What's growing

Of all the plants in our garden, these violets have me worried, after the cold snap they do look sick, I have these are grown from cuttings I took and I've spread them around this section. I have everything crossed they come back again. I have more in a long pot, which look just as sick, but as they grow in the wild locally, I am hopeful. 

My pots and raised beds have loads of spring bulbs in green leaf, the warmer temperatures after the cold weather has fooled them into thinking it's spring, there are leaves in my flower beds as well. As much as it is lovely to see so much green, it is the wrong time of the year. 

It's not just the bulbs, lots of fruiting shrubs are showing signs of new growth.

Even my Acer planted in the ground has tiny buds forming, nature is out of her cycle this year, most will just die back and not harm the plants, our coldest months here are the first 3 months of each new year. 

Inside on my desk I have a lovely display here, there is a radiator under the top and the huge window gives light, the Chinese money plant is a re-potted baby, my succulent on the window sill is about to flower, and my Albuca Spiralis Frizzle Sizzle is still throwing up new shoots, I have cut back a few of the longer stems as the do curl over and flop. My man's 'brain' doesn't grow very quickly, but I do love him. 

I don't do much gardening at this time of year, we are still picking up leaves which blow into the garden, normally I am planning what needs to be done when in the winter months I can see the structure of the garden, this year I don't have any plans, it's a case of wait and see what I have lost and what is growing. Most of last summer we were both pleased with the garden, we had colour for months and loads of birds and insects, I am an organic gardener, I don't use sprays at all, I also don't dig unless I am moving plants, each year about October I mulch the garden, which feeds and protects the plants. 

Our space behind the garage after removing the shed is working very well, it's a working space, but can't be seen from the house and most of the garden. Being in the garage for my shed space is also working well, I'm not taking hubby's space, my stuff is along one wall, it's much better for me, the space inside the shed was very tight. 

Both black bins full of shredded leaves are water tight and nature is working towards making mulch, the compost bin is full of worms and there should be loads of compost in the spring, I use a 'Hotbin' which is sealed and looks good, it also makes compost much quicker and it's a small size. I have checked how much compost I purchased last year, whilst I'm self sufficient in mulch, I think I will still need to purchase compost, but it will still save me money, the cost of the garden bin collection has gone up again this year, opting out of that scheme and using my own garden waste for compost, even with purchasing more compost, it's still a saving. Hubby did suggest I got a second Hotbin, which would give me enough compost, but I don't have enough garden waste to fill 2.

All the water butts are full, I have been draining water from them when nights are freezing, ensuring there is no water in the down pipes, and enough space in the buts to allow the frozen water to expand and not have anything split. 

I am itching to get outside, but it is pointless, our garden is too small to have space for summer and winter colour, so I sit and watch the birds and the relentless rain, and dream.

1st post

Firstly I sorted my hexagon workbox, for a while I had been using 3 boxes, but moving all the fat quarters out of this box, gave me room for my stitched hexagons, I don't have so many so everything in one place. The two other boxes are now being used for other things. I still have a few to stitch into shapes. 

I have started stitching them into flowers, this time I want them all to match, I do have 6 made up flowers from my previous project. I still have no idea what I can make, I will stitch and see how many I have, before making any decisions. 

More stitching, the pale pink infill is done, and more squares started, the white infill on the diamonds has to be stitched, I will probably do 2 or 3 more squares in this design. This is going to be major this month, as I have decided not to purchase any craft things, I don't really need anything, I have loads of stash.

The decorations are down, I got up on Saturday (New Years eve) and decided I wanted them gone, I passed loads on before Christmas, so I have more space in my storage containers, in my wicker hamper basket, I have put things I would want to get to in November, cards and bags, our local Card Factory had a 75% off sale, a few purchases and we have more than enough for this coming Christmas. Hubby popped the boxes away so quickly, I did not pack the tree lights, they can stay downstairs in my drawer, I now have 1 bag less than before Christmas. 

We stayed up to watch the London fireworks, and to sit with the cats if local houses had any fireworks, luckily locally they were finished by 12.15, so we were not too late to bed, sadly I again did not sleep well, and was up at 5.30am. We were invited to a neighbours house, but I was far too tired to go, so a lazy New Years Day at home, hubby cooked a roast beef dinner.

It's a very grey and dull time, I have loads of candles out, I have left a few of my battery operated lights out as well, anything to make the house a bit brighter. It does not feel so bare this year, just lovely and clean. I think I have done all the sorting I can, life is much easier when you don't own so much. The cats baskets are again in front of the radiator, both love it there, nice and warm and they can look out at the garden from their beds. We have so much rain in the forecast, having crafts to do will help pass the days. 

We went through our very full freezers last Friday, we have loads of bits we should use up, the same in our store cupboards. I have not wanted to lower stocks just in case of shortages, but we still have far too much food. We have decided to not shop other than veg and milk for a few weeks, it will be good to get rid of lingering items. 

Last post

There is always something to look forward to. 

This year has been better than the last few years, the family is in good health, Will loves school, George and Molly are progressing well, all three are happy souls. Our Taunton boys have grown loads and love their new home and schools. Sadly we did not see much of Josh and Sam, they are grown up busy boys. Whilst it's been another wonderful year, nothing stands out as outstanding this year, but then nothing stands out as horrible, so we are both happy.

Hubby is in good health, which at our age is always a bonus, I have no worries about him. It was lovely to travel and see his elder sister and brother, both in Newcastle, we have agreed we need too get out more, I am happy enough being at home, I can always find things to do, but we should be out more, a lovely holiday would be very nice, somewhere warm and sunny, Covid scared us inside and I have been very slow to be going places. 

The only down side has been my recent health, but with loads of test being done, and many things being checked OK, hopefully answers will soon come, I am beginning to wonder if it's stress, I have seen friends and family who with a build up of stress causes issues. Next door is leaving us alone, but there is always the underlying knowledge at any point anything will start her having a go at us, home is not the relaxing place it should be, she slams and bangs doors all day. 

I wish everyone reading this a Happy New Year, I hope it's full of laughter, happiness and fun, I don't make new year resolutions, it should never be about making a change on one day. We have few plans, hopefully a holiday somewhere sunny, and good health for both of us and our families all around the country. 

December round up

 

Another low spend month, just some cotton thread, I never spend much in December, by now I have everything I need, my big cross stitch project is keeping my fingers busy and there is nothing doing in the garden. I did get a plant for my inside display, my sister paid for the second plant, next year they will go into the garden. I also spent a bit on Christmas decorations,  I always say I have enough and then see something else.

It's been a super year for lower spending, I was hoping to stay under the thousand pounds and I did with style. I am using my stash for loads of project's, I still have loads left, I was unable to do much machine sewing in the last few months. I love this chart, is breaks down my spending to each craft, showing how I am changing crafts over the last 8 years, I have nothing left for glass making, I am keeping my card making items, they will come in handy as the three youngest grand children grow up, I don't expect to make many more cards. 

I spent more on clothes  but still a little total spend, I also got 2 pairs of Asda 'jeans', not expensive, but very comfortable. I don't need anything more, I won't be looking at anything in the sales. My total is under £35 a month this year, so I'm pleased. The flowers were silk to add to my seasonal displays. 

As always no waste food, we did not get too much for Christmas period, my brother was here for 8 days, and we shopped for just what we needed. Lots of wrapping paper thrown away, I now use pretty tissue paper, it recycles better and never with glitter on. Presents were put into paper carrier bags, which I took back home to reuse. We did not receive so many cards this year, I think lots of people did not send them, with so many postal strikes, no one could be sure they would arrive. We had a few arrive on Wednesday, after Christmas, so they are out for just a few days.

My weigh is lower than last year, losing weight before Christmas helped, I am still way off my preferred weight, maybe this year I will get close to it. My steps in December averaged around 6,000 each day, next year I need to work hard on making more steps each day.