Froglet

Happy Friday! I wasn't well last week so never got around to posting. Grim, cold weather here too although the sun did come out yesterday and I went to Calke for a walk and a look at the stunning wisteria in the walled garden. I'm pondering what to tackle in the spare room next. My brother asked this week if I would like to have my niece to stay during the summer holidays so I need somewhere to put her! It will be the first time she's ever stayed over with me and apparently she cheered when he told her I'd said yes! I'm not working today but have told my job share that I'll go in at the end of the day to help set up the classroom ready for next week. I'm finding it hard to get my head around the classroom areas/set up and although I don't intend to make a habit of it I think it will help me to learn and understand what's going on. Continuous provision has changed since I was teaching in Foundation! Other than that no particular plans for the weekend although I really should try to do some gardening - I'm very excited because my alliums are on the point of flowering and I've never grown them before. Have a good weekend everyone!

Cait - even more belated Happy Birthday. A doggy walk is a lovely way to spend the day. I'm so glad it was almost perfect. xx

Pretty quiet week here, lots of crochet which has meant two visits to the yarn shop - I'm trying not to buy yarn unless I need it so am waiting until I finish a ball before I buy a new one. I have a doll that comes from my old school that I've been asked to make clothes for. I've just crocheted it a cardigan and then will go looking through my fabric collection to see what else I might make. I have enjoyed several breakfasts and lunches outside - it's way too hot for tea time and it's making me ponder what to plant. I've been thrilled with my gardening experiments so far. Have a lovely weekend everyone! PS. Carrot cake is on next week's baking plan...

Oops I missed Friday! In my defence I was working yesterday and then went to a friend's for tea - a lovely catch up but a late night. I have just spent a happy hour sat outside in the lovely sunshine in my back garden enjoying a book. Hope Andy's eye surgery goes well. Zigzag - looks like an amazing trip, that stained glass was stunning! Cait - I loved that story, so familiar. I think my whole house is testament to that happening to me at the moment. Sunnyday - hurray for a peaceful week. Nothing special planned for this weekend - just a bit more sorting and I feel like baking some lemon blueberry muffins (purely in the interests of avoiding food waste you understand - I have some lemons that I used the zest off but haven't yet used the juice!)

Hello everyone! My own operation sort out has been steadily progressing. Dad came with some tools to help break down some furniture to take it to the tip. I went again on a different day with a load of 'small electricals'. It is nowhere near done but I can see progress. I've had a couple of days supply in new schools this week. One in reception which was nice and then one which was meant to be in KS1 but on arrival was in KS2 which I've never taught. It was fine but I was a little frazzled at the end of the day. I finally defrosted my freezer and have started restocking it. My latest blanket is progressing well although my sofa where I have the yarn is a sea of pink. I don't always put it away as each square uses several colours and it's quicker to just have it to hand. It's turned cold and wet outside after a lovely afternoon - I think it's going to be a beans on toast and ginger cake with custard kind of day! Have a good weekend everyone.

Me too! What a lovely and thoughtful surprise!

Happy Friday! Have an amazing trip zigzag! Glad you other two have had some grandchildren time! I have had a week where I finally set my mind to properly sorting out the spare room. I’ve interspersed it with lots of crochet breaks but I’m making some good progress. I have various piles to take to the tip and charity shops plus a mountain of paperwork to sort through. The last couple of days I have been moving old photographs from broken albums into some new ones. It’s been a lovely trip down memory Lane! I told myself that I really needed to not do any baking for a bit (more specifically not eating the results of it!) but I am feeling so tempted today!

I'm glad you are able to find some glimmers in the house sorting Sunnyday - that must be such a tough job. Enjoy hte granddog. I had a lovely few days up in Cumbria with my friend - lots of catching up and chatting, plenty of tea and cake and walking in beautiful (and very windy!) scenery. Since coming back I had the best resolutions to do some serious house sorting but have actually started a new crochet blanket instead! I'm trying out a new recipe for hot cross buns today and am tempted to make mini simnel cakes tomorrow although that's mainly an excuse to eat marzipan! My nephew loved his birthday socks apparently which was good to hear. Have a great weekend everyone.

We really did live up to the 'four seasons in one day' stereotype this week didn't we? I finished a supply job in one school this week - it's been a longer term one and went well. Then yesterday I went down to my sister's to stay overnight with my niece while her mum had to work away. She doesn't really need looking after as such - there was ferrying to and fro dance classes, cooking tea and nagging her to go to bed mainly! We had a good chat - she is becoming such a lovely young person. Today I've visited Baddesley Clinton which was interesting and then driven home which took at least twice as long as usual thanks to an accident. I think I might have a quick nap on the sofa. Tomorrow I'm off up to the Lake District for a few days to stay with an old friend. We don't see each other very often at all these days but when we do it's like we've never been apart. She messaged a week ago and said I know it's short notice but my husband and kids are all away next week and I'm home alone with the animals - fancy a visit? I'm really looking forward to it. Take care all. PS In a parsnip update - I have included them in vegetable pancakes and made parsnip pecan and maple muffins which were very yummy!

Purple is his favourite and he is a lover of quirky socks!

Just wanted to share a special pair of socks made for my very musical nephew’s 18th birthday.

I do love curried parsnip soup but have eaten quite a lot of it recently. I didn’t know you could freeze them. I’ll look into that. I’m tempted by some parsnip fritter type things I found and also a parsnip cake!

Sunnyday, sorry to hear about your granddaughter - I hope she recovers properly soon. My uncle (84) went to Abba Voyage for his birthday and had a great time! I have just done a little tidy of the house so it is feeling quite calm and serene here. I’m knitting some 18th birthday socks for my nephew and contemplating eating one of this week’s scones (lemon and white chocolate). Nothing special planned for the weekend other than working out what to do with a lot of parsnips! Take care everyone.

As requested! All the foliage came from the garden at Stoneywell then we got given a couple of bought carnations to give it a little colour. There are quite a few rhododendron buds in there which should open too.

Good morning! 'Tis Friday. I'm not working today so have made the most of it with a slower get up. Have had a good week in school. We did a couple of assessment papers - they in themselves aren't particularly fun but I always find something to smile about in the answers given. In answer to 'Why does a slow-worm sunbathe on a stone?' one answered 'because they just want to relax'! My lovely mum's birthday this week so I popped in to deliver a card, present and hug. This weekend one of my nearby National Trust places is doing a 'make a posy' workshop using flowers from the garden. It's a lovely place to visit anyway so I'm going to go and then hope that I get a chance to arrange! Apart from that, just the usual weekend things. Take care all, enjoy whatever you're up to!