Happy times

I had loads of stitching time early evening

resting after a busy afternoon in the garden

I purchased these from the Farmers market

I always go to the same producer

Yellow gooseberry

3 types of Chillie and tomatoes

4 thymes.

Climbing French beans, which I have already planted half, 

the rest are in a pot, just in case the first lot fail.

None of my seeds have done well in my little greenhouses

 Hubby has been busy, painted the first gate. 

I was worried regarding the green paint, but now I like it

 My Lemon and Lime plants are loving their bigger pot and life in the greenhouse. If you look in the second photo, you can just see green shoots for roots on the orange pips, small beginnings, but a whole lot of fun to grow. 

 My Avocado plant is not at it's best, the leaf colour is beautiful, 

I have just watered it here and the leaves have closed. 

I don't know if this will thrive , but it is the warmest place I can put it.  

I really enjoyed the afternoon in the garden, I have done most of the jobs I wanted to do. I have planted a few more small shrubs around the back garden.
I also have loads of Aquilegia plants and summer bulbs coming along well, these will soon be ready for planting out and filling gaps in the garden. I also planted my Cornus, it can be seen from the house giving a bit more winter colour in the garden. My Snakes head Fritllary has been potted into a larger pot and is loving it, loads of new growth.
 Half the herb garden is done, I will finish it tomorrow, I want to plant the thyme around the bed, I would like it to form a carpet around all the bigger herbs. I have planted loads of herb seeds so later I will have a few more to plant, basil and types of parsley, coriander and tarragon.
We did not shop in town, I was pleased we passed all clothing shops, did have a quick look in Wilkinson's, I managed to purchase a hand held tool, much like a rake, I will be able to weed my raised bed. I spent just 15p in the posh shop on bias binding.
Our coffee filter machine is playing up, for this house that is a major problem, both hubby and I enjoy nice fresh made coffee at home, will have to check on line for another machine. We have not called into a coffee shop when out and about, we now purchase our favourite coffee and drink only at home, the coffee is more expensive, but the savings we make on passing the coffee houses are greater.
This morning is dull again, but the promise of a sunny afternoon, I have a bit of house work to do this morning and then out into the garden.

Too wet!

We got my table and two chairs back

 All the paint has been removed, we were told it was a hard job, but it has been done well, just a quick check over, there are a few flakes stuck in the design, and then a new coat, we are using Hammerite, it's a job I want done and finished and not to be repeated for years. I have dark green paint and I'm now not sure, it will match the gates.

 We have done nothing in the garden, it has been a day inside, Sam did get to help me water the greenhouse, but we did not get any planting done, the hope is today will be better weather.

 I did more stitching last night, there are loads of counting, so I am ensuring I check everything, this could go badly wrong if I do not concentrate.

It was a fun day with the boys, they had their Easter eggs early, they are going to Grandma's in Manchester today, so it will be a couple of weeks before we get to see them again. Both boys enjoyed the film Paddington, it's a well made film on loads of levels, with items directed at adults as well as children of all ages.
I cut loads of cards for Josh, he is making his own dream team football cards, he was gathering facts from the internet to add to the cards.
This morning is dull but dry, we have the Farmers market in town, I also require some bias binding to repair hubby's favourite coat, the sleeve lining is torn, we can pop in the expensive shop in town. Then home to spend time in the garden, I want to finish moving the rest of the top soil, I have done some more but I need to sort the herb garden, pot on seedlings and sow a few more seeds.

New start

Just a few stitches, but it is a start

Au Fil do Noel, I'm not changing anything on this.

 The second part of Carrie Rose is finished

 It's tucked away until May

I have done a bit more than the design sent to me,

it's such a joy to stitch. 

I have been adding to my spreadsheet, 

it is interesting to see where I spend and on what. The big things for the garden ie, top soil and sorting the table and chairs comes from our main fund, so I don't need to add them here. I am trying to record how much I spend on things I want.

I sat and stitched last night, hubby caught up with a few recorded programmes on TV, we did not watch the debate, I find most of the politicians too polished and most of the time when asked a question, they answer with a practised reply which often is about the subject, but not the question. Plus bits will be shown on TV new all the time.
We had heavy rain through out the night, but it had stopped when we got up, but every where is so wet. At least our gardens are now not so dry.
 Josh and Sam will be here soon, not sure what we can do, just hoping the garden dries up enough for football. We have the film Paddington for them to watch, I have already seen it and loved it.
No point in thinking about housework until tomorrow, but I am going to put the bread maker on for lunch, we find a loaf last for about 3 days, it taste so much better, we are both pleased.

Almost there

This is the center corner it's looking good, 

yet again my choice of colours

 I have just a small amount to do on the center panel down the left

then it's packed away until the next section arrives which should be May.

My gardening books have arrived, and at a great bargain

James Wong, £5.99 instead of £20

Carol Klien, £4.99 instead of £9.99

I love both these authors, they are brilliant gardeners, 

and with very different styles, so loads of reading 

I am not doing much in the evenings, I check and water my greenhouses, ensure that nothing has been damaged with the gusty wind we are enduring this week. Sam has promised to come and help me on tomorrow, we can sort out seedings and plant a few more seeds, things are a bit behind this year, but April is the month for every thing to catch up.
Tuesday in photography club, we had another studio night, with a female model, she was so good with all of us, and even stayed to see the photo's we took. I can not publish any on line, I did something to my camera and it was taking with a blue twinge, on one photo, I had the contrast too high, but the result was great, she has a angelic light from behind and I caught her blue eyes, which stood out beautifully. I did admit it was more luck than talent, but I was pleased with the photo's.
I now have to submit photo's for the competition, which I know I won't win, but it will be fun seeing what everyone is taking.
Last night was a sit and stitch evening, hence the progress above.  We are now at the start of a long Easter Weekend, if the weather holds out, we have some fun things planned.
Tonight I am stitching, my aim is to finish Carrie Rose, I am itching to start a new project.
I hope you all have fun and productive weekends and enjoy the extra days with loved ones.