Spongebob's Baking

Spongebob being my Imogen who changed into her Spongebob pyjamas after school (it poured with rain on the way home, as it has most of the day).

Andy picked some rhubarb at the allotment yesterday, he claimed not to like it since having it as a child. Knowing how he likes his tart and sour things (this is a man who will happily eat through a lemon, pith included), I was sure that it was worth trying again. I had seen a very yummy looking rhubarb and apple cake crumble on Kate's blog Granny taught me to crochet - thank you Kate, it's turned out lovely.

Making the cake mixture, and looking forward to scraping the bowl...

Yum, lots of fresh rhubarb and apple with a sprinkling of sugar.

Next was the crumble topping. Imogen is very good at making a fine crumble...

Concentrating, making sure it's all crumbled up.

Looking very nice and all ready to be popped into the oven.

We know you're baking...  Honey and Bruce watching every movement, waiting for even a miniscule crumb to fall...

All ready with some clotted cream. And yes... Andy has decided rhubarb is quite tasty after all - thanks Kate!

Just need to finish off with this picture of wee Gary feeling very tired and hiding under a cushion trying to catch some zeds

Ooh, the camera's out, please take a picture of me too!

Take care
xxx

Making a Start

One of those rare occasions again this summer - the sun has been shining today! Adam came round with his enormous pile of washing and then helped Andy to move the tv unit so they could get to the curtain pole. There was some polyfilling to be done and new curtains to go up. While Andy got on with finishing it off, Adam took Imogen to the allotment to make a start.

It was amazing! I underestimated Imogen, expecting a text to say she was fed up and wanted to come home, but no... Adam said she worked her little socks off, digging away at the weeds and roots with her little trowel, enjoying each others company.

When we arrived there we couldn't believe how much they'd cleared between them. Adam had spoken to a few other people who turned up to their patches, and said what a nice, friendly bunch they seem :)

There ended up being more than twice this many bags, amazing! I was so proud of them both :)

Imogen's back was starting to ache from all the bending with her little trowel, so Andy showed her how to use the big spade... and keep her feet intact!

Poor Adam was covered in scratches and stings, his hayfever was in full swing, but he said he would have happily stayed into the evening. He really enjoyed the hard work in the sun and feeling of accomplishment as areas started to clear.

There's still a great deal to be done, but what a great start. The allotment next to ours had lots of very ready onions waiting to be picked... looking forward to seeing ours like this next year.

How exciting!

Take care
xxx

Bye Bye Kitties

10 weeks have passed since we had the 4 little kitties come and live with us, and now the last one has left. The mother disappeared again a couple of days ago, but we managed to find good homes for all her babies - it's the last time though, it was a big relief to get rid of the litter tray!

I thought the last one was the cutest, she was very much a people cat, enjoying lots of cuddles and strokes. I would have liked to keep her, but stayed strong - we already have too many animals!

I spent the last couple of evenings making a cover for the arm rest on our sofa. It's a large sofa and does get grubby arms from time to time, so it seemed like such a good idea. It's finished and sitting proudly on the armrest. Just need to make one for the other side now. Why is it never as much fun making a second version of something?

Here it is being tested out by the kittie before she left us.

Andy went to the council this afternoon and picked up the key for the new allotment. Hopefully the weather will improve enough soon so he can go and make a start. Still so much to do here though, still decluttering and tidying.... yes, that's how messy it was to begin with... sigh!

Take care
xxx

We have an Allotment!

Yesterday was an amazing day, it was like waiting for a bus and lots of good things coming along at once.

Imogen has been in a talent contest at school, she went into the semi finals before half term and then the final was at school, hosted by the local radio station last night. She sang Celine Dion's My Heart will go On and came second (runner up), she was so thrilled and it meant so much to her. We were so proud, especially when other people in the audience were saying wow about her voice. Daddy filmed it, but I can't post it as there is a school agreement that we can take photos and video, but must not post it on the internet - I think it's a fair agreement and means we can still take pictures to help preserve our memories.

So Imogen was very happy (as were we), then Adam came from work and told us what a fantastic day he'd had... brilliant :)

And the other very exciting news for us is that we have an allotment!!!!!!!!!!

We put our name down 4 years ago, and it seemed like it would never happen. We went to have a look this afternoon, it's very overgrown... but so exciting. Lots of very hard work to get it cleared by Andy, and we've already bribed Adam to help with the digging over.

Even overgrown as it is, we still fell in love with it instantly

We even picked some of the rhubarb growing there to make something tasty with. We are complete novices and have only dabbled with growing some veggies in the garden so are hoping to get lots of advice as we go along. I can't help much with the physical side of it, but I'm just as excited as Andy...

Take care
xxx