Self-seeded Pumpkins

Sometimes the compost or vege scraps we have produce surprises. We often have self-seeded potatoes, and this year we found a self-seeded pumpkin outside the lounge window. We've been watching it grow and with the warmer weather it has taken off!

It's more or less taken over the whole path and is climbing the walls! It has quite a few flowers on it as well.

And after a hunt we discovered there are already some pumpkins developing  :)

These photos were taken months ago and we got quite a few pumpkins. I think we should have removed all but a couple of the pumpkins as there was one that grew really well and the others weren't quite as good. Not as big and the flavour wasn't as good. It turns out they were Crown pumpkins. 

Just a few photos

I realised when I was looking through my photos that there were a few I'd meant to put in here last year and hadn't.

This sofa we've had since Boar's mum passed away. I think she had it all her married life, it could have been in her family, though I'm not 100% certain of that. Over the years the fabric had got into a sorry state, plus saggy springs. Boar suggested getting another, but I really wanted to keep it and have it, and the two chairs, re-covered. It is such a good solid sofa. Although they weren't supposed to when they were little the children would walk along the back of it, and it didn't tip over! I took this photo just before the sofa was taken away to be re-covered for us by Jester's friend.

I liked how the misty clouds were in the valleys, with the sun just coming up, 12/08/2014

The moon the next night, 13/08/2014, with a bit of cloud around it. I'd love to have a camera with a better lens for closer shots. One day!

All re-covered. It looks lovely and is great to sit on again.

What happens when a two year old granddaughter decides my diary needs some art work with chalk!

Sad, tired old duvet cover needing retirement throwing out! 

A new-to-us cover. Not wanting to get a new one I looked in Savemart. Hopefully we'll be getting a new bed this year or next and I'll be up-sizing. The one we currently have is a double and I want to get a queen. So I'll need a new inner and would rather spend money on a down/feather one than on a new double cover. We've been given at least one new queen sized cover which I haven't used yet  :)

Family Holiday

Hard to believe that nearly 6 months have flown by! But they have, packed with the usual busy days.
I was going to write another post today - then I realised I left the last post at January 3rd, the day before we went away, so I thought I'd post some photos of our time away.

We left on the Sunday and had a good trip over the hill. Boar, Brains, Locket and myself. Also heading over were A-M Prof and Moneypenny with Sunshine and Poppet. They actually arrived before us so started scouting out a spot. We didn't take too long to set up, tempers didn't get too frayed which was good. The only negative thing was when I discovered we'd left the mince behind for the traditional first night hamburger patties! I think I was distracted by having other folk in the house when I was getting orgnised.  :|  All good, we just had buns and cheese.

A-M Prof and family went home on Tuesday as he had to work that night. Wednesday Boar went and picked up Butcher, Chuckles, Half-pint and Lil Battler and they came out for the evening, then Boar took them home. Thursday we had some family visitors for the day which was lovely. Friday Frosty and Jester arrived with Mr Magoo for the weekend, and Smurfette came over as well.

So over the course of the week all of our children, their partners and grandchildren had time camping. It's lovely to see the wee grandies getting the same enjoyment out of the place their parents did  :D

So a few photos of the time we were there will suffice for a commentary.

The hills opposite our beautiful camping spot - Photo by Locket

Locket and Sunshine enjoying aunty/niece time

Poppet playing with the river stones. Who needs toys when nature provides!

Moneypenny settling a wee one, enjoying the solitude.

A-M Prof taking Sunshine down to see the jet boat I heard coming up the river.

I think each grandchild had a snooze in the hammock  :)

A misty morning.

The sun coming through and burning the mist away.

Half-pint throwing stones with Boar

Lil Battler having a good look at something!

Jester took Brains eeling and Brains caught this big one!

Mr Magoo making a run for it - to the river of course  :D

The sheep come up pretty close in the mornings.

Camp washing line!