Changes in the back garden

 I've just ordered two more GreenStalks for the back garden taking the number to eight. The amount of food that I can grow in them is far more than I could hope to in a raised bed. They're due to arrive on Tuesday and if the weather is decent I'll be able to remove the existing raised bed and replace it with the GreenStalk planters. I've ordered them from Growtowers eu this time as they were considerably cheaper than buying them from Rooted in Bolton. I keep reading about the BOGOF bargains in America and I could weep. It's cost me £409 for two mixed bundles with Spinner bases. That does include the postage from Sweden. 

The new Greenstalks are blue like the one in this video and will add a lovely splash of colour in the winter.

Houseplant holiday

 I've been waiting for the perfect day to put all my houseplants outside for a little holiday.  I needed it to be a warm rainy day and today's the day. The plants will have a refreshing shower to clean all the dust off their leaves and give them a thoroughly good drenching It also means that I can have a thoroughly good clean of my house.  I'll have it so sparkly clean that I won't recognise it.

Pie club for the men

 Our local library is running a monthly 'pie club' for men. The idea is to give them a space to sit and chat and make new friends.  Tony's gone along to see what it's like. At least I think that's where he is as I've been out for a walk and lunch with friends. It'll do him the world of good to mix with other men and talk bloke stuff. The pie is a bit of a bonus too. Weather is perfect for gardening here at the moment but I'm stuffed full of delicious food and ready for a snooze. 

A bit uncomfortable.

 Last night Tony and I danced our legs off at the ceilidh and I was surprised to realise that I knew almost everyone in the room. There was well in excess of forty people.  Tony's friend came with us last night and it's clear he thinks I stop Tony from drinking alcohol.  We've been together almost 23 years and in all that time Tony has had probably two halves of beer if he's driving. He absolutely loathes drink drivers.... as do I.  It really irks me that I'm made to feel uncomfortable when someone is trying to force a drink on me that I don't want and I struggle to remain polite. My patience is wearing thin is all that I'll say. 

My porch windowsill

 Last night Tony and I danced our legs off at the monthly ceilidh and tonight we'll do the same at another.  I've been up since 06.30 marinating chicken drumsticks.  I've pulled the skin off them all and they're now sitting in a gorgeous chilli/lemon marinade. Late this afternoon I'll simply pop them into the oven so that they're freshly cooked and full of flavour. A couple of friends are coming to the ceilidh with us tonight so it'll be a tight squeeze in the car. We always give another friend a lift as she doesn't like driving at night. Last night she won the raffle and gave me the bottle of wine as she doesn't drink alcoholic drinks. It'll be nice to share with my friends once the strawberry season is here. I'm planning on doing a strawberry tea afternoon for my friends when my strawberry plants start fruiting.

At long last it looks as though the night time temperature will start to pick up next week.  With a bit of luck I'll be able to start clearing the plants from my porch windowsill and get them all out into the garden.

Homegrown cucumbers

 I'd hoped to plant out my tomatoes and courgettes this weekend but unfortunately it's far too cold. It is looking promising next week though so with a bit of luck I will be able to make a start on the outdoor planting.  The indoors GreenStalk is starting to pick up nicely and we've had two mini cucumbers off it. They were as sweet as anything 

The porch is filling up with tomato plants that really need to go outdoors now as I don't have the space to pot them into bigger pots.

Brown marmorated stink bug

 I think I may have spotted a brown marmorated stink bug in my garden.  I didn't know what it was so didn't harm it. Looks like I should have disposed of it after all. I can't see it in the garden but it's probably chomping its way through my fruit trees. Hopefully I'll spot it again and have someone identify it for me.  Do they really smell as bad as the Internet says?

Beautiful scenery

 I've been out walking with friends this morning. This gorgeous scenery is less than a five minute car journey from home for us all

We stopped off for a cuppa in a beautiful country house before continuing our walk. Don't let the sunshine mislead you though. Crikey the wind was bitterly cold.

Absolutely gorgeous weather today

 We didn't make any plans for today as the forecast wasn't very good.  Typically It's been absolutely gorgeous and we should have ignored the forecast.  On the bright side we popped over to garden club and bought some more canes and then spent most of today pottering around the garden.  Tony did a couple of wash loads and pegged them out. They'll smell beautifully of fresh air and sunshine. Tomorrow morning I'm out walking with some friends and then at teatime we're going to some other friends for a meal. Brian always cooks enough for a huge crowd bless him so we definitely won't need any supper. 

Here's my garden today if you'd like a little look

Five minutes from home

 It has rained absolutely non stop all day and I'm thoroughly sick to death of it. Guess I shouldn't really grumble as I would hate to live in a desert when we're surrounded by all this on our doorstep 

We've got friends coming over for a meal this evening and it'll be nice to catch up with them. I was an absolute domestic goddess yesterday and cooked everything in advance so that it had time to develop the flavour. All I have to do is heat it thoroughly and transfer to my pretty china serving dishes. The drinks are chilling and I'm off for a quick shower and change into something nicer than my comfy clothes.