys have football shirts, she will be so happy. Rest of day was spent in the sunroom, it was a breezy warm day.

Wednesday was a busy day, I had blood test first thing, then later my 2nd shingles jab, hubby had a hospital appointment, he went on his own, just routine, with his heart and kidney issues, they keep a good eye on his. Rest of the time was a bit of gardening, moved a couple plants filling gaps in flower bed, I rescued a sturdy tomato plant growing in the peanut bag, now planted with other two outside and then my time inside. 

Most evenings we sit and watch a hedgehog run around our garden, he/she can't get to the raised veg beds, which have nets on to keep Lilly out, hopefully it's having a good feed on any slugs or snails, it's safe in my organic garden, just another level of delight. We are not watching the football, not our sport and the matches start far too late.

Lazy days

 I will always love our garden, these days there is not a view I am unhappy with.

I do wish we could open those patio doors once again, smell and flies are the issue from next door.

I have done nothing for days, after spending Saturday in bed, Sunday was the laziest of days, sat in the shade and then in our sunroom, I read all day, just what was needed. I surprised myself and slept all night as well.

I was due to go to IKEA with daughter on Monday, we postponed to later in the week, knowing I would have more energy to enjoy the day out. So hubby and I had a lazy day at home, I knew I was feeling better as I did a few bits around the garden. There does not seam to be many flowers at the moment, the heavy rain bashed so many including the huge poppies, but there are more buds on the roses, and other plants will follow. 

I am in trouble with daughter she found out we missed seeing a show whilst caring for George, I 'forgot' to say anything before she went away, knowing she would maybe have stayed at home. Both Will and Molly had a great time, George was not really aware of what he was missing and had a great time here, he does love both of us. Daughter did agree with me it was easier for her to just have two, she was able to focus on them, it was the first time they have flown, normally George has most of her attention, as usual daddy was present for all the good bits, other times she said he faded into the background. She managed to enjoy her time there knowing the children were having loads of fun and because it was their time with him, he paid all the bills, she only covered the cost of passports and the flights (in itself still expensive) This for now is the only way the children get to see their dad, he has no plans to return to the UK.

Last week

 I've  stitched on Mollys second swimming badge, she is doing well. I have also added stuffing to George's dog Henry, he was rather limp and would not stand up, I love being able to do these task for them.

We met daughter at Dunelm for a coffee and a cake, I saw these silk daisies which I love, I would have liked an old fashioned milk bottle, this Kilner jar looks almost as good. I already had the field poppies and cornflowers, these being a favourite bunch of flowers for me.

Hubby took George to the park and village on Saturday, he loved the park, at the village was the local craft market, so it was busy, they did not stay long, hubby said George went straight to the flowers and pointed to this bunch 'for nana'

Here's a memory jerker, always when George visits, the drawer handles have to put up, I have told him often it's not the right way, yesterday he had free reign to change them all.

Another good book, read on my kindle apt, your husband tricks you into moving out, you still love him, he's got a younger woman, it follows the wife's story, then the other woman's with a great twist at the end. Book 39 read this year.

It took until Saturday morning for George to be well again, most of Friday he refused to eat much I did not worry because he was sipping water all through the day, it was a dull day, so indoor playing suited him. Saturday he was with Grancha (hubby) all day, he was a great little boy, played outside in the sunshine, football and his balance bike being the favourites. Sadly I woke up in the early hours on Saturday and had George's bug, not at all nice, I did get up late on Saturday and just sat around, but I was so tired I went back to bed, George was OK with me being in bed, he kept coming to check on me, passing me my drink, much the same as I did to him on Thursday, plus lots of cuddles and him stroking my face.

We missed our Gala at the castle again this year, I do like to go, it's a proper family day, George has always loved to '999' section with fire engines and police cars, they always have so many children's rides, the adults rides are in a different field and only open later in the day. Hubby is out all day today, which is fine I can have a very lazy day, I might drive up to see daughter and little ones, to hear about thrie trip, much depends on how I feel. 

I almost forgot we missed a good local show a tribute to Robbie Williams, we passed our tickets on to friends who loved the show, hopefully we can catch it again. 

Out front

 Hubby takes care of the front of the house including our side entrance, this clematis has gone wild this year, flowering much lower and earlier in the season, the hope is to have an arch of flowers. On the other side we planted this philadelphlus last year, it was a small plant and it did not grow too much, this year its putting on loads of growth and hopefully at some point white flowers, we would love them to meet at the top and tumble into each other.

We spent an hour cutting back all the tall overgrown shrubs along our front wall, our neighbour planted everything next to the low wall on her side, it's all very overgrown way past the height of our roof, we now don't get much sunlight in our office in the mornings, at least we were working in the shade, it all encroaches into our space, so it needs sorting a couple times a year.

After all the rain the back garden is looking good, I chopped back the fleabane daisies they were going wild, they will grow back quickly. Just a few gaps to fill, I have loads of smaller plants not quite ready.

I love this time of year, seeing plants returning, growing our fruit and veg, only small harvest, enough to keep us happy, we try to keep to seasonal produce, which means we enjoy them for just a short while.

Our little people had a trip planned to visit their daddy, a short flight from Southampton airport to Netherland on Thursday morning, sadly George pick up a sickness bug which was going around school and is staying with us, daughter was really upset on leaving him, but cancelling the trip would upset his brother and sister. Friday morning he was better, sadly no way of getting on the trip, so we plan loads of extra special fun together. 

Hubby was not too happy with me, I'm still not 100%, family is everything, mummy will be back on Saturday, just waiting to see if I get his bugs.

Fruits

 I've been watching my raspberry plants grow, tucking them behind poles to enable them to grow up the back and on to the arches. One stem grew quicker and stronger, hum, not sure, checked on Lens (a plant identification apt) and I was right to be wary,  its an elder, rooted in from next door, as with every plant in her 'garden', its right next to our boundary fence, I can't dig it out yet, I cut it back and hammered a rusty nail into stem, in hope it stops it growing so fast and I will be able to identify which root to dig out once raspberries have finished.

The rest of the fruits are doing well, loads of rhubarb, hubby has made jam, we had loads in freezer from last year. I cut the blueberry plant right back, now loads of new growth, so few berries this season as they flower and grow on second year growth. My gooseberry is in its 3rd year, no flowers again, it was getting to a nice size, sadly all the leaves were ate, probably sawfly,  so I have cut it back to the ground, if sawfly is a problem I will dig the plant out. Only the rhubarb and gooseberry are in the ground, the blueberries are in a huge pot. 

Strawberries are growing, they are turning red, I love growing them in this tower so easy to water and harvest, I have a small pot in front of our garage another sunny spot, once the berries are finished I will move the pot. In the tower the right side always set fruit first, I do need to pop more bags over the green fruits. There is a dark red hellebore in front of the tower, I have loads of flowers in the bed. 

I have solved the issue of slugs and snails in this small raised bed, I have put copper wire mesh all around the wooden sides, so far it is working, these plants are doing well and no signs of being nibbles. 

The blackberries growing along the garage are filling out, loads of new growth, so again I'm hopeful of a good crop, it has been there for years, I do cut it back most years, it's a thorn-less cultivated one. 

We are eating new potatoes, lettuce and cucumber, strawberries, rhubarb and a few summer raspberries, no sign of the peas, beetroot is just showing and my carrots are very slow, the tomato plants are growing, my garden is a small space, I don't get big harvest. We both enjoy homegrown produce, nothing beats the taste of fresh vegetables. 

The promise of sunny warm days at the weekend is keeping us going, I managed to move a few flowering plants, totally the wrong time, they have grown too big and were crowding each other, I did trim them back and feed them, the wet weather helped them settle. 

Whilst it rains I stitch or read, nothing worth watching on TV, no photos from my sister from her big day, I did ask her, my SIL sent me a couple she sneakily took, they were told no photos. 

Lazy weekend

 I've been stitching again, working on the left side, I was over the moon to get the corner decoration and two pink flowers in place, loads of counting and checking, these set the working lines for this quarter.

My joy has faded, on the easiest part I have miss counted the darker stitches should be a straight diagonal line. It would be hell to unpick, so it has to stay it won't cause me issues later as the design crashes into the three tumbleling stars. 

5 university friends who shared a house receive an invitation to return to their university digs, no-one wants to return, but they are too scared to not go. Back to a time when their 6th member was murdered, they all have memories in various levels about that time. A brilliant book, I really enjoyed reading it. Book 36 read this year.

Her life is a mess, rather than facing the issues,  she goes to Corfu, looking for someone or something, and gets caught up in a sting. The red flags were flying all through the plot, but who did what, with a clever twist. Book 37 read this year.

I have read this author before, another great plot, this time it's a mans story, he falls head over heels in love, it's the real thing, quickly strange things start amongst his female friends, why. Things are adding up, but does 2+ 2 make 5. Book 38 read this year.

Between the relentless wind and rain I am not doing much outside, our garden is looking after itself, I will try and do some deadheading, in a dry patch, I have even turned down a visit to our favourite garden centre, I have never liked being cold and wet. Everywhere is so grey and dull, typical summer here.

I am enjoying lazy days reading, guilt free whist not feeling great, the house needs cleaning, so much dust everywhere. We had a lazy weekend, stayed at home the whole time, it's nice to stop and do nothing after a busy few weeks, simple meals, food we love. My sisters days went well, it was dry when they came out of the church, yes she went for the full works, she was happy as was her partner, now husband, he is a bit under the thumb (Janice ?) I've not seen many photo's as yet. 

Washed out

 The weather is horrible, high winds, thunderstorms, hailstones, our garden has been battered, we have had a few coffee mornings in our sunroom with the doors shut, Lilly has often sat inside with us. It's very still and quiet inside, really enjoyable, the garden has not been damaged, just petals blown off roses and poppies. 

I pick strawberries every other day, the tiny bags protect the fruit, as does not growing them on the ground, there are enough uncovered for the bugs and small birds and mice. Another cucumber, again not full size, the plant seams very happy outside as does both my tomato plants. A few more sweet-peas, these are growing faster. We used the berries in an Eaton Mess, it was yummy. 

Last year I purchased 3 gaura plants, the white one planted in my side bed has not come back this year and one of the pink ones is looking iffy, I already have a cutting growing taken last year it's already in a pot, I'm not sure of these  colours, they just in water are growing strong roots, hopefully more plants. I adore these plants and their tiny flowers and hope to have more in other beds.

It's been a week at home, just too wet to go anywhere, Monday I did more pottery painting with daughter and her three, they all had an inset day off from school. Thursday we had our dental checks, we had planned to go into town, but just too wet.

Friday we planned a day out, we were both getting stir crazy from being inside so much, we did not stay out too long, neither of us get any delight in cruising arounds shops just having a look, it was a dry day. We decided not to hang around to have lunch out, later we sat in our summerhouse, lovely sunshine, out of the wind.

Our plans this weekend has changed, we were going home to Somerset, but my tummy issues have gotten really bad, I have a doctors appointment early next to week. My brother who we always stay with is also ill, which helped shape our decision, neither of us wanted to put on him or even get his bugs. My sister is getting married to her long term partner, she is not happy with me but it can't be helped, the journey is 3 hours each way and I'm just not up to it.

Some you win

 First pickings of strawberries, they were very sweet, there are loads more to come, the little net bags are working, I do leave berries on lower level open for the wildlife. 

First of my sweet-peas, all the same colour, I have everything crossed for another good year, the sweetwilliamsare home grown as well.

Just to balance things, my poor hostas, a dining area for snails I keep looking for them, I have given in this season, I will clear the top of the tub later in the year, clearing out as many as I can.

I have ripped out my broad-beans they were covered in blackfly, they are infected every year, for some reason this season they overwhelmed the plants, we did get one meal from them, none in freezer. I could get new plants but I fear the blackfly would come back.

It's not often I show the mishaps in the garden, I do tell you about them, I am OK with things going wrong, plants never returning, I never use chemicals, I'm hopeful as the years pass the eco system in the garden is balanced enough to save most things.

Water is always an issue, often we have long periods of dry weather, I do collect rain water but it's never enough, so I water often. Last year we missed the hose pipe ban, our local water supplier Portsmouth Water is good at amassing vast amounts of water. Yesterday the storms came, so gardens are now soaked and water butts are full again. 

Having a cat keeps other cats away, I do pick up after Lilly most days, locally foxes are a problem, hubby has blocked most entrance points, they can climb over fences luckily they don't here. We rarely see hedgehogs any more, occasionally mice, again luckily we not seen a rat in ages. Pigeons are a pain, I do net my veg beds.

Just being in the garden is so rewarding for both of us, these days there is less work to be done, so we practice the art of sitting and watching.