My mother loves her new coat

On Tuesday I took my mother shopping to buy a warm jacket for the winter. We did eventually find a warm padded jacket and she decided to wear it out the next day.

It was quite expensive, and when I came downstairs that morning my mother was in a panic because she thought she had spent too much money and as she put it 'be in trouble with the bank'. Everything was fine but I've now tried to convince her to write everything down when she does telephone ordering so that we can keep a record.

Here she is posing for a photo.

I teased her and called her "Michelin Man" do you remember the advert for the tires.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-72
2007: Fun Monday-41
2006: Oliver

Rescued Hens

About a month ago a friend of mine gave a home to four rescued hens. They have been settling into their new home, and getting used to the garden. They are being very well cared for and are clearly happy because they have been laying eggs on most days.
Sadly one is being bullied by the others, and my friend has been giving her special treatment to make up for it. This is apparently normal behaviour, to have one that is picked on by the others.
They have a hen house with a bedroom.

They quickly learned to go up the ramp to sleep.

As soon as we went out into the garden they were quickly assembling ready to be fed.


Below is the one who is bullied, but she still managed to get enough food, and her extra treats ensures she continues to thrive. Her feathers are beginning to grow back quite well so all seems well.

The hen below looks very healthy and is the main bully.

They now have an outside pen and they really enjoy scratching about on what used to be a grassed area.

Although I enjoyed seeing them I'm not being tempted to get any for myself, but I'll happily use any spare eggs. I forgot to mention my friend is actually allergic to eggs!!

Archives:
2008: None
2007: Jonny did it
2006: Tyntesfield House

Soda Bread and Frittata

My first attempt at making soda bread was reasonably successful.

I saw a recipe in the daily paper for a Potato, Spring Onion, Dill and Cheese Frittata but as I didn't have half the ingredients I made my own version and this was the result:


14 oz cookd new potatoes sliced
4 eggs beaten
1 leek finely chopped (or as recipe 4 spring onions)
Few beans cooked and sliced
1 bunch dill roughly chopped(recipe)
25g 1 oz grated cheese

Method:
I didn't actually weigh anything
*potatoes fried until crisp in olive oil
* leeks and beans added to beaten eggs (or onions , dill)
* pour into pan and quickly mix, turn down heat top with grated cheese
*once almost set finish off under grill.

Embee's verdict very good.

Archives:
2008: What Olympic Sport are you
2007: Georgian Bath

Happy St Georges Day.

Happy St. George's Day

Cry God for Harry, England and Saint George!

I personally think we should do more in this country to mark this day.

I just had to share the pictures below. This cute little dog belongs to my hairdresser. His name is Eric, he's about five months old and he is adorable. I took this as I arrived at her house yesterday-he really wanted me to stay in the garden and play with him. He is now almost full grown and I'm useless with breeds so I've forgotten what he is but I'm sure someone will be able to tell me.

Just look at that face and those eyes...I almost want another dog ...tempted...but then I remember all the attention they need and realise it would not be sensible. So I'll just go on enjoying the occasional cuddle with Eric and read other people's bloggy doggy stories and see their pictures.

Archives:
2008: Happy St George's Day on Witty Wednesday
2007: Fun Mon-14 Isn't every day a bad hair day + Happy St George's Day

Are you sitting comfortably!

When I was browsing in an antique shop the other day I saw this and had to take a picture. I don't know whether you can see the price £75 (approx $111). I wonder how many little bottoms have been potty trained on this chair!

Archives:
2008: Do you Twitter
2007: Birthday Meme

Buckland Hall

On Sunday we went on a mission of mercy. Earlier this year Beccy's friend, Mary, had been to a conference retreat here in Wales

Buckland Hall is set in the spectacular countryside of the Brecon Beacons National Park, surrounded by mountains with vistas along the Usk Valley.

The entrance to the Hall is from the car park and there is a beautiful bed of heather to welcome visitors.
As you approach the hall there are masses of daffodils along the driveway.

I can imagine that it's a wonderful place to stay. It is so quiet and peaceful and there are wonderful views from the grounds. Just look at the picture below.

We also saw quite a few lambs. So, back to why we were there. Well Mary had left her suitcase behind when she stayed there. In fact the taxi driver failed to put it in the boot of the car and no one noticed until they got to the airport by which time it was too late to do anything about it. EmBee and I agreed to go and fetch the suitcase so that Mary could fly over from Dublin for the day to collect it. This is exactly what happened today and by now Mary, together with her case, will be safely back home in Dublin.

I'll be showing you some more photos of Wales, and telling you more about today in future posts.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-61 Celebrity Crush
2007: One a penny two a penny hot cross buns + 200th Post

Woodpigeon and an Award

I think I've become a bit obsessed with trying to get a decent bird photo. This morning, when I was making my breakfast, I saw this Woodpigeon in our yard it stayed a round for a long time and took up this position on the seat. I opened the kitchen door but thought I would frighten it away if I tried to get closer. It looks like it is inspecting my car!My friend Kitten gave me this delightful little award that she made herself.
It is so bright and cheerful and that's what blog friends do- brighten up your day. Thank you so much, Kitten, I will be adding this to my special gallery. I won't presume, but I pass this on to anyone who feels I brighten their day.

Archives:
2008: Witty Wednesday-43
2007: Fun Monday-11 What's in your wardrobe!

Music for Granny

This morning my niece's daughter had a keyboard exam and on the way back they popped in to see my mother so that Z.. could entertain her granny to a couple of tunes. Z is very interested in music and she has just bought an organ. My grandfather was an organist and choirmaster at our local church so I think she gets her musical talent from him. I don't really think she was in the best position for playing but my mother enjoyed it.

I took a few seconds of video but wished I'd thought about it sooner as it does not really do her performance justice but for some reason blogger will not upload it!



Archives:
2007: Hand Art
2006: Menu for Hope

Postcard from Dublin #3 Orphans

 

Sadly Beccy's neighbour died very suddenly a couple of weeks ago and she had two cats that Beccy is currently feeding twice a day. They have been used to sleeping in the garden shed but they are beginning to get used to Beccy and come running when she takes out the food. It was quite amusing the other morning when the clocks altered because they were prowling on the wall in Beccy's garden looking for her and meowing loudly. Both cats come from the same litter but I can't remember if they are both male nor can I remember their names and Beccy is out playing tennis so I can't ask her!
It would be lovely if they were not so timid because they are really rather nice looking cats.

Archives:
2007: Summertime Ends
Archives:
2006: It's not my birthday

Goji Bush!

A friend of mine order some Goji plants months ago and had promised that I could have one of them. They finally arrived a few days ago and I thought I had better plant it straight away. My friend said the bushes can grow to 3 metres so I got EmBee to buy large pot and some compost to start the process.

Yesterday I set about planting what looks like a little twig and I'm wondering how many years it will take to establish and start producing fruit. According to my information there should be some fruit after a couple of years. So we will have to wait and see and keep our fingers crossed, but I reason if they can grow in the Himalayas in Tibet, they might manage to grow here. In the mean time I will have to continue buying the dried berries.
I'm wondering if there are any bloggers who have tried growing them!


Archives:
2007: Catching Up
Archives:
2006: Manic Mondays

Feeding Time

Yesterday as I was walking in the hospital grounds taking my mother to her appointment, I suddenly noticed these two little fellows. Being a good little blogger I whipped out my camera and took a picture. They were busy feeding and were quite oblivious of all that was going on around them. I would have liked to creep a bit closer but I didn't really want to startle them.

Archives:
2007: How to relax

Witty Wedneday # 58 Smile

I hope these pictures make you smile they come via Publog; what would I do without him for my Wednesday posts! thanks John :)

'Aggghhhh! Someone dial 911, I'm being mauled by a troll!'

'I swear a Big Doberman busted in and just tore the place up....'

How to tell when its time to make your kids sleep in their own bed....

'Ahhh, the fresh, relaxing aroma of feet.......'

'Harlem Globetrotters here I come'

Par-tay, Par-tay, Par-tay!

Uh, cat? What cat?'

There's no explaining Love.

'Helloooooooo'

Peace

'Hi! Will you be my friends?!'

Mad Skills....

The good thing about working here - If you need assistance smiling, there's always help!

Life is short! Break the rules!
Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly!
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably..
And never regret anything that made you smile

Archives:
2007: Fun Monday 27