Daily Routine

Whilst still cold, it has been a beautiful day with the sun shining.  It is amazing how quickly some of the plants have grown.  The potatoes have already been earthed up once and are ready to be earthed up again.

That's Mickey in the corner of the photo, our dog not a wayward sheep.  He is in dire need of grooming and a good trim but tomorrow is another day.

The spring onions are now ready to be potted on and separated a little.

The mixed lettuce have been a great success and are over flowing from their tubs.  I am thrilled with their progress.

The tomatoes too are doing well.

There are a lot of varieties that need separating and potting on along with courgettes, rocket, beetroot and a selection of herbs.

Some have done better than others.  It was always going to be a gamble with some of the seeds as they were out of date. 

We have also been working on the dividing wall in the outbuilding.  It is hard work as we are stripping pallets and using the wood.  I think it is worth the effort as it looks amazing and I feel that once it is painted or stained it will be even ore effective.  It is still a work in progress but I will let you have a sneak peek.

We seem to have settled into a daily routine of getting our house jobs done as we get up and then having a couple of hours outside once it has warmed up a little.  We still love to watch the hens as they peck and scratch their way around the garden.  Who knew they would bring us so much pleasure and of course their eggs are an added bonus.

The grass already in need of cutting...maybe tomorrow!

A joy also to see the lambs that surround us in every direction.  Their first faltering steps as they suckle their Mums to the frolicking leaps as they chase each other around.  Each moment a reprieve from listening to the latest doom and gloom. 

Then back inside and a little stitching before finally settling down for the evening and listening to the latest news.  We are now in a recession, well no surprise there.  I have such a lot to be thankful for not least a roof over my head and food on the table but above all the love of my family.  What more do I need?

Another stack of face masks made and ready for those that need one.  A neighbour dropped me some cotton round but I am now getting short of elastic.  I need to spend some time on the internet trying to locate and buy some.  Take and stay safe.

See you soon.

Sunny Weather

The days are beginning to become a little samey, each day merging into the other.  No clear definition between one day and the other each, feeling the same.  So what a delight to wake this morning to sunshine.  What a difference a little sun makes.  Both Gerard and I were happy to 'don our coats and work outside today.  Gerard worked on getting the lawnmowers ready for the season and gave them a service.  They are both now ready to go.  The plants that we overwintered in the garden room are back in their positions at the front of the house.  A little addition is needed here and there to give them a little colour but they have done well.

We have made a start organising the garden room, positioning the endless trays of seeds.  We are hoping to grow a few veg and salad produce to add to the kitchen.  We added a table and chairs to the room so that we could sit down and enjoy a cup of tea.  It will be fun to enjoy afternoon tea down there.  We would like to grow a few flowers to make it pretty but food seems more important at the moment.  We are a little concerned there will be a shortage as there appears to be a lack of labour force required to pick the fruit and veg at the moment.

We like to grow herbs too, which I like to dry out and add to soups and stews during the Winter months.  The mint is prolific and is coming back with a vengeance, although once contained in a tyre it is growing around it now too.  The chives and both flat and curly parsley are now coming back too.  I love to add chives to salad and the parsley is always good with fish.

The girls are getting out and about and enjoying the freedom, they have not stopped laying all Winter and are a joy to watch.  They have been basking in the sun and run as soon as they Gerard.  They love him.

 We achieved a fair amount and  it really did make a difference to be outside once again.  Bringing with it a feeling of normality.  It was nice to see villagers go by and wave.  It was cold but so nice to see the sun and so good to realise it was the same sun that the family were seeing and in fact the same sun the World over.  The isolating thoughts and feelings disappearing as the sun did its thing and worked its magic.  Long may this good weather last.

As always I do thank you for your visit to this blog and your uplifting comments.  Internet is still a little intermittent here but I do visit as often as I can.  These are strange times we are living in so take care and stay safe. 

See you soon.

Yet Another Storm

Another day, another storm.  The past few days have been trying to say the least as one storm disappears another one arrives.  This time, this storm has no name but it has arrived with a vengeance.  Gale force winds with intermittent rain.  Downpours with almost horizontal rain would be more precise.  Snow was predicted for last night but thankfully this did not materialise here on our little Island although I understand there has been plenty on the mainland.  There was a mild frost with signs of a hail storm but nothing too serious.  I smiled as I looked out of the window to admire the green shoots poking through.  Daffodils making there entrance wowing us with their beauty and determination whatever the weather.

Wood has been chopped and our store cupboard is full so we are thankful.  Once again the ferry is either cancelled or disruptions expected.

The hens are roaming around at the moment but scuttle back into there cosy home as soon as the wind picks up.  They are a joy to watch and so much fun.  They are all still laying so eggs have been plentiful all winter and for that we feel truly blessed.

I do take some eggs to my neighbours on a Saturday and call in the local store for anything we need for the weekend.   There are no stores open on a Sunday as this Island still practices observance.  We actually quite enjoy this and don't find it difficult but I am sure there will always be some that would like change.

I have a carrot and sweet potato soup all ready just in case there is a power cut.  A loaf of mixed seed bread has just come out of the bread making machine.  It smells delicious and is always a temptation for me but I am trying to be strong and resist for a little longer.  Until it cools and can be cut a little thinner anyway.

Finally, an orange cake made and some fairy cakes ready for visitors after church tomorrow.  I used Tesco's Italian Mixed Peel which is a mixture of glace lemon and orange peel, perfect for the topping.

As always I do thank you for you visit and your comments.  I do hope the weather is behaving a little better where you are.  A warm welcome to new followers I do hope you enjoy my little adventures through life. 

Just to reassure those that asked we do have mobile phones with us and never put ourselves in any danger when wandering around.

See you soon.