Tonight I have made a decision that I must get off my *** and go for a walk every day. Twm and I went down the woods and it was glorious! The evening sun was still shining down through the tree tops onto the floor of the woods. The ground was awash with wild garlic and the smell not overpowering but fragrant was delightful.
I hate to admit how long it is since I have walked down these woods, I am truly ashamed many people come from all over to experience these walks and they are right on my doorstep.
As we walked further into the woods the ground changed from a mass of garlic to pockets of bluebells, and I could hear the sound of the woodpecker knocking at a tree, magic.
We walked deeper into the woods and the bluebells became a little less obvious but now you could see the spotted orchids dotted around along side the paths. Twm was very aware of the squirrels that were darting up the trees as we made our way through.
As we turned to come back home across the fields we were met by the sheep and the lambs, I am so glad I got off my *** and went for a walk.I will be there tomorrow too.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Monday, 25 April 2011
Easter "Workshops"
What a fantastic Easter weekend we have just had. The sun was shining and most of my family came home for a few days, and we made the most of it!!
The BBQ was cleaned and made ready for the first one of the year, Burgers all around, but not any old burger they had to be M & S!! another family favourite was the spicy chicken wings and potato wedges, not forgetting the beer and wine to help it go down.
On Saturday we made a picnic and all went fishing up to Tan Y Mynedd, it was not particularly nice or warm day but it was good fishing weather we had hoped. Courtney had her own rod we had a spinning rod set up for her so she could take part but she soon got fed up after getting the line well and truly knotted several times, such fun! The boys tried their utmost to be the first to catch but not one of them managed to hook a trout. I on the other hand managed to hook a bigun but no sooner than the hook was taken it also decided to snap the line no way was it coming home with us, so it was off to the Chinese for a take away supper and a few beers to drown our sorrows.
Sunday morning we were awoken to the "Its Easter " shouts from our darling grand daughter, She had several chocolate eggs and this year a goodie bag from us, containing some small toys, a game, T Shirt and Easter sweets , all of which she was delighted with shouting its like Christmas.
After pancakes and bacon for breakfast it was decided that I should teach the boys how to tie flies for fishing with the hope that they may catch a big trout next time they are out on the lakes.The sun was out so we decided to hold the workshops outside.
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| Bob making his first fly |
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| Mel making frames for the bee hives showing us how its done! |
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| Tom trying to make the best fly |
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| The game begins |
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| Spectators find it so funny |
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| 4 all |
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| Declared the Winner |
Game over, the animals now need feeding
After a lovely Easter tea of home bred Turkey, roasted garlic potatoes with salads washed down with a glass of Bubbly, the fire was lit in the chimnea and a good time was had by all of us. Courtney decided she wanted to be a fairy after her Taid had told her some stories.
Taidy come up here I can see the fairies!! they live behind the flowers in the rocks.
Taidy come up here, come here and see the sunset with me!
Saturday, 23 April 2011
A Swarm was Caught -FreeBees
What an amazing day! A swarm of honey bees was found hanging from a branch in a hedge in our field. I had the pleasure of removing it -awesome!! With my bee suit on and covered from head to toe a box was placed under the swarm. Hedge cutters were then used to cut the branches and the majority of the swarm fell into the box. There was hundreds of bees flying around me and it was a little un-nerving and at one stage dam frightening but thrilling all the same.
The lid needed to be placed back on the box to keep them in place, so we had to brush them in trying not to kill them. Lid fixed tightly but there was still loads flying about and a large clump on the floor.
Decision made to leave the box were it was in the hope that in half an hour they would also go in after the queen.
One hour later we plugged up the hole and moved it to the apiary. A board was placed on the floor sloping up to the hive entrance and a white bed sheet placed on top. The lid of the box was now removed and the bees tipped out on to the sheet. It was fascinating the bees started to march up the board to the hive entrance, eventually the all went in!!! hived.
That is now hive number 4, where did they come from???
Unfortunately i did not take any photos but I have a link to show you the swarm caught last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyuBtNfTHGk
The lid needed to be placed back on the box to keep them in place, so we had to brush them in trying not to kill them. Lid fixed tightly but there was still loads flying about and a large clump on the floor.
Decision made to leave the box were it was in the hope that in half an hour they would also go in after the queen.
One hour later we plugged up the hole and moved it to the apiary. A board was placed on the floor sloping up to the hive entrance and a white bed sheet placed on top. The lid of the box was now removed and the bees tipped out on to the sheet. It was fascinating the bees started to march up the board to the hive entrance, eventually the all went in!!! hived.
That is now hive number 4, where did they come from???
Unfortunately i did not take any photos but I have a link to show you the swarm caught last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyuBtNfTHGk
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Isle of Man Photos
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| Colwyn Male Voice Choir |
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| The winning Cup |
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| Castleford |
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| Port Erin |
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| Steam Train from Douglas to Port Erin |
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| Douglas |
Monday, 18 April 2011
new dresses
Well I have added another 2 new dresses to my card designs, hope you like them, they are being sold at my folksy store www.folksy.com/shops/mamoo
Busy Busy Weekend
The weekend was always going to be busy playing catch up from last week when we were away. Hubby went to check on the bees, he had been busy each night making frames for the supers!! The bees had been extremely busy collecting pollen from the dandelions and the colonies are expanding at such a fast rate. We also got our first taste of 2011 honey straight from the comb, mm delicious.
Whilst he was with the bees I went to sort out the rabbitry. My goodness the babies have really come on, I wanted to check how many coloured satins I had as this is what I am interested in..
Litter #1 Ivory doe she has one coloured satin 2 ivories and 1 sable.
Litter #2 Sable cross doe has 1 coloured satin 2 whites and a normal sable, on inspection I was disappointed the coloured baby was strong with a lovely colour but had a white nose!!! nooo , no good for showing, gutted.
Litter # 3 sable cross doe has 6 sables 2 medium and 4 dark now I am not certain but I am hoping that there is 1 if not 2 satins in there but I cannot tell just yet.
Litter #4 2 whites 2 ivories 3 coloured satins and a normal sale.
So I have have a few to be getting on with, a little early to sex them, I will keep my fingers crossed that we have some does amongst them.
There was also a new litter born on Friday Ivory doe#2 had 10 babies this was her 2nd litter she didn't attempt to rear the first one and with 5 babies dead I was a bit worried but she is rearing 5 1 coloured and 4 ivories.
Another litter is due tonight from my original sable doe, so we will check her out tomorrow and see what she brings us. Due to the expansion in the shed I have had to do a bit of moving around and now all but 1 of the bucks has been moved out and into the now buck shed. Hubby will now be pressured into making me some new hutches!!
Sunday was another glorious day and I was up with the birds 7am!! on a Sunday my son thought I had gone mad when he found me mopping the floors at 7.45am. I wanted to get into the garden but all the housework needed doing first. Then it was a mad dash to the Pet Place for rabbit food as I don't want to have to go out next weekend with the bank holiday traffic it will be a nightmare.
Quick stop at the garden centre on the way home to pick up my tomato plants, 1 each of moneymaker, alicante, shirley and a small bush variety. I also bought 12 lettuce plants although I have sowed my seeds I am now eager to have my own salads as soon as possible. I have also sown broad beans but decided it was a good idea to get 12 of them to get a good start. I only hope that the wild rabbits leave them alone. The potatoes are also starting to show through the ground.
My attention was then turned to the patio area, my gosh why oh why did I not sort this out at the end of the season last year. It took me 4 hours to clear, dead head, prune, split, water and clear paths and I reckon another few hours needed to do the rockeries. I wont make the same mistake this year. The only problem I have now is 20 empty pots waiting to be planted up.
Whilst he was with the bees I went to sort out the rabbitry. My goodness the babies have really come on, I wanted to check how many coloured satins I had as this is what I am interested in..
Litter #1 Ivory doe she has one coloured satin 2 ivories and 1 sable.
Litter #2 Sable cross doe has 1 coloured satin 2 whites and a normal sable, on inspection I was disappointed the coloured baby was strong with a lovely colour but had a white nose!!! nooo , no good for showing, gutted.
Litter # 3 sable cross doe has 6 sables 2 medium and 4 dark now I am not certain but I am hoping that there is 1 if not 2 satins in there but I cannot tell just yet.
Litter #4 2 whites 2 ivories 3 coloured satins and a normal sale.
So I have have a few to be getting on with, a little early to sex them, I will keep my fingers crossed that we have some does amongst them.
There was also a new litter born on Friday Ivory doe#2 had 10 babies this was her 2nd litter she didn't attempt to rear the first one and with 5 babies dead I was a bit worried but she is rearing 5 1 coloured and 4 ivories.
Another litter is due tonight from my original sable doe, so we will check her out tomorrow and see what she brings us. Due to the expansion in the shed I have had to do a bit of moving around and now all but 1 of the bucks has been moved out and into the now buck shed. Hubby will now be pressured into making me some new hutches!!
Sunday was another glorious day and I was up with the birds 7am!! on a Sunday my son thought I had gone mad when he found me mopping the floors at 7.45am. I wanted to get into the garden but all the housework needed doing first. Then it was a mad dash to the Pet Place for rabbit food as I don't want to have to go out next weekend with the bank holiday traffic it will be a nightmare.
Quick stop at the garden centre on the way home to pick up my tomato plants, 1 each of moneymaker, alicante, shirley and a small bush variety. I also bought 12 lettuce plants although I have sowed my seeds I am now eager to have my own salads as soon as possible. I have also sown broad beans but decided it was a good idea to get 12 of them to get a good start. I only hope that the wild rabbits leave them alone. The potatoes are also starting to show through the ground.
My attention was then turned to the patio area, my gosh why oh why did I not sort this out at the end of the season last year. It took me 4 hours to clear, dead head, prune, split, water and clear paths and I reckon another few hours needed to do the rockeries. I wont make the same mistake this year. The only problem I have now is 20 empty pots waiting to be planted up.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Well I am back from my weekend in the Isle of Man and I can say it was a laugh a minute. I did not know what to expect as we were travelling with my hubbies choir Cor Meibion Llanrwst as they were competing in the Manx Music Festival. We have over the years been on many choir trips but this was a first with this choir.
Friday didn't start very well as we had a 5 hour delay, but once we got going on the boat from Liverpool to the Isle of Man we had a great time.
Over the weekend I began to get to know the many faces of the choir and a few of the wives that were also travelling.
Saturday was the day of the competition so off we went from Port Erin to Douglas, the sun was beaming and we all felt positive. The men had a rehearsal first whilst Sue Mary and myself did a ad dash around the shops to find another dress shirt for the Musical Director as he had a stain on his and desperately needed a new one.
Eventually we found one in M & S @£35, what a price but he couldn't go on without one.
They were first up and sounded great, test piece over then another two repertoires quick about turn and the next choir came on, definitely not as good as our boys!! We were proved right the adjudicator gave her verdict and we won a beautiful Silver cup. Photos and rest of story tomorrow!!
Friday didn't start very well as we had a 5 hour delay, but once we got going on the boat from Liverpool to the Isle of Man we had a great time.
Over the weekend I began to get to know the many faces of the choir and a few of the wives that were also travelling.
Saturday was the day of the competition so off we went from Port Erin to Douglas, the sun was beaming and we all felt positive. The men had a rehearsal first whilst Sue Mary and myself did a ad dash around the shops to find another dress shirt for the Musical Director as he had a stain on his and desperately needed a new one.
Eventually we found one in M & S @£35, what a price but he couldn't go on without one.
They were first up and sounded great, test piece over then another two repertoires quick about turn and the next choir came on, definitely not as good as our boys!! We were proved right the adjudicator gave her verdict and we won a beautiful Silver cup. Photos and rest of story tomorrow!!
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Mother's Day and the Chainsaw Massacre
I had a lovely mother's day treat from my daughter this year as well as a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She offered to make us Sunday Lunch at her home. This is the first time I have ever been invited to one of my childrens' home's for an occasion because I have four children they all usually come to me and I do the cooking.
How nice it was to have a dinner cooked, a Roast Pork dinner, mind you I did have to lend a hand and make a pudding, lol. But she did very well, we had roast potato, carrots, braised red cabbage and creamed leeks with lovely gravy and sage and onion stuffing. She also passed the test, to get a good crackling, I taught her well!!
My daughter also had an ulterior motive, for asking us over, kill two birds with one stone she said poor Dad had to bring his chain saw and a change of clothed. They are having a conservatory built and they need to lay the footings next week so she need a couple of bushes removing!!
Five minutes and they were all gone, however when the other half has a chain saw in his hands he doesn't want to stop, so he went looking for more bushes to cut down........ Cathryn was consulted and agreed that a few more could be removed.
Thirty minutes later and the garden looked like a chain saw massacre, there was trees, bushes and debris everywhere. I felt so sorry for them the easy work had been done and they were left to clear it, in the end they decided to hire a shredder and then they could reuse the mulch.
I am sure when cleared away it will all have been worth while, she is a keen gardener and is putting me to shame this year all her seeds are coming on nicely in her greenhouse and I hadn't started sowing. Better get my skates on....
Thanks to my sons also for their cards and presents, I dare not mention them as the sibling rivalry still hasn't stopped.
How nice it was to have a dinner cooked, a Roast Pork dinner, mind you I did have to lend a hand and make a pudding, lol. But she did very well, we had roast potato, carrots, braised red cabbage and creamed leeks with lovely gravy and sage and onion stuffing. She also passed the test, to get a good crackling, I taught her well!!
My daughter also had an ulterior motive, for asking us over, kill two birds with one stone she said poor Dad had to bring his chain saw and a change of clothed. They are having a conservatory built and they need to lay the footings next week so she need a couple of bushes removing!!
Five minutes and they were all gone, however when the other half has a chain saw in his hands he doesn't want to stop, so he went looking for more bushes to cut down........ Cathryn was consulted and agreed that a few more could be removed.
Thirty minutes later and the garden looked like a chain saw massacre, there was trees, bushes and debris everywhere. I felt so sorry for them the easy work had been done and they were left to clear it, in the end they decided to hire a shredder and then they could reuse the mulch.
I am sure when cleared away it will all have been worth while, she is a keen gardener and is putting me to shame this year all her seeds are coming on nicely in her greenhouse and I hadn't started sowing. Better get my skates on....
Thanks to my sons also for their cards and presents, I dare not mention them as the sibling rivalry still hasn't stopped.
Friday, 1 April 2011
April Fool -No Joke
No I haven't been involved in any April Fool's yet!! in fact my other half would probably tell you I have no sense of humour. Does that make me too serious!! probably but there is nothing I can do about it, it's my nature. That's my excuse and I am sticking to it.
April is now here and that also means Spring , so I am now thinking of my garden and flowers and then designs for cards and the best way to sell them and have I missed an opportunity to sell them, the list is endless in my head.
I think I am developing COD I cant stop looking at my Folksy site www.folksy.com/shop/mamoo to see if anyone else has had a look at my cards, to see if anyone else is following me, to see if anyone has sent me a message, to see if anyone else is selling cards in my style and Oh and if any have been sold!!
But it doesn't stop there either, I have to check my Blog, and my websites to see if there are any comments or guestbook entries, honestly it is getting like a full time job just checking.
What did I do before I started all this? it is like another job on top of a full time job on top of trying to be an entrepreneur.
I really need to take stock and get a grip, need to slow down a little and smell the roses!!
Oh no why did I say roses?.
April is now here and that also means Spring , so I am now thinking of my garden and flowers and then designs for cards and the best way to sell them and have I missed an opportunity to sell them, the list is endless in my head.
I think I am developing COD I cant stop looking at my Folksy site www.folksy.com/shop/mamoo to see if anyone else has had a look at my cards, to see if anyone else is following me, to see if anyone has sent me a message, to see if anyone else is selling cards in my style and Oh and if any have been sold!!
But it doesn't stop there either, I have to check my Blog, and my websites to see if there are any comments or guestbook entries, honestly it is getting like a full time job just checking.
What did I do before I started all this? it is like another job on top of a full time job on top of trying to be an entrepreneur.
I really need to take stock and get a grip, need to slow down a little and smell the roses!!
Oh no why did I say roses?.
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