Beautiful Sunset

Friday 11th January

Not a bad morning's work

This morning I created a new garden path  complete with 2 steps and a rustic bench to sit on.

So pleased with my efforts I decided to go into Stirling to spend my  Cleveland  Garden Voucher I received for Christmas. Meet Rusty.

The seat is a bit rough but will do until a better option becomes available.  Watch this space!

Italian inspired garden

Step 1 - remove lawn

Step 2 - lay tiles on mortar with a brick border

Citrus planted in Terracotta pots

Step 3 - roll out black plastic and cover with white gravel

Fresh gravel always looks so beautiful

Tiled feature - terracotta pots will sit on the corner tiles

Dynamic

After searching the internet for Black and White Damask fabric I found some advertised on Ebay. 2.2m of 140cm wide fabric arrived from England. During the last week Aly was at Regency Park (before breaking for the holidays) I suddenly realised if I didn't get on and sew the fabric into a quilt cover I would miss my chance to keep the project secret. A flat sheet from a set of black bed sheets was used as the back. The black pillow case that came in the set was unpicked and a narrow flap of off-cut damask fabric was inserted. To finish the envelope off, 5 black press catches were attached to the base and one on the pillow. I was more than happy with the end result and ecstatic that Aly loved with her Christmas present.

Stoned again!

When we recently heard that Basket Range Quarry had gone into receivership we ordered 10 tone of random walling to be delivered so that when we are ready to build more walls we will be able to match with the walls Rod built last year. Will 10 tone be enough?

Christmas Creations

This amazing gingerbread house was proudly made by Aly at Regency Park as part of her Patisserie course. It made a beautiful table decoration for Christmas Day.

 A white chocolate cheese cake with white chocolate shards decorated with silver balls didn't stand up to the drive to Kingswood on Christmas Eve - but it still tasted awesome.

Before Christmas Dinner platters of fruit and savory nibbles catered for those who couldn't stay for the main meal. Pineapple, cream cheese and cherries were  most popular.

Christmas Cup Cakes looked and tasted sensational. Days of baking meant that everyone could take some home to enjoy on Boxing Day. Chocolate cakes were topped with pale blue frosting and snowflakes, Vanilla cakes were topped with green frosting Christmas trees decorated with white chocolate stars, Chocolate fruit pudding cakes were topped with Chocolate ganache and white choc (custard) dribbles and decorated with red smartie berries and mint leaves. Red velvet cakes were topped with ganache and decorated with smartie wreaths and lollie bows. SEASONS GREETINGS!

Back again with a newby

My last post was in August. Where have I been you might ask? Well I got caught up in the busyness of Spring chores. Too busy even to stop and take photos. I regret it now that Summer is fully upon us and the garden is showing signs of heat stress. Maybe a New Years resolution to keep blogging every month of the year is in order for 2013.
My latest addition to the rabbit clan is Moustachio. He was born to Martha on 30th August along with 3 siblings. Saddly Martha and her sister Moo died of Calyci virus when the kits were only six weeks old. The kits are immune to the virus while they are young, but Sooty the smallest of the litter was not so fortunate.
At the end of August I had a total of 9 rabbits and now there are only two, Mo and his father Baxter. I'm so glad that I sold and gave away some of the kits and a couple of the 9 month old rabbits before Calyci arrived.
After a suitable quarantine time I will be on the look out for a female bunny to restore some balance to the gender ratio.