Kev 65

I have stitched on Winter Watergarden

These swirls are in the correct place, I will stitch the bottom set and then stitch the next outer section, to get me back into this project, I plan to come back to these four sections later and work them from the top. 

 We have had some sunny days again, I have been removing loads of plastic covered metal stays from the garden, most of the flowers they were holding up have now finished. The week of cold weather has tricked parts of the garden into going over, which for here is a couple weeks early.

 I was sorting my shed, it has alot of items to be stored in here over the winter, 

Purdey was as always close by, lying in the shadow of our bird table. 

This back garden is still productive with salad items for the weekend.

 Memories of the week we had all three boys, I put together these photo's as a small extra birthday present for hubby, the frame was in the attic for ages, I purchased it for another project which did not work out. This extra little gift, did not cost anything this week, the photo's were printed at home.

 My 1st attempt at Pavlova, not the best looking but tasty, The raspberries were from the garden, we tried to pick blackberries but our local ones were all still very hard, so I had to purchase the strawberries and blackberries. I also made a lemon cake to share with Josh and Sam. So other than the two soft fruits every thing came from the store cupboard.

 I am getting into Lowspend/Nospend September, I was worried with hubby's birthday, it would be harder, it was nice to make his cakes, I normally have one made, I have already been asked to make another Pavlova for Saturday's BBQ. We are not self sufficient in any way here, and do have to shop for food, but now we only get what is required, no little extras.
Yesterday afternoon Josh and Sam came to spend time with Grancha, eat his cake and play, we went back to the park, another happy afternoon.
Later Fliss, Su and David came for tea, Lamb Biryani followed by Pavlova all wheat free so Fliss could tuck in. With a  nice glass of pink champaign to wish happy birthday, which was given to us and tucked away for a special moment, hubby's 65th birthday.

One of Kev's birthday cards.

We are hoping to go out on the bike this afternoon, no plans on where to go, I only go on fine sunny days, so we have to make the most of what summer weather we have left.
Tomorrow I plan to spend in the garden, ensuring the place is ready for Saturday, Friday I will be baking for Saturday and getting the house ready.

Finishes and stash

We have our dinning room table back, I did some sewing yesterday, I still have loads to do, and have made plans for some patchwork, only very simple. 

 I made two more small Christmas cushions, I have had the Christmas cross stitch in my box forever. The Christmas fabric I purchased many years ago, without any plans, just three different designs, they are a good quality cotton.

 I have decided to give Leanna the top (1st made) cushion, I have made mine just a bit simpler, I do need to add a few words above the tree, red cushion is also for me to keep. I will stuff and finish them later today.

 This design has finally arrived, it was purchased in my last order in early August and was out of stock, I am itching to stitch it, but will keep Winter Watergarden in the frame.

 I purchase the chart for this, e cosa bella natura I fell in love the moment I saw it, I have not stitched a long narrow piece before, can't wait for it's arrival. I found it at Crafty Kitten. This was purchased before I decided to join Sue's September drive, see below.

 Just one shot from Friday, we make a neat team plus a few from the district, it was fun to see them all again and very sad to say goodbye. Ann and I will have lunch together this week, to catch up with gossip.

I follow loads of blogs, ladies (and guys) who have the same loves as myself, and in the past few years I have been sorting clutter and unnecessary things from our lives. Sue at Our New Life in the Country  is a master at this, and in September she is having a Low spend/No spend and I am joining in.
I plan to use the hoard of food in our big freezer in the garage, we have enough clothes, not to need to purchase any more (we have been good for ages, and passing all the sales to wear what we already own)
The only hiccup I have to allow is hubbies 65th BBQ next weekend, but already I have found items in the freezer to use, and will stick to the low spend as much as I can.
It will be very interesting to see  what changes we make, but it should be just more of what we have been trying to do, and a very good time to stop purchasing chocolate and snacks, which will help with the pounds I have put back on.

Where did that week go

My sewing machine is still out, but as yet I have not had much chance to use it. The green box holds all my finished cross stitch, I also have a bag of fabrics for finishing, plus my Christmas material, the blue box holds some of my cottons reels, as does the box it is sat on. 

 Yesterday was my leaving meal from the Sea Cadets, a bit late but it was the last day for the other lady. They always have a sketch done for you, this time they framed them and added the little plate, all ready to go on the wall. I do love mine, I have a few, but this is the 1st with colour. A very clever artist.

 I now have a nice shoot from the Avocado and strong roots, but this is the easy bit, it gets hard when you try and plant it. The Lemon (smaller) and Lime plants are both doing well,  the growth on the Lime has slown down, but both are healthy.

 In the back garden along my herb bed, my cucamelon plant is huge, and looking much better than the plant in the green house, I will have more strawberries to pick soon. This area is still very green.

 The flower beds are not looking so good, the cooler weather we have had is tricking the gardens into thinking autumn  has arrived, we are fore caste for some more warmer weather, September is normally a warm month. This rose with it's visitor is beautiful.

 My harvest today is healthy, I have three different tomatoes, just a few of each, the smaller red ones were from a hanging plant, a very interesting way to grow them. I have loads of cucamelons on the plants, but we are having a BBQ next weekend so I am saving them, I also have a couple of cucumbers, which I want to harvest next weekend. First harvest for peppers, mine are all late this year. A small harvest of Raspberries, it was wet on Thursday when the boys visited, so for once we can have some.

It has been a very busy week, I have not picked up Winter Watergarden as yet, I do need to do some careful counting before stitching, and when it is busy here I prefer not to risk it. But I am getting withdrawal from not stitching. We do not have much planned for this weekend, so maybe tomorrow.
It was David's 30th birthday yesterday, so we popped in for cake after our lunch, his birthday meal has been delayed, his brother is working oversea's.
I am busy planning for Tuesday, hubby is 65, so it's the big birthday, he is not bothered, but I do want the day to be special, hope to surprise him. On Saturday we are having a family get together in our garden, with afternoon tea and later a BBQ, this will enable family to be able to travel to see him.

All made up

I did manage to make this cushion up

 I love the fabric with the tree, but I have a small dirty mark above the stitching, I will have to sort it out. This is the total sum of getting my sewing machine out yesterday, I had a friend pop in for most of the afternoon.

 Daughter Fliss has made me this sewing roll.

 It is a great size and nicely padded to hold my scissors, I must admit it would make a great makeup holder. I will have to see which contents fit better, either way, I love the colours, what a real nice gift.

 Fliss's progress with 'Once upon a Time', she does not have as much stitching time as me, but it's looking good, she is still using the published colours.

 Today, Fliss came around with Josh and Sam, so the house gave way to loads of toys, Sam loves his road mat and all the cars, Josh had loads of Lego, Star wars and Harry Potter. Fliss did manage to stitch, but I resisted, I find it far to easy to miscount on Winter Watergarden.

 Hubby brought home these roses for me, I had a big problem last night with our mortgage insurance, and managed to get it sorted this morning. It was pleasing to hear them say it was their error and they will put it right. I even had an apology from them for the stress their letter caused us.

We did manage to pop to the park this afternoon, Sam and Josh ran about and played together, when the sun did show itself it was really warm, and we managed to get back home before the rain. The garden is looking good, the weekend rain (which equalled a month's rain for us) has helped every where, our lawn is now back to green.
We also had fun with Grancha, he was challenged with the ice bucket, and we had to throw iced water over him, and he then donated £3 to Macmillan, the boys thought it was great fun, I now have every thing crossed I am not nominated, you can pay the fine of £10 if you don't want to get wet.
I am tired tonight, so no stitching, but I have left my sewing machine out, and will try and finish a few more items, I do fancy doing some sewing.
Tomorrow we are out to lunch at HMS Nelson ward room it a a beautiful setting for a lunch. This is the last get together for Sea Cadets, so it will be a sad day as well.