Another Year Older!

We've been rather busy this past week!

First it was Father's Day.  S had this T-shirt from the children.  He is fond of this particular quote!

 We celebrated with a BBQ.  I adapted my veggie burger recipe with caramelised red onions and Feta cheese.

I had given my Dad's card and gift to my Mum the previous week when they were visiting us.  My Dad's card was a mini greenhouse with lettuce seeds to grow in it.

Next it was my birthday.

I received lots of pretty cards,

a beautiful bouquet from my Husband

and a silver leopard Trollbead.

I choose this book from my parents and they have given me some birthday money, which I am saving for Unwind at Brighton in July.

The next day it was our Son's birthday.

 I made a penguin-shaped coconut cake for him with lime buttercream and it was covered in fondant icing.

 Unfortunately the coconut cake was too soft to hold the penguin upright and he began to lean forward!  We quickly took a photo of Jay with his cake in case it toppled over completely.  Thankfully it didn't fall over.

 Jay had something new for his computer

 and some new shirts.  Penguins again!  He has always loved penguins.

 I cooked a special meal for his birthday and then it was time to blow out the candles.  That penguin is almost getting his beak burnt! :)

Saturday night we went out to celebrate.

Jay loves burgers so we went to gdk.

 Yummy rosemary skinny fries with hei hei salt.

May contain nuts! 

Definitely nuts!! :)

 Afterwards we went for a short walk around the park.  We always seem to gravitate towards the play areas!

No one was around so the big kids had a play.

This wobble board was such fun!  We couldn't stop laughing!

I may be another year older, but I still haven't grown up! :)

Jay and I also went to Winchester for a spot of shopping one day.  I bought a new dress from Mistral; a bargain at half price.

 There was a sale on at Cath Kidson.  I had a senior moment and bought these napkins - I thought they were tea towels!  Not sure whether to keep them or exchange them as I really like the pattern.

 I have always liked this little bird design, so I treated myself to a little bowl.

 A couple more remnants from C&H.

And some more DMC Natura for future crochet projects.  I really like this yarn as it is soft, yet hard-wearing.

It is the yarn that I have used for my Dahlia Squares.  I have blocked them and sewn the backing fabric ready for this cushion.

This week I have also crocheted some more Springtime Throw Squares and I have made a Diamond Wedding Anniversary card for my Aunt and Uncle.

 I have also resprayed my old watering can, as the original blue paint was worn.

 It has been so hot this week - too hot for black cats!

 The first dahlias are in bloom in the back garden

 and the first sweet pea is out.

My birdcages are looking pretty on the garage wall

and the roses are continuing to bloom.

Abraham D'Arby

The Fairy

Abraham D'Arby

The Countryman

 It may have been a very busy week, but it has been a very enjoyable week, which gets even better today as Fay is coming home for a week.

Summer is finally here!

After all that rain ...

... we finally have some summer sunshine!

Some family members have been lazing the hot days away :)

and others have been sitting on the patio enjoying the warmer evenings, having a BBQ.  I made some chickpea and lentil burgers, flavoured with spring onions and Stilton.  The carnivores liked them too!

I have spent most of my evenings out here, shoehorning the summer plants into the borders, often until 10pm.

I now only have 4 trays of plants left on my patio table! :)

 The best flowers in the garden at the moment are the roses, foxgloves and poppies.

 The clematis

 and Sweet Williams are looking lovely too.

The hanging baskets and window box are starting to fill out.

I have bought some shading for the greenhouse this year.  Usually I paint the outside of the glass during the summer, but my borders are crammed so full of plants that there is nowhere to stand in order to paint!

The tomato plants are starting to flower in the greenhouse, but the ones at the allotment are looking a little sick.

I still have the chrysanthemums in the greenhouse

and a baby lizard!

My chilli plants are still quite small, but hopefully they will catch up soon.  I have also sown a few more seeds - carrots, beans, spring onions, parsnip and parsley in the greenhouse as backups for the ones sown at the allotment.

 Up at the allotment we are now picking strawberries.

I have planted out my runner beans and a sweet potato plant.  This is the first year we have tried to grow sweet potatoes.

 The beetroot and other seedlings are sprouting, but the carrots are a little slow.

Ella has been joining me in the garden ...

... bird watching!

 Crafting has taken a back seat this past week, as I have been spending so much time in the garden. My parents have also been staying here for a few days, but they have now gone back home.  I have been crocheting a few more squares for my Springtime Throw and I have blocked the Dahlia Squares for my cushion, so next I need to join them and crochet an edging ... if I can resist the lure of the garden! ;)