Cute stuff!

Isn’t this cute? Well, actually I’m not sure if cute is the right word as Ida’s tealeaves are making a pretty disastrous prediction. Hopefully Ida stayed safe and sound in the coop. This lovely print was my prize…drawn from the hat…for commenting on a blog I follow. At www.hedgecombers.com, which is a varied and interesting blog,  there is a link to Jane’s online Folksy shop where these prints and cards are for sale. Delighted with my prize…I think a black frame will suit it nicely.

Accompanying my prize was this lovely card also from Jane’s range. So cute! It is sitting in pride of place on our mantelpeice.

No the postman’s not that good! I did send Jane my name and address to receive my gift. Thanks Jane!

Don’t know if a car can be cute but this one certainly tickled my fancy. It was spotted at a garden open day I attended recently. Bought in Germany by the current owner in the 1950s it has been completely restored and is in perfect working order. He and his wife drove it from Germany to Ireland last Summer.

The whole front of the car also doubles as the door. The steering wheel moves with the door to facilitate opening and closing. Amazing!

Dinky steering wheel…

and a rack on the back for one’s suitcase.

To finish here’s a cute pic of Lettie and Freddie on the couch. I know there’s too much light from the window and the crazy pattern on the throw makes for a busy picture. But I like it anyway! Hope you do too!

The stone moving continues @ Prospect Cottage.

 

The moving of big stones from the back field down to the garden continued today. We have decided to leave the remains of the little house and use the stones which are spread around the area. These must have been from an old wall. Same type of squared off cut stones. They were quite clever in the situating of the house. Down in a hollow sheltered from the prevailing winds. Nowadays the new houses are built without any regard to orientation.

 

Mr. Muscles aka Andy was home today, he can lift heavier stones than I. I was bringing 2 or 3 stones to the barrowload…

 

he could bring 5! Showoff!!

 

Taking a little break to enjoy the Spring sunshine…the dogs enjoy a bit of attention. Oops! A bit of intimate sniffing going on there…

 

then a bit of playing.

 

Down in the garden the stone edging looks good. All the boards will have to be gradually replaced as they have been in place for 8 years and are starting to rot. Can you see the hole in the centre of the biggest stone? This stone would have held a metal gatepost in days gone by.

 

 

More stones wait to be given a new lease of life in their new garden home. Repurposing is I think the new word for recycling. Reuse, recycle, upcyle, repurpose. Whatever you want to call it is fine with me.

The Blackcurrant Harvest.

The Blackcurrant harvest continues as more fruit ripens each day. Other years you could cut off branches and pick off the fruit as all would be ripe together. This year however the bushes have to be gone over daily to pick the newly ripened fruit.

As branches are eventually stripped of fruit the goats get a treat, competing with each other to get any remaining currants which they love. I’m sure a vitamin C boost won’t do them any harm!

I freeze the fruit in 1kg lots. This is then enough to make 7 or 8 pots of jam or a few bottles of cordial. Blackcurrants are of course full of health promoting antioxidants and Vitamin C. They are helpful for joint inflamations, eyestrain and urinary tract infections. Research in New Zealand has found a compound which may help some types of asthma.

As I pick the dogs keep me company. Lettie sits on the garden bench, a plank of wood on some concrete blocks, and enjoys the heat of the sun.

Freddie stays closer, dozing under the shade of a Blackcurrant bush. I’ts amazing to think this little guy has only been with us little over a week. He just fitted perfectly into the routine. He hangs out with the other dogs, does’nt run off and is very affectionate. Everyone who visits loves him.

The Evening Walk. Part 2.

The wind turbines on Corry Mountain always demand one’s attention. They are a landmark for me. If I am returning home from some journey it lifts my heart to see them, not for love of them, but because I know I am almost there, almost home.

So many wild herbs, I notice new ones daily. This is Burdock, known for it’s blood purifying properties. Not seen very often in the wild now.

An inquisitive cow looks over the fence, a mystified look about her. I often wonder if they think, ponder and peruse like us humans. I think not, their world is much simpler than that.

A little mottled Butterfly dining on the nectar from Lady’s Smock.

So, back home again, back up the steep hill.

The dogs love getting back home as much as they love going for “the walk”, they know that the stove will be lighting in the sitting-room, soon it will be time for the evening treat, a few dog bikkies. For me it’s nice to be back home, even though we’ve just been down the road! A few final chores, closing up the polytunnels, another little bit of looking around the garden, then it’s my treat, a cup of Liquorice tea, maybe something nice with it. Another walk tomorrow.