Tuesday morning was atrocious, the rain was torrential and both cats refused to leave the house when I got up at just after 6.15am but by the time I'd done my Wii Fit workout and caught up with blog comments it had turned into what would be a lovely day.
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| I found these patent leather Doc Martens in a charity shop, still in their box, back in 2018. It's taken me the best part of two years to break them in! |
A lovely lady I know (hello, Jan!) stopped and took a photo, asking if she could share it on Facebook as she loved my gardening attire.
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| TUESDAY: Vintage 1960s Crimplene maxi dress, Firetrap cable knit hat, Doc Martens (all charity shopped) |
The postman delivered a surprise parcel, a box crammed full of thread, bobbins, machine needles and a tiny lavender bag from Elaine. Aren't there some amazingly thoughtful people in the world?
You'll probably know Elaine from the fantastic comments and excellent links she regularly leaves on my blog. She's also a gifted artist and earlier this year I was lucky enough to win one of her original pieces in a giveaway she'd run on Instagram. It now takes pride of place in the bathroom. Find her website HERE.
After a break for noodles I spent another hour in the garden, scrubbing the terracotta pots and sweeping the patio. Liz and Adrian popped round and we sat in the shelter drinking tea and catching up. As Liz was on her school half-term, she'd done an epic wardrobe blitz and brought round a sack of vintage for the Kinky rails. After they'd left we went for a walk around the block, a lockdown habit that had slid in recent weeks. Back at home I harvested the last of the dwarf French beans to go with our tea.
We had a surplus of potatoes so decided to make a veggie cottage pie for tea using Morrison's vegan mince, a dish we'd not made before. I made the cheesy mustard mash and Jon did the rest. Accompanied by a glass of wine it was rather tasty. We watched another couple of episodes of Spooks before I retired to bed early, knackered from all that leaf sweeping!
Wednesday saw the first frost of the season. Jon was up early as he'd got the van booked in for an MOT at 7.45am. He'd scared the cats half to death, they're not used to seeing him awake before 8am and, even more scary, he wasn't wearing shorts - I told you it was cold! I did my Wii Fit session, had breakfast alone and caught up with blogland, with BBC news on in the background, anxious on my American friends' behalf to know the outcome of the US election. I'm still none the wiser.
Jon came back at 9am, the van had passed! After a coffee Jon moved the winter lettuce from the greenhouse to the cloches, composted the French bean plants and dug the area over, also tackling the leaves at the top of the lawn, sweeping them into the borders.
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| WEARING: Indian cotton quilted jacket with applique elephants, an emergency purchase in Jaisalmer ready for our night in the Thar Desert, bobble hat (present from me) and jeans (bought from La Redoute in the '90s) |
Meanwhile I ironed Liz's dresses and went outside to photograph them, then measured & wrote descriptions ready to upload to Ebay tomorrow.
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| WEDNESDAY: Vintage Anokhi skirt, Indian block printed waistcoat, ex-M&S Heatgen polo neck & thermal leggings (all eBay), 1970s turban hat (charity shop) |
We were just finishing our noodles when Liz arrived bearing gifts, a pot of wallflowers from the garden centre where she'd taken her mum earlier, which I'll plant in the border tomorrow. We sat in the shelter drinking tea whilst she went through the scarf suitcase in the stockroom. Jon had finished A Man Called Ove last night and he passed it on as we knew both Liz and husband Al would love it as much as we did.
After Liz left we went for another walk around the block. Back at home I topped up the fat blocks & the bird bath and left some mealworms out for the robins, who've been following us round the garden all day then sat in front of the BBC US election special and did some mending.
Where's my tea?
Stephen's got Felix, we've had roasted vegetables with chilli infused haloumi. Tonight we'll be watching Spooks on catch-up and Ambulance on the BBC at 9pm accompanied by a few rum and cokes. We've already had a glass of wine with our tea. Lockdown part 2, we're ready for you!
Stay safe and see you soon!
I love that picture of you with the broom, Vix. I think when you smile with your teeth showing your cheerful heart comes right through! ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Andrea! It's hard to smile for a posed photo but I usually walk round grinning like a loon (under my mask), I'm often called Smiler by strangers! xxx
DeleteSo glad someone sent you a thread stash, you really need it during lockdown. Holy cow, so many leaves. But you are the best dressed raker around and no wonder that lady wanted a picture.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely surprise and should keep me going for a while!
DeleteI used to wear that dress for fairs, now sweeping the street is an excuse to dress up! xxx
We used to bag over 100 large bags in our old place, and now I don't think we will have one bag in our new place along the dessert part of our valley. Kind of sad but don't miss the work. As a seamstress I know the value of thread. I often get donations from clients who have lost their wives.
ReplyDelete100 bags? Where on earth did you live, a stately home?!! I don't think I'd miss leaf sweeping although in these strange times it's quite a zen-like activity! xxx
DeleteYou and Jon are such busy bees. You do look great in your gardening outfit - no matter what, you are stylish! I also really like Jon's jacket. It was a lovely day here too. I threw out all but one of the chilli plants I have in my conservatory. Although there were fruits on them, they won't ripen and the plants, despite my best efforts, were covered in aphids. It was a pleasure to clean the sticky mess from the windows and there is so much more light now. I'd also grown a beast of a basil which I also composted. It was just too big. Surprisingly, it is herb I use least and the one I managed to grow best! Isn't it amazing the friendships formed in blogland. How kind of Elaine but you generate kindness, Vix, because you and Jon are both very kind people.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Catmac, you are kind! Lockdown has spurred us into a frenzy of activity, you might even get to see the finished kitchen by the time the weekend's out!
DeleteI hate having to throw plants with unripened fruit away but it's got to be done especially with those pesky aphids, you need a pet lizard. Isn't it funny that things we don't particularly like always flourish, you with your basil reminded me of the huge kale crop I managed to grow a couple of years ago, I can't bear the stuff! Even Jacob the tortoise ran off from those veiny leaves. xxx
Evening Vix! The time and energy you are still putting into your garden is to be admired! I only have one tree which makes that much work but sitting in the sun with my mate who popped in to catch up before lockdown won out. We chatted for ages and it felt good to get the fresh air and sunshine! Ilove the vintage skirt and the thermals were indeed a good buy. 2 years to wear in those boots! persistance pays off and ofcourse they are blue so I love them. Helped the elderly aunt with her housework today felt good to finally get it done (it is a fine line as you do not want to appear bossy or insult) very chilly here this evening but the fire is lit so it is cozy. Well Vix here we go again - lockdown life starting tomorrow or really for us continuing hey. Lovely post as always Shazxx
ReplyDeleteAfternoon, Shaz! I've decided to spend at least 30 minutes a day in the garden during lockdown, whatever the weather (ha! easy to say when it's been as lovely as it has been these last few days!) Thank goodness for thermals, I'm glad I've got two sets, I'm scared to take them off.
DeleteYou are kind helping auntie with her housework and you're quite right, you have to be careful not to imply that it needs doing or she might take offence. Wishing you lots of good karma for your good deeds.
Yes, lockdown is no different to our normal lives, is it? Still not enough hours in the day! xxx
My goodness that leaf sweeping is a never ending event! I have a very large old metal rake, the kind farmers use to rake up hay - that's what you need! the leaves rot down well so you should at least have the pleasure of a great compost next year :)
ReplyDeleteIt's relentless but I'm finally getting on top of it, the trees are nearly bare now!
DeleteI like the sound of that rake of yours. We've learnt that a stiff yard brush is much better on gravel but for the lawns and borders nothing beats a good old rake! xxx
Another awesome gardening outfit Vix! What a lovely crafty package from your artist friend too. Just wanted to stick my head in to say thank you for 'The Beach' iPlayer documentary recommendation from Jon. Joe & I watched a couple of episodes last night. Love it! The chap in it doesn't say much does he, but when he does it is pure gold. (We finished The Bridge Series 3 - amazing ). Lulu x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lulu! You can't beat man made fibres for working in the garden, warm and quick drying and often the print is so loud you can't see the dirt!
DeleteI'm so glad you're enjoying The Beach, it's mesmerising, isn't it? A man of few words but those he does utter are rather profound but not in a pretentious way.
Are you in love with Saga? I am! xxx
Sigh, another lockdown! I'm really glad you've gotten to have some visits with your pals, and are staying so positive. I love those Docs - my own are just thrashed from all the wear they get (they are my walking to/from work boots), through any weather, including snow!
ReplyDeleteLove your dresses, and not surprised you were snapped as a natty gardener! Good to see the furry boys - Stephen looks most disgruntled, ha ha!
I know...here we go again! Lockdown 2.0 as BoJo is calling it isn't quite as severe, I'm delighted that the National Trust are staying open, so it's only the charity shops being shut that'll feel any different.
DeleteThe boys take it in turns to be disgruntled, it's Frank's turn today! xxx
Adorable photos, some of the best yet! I was wondering what class Liz is taking?! Or perhaps she is teaching? I can't remember, arg!
ReplyDeleteHello stranger! Lovely to hear from you! Liz is a teacher, she teaches art. xxx
Deletecool gardening attire!
ReplyDeletecan´t believe you got frost already! on the island! ts. but relieved that jon changed into long trousers :-)
your veggies still going strong - my only crop is chard, for the beans its to shady now and the zucchini died in mid october.
congrats for passing MOT with the work van!
liz donated some pretty dresses - love how its all a circle at yours......
stay warm and safe! xxxxx
Thanks, Beate! I know, it's early for us! By the way he blackbirds are stripping the berries from the bushes I'm wondering if we're in for a cold winter, it's been a while since we had one.
DeleteMy peas are flowering and lettuce in the greenhouse are doing okay. Hopefully we'll be eating them soon!
Stay safe! xxx
Love those gardening pictures, I started watching that fabulous fashionistas documentary again with Paul , I totally forgot one of them had punemonia . I couldn’t watch it after that because that is what nearly killed Paul last October and I felt a bit tearful and I had to leave the room.
ReplyDeletePaul has been watching the US elections, tbh, I don’t want either of them to win as they are both full of scandals. And why are they always old and look like they are about to pop their clogs ! My dad is 74 and looks far better than Joe Biden , looks 80!!! We’re as dad looks like he is in his late 50’s!!
I don’t think the Japanese government will pleased what ever the outcome, poor America!
I am reading this book at the moment called our house, it’s twisty as hell and I love it. I read books and I think maybe vix would like this lol. Tell jon he could wear shorts all year round in japan!! LoL
Have a nice sane lockdown. Love and huggs allie
Thanks, Allie! Oh yes, I remember that lovely dancer lady being so poorly, it makes it all the more real when someone you love has been through the same, doesn't it?
DeleteStill no result with the election, I'm keeping everything crossed for all my lovely American friends who can't cope with another four years of that overgrown orange toddler and his temper tantrums!
You'll have to email me the name of the author of that book, sounds right up my street.
Jon would move to Japan tomorrow if he could wear shorts all year round!
Take care, stay safe! xxx
Lovely to have visitors at home, I'm missing some social life these days!. Liz's dresses are amazing!.
ReplyDeleteLove your gardening dress and boots, no wonder that somebody stopped to take a photo of your fab dress and smile. And totally understand that it has taken you two years to break these boots in. Hope they'll last forever! ;DD
And you look so fab in your Anokhi maxi and waistcoat and magnificent pendant!, You Totally Rock!.
Glad to see you still enjoying the garden, and lovely to see the lads!
besos
It was lovely to squeeze in a couple of visits with friends before we were forbidden from entertaining.
DeleteIt just shows that you have to dress up every day, you never know when someone will take your photo and share it on social media!
Stay safe & take care! xxx
Oh my goodness! Thank you for your kind words, Vix!
ReplyDeleteI'm always concerned that I've blathered on too much in the comments lol.
Glad the packet reached you so quickly - not much but hopefully will help keep you going!
You really are the most glam gardeners!
Can't pick a favourite outfit - love them all on you. Special love to the Anokhi though - it's my weakness!
Stay safe xx
Bobbing back to add - there's a new Selvedge podcast out today
Deletehttps://www.selvedge.org/collections/selvedge-podcast/products/episode-2
And I found a PreRaphaelite series on You Tube! All 3 episodes uploaded at the same account - Episode 1 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkWONORqHZw&list=WL&index=5
Elaine, you never blather on. Lots of people tell me that they love reading the comments as much as they do my blog, most of us have the same interests and passions and it's lovely to get links and tips and ideas from like-minded women. xxx
DeleteWow ... you must be the best dressed sweeper upper in the country, no wonder your friend wanted to take a photo :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue! xxx
DeleteOh my goodness, that's a lot of leaves. You must be exhausted from all that sweeping.
ReplyDeleteNow that the weather has turned colder, it lends itself to enjoying comfort food such as cottage pie. It's been on the menu here this week as well. I love it as it feeds us for a couple of days, so I don't need to cook. X
I slept well!
DeleteI need to dig the slow cooker out of the cupboard and make some dhal next week, my favourite cold weather food! xxx
VIX... I'm positively spluttering in my tea. Jon dug the garden over... NO DIG girl NO DIG... It's definitely the way to garden. I will never dig again... Charles Dowding no dig on You tube... Saves hours of backbreaking work and is far better for the soil. besides which I am a lazy tripe and won't give myself work if I can avoid it.
ReplyDeleteYou're not the first person to mention Charles Dowding and his No Dig method, Cherie! Jon watched the footage on Gardner's World over the summer and thought it seemed a good idea - maybe in the Spring when he's got rid of all this blasted bamboo! xxx
DeleteLiz Zorab is another good one to watch 'Byther Farm'. She's dead down toearth and easy to follow.
DeleteThanks, Cherie! x
DeleteWe are none the wiser in the USA, and probably more the dumber! IT is stressful right now, and I am genuinely worried about the state of our country. Well, in the world of blogs, I can retreat and always enjoy your posts. I love the blue boots-makes me smile. We have had such great weather-hard to focus on working at a computer screen, but I know the work I do is important, so crack on I will. Cottage pie has become a comfort favorite in my house-It will be on today or tomorrows menu. I still have not found haloumi, but I have two frozen pilak paneer sin the freezer and will enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteAnd we're still on tenterhooks! I keep checking the news like a woman possessed, surely it won't be long now and we can all stop holding our breath and crossing our fingers and breathe a huge collectible sigh of relief?
DeleteI'm glad you've had some good weather, it makes such a difference, doesn't it?
Mmmm...palak paneer! xxx
We've had pretty lousy weather here too, so I'm glad we're now having a couple of sunny, if chilly days. And guess what I did: leaf sweeping! Nothing compared to yours, obviously! My goodness, three hours and four garden waste bags is quite a lot! Loving your leaf-sweeping outfit, by the way. No wonder your friend asked to take your photo! And how thoughtful of Elaine to send you those sewing essentials. Your veggie cottage pie looks absolutely delicious. Yay for the van having passed, that must have been a relief.
ReplyDeleteYou look stunning in yesterday's outfit, and the turban really suits you.
Stephen demanding his tea made me giggle, he does look rather grumpy ... xxx
Don't these bright (but cold) days lift the spirits? I can't get enough of being outside, long may it last!
DeleteThanks for those kind words, Ann! the turban is really cosy to wear but I do wonder if I look a bit of a nutter in it, although Liz and Jon say I don't! xxx
You look very pretty in your pom pom beanie and dress Vix-I've begun to look quite ugly in a wooly hat recently x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Flis! Ugly, you? I've never seen you but loving animals and being such a kind and supportive blog commenter I can't imagine you'd be anything other than beautiful. xxx
DeleteWasn't that frost on Wednesday a surprise? Today we had frost and fog to start and it was beautiful by mid morning.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very glam gardener, I'm not surprised you had your photo taken. It didn't stop you working hard, three hours sweeping and tidying is no mean feat!
I like the mustard mash, I love a veggie mince cottage pie, wine to accompany is perfect. The haloumi looks yummie too.
I keep checking the news for election updates too, nailbiting isn't it. xxx
It seemed rather early, didn't it? I was going to say that I hope it's not a sign of things to come but as none of us are going anywhere for the foreseeable future it's not really a problem, is it?
DeleteIt has been a beautiful week, a joy to be alive!
I really enjoyed that veggie cottage pie, especially the wine! xxx
We have landscapers to sweep the leaves and tend to the grass, etc. but after I saw them using leaf blowers to direct them into the city storm drains, I started bagging them up myself. I did the best I could this year-about 5 bags worth. I was NOT dressed as stylishly as you!
ReplyDeleteNooo! That's ridiculous! The council usually have a big machine that sucks up the leaves from the gutter once a week but I've not seen it this week. Jon's had to go out with a big stick to stop the drains blocking! xxx
DeleteThanks for the link to see more of Elaine's work. I'm a line and wash watercolorist when inspiring models appear and your roasted veg will do nicely, as will Stephen on the tiles.
ReplyDeleteI'd thought of working up the view from my bedroom window, which is a swath of grass to the street, a big pine in the foreground and maples scattered down the lawn. But then came the remnants of a storm -- and the drifts of scarlet leaves went to Ohio overnight. An ill wind, etc.,...
Elaine's work is lovely, isn't it? I did think the medley of roast veg would make a good picture, it's almost too good to eat! xxx
DeleteI so enjoy your Distancing Diaries, you have made an Art out of being in Lock Down and it's Inspirational! Here, we're trying to get thru this dreadful Election... I may start Drinking.
ReplyDeleteI'm obsessed with your election, I have to keep checking to see if it's changed from 253 vs 214 but it seems to be stuck! Wishing you a positive outcome and sending love. xxx
DeleteIt's true - your gardening attire is rather exquisite. Fascinating how our pets know us by our habits, including times and clothes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ratnamurti! Cats really do have a sixth sense, it's quite freaky! xxx
DeleteI love your gardening attire too.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of the frost is a reminder that I need to get the bulbs in here soon before the frosts come to us.
Blue is one of my favourite colours and those dresses you are selling are getting my ebay fingers twitching!
Have a good weekend. XX
Thanks so much, Jane! My bulbs are already sprouting, it must be that mild weather we had last week. I hope they survive winter!
DeleteHave a fab weekend. xxx
What a glorious day Vix, I expect you have been in the garden this morning? West Mids best dressed gardener! I’ve been for a long walk to take in the colours, beautiful, we had that heavy frost on Wednesday, same as you, so Autumn may not last much longer, plus I foraged a few more windfall Bramley apples for chutney making and baking.Was looking at one of your older posts when you mentioned Jacob Epstein’s “Lucifer”, I’ve always told him that if they ever evict him he can come and live with me, one of my traditions is to go into the museum the week before Christmas to have a few words in his ear and wish him well while the place is locked up, bit different this year as he will have spent a lot of time in lockdown! Keep warm and well. Brummie Sue Xx.
ReplyDeleteAfternoon, Sue! Hasn't it been a gorgeous day? You're quite right, I've been out with my rake fighting against nature. You're doing really well with those apples, I should have taken advantage of the fill a bag for £2 deal on at Wightwick on Monday, it's been ages since we had a crumble!
DeletePoor Lucifer will be missing you, I think you need to have a word with the curators and offer him a home! Loads of love. xxx
Woke up to the best news (non health) that I could have this morning. Everyone can now try breathing again. There is hope in the world for better things, this is the turning of the tide.
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to hear the news and am delighted for the Americans. At last, some decency and common sense. xxx
DeleteSo sorry you are in another lockdown - cases are on the rise here so I'm curious if Ontario will be enacting any tighter restrictions in the coming weeks. If I spotted you out gardening in that marvelous maxi I would stop and take a photo too. If there was a contest for the Best Lockdown Outfits you would win for certain.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shelley! The numbers are getting higher and higher, it will be interesting to see if lockdown halts the spread, when we were moved to tier 2 the cases actually doubled! xxx
DeleteI've followed Elaine on Instagram, she creates some fabulous pieces!
ReplyDeleteOn election day I kept refreshing my browser on the BBC website to follow along with the results, I was so glad to see Biden win, but the inevitable tantrum from Trump is just scary.
I love your gardening outfits.
xx