Pulled Pork Sundae?

 

The mornings start early at the moment, getting Teen One into school for just before 8am.

Whilst I am always up early, I am not in a rush to get showered and dressed, I put myself last in line for the bathroom as I don't generally have to be out as early as everyone else.

But for the next few weeks I have to get in and out of the bathroom quick and be dressed by 7.30am...its like being back at work!

Of course I don't mind, what is a 7-10minute  car trip would be an 50 minutes walk and a longer bus ride as there is no direct route there.

Teen Two was having to miss his break at college today as I had booked his speech therapy session  at the wrong time by mistake!
Like the rest of us, a drink and snack during the working day is something he looks forward to, so to go straight from a mornings hard work, to more brain thinking work was a bit of a blow for him.

But I couldn't change the session as he had the dentist in the afternoon, so instead I decided to take him home a McDonald's breakfast as a treat!

It must be about a year since I last did it, and his face was a picture!

Way more value ( and cheaper!) than that glass of ice I had last night!

 

 

The morning was spent tackling, what I hope is the last coat of the purlin beam...

 

 

...and kitchen cladding.
When the builder puts the rest of the plasterboard up in the conservatory there will of course be a bit more painting to do, but for the moment that's my bit done.

 

 

Next up was to make some fresh playdough for Parent and Toddlers tomorrow.

It's quick and simple to make and costs very little indeed

 

Playdough

 

500g (100g) plain flour

250g (50g) salt

5 (1) teaspoons cream of tartar

5 (1) teaspoons cooking oil

750 (150)ml water

food colouring

 

 

Put flour, salt cream of tartar,oil in a saucepan and give a quick stir round. Add 1-2 teaspoons ( adjust to suit) food colouring to the water. Add the water to the rest of the ingredients and stir thoroughly and continually over a low to medium heat. The playdough is ready when the dough has thickened and leaves the sides of the pan almost clean.

Remove and leave to cool.

Leave pan in soak for a few hours, then it will wash with relative ease.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Lasts indefinitely!! I have never had a batch "go off."

 

 

Although we had been promised rain, by lunch time there wasn't any, so I had to revert to hosing the new turfs.

I have been letting the bunnies have a bit of a munch ( still carefully supervised) and they don't seem to have harmed it in anyway, and as Hubby says, just how much grass can they little tummies hold!

I read recently that grass cuttings(as opposed to grass they eat from the ground) are bad for them...funny that isn't it?

 

 

Teen Two came home lunch time, for his dentist appointment, to fix a broken filling.

He has a lovely dentist and I  wish she were mine!

 

 

 

 

 

For lunch I made him something we had seen at TGI's yesterday....pulled pork sundae!

We happened to have had pulled pork for dinner yesterday and as Hubby hadn't needed a dinner I had more left over than usual.

The sundae (not sweet you will be glad to know) was layers of pulled pork, mash potato and melted cheese ( with bacon as well I think, which I didn't bother with) it looked and smelt yummy!

He certainly enjoyed it.

 

 

The rest of the day has been the usual pottering, getting this and that done, and like my friend, enjoying seeing my washing blowing in the breeze!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 6th June 2017: "A Surprise Delivery"

 

I apologise for no blog yesterday, not only did we go out in the evening, around the time I would post the day's events, when we arrived home I had problems uploading pictures from the camera, problems which are still unresolved, hopefully Hubby can get it sorted for me!

Back to yesterday, it started with me hunting down more slate chippings.

I finally found them in stock at the third supermarket, but it worked out well as just as I walked up to the crate where they were, I saw a friend from church who work at this store, he was just on his way back in from a break and saw what I was after, so saved me one load of lifting and put them in the trolley for me...kind man!

That meant I only had to lift them into the car, back out of the car and then into the garden!

Phew, glad that's over!

I then filled up the empty spaces and am pleased with the finished look.

I do however wonder how much upkeep it will take to keep it looking so nice.

The slates of course require no upkeep, but I am wondering what they will look like when we mow the grass ( all those cuttings spraying everywhere) and the leaves etc fall over over them in the autumn.

Well I shall just have to wait and see I guess!

 

I then called in to see my next door neighbour two doors along.

We have shared many experiences over recent years with our late neighbours, and I haven't seen her since coming home from Australia.

What started out as a quick cuppa, ended up a two hour long chinwag!

She lives alone, so I expect was glad of the day being broken up a little.

 

When I eventually got back home, there was a surprise delivery waiting for me!

It was from my friend, saying thank you for her washing line!

I get regular updates on the line ( photos too!) she really is thrilled with it...I can't help thinking what a trick her Hubby missed by not getting it for her years ago...imagine the "Brownie points!"

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up on chores, before heading out with the Teens to meet Hubby for a drink.

We were going to a missionary report meeting, which wasn't too far from work, so it seemed silly for him to battle rush hour to get home.

Instead he had lunch at work ( lasagne, chips, salad, garlic bread for £2.50 and a free pudding!!) and we met up at TGI's

The Teens had fancy milkshakes, and I had a Mocktail, Strawberry Fields.

Mine was very pretty and very tasty HOWEVER, when the drink was gone, the glass was almost full to the top with ice, so most of my £3.80 was plain old ice!!

I almost asked for it without ice as my teeth are a little on the sensitive side to really cold things...next time ( if I can justify a next time) I will definitely say no ice!!

We all enjoyed the report, which was on aid provided in Romania, as usual we came away feeling like millionaires. Its hard to comprehend the poverty ( real poverty) some families and elderly people still live in ( walking miles just to get fresh water for example.)

 

 

 

 

 

It's Raining It's Pouring!

This morning started very early for me.....4am!

No idea why I should wake and be so wide awake, was it the daylight? Was it the beautiful dawn chorus?

No idea, but no matter how hard I tried, I just could not drop off to sleep again.

When Hubby's alarm went off at 5 something, I decided to call it  night and get up!

I actually rather enjoy being up early, everywhere is so quiet and I get so much done and still have so much of the day left!

However  I am rather bleary eyed now!

I dropped Teen One off at school, wishing her well for her solo whole class maths teaching session.

It was supposed to be a shared session, but her partner isn't in this week.

Tomorrow her tutor from Uni comes to observe.

 

The builders came in around 8.30am to see if they could find the source of our leak the other day, but no matter how much water they poured down, there wasn't a single drip!

They have assured us that if we do have another leak they will come round and if necessary put up new joints.

I am very impressed with their eagerness to ensure we are satisfied customers, one hears such awful stories about cowboy builders.

 

With the builders on their way, Teen Two and I went to see my Monday Recycled Teenager.

She felt well enough to come to Morrisons with us, which is great, its the only time in the week she comes out I learnt!

 

 

Over the past few weeks I have resigned myself to not having any flowers in the garden, whilst we have the bunnies.

Last night however I had a mini brainwave...what if I had hanging baskets instead?

I could still enjoy the beauty and colour of various flowers and they would be way out of the bunnies reach!

In Morrisons today they had these pretty fuschia hanging basket for £5, so I  thought one a week at that price won't break the bank, and hopefully this particular one will last more than one summer...if I am careful!

 

 

A friend called in for a cuppa during her lunch break, and we actually managed to escape the showers and sit in the garden.

She is still thrilled with her washing line and loves to watch her clothes "dancing in the breeze."

 

 

During the afternoon I cracked on with some housework, whilst Teen One tackled some maths homework....

 

 

 

...we then tackled some SALT (Speech and Language Therapy) work together.

Our subject was "friends" looking at the difference between

Best Friends

Good Friends

Friends

Online Friends

Acquaintances

Mentors

 

For most of us we can separate all these people that we know, and probably draw up a list for each group, but this is not so easy for Teen Two and can be a minefield, leaving him rather vulnerable.

Finding the balance between teaching your children to be trusting, yet not too trusting is no easy thing.

 

 

With our work done, Teen Two and I went into town.

He has wanted to visit the Virtual Reality game set again, and we just didn't manage to fit it in last week, so I left him in Game, having the time of his life, whilst I went for a wander round town.

As I was walking through Wilco I saw these on the end of the aisle!

Plant pots for hanging on fences!

They are made of sturdy plastic and I thought would be perfect for my new venture!

Hubby had expressed concern about a bracket and heavy basket hanging from the fence ( so recently put up!) but I think these will be much better, sitting close to the fence will mean less stress, and also they are not as big as a standard basket.

Once I have his full approval (code: I have persuaded him its fine!) I will get a couple more.

 

 

 

 Soon after collecting Teen One from school ( and hearing the teacher was pleased with her session) the heavens opened.

Normally rain would be a disappointment, but not today however!

I am so pleased to see it pouring down...all over the new turf!

It will be one less job to do tonight and will also no doubt give it a better soaking than the hose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bunnies Under Strict Supervision!

 

 

How sad to wake to more terrible news this morning.

To start with I wondered why someone had posted "old news" talking about an incident on London Bridge and stabbing...so it was a real shock to read this was in fact a new tragedy unfolding.

Our thoughts and prayers go to all those who have lost loved ones.

 

The morning continued for us in its usual routine ( and how blessed we felt to be able to do that,) with church first thing, followed by lunch.

 

 

 

Whilst I cleared up the dishes, Grandma went to admire the new garden arrangement...

 

 

I followed soon after with my knitting, it was a lovely peaceful afternoon, with a light breeze to keep us comfortable

 

 

 

 

We decided to let the bunnies out under STRICT supervision.....I want the turf to have time to get established before they start nibbling on it

 

 

 

I was relieved when they decided to just chill!

 

 

 

Whilst the rest of us played the usual board games, Teen One spent the afternoon preparing for a teaching session tomorrow...

 

 

 

...and tonight she has papers everywhere waiting to be laminated.

I imagine this is going to become a familiar scene!

 

 

 

 

Getting Green ( or Muddy!) Fingers!

 

This morning, as planned, before the day got too hot, I went into the garden to finish off raking the soil, ready for the turfs being laid.

Like everything it took way longer than I expected, but when it was finally done, Hubby and Teen Two made sure the ground was level

 

 

 

Next up for me was to move the rabbit hutch ( with some help) remove all the wood chippings and then lay this weed control mat, before laying the slate chippings

 

 

 

It became clear pretty soon that the three extra bags we had bought last night still wont be enough!

 

 

 

However it looks a lot better already, Teen Two cleaned out the hutch as well, so everything looks spic and span in that area now...

 

 

...within seconds of the hutch being put back in place, Benjamin Bunny came to inspect everything

 

 

 

Teen One made us some pitta bread pizzas for lunch, whilst Hubby laid the new turfs and I watered them in

 

 

 

 

Hubby and I enjoyed our lunch in the garden, firstly because it was such a beautiful day, but also because we were so filthy there was no way we could sit anywhere indoors!

Next up was laying the final three slabs to widen the path.

Sadly one of our recycled slabs got broken, so we had to buy another one, which of course looks nothing like the old ones ( I knew I should have gone with Hubby!) however it will serve its purpose for the moment.

 

 

 

 

So here we have the end result of a hard day's work.

Despite painstakingly levelling the ground, with the turfs laid it still looks a little undulating, but hopefully this will level out (fingers crossed!)

I have hankered after a pressure washer for a while and can see a purchase coming up sometime, I think it will bring the slabs up better than the hose, and also the patio, for the time being its a lot better than its been for a few months!

The turfing cost less than I expected just under £40.

We can see a couple of areas have suffered from getting a little dried out at the DIY store, but for the most part they look lovely and healthy, all we need to do is keep them that way!

Watering three times a day is recommended,  a good dose of rain would be perfect too!

What I haven't shown, is the endless bags of earth I have bagged up all day and dragged out to the back of the garage.

I can't believe how much has come out of such a small space!

I am looking into the most affordable way to get rid of it.

Last time we had soil to dump I advertised it on Freecycle and someone was very glad of it...not half as glad as I was to see it go, hassle free!

But having seen lots of advertised soil not taken in recent weeks I am not so hopeful this time.

I looked into a Hippo bag and was surprise how expensive they are ( over £100)

With local recycling centres charging for soil and rubble these days, £2.50 a bag, I need to work out how much  it would cost, in time and money ( and effort) but for the time being its on the back burner!

 

Tonight is going to be a chill out with some knitting night I reckon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Meal Out!

 

This morning I was rudely awakened by very loud speaking builders outside the bedroom window again...however unlike Hubby, I was able to turn over and go back to sleep again!

I finally came too around 9am! Unheard of for me!

Once up it was on with the usual chores and some shopping.

Teen One spent the morning preparing for her placement next week, the sofa was covered in books and papers!
After lunch she enjoyed some down time with Teen Two, playing Wii sports.

 

 

Once Hubby was home from work, he and Teen Two set about ridding the ground of moss, and also what little lawn was still growing.

 

 

 

I took charge of the raking, but the heat was so intense, gave up with about a third left to do.

Tomorrow morning will see me out there finishing it off hopefully!

If the local DIY store has some healthy looking turfs in we will lay them tomorrow, then spend the next few weeks watering them in no doubt.

We would never have tackled this on an ordinary Friday afternoon, so it was good to make the most of no Kids club.

 

 

We then headed out to Southampton, yet again, for yet another meal out!!

Decadent or what!

Eating out is a treat in our household, one that we indulge in more than ever before, but generally with a reason to celebrate rather than a "just because" moment.

Friends had recommended a buffet restaurant, where foods from around the world are served.

We hadn't managed to fit in a time to go out for Hubby's birthday last month, and as tonight was free, we thought, well why not now?

Needless to say it was a hit with everyone, although for Teen One and I its not so much

"eat as much as you can" as "choose as much as you can."

We really can't eat more than a meals worth, whereas the lads don't have that problem!

 

 

The desserts are very family friendly, and come in bite size portions mostly.

I didn't manage to get through this lot I hasten to add!

 

 

Our walk back to the car park was through an Asda store....and look what I saw!!

The same bags of slate chippings a pound cheaper!

We needed three more bags, as there is a new area I want covering, so made the most of having two strong men with us to load them into the car!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Teen One

 

Last night was one of those sleepless nights that plague us all from time to time.

I put mine down to the coffee I had when waiting for the car to be serviced...should never drink coffee if its not decaff these days, it always keeps me awake!

At 3.30am I hadn't managed to drop off, but must have soon after as the next thing I knew it was 7am and builders were outside our house digging a hole in the pavement talking at the top of their voices!

Pretty soon after Teen One came in and I bleary eyed handed over the bag of pressies for her to open on the bed, just as she has done since she was a little girl.

She had a collection of bits and bobs from us, with a Pandora carriage charm as her main present and also an "Experience Day" for later in the year.

It's from The Perfume Studio, and she will design and name her own perfume, the recipe of which will be kept on file and she can reorder it any time should she wish.

After some pottering around in the morning, we headed out to Southampton just before lunch.

She may be 19 today, but is still not too old for a McDonald's Happy Meal!

 

 

It was then time for some Retail Therapy.

Primark came up trumps as well ( we like our Designer labels hee hee!)

 

 

She bought two easy care summer dresses, lovely and light, easy to wash and no ironing.

She has one already in the same style from last year...

 

 

...this plain one is a lovely lemon and looks much nicer on with the belt sitting properly!

 

 

After much walking round, we decided to stop for some gelato to cool ourselves down, the sun was really getting quite hot!

 

 

The old city walls are very beautiful in Southampton,  and also lovely and cool to walk through!

 

 

 

 

 

We had parked in Ikea's car park, so before heading back to the car we made the most of their

free drinks for Family Ikea card holders.

It was a welcome sit down and lovely comfy leather chairs, watching folk pass by, I really do love people watching!

 

 

We left Southampton around 4pm and headed back down the motorway to meet up with Hubby near to where he works.

Teen One chose Frankie and Benny's for tonight's dinner treat, I always love the 50's music in there, I grew up listening to as my parents were teenagers in the 50's and the like of Ricky Nelson were played over and over again.

Teen Two bought a fidget spinner finally, having hankered after one since seeing them.

They are a lot of fun I have to say and this one occupied us whilst we waited for our meal to arrive, seeing who could make the longest spin, or pass it from one person to another without stopping the spinning, as well as one or two other innovative games.

£3 well spent. It's the sort of thing that if left on a table, when someone is sitting down with not much to do, or watching TV, would find irresistible to fiddle with.

 

 

Back home there was just one more thing to do....sing her Happy Birthday!

I am pleased she didn't have to spend the day working, infact she has rarely had to go to school on her birthday, something I always hated doing when I was small, waiting for the special day to fall on a weekend was an eternity!

 

 

Happy Birthday to our very special daughter.

We never would have thought from the noise she could make as a little one,

she would grow to be so quiet!