Good Friday

Today, (after yesterday's computer stint) I am feeling much more with it and not as drained. Was very tired from so much screen work and from using the Mouse. Managed to get a good night's sleep and the computer is loading much faster as a result of all my efforts. Now to keep it under control. Still early days but have a load more housekeeping to do.  Photos need a bit of a purge as do some of the other sites I am on. Monday's forecast is for wet weather so I may well do some more computer work then.  This morning I woke early and heard the glorious Dawn chorus and fell back asleep again.

Breakfast for me today was "Hot Cross Buns".  OH is not into them but I quite like them, so not my usual oats and fruit.

The glory of today is that the sun is out, it is warmer and I plan a little pottering around with soil and seeds which will grow inside until I can rescue the greenhouses.

Talking of seeds, despite OH mithering about the Ghost Chilli seeds he planted the other week we now have a success as the plant is through and it looks quite sturdy. He does not know yet.  Will be a surprise for him when he is back from walking her Ladyship. (It was and he was well chuffed) Now to get sorted with the rest of the seeds.  I think he said that there were a few seeds in the packet ( Five I think) so we shall see whether any more will put in an appearance.  He quite likes Hot Chilli so we shall see how things progress.  I have some Cayenne Pepper chillies to plant as well as some others (cannot remember the names at the moment).

Looks as though my other chilli seeds will be going on this windowsill as well as it does get the sun when it is out for most of the day.

Seeds have sown today (Friday) with the proper compost are:

Chillies:

Tomatoes:

Aubergines

Yellow Courgettes

Herbs:

Parsley

Sage 

Rosemary

Thyme

I have used proper compost that I had leftover for Tomatoes, chillies, aubergine and Courgettes.  These are all inside.  Next thing will be to get the greenhouses up and sorted.  Have a bit of gardening to do before can do that.  I am hoping to be able to address some of this over the weekend.  One of the greenhouses is going to be a dedicated Tomato house and the other multi items including Cucumbers.  I have lots of planters and they are going to be pressed into use as well eventually.

Last night when I was sat down I dealt with the loose Bay leaves.  

I still have the bunches to deal with and so will work on those as well.  They are going on the Dresser, but before I do this task (which may well happen  this evening or may not😍) I need to tidy and sort the Dresser.

Meanwhile, later in the day:

We have since been shopping again.  I had asked for some compost, and there is an offer on at Morrison for 3 x 40 litre no peat compost - (Leveringtons)  Not an advert. Should be £15 for three offer is for £12.  I have used (Leveringtons) compost in the past but never the peat free so we shall see how we get on with this.  Fingers crossed as I have heard so many people do not get on with peat free, but then again have heard others totally happy with it.  Proof of the pudding will be in the eating and it is a start to the growing season for me.  

Have topped up a bit on the food front.  I needed several bits but was only taken to Morrisons and am grateful for that.  We now have a few items to eat over the next few days. Morrisons were charging £2.09 for a 2kilo bag of sugar and £0.99 per 1 kilo bag.  I have bought 4kilo at £4. I still need to stockpile more especially for the preserving season. Unusually, I had run out of sugar.  That does not normally happen.  On checking Waitrose website though, they still are cheaper on the 2kilo bag at £1.90.  They are charging £0.99 per kilo bag for those of you interested.  There are a few bits that I still need and so  may have to pop to Waitrose to get them, not much but just odds and ends.  I know it is only saving a few pennies here and there but worth the doing as those pennies can be used towards something else and they soon build up.  OH did offer to treat me to a meal out, but I told him that thank you, I would rather have ingredients to make a meal at home, than just one meal out.

Tomorrow I need to pick up a fresh tray of eggs and some veggies.  I have picked up a bag of wonky potatoes for £3.99 from Morrisons, some carrots and parsnips at £0.19 per bag, some spring greens at £0.79, some sweet potatoes at £1.09 per bag of about five sweet potatoes, organic celery £1.19.  Also need some petit-pois and some Asparagus. We are having Garlic and Rosemary roast Lamb for Sunday dinner.

There were quite a few other odds and ends too.  OH seems impressed by Morrisons.  They are not too bad and certainly cheaper than what I have been paying round the corner, but there is never stuff in when you go there (shop around the corner) so we just do not go as much.  I use the veg shop and the Asian mixed food shop which is where I get my onions from at £2 a net.

We also popped to Home Bargains as we needed to top up on a few things there.  I did not get my jars this time maybe next. However at least I know that they have them in and at 99p a jar I hope to grab a few next time I  go.  All part and parcel of the Pantry and condiment's cupboard upgrade. 

I buy very thick dustbin bags (described as "Rubble Bags" from Home Bargains in a roll of 25 for £2.99 (we have been paying £3 a roll round the corner or £5 for three rolls.  Trouble is we have had batches where there have been no bottoms to the bag plus the density of the bag is now weak compared to what it was i.e. cheap and nasty with the contents spilling out at the slightest snag. With the garden now under my eagle eye I am going to need these.  We have not managed to get to the tip this week but perhaps will be able to get on Tuesday weather permitting with a bit of luck.  May be at least a couple of trips just for green waste.

I managed to get some of the dog's bedding washed and on the line today in the sunshine to dry. I never knew a short-coated Jack Russell could moult so much onto her blankets! There will be more to do tomorrow and the cat's bedding will be tackled then. My animals have beds and plenty of bedding each to keep them warm at all times.  When we go on holiday this travels with us. With us popping out shopping I did not get to this and they do need beds for Friday night.  Weather looks promising for tomorrow.

I have checked on my plants that I found in the Herb Garden when weeding the other day.  In particular the hanging ivy baskets where I transplanted some more roots and have watered them. Hopefully they will root and give more substance to the baskets.  The mint, and the Woodruff have also been watered as have the honeysuckles, clematis and a couple of fruit trees.  I still need to get out to sort the last section of the Herb garden hopefully will get to that tomorrow.

Tea this evening has been another salad.  I was going to cook a full hot meal however as we were out a good two hours and by the time we got back it was a little late to set too.  Salad has therefore been the easy option for this evening.

Right am off to potter.

Have a lovely evening wherever you are.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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