Summer time

Summer has finally come to Fareham, we turned off the heating this week

It's always me who keeps it on, we don't require it in the evening, but I do hate to shower in a cold bathroom, but I insist we leave the bathroom window open, thought we had a lay in until ten this morning so the bathroom was filled with warm sunshine.

We both have had the day off, so I pottered around in the garden, went to the village with Fliss where we chatted over coffee and cake. With Monday being a Bank holiday this is a really long weekend for us. Kev has a real bad tummy bug, so he has stayed near the house all day.


My cushion front is coming along well, I have added another pattern, I took it from an American patchwork book, I have stitched it before as a miniature rug for Somerset house.
The hardest part of this cushion is deciding what pattern goes next and what shade of red I should use. Once I have decided on the pattern I then have to go through my stock of silks. I am trying to use the same shades in more than one block to help tie it all together. I have to do 10 blocks across and down. I will have them diagonal across the cushion. I have finished 14 blocks, with 86 to go. Am I mad or what?

Yesterday I had my second small operation, it was much smaller and I was out on the same day, which suits me. I am feeling fine and have no problems with my arm, I hope to be able to do some sewing tonight and plan to sew alot over the weekend.

Most of the garden is done, Kev is only allowing me light duties, I want to sow some veg seeds in a small area on Sunday, just salad items with carrots. My tomato plants are coming along well, my 94 year old neighbour gave me two tomato plants as well, we should have loads, I feel a chutney session coming on later this year. I have 4 sunflower plants for the garden, Josh has 2 to take home, and we have 10 plants for Josh to take to school for their garden.

Sunday we are out to lunch with friends, just six of us, in the morning Kev will be off to golf, so I can have a bath and pamper morning. I brought some new nail varnish for my toes, there are some great bright colours this year, Sunday I am going purple!

Monday we have no plans, it would be good to get out on the bike, we went out on Tuesday and ended at Portsmouth sea front eating Pizza on a terrace overlooking the beach and a great sunset. The best part was it was unplanned.

Show and Tell

My sister has been staying for the weekend, we have been shopping and sat in the garden taken in the sun. Below is my new handbag, I normally just rave about shoe's but this bag just called to me, and it would have been rude to ignore it. It's red leather and feels wonderful.

I have not done much cross stitch, it's been a tiring week, I went back to work and was lazy most evenings.

I still have loads of flower left

My Orchid is blooming

Flowers in the garden are in full bloom

With my flower pots man on guard.

Josh's flower is doing well.

These I planted today in the new garden.

My results from the hospital were mixed, I was disappointed to hear I would require another operation in early June, but a much smaller op this time. The rest of the results were positive and soon I hope to get the all clear.

We are planning a week away in the south of France with Su and Gav, who are getting married in August, that's later in May, we will have the decorators in to finish painting the down stair area.

I have ordered the silk for Su's wedding dress, it should be here next week, I hope to start making in it early June. I am glad Fliss is feeling and looking better, we saw her, Steve and Josh yesterday, Josh has coloured us a Wiggles picture for our office wall, he is a clever little boy.

Fingers crossed

Today I am off to the hospital, to get the results of my recent operation.

My wounds are healing I have two, I have some discomfort with swelling under my left arm.

But I now need a lucky break, Kev will be with me, so fingers crossed.

Castles and sunshine

Today has been the perfect finish to the weekend,
we had a phone call from Josh asking us to a picnic at Portchester castle
and he would share his home made jam tarts.

We met at 12 and all shared a glorious picnic, we sat in the sunshine together.

Josh had great fun with his frisbee

The castle grounds were busy, loads of people had the same idea, and the grounds were full of families eating and playing sports. We were sheltered from any breeze by the castle walls.

Above is inside the walls and below is the water front outside.

Josh made great jam tarts and scones which we all shared, later friends popped in for a drink, and I had my 1st pimms of the season, sat on our back decking in still more sunshine.

I have not done any cross stitch in the past two days spending all my time out in the garden, I am very pleased with how the garden is progressing, I have plants coming along in my small green house and the shrubs I planted in my new garden are growing well, Kev set up our water feature, it's a simple rock and waterfall but looks and sounds great.