Struggling along as best I can

nannygladys

WinterWarrior - ah pleased you're wearing your jumper and not just admiring it, I refuse to 'save' things for best and I reckon other people would be admiring it as I went on the website for a nosey and it looked lovely 

nannygladys

foxgloves - thanks for the hint on sitting down for the bum room measurement, the dress I'm going to make isn't fitted but it may well be on my big bum if I don't add something onto it!!!

I did the same as you whilst in first lockdown, I had a go at making a shirt dress, sizing it up by a couple of sizes after taking a couple of measurements, and I was so pleased with it, I'd never put a proper collar on, fitted waist band or button plackets on and they all turned out fine, pity it was about two inches too small on the waist!!! But I was proud with myself for learning new things.

nannygladys

Another mostly quiet day here, dd3, dgs and her oh called in this afternoon as they were in the area, but it wasn't quite warm enough to sit outside, too windy!! But I did get the front lawn cut and lots of seedlings potted up, tomorrow I will be planting a few more bits inside and hopefully get some more potatoes in. I have noticed that the melons, my nemesis, are coming up so you never know this may be the year they finally produce some or even one and I would be ecstatic .
'Not my cat' is still here and his 'owners' are back!! I hope he's not thinking of staying. I'll take his food over tomorrow and him if he doesn't go!!!! Poor thing I don't think he realises as he hasn't been out much today. This morning he woke me at 5:30 so I put him out, went back to bed and didn't wake until 9:30!!!!! He's causing me to get behind doing things now!!!! I have to blame someone 
Right off to bed, oh, no money spent today thank goodness  but I did find some Easter chocolate I hid in the fridge - needless to say it's not there now.
Nannyg

nannygladys

Busy day making do. For quite a while, well years, I have wanted to clear the mess from under the bay window, nothing grows there as its just dry soil and until I put some big rocks on it the local cats thought it was a giant litter tray. Anyway today was the day I started to do something!!! So I moved 8 edging stones from the bottom of the back garden, which are nearly the length of the border, and started to clear it. I managed to do about half of it, I've made it wider so it involves digging some lawn up as well as clearing the weeds etc from the border. I also managed to put in a couple of the edging stones and so far so good!! I know it won't be completed until next weekend as I'm out a few days this week but at least I've started. After I've done that I will be making a gravel border alongside the drive so when people get out of their cars they won't be standing on muddy grass when it rains! That's my garden plans this year!!!! I'm not putting flowers in the border under the window but can't make my mind up whether to gravel it and/or put big pots there so I can fill them with flowers.

I had a visit off dd1 briefly, changing the food recycling boxes and been given a box of chocs for looking after the cat who is asleep on MY settee  I'll be putting him out soon, he can sleep in his home now. Apparently they are going to have him checked up at the vets as he's looking so old now, just to make sure he is OK, and the original owner is supposed to be paying - hmmmm I wonder if he will cough up the money.

No money spent, and I will be checking my a/c later this week for the council tax payment. I think if I have any money left in the grocery jar when I next get paid it will buy extra dried/tinned stuff or else household stuff as everything is still going up. I'm not sure how much 'stock' to hold though.

Noticed today that my cucumber seedlings are at last making an appearance, thank goodness for that, I thought I might have had to plant some more. Just late peas, and climbing and dwarf beans to go but I usually direct plant those on the lottie so I'm ok for a while and the lettuce plants I was given are loving their makeshift mini greenhouse I cobbled together and growing really well. This bit of good weather is really making a positive difference to my seeds and future veggies for the summer and for storing, freezing and pickling, which reminds me I must buy sugar for jam making and vinegar for pickling, I should have enough spices left from last year. Last year I made a tomato and onion chutney that went down really well with all of us so I will be making that again and although I don't grow onions I'm going to do onion chutney as well.

Anyway rambled on long enough, keep well and don't work too hard this next week.
Nannyg

joedenise

I make a delicious red onion chutney and usually buy the onions when they on special offer in one of the SMs as use need quite a few just to make a couple of jars!  A couple of years ago I had a load of conference pears and make a pear chutney and DH absolutely loves it - I'll eat it but not so keen as I think it's a bit sweet for a chutney!

Sounds like your seedlings are beginning to show signs of life so hope fully you'll end up with lots of lovely veg later on.

dawnybabes

I made red onion chutney as gifts a few years ago, I found an ethnic shop that saved me a fortune on the onions and sprices.  I still buy my onions in sacks from there and hang the bags Up in the garage, they last me a few months 

nannygladys

joedenise - I've never made pear chutney, but I might have a go as there's bound to be some cheap/free ones around as the season progresses. I have grown onions on the lottie but after a couple of years I decided it was cheaper to buy them and I could use the ground to grow something that costs more in the shops.

nannygladys

dawnybabes - I hadn't thought of using an ethnic shop, I will have to investigate, my dd1 lives quite close to a couple and I know sil goes in them to buy spices etc as he says their varieties are vast and prices are very good. Thank you for reminding me

nannygladys

Today is my day for looking after dgs and pup, so paw patrol is on tv at the moment whilst I have a break from playing trucks, football, and drums!! Oh and throwing dog toys around the garden for pup! It seems a very long morning today. 

Last night I shut my curtains and locked my doors early so although I heard the cat knocking at my front window I was able to ignore him!!! Mind you I think he's taken umbridge as he wasn't outside when I got up this morning

Think I'll go and make a coffee, whilst dgs is having a bit of quiet time - it doesn't last long!!  

nannygladys

Just been looking through my budget as I get paid next week and I have found I have one luxury - yes .... the window cleaner!!!!   I don't really count him as a luxury as I really don't like dirty windows and I can't wash them anymore but if needs be he will have to go and I'll be buying some netting to make net curtains to hide the state of them!!!!!!! Honestly I think it would be very hard for me to give it up and would definitely be the last resort.

After I picked up dgd from school we sat down and had a drink and piece of chocolate fudge birthday cake, it was her birthday yesterday, she's growing up quickly and seems so grown up these days. She was 9 years old

I've just heard the 'not my cat' outside my front room window, I must be strong and not let him in. He did come running down the drive when I got back from grandma duties, but he didn't stay long when he realized I hadn't got any food for him! 

Not much else to report, no money spent and a quick pasta, courgette, carrot and LO cream cheese type dish was had for my tea. I'm trying to eat up all the veg that's left in the fridge as I'm planning on going to the hub tomorrow.
 
Also bought back one of my cook books I lent dd a while ago, so a little meal planning may be done., I need to get out of the food rut I'm in, I'm having more and more things on toast and 'rubbish' meals, so I think a bit of healthier eating wouldn't go amiss.

Anyway off to bed now, I want to be up early as I have a few things to do tomorrow before another day of grandma sitting on Thursday.
Nannyg