Flowering

 Just one last bloom, stunning. 

More buds on plant in bathroom. 

Homegrown daffodils, 

 these from the front garden, the wind and rain had battered them.

A sneaky purchase at Tesco.

I have read this author before, the plot was very deliberately slow, it took me longer to read, the plot opened up the life of a recluse artist after her death, there wasn't a dramatic twist, everything was revealed throughout the plot. Book 14 read this year.   

Another author I like, set in Ireland, a boy is dead, another charged with his murder, the dead boys friends are all sticking to the same story, DCI Reynolds is asked to have a second look. I enjoyed the plot, nice twist at the end. Book 15 read this year.

Friday turned into a good day, car passed MOT with no issues, it was dry whilst we were in town, I had previously sorted my jewellery box, I have so much I don't wear and daughter did not want any of it, so I took some to a pawn shop, £360 for gold, £35 for silver.

Saturday was dry, so an hour outside in the garden, I had to redo the netting on one veg bed, Lilly had found a way in, did a bit of cutting back, and a general tidy around, as always it felt so good to be outside. The automatic greenhouse window opened for the first time this year, it was warm inside. I've a couple of huge pots which are empty, I would like to use them in the front flower section of the garden, I have enough plants for them, I hope to swap out a few smaller pots, they have been increasing over the winter. 

We got some Chinese dishes from Tesco which we heated at home for our tea, opened a bottle of prosecco, again we re-used our cards, it's the 5th year, no flowers or gifts to each other. We did get red tulips and a card for the little ones to give their mum, daughter was happy.  We read most of the evening, only watching The 1% club on TV, which we love.

Sunday back to rain, it was dark and grey from the start, it did not stop raining, so a day inside, I did some more on my 2025 book, a bit of knitting and more reading. It's half term here, so we will have days with children, all three have separate hospital check ups on different days, so mummy will drop the others here on the way. 

Everything else

 My hyacinth blooms have gone over, so they are in the greenhouse until they die back, knowing I would have my hand painted pot empty, I got a new spider plant, Lilly shredded my other plant, it can stay here for now.

The first amaryllis bloom had died back, this second stem has one large opened bud and two smaller ones. The smaller of the pots is another new bulb this year, both bulbs were purchased from our garden centre neither cheap, this second bulb is not growing, the other pots is a bulb from last year, both bulbs only has leaves growing. 

I popped to our village library, I have not been for a while, I took my address book with all the book titles I have read, I stopped going as I found the choice of books I liked limiting, things have not changed, to order books in cost a £1 per title. The bottom book is an author I have read before, no a favourite, the top two are new authors to me, 

This book follows on with AI, this time in self drive cars, the government now wants everyone to drive level 5 cars, no brakes or controls, there are less accidents and congestion, our main lady hates these cars, refuses to use them after seeing a horrible accident which killed a mother, daughter and grand daughter. She is on service much like jury service, to discuss accidents and who was at fault, so far it's never the car, it's a farce until The Hacker takes over. Another tongue in cheek plot, again another good story, it's about the people not the cars. Book 13 read this year

Monday we walked to the village, Tuesday we met daughter in Whitley, we have not been there for a while, and popped to garden centre for the compost, I got a bag of shallots as well, I did not look at the plants. Molly was very happy with her badge now on the back of her swimming robe, it's too big for her and should last a few years, George also has swimming robe, but, as yet he has not reached his first badge. I did not keep the sewing machine out, I have a busy week.

Wednesday was a day at home, morning doing housework, the sun shone weakly for an hour, I have started my new knitted blanket, which I am enjoying. Thursday we went to the local huge Tesco superstore, its been months since we have been there, we have stocked up on bits we can't get at Lidl, including free from eggs for little ones Easter egg hunt. 

Today it's MOT for our car, we have everything crossed it does not cost too much, we are not aware of any issues, we will have a wonder around town whilst the car is in the garage, nothing planned for afterwards. I have my WI meeting tonight as well.

Resting

I was expecting a card through the post, who doesn't love it when the letter box clatters with a delivery, this card is so me, garden and birds, both loves of mine. For years I made my own cards, it takes care and thought to make something so beautiful, thank you Angie, I'm glad you loved the socks, thank you for the stamps, they always come in handy.

I love this author, this is set in the future in a changed world, AI is in homes where marriage is monitored, the government want happy families. We follow 5 different people, how they live their lives, living on both sides of the official line, can AI judge people, understand them, very tongue in cheek, I enjoyed it, very different read. Book 10 read this year.

 Last year's amaryllis bulb, I hope this will produce buds, last year I ensured the leaves were left to die back, I popped the bulb in my greenhouse, hoping it got enough sunlight. I started to water it again in December, now all I can do is wait.

My bulbs are still looking good, plenty of blooms, the second amaryllis bud is starting to open, keeping this spot looking good for a while longer. 

I have picked up a bug, not feeling great, I was due to pop to daughters on Saturday so she could take George to a party, but he has a bad cold again, so she kept him at home. The rain once again has kept me inside, the whole of the weekend was reading and watching the birds at our feeders, the foxes are back in next doors garden, no signs of them coming into ours, no signs of any rats either, hopefully Lilly is helping us out. I did listen to the tennis, Alcaraz and Djokovic Australian final on Sunday morning, Carlos winning in 4 sets, which pleased me, I have often said I do not like the arrogance of Djokovic, he is a great player, but I'm still not sure he is the best, give it a few years and his records alongside Nadal and Federer will fall to Alcaraz and Sinner, who both achieving so much at a younger age. 

I have been thinking about my flower beds, mainly I have to wait to see what returns, I did go through all my garden post since our refit to note what I had purchased, working out what grows in our soil. I already know big daisies, dahlias and lupins never return, my hope is not to purchase so many plants this year and ensure any I get will thrive and return in following years. I was surprised in December to see how much I had spent on plants, seeds and bulbs for my flower beds, about £500, I spent the same amount on fixtures and pretty bits, hopefully I won't spend so much this year. These days I am not swayed so much by a pretty flower, I like to check if it's suitable for my soil and climate. 

End of January

 Finally one of my amaryllis has opened, daughter got me this as a birthday gift, I asked for red, I do love colour at this time of year, there is a second bud on this bulb. My second amaryllis bulb is way behind, I have a couple bulbs in my greenhouse with shoots, hopefully more blooms to come.

My hyacinths have opened, nice white blooms, I purchased these already in their pot from Lidl, they have grown tall, once they go over I will plant then in the garden.

To add inside colour I have put out my fake tulips, I love these they look so real, and feel very spring like, other than my big poinsettia stems which are still out, all the silk seasonal plants are packed away until December. 

I adore turkey leftovers as much as the main meal itself, our crown fed 6 on Sunday, all three children had double helpings, I have loads for cold turkey sandwiches, and another favourite turkey pie, very simple, I shredded the turkey, added loads of cranberry sauce, we like the lumpy one, make a sage and onion stuffing mix and put of top for lid, bake in oven to heat up meat and cook stuffing. I made 4 pies, two for this week, two in the freezer, half of the slices seen here went into the freezer, not bad for just £11.00. 

I have read all Rob Rinder books, all set in the legal system, courts and chambers, everyone involved in huge cases, and always more than one case, here their main case is defending a activist from a murder charge, a crime seen by many people and caught on video, is she a murderous woman or a silly woman caught over her head. Book 9 read this year.

 

We made more great savings this week, we live in a hard water area, we are always fighting limescale, we removed the yellowing seals on our shower cubical and could not clean inside, we managed to track down replacements, I cleaned the edges of the glass panels and hubby cut down the seals, our shower now looks like new at a low cost. Hubby has a cracked tile to replace and some grouting, just small jobs. We have no big DIY plans for us to do this year, we will need to get someone in to sort our wooden floors.

The wind and rain overnight earlier this week from storm Chandra was horrendous, there was local flooding, mainly roads unable to cope with the volume of water, we managed OK, Lilly has become a bit vocal, she loves to be outside, and  is fed up being inside, I understand her frustrations, I feel the same.

Our MP Suella Braverman has defected to Reform party, locally her popularity is very mixed, she is known for jumping on any local success stories whilst being absent from any work, both hubby and I are not happy as we feel if an MP change their party a by-election should be called, I know we vote for the person on the ballot paper, but you do also highly consider the party as well. It's just another case of MP's working for their own agenda rather than the people they were elected to represent. 

Whatcha doing?

These socks have been in my kitting work bag for over a year unfinished, pure laziness, they were not alone I had two other pairs there, all three pairs are now finished and these this week will be winging their way to a new home. The design is mine, I have used left over yarn from other hand made socks, using 4 different shades and the multi coloured

Another good book, a simple task leads to a discovery, you know you are adopted, but now you have a huge new family, with secrets, should you dig deeper. A plot with a double time line which worked well. Book 6 read this year.

I have often said the buds on an amaryllis when opening look alien, this bloom is dark red, I can't wait for these loud blooms to show themselves, my hyacinth is in circle photo, I do not know what colour these blooms will be, they are forming. January is a good month for inside bulbs, I do love to watch their growth, the hyacinth bulbs will go outside in garden once finished. 

I spent some time outside, my main job was to cutback the fleabane daisies in this bed, I did the same last year, keeps them at a tidy size, you can see lots green new growth at the base of the plants. Now I can see the spring bulbs shooting, I also removed 3 clumps of primroses, which were completely hidden, they are now in new spots, they fell apart so I had 5 plants.

Saturday was dry, sunny and not too cold, an hour in the garden pleased me, I managed to weed my side bed, the weeds are tiny and easier to pull, soon spring bulbs will cover the bed. The bed above is looking a bit ragged, my two snowberry plants are doing well, I will cut back the right hand side to allow the other newer plant to grow so they match size. Hubby renewed the wooden perch on my fork handle, I've never seen a bird on it, but I do like to see it. It's a bit like Triggers broom (Only Fools and Horses), the handle was replace a while ago and now a new perch, it belonged to my mum, so it is years old. 

Molly brought home a reading book with words in on Friday, already she knows them, she was very excited to read to us, all three children have a love of books, just like their mummy and me, Will has been unwell this week, he rarely has time off school sick, so they had a lazy weekend at home, George is happy to be together with them all. 

Blooming

My first amaryllis has two buds on, this will have bright red flowers, I can't wait for them to bloom. I have a second white one which has started to grow, and a couple more old bulbs which only have leaves so far.

I have left out my silk flowers from Christmas, 

I do love to see blooms, these all look real and add much needed colour to my room, tucked back far enough to look good.

I struggled with this book at the start, people on a aeroplane, lots of different characters, it felt very bitty, but it was worth sticking with it. This author has good and bad plots, I have before given up on her books. Would you want to know your future, when and how you will die, what will you do with this knowledge,  give in or fight it. Huge book 485 pages, book 2 read this year.

Hubby has been chasing the delivery of our new air-fryer, following the courier Evry, once the parcel arrived at the local hub, it sat there not moving, finally he contacted the seller, who did some checking and sent another parcel via DHL, which arrived the next day. Our plumber is due to replace the mixer bar on the shower next week. Wednesday hubby was using his desk top computer, it frozen and then shut down, it's too old to be repaired, so we have our local guy building at new model and retrieving as much data as he can. Hopefully that's the 3rd thing to break in the past two weeks. Pricy start to this year.

We are not doing much, my WI meeting was postponed last night because of the weather, I did pop outside earlier in the week and skidded all around the icy patio, it was pure luck I stayed on my feet. Even hubby has just hunkered down, it's warm here, we have everything we need. It rained most of Thursday not as hard as we expected, overnight the rain and wind was heavy. This morning is grey skies more rain and wind, but not so strong, our gardens are alright, no damage, I just hope where ever you are you are safe, dry and warm and have electricity. I've not spoken to my brother, I sent him a message, he has electricity and is home.

Thank you for all your comments regarding my printed blog books, just a couple things to think on, firstly you work at your own pace, the book remains on your computer until you upload it and then payment is required for the printing, secondly I always wait until there is a good offer, normally 50% off or a smaller discount with free shipping. the company send regular emails, not too many to be a nuisance, I always aim for November, at the moment there is a 40% off deal on offer. 

November garden

My daisy bed is still stunning, this simple planting has worked perfectly, I do very little to this bed, hubby loves it as well. I love how the blooms tumble to the lawn, I am hopeful of a few seedings next spring. These are evergreen and if our winter is mild we will have daisies for months.

A couple of my fuchsias are still  in bloom, both are not in the ground, being raised they do flower longer. My hosta tub is a mass of colour, the begonia is full of flowers, all the cyclamen are in pots, placed there for colour.

A quick check on my veg beds, everything is growing well, I have a fine pea net over both beds to keep the birds away. The veg in these beds requires no work, they will grow over winter giving spring harvest.

I managed to pick up all the leaves, I got 4 tubs, my acer is bare, so just the last of the huge magnolia leaves left to drop, both black dustbins are full, they will supply me with leaf mulch next autumn. I have piled loads of leaves over my rhubarb crown, I did the same last year. My composters are both full, the levels will drop, I don't plan to dig the compost out until the spring, when I should get enough compost for my needs.

Everything is looking good in the greenhouse, I will soon sow my sweet-peas, they were a success this year, so I'm going to do exactly as I did last year. I will plant my tulips in pots, hopefully with Molly on Sunday, she loves the garden, I have an amaryllis bulb to plant as well, in hope to have a flower before Christmas, I have 5 other bulbs which I have put outside in hope the cold weather will stimulate a bud instead of just leaves.

Our fake grass helps keep the garden looking good, it has brilliant drainage which is necessary in our wet winters, I get as much pleasure looking at our winter garden as I do in summer, the structure is enough to give interest. 

I spent Wednesday with daughter, I have finished all the children's gifts and George's birthday present, I'm out with hubby on Friday to choose our gift to each other. I did get a pair of green cords from Next, I have always loved cord trousers, they are not often on sale, so I grabbed a pair when I saw them.

March Blooms

 I finally have another amaryllis flower, this bulb was half price from Lidl, too cheap to leave in store, they only had red blooms left, I often grow white ones. The expensive one behind is still leaves. 

I have many different colours outside in the flower beds, the daffodils are everywhere, over the years they have spread through the beds. Primroses are another favourite spring plant, reminds me of the hedgerows back home in Somerset. 

I have 6 different hellebores, the white/green one is going over so not photo worthy, I have only grown these in the last 4 years, daughter has given me a few as birthday gifts, as they are on sale from November, I look forward to seeing their colour each spring. I would like a pure white flower, not seen one locally.

Because my flowers beds are not very wide, I do struggle to have colour and interest all year round, I don't mind a bare winter garden, as I love to see the branches of the bare trees, by this time of year I am wanting my garden to look heathy and colourful, this March I am happy, I've achieved my wish. I don't cut any flowers from the garden, I prefer to have silk flowers inside.

I have still managed an hour outside most dry days, Thursday was our wettest day, it stayed dull and cold most of the day. The patio is completely clean, hubby has done a great job, moving all the pots to wash away all the grime, it's not perfect but we are both happy. I sorted out my free packs of seeds from my annual subscription to Kitchen Garden, I've 16 packs to give away. 

Yesterday was a boring day, I did loads of cross stitch in the afternoon, I read most of the evening, which is like most other days, but I was bored, I have no plans to be thinking about, nothing on TV to interest me, it was a long day. My brother Martin called with an update about our oldest brother, he is now in a secure unit, he is a danger to himself, he can stay there for six months, they are looking for a permanent placement for him, that made me sad, he was always so busy and independent. 

Growing

 I love this author, so I expected a good plot, I did not want to put it down, your worse nightmare is happening and your only child is involved, you find another parent who is in the same position, work together, it's dangerous. Book 23 read this year.

Another new author, and a different plot, most of the narrative was in her own head, to the point where you start to think is she just paranoid, no true facts, just thoughts, it's a very clever modern tale. Book 24 read this year.

I stitch most evenings, there is very little to watch on TV, this is growing and looking good, although it's a full design it will only make up part of my piece. It's very satisfying to make, for now just using 4 colours, with the addition of white soon. 

It's a disappointing year for Amaryllis here, the expensive bulb my daughter gave me for Christmas has lovely leaves but no flower stalk,  the cheap reduced bulb infront has grow a stalk, but as yet it shows no sign of opening, they are in the same spot as previous years, just not thriving.

Tuesday I did housework for most of the day, I was in the mood to clean, so I got the whole house done, hubby was out so I was undisturbed, cleaning windows in sunshine is bliss, it's the sort of task you can be so pleased with once finished. I can now be outside without any guilty feelings, no that I feel guilty being in the garden.

Molly and daughter visited on Wednesday morning, they did not stay long, George's school called he was unwell, we did Will's school run at 3.20pm after a quick visit to our favourite garden centre, back home for an evening together. 

I have a propagator in my spare room, I have set Alicante tomato and mini cucumber seeds, I also got a pack of mixed mini tomatoes and sliced three and planted in hope I get some different plants, seeds are so expensive, so I am trying the sliced method. My potatoes are starting to chit, so I've started my growing season. I'm not using my greenhouse yet as overnight temperatures are still low, we have had a frost every morning.

Growing

Amaryllis time here again, this is the second bulb to bloom this season, I have a 3rd bulb already growing. 

I've started my sweet peas, I've not used the whole pack, just over half, the rest of the seeds can be used next spring. These soaked for one day, I then popped them on damp kitchen paper, they are on a sunny spot with the lid on to aid growth, once they start to shoot I will pop them in my long root growing containers.

 A very different tale, we all dream of winning the big one, how would you spend the money, would it change you, who you really are. A clever tale, a bit far fetched, but that's why we read non fiction, book 5 read this year.

I do like UK based police stories, it twisted and turned it's way to a conclusion, so many people who could be guilty. All through I had a slight feeling I had read this before, normally I remember quickly, it was the last chapter when I was sure, I checked and found it on my reading list for 2021, book 6 read this year.

I've twisted my back again, so I am am not doing much, it seams it takes less to bring back pain, which this time is taking longer to shift, Lilly is a lovely distraction, but I'm feeling a bit down, hopefully I can bring myself back up. I've not done any crafting, at some point I will get my yarn out and make something, I have plans to use my sewing machine, it will have to wait until my back is stronger. I am walking when I can and reading loads, we popped into the library, so I have plenty to read. 

We have tiny mice near our magnolia tree, they scurry under the bird feeders, we are both enjoying watch them run around, hubby scattered some seeds for them when feeding the birds, I love to see the mice, luckily we haven't seen any rats for ages, we have found a couple of small tunnels coming under our fence. I've not done anything in the garden for a couple of weeks, which is normal for me at this time of year, everywhere is looking tidy, I have things growing which do not require any input from me. 

Still blooming

Through the cooler months I do have some colour in my flowering section, a few summer blooms which should not be, and my winter chosen ones. Bulbs are starting to show, I think these are yellow crocus. 

Also in the greenhouse.

Inside my hyacinths, whilst not that tall are pretty blooms, they should be 2 bright pink and 2 white blooms, another Amaryllis bud is opening, this one is white, I have planted the red bulb. 

Friday we popped to Lidl for bread, milk and fresh bits, we had planned to go on Monday, but with the weather forecast so dire, we took advantage of the sunny dry morning. My eldest grandson popped in with his girlfriend in the afternoon, they enjoyed the cake hubby made, we chatted for hours, he is 19 and such a caring young man.

Saturday Lilly had visitors, Molly, George and Will played with her, we spent time chatting to mummy, we all enjoyed the cake, Will loves red velvet cake, we walked to the village, and got more food for Lilly, had the afternoon reading. Lilly crashed out, we are so pleased she has settled. The day was cold and dry, I had to again break ice on my wildlife pond and the drinking spots for the birds.

Sunday was a day at home together, we woke up to rain thankfully, it was a dull and much warmer day, daughter went out for a meal with friends and stayed over, ex was home with the children, she woke up late morning, something which is difficult to do when you have 3 young children. It's grey and very wet again here, I hope if you have snow you are all OK.

On a different note, I have not been able to comment on your post other than anonymous on my tablet, asked daughter why, she found I was not using Google as my browser, so my tablet did not recognise me, she set Google as my default browser and I can comment as poppypatchwork, most of you would know this, but I do get a few anonymous comments.

First post

Another Christmas gift from daughter, she knows I love these blooms, sadly I can only get them to bloom once, I have a white one already growing, should bloom in the coming weeks. My hyacinth bulbs are beginning to open, pale pink flowers giving colour to a dreary time of year.

The box has come in very handy, as Lilly loves it, our house has become a toy shop for cats, neither Grace or Purdy played with toys, so we had to go shopping for Lilly, she is happily playing or sleeping most of the day. I had said I would get an older cat to love here and have a second chance of happiness, but after losing both of ours, it would be too heart breaking to have to go through loss again too soon, so when daughters cat was pregnant the choice was made for us. 

I've sorted through my seeds, most came free with my subscription to Kitchen Garden magazine, these I am passing on to my neighbour. I have plenty left, I will cancel my subscription in February, 12 copies are enough, and a helpful reference point as I have kept them all. It's a time of planning, I have my note book out, I sketch my beds in the veg area and work out what I'm going to grow, I always cram plants in, my veg space is small.

We enjoyed good TV, Gavin and Stacey on Christmas night as did most of the country, loved The Split Barcelona, Strike, Ink Black Heart, The Christmas Lectures with Chris Van Tulleken, we also are watching The Day of the Jackal, still have a couple to watch. Christmas and January are always full of programs we love, so less reading time. Having I said that New Years Eve was just rubbish up to Graham Norton. 

New Years Eve was quite, just the two of us, we had a nice meal, shared a bottle of blush prosecco, waited up to watch the fireworks in London on the TV, we did stay up until all the fireworks was done, most locally were set off early because of the weather. We had a very blustery night, loads of bangs, neither of us slept well, my greenhouse and garden all came through, later in the day the rains came, some of the worse weather we have had, luckily we do not suffer from flooding here. It's a shame so many displays had to be cancelled, the weather has been horrible once again.

Lilly has settled, she has two igloos tucked away so she can retreat when she needs to, already she is following us and playing, after all her new toys a simple box and balloon not blown up fully keeps her happy. I had forgotten all they joys of a tiny kitten, she is house trained, which means we have a litter box inside, we won't let her out until she has had all her injections, been neutered and chipped.

At the start of another new year, I don't make resolutions, we have changed our lifestyle over recent years, turning our back on commercial, ignoring all the messages on my phone showing stuff they want to sell us as 'stuff you need'. No plans to declutter, our life with less feels so rewarding, our choices are not for everyone, but we both enjoy life. My hope is for 2025 to be a year of peace and calm, if not in our wide world, in each of your worlds.

This week

Sunday I marzipan the cakes, I'm really late this year, I had planned to do them last week, I also made holly wreaths for the top of two, my daughter prefers her left plain, the other smaller cake has thinner marzipan layer, my brother does not like it too thick, when did they all become so fussy. I will ice them on Friday and colour some icing red for berries.

  

Monday my brother arrived, he brought some sweet tree decorations, he made them with his 3D printer, he also brought a set for daughter and children's tree. Later I went to Will's school concert held at a local church, it was packed, loads of people, the children did well, but it was running very late daughter had to leave before the end to get George, so Will and I walked back to his house. Will had a reading which he did clearly, so proud of him.

My first amaryllis has opened, I got it from Lidl already planted in this glass, it's flowering a bit early, behind in the paperwhite daffodils, they are a disappointment, I did not have the best glass pot, and hoped they would thrive. I have another new amaryllis bulb which is growing only leaves this year.

We popped to our favourite garden centre,  I managed to get a plastic rake to help clean up fallen leaves on our fake grass, whilst there I saw their bulbs were 75% off, I was good and only got one pack. They feel nice and firm, I have a pot for them.

Tuesday we went to pets at home to get bits for our kitten Lilly, ensuring she has the same food as daughter is feeding her, we also got a cat scratching post, it was expensive so a lovely young man at the till asked if we all had the apt, my brother did not so they signed him up, found loads of discounts and saved us almost £20, brilliant result. I'm not sure if we will bring Lilly home next week, both daughter and I think she should stay with her mum for a week or two more.

I managed an hour outside, finally cutting back the late raspberry canes, there were a few berries still growing, I also cut back plants growing over the edge of the flowerbeds, everywhere is looking tidy, I still need to change the water in our large dish, it has an oily skin on it where the wood pigeons bathe, we were going to pack it away, but the birds use it daily. A pile of leaves has been collected all from recent storms, all we do now is keep the feeders full and watch the birds, we are having a hawk visiting, it sits on our fence and watches next door bird table, it's after the small pigeons.