a busy day

I woke with aches and pains which meant Himself had to deal with the early morning dog demands. I didn't surface until after 9.

I might sound mean but he is the one who refuses to make the back garden dog friendly and insists they are supervised which makes for cold, wet feet (mind and the dogs - he wears slippers). If I could let them out and go back to bed I would but if I have to supervise and call them back then I'm awake for the day.

Anyway I finally surfaced (as Himself slumbered on - he can easily go back to bed and sleep). I had a cuppa and faffed around on the interwebs.

I made a loaf of bread (2 actually - I made a smaller loaf for Sally to have with jam after school) and then a batch of biscuits. I put a load through the washing machine and vacuumed the floors so I think I did my bit.

Himself took the dogs to the off lead path and returned sooner than I expected with two muddy, wet dogs. They found the puddle!

Fortunately it was a warm sunny day and they dried off in the sun on the deck. 

Himself went to The Shed and I picked the kid up from school.

We then walked around to give The Boy (who is called Jessie we found out) some of the Coles' Harry Potter thingies. He wasn't home but his mum was and she was so impressed with Sally's generosity. 

As we walked over I saw this sure sign spring is knocking. 

When we got home she asked if she could use the pavement chalk. No problem said Granny. Except it wasn't the pavement it was the front porch. Meh, who cares. I have a lovely unicorn. 
She wanted to draw me but apparently that involved me lying down and being traced around. Another day!

Himself dropped her back to her mum at daycare (more time with Granny and Grumpy - her choice bless her) and I had a long chat with Three. Things are looking up work wise. It looks as if he is in a win win situation with his current job and a future prospect. I don't want to tempt fate but will let you know how things go.

Chicken and vege bake for dinner. Himself does a lot of the cooking and I used to feel guilty but a) he enjoys it b) he's a bloody good cook and c) I bake the things he loves. 

The seeds still haven't sprouted. 

Tuesday

I finished a sock!! It's not perfect but it fits his foot. He said the cuff could be tighter so when J and Amy and I went to our favourite wool shop in Hastings I asked the lovely Mel for advice and have gone down a size needle for the next sock's cuff.

Alice came with us (obviously) and charmed everyone who saw her. She did disgrace herself by peeing in her pram whilst she was being changed out of a pooey nappy. Fortunately Mel had just picked up her laundry and had a warm towel to wrap the nekkid baby in while we changed her out of everything.

A lovely lunch and good chat. 

I was very restrained and only bought the set of needles (and then found I had a set in the same size but you can never have too many needles) and some yarn and needles for Amy to knit some pilchers for Alice to replace the ones Three washed and shrunk.

These are what she will be knitting. We bought pink yarn.

It has been bloody cold and wet today. Typical end of winter/beginning of spring weather. The drive to Hastings was lovely through masses of glorious flowering wattles and deciduous trees starting to show a veil of green. We are so lucky to live right on the edge of suburban Melbourne.

And Chris Dawson has been found guilty of the murder of his wife 40 years ago. I listened to a podcast a few years ago called The Teacher's Pet which was pulled when the trial started. If it comes back it's worth a listen. 

Curried mince and rice for dinner tonight. I was going to cook but Himself said he would. You don't have to tell me twice. I bought lemon strawberry cheesecake from the restaurant for dessert.

The seeds have still not sprouted.

Sausage rolls.

I had a hankering to make some sausage rolls.

So I did.

I made a batch of the pastry that I used to make the pie the other day. This is a very rich pastry. Basically butter, flour and some iced water to bring it together. Himself went to the supermarket for me and bought some really nice sausages that I removed from the skin and used to make the sausage rolls. Lots and lots of sausage rolls. 

I now have sausage rolls in the freezer for another day and we had some for a late lunch. They were very tasty if a bit rich. I might try a different pastry next time.

After a glorious weekend we have returned to damp and chilly weather. The strawberry crowns we got from Aldi have started to sprout so I really need to get them in to the vegepod. I shall put on my big girl pants, my trusty Ugg gumboots (there is such a thing and they are lined with sheepskin and were ridiculously cheap on special) and go and brave the chilly drizzle and plant them.

And I did.

Boy was it wet underfoot. Or should I say underboot?

Three and his girls came for lunch. We had snags on the barby in bread with salad and sauce. It was very nice.

Granny got Alice to sleep and she was down for an hour and a half. Sally did pavement art and colouring in. Himself and I were looking for possible jobs for Three and listened to him pour out his woes. He is not a happy fellow at the moment and it makes this mum very sad.

Himself took the dogs for a walk and Three decided it was time to go and do stuff. Sally had already said goodbye to Grumpy but wanted to leave him a note.

So she did.

I sent Three home with 2 cans of beer, the rest of the coleslaw makings (no ready made to be had anywhere) and some frozen bread rolls to thaw and bake to have with their dinner. Sally had her packet of tiny teddies (or crazy monkeys - I can't remember which but either way they are a favourite biscuit). I forgot the humus I have had in the fridge for yonks meaning to give them. 

When the dogs got home from their walk Maxi and Jinx shared some quality time.

I mentioned yesterday how we the ground around the new vege pod is. This gives you an idea. Yes, that is water.

and if you stand in the mud you sink. 

And the damn seeds still haven't sprouted.

Sunny Saturday

Eventually. 

When I got up it was foggy which is always a good omen for a sunny day.

This was the same view I showed yesterday with blue skies. 

Still watching them birds.

We (read: Himself) started the assembly of my vege pod.

While I planted some more seeds in my home made seed raising thingies. I popped them in the sun for some warmth.

It has been filled with pearlite (some amazing shit you put in dirt) and 12 bags of potting mix. PREMIUM potting mix as instructed in the book of words.

The lid was assembled on the front porch

It was getting cool so I moved the seed thingies back to safety from the wind

Taking shape

And finished apart from connecting the hose (it has a misty watering thing) and attaching the string to hold the lid open.

It looks much smaller when seen in the context of the front garden.

My roses are doing well so far. Someone told me they are impossible to kill. That is usually a death sentence for any plant in my care.

And finally my daffodils under the birches as the sun started to dip in the sky.

 A woman stopped and took a photo of my daffs in the mist this morning. I was quite chuffed.

Tomorrow Three and the kidlets are coming over so Amy can study in peace. I might plant some strawberries in the new pod with Sally. 

Steak for dinner tonight. 

It has been a good day. A bit of sunshine and outdoor play always boosts the spirits.

Friday Fotos

I caught up with C and J at a yarn shop in Frankston. We had a coffee there and nattered for a bit and I kept knitting my sock. Himself seems to have very long feet! We then went to a different place for lunch. I could have had a cold white wine with my lunch but settled for bitters, lime and soda. Driving and all. I had grilled prawns with a small salad and very nice it was, too.

Yesterday morning it had been raining when I got up and I took these from my favourite room.

Big juicy raindrops on the Silver Princess gum tree.

The yukka has taken off with a vengeance. It needs to be cut right back. Nasty spiky things.

A different view of the jasmine. The stick looking thing is a self sown fig that is growing from under the deck. We have a few there. Birds must be eating figs from somewhere around here.

Bird watching

C brought the scarf I made for her today so I could rectify the lack of photographic evidence of my awesomeness.

As I was leaving C and J I ducked into Coles for cream, frosting and sprinkles because Sally wanted to bake. So we did. 

Purchased frosting is so sweet. Even too sweet for Sally. I just tasted pink. The cakes were bloody good though.

Chicken and vegetable bake for dinner again tonight. A favourite.

Three should hear about a couple of days trial at a possible job soon. Fingers crossed for him. 

And just like that it's the weekend again. I think Three and his lot are coming for lunch on Sunday.
 

A spuddly sort of day.

Spuddle is a word I remember being used in my childhood and I thought it was one of those words unique to a family. Imagine my surprise when I found this defninition:

from the 17th century meaning to work feebly and ineffectively. To be extremely busy whilst achieving absolutely nothing.

And there you have it. I spuddle a lot.

This morning I was woken at 6.30 with a sloppy doggy kiss. Murphy has started letting me know that he needs to go out. As long as it's light, I don't mind. Otherwise, Himself can get up. He will come back to bed whereas once I'm up that's it.

The two dogs went and did their business, I saw the dawn sky and had a very early cuppa. 

I then made a loaf of bread and put the dishwasher through. Once Himself got up we took the dogs for a walk and I came home and vacuumed the dog hair and flour off the kitchen floor.

I decided to make a loaf with a flat top (square as opposed to high top). I put a tray on the top of the tin and weighted it down and popped the whole lot in the oven. Within 5 minutes I heard a clatter and the tray and the heavy bowl had been pushed off. That loaf was damn strong! I have now ordered 2 proper tins with lids. I have also started cutting with an electric carving knife and can get straight and thin slices which were delicious as a bacon sanga at lunchtime.

Dinner last night was takeaway pizza (we had a hankering) and I have no idea what to have tonight. I fancy making a lasagne but my back is too sore to stand for long at the kitchen bench. Maybe over the weekend.

Himself is running Sally over to her mum's work. He gets the Coles' Harry Potter rubbish collectables for her and she now has nearly two full sets. There is a little boy we often meet when we walk the dogs who just loves German Shepherds. His mum said he collects these things, too, so Sally and I walked around and gave half a dozen to his big brother to give to him when he gets home. 

She wanted to give him half her Tim Tam and I had to explain that, lovely as the thought is, we don't give strangers half eaten Tim Tams!

Daylight is definitely on the increase. It seems to lighter more quickly than it does darker at the other end of the year. Not long now and I will be whining about the heat. 

Dull

Both the day, my mood and this post!

It has been so cold and wet today. That cold and damp that gets into your bones.

And your soul.

I have felt very blah today. I didn't go to knitting as I just wasn't up to it. So I spent the day in the warmth and knitted on my own.

My seeds still haven't sprouted (it's been 5 days for heaven's sake) and I fear this cold snap might have done them in. I have more beans, peas and carrots but will need to buy some more tomatoes. I'm not fussed - it's fun.

Because I have done very little today and the brain isn't up to thinking much I shall leave you with the gorgeousness of these two ...

And the handsomeness of this one in particular ...

                       

A Granny day

Amy had an appointment with her physio and then a mental health tele-consult.

Alice came to play with Granny.

She likes Granny's home made biscuits.

And Granny loves her smiles

Jinx was in protection mode - as always

Always keeps an eye on the baby as she is convinced no one else can look after her properly.

What is this? It doesn't look like a dog.

It's soft so I guess it's ok.

 Alice sleeps for an hour or so at a time at home. IF Amy can get her down.

After a bum change I popped her in the pram with a bottle and walked up and down the street until it started to rain so I put the pram under cover on the deck, rugged her up warmly and rocked for about 5 minutes until she fell asleep.

Amy came back and we sat and knitted and nattered.

And the baby slept on.

Grumpy went to get Sally from school as the baby was still sleeping.

After nearly 3 and a half hours she woke. We think she startled herself awake (and was very, very wet) and started to cry. Jinx almost broke the door down trying to get out onto the deck! While Amy was changing her I had to physically restrain Jinx from trying to climb on the bed next to her. 

Grumpy returned with Sally and I made her a jam sandwich with the loaf I baked this morning. I really must learn to cut bread straight.

Two had today off as well. We are hoping he will get a certificate for the rest of the week as he really needs to rest. 

I always prefer to buy free range chicken even if it's a little more expensive. Himself is always $$ mindful so buys the cheaper stuff. Last night we had our favourite chicken and vegetable bake and the chook was so tough it was inedible. He has gone to buy free range chicken for tonight's dinner. 

Still no sign of my seeds starting to sprout. 

And just like that ...

 we're back to winter!

I went to check to see if my seeds had sprouted were OK to find that some of the bottles had blown over in the wind. I managed to rescue and reassemble but I'm not sure if the seeds are at the correct depth to sprout. I'll be planting some more at the weekend so I'm not too worried and I have anchored them with a concrete block as we are in for some high winds and rain.

J and Amy and I were going to go to the yarn shop but J has a bug so Amy and I went and I bought more yarn. Some I needed for the jumper I am going to knit Two, I needed some new needles and cables and I wanted to try a finer sock yarn and Amy fell in love with some possum yarn and wanted to knit her mum a scarf for her birthday so I said I'd buy it and she can pay me back. We then had lunch and while she was changing Alice I popped into Kmart and bought a walker thing as Alice is trying to push furniture around and walk. I spend too much on that family, I know, but it brings me pleasure and I know it helps them.

Three was sick today. His boss wasn't impressed but what was he meant to do? Take a bucket to work and chuck into it between cars? Actually, I think his boss would have preferred that. He is a lazy sod who leaves most of his work to Three who isn't actually meant to do those tasks which means he falls behind in his own work. I am still furious that they won't let him move to a site closer to home that HAS A VACANCY for exactly what Three does at his site but he will have to resign to get out of that place. 

I am watching a show on Netflix called "You". It is a psychological thriller and not what I usually watch but is really good. If you like this sort of thing I highly recommend it. It's a fascinating look into the world through the eyes of a sociopath.

Tomorrow I have Alice for a few hours. Wednesday I have knitting and on Friday I will catch up with J and C. A busy week. 

Gardening

Spring is definitely in the air.

We will have rain again this week and the temperatures will fall a bit but there is a distinct hint of warmer weather to come.

My roses had a good haircut and a good feed. They are sprouting lots of new leaves. I hope we get some good blossoms this year. I have a couple of dozen and only 2 the same.

This is where the vegetables will grow be planted. It's the front garden but who cares? 

I will put troughs with my climbing veges on the front porch and we will put wire/mesh for them to climb up. That window is our wardrobe so they will add privacy as well. I will plant the wheelbarrow up with portulaca again this year and move it down towards the front door a bit.

The terracotta pot has Sally's carrots in it. We put a sheet of glass over the top to keep moisture and warmth in until they sprout. The covered container has tomatoes and the cut down soda water bottles (I did it!) have peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, beans and zucchini. Hopefully by the time they have spouted I will have the beds ready for them.

 

Himself is still putting the big vege bed together. That will have carrots, radishes, lettuces and other leafy veg and some herbs. I will plant the tomatoes in a big tub as they will need staking. I wonder if I could sneak a pumpkin in there somewhere!

Tonight we are having fried rice for dinner. The only down side of the induction cook top was having to get rid of my wok. I have a paella dish which I will use and hopefully I will get good results. I can't wait to be able to use my own snow peas and spring onions in my fried rice!

I am not patient when it comes to this sort of thing. I have been checking the seeds two or three times a day looking for signs of life. 

It reminded me of the old nursery rhyme:

Patience is a virtue

Virtue is a grace

And Grace was a little girl

Who never washed her face.

Saturday

 Himself is putting the covered vege thing together. It is much bigger than we remembered! We are thinking about fencing off part of the front yard so it actually looks like it's meant to be a vege patch. Because of the hill we are on and the water running down (the poor woman at the bottom) the ground is very, very soggy so pots and planters will be the way to go, I think. Of course, in the summer it dries as hard as clay.

I did a quick vacuum of the living areas today. Ye gods and little fishes my animals produce a ton of hair and dust. Just as well I love them.

I've done a bit of knitting and researched a blanket I want to weave. If I buy the yarn recommended it will be just over $200 but I think it will be worth it for a large hand made blanket.

This is from the site with the pattern. It is made using Ashford wool (from NZ) and measures approximately 155cm x 165cm so a good size for a throw over a couch to snuggle under in winter. I have a recipient in mind and think I will go muted pastels - mint, grey, blue and cream. You weave 4 panels then invisibly (fingers crossed) stitch them together.

I have cheese herb scones in the oven for when Himself gets back from Bunnings. It's another damp, dull day.