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Monday, July 19, 2010
I've been making lots of lovely smelly things recently - with lavender. I love the smell (particularly around the house) and it grows really easily. Having lavender in the garden also attracts bees which is really, really important. I've made a little video (with some footage Tim took in the garden earlier) - please watch :)
So, what do you do with all that lovely lavender (apart from seduce bees!)? Lots of things! Here are just a few.
Hang it in bunches to dry (and scent the room!) Here's mine in my kitchen - it needs to be somewhere warm so that it dries quickly before it rots.
Make lavender water (which can then be frozen in an ice cube tray and defrosted whenever you need some)
Pull the flowers off the stalks and put in some fine cotton material
Fasten with an elastic band
Pop into a tall glass jar
Pour on boiling water, cover the jar and leave for 24 hours (sorry for the blur!)
Then, remove the bag and throw away the flowers. Put some fresh flowers in the bag and reseal with the elastic. Tip the water into a saucepan and bring to the boil then put the flower bag and boiled water back into the jar and top up with fresh (boiled) water. Leave for another 24 hours then tip into an ice cube tray and freeze.
Make a very special, dry-skin busting soap. First, grate up some unperfumed, uncoloured soap (mine is palm oil based). I actually used a zester to do this - takes a while but is strangely satisfying!
You will need: olive oil, lavender flowers and dried chamomile. You will also need some sillicon cupcake cases and a baking tray.
Put the grated soap in a glass bowl and put that over a saucepan containing boiling water. Set the whole thing on the hob on a lowish heat. You will be adding freshly boiled water to the soap mix but it needs to be on the stove to keep everything at a good, constant temperature otherwise your soap mixture won't melt down properly.
Put your lavender flowers in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to GENTLY crush them
Make some tea with your chamomile!
Add about a cup of boiling water to your soap mix and stir. As it starts to melt down, add in the (strained) chamomile and the lavender flowers and a couple of teaspoons of olive oil. Stir. Looks a bit yuk at this point!
Add another cup of boiling water and stir again - it will be getting bubbly
Now, take the bowl off the heat - don't worry about any soap bits remaining because now you're going to beat the mixture with a wooden spoon. It will start to thicken up.
You can go in with your hands to squish out any remaining bits (make sure it's not too hot still!)
When you're ready, spoon the mixture into the cupcake cases and put in the fridge to harden off.
In a couple of days you can turn them out - hey presto! Cute cupcake soaps that are wonderfully good for your hands (got rid of April's nasty dry bits!) HOWEVER PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE test on a small patch of skin before completely lathering up with it to make sure it doesn't cause an allergy!!
Oh, and one final bee-related thing ..... Tim was tidying the front garden this afternoon and found a poor dead bee :( We have a little "animal graveyard" in our garden (created by April) to put any dead creatures she finds (woodlice, bees, spiders etc) - but before she put him there, she had a look at him under our mini microscope ......
I got a photo of his wing through the microscope
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Thursday, July 15, 2010
Happy Birthday to me! 40 today ... wow!
Pressies from Tim and the kids - all things I wanted, all lovely and gorgeous :) Rosie got me a special box to keep all my scrap fabric in and a voucher for Hobbycraft (SOOO cannot wait to go spend that!) Tim brought me the natural beauty book - something I'm really into (since inventing my own AMAZINGLY effective aromatherapy anti wrinkle cream ... shh! it's a secret!) I've also come up with a brilliant recipe for soap for dry skin - will blog that soon. From April I received the Sew Pretty book - total eye candy, SUCH beautiful things to make. Hemmy and Jeff (yes, they apparently stole Tim's Mastercard and went to Amazon *laughs*), got me a box set of Keeping Up Appearances each (hilarious programme!) I've got series 1, 2, 3 and 4 and I think there's only a couple more to get so that will be on my Christmas list :)
Tim took the day off work specially, so I got breakfast in bed and he's making me one of my favourite dinners (cannelloni). Saturday evening we're going round his mums because she's cooking me a birthday dinner too and then Sunday evening, Tim and I are having Chinese takeaway food (yum, yum, duck pancakes!) as my "main" birthday dinner (so many birthday dinners!) We are waiting for then so he can have a drink and stuff and not have to worry about getting up for work the next day. So, my special day actually spreads out over several special days - nice :)
Oooo! and the Proms start tomorrow! Looking forward to that!
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010
It did! After a seemingly endless period of hot dryness, it finally rained .... and very welcome it was too :)
I've got to get on soon .... but here's a quick roundup of yesterday.
Tim went off out in the morning and did some "financial" related stuff then, later, he had to go and accompany someone for their grade 6 singing exam. Apparently, she can sing really well and wasn't nervous at all before she went in but then forgot the words to the song and went a bit "shaky". Oh dear :( Tim says he doesn't know how much of that will go against her but hopefully she did ok. Anyway, he went out first (I guess she still had some stuff to do in there) and spoke to her mum and singing teacher about what happened. Then, the singing teacher asked if he'd consider helping out her (gospel!) choir doing their singing practices once a week (and she'd pay him!) This, of course, is extremely tempting HOWEVER, once a month Tim plays for a church and that includes a Thursday evening practice. Thursday is also the day the gospel choir have their practice so I'm not sure what he's decided about it - I know he wouldn't want to let the church down, he's been playing for them for years.
How about my own tiny musical attempts? Well, still been practicing my recorder - coming on ok! The book I'm learning from is actually for kids (I should probably find something more grown up!) - I've got to the point where I'm playing proper little tunes and it says at the top of one page "ask an adult to accompany you on the piano". Ha! Ha! Ha! Tiiiim?! Anyway, he did and I think he thought it was quite sweet that we were making a little bit of music together for the first time :)
Yesterday evening we had to take Rosie to Branksome Dene Chine beach for her last Guides of the term. They were having a beach party (hot dogs, beach games etc). It was a lengthy trek from where we live so, as the meeting was only an hour and a half, we decided to hang around. Me and Tim took April for a play on the beach then got back in the car and went to Tesco and did a bit of shopping THEN went back to the beach for another play and by that time Rosie was done. Next time she sees some of the Guide people will be when she goes to camp in August for 4 days!
Right, I'm going to get on. We've borrowed Tim's mums carpet shampooing machine so we can do all the carpets in the house - they get very mucky with Hem and the kids tramping in and out all day!
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Sunday, July 11, 2010
T'was a long....hot....day. Also one in which I managed to TOTALLY fail to get ANY photographs :(
Yesterday turned out to be a frantic round of running about for me. Got up early, made Rosie's packed lunch that she needed to take with her when she went on the Girl Guide float. Then I stuck a load of washing in containing some of her clothes (she slept over a grandma's last night), then got everyone dressed and off went went to deposit Rosie at the designated meeting place in the leisure centre carpark. Having done that me and April turned around and went straight home with me having to drag her past all the huge inflatable slides and "funhouses" (the fair was actually fab with a more traditional fairground and the inflatable thing for littles). Anyway, I dragged her past not because I'm a mean mummy but because we were intending to look around it all later when we'd picked Rosie up.
So we got home .... SWELTERING! It was so, so hot. Then I got busy on the next round of washing (more clothes for Rosie's sleepover!) and sorting out lunch. Then I sorted out Rosie's bag for later and then me and April changed into cooler clothes in preparation for the walk BACK to the carnival. I phoned Tim at this point to see if he'd be back in time to go with us and he said that he was on his way home but had to make a delivery on the way so it was touch and go. Well, I waited and waited for him but then got a phone call from the Guide leader to say the parade was finished a little early and Rosie was ready to pick up. Aaaargh! Now I had to shift it. So, we abandoned waiting for Tim and rushed off to get Rosie .... virtually running down the same streets and same alleyways and same field that we had trecked down only an hour or so before! I got halfway across the playing field when my phone went - it was Tim - "hello! I'm in Tesco (up the road from playing field), shall I meet you?" Erm... no .... rushing ... must get Rosie first ... meet you at kids play park in a minute!
Well, I collected Rosie (and her huge bunch of balloons that she'd been given off the float!), met up with Tim (actually, it was more a case of me spotting him in the distance and the kids charging after him going "daddy! daddeeee!") and we then went for a wander round the fair. He was still wearing his work tshirt and thus his company got a bit of free advertising that afternoon! (pah!) We didn't stay too long it was just too hot! We had a little play on some things and Tim also took the kids on the bumper cars and on a "win a toy" stall. Then it was my turn. Rosie had never been on a waltzer (is that how it's spelt?) so, since Tim had only recently had lunch, I had to go. It was horrific - I think I must be too old for such things now because I got off feeling actually quite ill! In my teenage years I would have gone on that over and over. I'm also sporting bruises around my left wrist where Rosie clung on so tight!
We finished up there and headed home to get cleaned up and changed before going out AGAIN to Tim's mums. It was Luke's 12th birthday and he was having a barbeque/pool party. We stayed there for a bit and then said goodbye to Rosie and came on because April wanted to go back to the fair for a bit. Got to the fairground only to find they'd packed up and gone! It was totally bizarre - there was no sign of it at all. The field looked like it always does on a summer evening - couple of people kicking a ball around, couple of people playing tennis and the park keeper picking up some litter! Erm. Anyway, to pacify April we went in the kids playground for a bit and then came on home (was late by this time - way past her bedtime!)
Was absolutely shattered by the time I got her in bed and flopped on the sofa!
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Friday, July 09, 2010
Can almost hear him thinking "it's just too hot man" as he flakes out on on the dining chair. Poor Hemmy, all that black fur can't help any!
Yes, it was definately a tad TOO hot today. My slothness (is that a word?) continued ALL day and the best I could manage was this:
Since it was too hot to do anything too physical, I terrorised the neighbours instead. I'm learning. I used to know how to play the recorder (I used to be able to read music!) but I've forgotten both. Since I'm deeply envious of my husband's ability to make lovely music and since I'd like to be able to play SOMETHING at least to a reasonable standard, I thought I'd start with this. I have also got a clarinet but that needs new reeds so the recorder it was. As I did used to play, I'm picking it up fairly quickly so hopefully the neighbours won't be needing the ear plugs for too long!
Oh, and here's something I did yesterday - my "raking gravel tray". This is a sort of Wabi Sabi thing - very relaxing. April likes to move the pebbles around and rake the sand and every time I look at it there's a different pattern - a sort of ever-changing piece of art! :)
As I did the tray, I rearranged some of our shelves too - swapped 2 of them around. The shelf with the tray looks pretty nice with some of April's toys and a few books:
The other shelf has the kids nature table, more books and a few instruments (REALLY want to get a glokenspiel next - April would love it - she enjoys music very much). I do like to have good quality, "proper" instruments (as opposed to the crappy "kids" instruments you can get which aren't actually very useful). Tim got these ages ago when he worked in the music shop.
..... but, the shelf sorting was yesterday ..... before it got TOO hot
.... man. 
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Having SUCH a lazy day today (feel terrible doing that when my hubby is off out working his butt off - YET AGAIN, it would seem, making up for someone else's mistake/error/forgetfullness). However, in my defence, I CAN chill out a bit today because there isn't actually much, in the way of housework, to do. I blitzed the house yesterday pulling out furniture, cleaning skirting boards, dusting everywhere. The whole damn thing :)
It's probably just as well - it's a really hot stuffy day today - not "nice" hot but sorta headachey.
Tomorrow, I've got to walk up to the local school with Rosie as she is taking part (with the Girl Guides) in our local carnival. Apparently, they've got hold of a load of guide uniforms from over the 100 years for the girls to wear (it's their centenary this year) .... as long as they aren't too moth-eaten and smelly (ewww!) April COULD have taken part in her Rainbow unit but it's a long event (especially if it's really hot) and I think, being only very ickle still, it might be a bit much. They do it every year so she'll get her chance.
So, I'll walk Rosie up and then me and April might mooch around the fair before coming back for lunch. I'm hoping that Tim will be back in time to go collect Rosie but I SERIOUSLY doubt it. His work have developed a penchant for sending him out with huge morning deliveries and then, when he gets back, sending him out AGAIN with other huge deliveries meaning he doesn't get back till some ridiculous time in the afternoon. Last Saturday (the day when we were supposed to be leaving the house at 5.30 to go off out for our meal at the Alice Lisle), they sent him on a second delivery to SWANAGE (which involves not only getting from Christchurch to Poole but also a trip across the water on the car ferry then more driving and then the same thing all the way back - it takes AGES especially if the traffic is bad). Anyway, he didn't get back home until 5.00 - his mum had to phone the restaurant and put our meal back by half an hour to give him some extra time to get cleaned up and changed and stuff.
The funny thing is, Neil (the boss-type person who sent him out) said something along the lines of "would you mind" or "could you" (go out again). Tim laughed when he told me about it and said "wonder what he'd do if I said no?" He said it's really tempting to just stand there, totally deadpan, and say "no sorry, too busy, got to go". Since Neil, apparently, seems always a bit nervous of asking Tim, I expect the poor man would probably burst into tears *laughs*. Thing is, Tim pretty much NEVER says no - in fact, I can't remember when he last did and if he did, it would have been for a genuine reason.
.... short break to answer the door .... oooo! it's the postman
...... ooooo! another exciting package which I know contains a birthday
present for me because I have been sternly forbidden by Tim to open
ANYTHING which arrives. Now, it's sat (with the other packages that
arrived the other day) tormenting me! My birthday is on Thursday ....
big birthday y'know .... I was born in 1970 
Right, enough of this silly banter - got to go - kids lunch soon.... byee!
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Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Well, an ug few days really :( Won't be too graphic but it's "female related stuff". Had to make a trip to the doctor today so that he (yes, HE .... would have been more happy with a female nurse but hey-ho...) could remove an iud. Damn thing :( Been in for nearly 3 years and I've been suffering more and more with it - terrible monthlies, pain like you wouldn't believe ..... Anyway, over the last few days I've been crying with pain, unable to stand up straight, vomiting - the full works. In the end couldn't take it anymore and, yesterday, made an appointment with the doctor.
I went in there with pain right across my middle (just where my diaphragm would be), sweating, bloated. I came out a short while later completely pain free and no bloating. The bloody thing had somehow got itself dislodged, HOWEVER, on reading up on this particular iud (the Nova T380 in case you're in any way interested or want to avoid it!) I find that the symptoms I've been increasingly suffering from over the last few months are not uncommon. Why I don't know - it's not hormonal but it screws you up completely - hideous mood swings, cramping at all times of the month, your entire body bloats up and the bleeding ... scary isn't the word for it :(
I'm never having one EVER again. Am now recovering - terrible pain is gone but still very tender.
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Sunday, July 04, 2010
A - 2. One to change it and one on standby who knows CPR.
Yes, it would appear that you can, in fact, be killed doing this apparently benign job.
On our way home from the restaurant last night (more about that in a minute) we tailed Tim's mum in her car. On getting home, we got a text saying "your headlight's out!". Ooops. So, I checked Halfords this morning .... I have to choose between "gassed" or "ungassed" bulbs .... erm.... I then do a quick search to see how to fit them and find out that there is a chance of death (how, I don't know!)
Not sure why we bothered with all this when my brother is a mechanic and MOT tester! I guess I just feel sometimes that we should try and deal with small jobs on our own. Only, the possibility of being killed to death isn't exactly "small" is it?! Then there's the gassed or ungassed question .... ENOUGH! Phone James .... he laughed at the death thing and said "yeah, you can be killed". He's got a free slot between MOTs tomorrow so he told Tim to bring it down and he'll do the headlight ..... AND the break light we've had out for a few weeks (oh dear) AND the slightly dodgy rear numberplate. Job done :)
So, dinner last night. As I said, we went to the Alice Lisle in the New Forest - very gorgeous location (didn't see the donkeys this time!), nice playground for the kids (and Tim, but the less said about that the better!). We had crab cakes as a starter (very, very yummy) followed by cod in batter for Tim (basically fish and chips with mushy peas - mushy peas! yuk yuk!) and Dover Sole with lemon butter prawns and lattice potatoes for me. Mum in law had the same as me but, unfortunately for her, her sole didn't fillet properly meaning she had to sit there and pick it to bits to avoid the bones. Mine went ok though and I ended up with the cartoon style fishbone on my plate at the end *laughs* Wasn't overly keen on the lattice potatoes which were a bit greasy but the fish tasted gorgeous. Pudding was pear and almond tart.
Oh and yes, we did have fish followed by fish. We're such peasants.
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Friday, July 02, 2010
*Yawn* ... not quite awake properly yet. Haven't been sleeping well at night lately due to the excessive heat and have been sleeping later in the morning instead - strangely it seems cooler between 5 and 7 than it does in the dead of night! Also made much better this morning by the fact that it rained earlier so that's cooled things off a bit. Tim didn't take his raincoat to work - he saw the weather and said "oh, I think that rain is going to miss us". Silly billy ... he should know better than to trust the weather forecast!
We're off out for dinner tomorrow evening because it's father-in-law's birthday - to the Alice Lisle - went there last year - very gorgeous, very yummy food. Nice donkeys - last time I stroked a donkey just before we went in and the thing (which had clearly been rolling on the grass or something) leaned against me and got muck all over my skirt! What followed was a rather comical few minutes in the ladies trying to wash the dirty patch off my skirt and hold it up under the hand drier to dry!
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Sunday, June 27, 2010
It's hot .... Really, really hot. Cannot complain in any way :)
We lost the football (can't complain about that either - can't stand football!) We watched a bit of the European Grand Prix (including Mark Webber's whoops) then went to the shops for some food before coming back and watching Glastonbury. Glastonbury is cool this year - there has been some great stuff on - the Pet Shop Boys were brilliant last night! Currently watching Seasick Steve with his beat-up old guitar *laughs*
Had more lettuce from my veggie plot at lunchtime - it really is gorgeous! You can't beat the flavour of lettuce that has only just been picked! Debs (hi Debs!) emailed and asked about my container garden. I did blog about it a while back but here are some piccies from today:
Yes, that is an old washing up bowl! You really can grow stuff in anything - these are baby plants that will be transferred to the bigger plot as we dig up the plants that are ready to eat. I've already transferred a couple of the lettuce. I've got some radish in the smaller pots but they're not doing so well.
.... and here is my mad experiment - the sandpit veggie plot!
I simply continue to be amazed by how well the plants have done in this! I've got white onions at the front, then baby carrots, then sweetcorn (yes, really! It's growing astonishingly well!) then my gem lettuce. What you can't see behind the sweetcorn on the right is a couple of little baby lettuce plants that I've just put in there.
This seems crazy growing these things in such a small space given that we've got a huge garden but the slugs are a real problem. I still had a fight on my hands keeping them off my sandpit veggies but I won - here's what I did.
So, a combination of these three things have saved my plants :)
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