Hobbies and Crafts

Thanks Ann, I didn't know you can buy timers for water features..........guess what my next purchase is going to be lol ;-) ;-)

I forgot to feed the birds this morning and only remembered when I saw the Starlings mulling around, so the feeder is all topped up now.

I've been really busy in my garden these past few days clearing up all the leaves and taking out the weeds. I trimmed around the lawn but it can't be cut until the weather improves. Everywhere is looking much tidier now, so hopefully there won't be much to do in the spring. We ended up with a wheelie bin full of rubbish. OH cut back the tops of the hedges today and all the dead bits of plants have been removed, ready for the new shoots to grow. It's gone quite cold now so I'm pleased everything is done. I think we'll just watch a bit of TV and stay warm inside today.

OH will be getting the boxes down from the loft ready for us to put all the Christmas decorations away tomorrow, or is it the 6th they come down, I can never remember which day it is? :-S

Jane the following is from our local paper.
“That real Christmas tree could be causing more problems than needles on the floor.. more than a third of us suffer from an increase in hay fever like symptoms this time of year known as Christmas tree syndrome. Signs.... itchy nose, watery eyes, chest pains, cough,..... and it can affect adults, children and babies. Thousands of asthma sufferers are admitted to hospital every year in December as a result of mould that develops on Christmas trees. And thrives when brought into a warm environment,”

Gill the timer is not part of the water feature, it is a separate one that plugs in with the water feature plugged in to that, we use them a lot in different things like a lamp that we have switching on whenever we are away.

He has asthma Ann so is prone to Bronchitis, he's starting to feel the benefits of the second lot of antibiotics though, so hopefully will be fit and well again soon.

Our water feature doesn't have a timer, so we have to put it on and turn it off ourselves. Mum called around this morning and said how natural it looks with all our pot plants around it. I must admit it does look and sound lovely. All I need to do now is tidy down the bottom of the garden and take some rubbish down the tip, then that's everything done in the garden until the spring is here as it's to wet to cut the lawns at the moment. I do have a few bulbs to plant sometime this month, but that won't take to long to do.

I was saying to Sandra that the birds will probably use the water feature as a bird bath, which pleased her as we never bought a bird bath in the end. She's been enjoying seeing the birds on the feeder since the workmen stopped work for the Christmas break, but we're expecting them back next door from tomorrow, so if there's lots of noise the birds will stay away again. Hopefully it won't take to long for the property to be finished then everything can go back to normal for the birds.

Busy busy Gill, in the garden as I said on the other thread. Pleased that you had a good Christmas but sorry to hear your OH was not well. Does he suffer with bronchitis when he gets a cold/cough to make him unwell or was it flu?

I looked up your garden feature and I am sure it is a lovely addition to your garden and will attract the birds to drink and bathe in it. Our birds like to get on the cascade when the water is flowing down. Have you got it on a timer or is it on all the time? Ours is on a timer.

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<3 <3 <3 HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE <3 <3 <3

Hannah and Gareth are certainly getting about aren't they Jane? They'll need another break to get over this one when they get back lol ;-) ;-)

I did smile when you were describing the way the birds are feeding in your garden, unlike the Starlings here, they make such a racket and knock each other off the feeder to get to the food. Sandra loves watching them and thinks it's funny.

We've been very busy in the garden this past week getting ready for a water feature that's being delivered tomorrow. It's a cascading waterfall, I've been wanting one like it for years and OH saw one in a shop display when we went to a garden centre last week. They didn't have any more in stock so gave us £200 off the price with it being ex-display. I'm really looking forward to seeing it in our garden and hope the weather is nice tomorrow so we can install it.

Today I put my two Euphorbia's in the front garden to replace a couple of Sedums and planted a tall Hebe to fill another gap, I also trimmed around the lawn as it was starting to lose it's shape, so that looks better now. I also broke away a bit of concrete from between some flags ready for the water feature electrics to go down in the morning. We were going to put some concrete on a wobbly fence post but it got a bit to cold and there wasn't much light left to work by, so that'll be done tomorrow while we wait for the water feature to arrive.

Yes, we all had a nice Christmas Day Ann, but unfortunately OH was really ill on Boxing Day so ended up spending most of the day in bed. He had to go back to the doctors for more antibiotics, but I'm pleased to say he's finally on the mend now. The second course of antibiotics are stronger and seem to be doing the trick.

Didn't Sandra do well Gill :-D. No worries next Xmas then :-D :-D

Did Inara enjoy all the unwrapping of her pressies Ann? :-D. That age is just so lovely . I can hardly remember our 2 at that age on Christmas morning other than the room being total chaos LOL

I am just looking at the bird feeder on the window and it is very busy. Bit like the M25 with queues. As soon as one bird had eaten the next one from the branches comes and so on. They are very patient in taking their turns. I haven't seen any 'feeder rage ' so far today :-D

My Daughter and SIL (it seems funny now saying I have a SIL :-) ) are having just the best time in Sri Lanka. After spending Christmas in an Eco Hotel in the forest by a lake ,they then moved on to Yala National Park and did a Safari tour . Today they have now gone on to the next place called ELLA right up in the hills. It looks amazing . They will be doing some of the walking trails . They have seen some wonderful wildlife so far,
many birds , Monitor Lizard(big one :-0), Elephants,Bear, Alligator,Leopard,Water Buffalo,Monkeys plus some creepy bugs. My Honeymoon was in Brittany . Not quite as exotic but still great :-D

Sandra will be raring to go next year Gill. Pleased that she and you had a good Christmas, I bet, like us, you all slept in this morning.

2 is a lovely age Ann, it's an age when children are just starting to understand and enjoy Christmas isn't it?

Sandra was very nervous when I suggested she have a go at cooking Christmas dinner, but with my help with the timings she really enjoyed herself and wants to do it again next year. OH is falling asleep on the sofa, he's due another antibiotic in half an hour then I think it'll be an early night for him. Sandra and I are just watching the last of the soaps then we'll probably have an early night to, it's been a busy day, but very enjoyable.

Happy Christmas Jem, hope you've had a lovely day.

Happy Christmas Jem, hope you have had fun.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! <3

Happy Christmas nurse Gill. I hope the antibiotics work soon for your OH.

Oh WELL DONE Sandra for cooking dinner, we have not had ours yet but it is cooking. We are in the middle of chaos here as 2=year old Inara opens her presents.. enjoy the rest of the day. <3 <3

Just popping in to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS hope Santa was kind to you all. <3

I've been looking after OH for the past few days as he's very poorly with a chest and throat infection, he's on Antibiotics at the moment and although he didn't have a good nights sleep last night has managed to eat a bit of Christmas dinner, kindly made by Sandra. It was her first attempt at a Christmas dinner and it was delicious. She was a bit nervous but with me keeping an eye on her she soon relaxed and started to enjoy herself. I must admit it was the best Turkey I've eaten for years so she must be a natural, the turkey was so moist and tasty. She's very pleased with herself and has a smile from ear to ear now.

I hope you've all had a lovely day.........MERRY CHRISTMAS <3 <3 <3

Merry Christmas Jane I hope you and Chris enjoy a peaceful one.

Glad you arrived safely Ann. What a horrible journey you had. I am sure the G&Ts went down really well :-D :-D. So many people forget to put their headlights on. Its just so dangerous in bad conditions.

My Son is about to leave to drive down to Kent and it is foggy :-S :-S. I just hope he takes it steady.

I heard an owl hooting about 5pm.It didnt sound too far away either.

I will take this opportunity to wish everyone here a very Merry Christmas wherever you might be .
Kandj has today has been picked up by her Grandson to take her to Durham to spend the Christmas with her family . MERRY CHRISTMAS xxx

We drove up the M5/M6 in the most horrendous weather, fog, mist spray, idiot drivers without lights, really dark. Still we got here. Just having a G and T and being entertained by Amber a cocker pop.

Have a lovely evening with Merlin . I know how you have said before how people love to see him :-D Merry Xmas.

It has been a horiible day here weather wise. Wheras my Daughter and (new ) SIL are basking in wonderful sunshine and are now in the most beautiful place for the next 4 nights. It is called Tri (Sri Lanka) Have a google . They are staying in the Water Tower.
Can't believe tomorrow is Xmas Eve !!!. Where did 2018 go???

In case you look in Magpie, we will miss hearing about your birds. Have a lovely Christmas and a happy new year.

Our little birds are really getting their act together and becoming real time wasters!!
The meal worms are going down a treat particularly with the two Robins!! Yesterday when we were having breakfast, we saw two mistlethrushes which were interesting as they are quite rare these days. The bluetit gang are as active as ever and have been joined by a couple of great tits! So all in all the garden is a lively place!
We're taking our Exmoor pony and trap + dog (!) down to the village tonight for the carols round the tree.. We do it every year! People love to see him with decorations in his harness and hat!! and it certainly renews frindships!
I'd like to wish you all a Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year. This will be my last post as my sub, which I won't be renewing, runs out soon. After ten years of posting it's now tiime to move on!