birthday (again)...

...it seems to come around quicker each year.  This year it was a Sunday although not over the bank holiday as this has been delayed until next weekend due to the Jubilee celebrations. Biddle and I had a lovely day and some very nice presents.

Some fabric from Skye Batiks from my sister Angela

Chocolates, a notebook and a new bunny from daughter Elizabeth,

and some very nice flowers.

John bought me a book about The Tour de France, some football dvds to occupy me while I use the exercise bike, a cat ornament, a badge making kit,a jangle for my workroom and a bracelet made from part of a tape measure.

Biddle had some very yummy cookies that he is going to share We wouldn't want him to get too fat! Although he has had a bit of exercise showing Moriarty around the allotment

 They checked the potatoes

 Had a good look at the pond

 Made sure there were no caterpillars on the cabbage

 Had a look in the fruit cage

 And are looking forward to raspberries later. (Maybe not this year).

 Gardener Bunny insisted on sitting in the garlic plants

Summer has arrived

at least for now. I have spent a little time in the garden each day. Most of the pots are ready for planting. It will be nice to have a bit more colour around it has been mainly green since the daffodils finished.

Have finished the toddler jumper  and I am very pleased with it. I found perfect buttons in my stash.

Biddle received a parcel yesterday I think it is something to do with Sunday
He is very excited but that is because he is not as old as me.

Tia had a little investigate by the front door

She was fascinated by the mat and lifted the corner right up with her claws

Busy week...

... I finished my school stint a week ago so this week I have been catching up stuff. A visit to the doctor's  surgery for a medication check resulted in two more appointments!  Cholesterol blood test and a smear test. I knew they were due. I just know the cholesterol will not be good.

Then on Tuesday the gasman came nothing to do with this just the annual boiler check. Seems it is the week for checks.  A fairly quiet day on Wednesday but did not manage any sewing although the latest knitting was almost finished.

John was off for a couple of days and on Thursday afternoon he walked to a "local" pond to get some water for ours. It seems it is something one should do. So in the evening I went with him to  record the ceremony. There is a video too but I can never get them to load on here.

On Friday I went to stock up on library books as I had run out. I also looked at new walking boots but the pair I liked were too tight across the left toes and they did not have a larger size. Well size 8 (UK) is big enough! In the evening we went to the last classical concert of the season. Looking forward to the next one.

Tia has been her usual lazy self. She said she was keeping it warm for John. We believe you Tia.

I wish the weather would cheer up. Nearly midday and it is 6 degrees C

produce, purchases

We have had some produce form the allotment

spring greens, they went very nicely with potatoes and sausages

rhubarb made into a delicious crumble

The leeks grew so slowly we did not think they would ever be larger than spring onions.

There was rocket to add to a salad

and multi coloured radishes.

On Sunday we went to the craft makers' fair in Saltaire. There were some really lovely creations to buy. many were beyond my price range and there did seem to be rather a lot of jewllery sellers this time.

I added a new chicken. She is called Beatrix and had settled in well.

Do I have a flock yet? I think I might need to add another couple.

 I also bought a badge and

 some very nice ceramic buttons. No idea what I will use them on yet.

I am persevering with this new way of blogging but still do not like it.