Wednesday 28 April 2010

MAYDAY!! MAYDAY!!

Just got to share the fact
that I have just realised that it is a
Bank Holiday next Monday!!!


I only work Monday to Wednesday,
so when I left school today,
skipping along with that Friday feeling!
I didn't realise that I have now got
FIVE DAYS OFF!

Fabbytastic or WHAT?

I am such a Dolly Daydream sometimes.

Love C. xxx



Saturday 24 April 2010

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...ENJOY!

Today the boys and I are going to try and show you
In true 'Blue Peter' style,
how to make life easy on yourself
and how to be kind to the planet!

You could also add to that list
that you're going to get something for nothing too!!!

Like the sound of that?
Read on!

 

We have planted some sunflower seeds
in homemade recycled newspaper pots!

First...You need to gather together
Newspapers
Stapler and staples
and an
Aerosol can
(hmmm that last one isn't very eco friendly is it?)



Next you get one sheet of newspaper
and tear it down the centre.



(Notice how easy this is?
Even the kids can do it)

Take 1 of the sheets and fold it down
top to bottom, like this...



and then fold over the 2 flaps back about an inch.



Thank you Jacob!

Next you take your can,
that has to have a 'concave' bottom like this...



and place it on the paper like so...



Roll the can along, keeping it tight and lined up
along the edges as you go.



Now then, the bottom of the can needed to
be shaped that way so you can fold the ends in and
sort of squash them in it...



Try and be neat and fold and squish as you go!
(Did Blue Peter presenters use the term 'SQUISH?')



Nearly finished now!
I told you it was easy!
You can adust the depth of the pot
by messing around with the size of the
newspaper, or how you fold it down.


OK
Next you need to stand your can up and
crush it down on a hard surface.


Remove the can and secure the loose flap
with a staple if you wish.



It only takes a few seconds to make 1
once you get used to it.


They stand up OK once filled with compost.
But I put mine in a tray.



We moved outside and filled them with compost.
Watered them, and planted
our sunflower seeds in to them.

IF you thought that was easy...
Wait until the time comes to plant them in the ground.
You just make a hole,
and plop the whole thing in!

EASY!

The roots will push their way through the paper
even before you plant them out,
and the paper will break down
easily in to the soil.

They are particulary good
for things that need a deep root,
Sweet Peas,
or don't like their roots being disturbed,
Parsnips, Carrots and Sweetcorn (?)

Try not to keep them too wet,
but obviously wet enough.

You can tear off the paper from the bottom
before planting if you so wish.

The peat pots you can buy will
obviously cost you money,
and are they as friendly to our plant
as these?  I think not.
You may save and collect spent loo rolls
but I believe the glue makes them develop mould
and not break down as well.

I hope they work for you!

I cannot take full credit for these
brill pots..
I read about them on a fab forum I use HERE.

Maybe it is a few weeks too late in the season
for you gardening experts,
but what started off as something to do with the children
has turned out to be quite an enormous post.
At last i've banished bloggers block!

Have fun.





Sunday 18 April 2010

Wonderful nature!





Three weeks ago I did a post
about getting some fertile hatching eggs for my broody hen.

Well, EGGSactly (ha ha sorry!) 21 days later...

They've hatched!!!

Well, that should say...

They're hatching!!!

This morning
I went out to check on everyone,
seeing as the boys are at their Dad's
this weekend and couldn't do it themselves.
I stroked 'Pie' the cheeky bunny.
who runs around loose in the garden and runs up to you
nibbling your shoes or toes!

Enjoyed the sunshine on my face, drank my coffee,
fed the hens some stale bread,
they also tried to nibble at my toes!
Think it must be the red varnish,
well....it is flip flop weather, almost, ish.

And then...

I went to check on Wendy.

Realising that todays the day the eggs should hatch!
21 days after the dark night
 that I slipped the fertile hatching eggs under her,
removing the pebbles she was sitting on.

Oh I wonder what might be?

Whats that I hear?

Teeny tiny cheep cheep sounds!!!

So I brave the wrath of Wendy

'OUCH'

She's a grumpy girl

I don't think you are really supposed
to pick her up off the nest but i did!
I couldn't wait!

There before me I see 8 eggs and 1 cute chick!
ALL CHEEPING!!!
Yes, even the unhatched eggs, all cheeping away together.

So here he is...


 

Or hopefully, SHE?!

Just how cute is that?!

Then right before my eyes,
another chick pops out of it's egg!

So I left her to it, before she got upset
 and before they got cold.

The boys have just arrived back home,
and I told them I had a secret to tell them...
About someone having a baby...

Finley's jaw dropped open, He said,

'YOU?'  'US!!?'

NOOOOooo, I quickly put him straight on that one!

Jacob shouted,
'WENDY!!!'
and ran off to the back door.

I quicky explained that they needed to be calm,
and very quiet,
so we can go and have a peep.


 

Isn't nature wonderful?!

Have you all made friends with your SWAP partners?

I am thrilled to be partnered with


I have got my thinking cap on now.

Just hope I can actually post the things I am planning
on sending Tilly!  I may have to KEEP them all.

Love Claire.
xxx







Friday 16 April 2010

Good Enough To Eat!


SWAP TIME!


Well girls....

Here we go!

Em has worked hard on writing up the links
 so I'm getting the easy job
 of just linking you over to her.

Pop over to


to find out who your partner is.

Enjoy everyone, Oh I can't wait!

How will I actually be able to post the goodies
when really I want to keep them!
Possibly even EAT THEM!!!

Monday 12 April 2010

Chicken or the Egg???


EGG UPDATE

I hope we have this...


and not this...



Wendy is still sitting tight on the eggs bless her.

For those of you who know about hens,
they will be Cochins.
Can you see the chicks feathery legs on the photo above?
When they're fully grown they are like giant feathery footballs,
you can't see much of their legs.
Very gentle and perfect for kids

They're due to hatch about Sunday.
I shall keep you posted!

If anyone lives close enough,
you're welcome to come and meet them.
 (will also be welcome to take them home with you!)


On a totally different subject...

DOROTHY UPDATE!!!

Bronte Barbe who was voted out last Sunday
is from my hometown.
She is in the 6th form at the local highschool
and her Mum is in the theatre group I am in.


Bronte... I don't think you will get to read this but I
am so very sorry you didn't get through,
I am also very sorry that I didn't vote for you.
You see...I can't....because, don't you know by now?

That...

I AM DOROTHY!!!

Love C. xxx

P.S.  Still time to sign up for the swap!
Em and I will be posting who is partnered with who at the weekend.





Tuesday 6 April 2010

I would like to dedicate this award to....

How exciting!!!
I have received my very first award!

Thank you 
Pop over and have a peep,
she's a real sweetie! 


Thanks Angel!

It's for always looking on the brightside of things,
which this last few weeks I can tell you
has been a bit tricky to say the least.

But not to worry,
life is what you make of it and
seeing as we only get one shot,
we need to grab whats left of it and try our best to enjoy it eh!

Now I have to follow the rules of the award.


I have to:

1. List the top ten things that make me happy.

2. List 5 trivia things about me.

3.Share with 5 people and ask them to do the same.

4. Link the blogs you choose and link the blog of the person who gave it to you.




Now then, 10 things that make me happy;

Sunshine.
My mischievous boys.
NO RAIN.
Butter and cream!
Having lots of friends.
A clean house (although that doesn't happen very often!)
Being loved.
Puddings with alcohol in them.
Visiting new places.
Making people laugh.




Now I have to tell you 5 trivia things about myself!

My party trick is to do the splits whilst on 2 bar stools!
I love singing.
I can sew but NEVER finish anything!
I did Ballet and tap to grade 4 and played Rugby Union for 3 years.
I am a qualified Riding Instructor, Hairdresser and Teaching assistant.

I sneaked a few more in there I think.
So many more I could have put too!
What does that say about me? hee hee


Choosing 5 others to share with has been
SOOOOOO difficult!
But I have managed it.

Taz at Ratbag

Victoria at Florence & Mary




Now don't get me wrong, I read lots and lots of blogs
and love them ALL, it's so tricky to find only 5!

Whilst I'm here I hope we're all looking forward to our




There is still time to sign up, it's looking very good
with lots of people wanting to be involved.



Love Claire. xxx









Thursday 1 April 2010

It's Good Enough to Eat...Blog Swap




Emma from 'Em's shabby shack' and I have decided to organise a swap together.

We came up with the wonderful idea to do it based around things
 that look or smell good enough to eat.
Mmmmmm!



If you think this sounds like a scrummy idea
and would like to take part then please
post a comment along with your e-mail address to myself or Em's blog
 by Friday 16th April.



Please state if you are not happy to send abroad

You will need to send your gifts to your swap partner
by Friday 14th May.



This is what we would like you to include;

 
A handmade item that looks or smell good enough to eat.

An item that is 'Green' or Fairtrade.

A delicious cake receipe.

A couple of items which you would consider look good enough to eat!



There are so many things that look and smell so delicious
that they could actually be...



Good Enough To Eat!



Knitted cupcake pin cushions spring to mind,
humbug hair slides
and cherry bath bombs!
Lotions and potions,
fabrics and buttons.

You're clever girls, you'll enjoy getting carried away no doubt!

Oh and don't forget to pop the Logo on your blog please......x