Back from Daughter 1's, grandson's 18th birthday weekend. He started Uni last week and loves it so far.
It was pretty hectic at but they coped amazingly well. As well as family D1 had invited a few friends. There were 16 small and middling children and 18 bigger children and adults. I knew that because of setting 2 long tables (trestles with paper table clothes) for lunch yesterday in their huge open plan sitting dining room.
The children had a great time. The older ones camped in the garden in tents and the littlies shared bedrooms with their parents. A friend had a camping car. D1 had borrowed loads of crockery and cutlery and everyone helped with washing up and food preparation. D1 had made several huge Pavlovas, chocolate cakes and several hake and salmon terrines, bought 4 roasted chickens, masses of sausages and loads of steak that her OH BBQ'd. She also made salads, tomato and mozzarella, tabouleh, rice salad and green salad. Good thing they have a large cool larder and 2 big fridges in their old French farmhouse. All for lunch and dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday. We ate in the garden on Saturday night, when it was cooler, about 10pm.
Grandson, opened his presents. He was delighted with the mountain bike that I had joined with D1's MIL, D2 and S1 to buy.
I slept for only about 2 hours on Saturday night as the festivities went on until about 2am then 2yr old grandson, Charles, woke in the bedroom next door thinking it was day time. He was very noisy and overexcited, poor Emilie, trying to calm him down. Then the cockerel next door (owners were away) started up at 4am. Also, the bedroom was a bit too warm.
I was a bit worried about the drive home but I was OK. Got back last night.
It will be the last very hot day in Dordogne today, much cooler, maybe storms, tomorrow. Good, I can wear jeans to the airport tomorrow which means I can wear them on the way back in October, unless there is another heatwave.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Hello Ruby, Hazel and Busy. I have just finished hosing down my car to get rid of the Saharan sand and filled the bird feeder in my back garden. I am making a note of the day and time as I am convinced the feeder empties in two days - and its a large feeder! I will have to be ordering more bird food soon as the dustbin in my garage - where I store it - is getting down near the bottom. Luckily the place I order from delivers virtually the next day.
Hazel, it seems your garden thinks its spring already. I must admit that I have a primrose in flower in my garden but I haven't noticed any bulbs yet.
Busy I love the description of your grandson's birthday weekend. It is so reminiscent of my clan gatherings! Food sounds sumptuous and delicious. You can catch up on your sleep before your travels tomorrow. If by any chance you are too busy to come back on here today may I wish you bon voyage and we'll see you when you get back to UK.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
The skies were very threatening earlier on but turns out that it was all bluster. Quite bright for pootling around the garden attempting 7 projects at once and not getting very far with any. Too easily distracted!
I've come in for my first attempt at making jam. This could get messy
I've come in for my first attempt at making jam. This could get messy
Hi @Biglad I recall my first jam making session. Wife was away, so I had the kitchen to myself. Jam splatters up the wall, on the floor, over the work surface, hob, oven and even some in the jars.
Have cut down the Lemon Balm plant this afternoon( after finding Rosemary Beetle on it😬) , dug up the Phlox and replanted elsewhere in garden. Repositioned two stepping stones, and planted out a lovely trailing geranium. Pruned the Veronica Spicata and then sat and worked on our Wedding Album by putting the photos into a new album. OH has finished tidying his garage up, taken him two days but he has space on his desk worktoo again now and everything has been found homes for. Getting ready for winter housing in bad weather.
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Back from Daughter 1's, grandson's 18th birthday weekend. He started Uni last week and loves it so far.
It was pretty hectic at but they coped amazingly well. As well as family D1 had invited a few friends. There were 16 small and middling children and 18 bigger children and adults. I knew that because of setting 2 long tables (trestles with paper table clothes) for lunch yesterday in their huge open plan sitting dining room.
The children had a great time. The older ones camped in the garden in tents and the littlies shared bedrooms with their parents. A friend had a camping car. D1 had borrowed loads of crockery and cutlery and everyone helped with washing up and food preparation. D1 had made several huge Pavlovas, chocolate cakes and several hake and salmon terrines, bought 4 roasted chickens, masses of sausages and loads of steak that her OH BBQ'd. She also made salads, tomato and mozzarella, tabouleh, rice salad and green salad. Good thing they have a large cool larder and 2 big fridges in their old French farmhouse. All for lunch and dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday. We ate in the garden on Saturday night, when it was cooler, about 10pm.
Grandson, opened his presents. He was delighted with the mountain bike that I had joined with D1's MIL, D2 and S1 to buy.
I slept for only about 2 hours on Saturday night as the festivities went on until about 2am then 2yr old grandson, Charles, woke in the bedroom next door thinking it was day time. He was very noisy and overexcited, poor Emilie, trying to calm him down. Then the cockerel next door (owners were away) started up at 4am. Also, the bedroom was a bit too warm.
I was a bit worried about the drive home but I was OK. Got back last night.
It will be the last very hot day in Dordogne today, much cooler, maybe storms, tomorrow. Good, I can wear jeans to the airport tomorrow which means I can wear them on the way back in October, unless there is another heatwave.
The skies were very threatening earlier on but turns out that it was all bluster. Quite bright for pootling around the garden attempting 7 projects at once and not getting very far with any. Too easily distracted!
I've come in for my first attempt at making jam. This could get messy
Busy, wow, what a gathering with plenty of food, drink, merriment, laughter....but not so much sleep😬 Hopefully you will catch up soon.
Good luck with the jam making @biglad.
I recall my first jam making session. Wife was away, so I had the kitchen to myself.
Jam splatters up the wall, on the floor, over the work surface, hob, oven and even some in the jars.
But it was worth it! Good luck.
OH has finished tidying his garage up, taken him two days but he has space on his desk worktoo again now and everything has been found homes for. Getting ready for winter housing in bad weather.
A few showers overnight but hoping for some decent dry spells today. No golf or other commitments and jobs to finish before the onset of winter...