Family Shenanigans

No, not the next Indiana Jones epic but a sight for sore eyes in our back hedge. I was reading this blog a few days ago, amazed at the idea of elderflowers being picked for cordial – already! Then I remembered the author lives in Italy. They must be way further ahead than us. But what did I see tonight en route to the compost? These little beauties winking at me! Elderflowers were the first thing that I harvested from the hedgerow last year and therein started a new addiction. Elderberries followed, then sloes, bullaces, rosehips, blackberries. I was smitten. How quickly the season has come round again and I’m excited about planning the list of hedgerow treats for this year, a year older but a year wiser: (more…)

… kids, that is. Tonight on her way from her bath to her room, idling along in the nip, R said in a casual, sing song way “What is the earth?” (pause) “The earth is everything”. Me n Mr. P looked at eachother dumbfounded. I’m so looking forward to more of these philosophical nuggets as time goes by.

Here’s some visuals from R’s eye view

Dazzling sky tonight (more…)

Well, having bitten the bullet and washed most of the grass and droppings out of my wool, I made it to see the spinning lady on Monday. I took my v small bag of fleece and ventured to Penybont which is just this side of Llandrindod Wells. I drove into the carpark of the Thomas Shop which looks like just the kind of place I love. Lovingly restored old building, vintage signage, outdoor trellised seating area, old tin baths adorning the walls, cats coming to greet you, a sign suggesting cake may be had… looking good so far. It’s an amazing old place which houses a living museum / shop, cafe, accommodation and upstairs, te DA! The Wool Emporium! There sitting at her spinning wheel and surrounded by multicoloured woollen articles of every description is Shirley. (more…)

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That’s what we call them in our house and R & I had fun making them and eating them today. Yum!

I’m umm-ing and agh-ing about what to do with my wool now. The spinning lady is so busy that her offer to me involves driving to “The Wool Emporium” about 50 mins away where she holds subsidised workshops on carding and spinning, so could show me how to do this.

I know I’m just being lazy but a few things are putting me off: 1) the extra driving 2) the thought of trying to interest a 3 year old in spinning so she won’t run amok and get tangled up in everyone’s yarn 3) I’m gonna have to pick all the straw and poo out of the wool myself and wash it and dry it.

It’s taken the wind right out of my artisan sails.

What to do?

Well, I’ve been distracted from blogging by some lovely extended birthday celebrations (yes, it was a big one, no don’t ask!). We only went away for a few days but when we got back to the garden, it was as if we’d been away for a month. The buds that had started to appear on the apple trees have bloomed into a wonderful sight.

I was lucky enough to get a new camera from my family that had been on my wish list. My other all singing all dancing fuji cannot be beaten but it’s bulky slr-type lens means it’s no good for sticking in your pocket for a day or night out. Now THIS one. Well it’s the size of a waffer thin mint but seems to do most things the other one can. Thanks to my family for indulging me. Like I say, it was a big birthday and no, you still can’t ask the number! So, even though it was nearly dark, I was keen to put the new camera to the test and take a snap of the blossom. Quite a challenging shot. No light as I say and I don’t know what all the buttons do yet as it’s only just out the packet. Did get this one decent shot which I like coz it’s a bit surreal with the blue sky and the moon. This was courtesy of a clever little function where the camera takes one shot without flash, closely followed by another with flash so you can compare and ditch the one that’s no good. Great if you’re like me and a) don’t know much about the science of photography and b) are completely indecisive.

Ruddy cold I should think. I was quite shocked at how quickly and dramtically this sheep had lost it’s wool so guess what? Yes, I phoned the farmer for one of my classic “twit in the country” conversations.

Me: hello, it’s plumsource here from up in the village.

Farmer: Oh yes, hello (was that his eyeballs I heard rolling?)

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