I made a card

Hello. What a miserable day it's been outside, overcast and dark all day. We had extra food at Crafty Club this morning, it was our Christmas Party. I took a bottle of sherry, only one other person, and me, had some, the rest were happy with coffee and tea. Our club Christmas Tree which we made for the charity exhibition is now installed in our village church. I didn't get to see the exhibition, so I'll take a photo some time this week when the post office is open in the church. 

I stopped sending Christmas cards a few years ago. The postage is so expensive now, it costs more than the cards. There is one exception, I do send one to my friend Carol, this one will be going to her new home. I don't like using glue on cards, in fact I hardly use glue at all for anything. I prefer to stitch pictures and messages onto blank cards. A scrap of fabric frayed at the edges, a piece of sticky back silver foil, and two pieces cut from old cards. 

Neat stitching on the inside.

I put a blank piece of paper inside to hide the stitching and to write the message on. It's held in place by embroidery thread tied into a bow inside. 

People are getting their Christmas lights out now. I posted a picture of this display last year, and I see a few more characters have been added. I like this one because it's not over the top, and doesn't look quite so tacky as some of them. It's the best one in our village. 

No news on Bugsy tonight, he is comfortable. I had arranged to have lunch with my sister on Wednesday but I have cancelled that. I don't want to leave him.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

All the fun of the Village Christmas Fair

Hello. I can breath again today after two busy days. The Christmas Fair was a great success for the village  residents, and visitors from neighbouring villages. A very good turn out all round, the place was packed. The children did their singing and dancing on the stage and all the proud mums and dads looked on. Santa was there of course, and there were lots of stalls selling Christmassy things, nice things to eat, and tombolas to win things. 

Our Chat and Craft stall had a good selection of hand made items to show, and some to sell. Only four shopping bags sold, I tried my best with a lot of humour, to get people to buy one. Those left over will be given away. I have a talk in January to do, so some will be donated there as raffle prizes. 

The two patchwork bags sold, and a few of the felt hearts and stars. I was able to make a £15 donation to our cat rescue. For me it wasn't all about selling, it was about the community coming together, it was great to see so many people, and chat with them. I think I have lost my title of, 'the bag lady', I am now known as, 'the shed lady', ha ha.  

I took the photo's before the official opening time, to show some of the colourful stalls. The Cat Rescue stall was opposite me this time. looks full and ready to go.

Today is sunny, I've got a line of washing out, and I will potter around the house and garden. I don't need to do my regular walk as I've got some walking in Derbyshire coming up soon.

Enjoy your Sunday. We'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Healthy eating for one.

Hello. It's been a week since I did that massive shop at Tesco. I was really low on food so had to stock up on almost everything. I still have lots left, mainly tins and frozen, but my fresh stuff is getting low again, so I went to Aldi today and did a small top up shop. I needed vegetables and salady stuff, and eggs, and bananas, and bread, and cheese, and more nuts, gotta have nuts. 

This is the lunch I had today. Mushrooms, tomato, cucumber, potato salad, pickled onions, brie cheese, Quorn sausage, and a cheese and onion crispy bake. Very nice it was too.

 Tonight was my usual steamed vegetables with a sprinkling of grated cheese. I could scoff broccoli every day, I love the taste of it. Still got some home grown beans in the freezer.

A leaflet came through the door the other day, from the church. It is a thank you card to show their appreciation for the support they get from the parishioners, and has a list of services for the following weeks. . Everyone gets one regardless of whether they go to church or not. A large part of the leaflet is taken up with a list of ten churchyard rules which go into great detail about what is and isn't acceptable regarding the decoration of graves. I think quite a few people will be upset by this because such a lot of things are not allowed. There is a detailed list, plastic flowers, pot plants, statues, garden ornaments, lights, windmills, pottery and glass, are just a few of the things.

I can't see the harm in a few plastic flowers, people can't afford to put expensive fresh flowers on their grave all the time, and if the relative is not able to visit on a regular basis, plastic flowers would be ideal. There are some people that have gone right over the top though, with their decorations. They are going to be mighty upset if they have to remove everything. I do think it is a bit harsh of the church, some of the rules are a bit over the top, there should be some wiggle room in some cases. There is a grave alongside the wall on the edge of the graveyard which is a small child. The mother has been coming almost every week for years to tend it. She takes the soft toys away for washing and brings them back, she adds cards for the child's birthday and Christmas, and swaps the old toys for new ones. I shall be very sad to see this go.

It's the weekend again, the weeks are flying by and it's getting colder. Nowt else to tell you so I'll buzz off. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Happy Birthday Joyce.

Hello. I've been to a party today, a 90th Birthday party. Joyce had an open house day and invited all her friends to drop in. Her little bungalow was packed to the rafters all day with a steady stream of guests. I was invited to join them for a bite to eat, and then take Bailey the poodle for his afternoon walk and to give him a break from all the noise. 

I think most of the village had turned out, it was full when I left and even fuller when I got back. Joyce is a very respected member of the community,  a regular supporter of the church, and an eager fundraiser for good causes. 

Joyce's grand daughter (standing), was on hand to supervise the food and drinks, there was a lovely spread of home made nibbles, pastries, and cakes. Joanna from the 1939 house turned up (seated on the floor), with Celia, one of the elderly ladies that she looks after. It was a smashing village get together.

I didn't get anything done in the garden today, so no more progress to show. I did ask Bob if he would come and cut down the last two trunks with his chain saw. He said he would but can't come for another two weeks because he is busy with visitors. Oh well, I might have them down by then.

I see the troll has struck again on yesterday's post. I have published it just to show how bitter and twisted they are. The comment doesn't bother me, but I do wonder about the state of this persons mind, as they have been coming and going over quite a few years now, and yes, I do believe all the comments are coming from the same person. It is someone who is obviously jealous, someone who has no sense of humour, and going by their persistence of keep coming back to attack me, they surely must have an OCD problem. Sad really.

Anyway, must dash. dinner time. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Watch out, there's a thief about

Hello. There has been a bit of talk in the village about some recent burglaries. Robbers are breaking in houses in broad daylight, people have had jewelry stolen. A dark green Vectra has been spotted, it appears they are climbing over fences and getting into people's back gardens and forcing windows open. It's usually a very nice village to live in but this news is a bit disconcerting.

I think we need to be a bit more vigilant and look around when we are out and about. Be nosy and notice things out of the ordinary. I am always looking out of my windows when I am moving about the house because I am a nosy beggar. We sometimes get police patrol cars visiting, but not very often. Most of the time nothing happens for ages, then we get two or three in quick succession.

There are some very expensive houses here, so I am really hoping that they don't want to break into an ex council house owned by a pensioner that has no valuables whatsoever. There are some houses still owned by a social housing association, so I expect the occupants further up the street to be in a similar position as myself. I don't think anyone has won the lottery and has all the dosh stashed under their bed.

I am taking extra precautions, just in case, like keeping the back door locked even when I am in the house. Not leaving my keys in full view, hide them, and take them to bed with me. Also taking my purse and mobile phone to bed. I'm keeping all windows closed from now on, and putting a light on if I go out at night. And always be nosy and look out of the windows. Best to be careful.

Two very similar meals. Yesterday was a veggie burger, onion, left over steamed veg, and scrambled eggs.

Today was two Quorn sausages, sweetcorn and broad beans, in a garlic sauce over a microwaved spud.

I'm putting off going shopping, I've got enough for a few more days.

A new craft programme started last night on More4, it's called I Made This. William is one of the presenters. It was quite good, I watched it this morning on catchup. I don't know if it is a one off, or there are more to come. Worth a watch.

Thanks for all your comments yesterday. The kids are all ok. Heidi is back on one tablet a day now, she was getting a bit lethargic on half a tablet, so the vet said best to get her back on full dose. It seems to be working, she has a bit more energy now. I have to ring the vet tomorrow with an update. Rocky is soldiering on, he is eating well. Old boy Bugsy cat is amazing, he loves lying outside, and yells at me when he wants food. And Mayze is still scatty, dashing around everywhere.

Thanks for popping in, page views are on the up, more people reading, and welcome to the new followers. we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip.

Open Gardens, more pics.

Hello. And now for the rest of the photo's from yesterday. Every garden had a veg patch, from a few raised beds at a pensioners bungalow, to a large allotment size plot in a one acre garden. Every one of them were full of healthy plants yielding an abundance of  vegetables and fruit. Not one slug nibbled leaf in sight. 

There were little nooks and crannies to explore, beautiful cottage gardens, with secret half hidden sheds.

I did say to the man that he could enter this in Shed of the Year, but he said no.

Another hidden shed in the same garden.

We saw some quirky garden sculptures and ornaments.

Bee hives at the bottom of this garden, the bees seemed very busy coming and going.

Some of the houses were very large.

I like this sign, seen inside a shed.

This was stunning, a huge pot of equally huge flowers. Don't they look fabulous.

This was the last garden, and I'm sure they saved the best for last. Mind you the waterfalls and ponds were also fantastic, oh it's virtually impossible to say which one was best.

Thank you very much to the people of Winteringham for opening their gardens. We really enjoyed it. Great value, only £4 for an afternoon out. It's the first time I have done this, I shall be looking for some more Open Gardens now.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Winteringham Open gardens

Hello. I've had a fantabulous and brilliant afternoon out, looking around gardens. It was Winteringham Open Gardens today, this is the village where I help to deliver the Parish newsletters, so I've seen all the front doors, but never looked round the back. Janet came with me and we really enjoyed it. 

I have lots of pics, too many to put into one post so I will split them in half and you'll get some more tomorrow. 

The gardens were really stunning, every time we went round the back of the house our first reaction was, 'oh wow, look at this'. The owners were all very friendly answering any questions we had. The event was very well supported so there were lots of people traipsing around the village with their maps in their hand. 

First off we went to the Village Hall where we handed over £4 each for the map. The money made from the event is to be shared between the Village Hall and the Hospice. There was also an art exhibition, with stalls inside and out selling plants, wooden garden sculptures, and outdoor ironwork and stone carvings.  Refreshments were available but we didn't have time to sit down, there was a such a lot to see in 14 gardens. 

The first wow factor had a big pond with massive fish in it. A waterfall and rockery with mature shrubs. 

There were pots of flowers everywhere.

This garden was overflowing with plants and shrubs. Walk through the pergola to the pond and water gardens. Ornamental herbs and vegetable/fruit gardens. Lots of little meandering paths through the greenery. It was fabulous. 

Not much garden here. No, not yet, but it has the potential to be great. Hope they open it next year. This site has been under construction for a long time, the building is renovated barns. The owners had the house next door while the major building work was being done, now they have moved into here and work will start on the garden soon.

Lovely paved patio to sit under cover. 

We even found pigs at the bottom of a huge garden. There were ten altogether, five sleeping and five foraging.

Just leaving this one, on to the next one.

Now this was a little stunner. The house from the front looks nothing special, it's straight onto the pavement, no front garden. But go round the back and you find a water feature made from two genuine old lock gates, A veranda dining area, and a secret hideaway, a small Swedish guest house in an old barn attached to the house. Janet is just emerging onto the patio.

The inside is just fabulous. Wooden stained paneling with two sets of stairs up to the sleeping balconies. 

There is a wood burning stove with comfortable arm chairs, and it also has a shower room, sauna room, and a toilet with hand wash basin. This is used as guest accommodation when family come to visit.

Al fresco dining area.

Poor old wheelbarrow is broken so they have transformed it into a planter.

If you click on a pic they will become bigger. That's all for now, I'll post some more tomorrow.

Thanks for popping in, see you soon.
Toodle pip