Friday 2 January 2015

It's a New Day ..........




Well folks, it's been a while! Both Christmas AND New Year have come and gone, and  I managed to get a post written about neither of them. I can only plead annual sick episode - the usual, asthma, bronchitis and a never-ending head-cold - during which time I have used enough tissues to deforest a small Scandinavian country,  consumed more steroids than a disgraced Olympian athlete, and clocked up more hours on the Poorly Chair (previous known as Jim's Recliner) than is respectable for a woman of my age. However, I feel the Corner has been Turned, so I can pick up on normal activities again. Thank you so much for the kind thoughts you've sent my way which are now published on the previous post!

Our Christmas was very quiet, with just the two of us and Mum for Christmas lunch. She really enjoyed it, though having sat down for a nap in front of the television after lunch, she awoke not knowing where on  earth she was; it took a while for us to talk her through what had happened that morning. Having done that, she was fine, back in her own skin again as it were. By four o'clock she was more than ready to get back to her 'own home' though she really would rather be in her OWN little home and not the Care Home where she now lives.


I had two really rather wonderful Christmas presents from Jim - and some jolly nice other ones, too! But these two were totally unexpected. The first is a wonderful metal sculpture of a moonlit hare, made by the Holkham Blacksmith; I had seen it at the Back to the Garden Craft Fair and fell in love with it. Unknown to me, Jim had been across to the guy and ordered it there and then. Apparently I had scuppered his first attempt to pick it up saying I fancied a trip round the coast road with him one day, so he had to come up with another excuse for going up there!


Here he is, I photographed him right away in the garden, but of course, he will live indoors. Isn't he wonderful?

My second Big Surprise was a long, flat envelope containing the cardboard details attached to a Square Foot Garden package, which was too large to wrap up. I am no gardener, but have been wanting to move on from just growing herbs, perhaps salads, and some easy greens? Then I came across this very easy system of growing which seemed so manageable to me, who has always felt rather overwhelmed by the whole concept of "Gardening" . I read up about it and watched umpteen you tube videos. Being used to my enthusiasms, Jim was less than overcome when I stated I wanted some garden to do this new thing of mine. So I thought well, I shall just get on with it on my own, I have several gardening friends who are more than willing to talk raised beds and no-dig methods with me! Jim really enjoys digging, our soil is beautiful and organic, and he sees no reason to waste an inch of it - and I don't blame him. But I really thought I was going to have to source all the material myself and just crack on with it. Then I opened this on Christmas Day and was totally thrilled to bits by the fact he had gone out and bought this for me. (Any other time he would have knocked some nails into a few bits of wood). So here is the picture again, and I hope in a few months time I shall have something similar to show you myself!


 On Boxing Day we had Mike and Vicki for the day, and in the evening we trotted round the corner (I drove, as legs still too weak at that point) to our local where a couple of dozen  hardy perennials were gathered with homebaked bread, quiche, sausage rolls, cheeses, pickles and chutneys, a lovely spread; I took home made bread and a chicken-liver and pork terrine which I'd made two days earlier.



We had a lovely social time, and some of us made music on guitars and melodeon, there was much singing and even a little dancing!


Jim insisted upon wearing a "Hippy Waistcoat" which I made for him about 15 years ago for a fancy dress party!


Me accompanying Pat with some Cajun tunes. Then he accompanied me playing a couple of my tunes.


At one point Linda couldn't sit still any longer and dragged a not too reluctant Derek up to jive. Do you love the matching Christmas Jumpers? Derek didn't!


 It all packed in by 9pm as arranged, everyone having had a splendid, quite spontaneous time of it. I was pretty shattered by then but it was worth it. To make up for all the excitement (!) we had a very quiet New Years Eve, what Party Poopers we have become! I hope your own celebrations were happy and memorable, and I'd like to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2015. I shall now go and try and catch up with weeks of blog-reading and see what you've been up to!

20 comments:

  1. I had to do a double take when I saw the picture of your mum, you look very alike. Can chat as well re square foot gardening if you wish. One thing I would strongly suggest though is to give your wood a couple of coats of some kind of safe wood preserver. Glad you are feeling a little better.

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    1. Gosh it is funny isn't it, how different people see different likenesses in you - I have always been considered as taking after my dad. I always wanted my mum's cheek bones! Yes, the more advice the merrier, thanks Dc, and I will take note of what you say about wood preserver - if I can find a nice safe one to use. Lx

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  2. Poor you, my friend Maggie had a dose of that over 2 weeks and is still not 100%, Fran came back on 31st, unpacked, ate her dinner and went down with it as we chatted. An hour in and she was tucked up in bed and stayed there for 24 hours, she is slightly better today but I do not envy her the train journey back on Sunday. I hope that you are soon back to rights again, you will need to plan what to grow. Those raised bed kits are very good, I had my eye on them but a friend has offered to build me some.

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    1. Hi Pam, yes it has been doing the rounds I think, funny, when you think how mild Winter has been so far. I'm sure when he sees what a rattling success they are (!) Jim will be making me another couple himself. Lx

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  3. What rotten luck to have felt so ill during the festive season but hope you're now on the mend. It does take it out of you though doesn't it. I love your square foot garden gift, what a lovely idea and so thoughtful. Your evening at your local sounded great and very spontaneous with everyone taking along some foodie bits. Happy New Year to you and yours Lynne.
    Patricia x

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    1. Hi Patricia, thank you and the same back atyer! We have had a restrained but pleasant time - barring the health thingy! Lx

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  4. Poor you - it's miserable being poorly at any time but it always feels like a double knock over Christmas. What lovely presents though - I do like a hare and am looking forward to seeing what you grow in the spanking new bed. Lovely photo of your mum there too - she looks really happy. Wishing you a 'healthy' 2015 x Jane

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    2. Hi Jane, isn't my hare beautiful? I love him to bits, so mystical. Really looking forward to getting started n the 'garden'. And all the best for 2015 to you too.xx

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  5. Great detailed post Lynne! I guess another lawn just bit the dust to make way for some real action." May all your feet be Square" ~~~ Traditional Scottish proverb unearthed while the Great North Road was being excavated in the last century
    Have a great 2015 and remember Cavalo Nero is where it's at.

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    1. Hi Robin, haven't quite negotiated where it will go yet, we have a small garden, and a piece of the lawn which Jim has offered, is not the best place as it gets too much shade in the summer so 6 hours sunshine will be hard to achieve. Never mind, diplomacy is being maintained and I am sure we will work something out! Cavalo Nero, yes, but it is Rainbow Chard all the way for me!! Lxx

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  6. Sue, the gardening bug has TOTALLY eluded me - apart form herbs; I have had a couple of abortive attempts, and Jim has been less than encouraging, as he well knows my staying power when my enthusiasms down't bear fruit - as it were! But this really appeals, after all, it is such a tiny little space, and apparently you get loads more produce in a fraction of space, with a fraction of the work - no digging, very little weeding, I think I could get to like this! Time will tell! See youtube, LOADS of videos on it, but mostly American.

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  7. lynne i'm so glad that you are feeling better - i love your hare - what an extremely thoughtful husband to do all that for you - we don't really do presents anymore - simply because we have reached that stage where anything we want (as long as it isn't a yacht!!!!) we can buy - hope that doesn't sound bad!!! your mum looks lovely - how nice that she was able to spend christmas with you - bless her AND i can't wait to see your container garden - have a great weekend xxx

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    1. Hi Lynne! Yes, improving slowly each day thank goodness! Actually I do quite understand the present thing, but we still like little (??) surprises so it kind of carries on! I don't think it sounds bad at all! I am excited to begin but also a bit anxious as I have no idea what I should be doing when - despite all the reading and video watching! I need to sit down with some friends, list of things I want to grow, and discuss timing etc with them. Of course, I can't keep mistakes and disaster a secret now, can I?? Just have to hope there aren't too many! Lxxxx

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  8. The hare is lovely, what a perfect surprise and yes, I would also leave it inside! I am so glad you are recovering and I wish you a very Happy New Year xx

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    1. Thanks Chel, I am now trying him out in different places - he needs light behind him to show off his shape. Let's hope 2015 is good for all of us! Lxx

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  9. What a beautiful hare sculpture Lynne, I love him! Happy New Year to you too x

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    1. Isn't he gorgeous? He is everything I love , and I was so amazed and thrilled to find Jim had secretly bought him for me. Lxx

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  10. Glad you had a good Christmas, despite the lurgy. Happy New Year Lynne! Keep creating your lovely makes and your wonderful music! xCathy

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    1. Hi CAthy, sorry for late response, didn't think there would be any more comments on this one! Am just about to write another blog post. Wondered where you were.. hadn't seen you about lately! All fine with us now the lurgy has gone! And the very best to you and your family.xxx

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