Monday 17th December: A cold but sunny morning, I was up early and made myself a cup of tea and went back to sit in bed with it which is a rare treat. John is now at home, I won’t say off work as there is plenty to do here 😜 we did the animals and then tidied up and swept the back area, I cleaned and tidied the boot room where the cat is still in residence much to the amusement of the dogs. Cruella de Vil is eating her food and using her toilet but keeps safely hidden away when we are around. John then went out to the side paddock to move the electric fencing round the hens out there. I made some more mince pies, cleaned out the fridge, cracked open a jar full of walnuts for using over the festive period (took an age). I dug out a few jars of tracklements from my store cupboard, some plum sauce, chutneys and jam, mostly to give to Macca who has asked if I have any 😀 I also took out the pear liqueur, I figured this is exactly the right time of year to sip that in the evening 😀
While I was cleaning the boot room a robin flew in, unluckily for him as Molly who I thought was getting old and fragile leapt up on the the side, quick as a wink and had it for breakfast 😢
I used some of the wool packaging that the pork arrived in to needle felt today, this was supposed to be a hare but looked more like a dog so I changed the tail, more practice needed I think 😂 but not a bad start.
Tuesday: I have Mia today so quickly get the outside jobs done, John is off but popping to visit his Mum this morning.
I bought a shampoo bar a while back and now I have finished the bottle I already had today was the first opportunity I had to try it out, it’s marshmallow/nettle root with all sorts of other things in it but no nasties, I wonder how long it will be before the big companies catch on to the popularity of these. I have to say it lathered up well and my hair felt very clean (squeaky) I did use a regular condition as I still have some left but the recommendation is to rinse with cider vinegar which I will do at a later date. My hair looks shiny and feels nice, different, more body I think so it’s interesting.
Wednesday: Had Mia again today so we went off the the garden centre to see the fish and have Rainbow cake.
Thursday: Up and got the outside jobs done then off to Witney to do the last bit of shopping, I did go into Waitrose to find some goodies but it was so packed I put the basket down and came back out lol. In the afternoon, Shelley, Josh and Florence came over, it’s great having John at home because he went and collected all the eggs and fed the birds and lit the fire, I could get used to this 😝.
I won a cashmere jumper on eBay so it cost me £3 plus postage, not to wear but to make into fingerless gloves. I saw an ad for fingerless gloves made from recycled cashmere jumpers but when I saw the price I nearly choked and thought I can do that myself 😀 Apparently if you keep the wrists warm the fingers stay warm too so I will give it a try and see what happens, I just need to work out what to do with the rest of the jumper as you only use the sleeves 😋I am sure I will find something.
Molly the cat has peed in the washing basket, luckily it was empty but her days are now numbered slumbering in the boot room! I shall have to kick her out a couple of times a day.
I had another session of Bowen therapy on Monday night and I must say I am feeling almost 100%, I’m not sure if I can put it all down to that or the short burst of the AIP diet or the meds but whatever it is a combination of it is doing wonders and I’m raring to go, bursting with ideas, I just need the growing season to begin again lol, meanwhile I will do some bits of crafting. I have decided life is too short to not do the things you want to so I will be going ahead with a new greenhouse I’m just not sure when but it will be before the Spring gets underway 😀 You don’t actually realise what a fog you have been in until you come out the other side of it 😜 So to anyone who knows what I’m talking about, I say, just keep going, try everything and anything even if it sounds a bit crackers, you never know, it might just be the answer you we’re looking for.
Friday: The Winter Solstice has arrived, with a whoosh here as it’s very windy this morning 🌬
Spent the morning wrapping presents, I am not a good wrapper upper, too impatient! But a good bit of backache, 3 coffees and a bacon sandwich later and it’s all done 😀 Sat here typing and realise I have a couple of presents missing 🥴 need to go on a hunt for them. Phew found 😀
Saturday: A sunny morning, very mild for the end of December! We were up and got the animals all sorted, we haven’t done anything really in the way of farm work this week just chilling and prepping for Christmas. Today is Joshs 3rd Birthday, Mia and Sam stayed last night as I babysat while the grownups went out so we FaceTimed Josh first thing to sing to him and we are all going bowling later so not much else bar the necessities will be done today.
It’s a very quiet time of year really, when we had sheep and pigs of course it was much busier but with just the birds, cats, dogs and horse it’s more laid back and not much in the way of gardening to be done this time of year, more planning and dreaming 😜
Cruella de Vil is still coming down for her food and toileting just in case you wondered how she was doing, I haven’t actually seen her though which is fine as that’s the kind of cat I wanted. The other two more than make up for her, Diesel has now discovered that Molly is getting preferential treatment and jumped on board the cosy train, so that’s two cats getting under my feet in the boot room now lol, roll on spring when they will prefer finding a sunny spot to laze in.
Lovely afternoon bowling and then some junk food, back home to light the fire and do the egg collecting and feeding then off round to take Josh his pressie and eat cake 😀
Sunday: A wet morning but very mild, it’s so mild at the minute that we really only light the Rayburn towards the end of the day to get some hot water and dry the washing. John did the main of the birds this morning while I did the the cats and the rabbits, on my way round I saw the woodpecker, he is he more often than not at the minute. I smiled as there was some very pretty birdsong going on and the bulbs are pushing their way up through the soil in the pots, I checked the back paddock no sign of the daffs yet. The buzzard was on the ground in the paddock that Jack is in, he had found a tasty morsel fo breakfast. I watered the broad beans and peas in the tunnel, they don’t need a lot just enough to keep the soil slightly damp.
And now first thing on a Sunday morning I’m going to brave the shops to get what bits of food we need, not much really just a few bits and some basics is all.
When I got back it was hoovering, polishing, floor washing and bed changing, light the fire have some lunch then sit and watch a Christmas Carol one of my favourites Christmas films.
Well that is going to be it from me until after the holidays so it just leaves me you wish you all the best over the season, whatever you are celebrating, do it in style 😀 Thank you so much for reading my ramblings and the goings on here at Friesland Farm 😜 and I wish you all a very Happy 2019 may it bring you love and happiness.
Blessed be 😘
frieslandfarm (flowers) 