Escaping

The rain gave us a break yesterday and this morning, thank goodness, the constant drumming was getting annoying. Saturday it threw it down, but on a positive note, it did fill up our water deposito, which was nearly empty, so saving us 65e. It takes 10,000L so should keep us going for 3-4 weeks. As we do not use this water for drinking etc it was a boon.

Rebecca and Theo popped up yesterday afternoon, they were feeling a little better, unfortunately Rebecca´s turned into bronchitis, which in turn triggered her memories  of being in ICU with complications from chemo and pneumonitis, unable to breathe, then being put into an induced coma. Memories do like to play tricks.  Theo loved his bunting and identified most of the bugs etc then read his new bug book.

I really felt the need to get some fresh air and escape cabin fever, so decided to do some weeding. You would have thought they would have come out easily, nope, they still tugged back, but I did make progress and felt better for the exercise and air.

Raining again this afternoon, but I will make use of nature when I can. The mint and chives have grown over 6 inches in the last few days, the nasturtiums are thriving, so great to use the leaves and flowers in salads. If you have never done so try them, they are quite peppery like watercress. Even my chocolate mint, which I had despaired of growing again, has revitalized.

That time of day again when the question is what do you fancy for dinner

and don´t know is the answer lol

take care

xcx  

Bugs bunting

Thank goodness, we have a lull from the constant rain, been here nearly 15 years and have never seen it rain so hard for so long. Clean up is going to be fun, Not! They are forecasting more to come so will have to wait a bit. We have been immersed in low cloud for the last 4 days, could hardly see outside the gate, can actually see into the valley today. 

Poor Theo has picked up yet another cold, cough from nursery and Rebecca has succumbed too, so they have stayed away. So missed their visit, stop over, made us smile as it´s only been a week and we are already feeling it, comparing it to the months and months of separation before.

I dusted off my Bernina only for it to tell me it wanted a clean and some oil, that done, I then found that a fault must have happened to the foot pedal or controller, as the only speed it would go was slow or slower. I persevered as it was only simple, straight stitching and finished the task. Obviously needs a service, which can wait till the weather improves.

I made some bunting for Theo above his bed, measured the wall, calculated width and space between, I was so pleased the maths worked out, perfecto. Except I forgot about the baby monitor/camera, oh well it adds a little decoration and with the panels having bugs and animals on them, it will be a good talking point and for story making at quiet times. I also bought him a book on bugs so that will tie in nicely.

 A little knitting done, not much else really, just trying to keep warm to ward of the aches.

The furries have ventured outside for a mooch, they have not appreciated being cooped up inside, Monster in particular, as he went about bemoaning his lot at the top of his voice, the others mainly found a soft, comfortable spot to curl up in.

A few chores beckon, really need to put a wash load on, but it will have to be dried inside, and that kitchen floor is screaming out to be moped.

Enjoy your day

take care

xcx

  

soggy

 We escaped relatively lightly from the Sahara sand storm. The sky turned a very errie orange, that in turn made everything glow orange. We were expecting red rain, then a massive clear up, but apart from a shower we were lucky, but today it´s a deluge, clean rain but oh so soggy.

 Photo from my phone which doesn´t do the phenomenon justice

On the positive side, I have my eye on several pot bound planters that really need to be replenished but the soil was like concrete, not any more, so a little project when it finally stops. 

All the furries have found their own little spot to avoid the rain, Thomas is in the kindling box by the fire, 3 are languishing on the outside furniture cushions in the gold/craft room, back of the sofa and chair are another spot, whoever decided to lay a white tiled kitchen floor clearly didn´t think of the cleaning especially with 32 little feet, huff.

No mojo at the moment, just a little crochet on the blanket. I did persevere with my book, Little women, it was ok once I got into it, then I realised I had bought the whole series, so the sage continues.

Had a lovely visit from Rebecca and Theo yesterday, they had borrowed our car whilst theirs had a new radiator fitted, so she brought it back and Chris dropped them down again. So lovely to be able to care  share and support now they are here instead of feeling quite frustrated at being unable to do so. We chilled, chatted, played and just enjoyed being together, Theo even tried and ate a bowl of carrot, pumpkin and coriander soup I had made for lunch, ok he was bribed by giving him a straw but as long as he was happy that was fine.

I saved the empty! box of chocolates I was given as I thought Theo might like it for his little treasures, The outside is just plain white with the bank name on it, he took it promptly and said thats Daddys bank. He is so quick, he is even correcting himself from present to past tense in his sentences. We are having to spell certain words out so he doesn´t cotton on lol

Today I tried to tackle one of the most hated jobs, cleaning the oven. It was only a half clean as I can´t get down enough to do the whole thing at the moment, but the base, door and shelves were done, really should keep on top of it more frequently, wouldn´t be such a mission then. How often have we all said that!

Right, next call, dinner....

take care

xcx

It´s wet, wet, wet

This is the fourth day of rain, some really heavy downpours, other lighter, it is really needed though as a lot of the plants were flagging. Knowing it was coming, I spent Thursday morning tackling extremely carefully,the overgrown cactus garden. We inherited it and its amazing how they have grown over the years, it´s quite a dangerous bed, with the spikes and nature of the plants and is difficult to access the middle and back of the bed as this part of the garden is lower than the pool terrace and backed by a stone wall.

A type of valerian plant self seeds and grows well here, although it can be quite intrusive but gives a lovely show of pink flower stems. As I couldn´t see the wood for the trees, I decided to cut this one down, unfortunately with a root base of 9 inches it was impossible to dig it out. 

Quite a way to go, but much better.

We had a play stay on Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather was so nice, we took the play mat and toys to the pool terrace, Yayo sailed his little boat, I don´t know who was more intrigued, Theo or the cats. After nap it was baking time, Theo thoroughly enjoyed himself weighing the ingredients, getting covered in flour in the process and mixing and of course enjoying the strawberry muffins afterwards.

Friday morning I had to go to the bank to sign some shareholder papers and was quite surprised that I was given a rather nice box of chocolates for doing so, ok I can´t eat them but I´m sure Chris will enjoy them.

A little decluttering in the bedroom over the weekend and not much else with the wet weather, although my crochet blanket is growing, a little reading too. Having seen the reviews I bought the book Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes. It was an enjoyable, interesting read, very pleased with the recommendations.

Little women was another recommended book, which I downloaded for the kindle having never read it. Think I have to be in the mood with this one though. 

Poor Theo was really poorly on Friday with very high temps, after a check up at the doctors to keep an eye, but it´s one of those childrens things, they spent the weekend trying to comfort him, keep him cool and entertain him. Bless him, I´m glad to say he is feeling better today and just a bit grizzly.

 Better go and sort out some lunch, then a cozy afternoon perhaps with a bit of telly and the crochet hook.

take care

xcx