I'm working on the Crawler Quilt for Tam's baby (must get out of the habit of calling baby Rosie Posie as she may well be called something other than Rosina (a family name on both sides). Anyway, I couldn't sleep in the night, so came downstairs and made more blocks. Just 3 to go now. D, E & I have been outside till rain stopped play. My new
apple tree is planted and just needs staking up, and my Hamamelis is also in on the bank and looks perfect. I must remember to put the gooseberry in today too. I can dig that hole myself though (Danny did the others).
They've been out cleaning windows for me (the roof scouring was followed by copious water which made the windows filthy), tidying up in the summerhouse, trying to get the damp-warped door off to plane it (but it needs easing oil on the screws), and sweeping up leaves by the pond (which has enormous mounds of frogspawn, laid this week as when I checked earlier last week, none there). They are going to scrub the loose paint (silver) off the big Buddha statue by the pond and repaint it bronze, and also paint the summerhouse for me. Part of the bottom triangle can be their garden for veg. We'll share the polytunnel for salad veg. Emma wants to grow herbs so plenty of room for those here and the yard is south-facing so gets lots of sun. This is their first proper weekend day home and they are enjoying it.
You all sound so very content and productive and helpful to each other. You paint a very pretty picture of a happy family.
ReplyDeleteIt's a huge relief to no longer be having to cope on my own, and they are settling in well.
DeleteA bronze Buddha sounds so much more appropriate. I must head across to the ponds over the road, check for frogspawn - although I suppose if I walk along the lane I will know by the number of bodies along there. It is a quiet lane but the frogs and toads take quite a hit, always saddens me to see them.
ReplyDeleteOn a much cheerier note, sounds as though you are really making progress on that quilt. Stitched with love to be cherished for a lifetime.
We inherited the Buddha when we moved here. He sits and looks across the pond. At present he is flaking silver with highlights of green mould! Always a shame when reptiles get flattened crossing the road to a pond where they were born.
ReplyDeleteThe quilt blocks are coming along nicely, though a blunting edge on the cutter has made problems, pulling them off a straight line at times so I've had to trim again. I shall be relieved to get it finished in time (I hope!)
The naming of grandchildren is full of possibilities. It does seem the old names are coming back into favour. You have reminded me of my desire for a hamamelis to be planted near the living room window. It has been on my to do list for 10yrs but in my defence that list is never ending. When is the darling baby due?
ReplyDeleteShe is due 3rd week of March. Tam will be glad as she's had Carpel Tunnel pain these last few weeks, a complication of the pregnancy.
DeletePut the Hamemelis to the top of the list and treat yourself!
Mary is THE family name on dad's side but no-one will consider that, even as a middle name. Indeed, many old names coming back - plant and flower names like Lily, Ivy, Daisy, Iris, Willow etc.
Those darling cats! Lulu reminds me so much of our late beloved [and very naughty] Raisin, also a Siamese cross--very similar markings to Lulu. Too early for any planting here--nights have dropped to below freezing until mid-week.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've been having a peaceful family day. I had to Google hamamelis, and see it's what we call witch hazel, assuming that's the same plant as over there. Mary is a lovely name. My oldest niece is named Mary Anne. Your Lulu and Pippi look quite the adorable pair!
ReplyDeleteI love the flower names, esp Daisy and Willow. Here gender neutral names are popular for the little new kids. No bad, but flowers are nice.
ReplyDeleteI put a few pics at the end of my blog post, of that little Log Cabin quilt under the tulips, for you to see, if time allows.
DEI sound so helpful and useful, you seem much cheered and enjoying all the plans for sharing your garden and home. How wonderful for you to have strong Danny to lend a hand.
What is roof scouring? And...could the Buddha be powerwashed back to stone or concrete and allowed to weather naturally?
love
lizzy
A great deal has been accomplished in your garden. The bronze painted Buddha sounds much mor appropriate.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Hope all is well BB and you’re having some quilting time and those outdoor jobs are getting ticked off one by one. You can buy replacement rotary cutting blades easily. Just be careful when you’re swapping blades as they are knife sharp. Much safer to cut with a sharp blade than to be rolling backwards and forwards with a blunt wheel. I can imagine if your helpers have been confined to flat life that they are really enjoying getting stuck in and with their fresh eyes are noticing lots of jobs that need attention. How wonderful to hear that they are going to make a veg garden and that Emma wants to grow herbs. I cut back my Greek oregano on Friday afternoon (sowed from Jekka McVicar seed in 2018 and now I treat it as a perennial) and hiding underneath the sprawling mass was a tarragon plant showing new growth at the base. I have never managed to overwinter tarragon before. I also divided and made six new plants of my chive patch because you can never have too many chives. I have several different thyme plants growing in one third of the parterre and forming a Persian carpet of texture and colour and when it’s in flower it is so colourful and buzzes with bees all day long. I need to cut it all back soon as it is a bit shaggy now but whenever I go out with my secateurs I spot ladybirds hibernating. We’ve had a run of four good sunny days but today we’re back to grey drizzle. Not to worry I can feel spring is in the air and it won’t be long before we’ll be spending all day in the garden so we need to enjoy this downtime while we can. Looking forward to seeing quilt progress when you’re able and not long now until the baby arrives. Hope Tam is not in too much agony and is able to rest and gather her strength for the birth. Could be an Easter bunny baby if she’s running late! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteA lovely post to read, so glad there’s a buzz of positivity around you now. We’ve had a couple of really nice days and it’s been joyous to be outside enjoying it in the garden, all about to change overnight though lol Danette x
ReplyDelete