Trying to Squeeze it all In

Some people I know go for month-long holidays four times a year, and are completely calm about it.

We go on holiday for one week a year and I'm absolutely frantic.  And it's only to Wales so we can drive home and back in a day if we want to!

I don't think it's just me who is at sixes and sevens though; I see this Barn Owl around our garden every morning and evening - maybe it's doing overtime to feed some chicks!

My main problem is the garden....everything is ready to be planted out and I'm trying to get it done before we go away on Saturday - mainly because I know George won't prioritise watering my flowers!

Today, yesterday, and last Sunday I was able to spend a good few hours at it, but otherwise there have been too many distractions.

last Thursday we had a brilliant day at the Malvern Quilt Show.  We saw lots of inspiring quilts, and here are some of my favourites:

 

Hand-pieced by Francis Meredith and Longarm quilted by her too.  A couple of my friends have sent their quilts to her at Fabadashery (www.fabadashery.co.uk) and I really loved the results - very different from the overall swirls that gets very samey.

 

I quite liked this one - Peony Ring (I think) by Sally Bramald

 

The baskets are so clever:

 

 
 

I thought Abigail Rose by Sue Watters was beautiful

 

 

and then this one: Knot Garden by Claire Scott

 

caught my eye - she used Canadian smocking for the knots and what she called a 'crashing' technique for the topiary.  No idea what that means!

Then Saturday we were dancing in the rain in Winchester.  Whilst sheltering under the trees Louise pointed out a Handkerchief tree (also known as a Ghost tree apparently) - it was really beautiful:

covered in all it's hankies

Tuesday morning Pitch and Stitch was busy and we were all very impressed by Lynn's cot quilt:

and floor mat made with Japanese Patches which she learnt with us:

Front and back below

 

A walk in the Woods

This morning I woke up before 5.00am with such a stiff neck it felt more like cramp!  The only thing that gave slight relief was blowing the warm hair drier on it - agony.  By late morning it was feeling a bit better, but it rather put paid to my plans to work all day on the garden.

I have various theories as to what caused it.  It could be the result of sitting hunched up all day against the cold at work. Or it could have been trying to push a wheel barrow full of turf and which has a flat tyre.  Or it could be some sort of repetitive strain because I have to pull the light pull in my bathroom about twenty times each night before the light comes on.  Or it could have been because I went dancing yesterday.  Or it could be because I spend practically every waking minute scrolling through Facebook to see what George is up to on his four week whistle-stop trek around America.....

There have been a few pictures, of some pretty spectacular views, although not as many as I'd like.

Yesterday we had a message conversation which reminded me of letters home when I was abroad:

George (Saturday 1.25am): 

Hello I'm having a really great time but I've run into a problem with my spending. I have about £200 left to spend so I'm not sure if it will last me the rest of the trip.

 

Us (Saturday 8.27am):

You have overspent quite a lot. Will put some money in on Monday but you have to curb your spending a bit...

 

Us (Saturday 8.34am):

Remember that the money may not be available till Tuesday because I'll have to do the transfer after work on Monday.

 

Us (Saturday 11.22am):

Have put money in your account. Try not to spend it all but if it gets low again let us know.

 

 

Anyway, while he was enjoying spectacular views, the dogs and I decided to make the most of Bluebell time.  We have three little woods, Hashams, Roger's Wood and Lodge Wood.  The Bluebells are particularly good in Hashams

 

 

and it's lovely to see the bright green ferns unfurling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Young Oak had loads of Oak Apples on it

 

 

and then you turn a corner and see this beautiful blossom

 

From Roger's Wood you can see through to the golden Rape behind:

 

We are lucky to have such beautiful places to walk around here.

We are also really exhausted.  The last ewe lambed last weekend, and the last cow calved yesterday.  I have started feeding my lambs just twice a day now they are happily gobbling up their creep feed, and some of the sheep have decided they can't wait till shearing and are throwing off their coats already!

 

We are so looking forward to our holiday! - every morning the only way I can get out of bed is by telling myself I can get back in at the end of the day!