Tea?

a group of us take turns to host coffee mornings,we met through our children who are now either at high schoolor uni,and wanted to stay in touch.

It has been an invaluable source of support as we have battled illnesses,children spreading their wings and unfortunatly the deaths of parents and spouses.

All of us love to cook and bake,and share recipes and ideas,we seem to be a junior division of the w.i!

Day at the beach

took some time out yesterday and took the dogs to hoylake beach for a run,not sure how much longer Tinker will manage walks like this as he gets very breathless now.Yesterday however we let him off the lead and he ran and ran with Poppy circling him,she must have run four times as far!Alovely afternoon for the memory bank when he is no longer with us.

Snuggled up in front of the fire when we got back but only after making some spicey apple chutney to allow myself a clear conscience!

Glorious day here today so have stripped all the beds and the sheets are merrily flapping on the line.

really must go now and clear chutney gunge from kitchen!

tinker

unfortunately our lovely boy has been diagnosed with lymphoma,cancer of the lymph glands.Really crappy as he is the sweetest dog and has had enough badness in his life.Didn't want to put him through the awfulness of chemo so he is on large doses of steroids to give him a bit more time and comfort.he is as bouncy as a puppy since taking them which is a joy to see.

bereft

Big daughter went to uni at the weekend...and all is not well.She didn't get into halls,which were allocated before results came out and was on a waiting list.They had to wait for people to give rooms up before reallocating them,and we waited till last Thursday before signing up for something else.So now having signed a contract they've offered her a room in halls and shes so miserable and unhappy in a house of second years who don't leave their rooms that she desperately wants to take it,but she has to find a replacement for herself or pay two rents.urghhh.On top of all that,missing her dreadfully and feel helpless as shes so far away.would anyone like a room in a shared house in Cheltenham?

can't believe it'sbeen so long since i wrote anything here but things have been quite hestic
.had a very wet week in somerset in our little caravan,ducks were actually swimming around a caravan near us!still had a lovely time though and even managed a huge treat of a lunch in the rainbows end cafe in glastonbury,my favorite place ever!
.the kittens have been neutered,Jeff bounced back,but Mabel is still sulking!she still has a cone on and feels very sorry for herself
.eldest daughter has just had her 18th birthday and we celebrated with a party at home,and i am proud to say i laid on a huge buffet and all of it was home made and mostly home grown.would have been so easy to go to the supermarket and buy frozen pizza's and other such rubbish, but so pleased i didn't,everything was made with love,and i think people enjoyed it.
.its been full on harvesting,cooking and preserving from the allotment.love laying down stores for the winter!
.we have 3 more chickens!ex batt's,so beautiful and tame.love them running to meet me with our original 3,lovely little flock!
so thats things updated.awaiting a level results this week for eldest daughter this week then gcse's next week for youngest daughter.young son says he wants to stay at Nana's till it's all over!
well off sloe picking now as there are loads down on the marsh near where we live.

Jeffrey and Mabel

This is the kittens when we first got them,five weeks ago now!!Can,t believe its July already!they are really lovely cats,very laid back nad loving of cuddles.

Have been really busy with the allotment.Picked gooseberries and made jam and hopefully will pick enough for some wine.Also picked recurrants and made jelly and have made elderflower wine.Have frozen pounds of broad beans and we are relishing the new potatoes and peas.Delicious!!!

abundance

Love ,love, love this time of year!all the work seems worthwhile now that i can revolve meals around what is ready on the alottment and in the garden.Last night used the last of last years leeks for a leek and cashew nut bake with garden salad,including dandelion leaves but no-one here knows(!!!!)tonight was pasta primevera with baby broad beans and asparagus,yum!Have also just committed to rescuing some ex-battery hens to live with our gorgeous girls,can't wait!