August round up

 No crafting spend as I've done very little crafting, it's gardening and reading time, just a few bits for the garden, mainly spring bulbs and flowers. I have not added the cost of water feature, it was hubby's purchase, I probably would have not bothered.

10 Books read this month.

Nothing in the house, just normal bills, I did spend whilst away with daughter and children, we have also been giving them more treats whilst they are on school holidays and helping out with uniform cost. It all mounts up, but I feel it's part of being grandparents, hoping these memories stay with them.

My stats here have gone crazy like so many others, I have no idea, it does not bother me, I can't see anything malicious it this, just another satiation where our modern digital world encroaches into our lives. 

No food waste, we have a few bags of produce homegrown in the freezer, my second composter is almost full and working well, the only food waste which goes in our bin is onion peelings and the seeds from peppers. I always pop the rind of lemon and oranges along our shelf by the seating area outside, they do help to keep flies at bay.

I have again added a couple more pounds, I am more active than before, but the struggle is becoming harder as I age, I flip between got to knuckle down and at my age should I bother.

End of August

Whilst the garden is looking good, there is lull in work for me, its nice to have time to sit and enjoy our work, so many plans have come together to make this space ours. Even with laundry on the lines its still perfect for us, these photo's were taken on Monday, last day of blue skies and sunshine. Note the happy hubby pottering in his garage, can't remember what he was doing other than his happy whistling.

Almost everywhere is full of late summer colour, so many beautiful flowers, I really have changed what I grow, the asters are now along with the zinnias the stars, I prefer the asters as they do no grow so tall, I have a cutting of a salvia hotlips and coleus, which I hope to have some good plants for next year. We are still getting small harvest, runner beans are still giving, and raspberries are bountiful. Hubby was unable to stop the water leaking from the water feature after George's crash, he did try a couple of times, so now I have a tall planter, which already has a lemon balm plant in. 

As yet we have not had much rain, it was supposed to rain on Wednesday, but again it's was cloudy and bright, we did get 2  five minute showers, just enough to wet the ground. Thursday again we woke up to blue skies, we had a tiny bit of rain overnight, it felt much cooler, I wore my long jeans, first time in ages. We had a huge storm in the morning, great but still not enough rain. I'm busy inside with my seeing machine, having loads of fun.

As a gardener I'm always thinking about the next planting/harvest, what space will become free, when and of course what to plant next, I use my raised veg bed as two square meters, making four squares, I do like to ensure I rotate my planting, it's something I understand, I do have to check what can follow what to ensure my soil is being looked after. I will give all 3 of my raised beds are good layer of leaves  collected from daughters garden, I will top them off with my homemade leaf mulch, and let them lie for the cooler months, I can then cover until next year to warm the spot for early planting. I'm hoping this will work, I really don't want to purchase any more mulch, I'm hoping it will protect my broadbeans, leeks and cabbages which will still be in the ground.

Bank holiday weekend

 Another new author to me, and very enjoyable read, clever in the way it leads you through a cold case, the murderous exfriend is in prison. She is drawn back to UK after safely living in USA for years, things have started again, how, why, but why does she have doubts, book 61 read this year.

This was a great book another duel timeline, from the start she told us she had been on death row in USA, for 3 murders, but was released on review years later. With a changed name and living well away from anyone she knows, another murder takes place, this is her story revealing the truth of years before, whilst trying to sort what is happening to her, great read. Book 62 read this year.

Another new author to me, one woman's perception on how others treat her, the way the author allows information to flow is perfect, allowing the story to build, who is right, who is not, a clever believable plot where one person believes in their own power, great ending. Book 63 read this year.

Molly wanted to do some crafting, I had recently purchased a pack of simple sewing animals, both Will and George  joined in, Will made the fox on his own, I just started the stitching, Molly made the pink cat and George the yellow duck both with lots of help, all 3 were happy with their makes.

 I got a few packets of spring bulbs, not for in the ground, these I will put in small clay pots and use for my patio spring display. I will do an online order for a few packs of more unusual bulbs. Also I got a pack of six cyclamen plants, it was just a couple of pounds more than the single white plant I was going to purchase, I am hoping one of these six has white flowers, again these are for around the patio area.

Saturday and Sunday was just stay at home days, we never go far on public holiday days our roads are always busy, daughter slept over as children were with their dad, hubby did a roast beef lunch on Sunday, we sat and chatted most of the time. Monday was a hot sunny day, I had plans but decided to sit outside all afternoon, hubby was out, so I quietly enjoyed the sunshine. Tuesday daughter and children came for most of the day, daughter popped out for a hair cut, it was much cooler and threatened rain with huge dark clouds, but stayed dry, we are enjoying these last few days of the summer holidays.

The mornings are much cooler, most start cloudy, sadly no rain, so I am watering a few days per week. It's also getting dark earlier every evening, my solar lights hung on my metal fences shine out and we have a light on inside, sleeping is much easier, we have not used our tower fan this week. The season feels as if it's changing, which is so sad I adore summer, even tough ones like this year's, having said that the gardens could do with a good drenching, the tree leaves are turning much earlier, there is some rain due, but then again the chance it will miss us is always high.

I have a big birthday in November, ends in an 0, so I got my reminder to renew my driving licence, I popped on line to my page at DVLA, which is linked to my current passport, 10 minutes later all done, on Friday just 4 days after my new driving licence card arrived. I know a few friends who hate how much of our information is collected and stored online, but I feel at my level the benefits outweigh any issues. Only difference my hair is much shorter since photo, which is not a problem. 

Feline families

 This is my brother Frankie, he lives with my mum Lola at the little people's house, she says he is a fine boy, he does look handsome. Basil my second brother is ginger and lives in Portsmouth, and my two tabby sisters live locally, we all have lovely loving homes.

I had to check out their new water feature, its too tall for me to drink out, and I don't think I will jump on it, the ball looks too wet. I preferred the old barrow, I could play with the water. George had an accident, fell off his bike, he's OK, but knocked the water feature over it cracked and leaked, I heard her say she would now have a tall pot.

Apparently this is for the little ones to play football, but I also love it, I'm not keen when they are kicking the ball, but when they take a break, it's all mine.

My little play tree is now outside, some bits have started to unwind, so it's too messy for inside, on wet days they put it in the garage which I'm OK with. Now I have started using my big play tree, it too has lots of scratching post. Apparently I am very good because I have never had a scratch at their furniture.

I am very happy because I did not have to go the the cattery when she went away, he stayed home to look after me, I don't like being locked inside all day, I love outside and stay in the garden as long as I can. I have met their neighbour and she will pop in and see me when they have short trips, apparently I will be in the cattery in November for 4 days. 

George one of the little ones had a sleepover on Wednesday, so I played with him for two days, like me he loves to be outside in the garden. I did jump on his bed and wake him up, it was 7am when she let me into the bedroom, so I'm not in trouble.

Lee on the Solent

 Along the south coast is the small resort of Lee on the Solent, in the past 40 years we have lived in this area it has changed very little, it's a beach loved by families, it feels so safe.

As promised fish and chips for tea, all three love fish, we sat on the beach away from the crowds, much easier for George. 

We all love this photo.

We spent 4 hours with our lovely family, it was warm and sunny, just enough breeze to keep us cool. They went rock hunting, Will found a small fossil, Molly found a fairy stone, a stone with a hole in, George threw countless stones back into the water. Coins were spent in the arcade, Will came home with extra money, we found a machine which was a prize every time for Molly and George. So much laughter and happy children, including our daughter, 

Children went home for a bath, we had a lazy evening, another great memory. We are blessed to live here along the south coast, I will never stop loving this coast, sadly we don't visit often enough. A perfect start to our bank holiday weekend.

Family time

 We had all three children on Tuesday, just a few hours, we decided once mummy got here we would have a BBQ, we don't use it so often, it's too big for just the two of us, the little ones loved it. So many toys and laughter, it was a lovely afternoon, we picked raspberries and tomatoes, the raspberries have all been ate.

To give Will and mummy time together, whilst Molly was at pre-school Wednesday and Thursday we had George on a sleep over, Will can have plenty of him time, doing things which is not possible with his siblings. George as always was so good, he loved sleeping in 'Wills' bed, and slept later. We always have loads of watermelon for them to eat, its a healthy treat, George has been very good with his glasses, I'm hopeful he is going to wear them regularly. 

Will has just been given reading glasses, he does not need them all the time, he will also help George wear his more, having said that George is wearing his when using his tablet, he should be OK wearing them at school. Will chose his own frames, they suit him.

More cut flowers from the garden, the asters are now flowering, my two bags of plants are doing well, the only issue I have is keeping water in the soil, so next year I will use two bags to slow the flow. These blooms last of ages, it has been a success for me. 

It's been a lovely week so far, having so many family times makes us both happy, tired but still happy, whilst allowing daughterto relax as well.

George played outside most of the yesterday with Lilly close by, our cat does love the little ones. We got a small set of goal posts, so lots if football, my poor plants took a few hits, he helped in the garden, so therefore ate most of the ripe raspberries. Today we have very few plans, just ensuring George has a good time.

Our plans for tomorrow, we are all meeting at Lee on the Solent, which is a small resort along the south coast, like most resorts its family friendly, with a pebble beach and a gentle water's edge. We aim to have fish and chips for the adults and probably sausage and chips for the youngsters, its should be loads of fun.

On the move

 This is an important time of the year, jobs which are completed now will make a huge difference next summer, I'm not talking about closing the garden for winter, that is still weeks away. Just general plant care, noting bare patches, overgrown plants which needs cutting back into their space, generally ensuring things are where they should be. It's also a great time to buy another plant and find a space for it, this is my 3rd Gaura, I have fallen in love with them this year 

 

I follow Dave_the_plantman on Instagram, he is very good with tips and plant identification. He suggested to remove the seed heads from agapanthus, something I have never done before, so I have cleared the seed heads from two areas and left the third. It does make sense as I always stop seed heads forming on my spring bulbs. 

I have moved my pomegranate in the big square tub, its now behind my seating area, it has space to grow taller, and provide a green backdrop. The mint has been moved into the lower old water tub, it sits better here now, I have cut it all down, it will grow back, I have also popped my parsley in the pot, it should sit above the mint, I have protected the base of the pot so mint roots can't get inside. Most of the herb pots are beside the back door. 

This corner now has the red rose in this pot, which had the mint in, I have given the pot a good scrub, I have popped a couple low plants in and some spring bulbs. At the moment it is not looking it's best, but next summer should be as I want, the rose behind I will cut back, so it blooms lower again. The new gaura is planted in the back by the wall, with another recent new plant, Snow Blizzard, both white flowers.

We have a water feature, we had both seen it in The Range, but was not sure, later on our local facebook marketplace, this one was for sale at less than half price, the seller had ordered it online and thought it was too small. Initially we were going to find a feature for the other side of the garage door, but we settled on this one, it does look good from our seating area. The water trickles around the sphere and does not spill, there are lights where the water pumps out.

I have not managed to remove any more pots, I know I still have too many, this 4th heat wave is telling on how long it takes me to water the pots. I have no huge plans forming for next year, just a few tweaks, most of which we will sort in the coming months.

My flower beds are full of colour mainly zinnias and asters, the roses are having a second bloom, the fleabane daisies look good, I've cut them back a couple of times to keep them low. The forsythia is looking good after the move, I'm really pleased with my late summer garden, I'm not a fan of dahlias, so I'm always looking for different later flowering plants.

It's been another few lazy days, mainly with cloudy starts, which has helped to keep the temperatures lower and life bearable, later when the sunshine shines through it's nice to sit in the shade, our garden has become our perfect spot. Yesterday we had no sunshine, hopefully the heatwave is behind us.

Quiet time

 Claire's story, she was abducted at the age of 15, and escaped 10 years later, the story follows two time lines, at the beginning and up to date, sounds horrendous but it's told in a positive way, I really enjoyed this book. Leah is a sequel, 3 years has passed, Claire witness a car crash, and saves the children, therefore becoming involved in the unfolding story, it's not as good as the first book, I still enjoyed it. Book's 57 and 58 read this year.

Another new author to me, it was a good plot but I did not truly enjoy, giving someone a special sight took away so much from the plot, it just wasn't great. Book 59 read this year.

A new author for me, I have seen loads of good things said about this book, once I started I was worried it centered around Peter Sutcliffe, The Yorkshire Ripper, but that soon became a backdrop and not the main story. I loved this book ordinary people living their lives, what goes on behind closed doors. A great book I did not want to put it down. Book 60 read this year.

We were given another 6 eggs this week, as a thank you I pulled a cauliflower which was going to seed for her chickens, the ladies enjoyed their treat, it's nice to be able to return kindness.

It's been a lazy week, hubby has worn various monitors this week, so many appointments to apply and remove them, thank you for your comments, his health is always on my mind, but we do try and get on with things, my main worry is to ensure he does not overdo things. I have been aching most of the week, all those lifts and cuddles with small people takes it toll, I'm not young anymore. 

Wednesday stayed cloudy all day, it got very muggy in the afternoon, we had a thunder storm, not much rain, it did not clear the air. Thursday was a cloudy start, then the blue skies returned, later I went to a local WI meeting, we have two groups in our village, I had been on the waiting list for a while, it was an enjoyable evening, first of many.

Friday we popped to The Range, not been there for a while, hubby is looking for an electric water feature, his barrel is OK, but he's not happy, nothing there we liked so the search continues. We had arranged to meet daughter and children at local beach for fish and chip supper, but it was too hot, so we postponed it until next week, in hope it will be cooler, we enjoyed fish and chips at home. Saturday was cloudy all day with a light breeze, so I spent time outside, I have photos in my next post.

Most evenings have been cooler, we do love to sit outside, by the evening we are in natural shade, whilst the sun still shines on the other side of the garden, often we can smell a BBQ or hear music, sometimes raised happy voices, neighbours enjoying their space, we don't have many young children close by, just the occasional sound of grandchildren visiting. 

Winning and losing

 Back in March I got two packets of these bulbs for the back of the square bed, which should have given me 18 plants, sadly I can only see one bulb growing, it's a common issue in my garden, I plant bulbs and they never appear, some of it will be to do with the clay soil, it does rot bulbs.  

On the plus side I found a sprouting walnut in my raised veg bed, I potted it on in hope it would grow, it's really looking healthy, I will keep it in a pot for as long as I can, then I will pass it on locally, I do love free plants.

This is my first time growing butternut squash, I only have one fruit, there were two but one shrivelled and died. It's growing in a big pot, so probably not enough nutrients to grow loads.

These are my first asters from my grown to cut bag along with a few zinnias, both are growing well, I have loads in my flowerbeds which I don't cut.

My tomatoes in the greenhouse have really failed, I do believe it is the compost primarily, but the heat has not helped, my cucumbers got to set a couple of flowers and died as well. My carrots are slow, and a couple cauliflowers have gone to seed. Having the blueberry tub in with the raspberry bed is just too crowded, I already have a spot to move the tub to.

One of the biggest wins this year are soft fruits, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are huge and juicy. My rhubarb has given us loads, I stopped pulling it early July. My new gooseberry bush is filling out, so I will let the fruit form next year.

Every year there are mixed results in the garden, our changeable weather is always the biggest issue, so every year there are winners and losers, luckily I get enough wins to keep me happy. What are your results.

It's a jolly holiday

Friday we left at lunch time, stopped off for a pub meal with Grandpa and Grandma, sadly the food was not that great, most of us left food, but it did not dampen our spirts. We were pleased with our accommodation, situated on the edge of the park, next to fields, really quiet, with a lockable decking area safe for George, who can be a runner.

My three favourite little people, we spent Saturday morning at the splash pool, all three are waterbabies, they loved it, the sun came out but it was still cool. After a great lunch we spent the hottest part of the day back in our accommodation, later we went to the club house for early evening tots dancing time, which Molly and George  loved.

Sunday was a repeat, time at splash pool and then lunch, later Grandma and Grandpa popped over, we sat inside out of the sun, it was much warmer now, much later we walked to clubhouse for tea, sadly George became overwhelmed, had a meltdown, once we calmed him down he was tired so mummy and Will went back to our accommodation, I stayed longer with Molly so she could take part in the tots dance party.

George has now to wear glasses, here he is happy, but he won't keep them on, which is OK its going to take time, but he does leave them anywhere, these were expensive as is most children's bits, keeping them safe is the priory. He has never worn his hearing aids, he hates them, hopefully he will be happier with glasses.

We were staying less than an hours drive from home, very close to Grandpa and Grandma's house on Hayling Island, so they spent time with us. The accommodation was clean with every modern kitchen items, including airfryer, and a pod coffee machine, we did not do any cooking, eating out so mummy had less to do. The site was a simple style with a larger inside swimming pool, and another outside and the splash pool. I found the food on site to be excellent all fresh ingredients and not overpriced, a perfect venue for families. It was really close to the local pebble beach, we did not leave the site, there was enough to do for our short stay.

The weather was spectacular, blue skies and hot, we returned home before the heatwave, it would have been too hot for the younger two. Mummy rested and we both spent loads of time laughing at our wonderful trio, every evening once the younger two had swapped beds a few times, it was quiet and restful.

We spent Sunday with Grandma and Grandpa, she made a lovely lunch and the children played outside in the shade. It was pleasing to only have a short drive home, I was pleased to be home, exhausted, so a snacky tea, shower and early night. 

Today I did nothing, between the heat and tiredness it has been a lazy day, hubby ensure the garden was watered whilst I was away and was rewarded with loads of raspberries, normally ate before they reach our kitchen, he enjoyed the peace at home. Got a few things happening this week, hubby is having loads of test at local hospital,  he has had heart issues for years, but recently he not been to well. We are not planning to do much for the rest of the week, just a quiet time which we both need.

Hard working

Dave, Northsider was looking at old gardening tools at a boot sale recently, which made me think of my tools, below is a shovel, fork, spades, all belonged to my mum, the shovel and a spade have had new handles. When mum moved out of the family home she gave these to me, my brother had the rest, I've had these for over 20 years. The trowel I have never used, I cherish it, something she used almost every fine day. I don't use these tools very often, in fact I only use the fork when I want to move a bigger plant.

These are my tools, I have predominantly raised beds, so the long handle tools just don't work. Most of these have been purchased in the last few years, often from hubby to me as gifts. These hang just inside the garage, perfect spot.

All my sharps are kept in this drawer, hidden from little hands, I adore my hori hori knife, I'm using it all the time, there is another sharp knife in the green sheaf on the left. My most used secateurs are the pointy set on the right.

These are older hand tools of mine, these live in the greenhouse, and saves me walking to the garage everytime I have a job. These are more for working with seeds and seedlings. The metal tongs are used when dealing with my cactus. 

 

My garden is not hard work, I have gotten on top of weeds, we have lived here for 16 years, its an organic space where I use the no dig approach. Having the correct tools help keep my back in good shape, having the best handle length has been a game changer for me.

My veg beds are small both just under a meter wide and two meters long, the flower beds I have tended for years, adding to the clay soil, enriching it. For me this is now an easy garden to tend, I have moved away from bedding plants, preferring plants and bulbs which return each year.

Everything has evolved, even the refit was something which formed over years. We could not change the raised section at the back, which became the perfect spot for my greenhouse, and the garage was too useful for hubby's motorcycle and storage. The space behind the garage is much better as my working space seen here rather than a shed.

I'm still away with little ones and daughter, it's hectic and fun in equal measures, happy children do make a happy mummy and nanna, photo's next time.

Garden jobs

 My mystery bulb has flowered, its a spider lilly, which is the one I purchased, but it was labled under a different name. I'm not a fan of lillies, this one is pretty so it can stay, there are lots more buds forming, so it should flower for ages. Two views of the same flower.

My grasses behind my pond did not look right, so being me, I swapped two around, the bigger blue/green grass looks much better in front of my wooden raised beds, and the red/brown smaller grass is much nicer infront of the red blood baron grass, which was the same as before the move, but now they are much further back and not falling into the water. All the wildlife you see are resin, sadly still there is nothing much living here.

I'm loving my sink and the pot infront, they were redone last year, I should not need to do anything more to them. The tiny fushia looks right here, its very delicate. 

I have been busy, my leeks are now in the raised veg bed I have sown purple sprouting broccoli, I'm later doing these, hopefully I will get a harvest. My latest sowing of potatoes are growing, I have added more soil, I am picking runner beans, salad bits, raspberries and blackberries. Hubby has trimmed our Magnolia tree, after the tree surgeon cut it back last year, the new growth is very thick, hubby has cut most back by half. I have planted some sweet williams, I still have loads more, I potted into bigger pots foxgloves, aquilegia's and my snowberry plants, these will be useful next year. I have just used the last of my homegrown onions, I think I will use the same type again, I will looks out for the onion sets.

We did go to town on Tuesday, had a nice wonder around and purchased nothing, rather than a meal we went to our favourite cafe, they made the best bacon sandwich. Wednesday morning I did housework, laundry out on the line in warm sunshine, later we popped to huge B&M out of town store, topped up on catfood and cleaning bits, we do have a smaller shop in town, neither of us wanted to carry bulky bits home on the bus.

Today hubby is back in Somerset, staying with my brother, tomorrow is SIL's funeral, I am unable to attend as daughter, the children and I are off for a 4 day break, it's been pre-booked for ages. Hubby will drive back on Friday, and enjoy a few peaceful days with Lilly. The weather forecast is sunny and hot, there are swimming pools and a splash park so the little ones are going to be happy.

Grasslands

 These grasses should fill the back corner behind my pond, and stand out they won't grow too big, I like their sharp pointy stems, they will make a good contrast in the bed.

I always thought Purdy was a nosey cat, Lilly is even noisier, everything has to be checked by her, these have passed after a good sniff.

All in place, I did a good tidy up of this corner, I moved two existing grasses back so they dont flop into the water, for a gardener who did not like grasses I have loads here. I don't grown them elsewhere in the garden. The pond needs a good clean lots of soil fell in, I have a couple of airstones to pop in to help keep it clear.

The forsythia is in the back corner of the square bed, it should shine out against the acer. To balance the back corners I moved the chinese witch hazel still in its pot, it needs acidic soil to thrive, next spring I will need to get a few tall plants for the middle back, I have scattered loads of the big poppy seeds.

A couple smaller pots got moved as well, just to balance this section of the garden, the plant in the middle has started to grow and will fill the space, it's slightly off centre, I have a peony on the right side which needs a bit more space, it's now a case of wait until next spring and see what grows.

We had rain overnight, Monday has been breezy and dull from the start, a day full of showers, nothing as bad as in the north. Daughter came with Will and George, we walked to our local bistro for lunch, a nice treat, it been ages since Will had been there, both boys were good. The afternoon was spent playing inside, Lilly close to George, later I have been reading, I do feel much better today, hopefully the fog is beginning to lift, it's hung around for far too long. Tomorrow hubby and I will take the bus to town, he's taking me out for lunch,  nowhere posh, just a change in routine.