tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45434568588156938542012-02-28T13:49:28.884ZPhilippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.comBlogger1021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-4022360273576860792012-02-23T10:17:00.006Z2012-02-23T14:36:13.781Z

I've known about Approved Foods for a little while now. Every so often I pop over to see what they have but I've never gone through with the order. A few days ago I got an email through to say that first time customers would get £5.25 off their delivery charges (so £2.25 instead of £7.50) so I figured now was a good as time as any to order something off them! This ends at midnight on 24th

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-1061425400319894462012-02-22T11:47:00.003Z2012-02-22T11:56:17.008Z

  These are great for a sweet treat in lunch boxes and store well in an air tight container for a few days. I have taken up making something sweet for John to take with his lunch each day. At the moment I am baking every three days so that there is always something sweet in the house! Oat and Chocolate Biscuits Recipe 110g Margarine 220g Soft Light Brown Sugar 1 Egg 2 tbsp water 1 1/2 tsp

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-62092459677312806092012-02-21T16:52:00.000Z2012-02-21T16:52:31.644Z

Thank you so much for all your advice on the chickens - it is really appreciated. I will put an egg into the nest boxes and then lock them in at night - I'll let you know how we get on! I've had a pretty chilled out couple of days so today I went a little mental on the house! Put lots of stuff into a bag for a charity shop and cleaned (nearly) the whole house. I also managed to do a few 'little

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-31972141543179842032012-02-19T10:02:00.000Z2012-02-19T10:02:10.236Z

After the death of our final hen we recently got another few hens from a couple of friends who were no longer able to keep them... They are really well behaved, but keep laying their eggs outside instead of in the nest boxes. I put straw down to try and stop them from getting too dirty. The only problem is now I can't find them! Does anybody have any tips for convincing chickens to lay in

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-90732965051769661692012-02-18T15:19:00.002Z2012-02-22T11:46:29.220Z

I had completely and totally forgotten I had these photos and stumbled across them when making my fancy new header. John grew up with home grown food and I did not so although John knew what he was doing I had no idea! I had spent numerous hours pouring over John Seymour's 'The Complete Guide to Self Sufficiency' but it was all theory, no practice! This was when I was nearly at the end of my

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-18875518251412653342012-02-16T15:12:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:46:16.723Z

After the disaster of last year's tomatoes I kind of walked away from the back garden greenhouse and didn't look back. I was completely and totally ashamed. But, as with all things, I had to face up to my failure and clear it out, tidy it and wash it down for this year. We keep our straw for the chicken's nest boxes in the greenhouse too so there was quite a lot of mess to dig my way through.

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-21368896535530219792012-02-12T20:34:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:46:04.460Z

I am thinking or plotting on sowing my broad bean seeds when I get home tomorrow... From the kitchen...I am currently at my parent's house so with our roast dinner we had potatoes and green beans from the freezer  I am wearing my sister's PJs I am thankful for having such awesome friends I am going to have to drive the four hours home tomorrow with potentially no music - very sad. I am reading

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-11822384250227303172012-02-05T10:56:00.002Z2012-02-22T11:45:51.220Z

I thought it would be good to keep track of my resolutions for 2012 by doing a recap at the end of each month! 1. Be thankful, kind hearted and loving - every single day... I am trying to do this, but sometimes I get grumpy... 2.Save a minimum of £4,500 (£375 a month) for the mortgage deposit fund.  Unfortunately due to whole company liquidation experience, no money has entered into the

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-77603904135498372872012-02-04T13:38:00.006Z2012-02-04T13:47:40.907Z

I knew him back in the school days. I haven't seen him for many years and certainly wouldn't call him a 'friend' or even an 'acquaintance' these days. But last week he was found dead. He was only a couple of months older than me. We knew the same people. It has definately made me feel a bit strange these past few days. It is events like this that make me thankful for everything I have and make me

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-36435766827334104352012-01-29T15:25:00.000Z2012-01-29T15:25:21.713Z

This is how I keep my seeds. I tried various other ways, but this is the best for me as I know exactly what I need to sow in each month! I have a list (of course!) of what needs sowing in each month which I make at the start of the year based on the experiences of the previous year. For example, not sowing cabbages until the broad beans have flowered (June) so that there is actually space for

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-27837207352887568322012-01-18T19:53:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:45:37.948Z

Haven't done this for a while so thought I'd start it up again seeing as though it is a new year! Outside my window it is very dark... I am thinking or plotting on coming up with a plan to get the chilli and pepper seeds to appear...singing, dancing and telling them I love them are being taken into consideration... From the kitchen we are having spaghetti bolognese (which includes homegrown

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-21630957726447651802012-01-15T11:19:00.004Z2012-02-22T11:45:19.690Z

...as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. Tuesday wasn't the best day I have had in a while. At 3pm were we told that the company I work for is going into liquidation. He babbled on for a while being very diplomatic and using big legal words to cover himself from potentially being sued for 'advising' employees. I wasn't quite sure what he was banging on about so asked. He

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-51645880435595421232012-01-12T09:45:00.001Z2012-01-12T09:57:56.639Z

I've never won a blog award before - this is quite exciting! Thank you so much Jules at Suburban Veg Plot you have no idea how much this made me smile today!  It is pretty amazing that this little, tiny corner of the internet has been chosen.   Acceptance of the award is conditional on the following: Copy and paste the award on your blog Thank the giver and link back to them Choose five blogs

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-72482191114224992332012-01-09T11:10:00.000Z2012-01-09T11:10:04.411Z

Back in June we hatched these little cute things and eventually they grew into three cockerels and one hen...we were a little disappointed. Still, at least we've got the hen...Before we left for our parent's at Christmas we (well, John) killed two of the cockerels. The third one is super big, quite beautiful and not cockerelling too much so was spared. Our next door neighbours look after our

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-4637991643631958692012-01-07T12:26:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:57:19.034Z

So for Christmas I gave my best friend a basket of preserves. This included my Plum and Ginger Sauce. I just got this text from her and thought I'd share it with you in case you were in any doubt as to whether you should make it next year... Hey mate, just made a mega yumsky stirfry with your sexy plum n ginger sauce - UMMM UMMMM! Thanks a lot mate, love you loads! After her text I was

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-14894869783788839562012-01-04T21:31:00.000Z2012-01-04T21:31:04.527Z

Last weekend was ridculously mild for December. I was outside in 3/4 lengths and a strappy top! I hung out with the chickens whilst sorting a few bits out in the back garden. It was been quite neglected towards the end of summer so I went to go cheer it up a bit and dig over/weed various bits! I finally moved the chick house from our only bit of lawn (which is now just a dug at mess) and then

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-73683064203108930032012-01-03T21:29:00.000Z2012-01-03T21:29:57.886Z

I might have sown my chillies, peppers and aubergines... Yes, I know it was the 1st of January, but the packet says from January onwards, so technically... Plus I am not the best at growing chillies so if I destroy this first lot I should have time to replant! I am keeping them by the wood stove as I don't have a heated propagator. I find they always germinate this way, but it's at the

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-44546064563401724852012-01-02T14:07:00.002Z2012-02-22T11:57:29.484Z

When we first moved into our house my Mum bought us a bread machine. Three and a half years later we were still using it every other day and relied on it to fill the house with the smell of fresh bread and to provide John and I with tasty lunches at work each day.  ...but then somehow over the Christmas period we lost the paddle bit. In a flurry of tidying up before we departed to our parent's

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-75063188997304757632011-12-31T19:03:00.000Z2011-12-31T19:03:34.894Z

I hope you all had a good Christmas (if you didn't celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a good week) and are looking forward to the New Year! This can only mean one things...more legitimate list making! Be thankful, kind hearted and loving - every single day... Save a minimum of £4,500 (£375 a month) for the mortgage deposit fund Play the drums. I got a drum kit when I was 14, played badly and

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-69311937389797986232011-12-22T20:10:00.001Z2011-12-22T20:29:35.824Z

Well, I finished work today for Christmas. I am not back until the 3rd of January - this makes me quite happy! I am celebrating with Sloe Gin and Mince Pies. This Christmas we are heading down to see my parents, sisters and John's Dad and I am beyond excited. Really can't wait to see everyone and catch up. Christmas Day will be spent with my family eating the most amazing food ever and drinking

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-62111437440388620922011-12-20T09:45:00.000Z2011-12-20T09:45:12.221Z

I've definately learnt a lot in 2011 with regard to vegetable growing, but I think each year I always will! So, here is (another) list... Put potting compost down before sowing seeds. Our ground is relatively lumpy and the veg we did this for grew a lot better.  Sow thicker. I am not a fan of thinning out so I tend to sow quite thinly. This often leaves me patchy rows. 2012 will see me sowing

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-66048194074125194322011-12-13T14:19:00.000Z2011-12-13T14:19:34.701Z

We haven't even finished 2012 and I am already conjuring up thoughts to next year's growing plans...I love lists and this gives me yet another excuse to legitimately write a list... Back Garden Cucumbers x 8 Courgette x 3 Lettuce - Trough and sow direct in succession Fruit bushes - Raspberries, logan berries, red currents and gooseberries - Established Fruit Trees - Plum and Apple - established

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-78136985786169935572011-12-11T16:38:00.000Z2011-12-11T16:38:36.226Z

So damsons...lots and lots of damsons...I made some damson vodka and then was a bit stuck on what else to do. Eventually I settled on some vino calapso. But here's the thing...I am crap at making wine. Not so much the 'wine' bit, but the process...the lengthy process of creating it. I lose focus at the stage between letting it sit for a couple of weeks to transferring it into the demijohns. I

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-32755579136042279012011-12-06T20:04:00.000Z2011-12-06T20:04:37.948Z

I love Christmas...on the 30th of November I might have put up a few of my Christmas decorations (much to the distress of John and my next door neighbour) so that when I awoke on the 1st of December, I was in Christmas mode. I love decorating the house in ivy, holly, mistletoe and fairy lights. I love seeing John come home with an amazing Christmas tree. I love going down to the allotment on

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-56818713315369924512011-12-04T20:23:00.000Z2011-12-04T20:23:31.454Z

I think, to be honest, the most important thing we must do this month is drink our Sloe Gin. There are no two ways about it! But other than that there are a few things that need to be done... Strim the allotment one last time before next spring Harvest and eat brussels, parsnips and swede Plan next year's vegetable growing Pretend that the garden is not in such a bad mess Try not to forget there

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-34261339108432169852011-11-26T09:52:00.000Z2011-11-26T09:52:05.008Z

We had our first frost here last week - very late! The weather has been absurd this November. I was fully expecting to have had at least one snow day so far, but no...not even a frost up until this last week. I have been anxiously awaiting the first frost so that we can start eating the brussels sprouts. As soon as I had seen we'd had a frost my mind immediately went to the Brussels. Now it has

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-39526433525130329782011-11-03T21:37:00.000Z2011-11-03T21:37:14.462Z

Mmmm...leeks. This is the first year we have been successful with leeks. We tried growing them the first year, but I didn't thin them out so they ended up going a bit mouldy and gloopy - yuk! Last year I didn't even try, although I can't quite remember why. Finally this year I did it properly! I sowed them into trays in the greenhouse and then when they looked like they could fend for themselves

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-84692979904205215252011-10-30T12:10:00.000Z2011-10-30T12:10:24.929Z

So I might have completely forgotten about the tomatoes. They had so much prospect, but my lack of care destroyed them. Firstly, we didn't get the greenhouse glass in on time at the allotment so they ended up being squished into the back garden greenhouse. Then I forgot to water them for ages. Then I watered them every so often, when I remembered, as if that would make up for the weeks of abuse.

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-30681619696050563112011-10-28T21:26:00.000+01:002011-10-28T21:26:29.771+01:00

So in having super loads of plums I got this trusted recipe of a friend of mine. Although I have yet try any (we have a whole duck in the freezer but we're waiting for the right time to eat it!) she has said it is fantastic - so it's going to be fantastic. Plum and Ginger Sauce Recipe 5cm grated ginger 3 red chillies (or to taste!) - finely chopped 450g plums, stoned and quartered 100g

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-65169037423186971052011-10-25T20:15:00.000+01:002011-10-25T20:15:57.306+01:00

So I had lots of plums...like a ridiculous amount of plums...and needed to figure out pretty quickly what to do with them otherwise they would go mouldy...so I found this recipe from Norfolk Kitchen and was drawn in by the 'ketchup' bit more than the 'plum' bit. I followed the recipe exactly... I have a confession to make...I am totally addicted to ketchup. I blame my parents as they were the

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-84554430833704597102011-10-23T09:40:00.000+01:002011-10-23T09:40:31.253+01:00

After a weekend visit to see some friends in Somerset, John and I were offered some bramley apples from their landlord's garden. We obviously took them up on the offer and grabbed a couple of bags of the biggest most amazing bramley apples I ever did see! I then spent about four hours peeling, chopping and cooking apples. I went for apple sauce and apple pie/crumble filling for the freezer. By

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-85455121622965014342011-10-19T20:30:00.001+01:002011-10-19T20:32:16.029+01:00

So I haven't just spent the last few weeks making alcoholic beverages...this elderberry syrup is proof! So I went out foraging one afternoon and ended up covered in nettle stings without realising it...I have since figured nettle stings are simply a state of mind. If you don't think about it, it doesn't hurt. I came to this conclusion after being too preoccupied with balancing on precarious

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-28622841631536815342011-10-17T20:23:00.003+01:002011-10-18T12:47:49.993+01:00

This year, we have decided to go all out on the liqueur front. There is nothing better than a glass of fruit liqueur by the fire on a cold, dark, winters night. Mmmm...just thinking about it now makes me want a sneaky taste. So, the liqueurs we've gone for this year are.... Half the Damson Vodka Damson Vodka I have not made Damson Vodka before, but I had a whole bunch of damsons to deal

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-86376296112689633132011-10-13T20:57:00.001+01:002011-10-13T21:00:03.348+01:00

I actually remembered to buy some before winter! Not only that, I managed to plant them! This is huge...I have been aiming to do this every year, but I always forget and then try to plant some in March and we end up with these pathetic little tiny things...but this year, this year I remembered! I asked work if I could leave early on Wednesday so that I could plant my garlic...because the weather

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-45748207020137948152011-10-12T19:25:00.000+01:002011-10-12T19:25:57.911+01:00

I am beyond excited...after three years of trying...we have SWEETCORN! This is like the best thing ever that I have ever tasted in the entire of ever! Look at it...real actual sweetcorn! I was literally jumping when I realised that this year - THIS YEAR - was the year we had grown sweetcorn. I mean, seriously this is awesome! We have always failed miserably on sweetcorn, but somehow this year

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-62523622557598417992011-10-11T21:16:00.001+01:002011-10-11T21:17:44.101+01:00

I am dying with excitement at the brussels sprouts - way, way, way too excited about their arrival on my dinner plate! The brussels sprouts are once again doing a fantastic job, although I have realised now I may have planted them too close together, so will make sure I don't do this next year! Here they are just after I had put them in... Now they are big and strong and little tiny sprouts are

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-43799465050633988372011-10-10T20:11:00.000+01:002011-10-10T20:11:45.156+01:00

  So in September a friend of John's gave him some quince. I had never seen a quince before and was actually very surprised - I expected it to be small and green (think I had greengage on the brain) but instead it was this massive apple/pear mutant hard thing. As I had never even seen one before, it isn't too much of a stretch to realise that I had absolutely no idea what to do with them. I

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-19432387102369229562011-10-02T20:04:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:44:45.698Z

...and it may be a little longer. With all these long nights and the huge amount to do on the allotment/back garden I haven't had the time to blog - I am sorry, will you ever forgive me? I hope so because I am planning on getting back into the swing of things when the clocks go back (or forwards...I never know which is which) and I can legitimately come home and curl up in front of the computer

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-29222050137775710202011-06-24T23:11:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:44:30.120Z

When we first moved in my Mum bought John and I a clothes drying rack. Unfortunately a little while ago I attempted to move it with clothes on...not the smartest idea. I ended up snapping and bending a couple of the bars. We never threw it out, but it just cluttered up space in the boiler cupboard. Fast forward to a few weekends ago and we were trying to come up with ways to net the strawberries

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-67834021898200487832011-06-18T19:37:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:44:10.089Z

Take some strawberries and put them in a blender... Add milk and them whizz round for a while...pour into glass... And then enjoy a glass of the finest strawberry milkshake around!

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-68990909593122242472011-06-16T17:44:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:43:56.684Z

Ok so we weren't quite planning on having chicks again this year but... John's uncle gave us some fertilised eggs (6) and the light sussex bantam decided to go broody again...so we figured we may as well just go with it. Three weeks later these little cuties appeared (4) I am already completely and totally in love...they are beautiful and too cute for words! They are in their own little pen

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-60425687877409326612011-06-13T21:26:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:43:43.606Z

Broad Beans and Tomato Greenhouse Mid Construction Peas Onions Potatoes Beetroot and Carrots The allotment is looking so much better now we've blitzed it, but there are a number of things that so far I have been dissapointed with. The first is my poor carrot germination. We have sowed another row, so hopefully it will make up for it! The second are my peas - this is entirely my

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-90765745666828321292011-06-11T11:36:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:43:20.880Z

So a couple of years ago the people just down the road from us got a peacock as a present...don't ask...I remember vividly my next door neighbour running round one day all excited saying there was a peacock wandering around! Couldn't quite believe it - got very excited when I saw it and took lots of photos. Fast forward a couple of year and it's a little bit annoying because during the summer it

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-10406765657968276412011-06-10T09:37:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:43:03.675Z

This is looking very tasty at the moment and I have been eating spinach and lettuce in my salad for lunch every single day! Yum!  Not a great photo - will work on my photo taking skills at some point  This is pretty much our salad back garden veg plot...cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, spring onions (with weeds) and garlic (ok, garlic is not quite salady, but shhh...) I'm looking forward

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-51636852582305744762011-06-09T09:42:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:42:08.813Z

The tomatos are still in the back garden greenhouse for the time being and are doing very well although probably need potting on... These are a mix of gardeners delight, an italian name that I can't remember and some kind of tomatoes that are big! Yeah, the memory isn't so great right now...will work on it! Here we've got some Sweet Olive tomatoes and a mix of chillis and peppers. I am even

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-57859535551049040862011-06-08T19:42:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:41:41.850Z

Oh yes...it's strawberry time!  *May have eaten quite a few in between picking and photo taking....

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-8872479194950838332011-06-05T22:06:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:41:21.097Z

Ok, so my plans for June are... Plant out / pot on the cabbages. However I have nowhere to put them because I completely misjudged planting them. I intended them to go where the broad beans are at the moment, thinking the broad beans would be finished by the time the cabbages were big enough....so maybe just pot them on for now.  Eat broad beans, spinach, strawberries, lettuce, spring onions and

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-43636449524788753002011-06-04T14:51:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:42:43.271Z

Outside my window…the weather is absolutely gorgeous! Lots of tea on our front bench today. I am thinking or plotting…on what to do down the allotment today and whether I can restrain myself in B&Q! From the kitchen...for breakfast I had Mum made blackcurrant jam on crossants. During the week I've been having lettuce and spinach salad with my crackers and cream cheese lunch! I am wearing…leggings

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-73791251605786787302011-06-04T10:06:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:40:02.761Z

So how did we do in May? Sow: Cabbage, Kale, Broccolli, Swede and French Beans Crochet a blanket- well, I crocheted but not an entire blanket! Make a seat cushion for our new bench Put up tomato greenhouse down the allotment- we're half way there. Just got the glass to go and the ground to dig Pick elderflowers and make wine again- hopefully doing it this weekend Put up pig fencing Buy pigs

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-70407576851047834282011-05-30T20:29:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:39:45.001Z

Okay, so this i a little embarrassing to admit, but the allotment is in a state. I honestly thought I had been keeping on top of it. I have been going down as regularly as I can, either once a weekend of at the very least once every couple of weekends. I went down last weekend and planted my runnerbeans, butternut squah and pumpkins. It didn't look that bad at all...I weeded where I needed to

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-88215656138605926102011-05-28T09:06:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:39:24.665Z

I am a very keen budgeter. I love lists and this is yet another list I get to write every month. Having got into some serious (and very stupid) money troubles when I was 18/19 I am now slightly obsessed with budgeting my finances. In my handbag diary I have a post-it note on the week that I get paid. On the top of this note I have my salary and then I write down everything that I have to have

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-77636805907886359862011-05-25T20:25:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:38:38.353Z

I have already hardened up and planted out my peas and broad beans. The peas are not doing fabulously, but that is down to a severe lack of love (and rain) from myself. The broad beans seem fairly content, however their edges have been trimmed slightly by a little hungry caterpillar. The flowers are now everywhere so looking forward to munching on some broad beans soon! On Saturday, having

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-43599709855092210292011-05-24T13:19:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:38:16.900Z

...this is fact. In light of this, a friend and I are going to subject ourselves to a 5km run (read: meander/slow power walk) around Swindon in July in return for millions of pennies donated to Cancer Research. I've never done anything like this before, but recent events have made me determined to help find a cure for cancer. Seeing as my future does not contain a Phd in science/cancer curing,

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-80825557826176019922011-05-22T10:33:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:37:59.257Z

I know that slugs don't like egg shells and I know they don't like sawdust...so I put the two together and covered all my plants...I will win the Greenhouse slug war!

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-22274942159840510262011-05-21T10:49:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:36:56.570Z

So we decided after we put the currant bushes in that we would have a little redesign of the garden. Our garden is fairly small, but we cram a lot in and because we don't have a front garden if we want to chill outside with a cup of tea (Read: wine/cider) then we head up to the garden bench. So we want it be a nice, relaxing, beautiful place. So we decided to put some boarders in and mulch...I

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-30685344869375717122011-05-16T19:51:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:36:37.713Z

I have come to the realisation that I need to get my arse into gear and learn how to sew, stitch, crochet and knit...I am going to need these skills when we're self-sufficient so what better time to start than now? My Mum donated her entire collection of 'Stitch by Stitch' (1970s - 1980s sew/crochet/knitting magazine) in six binders. It. Is. Awesome. I love the style of the time anyways, but

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-91410264288572020142011-05-09T18:53:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:36:04.824Z

My plans for May Sow: Cabbage, Kale, Broccolli, Swede and French Beans Crochet a blanket Make a seat cushion for our new bench Put up tomato greenhouse down the allotment Pick elderflowers and make wine again Put up pig fencing Buy pigs Weed the garden and allotment What are your plans for May?

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-25265220814323527352011-05-05T19:53:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:35:54.237Z

Outside my window…it is still light I am thinking or plotting…on ways to deter the slugs from eating our cropsFrom the kitchen...for breakfast I had Mum made blackcurrant jam on homemade breadI am wearing…a summer dress with belt and a cardigan....this is my staple spring outfit... I am thankful for…the seedlings I am going…to go to Cornwall this weekend to see friends get marriedI am reading…

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-7668911827758839152011-05-03T22:36:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:35:41.707Z

So these were all on my April To-Do list and here is how I got on... Sow  Carrots Tomatoes  Cucumbers Beetroot Cauliflower Melons Courgettes Sweetcorn Runnerbeans Lettuce Butternut Squash Rocket Spinach Build tomato greenhouse down the allotment Clean back garden greenhouse (and take out the old, very dead tomato plants) Sweep the steps of all the catkins Make wooden planters - two for the

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-43948603308324952882011-05-03T19:34:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:35:30.853Z

Slug, the one that lurked somewhere in the greenhouse I don't like you. I didn't like you before, but now I really don't like you. Two months spent nuturing my chilli and pepper plants until they were big and brave enough to live alone in the greenhouse In that single first night you eat...nay, you munch the stems, of ten of my chilli and pepper plants When I found you smirking in the water tray

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-69181522382463982482011-04-17T21:02:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:35:19.338Z

As I have mentioned before, we are now having to buy vegetables each week. Unfortunately we didn't manage to store our potatoes in the correct place and so they too have gone. So, we're buying salad and all our vegetables now (except onions, we still have a few of those!)and I have to say, it is bloody expensive! We don't spend a huge amount of food by any means. We both put in £20 and then

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-68103543601564100762011-04-12T22:25:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:34:54.842Z

  My broad beans are finally in the ground. This year I started them off in cell plugs and in no time at all they had grown out of the cell plugs and their roots had gone off with a mind of their own out of the cell plug trays! I was using a self-watering propagator that my Mum had given me for Christmas and all the roots has got tangled in the material bit that drawns in the water...oops...

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-16985248541915920832011-04-10T07:58:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:34:40.623Z

We are now averaging about 6 eggs a day and we can no longer keep up so last month I started to take eggs into work to sell for £1. I figured £1 was enough to help cover the food costs and low enough that people will choose to buy them over ones from the supermarket. It worked out really well - I ended up selling 13 boxes of eggs and so when we went to stock up on chicken food it only cost us

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-80522603249760368232011-04-09T09:21:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:34:27.276Z

Sow  Carrots Tomatoes  Cucumbers Beetroot Cauliflower Melons Courgettes Sweetcorn Runnerbeans Lettuce Butternut Squash Rocket Spinach Build tomato greenhouse down the allotment Clean back garden greenhouse (and take out the old, very dead tomato plants) Sweep the steps of all the catkins Make wooden planters - two for the back garden, one for the front of the house Harden up and plant out the

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-37964326144387723822011-04-07T20:44:00.003+01:002012-02-22T11:34:17.244Z

Last weekend John and I headed down to visted our respective Mum and Dad's / for me to attend a hen do. Saturday was spent getting ready for the hen do and buying some work related clothes (hmmm...I wear pretty dresses to work and therefore they are entirely work related?!)  Sunday, being Mothers Day was spent with my most awesome Mum...she is pretty cool and I don't need to tell you that I

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-82378619880392861412011-04-06T20:54:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:33:44.838Z

Outside my window…I can see darkness I am thinking or plotting…on where to plant the numerous currant bushes given to us yesterday From the kitchen...for dinner I was super extravagant and had our own eggs (in mayonaise) on freshly made bread... I am wearing…my pyjamas becuase it is colder in the house than it is outside.... I am thankful for…John I am going…to deep clean the house tomorrow -

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-67059785841613494742011-03-31T21:45:00.000+01:002011-03-31T21:45:15.491+01:00

I know I said before that I was planning on buying good quality equiptment for gardening, but I have failed... We've been buying (please try not to think less of me) lettuce...£1 each week...this is not how it is supposed to be...I haven't got the space to grow lettuce in the back garden greenhouse and up until last week I did not have any outdoor protection for early sowing. The frosts haven't

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-44892779445519310932011-03-23T18:35:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:32:32.093Z

Well Spring is officially here - the daffodils are up and the allotment has come on heaps and bounds! We are now ahead of ourselves and feeling pretty smug about the whole thing! The brussels have come up which means that last years growing season is now completely over. The whole allotment has been dug over and then rotorvated and now...now we've got the potatoes in! The weather has been simply

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-18690454536584669562011-03-06T11:20:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:31:56.746Z

Outside my window…I can see the campervan I am thinking or plotting…I should go down to the allotment today and dig it over again From the kitchen...tonight's dinner will be a roasting pork joint from the butchers (thank you John!) with allotment brussels, cabbage and potatoes from store. Plus some yorkshire puddings (these make any meal a roast - fact) using our eggs. Pudding will be rhubarb

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-63488399483493192202011-02-27T16:08:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:31:36.271Z

My chilli and pepper seeds are showing no signs of propagating, depsite my daily attempt at trying to coax them out from their cell plug...They are in the lounge and so are definately within the correct temperature for them to grow and I am being really nice to them - saying 'Please will you grow today chili and peppers...please?' Still, I must be patient... I went to feed the chickens yesterday

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-55406496616914317592011-02-20T22:17:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:33:06.819Z

Today we popped over to the bit of land we have been given to keep some pigs on. We needed to measure it so we can start getting some fencing in. Having looked online at the fencing options, it is going to be a fairly expensive set up. Fortunately this will just be a one of cost with the only on going cost being food. I am getting very excited about getting some piglets on the land - going to be

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-51447118990734604232011-02-13T18:08:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:29:37.710Z

I couldn't hold it off any longer...I have planted our onions - all 330 of them! I cleared the land last weekend in preparation. Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day, bright sunshine and nice cool breeze. I popped down and picked up a load of onion sets but because we had friends coming round for dinner and my new car to pick up (due to my fiesta being written off a couple of weeks ago

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-61449599460043343622011-02-06T13:13:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:29:05.347Z

Outside my window…it is a bit windy I am thinking or plotting…on how to create a faux wedding dress inspired by the series 'My Gypsie Wedding' for my friend's hen do in a couple of months...I think I need some Blue Peter inspired alone time with a roll of sticky back plastic and loo rolls... From the kitchen...lunch is going to be egg mayo wraps and tea will be steak with allotment cabbage and

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-79745873472236263112011-01-23T11:32:00.004Z2012-02-22T11:28:51.980Z

The time between now and owning a house with land isn't just about saving up money (although it is, quite honestly an integral part) but also about trying to learn the skills needed to become self-sufficient. I don't really fancy buying the house and land, moving in and then be stuck thinking 'what the hell am I meant to be doing here?!' I appreciate experience is our best teacher, but I think

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-23570076653809389722011-01-16T15:22:00.004Z2012-02-22T11:28:17.277Z

Okay...we've made a decision and set ourselves a target - finally! Seeing as we are now both in a stable financial position (so long as my job continues! I feel I should add a 'touch wood' here too) we can now start to think about saving for the house and land. After spending a long time dreaming about, we've actually, finally made a decision. ...we're going to own our dream smallholding by

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-71185231204949965492011-01-08T17:46:00.004Z2012-02-22T11:27:51.310Z

Okay, so this year I decided that I would invest in some good quality equiptment for growing our vegetables. Up until now I would buy cheaper things purely because I couldn't afford to buy the more expensive things. These inevitably would break and would be forced to replace them. I was also using yogurt pots and meat trays to begin with which was not very space efficient and also looked very

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-88714954109929022112011-01-07T18:15:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:26:47.523Z

I saw this on  A Life Less Simple blog and thought it was a nice idea as a regular post...I really need to get into posting more this year (another resolution perhaps?) and this at least ensures that I am posting once a month. Fingers crossed I can manage a few more! Outside…it is very wet and dark I am thinking or plotting…on new ways to save up enough money to buy a house with land (

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-68845384093566367802011-01-04T21:11:00.001Z2012-02-22T11:26:34.176Z

The chickens are now officially grown up! Our cockrels started to cockadoodledoo a couple of weekends ago and so we unfortunately had to say goodbye to all but one (the remaining one is just beautiful and we don't have the heart to kill him!) John killed them and plucked/gutted them and I turned it into a Coq Au Vin. I had no idea, but apparently (according to Hugh Fearnly) Coq Au Vin is

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-2259849212187107082011-01-03T10:38:00.003Z2012-02-22T11:26:17.266Z

Well Christmas is over and the start of a New Year has begun - something that is always very exciting! I have written a diary everyday for 5 consecutive years (which I know is probably suprising considering my lack of posts on here!) and have just started my 6th. It is always slightly daunting but also exciting looking at all those empty pages wondering what is going to fill them. Having kept a

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-55675423248070177142010-11-07T13:15:00.002Z2012-02-22T11:25:46.228Z

Once again I have been rubbish at going down to the allotment...with working full time I now only have my weekends free and there are a thousand other things that I need/want to do as well. I popped down this morning very quickly and it doesn't look too neglected. With the cold weather the weeds haven't been growing so vigorously! Our 'winter veg patch' is looking pretty good. Brussels Sprouts (

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-87435366478111710022010-09-17T21:31:00.003+01:002012-02-22T11:25:16.431Z

We may have left the allotment to it's own devices over the past few weeks...the same goes with the garden. But, last weekend we finally had a free moment and popped down to the allotment and did a massive clean up. We harvested all our onions and then weeded the patch. Unfortunately our onions were fairly dissappointing and didn't grow into the mighty massive things we had hoped for when we

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-77493380078973115382010-08-16T12:57:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:24:39.519Z

Our blueberry bush isn't massively productive this year, but the few that we have got are going to be added to a pavlova this evening - yum! A colleague lent me his ice cream machine so we cought a 2 litre bottle of cream from the butchers and over the weekend I've been making lots of delicious icecream. However, I don't think I'll be investing in an iceream machine as I don't think it had too

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-54970032163186712182010-08-11T13:35:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:24:19.786Z

I really need to get some more up to date photos of the chicks up as they are huge now! But this is what we've been harvesting recently... Our Beetroot, which I have now pickled! We absolutely love pickled beetroot. I made chutney last year but we didn't really enjoy it so much so I have a few jars just gathering dust on the shelf...this year it is solely pickling... The courgette glut is

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-62741223484762113052010-08-09T22:50:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:23:28.060Z

Well I am now very settled in my new job and although I do enjoy it and am glad to be using my brain a little more it is a lot more tiring than expected and so I have mostly been coming home and falling into bed straight after tea! John and I headed off in the van this weekend to a little mini festival which was wonderful! It was full of lovely similar minded peoplewhich was just incredible to

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-62396642893609214732010-07-21T10:22:00.003+01:002012-02-22T11:23:16.399Z

I know, I haven't written in forever - things have been rather hectic round here lately! On the 1st July I got a call from an organisation asking if I would be able to do a phone interview the following day. I had applied for this graduate internship right after I finished my exams and so was pretty excited to be getting an interview! I won't bore you with the unnecessary details but...I begin on

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-37232440518064375292010-06-29T21:27:00.007+01:002012-02-22T11:20:26.901Z

Okay, so it has been seriously hot these past few days and today at work was just the worst - especially when your manager isn't too keen on you sticking on the air-conditioning when the doors can be held open with string...but with no wind to breeze casually into the shop I stood sweltering for most of the day finding every excuse possible to spend time in the back with it's massive concrete

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-42467260450811263442010-06-28T13:32:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:19:54.686Z

Over the weekend some good friends from my home town came up to visit which was absolutely amazing - especially as it included, as a complete suprise to me, my best friend Beth who I absolutely love infinately. It's coming up to ten years now that we've know each other, despite the fact her first impressions of me were not too good as I was not an avid fan of Korn...fortunately I won her over

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-19938081900443957842010-06-18T15:58:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:19:11.185Z

John brought home a bunch of rabbits from shooting night on Wednesday, so for lunch today we decided to try the River Cottage Southern Fried Rabbit recipe...the breadcrumbs could do with a lot more seasoning, but other than that it was divine! We had it with some freshly picked iceberg lettuce and ketchup (I am slightly obsessed with the stuff much to the despair of anyone who has ever cooked me

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-33337423695939763132010-06-17T11:09:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:18:47.664Z

Today is another fabulous day of glorious sunshine which is amazing and lovely, except for my horrendous hayfever - the pollen count must be high this morning because almost as soon as I got up the nose and throat started tickling and my eyes began to get itchy. I have the evil combination of hayfever and eczema...if the pollen doesn't get me then the weather, animals, the flowers or anything

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-5330708204114120202010-06-16T15:37:00.003+01:002012-02-22T11:18:04.056Z

Well my exams are finally over and I am once again free after five years of battling my way through college and university. Although I don't necesserily regret going to university because of the wonderful people I've met and the place John and I are now living I don't think it was a particularly needed step for me. But, I feel amazing right now. I've been so stressed these last few months and now

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-67378112670122853672010-05-30T20:22:00.003+01:002012-02-22T11:17:05.442Z

The mini veg patch is coming along really well now and I just couldn't resist taking some photos...we are also expecting chicks from today!  

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-87977890525996039362010-05-29T12:51:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:16:48.068Z

I finally got around to doing some hoeing in the garden yesterday evening and planting out the courgette plants. I have exams at the moment so have either been frantically revising or at work. However, I am now one down with three left to go. Currently I am revising for my feminism class and my military and the everyday class. I am stressed! Especially as a lot needs doing in the garden but I do

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-53783721831050128842010-05-14T19:47:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:16:21.259Z

Basically I love cupcakes. Everything about them - deciding which flavour to bake, baking them, icing them, decorating them, eating them. Even watching someone else eat a cupcake I've made makes me smile! So for the past few months I've been thinking about my post-uni life. I've been in education for five years straight now and it has finally come to the end. I am also not the person who first

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-13781413320386761762010-05-11T08:53:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:16:08.984Z

On Thursday evening I did the normal routine of popping up to the chickens to get the eggs and put them away for the night. When I went to open the hatch get out the eggs one of our bantams were sitting on the eggs and despite me being there she did not move an inch. Usually the bantams only have to see you approaching them and they run away (not sure why they are so petrified of humans - with

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-76599148427721451682010-04-30T09:09:00.002+01:002012-02-22T11:15:27.128Z

Well the garden has officially sprung into life! Although with this comes weeds; horrible evil things! I think I may have to spend some time this weekend (between revising for a mock exam and researching a report) in the garden weeding because it just seems to have exploded over night! As I've got really had hayfever (typical!) I think I'll keep all the nettles to use in a tea or perhaps make

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-40043166820053793822010-04-25T20:37:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:14:43.948Z

With my dissertation now handed in and an evening of celebration tomorrow I've had a chance to check out the backgarden. It's been very hectic reading through my disseration and trying to get it printed (I ran out of ink...and the library is only open unitil 1pm on Saturday!) and bounded in time. But it is all done and I feel so happy and relieved! The backgarden is now showing signs of life.

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-26186198425591972992010-04-22T12:23:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:14:18.345Z

Having completed my dissertation yesterday, today will be spent going through it with a fine toothcomb and ensure that all my evidence is referenced and grammar/spelling is perfect- quite possibly one of the most boring requirements in essay writing. After a while it all blurs into one and I have to just take a a couple hours off before carrying on. Wednesday is usually shooting evening, but

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-63439106000501182372010-04-21T20:10:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:13:54.843Z

Yesterday I managed to reach my target which meant I could spend the rest of the evening pottering around. I potted on the courgettes and planted some parsley and corriander for the herb garden. I also decided to plant some more sweetcorn. The sweetcorn that I planted a little while ago has finally propagated - very exciting! I love that first sight of a seed that has germinated!   Today

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-45769322868792302932010-04-20T09:53:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:13:23.012Z

I started back to university yesterday which was a struggle after three weeks off. Having spent hours at the allotment on Sunday I woke up feeling achy all over with blisters on my hands and the prospect of a ten mile cycle, half hour train journey and fourty minute walk up to class! But still, I do love cycling...the other option would be to get a car but my student income (loan/part time work)

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543456858815693854.post-56723306377374183352010-04-19T08:32:00.001+01:002012-02-22T11:12:53.060Z

Yesterday was one of the most productive days we've had so far and now we are completely on track with the allotment. We spent Sunday morning picking up bits and pieces from garden centres and popped into Allington Farm shop. It was the first time I've been there and it was amazing! John even treated us to some rump steak for tea! He is also in the process of making us a bench for the backgarden

Philippa Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16178462341140360478noreply@blogger.com0