Keeping Busy

We are managing to keep ourselves busy and have family and friends who keep in touch with us so are a wonderful distraction.  For that I am thankful, I wonder about the isolation on so many who have no one and the effect this must have on their mental welfare.  We are blessed and are grateful.  We stood outside last night at 8 along with millions of other around the UK and clapped for our key workers.  It was such a feeling of unity, united in our appreciation.  Long may that appreciation last when this is all over.  Talks have started about strategies for coming out of this lockdown, I fear our expectations may be a little too high, but I am hopeful for some normality.

In the meantime our normal goes on...

With a walk along the front of the cottage to keep the plants watered.  I love the dappled sunlight and the shadows, watching me, watching you!

We have added some violas and pansies which should give some early colour, hopefully.

The potatoes have done well and are getting to the stage of poking through the soil, ready for some more earth very soon.

We have cleared all the weeds and rubbish from the herb tyres. They look really healthy and are coming back now with gusto.  I am so pleased.

Mint, I showed you this before.  It is prolific and has spread around the outside of the tyre.  Not to worry, another job to add to the list.

The chives and parsley are also outside in tyres and have come back and growing well.  The sunshine here this past week, have given them a spurt.  It is a real delight to see their great comeback.

We have transplanted 6 tomato plants into grow bags in the garden room, we are hopeful.  The tomato seedlings have been a little disappointing thus far but we haven't given up yet.  We have done well with the spring onions seeds, they are almost ready for potting on.

In the house all is clean but not always tidy.  The windows have been done this week both inside and out .  It was quite the challenge when the sun was on them.  Vinegar worked really well on those stubborn smears.  We have a machine, which really does save all the hard work.  The windows are done in seconds, worth every penny.

The front lobby has had a bit of a change around with a new valance curtain made and a couple of chairs added so that they can be lifted into the front garden to sit.  The original chair that was in there has been given a makeover.  A coat of paint and a new seat.

I am working on a new wreath for the door.

A rag wreath that is looking quite shabby at the moment, I am hoping that it will improve as I go along. 

I am getting quite inventive with food, replacing one ingredient for another.  I am concerned at times that we are over eating, particularly as I had done so well losing a little weight.  I am keeping away from the scales.  Time will tell on that one.  The store cupboard is going down....

The weather is due to change again on Sunday with a forecast of rain.  So it is my intention to catch up with my journal and card making.  I also have several sewing projects that need doing.  I have plenty to occupy my time and for that I am extremely grateful.  I still have ample supplies so all is well.

I hope that you are all managing to keep busy and that you are able to keep in touch with family and friends.  I thank you for your visit here and your uplifting comments.  Take care and stay safe in these uncertain times.

See you soon.

Another Day...Another Bag

We  got a break from the rain yesterday and the slight breeze quickly dried up the ground.  I finally managed to get the lawn cut, I must admit it was hard going.  The edges have still to be done, along with the front lawn but a start has been made.  We woke to more rain this morning so it probably won't be today.  The rain is doing wonders for the herbs and the few crops I have.  I have an abundance of salad greens and onions, which we are eating daily.  I have picked some more mint and hung it up to dry.

The parsley from the garden made a wonderful sauce for the makings of a fish pie, cod, salmon and smoked haddock covered in parsley sauce and then topped with creamed mashed potatoes, yum!

Another two fish pies added to the freezer for those busy days.

We have an abundance of eggs too at the moment so I have pickled a dozen using a Amish recipe I found on the internet.

Another bag has been added to the gift cupboard, I think this has been my favourite so far.  Another bag using Cath Kidston fabric with a red spot lining.

The pattern I use for these bags is in a book that I purchased from The Works, Sweet and Simple Handmade.

Finally, I have embellished a couple of notebooks for a little something for two of my Grandaughters.

Again I used  scraps of Cath Kidston fabric and embellished with some lace, a button, a wooden motif and wooden letter tiles.

As always I do thank you for your visit to this blog and for your uplifting and supportive comments.  Gerard thanks you for your well wishes, he is feeling a lot better today so is going to potter about a little.  A warm welcome to new followers I do hope you enjoy my adventures through life.

See you soon.

A Trip To Town/Drying Mint

 This week there has been a change in the weather, the temperatures have been dropping.  We are now back to wearing a coat for working outside.  Rain on occasion has stopped work all together, so progress is slow.  We are in no rush, taking our time and enjoying the process.

We took a break yesterday from work and enjoyed the drive into town (Stornoway) to order some wood in readiness for making a new fence and some to replace a beam that is rotten in the outbuilding.  It will be delivered next Thursday.  We made an error not ordering what is needed to make the raised beds, but a phone call will soon rectify that.  We did however make the most of our day in town so it wasn't all chores.

There was a small cruise ship berthed near the ferry terminal, a Island hopping excursion so town was busy with tourists.

We decided to go for lunch at Ann Lanntair so that we could enjoy watching the ferry berth whilst eating lunch.  It was an unusual sight for us as we have never seen this before.  The cruise ships generally berth further out and transport passengers on tenders.

These are the views from the window and it wasn't long before the ferry started its approach and berthed alongside.

 We enjoyed lunch and then made our way downstairs to have a browse around the latest exhibition.

 A palimpsest - most often used in reference to mediaeval manuscripts - is something reused or altered but still bearing visible traces of its earlier form.  The exhibition features art work by 24 leading artists from across Scotland that reference this concept.

 It is an exhibition that did make me think but one that I did enjoy once I had got my head around the concept.

 We do feel blessed that there is always so much going on when you consider that we live on a small Island.  I was so impressed by these beautiful tweed bags with work sheets included so that families could enjoy the exhibition together.

Thankfully the rain did stop and we were able to have a browse around the shops and go to the supermarket for a food shop without getting wet.

I have cut some of the mint that is prolific around the tyre at the moment and tied it together in bunches with some natural twine.  I will leave it to hang for about 6 weeks until it is dry and then using forefinger and thumb rub it to break it down.

 Here is some that I have dried out from last years crop.

Mint can aid indigestion and gas so is perfect to add to tea.  It is also useful for making chutney/relish and added to stews/casseroles.  I like mint on fresh fruit too.  Hope that helps for those that asked why I dried mint.

Your comments and questions are always a joy and I do try to get back to answer them as soon as I can.

We are planning a quiet weekend which hopefully will include a little crafting.  Have you anything planned?

See you soon.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

We have had several showers throughout the past couple of days and a couple of heavy downpours.  The garden is once again looking a vibrant green and thoughts are now turning to harvesting the few things that we have managed to grow this year.  We planted a new variety (to us) of carrot which is purple, there was obviously not enough depth in the double tyre as they are deformed.  However the taste was divine, sweet and a delight if a little disconcerting due to the colour.

We enjoyed some with our meal last night, definitely a variety we would try again. PURPLE SUN.

The beetroot looks to be doing well, I will harvest a little when I have more time to establish how well it is growing.  We are at the cardiac rehabilitation today so time is limited.

The mint is prolific so a good job it is contained.  I use it on a daily basis adding it to the new potatoes.  I intend to harvest a big part of it to dry it out for Winter use.  We had two varieties this year, a peppermint one which I had intended to use in tea but this has been a rare occurrence.

Parsley and chives are also regularly used so again I will be bringing some in to dry.  I did think I might freeze some in icecube trays to add to stews/casseroles.

It will be interesting to establish which method gives the more intense flavour.  We are now on our second growth of rhubarb but not enough to freeze for later use.  We do need to plant some more as we do like rhubarb as an addition to jam and for use as the base of a pie/crumble for a Winter dessert.

Not a lot growing in my garden but a start has been made.  The materials have been ordered that are required to restore an old outbuilding into an indoor garden.  They will take 2 weeks to be delivered from the mainland, so exciting times ahead.

What have you got growing in your garden?

As always I thank you for your comments and interest.  In answer to some questions regarding the rugs that I have been making, yes I do add a liner to avoid slipping.

See you soon.