Colourful

I saved tulip bulbs from last year in hope they might bloom again in the spring, most of these will go into a big pot and moved into view if they come back, just 2 new packs in front of this photo this year. These don't get planted until November, I've just checked them to ensure they have not rotted.

My parcel came from Farmer Gracey, 5 new packs of bulbs, I wanted something different  this year, alongside my paperwhite daffodils saved from last year and 2 new packs, I have already planted one mixed pot. I have more pots do I will sort them in the coming days, spring should be colourful.

 I love crafting in many forms, I have always admired anyone who is artistic, I have tried many times sketching, I got OK results in school, I have a couple of water colour sets, so to aid me, I got these two books, simple sketches with the colour key to help. I am hoping this simple set up gives me the starting knowledge to do more. 

Sunday was sunny and bright, much cooler as expected, we had a lovely time chatting together over lunch with hubby's old army buddy and his wife, we did have a look outside but sat inside as it was cooler. The cushion as a gift was perfect timing, Phil's sister passed away last week, so he cheered him up. We had a quiet evening together. 

I finished 2023 book and it's ready to go to the printers, the company email arrived but was not a great deal, some money off, free postage and a nice free notebook (which I don't want), the cost of printing has gone up again, the price at the checkout was the highest ever, I am going to wait until Black Friday in November, in the past the discounts offered have been higher. 

I am enjoying The Inheritance on channel 4, these latest episodes are showing members of the group are devious, the show game plan at times has been really harsh, I really would not want to take part. Strickly has started, we are never keen on the intro show, we look forward to the improving dancing each week. Soon The Traitors with celebrities will start, and we know most of those who are taking part, which makes a change.

We have been waking up to sunny blue skies, but cold, as promised the temperatures have dropped, summer has finally gone, we packed up our outside furniture until next year, it's always a sad time for me. I can still spend time in my greenhouse, it stays warm inside, my onions are starting to show signs of life, I will plant my broad beans inside as well, most will go straight into the ground, but I will plant a few in pots incase any fail to grow. 

Sunshine in garden

 This woven trug is the perfect place for my green tomatoes, the air can circulate whilst they turn red, these are kept in the garage, I will cover with some paper, over the next couple of weeks as they ripen they can be cut and frozen. On the vine they were starting to get blemishes, so they are better off inside. These are just off one successful plant grown in my raised bed. 

Hubby helped me remove the beanpoles, the recent winds had made it very unstable, now I can see the greenhouse again, and the butternut squash plant with its bright yellow flowers. I still have a couple of cauliflowers and cabbages growing in one bed and leeks in the other. I have started planting over winter vegs, both gardens will be full again.

Just for me so I don't forget which onions I purchased, I have planted 40 into smaller pots, once their final bed is empty they can go into the ground, hopefully in a couple of weeks. They will grow over the winter months and crop early next summer. 

I had 3 cauliflowers and 2 cabbages already in this bed, so I planted more around them, I have used plant collars to help keep pest away and I've put the fine net across the top to deter cabbage white butterflies. I sent a couple of the straggly plants down to our neighbours chickens. 

My first Nerine bloom this season, I love these tall pink flowers, I have loads of bulbs around the flower beds, most of them were moved last year and did not bloom, I hope to see more this year. 

Friday as promised was a hot sunny day, so I spent all day in the garden, the flower beds are looking much better. I'm pleased to have so many jobs sorted, there wasn't much to do on Saturday, it was a much cooler cloudy day. The weather is due to get much cooler, our weather is mixing everything up. I spent a couple hours resting in the sunshine, it was lovely and probably the last chance this year, we have not yet packed away our seating unit, it tucks into just a long bench rather than the 'L' shape we use it in.

Saturday Molly and George visited, Will was at a party, lots of chatter regarding school, they both love going, mummy took home a book for Will, he often asks us to get books, which we are delighted to do. I did the final proof reading on 2023 book, I enjoy reading all the plans for the garden and the work we did together.

Today friends are coming for lunch, hubby and Phil were in the army together, we see them couple times each year, they are on a weekend break on Hayling Island, just under an hour away. I have become friends with his wife, we have often spent time together on reunions, these days we don't go to many. I have the 3rd Welsh guards cushion to gift to him, I 'm sure he will like it, he and hubby are very proud of their military years.

Preserving

 It's that time of year when I start to prepare for Christmas, last year I was given a brilliant recipe for mincemeat, a fruit based (no meat) slightly spiced filling for mince pies, which here in UK are a much enjoyed treat. This year I want the jars to mellow for much longer, so I have just made mine, I did cut my apples into smaller diced pieces, and did not fill the pots with too much coconut oil, draining and removing the excess, I now have 2 large and 2 small jars.

Hubby decided to make minced pies, 'just to test my mincemeat', he made shortcrust cases and used ready to roll puff for the tops, he also made apple puffs. A couple of the tops burnt, but it flakes off these are lovely and the mincemeat is a success.

It so dark in the evenings I have popped out autumnal decorations some with lights to help cheer up inside, its only in recent years I make seasonal displays, these are out much earlier then previous years. Hubby said it was too early for Halloween, but as I explained there are no skeletons or spiders, so just autumnal. 

Molly on Monday her first half day at school, she was really happy to go in, this week has been a mixture of mornings and afternoons and then full time next week. Molly had her first school dinner on Thursday, she has various allergies which make her ill, the school has set her allergy menu which worked she ate and was happy, each evening she has told us what she has done. Daughter is used to going home to a children free house this time she said it was different. We have through George come to know the school is very good at dealing with children with added needs, and we are not worried about Molly's allergies.

I am back working on my 2023 book, it's much better than sat looking at my phone for ages, I have finished inputting and now need to proof read it a couple of times, with almost 200 pages, not a quick task, then I can get started on 2024, I have until mid November when the Black Friday discounts are offered, this being the cheapest I can publish my books, I did say I would stop a few years ago, I have decided I will publish the two stated and 2025 and then stop, as Molly is in school, so they won't feature so much on my blog and therefore my books. My first book was 2009, so 15 books, 16 years, 2009 and 2010 were made into one book, not so many post. I still plan to keep blogging, its a medium I love. I have received an email it's the printers 20th anniversary on Monday, they are having a special, if its a good discount I will send 2023 to be printed. 

Nothing much is happening here, the weather has been dire, today is promised sunny and warm, I will spend time in the garden, cutting back wind damaged plants and deadheading, the strong winds and heavy rains have battered my flowering plants. I can plant my brassicas in their final bed, I got my onions, I have popped them into smaller pots and once they show growth I will plant them out, I will do the same with my broad beans, starting them at the end of the month.

I have pickled my homegrown beetroot, almost a jar full, I am looking for shallots so I can pickle them, I don't like pickled onions but hubby and daughter does. 

Blooming September

 In between the rain, I popped outside, it's very wet, luckily our garden drains well and has no deep puddles, don't let the blue skies fool you, before I had finished taking these photos it started to rain again. This side bed full of blooms, sadly the rain and wind took all the roses, I really need to do some deadheading, I have staked a few of the bigger blooms. 

The acer is turning colour, soon the leaves will drop which is a shame as it's been beautiful all summer, it does have a lovely shape so the bare branches do add to the winter garden.

I am pleased how this fence line is looking, I have never been a fan of growing plants up a fence, the olive tree is happy in the corner, it has olives growing, they never mature, but it's good to know the tree is healthy. I do not miss my metal table and chairs here, it got very busy, this looks much nicer. 

There are loads of blooms bringing colour into the garden, this begonia will soon be popped back into the greenhouse for the winter, it's a long flowering plant and so easy to keep, I do nothing with it once it's inside until next spring when I start to water it again. The Zinnias and Asters are in full colour.

Flowers at the back, the fuchsia which drops over the back of the pond has done well, I do have to dead head often to stop them falling into the pond, I have sweet willaim's behind and primroses in the tub.  The big tub next to my shed again has been full of flowers, another begonia, the fuchsia was moved earlier this year, I also have a hellebore for winter colour, another pot I just leave. 

These will give winter colour, the fleabane daises will stay green all year, if it's mild they will bloom, I cut them back in the spring to keep them from getting too big, this bed has been a delight. I have cyclamen and violas in pots around the patio nearest to the house. 

Soon it will be time to pack the furniture away for winter, it will stay outside undercover, the chair frames will tuck under the bench frame, and will fit along the wall, we will raise them off the ground slightly and cover them. The cushions will be popped into the back of the attic (loft). The parasol will go into the garage, I'm not keen on this time of year, I feel we are loosing so much. 

The season has changed so quickly this year, my shorts and sandals are succeeded by socks, boots and jeans, fleeces are worn, nights are cooler and much darker. I don't embrace autumn, spring and summer are my season's the garden is my place, I still can watch the garden, often watching the small birds at the feeders, but nothing beats being outside.

Wet weekend

 Saturday was heavy showers mixed with small burst of bright sunshine, a day to be inside, hubby was out most of the day, so I spent time with daughter and children, we had mummy's favourite lunch and cake, another 'free from' so Molly and George can eat it. The house looked like a toy shop for a while, they both help to tidy everything away. 

Later I was able to pop outside, I picked the last of the runner beans and beetroot, more soft fruits, tomatoes and a small butternut squash,  which I cut in hope some of the others will grow in size, the plant is still very healthy. 

In the greenhouse my brassicas have grown, I hope they get a bit bigger and stronger before I put them outside, where they should thrive. 

There are still harvest to be had, I will remove these runner beans, the wind has thrashed them, raspberries are still ripening as are the tomatoes.  

Saturday evening was really quiet, daughter went out with friends, she can now use a local babysitter as Molly and George stay in bed. Lilly slept most of the evening after playing with the little ones all afternoon. The rain was heavy all evening, we watch the Proms, I had not told hubby about Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody being played and Bill Bailey's spot, we enjoyed the music.  

Sunday started dull and dry then it became even wetter than Saturday, I walked to the shops for an orange to go into a Christmas recipe I was making, hubby did a nice meal with duck breast. The house smelt of spices all afternoon, we both commented how nice it was, my project was 3 hours cooking in the slow cooker, brilliant. 

I am feeling bored, I have loads of crafting supplies which I can use, but I don't know what to make, I am not a fan of just making something and packing it away never to be used, once I have something to make which is going to be useful, then I'm full of inspiration. I have knitted socks for loads of family, those who wanted one has a cross stitch design and home made bags, I will make new decorations for the children using needle felting, I really enjoyed using my sewing machine, I will have to look maybe at some fun patchwork, I have loads of fabrics. I just need some inspiration. 

And rest

 It's been a busy week, so much fun earlier with Molly, Thursday we caught the bus into Portsmouth, Gunwharf Quays, there is a Sketchers shoe shop, hubby loves their shoes he finds them very comfortable, we stopped for a while in this undercover seating area whilst a quick rain storm passed. 

We watched the local ferries from Isle of Wright and the little green one seen here going to and from Gosport across the water, blue skies before the rain came back. This is a perfect spot to visit, next to historic dockyard and loads of old ships alongside modern warships, The Price of Wales is moored, plenty of places to eat, lots of nightlife, and of course The Spinnaker Tower. The shops are all outlet, so better prices and most give discount on Blue Light card, hubby is a veteran for army, for us a quick bus ride from home.

Thursday evening I went to my second WI meeting, this time we had local responders to chat and demonstrate lifesaving equipment, it was very interesting, I have a few more tips on how to help, with hubby's heart condition any information is helpful. I will officially join in October, already I met a lovely lady and her daughter who lives quite close to us.

Friday we did our big shop at Lidl, it was expensive as I got all the ingredients for my Christmas cakes before prices rise even higher, it's still a bit early to make them, I'm pleased to be ahead, I already had a few bits. These bulbs at £1.99 a pack were too good to leave, they can go in a couple big pots.

Wednesday when we were in town I picked up these pumpkins, they are so pretty, I hope to use them in my autumnal display, which I will sort next week, much earlier than other years, but our weather has definitely changed. 

I got my sewing machine out and took up the hems on my new jeans, just a quick job, I'm not sure if the legs have got longer or mine have shrunk, regular length always fitted me. I am also sorting out some needlefelting to do, I have found another design for the children's Christmas tree, I have started looking for another cross stitch pattern, I need something to do in the evenings whilst sat in my chair. 

Outside I aim to cut back the runner beans, the growth is slow and the frame is being bashed by the winds, I will put my brassicas in the bed, they have doubled in size. Raspberries and blackberries are still given fruits, the tomatoes are ripening on the vine, just enough to keep us happy. I have loads of tiny butternut squash, the plant is still very healthy, I have one a good size, but I just don't know when it is ready.

Tomorrow is daughters birthday, they are all coming here for the day, more party food, hubby baked sausage rolls and eccles cakes, another 'free from' birthday cake. Rest of today is rest and enjoy the quiet.

Wet play

 Molly came for a sleepover on Tuesday, she is desperate to go to school each morning when George goes to his class, so we thought a night at ours would help, I had loads for her to do including this colouring page made from a photo taken when we last went to the beach, which she loved. We played outside, balls, scooters, bubbles all enjoyed, back inside she got all our puzzles out. 

Molly wanted to help in the garden, after picking and eating the raspberries, we found a pot for some spring bulbs, she is very good at following instructions, she helped decide which bulbs to use. Photo just for me so I can remember what is planted in here.

Wednesday morning Molly and I took the bus into town which she loved and met mummy, we spent a few hours at our local pottery café, each painting an item, we have done this a few times before, Molly choose a cat and loved it, I decided I needed another mushroom lamp, I'm not very good at decorating, and definitely not so good at the design, I do love crafting but struggle with art. They will be ready for collection in two weeks. Later we had lunch out together plus a visit to a few shops.

This plot leads you everywhere, so many suspects, what happened to Sam, where is she, why are the police not doing very much. A clever plot, twisting, adding to the tail. Book 65 read this year

Another new author to me, this book was very different, a young woman's final school project looking into a murder in her town five years previous. She includes one victims brother, not knowing if he is the right person to work with her. It leads her to suspect many of the people who live locally in the area, a nice ending. Book 66 read this year.

I did pop to our library and got 3 books, one I realised I had read before, it does feel good to hold a book again after reading so many on my tablet, this story is very different, set in an old converted house in Bath, the people who live there are brought together by a frail lady who they decide to help. Looking back at the ladies life as a top quality dress maker, discovering the famous person she dressed, not my normal read, another great book. Book 67 read this year.

I did start to read The Perfect Home, Natasha Boydell, I could not get into the plot and realised I was not interested in the story, just a bit too soft style of writing for me. I have a few inside project for the coming days, we are due to stay wet until after the weekend.

My time in the garden is dropping as the weather changes, I still walk around most mornings just checking everything and where Lilly is, Lilly has taken to sleeping on my net cover for my brassicas, it's not a strong contraption so it dips, and I curse her, she watches me but is not learning. The garden is still giving so I wait to plant out winter items, I am often ahead of myself, waiting for the space to appear, I never learn. 

Nothing much is happening here, which is OK, we both love quiet, hubby's medical results are mixed and as yet there are no changes to his medication, at this time there is nothing they can do, its a case of wait and watch, not bad news as he will never improve, but he is maintaining his level of fitness. 

Veg prep

 I'm in full vegetable garden planning, I want my two small beds full this winter, I have everything except onions, I have been looking for the same sets as last year. The small brassica plants have been put into bigger pots, I did the same last year and planted out much stronger plants. It will be a few weeks before I clear the beds, I am still getting harvest. 

I cleared the three tomato plants from the greenhouse, they really did fail, its now much better with a clear floor, I won't grow them inside next year. Some plants are coming back inside, these tender plants spend every winter in my unheated greenhouse. Soon it will be time to move my mini greenhouse into the centre and pop the plastic cover back on.

My one outside grown tomato plant has thrived and produced big tasty tomatoes, it will stay here in the raised veg bed for a bit longer. I will have 2 outside plants next year, I have a coupke of obelisk to use as supports, these are gardeners delight.

I saw this and loved it.

I do have a couple of note books, one is my scribble pad, where I work on plans to ensure things will work before the hard work starts, my second book is my record of what I grow in my beds, this helps me remember and ensure I rotate my produce. Yes I am working on a small change in my raspberry bed.

I am so pleased we left the fake grass around my raised veg beds, after all this rain the ground is very wet, but my paths drain, so its easy to get around. Every bed in both veg and flower section has been edged, most with the old decking planks, lots of neat lines which helps me keep plants in their beds. I am expecting loads of seedlings from my fleabane daisies in the top of the lawn next year, I will remove any whilst they are tiny.

It was our 39th wedding anniversary on Saturday, we got a nice M&S Chinese ready meal and red wine, we don't go out, get each other gifts, I didn't want flowers, it was dry so laundry was done, I spent some time outside, I try and get out if it's dry enough, getting the greenhouse sorted was a priority. Sadly I emptied my two bags of shallots, they were doing well, Lilly had sneaked in them and used them as her toilet, so the contents were unusable, I will have to purchase some grown ones, I promised hubby home made pickled onions. Sunday we went to daughters house for a lovely chicken roast dinner, we cut back her small tree in front garden whilst the children played. We came back to a quiet house, I sat and watched the wild birds at our feeders, a perfect couple of days. We heard the government phone alerts on our drive home, we both had a 'what the heck' moment.

Cushions

 I saw these cushions featured in a garden at Chelsea flower show earlier this year, and thought my hubby would love something similar featuring Welsh Guards, I have searched and could not find anything like this, these are for Chelsea Pensioners. 

I had trouble finding fabrics, saw one lot in a sale, which hubby said was not right, so I left it to him to find some. He finally managed to find authentic tunic fabric for sale, he had to purchase 2 meters running length, which was their minimum sale, I'm not telling what he paid for it, that's his choice, it is lovely material.

He already had buttons, for one style and with so much material, I said I could make at least 2, he ordered a badge and stripes. Here I'm working to ensure the buttons are placed right, the white marks (tailors chalk) will be buttonholes, which I will sew but not cut open, just place the buttons over them.

In a complete unabashed theft of the design into a Welsh Guard style of cushions, here are ours, hubby is very happy, I really enjoyed making them. The effort of making the five button holes is not reflected as they can't really be seen, but I know they are there. These are bigger and will look better on our new sofa, we will chose a bigger style.

And just because I could an extra cushion made for his best army buddy, who with his wife are popping in later this month for lunch and a catch up. This one is slightly smaller, I only had the smaller cuff buttons to use, 6 would have fitted on here better, but 5 is the correct number to have.

It is always great to get out my sewing machine, I get so much joy from sewing, often designing items myself, this time shamelessly stealing the look, with just a few small changes. Cushions are a very simple thing to make, I did pop zips along the bottom, but I could have hand sewn them together. I had red cotton fabric to line the cushions, but it was not necessary, the tunic fabric is very strong. 

I still have alot of the red fabric left, the black material was in my stash, hubby got the zips, black piping and the badges. I have used older cushion inserts in the bigger two, I will get new inserts just to make them look a bit neater. 

I would love to use my machine more often, years ago I made all my own dresses, tops and trousers, I have even made a couple suits, but I rarely wear that type of clothes, mainly I live in jeans and T shirts, much softer for my lifestyle. I also made wedding dresses for my daughters and various SIL's, as well as remodelling wedding dresses for friends and family, I am hoping Molly might take an interest as she gets older, it would be nice to pass on skills. I have made Molly some bits but again she loves leggings and soft T shirt dresses, which are so cheap to buy and the fabrics are so expensive, these days with clothes so cheap, it's never cost effective to make things.

Changes

Boys first day back on Today, they do not go to the same school, Will's school is fantastic, but not the best place for George, Will did not want to change school and leave his friends and daughter is happy to go to 2 locations every day, Will now is not walked to his classroom, but left at the school gates (school rules for his age group). Molly will go to George's school, her start along with all the new intake is delayed for 2 weeks. Typically it poured with rain on their morning trip.

Another birthday for hubby, he spent the morning at our local hospital having a few more test, he should be getting final results soon, later daughter and little ones popped in to see him, I made party food with a dairy free cake, so everyone ate the same, these days 'free from' food taste so much better. We are loving the cards made by Molly and George, little hands always make the best designs.

Queen by Candlelight on Wednesday evening at our local venue, part of hubby's birthday, another great show, perfectly timed just a day after his celebrations, Queen has always been his favourite group. This group Candlelight are not a full tribute band, they do not imitate the group members, it would be hard to sing like Freddie, they do a great show, we both enjoyed the night as did everyone else in the full venue. We saw them last year do a Elton John show, seen here. 

  We drove to an British garden centre, way the other side of Portsmouth, I had been earlier in the year when it had just reopened and decided our favourite one was better. BUT this centre sells veg plants, so worth a trip, I got the 3 winter veg I wanted for £12, they will go into the raised beds soon. Hubby suggested we get our flowering winter plants as they were on offer and good quality.  The tulip bulbs just launched themselves into our trolley, and were too pretty to put back. We did not stop for coffee, we had a homemade ginger cake at home, really moist and definitely less people. 

It's been a busy week so far for everyone, hospital visits, school days, very much a normal life for us, I am sad the school holidays have ended, we have had so much fun together. I have no memories of my grandparents, my mum's mum was the last to pass when I was a young toddler, so I do feel strongly about making memories with them, I love to hear my daughter reminiscing about my mum, she was a very hands on Nan, we have loads of lovely photos to keep her memory alive.

The weather has completely changed and we are having storm after storm, my mum's words sound in my head, 'be careful what you wish for' The winds on Wednesday had trees in neighbours property rocking like mad, all stayed standing, we are pleased our Magnolia is now much smaller. I have started wearing socks again, and often my fleece, it's cooler, I'm not ready for Autumn, so I am hoping for another warm spell sometime in September.

Rain changed play

 A quick visit to our favourite garden centre to look at spring bulbs, less variety this year, I could not resist these tulips, China Town with 7 bulbs, aren't they pretty. I have placed an online order for some other bulbs, I have been looking for different varieties. The cyclamen hubby choose, he liked the colours.

I've started my new season pots, earlier this year I moved loads of bulbs around the garden, with the knowledge I would need to purchase more for pots. I already had one cyclamen plant its very similar to the new plant, the crocus bulbs are around the plants, this is by my patio doors, the summer pot is now back in my greenhouse. 

I needed some long plastic covered metal poles for a small change around in my raspberry bed, I was really chuffed to find what I required both sizes half price all are over two meters tall. Saved just over £10 on these.

I have been busy with my sewing machine, all the hems have been stitched on Will's school trousers, the hems always fail, so I stitch the new ones and avoid the issue. I also had the blanket from our neighbours son, he is a Boy Scout, and loves his blanket, he has collected more badges from his travels, another quick task.

This book was clever, it started with 3 women's stories, building to how they link together with a good twist, how revenge turns into helping another, I loved the plot. Book 64 read this year.

We are finally having the rain the garden requires, good steady rain, we have had some rain for the last 5 days, 3 days heavy, it has stopped us going outside, I don't have much to do, I have been forming a couple small plans, which include using the poles shown above, once the raspberries have finished I want to move the blueberries in the big tub and redo the structure for the raspberries to grow up. I have removed the nets from inside the greenhouse, so the light can get in and for the first time in months I have shut the door, I have an automatic window opener, so it should be OK. 

Being inside I am getting jobs done, only little things, bits I have ignored whilst being outside in the glorious sunshine. We have finished watching Destination X and loved it, neither of us like Josh, so we were happy he had his perceived victory snatched away from him, I have also been watching Fortune Hotel, I did not watch the first series, and I'm still unsure about it, hubby did not enjoy it at all. We both love Sewing Bee, again there are some talented people, we refuse to watch Masterchef, I have never liked Greg Wallace, but liked John Torode and felt uncomfortable with how he was treated. Soon it will be Bake off and Strickly, I'm watching The Inheritance with Rob Rinder, new on channel 4, I do like him and of course Traitors, Ireland and celebrities.