Sowing and Sewing

Hello, and welcome back to our small corner.

Why is it that every year at seed sowing time, I get this crazy notion that this is the year that the seeds won't grow and, therefore, I should have a few more, just in case? 

Well, this week, I have been pricking out all the seeds that have grown this year. Amazingly, they all germinated again!

Continuing the theme of sowing, I finally finished sewing this cross stitch. I enjoyed the random nature of the design and the bright colours I used. Although I generally agree with the sentiments of this design - 'Happiness is not by chance but by choice'- life often throws happiness at us in unexpected ways, too.

Last week, on Tuesday, 23rd April, it was St George's Day. He is the patron saint of England. While I did not have time to add more to the twig tree, I made some jam tarts and scones instead. The scones were a basic fruit recipe, but I'm pleased with how they turned out. 

As usual, I doubt they will stay around for long in this small corner. 

Saint George's Day is also Shakespeare Day. As D and I have been reading some of his plays and sonnets this year, we continued our Shakespeare journey by reading Richard II and watching the play on TV. We are still very much enjoying the plays.

Next week, D and I will begin the first part of our guided tour around our dollhouse, and we hope you will join us.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Have a good week!

B and D x

Amazing Birthday Cake

Hello and thank you for visiting this small corner.

Yesterday, one of D's friends invited us to share a birthday meal with her and her family, whom we know well. D's friend is a nurse, and this is the cake she had. The cake looked amazing with all those details. It was almost a shame to cut it up, but it was delicious.

We had a bit of a disaster during the week. We have not suffered any damage in the garden in all the storms and windy weather over the last few years -that is, until now. 

At the bottom of our garden is a row of the dreaded conifers leylandii. When we first moved into the house over 20 years ago, we had them cut down by half their height. They regrew very quickly to the same height they had been before but no taller. So we left them as they were, as they didn't shade the garden. However, this week, with only the smallest of winds, one of the central branches on one of them decided to part company with the rest of the tree and fall into our garden. No real damage has been done, and Hubby has been able to remove the offending large branch, which can be used as a new home for insects and wildlife at the bottom of the garden. 

In brighter gardening news, we have added another raised bed to the garden area we are working on. So now I have even more space to grow vegetables. I plan to grow some carrots there. My previous efforts to grow carrots have resulted in rather alien-shaped vegetables, but I will train them to grow straight by putting them inside old cardboard tubes with a sandy soil mix. Gardening can be trial and error, so I shall see how it goes.

Also, this week, I finally got around to a job that I have meant to do for a long time- splitting up some hostas from one large pot into several smaller ones. With some help from my hubby to get them out of the original container and a sharp spade blade, they are settling into their new pots. I have added some copper tape around them to keep the slugs away.

After the lovely sunny weekend we enjoyed in this small corner, it looks like the rain will return. On the positive side, that will give me plenty of time to be in the greenhouse, potting all the seedlings that must be in their hundreds by now. I have a chair out there, so a mug of tea and a biscuit will keep me happy for some time. 

Whatever the weather is like for you this week, have a good week x

Projects!

Hello everyone. 

We have had several dry and sunny days this week, which have been very welcome. 

Out in the greenhouse, I have sown more seeds. D has been helping me with the peas, runner beans, and French beans, which are much easier to handle for a novice gardener. Everything else is growing well.

I usually grow my tomato and courgette plants from seeds. However, I cheated a little this year, and I bought a few young plants, which will be perfect for what I need.

The loofahs look good, and I also have started growing some watermelons. Eventually, they will become too big, so I will only use the two strongest plants to grow on in the greenhouse.

This small cherry tree has a temporary home in the greenhouse because I didn't want the flowers to get blown off in the strong winds we have had recently. It seems pretty happy there, with the doors open during the day.

As you can see, we have a much bigger project out in the garden.

This area forms an L-shape around the conservatory and back door area and we constantly use the space. It is the main area for sitting, eating and hanging out the washing.

With all the rain over the last few months, the ground has become a boggy mess, and we often have to wear boots to do anything outside. Our new plan will mean we won’t have to do this!

There is still a lot to be done, but I am looking forward to the planting stage. 

This week, I have also made some progress with the doll house: adding items to some furniture to make them more realistic.

The shelf unit will go in the butler’s office and it contains a few books he enjoys reading, a biscuit barrel and the very important teapot. There are also a couple of small jugs and a picture of the butler’s close relative. 

The other item I have been working on is the coat stand in the lower hall. Here you can see a hat, a scarf, a pair of boots, a walking stick and a black umbrella.

On the table is a book for tradespeople to sign in and out when they bring their goods for the kitchen or other required services.

I hope the sun continues to shine wherever you are.

Have a good week!

B and D

Trying Something New

Hello everyone.

D here again!

The craft below is something I have been meaning to try for several years. 

A couple of years ago, I went to a craft show with Mum and discovered the art of marbling. I was keen to do it myself and bought a starter kit. However, it has languished in a cupboard for six years. 

This Easter holiday, I finally got around to rediscovering it and finally having a play. Setting everything up took a few days, but it was ultimately worth it. I am so pleased with my first attempts and will be doing some more. 

I'm thinking of cutting these up to use as greeting card toppers. What do you think?

***

And now a quick hello from Beverley.

I started the week by planting six loofah seeds in pots and placing them in the conservatory to germinate. Within a few days, they were all poking their heads above the soil, eager to get growing. I have grown these vines for a couple years but have yet to successfully grow the loofah.

They are vine plants, so I plan to grow them in my new greenhouse this year.

Wish me luck, and I will keep you posted.

We both wish you all a pleasant week ahead with some sunny spells!!!

B and D