Currently a work in progress - hoping to finish it for rehoming at Builth Antiques Fair. I enjoy sewing hexi's - nice mindless sewing when tv is on in the background.
. . . and here's one I made earlier, which just happens to go perfectly in the kitchen now. I use it as a table runner for cakes and plates when we have guests.
I had a lovely walk along the old railway line this morning. I'm too early for the big juicy "maincrop" blackberries, but these ones (I always called them rainberries - not much flavour, but fat juicy fruitlets) will be fine for jam or an early blackberry and apple crumble.
Mating Silver-washed Fritilleries. I am amazed I even got the dots in their eyes! Sadly, in trying to get even closer, I startled them and they flew away, still, ahem, attached. The caterpillars live on Wild Violets which I have growing in profusion in my lawn.
The stunning Delphinium I bought at Malvern - just couldn't resist it. I have it planted in the long border now. I hope it flowers this well next year, but will have to keep it well-watered and fed.
Keith is currently resting up as all the walking has made his neck very sore and his legs were complaining yesterday too. I'm trying to persuade him that a lightweight foldable wheelchair would be a good idea, especially going church bothering, as he can't take a mobility scooter into a church! I want to try and get out with him before the summer is over . . .
I used to do a lot of sewing of hexies, as you say very relaxing. Not many blackberries here yet, but if all that are green turn and ripen then it will be a bumper year. Lack of rain my be the stumbling block, though. It might have to be my last season for jam making, as hot bubbling jam in a heavy preserving pan takes careful handling. Good to hear Keith is getting out and about. A folding wheelchair is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteOne of the hardest things is the realization that there are things which we can no longer do, for whatever reason. I can't make chutney any more because the vinegar fumes really upset my lungs. Afriend (Thanks Pattypan) suggested using white vinegar instead, so will try it and see if I can cope. It irks me to buy something which is so easy to make yourself! I think there should be a bumper crop of blackberries this year. To get away from the heavy preserving pan, have you tried making jam in the Microwave? There are recipes on t'internet and I've made it successfully. A friend won't use any other way now for her blueberry or strawberry jams.
ReplyDeleteThink I may have finally talked him into (e.g. bullied, he will say!) the lightweight wheelchair . . .
Thanks for the suggestion. I don't actually own a microwave but thinking to buy one, especially with rising fuel costs. I now recall Mum saying about microwave jam.
DeleteDelphiniums are my favourite flower. That one is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I was lucky and got the last one offered for sale - lots of bags of flowers "behind" that they were babysitting until people had been round the rest of the Fleamarket. They always do really well there, and also sell at Hay market on a Thursday.
DeleteCan I ever relate to Keith overdoing it. We have family visiting and I'm not getting my naps, boy do I feel it. I can appreciate how wonderful it is to be able to do a few things together. I am the opposite. My husband now does all the driving meaning I never go anywhere on my own. It would be lovely to potter and browse and muddle about but I feel I have to respect his time and interests. I suppose the real issue is we rarely do anything fun together because of my fatigue, which is what you are missing too.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan. Naps are necessary I find! Some days I just HAVE to have a few moments of "shut-eye" on the sofa as I just can't stay awake. What a shame you are the one who is house-bound because of not being able to drive and take yourself off somewhere. I am sure he would be happy to indulge your pottering and browsing as he appreciates your respecting HIS time and interests? Fatigue - yes, Keith knows all about that. We are still working on the neck exercises and he says that his neck is benefitting, which is a relief.
DeleteWhat a lovely post. You will have to collect some sheep fleece, roll it into balls and use it to protect the delphinium next spring from slug attack. I am now picking the odd juicy blackberry growing around the edge of the meadow. Can’t wait until there are enough to make a blackberry compote to pour over vanilla ice cream. The oak trees are also full of fat acorns. A lightweight fold-up wheelchair sounds like an excellent idea. We had a lovely local day out yesterday visiting a local art and crafts show. There was weaving by one of my spinning friends, wood working including some intricately carved green men, basket making, wacky sculpture created from old gardening tools. It was fun. On the way home we stopped at Ken the smallholder’s little shop and bought two jars of his excellent homemade chutney, I am over chutney making - I have probably made my body weight over the years! I am also very low tech when it comes to jelly making and use my stainless steel sieve a sieve lined with a square of muslin resting over my large mixing bowl. Works fine and my jelly is always luminously clear. This year I have made amber currant jelly and red gooseberry and thyme jelly, both delicious. Appointment at 9.30 and then we will go for a walk and paddle along the beach at West Wittering before coming back into Chichester for a spot of shopping and maybe lunch in Luckes cafe too. S was born and bred in Chichester and we both enjoy visiting very much, Have a good day BB. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteThere will be plenty of sheep fleece in hedgerows locally, that's for sure, as we're surrounded by them. The arts and crafts show sounds just our cup of tea. We both love Green Men, and have a couple of antique ones we've collected recently.
DeleteI had to bite the bullet and get "boughten" chutney today, much as it hurts. I didn't think to use your idea of muslin (have plenty in the jam making drawer) and a fine sieve for the jellies. Never mind, something to look forward to arriving in the post. The ones you've made recently sound gorgeous.
Hope the appt. goes well, keep me posted. Many moons since I used to go to Chichester - back in the day I ran the Theatre Outings for staff when I worked for Price Waterhouse and we used to go to Chichester Festival Theatre every month.
We got my Mum a lightweight wheelchair that fits neatly into my brothers Micra boot when he has to take her for hospital appointments etc, it's proving really useful and wasn't overly expensive.
ReplyDeleteThat butterfly photo is amazingly clear. :-)
My head is going round in circles trying to find the most suitable lightweight folding chair which is good quality but reviewed with veracity. A difficult ask it would seem.
DeleteI was quite stunned with the butterfly photo - taken from several feet away too!
Lovely garden and butterfly pics. I am not one to sew hexies but yours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWould the old historic churches have wheelchair ramps? Does your area have a local Facebook community page? Mine often has offerings/ requests for things like walkers or wheelchairs, even to borrow to try out. Even a rural community should have a page...or maybe a local senior/ disabled services site?
I just find the hexies are nice mindless sewing and made quilts for my girls to take to Uni with them, in years gone by. They had a hexi "poorly quilt" too for sofa days when they had a cold or something.
DeleteThe historic churches don't have ramps, but Keith could walk around the church - sometimes it's the approach which is the big ask. I've just tried Facebook Marketplace for wheelchairs - LOTS and LOTS of mobility scooters, but no nearby wheelchairs. Will keep trying locally, thanks for the wake up call!
I belong to a FB birdwatching group--we had an oystercatcher pair [they return each year] that lost their first set of babies in June, we were thrilled when they hatched a second chick in late July. Her little life was loved and studied and celebrated, her parents cared for her so intensely---but on Monday a gull snatched the baby right from the mother's side and killed her, all captured on camera. I cried all day. Birds are quite caring parents and very actively will chase much larger birds.
ReplyDeleteThat delphinium is striking.
ReplyDelete