Thank god we paid the mortgage off

ladybird1106

Finally had some rain but unfortunately only enough to dampen the ground. Probably enough for weed seeds though 🤣.

The books are by Charles Dowding, KK, no dig, compost and companion planting. I’m not sure we produce enough compost or can afford to ship in compost to go totally no dig but I’m hopefully going more in that direction. This year we are doing more green manures that have to be dug in. Also done pit digging which I remember seeing in lanzarote. So for example pumpkins, your supposed to put the on top of a mound. This year we put the plant in a pit about with compost about 1/2 metre round and once everything is in the depth is about 1 to 2” deep. This stops any water running away when we water them. That area hasn’t been dug over other than the pits. We’ve done the same thing on the brassica area. Pits and no other digging in that area. Other areas we’ve created channels by mounding soil (not touching the plants) either side of the plants and at both ends of the row again to prevent water running off. Not sure if I’ve explained myself very well but it’s certainly helped us. We’ve also used grass to mulch some areas which has also helped.
So, me time was becoming engrossed in my books and bedtime 🧘🏻‍♀️.

FRUGAL WINS FOR YESTERDAY.
• watered future meals at the allotment.
• tea was stuffed JP and salad ( homegrown potatoes, herbs, lettuce and cucumber). Yoghurt and homegrown blackberries for pudding 🤤.
• free exercise- walk and yoga.
• Mr🐞 went out with his brother who paid for the drinks and when Mr 🐞 offered to pay he was told no but I’ll have a few beers at yours when we get back. A Win,win situation💜.
• wm, dw and car programmed to come on when cheap electric tariff is.
• no money spent.

Best get on with using nature’s tumble dryer. Hope you all have a good day.
love 🐞

ladybird1106

FRUGAL WINS FOR YESTERDAY.
• used homemade liquid fertiliser to fed the majority of the plants at the plot. ( A mixture of nettle, comfrey, banana and hotbin liquids).
• free exercise walking backwards and forwards from the tap with heavy watering cans and yoga 🧘🏻‍♀️.
• tea- cheese, homegrown lettuce and cucumber sandwiches. Yoghurt and homegrown blackberries.
• used nature’s tumble dryer.
• water from shower saved to flush the loo once.

Today I’m off to see the eldest with their aunt. Lunch and cocktails are planned, so we are going by train. Not a cheap mode of transport but I get to relax and enjoy “letting the train take the strain”.

Love 🐞

ladybird1106

The train was absolutely rammed, toilets weren’t working, so glad I had a seat booked. Not sure I would do it again as my tummy was not happy about the cocktails ( only had 2)this morning. Although I have no hangover I feel very sluggish and the day is a bit of an effort. Anyway it was a good day although spendy.
love 🐞

ladybird1106

FRUGAL WINS FOR YESTERDAY.
• free exercise (allotment and we went for a walk and a picnic with the youngest and their best friend).
• was going to order some carrot fly netting, but remembered we had some in a box. 2 pieces were the right size, but 2 pieces had been cut in half. Can’t remember why. Anyway got my sewing machine out to sew them together as separately they were neither use nor ornament. Sown autumn carrots.
• harvested my spring sown carrots, little damage, but I need to sow less dense. Chopped, steamed and frozen for later in the year.
• tried a new French bean recipe to help get rid of the glut. Will definitely repeat.
•Signed up for 🐙 saver session.
• sm shop was only £74ish this week. Although I have to confess I have a bulk order coming via Oc tonight. Only 2nd one of the year, so seeing that as a win.
Bloomin hot at the allotment already, right time to get back to it now I’ve had a rest.
love 🐞

ladybird1106

FRUGAL WINS FOR YESTERDAY.
• free exercise at the plot. Lots of walking with heavy watering cans.
• harvested masses of French beans, blackberries, spring onions and lettuce.
• tea, veggie paella (homegrown spring onions, French beans and carrots).
• sowed future meal ingredients, spinach (🤞it gets cooler so it doesn’t bolt) and beetroot.
• free counselling via the current book I’m reading. Really interesting and certainly helped with a situation that came up yesterday.
love 🐞

KajiKita

Sounds like a productive day 😊

What was the book?

KK

ladybird1106

KK the book is called A life less punishing by Matt Heath. I’ve really enjoyed it. It has certainly made me look at things at a different angle.
Visit to the dr went as predicted. The youngest put on their headphones so they couldn’t hear me talk about all the things they can’t do. I’m not going to write about the ins and outs of it other than it was a traumatic experience and triggering for not only the youngest but also for Mr🐞 and I. Mr 🐞 was almost in tears reading what they had put and the words unable to work indefinitely on the sick note. The youngest was exhausted by the whole experience and went back to bed. Unfortunately when I got home and back into the website I was unable to upload the document as their system requires an end date. So sent an email asking what to do next. Also telephone call with the social worker trying to fob me off regarding respite and the youngest. Anyway I’m not sure that either I put over a detailed argument or they remembered what I used to do for a living and I know the legalities and agreed to look into whether this could be upped. Anyway they got back to me late Friday that it will be upped. Everything is a battle. I’m exhausted by it all, so dumping it here and trying to move on.

Sat at the allotment trying to take in the birds calling, the blue sky, bees buzzing and the lack of commotion.
love 🐞

teapot2

Hugs for you all, the 'systems' are exhausting and demeaning only emphasising loss and lack. I hope you can find some soothing at the allotment x

ladybird1106

thanks teapot2 I found solace in my solitude up there. Didn’t see anyone till gone 10am. Lovely. Lots and lots and lots of watering done, managed to weed and do some tidying. Harvested spring onions, beetroot, grapes and some sunflowers 🌻. I’ve never smelt a sunflower before. Absolutely beautiful. I’m looking forward to coming downstairs every day and seeing them.
Time to start tidying up the house 😱.

Love 🐞

KajiKita

Thanks for the book details - will add to my reading list.

That appointment sounds brutally awful. 😞 Glad you got chance to recover your equilibrium at your allotment ❤️ How’s Youngest and Mr LB now?

KK