Although the weather forecast predicted rain, I still busied myself outside, it was either that or write an essay! The playhouse has annoyed me for a while, I started painting it but stopped because I disliked the colour, so there it stayed looking sad and neglected...
So today I decided to strike while the iron was hot (despite wearing brand new Marks and Spencer trousers!), I rushed outside waving my paintbrush and slapping the paint until I could stand it no longer - I just had to change my trousers! Trousers changed I continued, now panic not, unusually trousers were unpainted! I'd also like to say that no minibeast was harmed in the painting of said house. Despite there being many different looking beasties about, there remained only two types left - the quick and the painted! Now I need to paint another coat on the cream, then paint the door and the trim. Roofing felt is also looking sad as some recent windy weather has ripped some of it off. Still a long weekend may help. When all is complete, I think we may need some bunting...

As it was the last Thursday in the month it was gourmet evening again. As usual we were forced to eat seven wonderful courses (I know that there are only six pictures below, I forgot to take a picture of the cheese and biscuits) I'm surprised I could move today! This is one of the lovely Chefs which cooked my meal: The Royal Oak at Aubourn is well worth the travel!

Jille x

I have had an infection above my crown in the front for years and years. It normally just lies there not making a fuss but sometimes it flexes it's muscles and flares up. I've had antibiotics and other treatments but none of them have worked long term. The infection has been quite angry for about twelve months and three courses of antibiotics have not tamed it. My dentist referred me to the hospital and I was seen today. It was not good news, the crown is now beyond saving and will have to be removed. Short term whilst the infection heals I will need a denture. I am concerned that I am going to spend the rest of my life looking like this...

... still perhaps it will help with behaviour management in the classroom!

Jille x

Well that's it another weekend almost over. It's been a good weekend, had a lovely time walking the dogs. We will be sad to see our furry visitor go home tomorrow. As usual the dogs have got on really well, it's quite funny how they have different interests, visiting dog loves to fetch the ball back and would quite happily play the game all day long...

...whereas our dog wouldn't actually lower himself to fetch the ball. Hmmm someone should tell that dog that he is a Retriever! Still, he had a lovely time exploring and sniffing at all the smells of the field.

I treated myself to a new vase from Dunelm because... well, I was paid on Friday! Filled vases always look nicer than empty ones so I treated myself to some pink roses, because... well, I'm worth it!!!

Husband went off on his bike this morning with his work pals and came home bearing gifts...Can you tell what it is yet?

That warning maybe correct...
We would share it with you but it seems to have disappeared...

I am delighted to have been given my first blogging award. It was given to me by Sue at Dollytub Cottage. So, now I have to tell you seven things that you didn't know about me...

I was kissed by John Mcardle when I was a crowned carnival queen way back in 1988.

When we were younger my Mum and Dad had a static caravan at Borth and we used to go most weekends to stay. In the summer of 2007 we went camping to Borth and met up with my Mum and Dad and although the picture makes me cry I still want to share it...

I could see my High School from my bedroom window and when we did cross country my friends and I, once out of sight of the teachers would run to my house for tea and biscuits and a go on my Spectrum (Well actually that's a lie, we all know how long they took to load so we listened to it load and then had to go back to school!) I briefly worked in a Laura Ashley factory as a machinist when I was 19.
I have sewn all my Brownie and Guide badges onto the blanket that was issued to my Dad when he did National Service. My Nan embroidered his name onto the corner.

I developed jaundice as a new born baby. When my Mum took me out people would often tell her that I was a lovely colour!When I was pregnant with Child 2 I disliked curries and hot food (this upset husband because as a surprise he thought he would bring me a take-away Indian curry and I couldn't eat it). This only happened during my second pregnancy and even today (at 15) Child 2 will not eat spicy food!

Now to pass this award on to seven others...

Ark Designs

Bunny Mummy

Pink Milk

Sitting oh so pretty

Swedish House

The Vintage Gardener

Vintage Mum

I know I've been absent for a couple of days but I've had a busy week. Thank goodness it is Friday because I don't have the energy for any more weekdays! It was lovely to be back with my class. I really had missed them. I think they were happy to see me, although some were a little disappointed that they couldn't see the blood inside my neck!

I had an induction this morning at a Special School which should result in a day of supply work next week. I am both excited and a little scared at the prospect because some of the children at the school have severe educational and medical needs.

It's not been a good month for my diet for various reasons, but I have given myself a stern talking to and hopefully I'll be back on it on Monday.

My swap partner Mel has received the gifts that I sent her. I have hand sewn this pincushion from 1960's fabric. I didn't have much of it and wanted to use it for a special project.

I also made some crochet flowers and packaged these along with Ikea threads, some pins that were bought in Wales, a variety of beads and buttons and of course the compulsory chocolate.I'm not sure what the weekend will bring as we are dog sitting a rather mad but gorgeous Black Labrador. I've not looked at the forecast but I think the garden beckons if it is nice...

It has been a long day today. Teacher training days can sometimes be soooooo boring! My day improved when I came home to homemade nettle soup. If like me you sometimes let your garden go a little, then you've probably got enough nettles for supper!

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2lb of nettles (tops or young leaves)
2 medium red onions, finely chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, crushed (important to keep vampires away - use less if you don't have a problem!)
1 litre vegetable stock
1 cup of cooked rice
salt and pepper to taste


Method:
Wash the nettles thoroughly. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan, cook the onion, carrot and garlic until soft but not brown.

Add the stock and nettles and bring to the boil. Simmer until the nettles are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Puree the soup in a liquidiser with the cooked rice. HINT: Try not to overfill, as lovely as the green soup is you really don't want it all over your worktop - try 2 or 3 batches! This is obviously not experience talking...ahem.
Enjoy with crusty bread (or sliced bread if you forgot to buy some!)
I am quietly contented with an afterglow of garlic. I should be vampire free tonight!

The surprise that awaited my return was the Pin cushion swap gifts from Mel. I opened my envelope and look what I found in it...
hand drawn cards and fimo hearts and...
pins, ribbons and buttons and... sweets and...this 'tweet' pin cushion. It would be so cruel to stick pins in!
I think I may go away more often if this is what I come home to!
I am now going to go and enjoy the rest of my Sunday evening for tomorrow I have to go back to WORK!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been so busy doing crafty things that I can't remember how to do teachery things!

At the end of the week we went to stay at my cousin's farm. It is a really old farm house and she has done an amazing job of decorating. This is my dream kitchen...

This my dream living room...My dream bedrooms...

Are you getting the picture, I just want to live there forever!

We walked through the orchard, fed the lambs and went on the quad bike.

I'll be back later to tell you about my surprise!!

Bora da! We have returned from Wales having had a wonderful time. I'd like to share some photos with you...

This is my Mum's garden. Although she doesn't have good health she works hard to keep it looking good. It has inspired me to make a bit more effort with my own. The photos that I have taken don't do the garden justice at all because it looked beautiful. By the next time I return the summer house will have been painted a pale green colour. I do need to hurry up with the bunting that I promised...

My Mum always loves the things that I make for her. This time I had made a tea cosy and dish cloth. I always try to make gifts that are both pretty and useful. This has slightly backfired this time because Mum thinks they are so pretty she won't use them...
During the week we went to Tywyn and Aberdyfi. We had honey ice cream, dug holes in the sand and then went crabbing off the jetty.It was thirsty work and we stopped at a little cafe to have hot chocolate. We were served with the biggest hot chocolate I have ever seen...

It has taken ages to upload the photos onto blogger this morning so I'll post later with more photos. I can also show you what was waiting for me when I returned home...