April round up

 One small spend on craft, I got a reel of tape for my garden bunting, I already had the fabric. Another high month on garden spend, with loads of plants regrowing, I have few spaces to fill. I also got myself another fleece in the sales.

Books, 6 read this month

The car was expensive this month, it has been cheap to run over the years, so we are not complaining. It's been expensive month inside, we changed a bathroom cabinet and window blind, both have been up since we moved here in 2009, we also got some wall panels for behind our bed. Most of the paint we already had, deciding to keep the colours the same. Expensive time having fun with the grandchildren, but making memories is so much fun. I have passed on loads of things we did not want to return to our bedroom. 

No household food waste, my compost bin is working hard, the only two items I don't compost is onion skins and bits of peppers.  

I'm happier with my weight, lost a couple of pounds, not huge but the scales are going in the right direction, I am moving more and feeling good.

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.

What are you growing

 This veg bed is doing great my broad beans are full of flowers, I only lost a couple of plants, so I am expecting a good harvest, at the other end root veg and 3 lettuce. I did not remove the net covering for these photo's.

In this bed I have onions, which are growing, I'm thinking they are a slow growing crop, so I won't grow them again, at the other end I have 4 each of cabbage and cauliflower plants, under the plastic cover I put peas but as yet they are not growing.

2 buckets with different types of carrots, 2 bags with potatoes and 2 more pots with cabbage and cauliflower plants. I love I am able to use space around my tiny garden, I have 3 more smaller bags for veg, I will set them up in a couple of weeks. I have netted both the cabbage tubs. 

My gooseberry bush has put on loads of growth, it's infront of my rhubarb, and next to my strawberry tower, my raspberries are growing strong, my blueberries are in flower, I have 2 bushes in one big pot, one fruits later than the other.

I decided not to build a net cage for my strawberries this year, I can make one to stop the birds, but not the mice, plus harvesting the berries can be tricky, so this year I have tiny bags which I will pop over each berry in hope of harvesting more, I won't cover the bottom tier, I think our wildlife deserves a fruity treat as well. Already there are loads of flowers and fruit forming.

 

I am happy with my vegetable section, the fine nets over each raised bed are working well, keeping pest at bay, I have already picked loads of snails from the outside of the net. I am using my copper rings, I only have 10, I am trying a different solution, I have been cutting the tops off pots, the ones the plants are sold in, I have wrapped copper tape around the outside, I've popped them over the plant, so far pest are not a problem. I have been spraying my roses with neem oil, it is clearing the whitefly, I am already picking snails, I've not seen many slugs.

My tomato and cucumber plants are still small, I have everything I need for planting them, the tulips will flower for a bit longer, so there is no hurry to get them in. I will soon sow my runner beans and a second lot of peas, I will also start some leeks, which I will grow in a bag.

Hubby needs some items on a same day delivery, he was short on the minimum order and got me another pack of garden bags, which I will happily use just got to decide what to grow. Our bag of potatoes have started sprouting, so I have taken 6 to share in two of my bags.

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.

Easter

Our knitting ladies have decorated the village for Easter, lots of colourful displays.

We booked a table on Friday, painting pottery, sadly it was not the experience we hoped, George was not happy too many people and kept running to the door, and Molly had a huge melt down. The staff and other parents were all so lovely, by their actions, they fully understood, we did manage to get all the painting done, just not the fun start to the weekend.

The children loved their egg hunt, Will again was in the veg section, George and Molly in the front, they have to be separated as the little ones are dairy free. We get them sweets as well as chocolates, plus a few bits not edible, we set Will a challenge to find his larger egg.

We always put two eggs together for the little ones, they share so well, Lilly followed them around, George decided he wanted to wear his tutu, it's a dressing up item he loves. 

Daughter stayed with us for Friday night, the little ones were with their dad, we had a perfect lazy Saturday, resting most of the afternoon in warm sunshine, hubby made a curry for tea. Sadly instead of staying a second night, so she could have much needed rest, her soon to be ex, called, George and Molly were both very upset, daughter went straight home, spent time redoing bedtime, lots of cuddled and kisses. It's very upsetting how disassociated he has become with his own children.

Sunday we had Grandpa and Grandma (daughters MIL and FIL) over for the day, it was dull and cool, so most of the time we were indoors, the children did play outside for a couple of hours, giving us time to catch up. Hubby made hotdogs (the little ones favourite) and burgers, and we shared a red velvet cake again made by hubby, the children went home full and happy, George and Molly with a sticker and colouring book and crayons each and Will had another book in his favourite set, Captain Underpants. 

Today was dull we did not see the expected rain, housework was needed and done, one task completed in our bedroom before hubby starts painting this tomorrow, he went out playing Petanque in the afternoon. Now relaxing for the rest of the day, busy tomorrow. 

Blooming lovely

 It's tulip time here, I am really pleased with the bulbs chosen last year, they add so much colour to my garden. Bulbs are truly amazing, they bloom giving us so much joy, when their flowers fade, they disappear until next year, they are just perfection. 

I normally make a one collage of all my flowers, this time I have left them individually, just to show off their colours, I hope you like them.

Sadly no blooms this year.

Nothing beats sitting at home on a sunny warm day in a garden you have created, so much colour, birdsong, a cheeky squirrel running along the fence, Lilly chasing flies, pure bliss. 

Friday afternoon into Saturday we had a good amount of rain, enough to fill my water buts, so I am really happy, the garden has had a good soak, I just need to water my seedlings in the greenhouse. 

Ouch

 Another brilliant plot, what could go wrong, well everything, who do you trust, even those who have your best interest, lovely twist, this author produces fantastic different plots. Book 37 read this year

Starts with a wife murdering her husband, what should she do next, she runs, what will become of her, her family left behind and those who help her, another good twist, this author understands people. Book 38 read this year.

A very different plot, for a change it a man's story, if you love someone do you cross the line, should you rely on family, your dad is your rock. Lots of twist and turns, I really enjoyed this book, a new author for me. Book 39 read this year.

The plant in Betty was outgrowing her root space, I saw this new head pot in Pound saver for just £4, it has a huge pot and this plant should do really well, but what to do with Betty, I do love her so much, I have taken the cheats route, these string of pearls are fake, I got 2 plants for £8, hubby saved the nice pots for me, and Betty got new hair, I'm not sure if I love it. I took a ball of brown yarn and put in in the pot, I used Modge Podge over the yarn and pressed the frons in, it will take a while to dry.  

My pregnant onion flower is starting to open, it's on a very long stalk, pretty tiny white flowers. Sadly this morning the stalk broke, I have cut it and placed the flower in water.

I'm suffering from tooth ache, I have a huge back tooth which needs removing, my dentist has referred me to our dental hospital, my initial appointment is in a couple of weeks, I have antibiotics to take, which is helping. 

I'm spending less time inside, so not reading as much, we are watching Clarkson's farm, almost finished series two, and still enjoying it. It's been a quiet week, I passed on some of my zinnia seedlings, I had far too many. I also need to sort the flower plants I have extra, I am waiting until school is back, so I can chat to the new gardeners to see if they want flowers as well. If not I will offer them to the people who have created a garden in front of our library, I did ask our neighbour, but she did not collect any. 

We had George on Thursday, he was helpful as hubby finished our shower room, we got a few new bits which we like, just looking for a window blind. The colours are the same, we had plenty of paint,  so a cheaper project. George and I spent most of the day outside,  it was sunny and warm, I had to water my pots again, Will spent the day with Grandma and Molly was at preschool school, so daughter had time to herself. Daughter got the news Molly is going to the same school as George in September, it's always a relief to get the confirmation, she is already purchasing uniform, as things sell out quickly. The school has their own tops with logos, but the rest can be purchased anywhere.

We are at the start of Easter weekend, today we are all going to paint pottery, should be fun. The only plans is for an Easter egg hunt here on Sunday, Grandpa and Grandma are coming as well, if it's nice hubby will BBQ, if not a buffet lunch will  be served, the children prefer either rather than a roast dinner with vegetables. Sadly my brother is not with us this year, first time in years not to have 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. 

More of the same

I have 2 huge pots of tulips in the garden, the pots are used for tomato plants, but have a secondary roll at this time of year for tulips, which won't grow in our clay soil. They are just coming into bloom, there is a good mixture of types and colours here.

These raspberries have been dug up from around the garden, they pop up in places where I don't want them, they are going to George's school, for their new garden.

This box of plants are all created by myself from cuttings and roots, as Northsider Dave would call them plants for free, I'm not as clever as he is, he makes and sells loads. I'm happy with these they will help fill gaps, any spare I will pass on.

Wednesday night George had a sleepover here, mummy wanted to take Will to the cinema on Thursday, so we made it easier for daughter, she took Molly to preschool and had a day with Will. George does not get up as early as Molly and he plays well, he's does chatter but not as much as Molly.

Friday hubby cooked our first BBQ of the year, daughter came with her three, George and Molly had their swimming lesson earlier, we ate at 3.30pm, and stayed outside for a couple of hours. A truly happy family time, George wanted to be in this photo.

Friday morning we had the brakes on our car checked, and replaced, expensive but I won't complain, our car has cost us almost nothing since we got it new. Later we had the family BBQ, afterwards we were both tired and spent the evening watching TV, we have started watching Clarkson Farm, which for me is surprising, as I really disliked Jeremy Clarkson in Top Gear. We have watched 5 episodes and I am enjoying it, he has not changed, still head strong, but he does bring to main media the struggles of modern farming, watching him with his ewes and lambing, showed a much nicer side to him.

Saturday I spent part of the day at daughters house, I should have been doing gardening, I was tired so I spent time watching George and Molly play outside, it was a noisy gentle time. Later back at home hubby and I plan another quiet evening and early night.

All our time is spent outside when it's so warm and sunny, I have purchased 5 round grow bags, 3 for vegetables and 2 for flowers which I can cut and use inside, I have loved having fresh tulips in our sitting room. I hope to have them sorted in the next few weeks, my flower seedings are doing well,  I have been regularly watering my pots, I'm hoping the promised rain arrives, the garden and my water buts need it.

Flower colours

 I spent £5 on these tulips, I rarely get cut flowers, I never cut flowers from my garden, these are colourful and brighten our sitting room. My two pots of tulips are starting to bloom, can't wait, I chose some bright colours this year. 

A few of my other flowers around the garden.

The big acer came to life in these warm sunny days, soon all the leaves will fill out. My trio kept at the back of the garden, 2 are coming back to full leaf, the red leaf is a bit behind.

The garden is already looking good, we sit outside most days, both hubby and I can find a few bits to do, before enjoying the sunny weather. Our magnolia tree is still barren, we haven't had many blooms, leaves are beginning to form, hopefully soon it will look less bare, we are not surprised, as it has been cut back hard before.

I love to see so many different colours in my flower beds, it does feel as if the growing season has arrived, but I'm wary as night time temperatures are still a bit low, my greenhouse is still full. I potted up my spare strawberry plants into a nice tall pot, I have put them in a sunny spot, these should give us a slightly earlier harvest. I have ordered some small bags to pop over the fruit as they form, rather than making a net frame for the strawberry tower, it should make harvesting much easier.

Monday after doing the downstairs housework, which was overdue, I spent the afternoon in the garden, Lilly was close by all day. On Sunday she got stuck in our nice neighbours garden, Pauline had a cuddle before handing her back, Lilly is climbing our magnolia tree all the time, a couple times she has landed awkward, I'm hoping she will learn a lesson and stop climbing, she is still not happy using the cat flap, so we are keeping her in over night.

Tuesday was a cloudy day, not so warm, I spent a good hour in the greenhouse, I also dug up two roots from flowering plants in my garden to make new plants, I have loads of new plants coming along. We popped to Lidl for a small shop, mainly salad, fresh fruit and veg, our bill just over £70, are prices ever going to settle down, everything has gone crazy. 

Sunny weekend

 Friday morning we took the express bus into Portsmouth going to the south of the city, here is Gunwharf Quays, it's a mixture of outlet stores and food venues, we have been here often before. Being on the waters edge on a hot day is perfection, you can see through the natural harbour mouth to Isle of Wright and beyond.

Sitting in the warm sun under The Spinnaker Tower looking out over the water was bliss, not too busy, just how we like it, hubby got his new trainers and used his Blue Light card for discount, we were told many shops there take the card, nice surprise. We do love wondering around these bigger shops.

Saturday I had George for a couple of hours, Molly had a party to attend, Will was with Grandma and Grandpa, after a couple of hours mummy and Molly came here, Molly stayed for a sleep over, giving mummy and George time together, they went to the beach. We spend most of the day outside in the beautiful sunshine, our second day at 20⁰, I even wore sandals and shorts, first time this year.

Sunday was an early start as expected, Molly never sleeps in late, the day was cooler, still perfect sunny day, we got the laundry done and dried, we ate lunch in the garden, listening to the birdsong and watching Lilly run around. After I took Molly home we had a quiet afternoon, Molly is a chatterbox, so it was quiet, relaxing time, listening to our neighbours music, they had a BBQ, we decided not to walk to their house.

Hubby was out all day Saturday, I choose not to go anywhere, on a sunny days there is no place better than my own garden, both children love playing outside, it's all now on one level, perfect for scooters and football. I did water everywhere again, this time using the hose, I did read our water levels are OK here in the south, after such a wet winter, we don't have a water meter, we looked into it and generally we would not save much, if I factor in watering the garden as well, I think we are better off with general bills.

We had rhubarb and apple crumble with custard, I pulled my first harvest on Saturday, I used some Braeburn apples we already had, hubby put oats in the crumble, it was lovely and worth the wait for our first harvest. We both had an early night on Sunday, grandchildren wear us out.

I had a sort out of my gardening bits over the weekend, George's school has just had raised beds made, they were asking for anything to help start a garden club, I had seed trays with clear covers, some plastic hand tools and more seeds. Daughter was happy to take them, I have asked for a contact number, I have some raspberry and strawberry plants they can have. It's so pleasing when schools create gardens, I love it here when the children pick my ripe fruit to eat.

Going green

 I have two huge pots of tulips, I watch them everyday as I'm in the garden, I have popped a support ring in the back pot, soon these lovelies will open. The large snowdrops in my cider pot have bloomed so well, the tulips came up blind, so I have cut back their leaves, I also have a fleabane daisy in this pot.

Sadly most of my spring bulbs have finished flowering, it's always a shame, this year the beds have been full, the narcissus are now blooming here. I don't grow tulips in the ground as those which are not dug up by squirrels and rats tend to rot in our clay soil. 

My side bed is just leaves, there are bluebells growing through the leaves, I don't mind this bed at this time of year, these leaves are storing all the goodness back into the bulbs for next year, I don't dig up my spring bulbs. I always cut off the dead heads so they won't make seeds, which can weaken the bulb.

I added two small pots of snakes-head fritillary, just to give the feel the pond has been here longer, I drained some of the water and cleared out some of the slimy weed, it's been topped back up with rainwater and looking much better. 

Just late spring bits coming through in the flower beds, I can see loads of plants purchased last year returning, which is brilliant, I can't see me having too many bare spots this summer, I am finding it hard as I see so many lovely plants and I really do not have room for them, I have promised hubby after reducing the number of pots I have I would not purchase anymore. 

The veg beds are doing well, I soaked my peas and have sown them into their final spot, for now I have popped a cover over them. We pulled our first harvest of rhubarb, which we added apple and made a crumble, served with custard.

I have watered my pots again and the veg beds, it's very dry here, sunny windy days steal moisture. My cucumber plants are huge, my tomato plants are smaller but strong, I have not lost too many, it's a much better start to the growing season.