Froglet

'Tis Saturday! Sorry I missed yesterday - so good to check in and see updates from lots of you! Sunnyday - I'm glad the caring fairy got to go out - hope you enjoyed your catch up. Sue - loved the poem, that describes me exactly! Zigzag and Louby - no storms here yet. I'm hoping for one today! School for three days this week was interesting - we did lots of things like closing blinds, paddling feet and 'forcing' water on small people but the relentless heat and increasing tiredness due to broken nights' sleep was making for some very hot and bothered people (both the adults and the small ones). I was due to work on Thursday too but the school cancelled as they'd had so many absent due to heat the previous day - to be honest I was relieved! I spent 2 very slow days, doing a few jobs early in the morning and hiding in darkened rooms the rest of the day. It is, thankfully, a little cooler and we have a little breeze today. I'm feeling a little sorry for myself this weekend - 2 days of a really sore throat has become a definite sniffle and then this morning I slipped on an unnoticed wet patch in my kitchen and fell over - wrench my shoulder and think I'll probably have a good couple of bruises next week. It could have been a lot worse though! I've done the usual Saturday jobs plus a little planning for next week at school and have now taken myself to the sofa where I will either read a book or knit some more socks (small and not sticky unlike the crochet blanket!). Enjoy your weekend everyone.

That is a gorgeous colour Cait! And in answer to your question (as a half way there southerner!) I'm taking everything slowly and my hot water bottle is in the freezer!

I planted my plants! Really looking forward to seeing how they fill out.

Good morning - 'tis Friday! Nothing in particular to report this week - my usual few days in school, I've started a new sock pattern and a new book. I am planning to try out a recipe for cinnamon rolls this weekend. The sunshine is lovely today and I'm planning to go to a local nursery's sale this morning whilst it's a little cooler. I need to do a little work to restore some order at home - I seem to have lots of half finished jobs around! Take care everyone, have a lovely weekend.

Hi Sunnyday - great news about the house! I have done a full week of supply cover - I had said that I didn't want to do full weeks again but the school where I'm working regularly asked me to do an extra day and I was already booked in for the 5th day - that's the first time since last March that I've worked the whole week! I'm shattered! I was out in the rain yesterday as I was leading my class on a walk to the local library - we were very soggy when we arrived but had a lovely time! I am hoping to have a quiet weekend too - I'm sure it will include another bindweed weeding session and some baking but apart from that - probably just curled up with a book! Have a lovely weekend everyone!

I'm not sure if it's reassuring Louby but that is the same story everywhere! I've done 4 days in school this week ending with today in a new school which was lovely. Had some lovely long chats with my brother and sister whilst they were on their respective journeys home which was nice although at the moment we are all trying to figure out the best way to support our parents as they face the challenges of getting older. It's not easy to do things which are needed but in a way which doesn't upset people. Nothing in particular planned for this weekend - I'll do another round of bindweed weeding as I'm trying to keep on top of it this year (!), I need to book some theatre tickets and continue the long running sort out of my spare room. Happy Friday everyone, take care.

Happy Friday! Have had a few days out this week, catch up with family and a friend. Lots of weeding done (and more still needed!), various DIY jobs done at home and lots of reading. It feels like quite a productive week. Am planning to spend the day tidying and checking things ready for next week at school. Then this weekend will just be a 'normal' one. Have a good one everyone.

And there was I envisaging a slightly more exotic version of Cleopatra!

I saw that in the article I read! - consider yourself told! We had the most tremendous thunderstorm last night - it was wonderful and everywhere feels brighter this morning. I might make a trip to the nursery to get some plants for my garden.

I just read that you have water back Sunnyday (that wasn't actually the headline!) hope you're ok?

Oh no!

Oh Sue, how frustrating! I am hoping it heals as quickly as it can. Methinks 'Tis Friday (although not entirely sure - I have been very confused about days this week). I've had a busy one with supply on 4 days rather than 3 and to be honest am ready for a rest. If the sun doesn't get too hot today I am going to be out in the garden pulling up bindweed 😮‍💨 and hopefully planting some new things too. I have various house DIY jobs I need to do as well. My sister and niece are coming up to see mum and dad this weekend so hopefully I will see them too. Apart from that, nothing special planned for the break. Have a good weekend all!

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.