OK, can't dwell on this, so thought it time to update with some nice pictures! The weather has been glorious all week, so here is hoping it continues.

Firstly, the Appleshaw Plant and Spring Fair is tomorrow! I planted up pots and pots of runner and french bean seeds, to sell at a pound a pot. So far there is evidence of ONE seed having germinated. I can't sell pots of soil and a plant label, can I??? Never mind!

I finished off several sets of red, white and blue bunting for the fair!


I have potted up lots of strawberry runners to sell at 50p a pot. They are Cambridge I think!


Out and about last week and we needed some bits from Homebase. I couldn't leave this poor little pot of Mangetout to get thrown away. With a bit of TLC and some seaweed solution, they are all doing quite well now.



I simply cannot be trusted when seed packets are on a 3 for 2. I know, I know, bad, but will brighten up the garden when they grow!


Thanks for all the lovely comments you have sent me. Really special. WIll leave you with a little picture of the blossom on my pear tree. It is starting to drop now and the pears are forming. Will be a bumper crop this year I think!


C x x x

Difficult time for me at the moment, so won't be around much.

My life has taken an unexpected turn. I am single again after 7 years with a lovely man.

I will be back!

C x x x

March has flown by and here we are in April already! Had a busy few days at work and at home. Just tomorrow off now and then back to work for 4 days. *whispers* I then have 13 days off!!!!

I spent a wonderful day in Copenhagen last week and discovered a shop just minutes from the hotel!


It sells an array of gorgeous things! Mainly garden related, but one of those places where you could (well I certainly could) spend hours looking at everything! I was particularly taken with the tins. I think I may have a tin problem!



Jase and I have been pottering in the garden. Garage and shed painted, plum and ornamental cherry pruned back and I gave the outbuilding a lick of 'Hunter's green'.

I picked up a couple of oil lamps for emergency power cuts! So cheap I couldn't resist! Need to find clear lamp oil now, so will pop into Town tomorrow and have a look in the hardware shop.



I have also been invited to attend the Appleshaw Plant sale and Spring fair on the 23rd of April! Preps are now under way to get organised for that. I have been asked to bring my eglu along to show it off as the organiser thinks it will be really popular! Now I need to think about what to take along that is springy (maybe a made up Christian word)?? Need to get a garden gazebo as it is an outdoor event. Argos has one and I have vouchers, so will get it tomorrow. Sunday is a good day to go shopping in Town. Most are still asleep, so I can potter around without the usual people stopping randomly in front of me! Oooh, how I hate that. People should be fitted with indicators and brake lights! Enough ranting now.

Time I headed to bed, another sunny day forecast tomorrow and i have seeds to plant.

C x x x

p.s If you are reading this Lauren, you bag is in the post!

...I might as well, judging by the amount of bamboo I have dug up today. A tip for you; No matter what the label says, bamboo will invade every square centimetre of your garden. It is a evil thing and must be destroyed. Forget 'slow growing dwarf variety', the damn stuff pops up everywhere. Even through your industrial strength weed suppressing membrane.

So, today was warm and sunny, so I started the chore of clearing the garden. The bed I can see from the kitchen window is always a good place to start. It spurs you on to do the rest when you see one area neat and tidy.



Just the box hedging to trim into a neat little hedge and a few more plants to get and then it is done!

We spent last weekend at a lovely house in Kent, not far from the coast. It was a friends 40th birthday and his sister and Other half arranged a great weekend. On Friday evening we visited Chapeldown Restaurant and had a truly wonderful meal. I started with wild mushrooms on toasted brioche and a fried duck egg, then pollock in wine batter with 3 fried chips (that is fried 3 times, not 3 chips - as if frying them once wasn't bad enough)!! with cheese and biscuits for dessert.

Saturday daytime, we headed across the border to Rye for a wander around the antique shops.


Being as poor as a church mouse at the moment, I of course found loads of things to tempt me. The temptation proved to be too great -



I love vintage tins and these were a steal at a little ram shackle antique shop. My bartering skills were on form! We also picked up two miniatures wooden chairs, a wooden coat rack for the utility room and a large clock for the kitchen!

I saw this cute little bone china jug and couldn't resist -


The daffs are tiny, no idea what type they are as tete a tete are much larger than these. The flowers are only a cm or so across. The jug is hand made by a local potter. I have no problem paying a little extra for something that is hand made and beautiful.

Saturday evening was spent playing a murder mystery game, set in the 1960's. Jase and I were given the roles of woman, which proved to be interesting. Full costumes were expected. Make up was optional, but in for a penny........Lets just say I cannot go to Primark in Manchester for a while. The black dress, shoes, padded vest and bolero jacket are going to charity now. I will keep the wig. *wink* A really fun evening!

Jase left for work around 1.30 today, so I dug over the beds, and managed to get my first veggies in the ground. The hens helped dig over a couple of raised beds, searching for worms and slug eggs. Planted some leaf spinach around the strawberry plants as well.

Broad beans are now in!


Our plum tree is laden with blossom again, but I am secretly hoping that we don't get as many plums as last year. We had buckets full! Stunning to look at though -


The hens are laying well, 2-3-4 eggs a day, nice to fill up the egg boxes. They are loving the sun as well and will all lie down with wings out-stretched to soak up the rays.

Tired now and my back is sore. Spending 2 days at the Ideal home exhibition for Omlet hasn't helped. Lovely to talk chickens for 2 solid days though. Even popped to the stall next door and ducked my feet in a tank of Dr Fish. Strange experience, but lovely smooth feet now!

Bye for now!

C x x

Morning All! Yes, for once I have time during the day to write my blog. You see I am in Oslo with work and have 3 hours to count down until pick up from the hotel. So here I am, swigging tea from a ridiculously small hotel mug.

It has been a weird week. Late starts, arriving at hotels at 11pm. Felt like I have been in a permanent state of fuzziness since Friday. Can't get my head around getting up at 8am, I am more used to 3-4am starts. Will swap any more lates if I get them next month.

So, I managed to get a few more crafty things done. I finished off some bunting for the shop last week. The flags were cut out ages ago, but just need some spare time to sew the whole lot together.

Vintage garden floral bunting -





Jase and I visited Southampton to get my new Iphone replacement. Unfortunately, I have lost all my numbers and several pictures as I hadn't backed up the info. Have now learnt how to do it and am religiously plugging it into to my laptop to store things. It is becoming an obsession. Just one more to add to the list. We also bought a new desk lamp for the office/craft room/my oasis of calm. The light in there is bad, so I needed something to make night time sewing a bit easier. The new chunky chrome lamp looks great.

I would still really like to convert our brick outbuilding to a craft room. It has power and light in there (along with numerous empty boxes, lawn mower, hundreds of jam jars, fridge/freezer and more junk that I am prepared to admit) and would make an ideal room for me. Too much money to sort out at the moment, but one day maybe. Just a bit of insulation, a few new power sockets and some shelves. Perfect.
In the meantime, I will make do with the office and desk. which is slowly getting more organised. One end of my desk -





...and the other with unfinished projects - Lots more bunting to sew together!



...and my inspiration on the chimney breast wall!



Spent yesterday in Stockholm, so doing a bit of a Scandi -tour this week. Managed to pick up some Christmas red fleece from a fabric shop, for a project I am working on. More of that later, nearer the festivities....! Also saw these cute little bundles of embroidery thread in a basket and had to have them. At 80p each it would have been rude not to.


Not a bad picture from my phone.

One flight home later today and then tomorrow is my last day before my Part time week off! Have a few plans for next week, including helping out at the Ideal home show, a friends 40th murder mystery party and a chicken course. Need to crack on with a few things craft wise next week to keep me happy.

We are having the utility room refitted this week. Jase has been lumbered with the massive task of emptying the room ready for the new worktops and cupboards. I will crack on with the new curtain to cover the boiler when I get back.

Just realised the time. I am leaving here in just over an hour, so better get a wiggle on! That's what happens when you get sidetracked with Facebook!

C x x x

6 days of work now done. Not the hardest working block I have done, but getting up between 3-4am every day took it's toll. I got home around 11am this morning, checked the hens, cleaned them out and headed upstairs. Such a waste as it was a stunning day, blue skies and quite warm, but my bed beckoned. Nothing like sleeping in your own bed. I crave it when away. Woke up at nearly 3pm and felt bleary eyed, hair standing on end and fuzzy. Must have slept well.

3 days off now and heading to the Apple store in Southampton tomorrow, to get my iphone fixed. We will pop into IKEA on the way and see what delights they have to offer. Need some pillar candles and that's about it, but we'll see what we come home with.

A laptop genius friend is coming down on Wednesday and Jase has a kidney scan on Thursday - after a bout of suspected kidney stones a couple of weeks ago. So that is the next few days off planned! Back to work on Friday for 5 days. Can't wait.

I have made several more felt number and stitched extra large safety pins to the back, will post pictures when I get a chance.

I haven't seen Jase since Tuesday, nearly a week now. He will be home tonight and we both have days off together. Plans are underway for the utility room, when next door get back from holiday. Looking forward to seeing the back of the work tops that have been residing in the lounge for months. It will mean stacking the contents of the room in the lounge, but should only be for a couple of days.

I am now doing 3 days at the Ideal Home Show in Earls Court. The 22-24 March on The Omlet stand, so pop in and say hello if you are there. I will be the one sucking a Strepsil - always get a sore throat from talking too much. Not usually a big talker......! *wink*

I got my new laptop this week after the ibook really started to play up. This new MacBook is lovely, slightly bigger but very moochy to the touch. I won't go into details about setting it up and trying to 'migrate' all the info from my old laptop, lets just say there is reason my Mac wizard friend is visiting on Wednesday.

Jase flew to Larnaca this week and came home with a huge bag of Seville oranges and grapefruit-sized lemons. Marmalade and lemon curd are in order I think. When I get 2 spare seconds.......

No eggs from our hens today, but 3 from next doors'. We have a couple of boxes now, so will take those to Mum & Dad's later this week. Looking forward to my part time week on the 17.........counting down the days.

Country Living magazine has landed on the mat, so time to light the fire and chill out.

C x x x

After a week off, it is nearly time for me to return to work. Couldn't tell you what I have done all week, but managed to fill my days with pottering, cooking, cleaning and general bits and bobs.

A few weeks ago I went to the Opticians, for an eye test and contact lens check up. My contacts are not due to vanity. I prefer my glasses, as they make me feel more comfortable and less exposed to the World. Sorry, that is baring my soul somewhat,isn't it? Should I be lying down on a couch somewhere chatting to a therapist holding a clipboard? Anyway, I digress, so unlike me. I was diagnosed a few years ago, ahem, at 16 with Kerataconus, Which means that I have to wear lenses to protect my corneas. To be honest, I haven't really worn them in over a year and the sight test confirmed it! The vision in my left eye is worse, so back to the lenses! Just a pain with work as it means taking so many little bottles of cleaner and saline etc with me.

Had to go into Town as we had run out of toothpaste, what a bad house Husband I am. Had a bimble around the charity shops, but obviously February is a bad month for people decluttering. I did pick up a small pot of tete a tete daffodils from the market. My favourite little flower.



Jase has been away for what seems like weeks, but in reality only a few days. He came home last night, but left again at the crack of dawn. Actually, it was 4am, so Dawn was nowhere to be seen.

I've been playing around with felt all week. My new wonder material. Bought some from The Felt Fairy - her website, not a real fairy - and have been making badges for children. You know the tacky plastic ones with a number on? I've come up with a neat idea which I love!

Cut out felt numbers -




Using a blanket stitch, my new favourite way of hand sewing, sew the raw edges together and stuff with wadding.


A giant safety pin on the back and ta-daaa, a wonderful birthday badge! Will put a few in my shop later. See how they do.

The bantinies next door are still laying so well, I have so many eggs. Lucky as mine aren't really that bothered! Elsbeth is laying a couple every week, Pru likes to keep her company when she is on the nest and lays the odd egg when she feels like it. All are now crouching when you get close to them, so a good sign. They are stuffing their faces with pellets and I seem to be topping up their feeders every other day. I think it is time to add a couple more hens.........*whistles*

When next door are back, our neighbour Rob is going to refit the utility room. The work tops have been sat in the lounge for weeks, units in the garage along with the new sink. Can't wait. New wall units will mean the end to the current work top being covered in cluttered Le Parfait jars. I have a problem with Le Parfait jars. According to Jase. Wall units will mean more storage for bakeware too! Might need to go to Lakeland.

The next job on the list is to make a curtain to hide the boiler. Already have some sage and cream checked fabric from Laura Ashley that will be perfect for the job. Just hope I am away when the building work starts! Rob very kindly made me 12 wooden hearts that I want to turn into blackboards. The plan was to sell them at the Garden fair in May, but that being cancelled I will take them to the Michaelmas fair in September. Just need a dry day to paint them.

Life in the garden is springing up everywhere. I still haven't tackled most of it. The weather this week hasn't been great and it is fair to say that I am not happy gardening in a waterproof poncho. Back trouble has also meant no digging. Excuses, excuses I know. The broad beans are coming along nicely though.


After plodding on with my old Ibook, it is getting too much. Things keep shutting down, I lost all my pictures for a few hours and couldn't log onto the t'interweb yesterday. Jase fixed it, but the time has come for a new laptop. Jase is getting me one today at the airport and bringing it home tomorrow. I haven't got any money for a new one, but it is never a good time. A couple of months of paying interest on it via the evil credit card is my only option. I never buy things that I can't afford, but needs must. Dreading copying over all my book marked pages - that'll take me a day!

Time to make lasagne and chilli for the freezer. Another banana cake to bake as the 'nanas are past their best.

Bye for now

C x x x

...Well not me, obviously! I don't run. Unless a bus is about to hit me. Or there is only one sausage roll left on the plate.

MY ONLINE SHOP!!!!!

Not the kind of website I would like, but cannot afford to spend hundreds on one like the gorgeous online shops I browse through. All my items for sale will be on the above blog from now on. *smiles* Had my first order within an hour! Thanks Hazel.

In other news, I managed to lose all my pictures from iphoto. One minute they were there, next, iphoto was empty. The language was blue and just glad the chickens were tucked in bed. I have found them, but not in iphoto anymore. No idea what happened.....so I quickly plugged in the back up hard drive I got for Christmas and downloaded them all to be safe. Wish I had done it sooner. You know when that panic starts to build in your throat?

Just back from a lovely 3 day trip to Madrid and Copenhagen. Fabulous crew and a real pleasure to work with. Lots of fun and a real laugh. Went out in Madrid to TGI Fridays, I know, not really absorbing the local culture, but sometimes it is nice to stagger 3 yards to the nearest place. No one went out in Copenhagen, but I sat at the desk and munched my way through an Itsu veggie salad and a Galaxy smooth bar! Figuring I deserved it after the low cal salad.

Next door's bantams laid very well while I was away and I have collected 6 eggs. Tiny little toy eggs, but they are very welcome here in the barren egg kitchen. 4 more weeks of looking after them, so should have a good stash! Having said that, I was stunned to find that Miss Pru had laid. More torpedo than egg shaped, but will taste great. 3 out of 4 had bright red combs, so fingers crossed they will all start again soon.

Took a couple of pictures before I left for work, just before the laptop crashed! The snowdrops and daffs are coming up really quickly.


...And the vintage coloured felt I ordered arrived. The colours seem very bright in this picture, but they are more muted.



After someone mentioning chocolate fudge brownies on Facebook, I couldn't resist making a batch! Mum & Dad took some home and I planned to take some in to work for my crew. I did take a few in, but scoffed the lot in my room. *Hangs head in shame*

I had run out of walnuts, so used chopped nuts instead and they tasted great.

Feeling tired now after getting up around 4am for the past 2 days. Have a cracking book at the moment - see 'currently reading' on the right........ - think I will light the fire early and snuggle down to a good read.

Bye for now!

C x x x

Just had an email to say the Vintage and Garden fair is cancelled. No reason given! 'We hope to see you at the Michaelmas fair in September.....'.

Grumpy now. Glad I made sausage rolls earlier.

I know, I know, I have been really bad at updating my blog, Just don't seem to have any time for anything at the mo. Having a laptop that has decided to shut down at the drop of a hat isn't helping. I need to remember to keep saving as I type, as I have lost this post twice already!!

After a 5 day block at work, my lips are cracked and I have a sore throat. Thank goodness I am off for a couple of days. Shame I have a 7 day block to return to on Sunday. Sigh.

The hens got a rather large handful of corn this evening. I haven't been around much this week and they have been missing their bed time treat. Unsure if it was the sun setting, but their combs were looking a brighter shade of red tonight. I am hoping that means they will all start laying soon.

Sat here munching a small plate of cheese straws that I baked earlier. It was peeing down all day, so felt like doing a spot of baking. Ran out of milk, so headed off to the shops for basic supplies and picked up some lovely sausages from the butchers. Plan to make sausage rolls tomorrow.



On my last day off, I spent the day sewing 48 double sided bunting flags. That's something you don't hear very often! Rather than making 9 and sewing up the bunting, I realised that I need to do things on a larger scale. All country cottage style fabric, they look really good. Now most of the work is done, it won't take long to make up the bunting. I did make one special set though.......Jason's Sister is due to give birth any day now (well, she was due on the 5th), so I made some especially for the Baby's room. She has rubber duck thing going on and I managed to find some cute fabric, along with something babyish.



Not the best picture, but how lovely are the little ducks??


Jase flew up to Scotland tonight as his friend's Mum passed away. He will be back on Sunday, ready for work on Monday morning.

Feeling a bit run down tonight. Lips are cracked and throat sore. Just glad I am off for a couple of days. Lip balm at the ready (it is never too far away from me) and had berocca to wash down the cheese straws. In a moment of weakness in Co op today, I relented and bought a Cadburys creme egg. It has been chilling in the fridge all day. It is calling me now.

Will try and update my blog more often, but as I have a new blog to update, I might not be as good as I usually am. Yes, a new blog! I have been asked if I sell the things i make and having set up a dreadful website, that I now can't seem to update, I have decided to use Blogger to start a selling blog. So much easier as I use it already.

Time for my chocolate egg and then bed.

Night night!

C x x x

OOOh, what to do?? I have just received an email from the Weyhill fairground craft and design centre, asking if I would be interested in doing their Garden Fair in May??

Linky thing, click here

What do you think?? I would need to come up with ideas of things to make that are more outdoorsy (is that a word)? Flowery, picnics? Bunting etc? Seed kits? Any ideas you crafty lot? What would you expect to see at a Garden fair?

Please help!! Any suggestions, email me at Christianscottage@btinternet.com or leave a comment please.

Hope you can help!

C x x x

Finally some time to write. I have no idea where my time goes, but, like my hairline, is just does!

Am off now until the beginning of February. My next roster is ok, not the destinations i requested, but all in all, not bad at all.

On Monday night, we drove over to Woking to see Hairspray at the theatre. I had no idea what it was about, just knew that Michael Ball had played a part in the West End show. I have to say it was fantastic! A really lively, feel good, show. It made me want to start singing again. Very much recommended (the show, not my singing).

Spent yesterday, scraping out the soiled muck from the chicken runs and topping up with nice fluffy bedding, that will be covered in poop in a matter of days. The girls seemed to be enjoying themselves, scratching around the veggie garden to stop them getting under my feet. Pru hasn't laid any eggs since the 3 at the beginning of the month. Bright red comb, but still no sign of eggs. Elsbeth crouched down in front of me yesterday, a sure sign that she is thinking of laying again soon. Fingers crossed.

I also managed to get a bit of gardening done. Nothing like getting your hands in fresh compost and planting some seeds. I have decided to plan my garden more carefully this year (time permitting)......We always end up with a glut of something or other, so successional planting is the term this year! Just remembering to plant a few seeds every few weeks. I went to the local garden centre to get a new broom and some netting (to stop the cat that has moved in behind our house) and couldn't resist some seeds!


Broad beans, pak choi, purple beans, swiss chard and curly kale - lots of which will be for the hens. I have to plant it early or by August I have forgotten. I am after large established plants that will survive the winter this year. Daft, but packets of seeds make me smile. Dried up little things, that burst into life and feed us. Amazing really.

I found my little wooden plant pot maker in the shed, dusted it off and got to work. I found The Independent makes superb pots, but any paper will do *wink*



Broad beans are now sown and in the green house.


The green house hasn't faired to well over winter and the zip is broken. It won't cost much to replace, but it annoys me as I only bought it last year. I still have the fleece cover, so might make do with that this year. I need to rebuild the cold frame (I say rebuild, it is only stacked up bricks), as I have used most of the bricks as supports for the hens' drinkers and a few other jobs.

After many hours of sewing (and unpicking)!!, the table runner is done! I really like it and think it brightens up the wooden coffee table. I think Jase is worried that the house will turn into a gingham patchwork nightmare, but it looks good where it is.


Been quite a good week so far. Apart from my newly discovered Ritz cracker addiction. To add to the other addictions......just something about them, They are so tempting. Especially with Waitrose crab pate......

Jase celebrated his birthday last week and got the Wagamama cookbook. I have been to the restaurant a couple of times and love it, so today I went shopping and bought all the ingredients for my favourite meal. Amai Udon noodles. Took minutes to prepare and was absolutely delish. I am not one for following recipe books, always adding a few bits and pieces, but it tasted exactly like the restaurant.


Loads of pak choi, mange tout, savoy cabbage (instead of the leeks as per the recipe), with tofu pieces and king prawns. Topped with a handful of dry roasted peanuts and a squeeze of lime.....mmmmm nom nom nom. Reasonably healthy too I think*.

*Not including the Ritz crackers I had as a starter.

The temperature has dropped again and we are due a ground frost overnight. Hens are locked up tight in their eglu and happy. I plan to start worming them tomorrow, as I haven't done it for nearly 4 months. They don't seem to be affected but that could explain the lack of eggs. A week of medicated pellets and they will be done for a while.

Fire is lit, The Day After Tomorrow on the dvd player, you can't beat a good disaster movie. A small bar of Green & Blacks extra dark chocolate consumed, for health reasons you understand.

A mega list of jobs to do this week, as always, but nothing too pressing. I want to start on my next patchwork quilt for the spare room, but am patchworked out. Something else will pop into my head no doubt and I'll crack on with that.

Time to get back to the dvd and the end of the world as we know it......

TTFN,

C x x x

You know you get that feeling sometimes that you should have stayed in bed? Today is one of those days. I popped to the post box with 2 letters in hand and as I dropped them through the slot, I saw my shopping list disappear too!! I do worry about my sanity sometimes. Like the time I couldn't find my wallet. Turned the house upside down and it was no where to be seen. Decided to chill for 5 minutes and make a cuppa. Lo and behold, wallet sitting in the fridge. Obvious really. Anyway, I disgress, so unlike me!!, shop from memory I thought. Bad move.

Decided to go to Quilters dream first, as I needed some curved safely pins, as you do, and some red fabric for binding the table runner that I am yet to make. £24 later, I left and headed to Sainsburys. I am usually a Waitrose shopper, just because their fruit and veg is better quality and owing to the fact that I refuse to shop in Tesco due to their ever increasing greed to dominate the planet. Walked into Sainburys to be confronted with hundreds of Hot Cross buns! I am still getting over the excesses of Christmas, waistline wise as well as with the Mastercard. Do they think us stupid?? Packets upon packets of buns stacked up, next to Cadburys Creme eggs!! Easter is months away. I hate supermarkets and the way they program our minds into purchasing certain items. I won't stand for it. No way. In protest I only bought one packet of 4. *wink* Toasted two when I got home and smothered them in butter, the sort of thickness that you leave teeth marks when you take a bite. Delish.

Funny how everything really important on your list is forgotten the second you drop it into the post box. Will need to go out again tomorrow.

The big news this week is that Pru started laying again. Her comb has been looking rather red this week, but I didn't think for a second that she would lay until February. 2 eggs so far this week and whoopers too. She is a good girl. Hopefully the others will get the hint. The 6 eggs I bought today will have to last as I don't want to buy anymore. Even free range, pampered, naturally roaming in woodland, apple eating from organic orchard, hens' eggs cannot compare to our own.

Their run is decidedly filthy by my standards. I am sure they have no issue with it. Waiting for a dry day to shovel the soiled mess out and give it a hose down. Weather forecast doesn't look promising for the next week, so might have to wait until my week off.

Jase got the results of his latest MRI scan and it showed that his tumour is shrinking!! It really is the best news we could have hoped for and a wonderful start to the New Year.

I think it is veg planning time again! I love this time of year when it is dark outside, I can light the fire and sit with my seed catalogues, a Yankee candle burning and pour over pictures of vegetables. Strange that my veg never looks as good as the catalogues promise, but I still enjoy growing them.

I did plan to start off broad beans and sweetpeas in the autumn, but didn't get 'round to it. The mini plastic greenhouse has taken a battering over winter with one of the zips broken, will need to fix that before I start sowing. The hens were allowed another few hours in the veg garden to help dig over the beds. Please ignore the heaving breathing at the start!! I am not a pervert.

Am making bubble and squeak for dinner, as have loads of left over sprouts and tatties. Jase won't be back until late this evening, so cooking for one! Girls are tucked up in bed, fire is ready to light and 2 loads of washing are hanging up drying. A good day so far, with loads of jobs ticked off.

C x x

Afternoon everyone!

Things are starting to return to normal again this week. After a vile 10 hour drive back from Scotland, we are now settled again at Farm Cottage. Still a few things to tidy away and then we'll be back to normal. We had a very relaxing time at Jase's Mums and I have convinced her of the evil that is roast potatoes cooked in goose fat. It is a slippery slope.

Jase's laptop decided to give up the ghost this week, so he is on the look out for a new one. He has decided to abandon Microsoft and go for a Mac (Yay)!!! He won't regret it. The only trouble is, we were planning on redoing the utility room in the New Year, looks like that will have to wait for a bit due to finances. The 3 metre work top will have to stay in the lounge for a bit longer I guess.......

Now I have more time, I can show you what I have been working on for weeks as it was given to my Mum for her Birthday a couple of weeks ago.



I started with the idea of making Mum a lap quilt, but got carried away with the nice fabric and it ended up large enough for a double bed! Really wish I hadn't done the quilting as tram lines either side of the seams, as this used up 500m of thread and caused my back to go into spasm a few weeks ago. Couldn't post the reason why in case Mum read it! Hee hee.

The back is lovely fabric from Quilter's Dream which Mum loves!

=

I have one more Layer cake left so might make a quilt for the lounge. That can be my project for next year as it takes so long to make. Something cosy for the sofa on a cold winter's night.

The hens are fine, well looked after and spoilt (judging my the amount of corn gone from the tin) by next door. Elsbeth is still moulting, but her dark grey feathers are looking good. I need to do a thorough clean in the run at some point. It isn't too bad, but with a week of snow, they didn't venture out much. The thing that amazes me most is the amount of poo they produce. HUGE quantities in a matter of days. I have 3 compost bins (that are all due for a turn) full to the brim with chicken ****.

Father Christmas was very kind and sent me lots of lovely things. I am a complete bookaholic, so that is always a safe bet with me.


Jase decided to get me an external hard drive to back up all of my pictures - something I never do. Will have to sit down and work out how to use it soon. Am slightly concerned at the noises my laptop is making. The fan seems to be on quite a lot. Maybe it has something to do with my new addiction (no, it isn't an addiction, just new I keep telling myself). Facebook. So many people are surprised that I haven't been on sooner, but I have been trying to avoid it if I'm honest.

Jase got in from work a couple of hours ago and is having a nap. Time to wake him up with a coffee, so better dash. Still stunned that 2010 is nearly over.

Stay warm and cosy.

C x x x

What a week it has been!!

It has been so cold this week. Loads of snow flurries and the coldest temperatures that I have seen since moving here. It dropped to -13.1C the other night!! I have double wrapped the outside taps with bubble wrap as extra protection when we are away and look like a market stall holder in my fingerless gloves.

Preps are now complete for our trip to Scotland tomorrow. We have decided to take my Mini for the trip as it will have better grip on the road that J's BMW. Jase bought new windscreen wipers today and I have checked the tyre pressure, oil etc ready for an early start tomorrow. I nearly asked him to pick up emergency flares n case we got snowed in enroute, byt thought that was going too far.

All presents wrapped and delivered to Mum and Dad's for the rest of my Family. Hens cleaned out, nextdoor briefed on care! (Candle under the drinker and lots of corn to keep the hens happy).

Having received numerous emails asking me to join Facebook, I finally gave in and joined last night. I have lots of friends already and have a couple of games of scrabble going. It will be nice to catch up with people!

The last lot of snow fell two days ago and since we have had a mini thaw during the day, but again freezing temperatures at night.


Before I go, just wanted to say a quick Happy Christmas to you all. Thank you for all the lovely comments all year. *Smiles*

J's Mum now has wifi, so I will try and log on over Christmas. Depending on whether I can move or not after the copious amounts of chocolate I plan to consume.

C x x x

Woke up early for work this morning to be greeted by a blanket of white.

There was no way that Mortimer the Mini could drive in this. The temperature dropped to -7.1 last night and the country lane was frozen solid. The snow is falling so thick and fast that I think it will continue all day!

I was due to work at 6.45 this morning, but had to call in and say I couldn't make it.

Some snowy pics -


I love the way that snow collects in the willow hurdles!



Not sure what to do today really. We were planning on visiting Mum as it's her birthday today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!! The weather isn't looking too good though, as 2 inches of snow has fallen in about an hour.
Jase is due to land back from Copenhagen at 9ish and will then have to get home somehow! Not sure how the main roads are this morning as I didn't get that far. The lane is thick snow on a thick layer of ice. Gritters down the lane?? Don't make me laugh!

Think I will build the fire for later, then get dressed and do some Christmas wrapping. Might even out on my wellies and walk to Co op for some provisions. We aren't desperate for anything, as I made sure we had plenty last week when snow was forecast. If we do make it to Mum's, I wanted to bake some hobnobs for my Niece and she always requests them! Have run out of porridge oats though, shock horror!!

I have been to let the hens out, but they were less than impressed. Another tea light placed under the drinker and some mixed corn to warm up their little tummies! Don't think they will be out today.

The saddo weather websites that I am addicted to, are forecasting heavy snow for this area all day. Judging by the snow so far, we won't be going anywhere for a day or two.

Better get dressed and start getting organised. Am tempted to shovel the snow off the driveway, but might leave that until later. Staying in with the fire lit has much more appeal!

C x x x

Evening All!

Been a busy few days, what with Christmas preps and sorting things out.

Waited in all day for a delivery, which didn't arrive! No point getting annoyed, as I did manage to get the decs up! We won't be here for Christmas, but I still wanted a little tree. Melvin is sat next to my armchair, fully adorned with Christmasness!


Went into the loft and dragged down several suitcases and boxes looking for my favourites decorations. All out now and the boxes put back. The fireplace is now done and a few extra lights up. Much to Jase and the electricity monitor's dismay!
You can't see the lights on the mantle, but they are there!


I cleaned out the hens today, only one eglu as they are all having sleepovers together for the winter. Elsbeth's feathers are growing back nicely, although quite dark. They are eating lots and desperate for corn by the late afternoon. I caught Cornelia on top of the run today, peeking over the fence to see where I was. Next door will be looking after them when we go away.
In return, we will be hen sitting later this week when they go away for a few days.

All presents are here/on their way, so no major panics as yet. Can always pop to the shops next week for emergency bits if I need to. The mammoth task of wrapping is set for tomorrow before work and next week before we drive up to Scotland - weather permitting. It is forecast for loads of snow and cold temperatures until the New Year now. Not really sure what to do, but we have decided that if the snow is bad, we will stay here for Christmas.

Seeing as I stayed in, I decided to make some chocolate truffles - having read the recipe on the Omlet forum. Made 3 batches, 2 with brandy and one with orange juice and zest. I rolled some in cocoa powder, dipped some in melted chocolate and some in dessicated coconut. I wore my CSI gloves, as Nigella puts it, but still managed to get chocolate and cocoa everywhere!
Think I have made too many, as I now have plates of truffles all over the kitchen!
Not quite sure why I said I have too many. Must be coming down with something! Saying that, my ears do feel weird and have done for a couple of days. Can't shake that fuzzy feeling.

Anyway, a plate of truffles ready to bag up for Christmas!


Had a visitor today, who picked up the Christmas hamper she ordered. Have a few more jams to wrap up and a couple of puddings still to deliver at work. I have 2 large ones left, as I am not Carol Vorderman and seem to have mental blocks when it comes to puddings. I am sure they won't go top waste. *wink*

Jase is due back any minute, so need to light the fire and think about dinner. Not as cold today, but forecast to get colder tomorrow and Thursday.

Stay wrapped up and warm!

C x x

I'm back home now!

Hens cleaned out, tea light under their drinker, spring greens hanging up and pellets topped up. They are happy hens.
They seem to be getting on quite well at the moment. They all sleep together in the same eglu which makes locking them up at night easier. Agnes is still a bit timid when it comes to bedtime, and is always the last in.
Will be leaving for work at 4am tomorrow, so will light a candle and pop it under the water. Have asked next door to keep an eye on them.

Came home to a cold house, even though Jase left the thermostat on 15C. Couldn't wait until it was dark and am sat here, fire lit with a hot chocolate. Not your 'Options, 40 calories' hot chocolate either. Oh no, this is Cadburys, artery clogging delicious, thick chocolate. I felt the shivering was burning calories, so it doesn't count.

Wrapped a few presents for a secret santa and will post them next week. Collected more logs to fill the basket in the lounge and am now wondering what to have for dinner. The fridge is like Old Mother Hubbard's so not sure yet. There will be something in the freezer.

Only one chocolate door to open on my calendar, so the mice must have eaten the others!

Time to make up the Hens' porridge before they head off to bed. Hen pecked? Me??

C x x x

Ok, so here I am in Copenhagen. Sat at the desk with a pile of Christmas cards to write and complete lack of enthusiasm. I have lost my list of people I would like to send cards to, which doesn't make things any easier.

I did another fair last weekend and managed to hurt my back again. Stacking jars of jam with fabric things in my plastic trays seemed to work better, rather than lifting a couple of really heavy crates. It was a school fair and people were being extremely careful with money, which I can understand. Luckily my mincemeat will be good for a year or two, so no problems there. Unsure if I can use 18 jars up before the 25th?

Due to the success of my mini mince pies at the first fair, I made another few batches for last week. After cutting out 90 bases and stars, I couldn't cope with any more. My eyes started to go funny! Sold several bags though:0)



The snow finally hit the village on the 1st of December, which seemed appropriate! Only a couple of inches, but enough to transform the area.

Our little lane -





Logs were delivered on Saturday, a day early, so as I was at the fair, Jase stacked most of them. He went to work and only left a few for me to do. Perfect size logs, so no extra chopping to do. I seem to spend my life chopping up kindling though. We go through a fair amount to start a fire. Tricky, as there is nowhere sheltered in the garden to do it, so it tends to get done done the side of the house where the North wind whistles.

Report from home that the candle under the hens' drinking is working! Trouble is, the tea lights only last 4 hours, so need replacing at least once a day. Fine, if we are at home, but tricky if we are away. Ebay has come to the rescue as I have ordered 30 8 hour tea lights!! Perfect for next door to light and forget about, if we are both at work overnight. I have ordered another galvanized drinker, which should be here tomorrow. Will lend it to next door as they are struggling too.

I have just called housekeeping for a kettle. My feet are like blocks of ice and need my hot water bottle! The Scandi's do love their solid wood flooring, which I like, but when you think you have frost bite on your toes, you need at least a bit of shag pile under your tootsies!

Wake up is at 4.45 tomorrow morning, but just one flight home. Might get some cards written in the afternoon. I check in early again on Friday for another night away. Looking forward to getting home, as I have 3 windows to open on my advent calendar; unless the mice have eaten the chocolates!

Stay safe and warm.

C x x

Blimey it is cold. The temperature has been below freezing for 3 days now and it is currently a balmy -0.9C! The house has never been this freezing. A hat and scarf are needed everytime I go outside. I called my Gran in Kent and she said she had never seen snow like it.

The hens have taken to all sleeping on one eglu at night. I usually shuffle them around with 2 in each eglu, but at the moment I don't blame them. The orange eglu is redundant most nights. I have also started locking them in at night as it is dropping to -5.

Their water keep freezing (hardly surprising) and I have taken a top tip from Kate and bought a galvanised drinker from Scats. It is sat on 2 bricks with a tea light in a jar underneath. It stops the water freezing - so far so good. Day 2 and it hasn't frozen yet! Next door's bantams have been moved into the greenhouse for a bit of protection.

The country (well a lot of it), is covered in snow. More snow than has been seen in 60+ years according to the news. We haven't seen a sniff! Ok, we had an icing sugar dusting the other day, but it was more like a hard frost than snow. I feel cheated. Although, I would rather it arrived after Saturday, as I have a Christmas fair to attend in the afternoon. Talking of fairs! I have been given a nudge to post about the Weyhill Fair I did at the weekend. (ok Hazel? *wink*)!!

Saturday started very early and cold. A biting wind was whistling around Hampshire and I was hoping it didn't snow! The fair opened and it was quite a slow start, but things did pick up and I had a really good day. A friend was on bacon roll and tea duty, so that was great! I was freezing, but remembered to take my little hot water bottle with me, so managed to fill that from the urn in the kitchen.

Here are the pictures! The tables were covered in cinnamon sticks, gold coins and candy canes to add a festive touch....


The gardener's shortbread cut from a watering can cutter! I love these! 2 sets of elf skittles sold too!






I have sold around 20 of these little Christmas cakes so far!



A couple of days before the fair, I decided to make some cranberry and orange jelly. When it was ready, I stirred in a few sprinkles of edible glitter and the result was fantastic. Deep ruby red jars with a hint of sparkle! The campest thing I have ever seen! Hee hee. I made 10 jars and saved one for Jase's Mum when we go up to Scotland for Christmas. I sold all 9 jars at the fair quite quickly, so made another batch today as I had cranberries left. I dashed to get my hair cut today and the Hairdresser asked if I could save her a jar! Will definitely make it again next year!

The glitter didn't come out well in the picture. So here is the pan with cranberries and orange rind instead. Not as festive :0(


All ready for Saturday and hoping the snow stays away until Sunday. Due back to work next Tuesday, so it can snow then! ;0) Heathrow didn't cope too well this week and I heard that they closed Gatwick all day today. Jase went to Athens today and said there were lots of cancellations.

Ordered another load of logs which should be delivered on Sunday. We are going through them quickly as it is so bitter outside. Thermals will be needed when we stack that lot. Who cares about fashion? I look like Mr Potato head in a knitted beanie, where as J looks like a burglar/convict. *sniggers* The sky looks heavy with snow, but not a flake yet. It is forecast for tomorrow, but who knows when/if it will reach us.

Some stunning pictures posted on the Omlet forum - cannot believe that we have missed it all! It is getting dark now (only 3.40pm) and I have 20 minutes to go until my 3 Christmas puddings finish steaming. They have been on since 9.30 this morning!!! I unexpectedly sold 4 large puds at the fair, so have to make another 3 for orders that came in weeks ago. One large bowl of dried fruit, soaking up brandy on the kitchen table for another day or two and then I am all done with Christmas puds. I have lost count how many I have made this year!

Christmas cards to write (mind numbing, my worst job at Christmas) but think I will take them with me to work next week.

Thanks for all the well wishing for the fair *smiles*

Wrap up warm and fingers crossed this little corner of Hampshire gets some snow soon. I have a 25kg bag of salt and 2 snow shovels that are desperate to get to work!

C x x x