Getting ready

I got a new glass dish for our dinning table, for no other reason than, I love it. I read plastic fruit is out of style, mine will stay, it looks fresh in a dark corner. I will keep my old glass bowl, it's a useful shape. We then saw the darker green candle holder, which hubby pointed out, it would have been rude not to get it.

Lilly has taken to my crochet blanket, she often settles on my chair as we are going to bed and sleeps here most of the night. Recently she is resting here in the daytime, so I'm sat on our not so comfortable sofa.

We are viewing our local hedgehog most nights, sadly they have not settled in the house hubby built, they often are close, but not moved in, these from Monday.

 I have read this author before, you get home to find the police at your house and your boyfriend murdered, the police are on-top of everything, until she calls into the local police station, here's the first brilliant twist, it's a very clever plot, I could not work out who? the author twisted the plot a few times. I could not put this book down, Book 84 read this year. 

Monday was dull and wet, and noisy most of the morning, the local highways team were sorting potholes in our street, we had two forming outside our drive, now completely filled in.

Tuesday we popped to town on the bus, I managed to find a warmer raincoat I like, I'm not a fan of the puffy costs, which are everywhere, I got it from TKMax at a great price, I have sent my old one to the local clothes bank, I have had it about 5 years. Later it was sunny and warm, we spent time outside, our sunroom is perfect on days like this.

Wednesday was housework ready for SIL and her hubby visiting for weekend, nothing gets me cleaning like a family visit, we did walk to the village, it was market day, nothing purchased, the plants looked nice as always, but I left them there.

Today Lilly is visiting the vets, we have noticed she is walking strange on one back leg, she let's us check it so no pain, we want to get it checked out. Later we plan a shopping trip to Lidl, and then a bit more house work.

Books

Another great plot, from the first chapter you know she has stabbed someone, the story jumps between her growing up, her marriage problems to Owl cottage, trying to work out who is dead, by half way through I had decided who it wasn't, a little further I decided who it was, then twist near the end was brilliant. Book 53 read this year.

This story ran along all the expected lines, I guessed each stage, it still was a good read, her stories are always a mixture, some better than others. Book 54 read this year.

I do love this author, his stories are varied and captivating, this did not disappoint, you are a British couple house sitting in New York, when an old friend of the family visits, you don't know her, she is harmless or so you think. Book 55 read this year.

Another good plot, a student is shot at her graduation, her parents are watching, a tale of mixed issues, you think you have guessed but have you, set in Devon PI Matthew Hill is working alongside the local DCI, together they have to work out everything. Book 56 read this year.

Another great plot, two stories running together in a small seaside town, nothing usual in that, a death on the beach and a new small business close by, what could be the links, he is a master of giving you clues, which when twist are revealed it all drops into place. Book 57 read this year. 

I don't read many paperback books these days, these are my unread pile, all purchased second-hand, I use my iPad and the kindle apt, I do like to keep one title of each author I like on my shelves. The Peter James book is the latest in the DCI Roy Grace series, which I love. 

I love these shelves created in the old doorway (done before we moved in), hubby changed them and added another lower shelf, I think soon I will need another. Lilly's food bowls are kept here, they are out of the way. The top shelf is all our fun books, many we have had for years.

I do have a small bookcase in my spare bedroom, its full of books I don't need to keep, friends like to browse and take from there. My craft and other references books are in our office space. My favourite garden books are by my chair, I'm always looking at them.

Jo sent me a book by Jo Spain, The trial, she had finished reading it, I had commented I had not read this title, so she surprised me by sending her copy, I started it and realised I had read it before, last year, so if anyone would like the book please let me know, comments are not automatically published, so if you add your address I will ensure it's not shown on here. 

I don't often read in bed, we prefer not to have electronic items in our bedroom, we both have our phones by our bed, we no longer have a landlines, we don't use our phones, they are there in case there is an emergency. 

Inside

 My knitting is growing, I love the look, I have no use for another blanket, I have a few crochet ones, I will check them and maybe discard one. I have completed 17 pattern rows and used half of one ball of black, so I can do up to about 70 pattern rows, I still have plenty of coloured yarn left.

I have read books from this author before, another great book, I do love a good thriller, 3 couples all on holiday, all very different, thrown together when a woman is murdered, past lives catching up with them, lies, back home and things are still strange. Book 26 read this year.

I chose this book as it was free on my Kindle, same police officer as in previous book, a fall from a balcony, was it an accident, and why are all the new mums acting so strange, with a good insight into how the police follows through a case. Book 27 read this year.

My last magazine arrived this week, I won't renew the subscription, I have 24 copies saved for reference, I do like this practical magazine. Most of the free seeds were gifted to local schools.

17 years ago, we decided to have wooden floors in our hall and main living area, slate in downstairs bathroom, vinyl in the kitchen and laminate in our office (3rd bedroom), there was already tiles on our en-suite, these days my knees and back complain after washing them. So after a search through countless steam floor mops, we got this Shark, the two round pads spin and work together to scrub the floors, with three levels, super easy to use, every part of me is happy. This is not an ad, just my views on an item which works well for me.

It's been cooler and dull this week, so housework was done, I also got a new handheld steam cleaner, I used it on my clean shower, it got to places where my cloth could never reach, spring cleaning is going well here. For once nothing aches, I was able to do more in one session.

I did pick George and Molly up from school on Tuesday, daughter attended Will's school, his class had a project they wanted to share with parents, both little ones were good in my car, after tea mummy went back to their school for parents evening, Molly's teacher gave her a glowing report, Molly loves school and is doing well, she is still only 4 and has done so well. Georges teacher was happy with him, he is on his own path, different from his peers, he does try, but he does like to play as well. Again daughter was very happy, we chatted for ages, having 3 happy children makes her life much nicer, for now Will has stopped playing up in the mornings. 

I have picked up bugs again, George has a cold, he is a cuddly boy and loves his nana, I'm hoping I can shift the bugs quickly, I'm cold and tired all the time, yesterday was a lazy day and should be the same today.

What's new

We popped to town on Tuesday morning,  looking for a birthday gift for George, we hope we have found him the perfect gift. We also got some bits for Molly's Christmas gift as well, daughter ask me to make her a crafting box. Hubby was given a book voucher for his birthday, we both love this set of books, priced at £30.00, half price in Waterstones, hubby paid £5.00, bargain.

Tuesday afternoon we were outside in our garden, it was sunny and not too cold, I have moved a couple of tender pots into the greenhouse, I also removed the french marigolds from this blue pot, which now contains violas, which I grew into a bigger size before planting. I have started a few cuttings, it would be helpful to have a few extra plants for next spring.

I really enjoyed this book I got from our local Library, the first few chapters were challenging, but it was worth the wait, the story fine a bit way out but believable, I found myself reading longer just to have more of the story. I guessed who done it, about 3/4 of the way through, not how, the plot kept a bit of doubt in my mind so it held me. Book 68 read this year.

Hubby packed away our seating unit, it goes down to a neat size and will be left along the wall, the cushions have been stored in our attic. Thursday was so nice we sat outside for our afternoon coffee, using our two folding chairs, not as comfortable as our seating, much easier to pack away. We have no idea what the weather is going do day by day. Yep hubby is still wearing shorts.

 

This week has been lovely sunny dry days and not too cold, I have started to pack away my garden ornaments and bringing out pots with spring bulbs, I planted my broad beans, 20 beans, plus 8 in pots incase any don'tgrow. I have one job to sort my raspberry bed, hubby wants to sort the wire fence behind the garage, it looks as if foxes have been trying to get through, he will secure it, as we don't want any animals to be hurt, we just don't want then in our garden.

Wednesday I had my first day out with daughter, without Molly, we are planning to make Wednesdays our time together, we changed our plans and went to my favourite garden centre, looking at plants, daughter is having a long raised bed in her back garden, she needs hardy plants which thrive without too much input from her. We popped to a second garden centre for lunch, its very strange to eat my own meal, normally Molly is trying all my food.

Hubby wanted to sort our attic, its not huge, we live in a converted bungalow, so most of the original attic space is our bedroom, the door is in our wall, easy access. I finally threw out loads of empty boxes, I had kept them for my special ornaments in my cabinet, they will never be used so out they went. 

We have heard scratching in our party wall (the wall between us and next door), our home is semi detached, hubby wanted to check to see how they were getting in, he has sealed the spot on our side, he found rat droppings. The correct solution would be to speak to neighbour and have her attic and wall checked, we have not asked, we know her answer would be no. The party wall is the only wall without insulation, therefore the only space they can climb. We would like to check under our floorboards for activity, but our wooden block floor is impossible to lift and put back without damage, hubby did check in the kitchen, going under a cupboard, again droppings, so poison was laid, its a safe place to leave it, there are no access spots into the house from below. We are now just hoping we have sorted the issue without having to speak to the neighbour, she has ignored us for a few years, whilst sending all her fury to the neighbour on her other side, and we do want to avoid any problems. 

Good random stuff

 I have the book I created for my older brother, I will visit him in his new placement later this month with my brother Martin, so far Martin has been unable to find many photo's in Derek's house, his wedding album has disappeared, family have sent me copies of photos to use. Derek has settled in better than we hoped, it is a secure place, but within the grounds there is plenty of freedom. He still wants to go home which is impossible for him, he is much stronger now he is eating better meals and taking his medication. 

Molly had her 4th birthday on Wednesday, hubby and I collected her from pre school, which she loved, back at her house, she opened our gift, it was dressing up as Elsa from Frozen, one of her favourite films, and birthday cake for everyone. Daughter always makes a collage of birthday photos. She is sharing a birthday venue on Sunday, her pre school friend's birthday was the same week, so a joint party.

We are not drinking enough water in the day, by the evening we start to drink more, which leads to nightly visits to the loo. Our water bottles are years old and needed replacing, daughter recommended these metal bottles, she purchases the same brand, George chews all his straws in his bottles, this brand sell the tops of their bottles separately. I am now filling ours each morning and we drink the contents, almost a litre by mid afternoon, the metal bodies keep the drink cold, a perfect solution. 

I had a surprise parcel arrive this week, hubby chose the design and made it to look like me (I wish), it's always lovely to get a surprise, I just have to decide where to hang it. 

Daughter sent us a copy of George's end of year school report we have often spoken on how he has grown in confidence, speaking more and showing determination, so to get a report mirroring our thoughts is wonderful. He loves going to school, most mornings rushing out of the house to see his friends. Daughter is extremely proud of him, he may have a disability, but it's not going to hold him back for long.

The tennis has been top quality games, we watched both men's semi finals on Friday and ladies final on Saturday, sadly a very one sided match, later today we will watch Sinner and Alcaraz battle it out. 

We were up early on Friday, went to Lidl before 9am, laundry on line by 10am, I cleaned our bedroom and shower room on Thursday evening, it was still too hot, but it's done. Saturday we had Will, George and Molly here, daughter sat and relaxed whilst they all played. Hubby and Will did boys/army things outside and Molly and I crafted inside, I got her a new stencil where she could sketch clothes and colour them in, George decided he wanted to dance, later I babysat whilst mummy had a night out, I watched the Live aid concert from 1985,  still wonderful to watch 40 years on.

And home

We spent Tuesday morning walking around Saville gardens on the edge of Windsor great park, which also has loads of woodland areas, some of the gardens were past their prime, the rose garden was going over, still pretty.

Lots of lovely high hedges hiding beautiful gardens

This menace was stealing bits from plates, there were 5 of them in the outside cafe area. 

I could not resist the plant section, these are already planted after a good soak, nice strong plants at a very cheap price £17.50 for all five of these.

It was a lovely morning before driving home, we picked up a very happy Lilly, she leaped into her cat carrier, and once home did a couple tours of our garden, it does feel good to be home.

I watered my garden on Tuesday evening, I enjoyed being outside after a few hours in the car. Wednesday was a lazy day at home, I finished the book for my brother, it will be here within 2 weeks, I always use the same publisher, I like the quality of the books. 

Thursday we had a plumber here, we have a damp spot in one corner of our downstairs bathroom, which was worse last winter, it was suggested we replace the small towel radiator for a tall thin radiator, to help heat the wall, it's an internal wall, the corner is by the outside wall. Most of the day was wet and dull, not huge amounts of rain, and very windy.

Friday we got up to a wet garden, a bit more rain overnight, not so windy, we went to our favourite garden centre and met daughter and her three, George had an inset day from school and Will whilst feeling a bit better was not at school, he was sent home on Monday feeling unwell. Plants were purchased, of course, they will be in the ground soon. 

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.

In plain view

 Last summer we put this privacy film on our kitchen window, our view was our neighbours extension, it works brilliantly, still lets the light in, we only use the blind on dark winter nights.

Recently I got these stickers for our back door, both Molly and George were forever leaving sticky finger marks here, the big sunflower is in a perfect position, it came with 4 large bumble bee's, the little ones took the 2 spare home, 1 each for their bedroom windows. 

Having done our en-suite, we have ordered new shutters for the window, to add a bit of colour as this is a sunny window, I got these flowers, I did think hubby would say no, but he's happy, it's nice to see their colourful reflection on the floor.

I got a choice of designs, the second design I put on our front door glass panels, an instant upgrade, hubby has not yet noticed. 

A quiet few days, we have been looking at carpet samples for our bedroom and stairs, it will be brilliant when it's all done. We have turned off the heating, it was only coming on in the mornings, every evening the house held the days heat. We got a quote for some rendering work on the back extension, it's not a big job, which we have accepted, just waiting for a date to start. Neither of us have any plans, we have completed all the big task for this year, though hubby will find something to do, and I will be gardening.

The little ones are happily back at school and pre-school, how quickly they settle back into their routine, we saw daughter and Molly on Wednesday, we popped out for coffee and cake in our village. Daughter came to visit on Saturday, Molly and George played outside most of the day Will stayed inside most of the time, we gave him loads of praise and a small reward for his first junior school report which was good, loads of enjoyable time together as we would not see them again for almost a week.

Friday was a rest day, we both agreed no jobs, we decided to pop out for lunch, we sat on the first floor level looking out over the marina at Port Solent, the sun shone, it was a peaceful time after all the recent decorating. Now we are away for a few days, a much needed break in Cornwall, no doubt I will post about our trip on my return, the weather is being kind to us, it's good to be able to relax together. It's sunny warm and peaceful here, what more do you want, even the drive was good.

Sort it out

 Back in 2013 hubby built our 'walk in wardrobes' I had finished working and reduced my clothing by loads, still I kept more, just in case. Now hubby is decorating the bedroom, he started in our wardrobe, so we took all our stuff out, it looks alot, because there are loads of clothes there, some not worn for years.

Much nicer, and loads gone, the issue I have is, most of what I have thinned out are clothes which still fit me, all are great quality, but I don't wear them. It does look good having so much space, at the back I have my dressmaking fabrics and other dressmaking bits, it's the only place I can store them.

I have not been doing much gardening, I'm at the stage where the garden is doing it's own thing, no dead heading to be done, the spring bulb leaves are still green, loads of plants growing for the second year. 

I have a clean house on the ground floor, the mound of clothes on our bed whilst hubby painted our huge wardrobe, made me very unsettled, I have never loved untidy rooms, I was amazed how much stuff we had in such a small space, it has always looked tidy, everything in it's place. At the start it was daunting, I decided to put back everything I wear first, which reduced the pile by loads, I also packed the stuff to be passed on in bags, and left them for a few days, it felt easier that way. I have never had an issue with getting rid of stuff we don't use, my clothes was different, so many items I still could wear.   

We are sleeping in our spare bedroom downstairs for a couple of days, we have a small double bed, which is snug, our bed is a kingsize, when sleeping in the spare room I always leave the door open, it's a much smaller room, Lilly was very good, she popped in to check we were OK and then went back to her own bed. The decorating in our room should be finished on Thursday, we then have to wait for the delivery of a new carpet. 

Thank you for your kind comments on my last post, family is everything to me, both daughter and hubby agree we will never do anything to make Grandma and Grandpa unhappy, we unite as a family together. Having gone through a divorce with young children with a very supportive mum, I intend to do all I can for our daughter and her three, if a dad does not want to be present and engaging with the family unit, I believe they can be happy without him.

Inside out

 Way back in 2009 I first showed my red Acer on my blog here, I had purchased it the previous year as a tiny plant for 99p, the leaves had fallen off and the shop wanted to get rid of it. As it grew hubby made a lovely wooden container for it in 2019, I added to the base to give Japanese vibes. It was planted into the ground in 2021, at hubby's suggestion, I was not sure, I want to pass it on and replace it with a smaller one, in a small garden to have a second tree was not the best use of space. I do love it in the ground, it's in a perfect spot. It needs a trim at the base, and along the flower bed side, I snip at it as and when it needs it.

I did replace the acer with a triple acer, purchased in 2021, which sits along the wall of the garage, I pass them every time I go to my greenhouse, composter or water but. These I trim every year, I really don't want them to grow too large, they fill this space with colour, they only get sunshine in the mornings, and they are sheltered from the wind. I love the three shades together, they brighten this spot.

I have been given the most perfect gate to my veg plot, it's real life was a fire guard, I could have got a gate to match my fence, but it was a bit wide and would be obstacle and I could see me catching my clothes as I walked through. George understands if the gate is closed he can't through, and stays away, I don't close it when Molly is here, she knows the veg section is not a play area. 

When in town last week ,we popped to Pound Savers for a few Easter bits, I always look around the garden section, I picked up 2 packs of summer bulbs, just a pound per pack, which had 1 bulb in. I popped them straight into the ground, I was going to get two plants, using bulbs has worked out much cheaper, I've not grown them before.

We had been considering purchasing a dwarf apple tree, which would go with our other fruits, we even found a spot for it, but realistically we don't need one, I eat Braeburns, which can be used for cooking, so we always have them here. If we were successful in growing our own apples, we would then have to find storage space.

We had some rain on Saturday night, and again last night, I would have liked more, I think any rain in the coming days will miss our area, we might get just a couple of light showers.

Monday hubby decided it was time to decorate our bedroom and en-suite, we have been putting it off for months, he is starting in our shower room. I keep out of his way, he is a master of perfection, and I'm not required, he controls it all. On a trip to B&Q I got 4 bags of top soil, I had asked locally if anyone had any top soil I could have, just one reply which stated it was full of gravel, so I declined. I'm hoping to sort my 5 new growing bags in the coming days. 

Just another week

 This is just 30 minutes after another huge deluge, we had heavy rain all through Monday night, no thunder and lighting, which was promised, we had heavy rain storms Tuesday morning, they didn't last for too long, but they came one after the other. For the first time I can remember in 15 years living here, we had a huge puddle just outside our gates, it did drain, just the amount of rain falling so quickly. 

I have done more on this lap blanket, it's such a simple design, using just 7 shades makes it very uncomplicated, it grows quickly as the yarn is double knitting weight. It is now the width I want it to be, I just need to add length, I work on this most afternoons, as I want to get it finished.

I have ordered my blog book for 2022, as expected I got the discount I was waiting for, in fact I got a very good deal 50% off the book plus free shipping, so I saved £64.44, the book cost me £55.45, which is the cheapest I paid in years, normally with such a good discount you normally still have to pay postage. My 2023 book is no where near finished, so I can wait until next year to publish it. These books are only for me and my grandchildren, who love to see their photo's in a book. 

Hubby has done a good job on the stairs, it's not finished yet, just the gloss to do, we removed all the photo's of the grandchildren and I've packed them away, we have a few things to hang on the wall, our new light fittings are again very simple, it's going to look very uncluttered. 

Daughter came to visit on Wednesday with Molly, both boys were in school, Molly is so very different without George, she wants to know everything, and is non stop chatter. George has settled into school much better than we expected, he is talking and being understood more (mainly because Molly is not there to talk for him), and is already following set books and starting to write letters and numbers, when I visited on Tuesday evening, he got out his reading bag for us to look at his school books together. Daughter had a parents evening chat with Will's teacher, he has settled into his junior class and is doing well, so daughter is a happy mummy, who sadly is full of cold, now positive for covid. 

We have had rain every morning this week, happily there is nothing to do in the garden, hardly any leaves falling, we just sit inside and watch the tiny birds, our feeders are very busy. I'm not complaining as the events from Florida are shown on TV, we are so lucky not to have flooding issues.

With George at school and Molly enjoying pre-school 3 days a week, we don't see our little people enough, we are both very happy they are all enjoying their new lives, we have a hole to fill, we have a few things coming up, but for now it's home alone.

Spooky month.

 So we are nearing October or Spooky month as Will always called Halloween, I've got a few more bits this year, I'm enjoying seeing these tiny pumpkins, the first display in the corner of our sitting room. The vase is in the kitchen, slightly more autumnal vibes, both the China pumpkins are years old. These are out very early this year, no reason, other than I fancied something different.

I've made my own mincemeat, a lady I follow on Instagram shared her trusted slow cooker recipe, the house smelt divine for hours, way after the cooking time. Hubby who does all the baking will make mince pies. We got a pack of mince pies from Lidl, which were disgusting, much nicer to have home made ones. The smaller pot is for my friend who is always giving us jams and chutneys.

Hubby made the first batch of mincepies, I made some bacon and cheese wraps, both made with purchased puff pastry, I needed to use a pack of defrosted bacon, both tasted great. We both agreed the mincemeat was lovely, so I plan to make my own from now on.

I'm doing well on this lap blanket in my favourite Tunisian crochet, it's a simple stitch and design, I am using Emu Supreme double knit, I purchased a kit to make a Christmas blanket last year, which I only partially made as I was not enjoying the process. This is not for our use, hubby's group will have a raffle nearer to Christmas, so I hope to have this finished and donated, they fundraise for our local Portsmouth Downs Syndrome charity.

We popped to The Range, Dave , Northsider blogger, suggested I plant these onions, to grow over winter, a couple of other packs of bulbs came home with me, we had a look around the store, Christmas is in full show, we walked past everything, so a cheap trip. It is always lovely to see Wilko brand, which was on items all around the shop, I've always trusted their seed and bulbs.

Wednesday was market day in the village, we popped down, the plant guy was there, much smaller stand these days, nothing interesting, other than he was selling bare root wallflowers, wrapped in newspaper, I don't like wallflowers, but so pleased to see no pots, selling them just how our parents would have purchased them. Later the heavy rain came back, it was dark most of the afternoon, I spent my time between crochet and reading. 

Thursday was another day at home, more housework, we are still finding dust, it gets everywhere, hubby hopes to start painting next week, we popped to B&Q and got the wood stain for the stairs, everything is now ready for painting. Hubby got the fine mesh for the front of my huge bug house, hopefully we can finish it next week.

We have a weekend off, having some fun, I will tell you more in another post, we booked a very different experience for us, it's always good to try something new.