Cute Pics!

I have been so proud of my little dog this week.

 He is always full of mischief and gets very giddy and excited when he sees another dog, which can be difficult as he jumps like a kangeroo, yapping and fussing if he is on a lead or dashes like a speeding bullet at the other dog whether they like it or not. We have been working hard at extra training to make him more attentive to me and calmer around other dogs when we are out. He is doing so well, especially off lead- staying close, coming back when called and gazing up at me (or rather, the sausage in my hand) as he trots at my side!

We have just been playing in the garden and he didn't bat an eyelid at the thunder rumbling in the distance.

He likes showing off how good he can be!!

I thought you might like to see my fabulous, mad garden shoes (http://www.backdoorshoes.co.uk/) that my friend gave me for Christmas. They are so handy to slip on and they make me smile :D

Manchester Midnight Walk

I am taking part in the Manchester Midnight Walk on 25th June to help raise money for St Ann's Hospice
http://www.sah.org.uk/about

It is a 10km walk (I don't do running, so no races for me!)

The hospice does crucial work and it costs so much to run- all the donations make a huge impact.
I took part 2 years ago and it was a fun and life- affirming experience. The hardest part for me was staying up so late as I do love my bed and we didn't set off walking till midnight (obviously). However, there was lots of entertainment to keep us going till then, including Mr Motivator doing the warm-up!

I haven't exactly been in training, unless you include my daily dog walks, but this year, as well as friends I am taking my two teens to help me along:)

If you would like to make a donation to St Ann's Hospice, you can do this simply and securely through my "just giving" page www.justgiving.com/Michelle-Barnard/

Many thanks in anticipation. I'll take my camera on the night and keep you posted!

See How My Garden Grows

I promised photos of the garden, the sun shone, so here they are.

My little plot has expanded as I've planted several pots- cabbage, courgette, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, spinach and mangetout.

My "ingenious" system for encouraging the strawberry runners to take root!

The first tiny radish- it wasn't really quite ready to be pulled up, but my son thought it tasted better than supermarket radishes.

I need to pick your brains again on this one. I think it is pretty and I love the unusual leaves. It cost me 50p from the allotment plant sale. Can you tell me what it is?

Alfie enjoys checking out how much everything is growing. He usually likes to get a much closer view- from right in the middle of the bed, where he gets tangled in the netting!!

Glorious Mud

My friend took me to see her allotment yesterday and I fell in love with it- the birds singing, the fresh air, the feeling of community and the satisfaction of seeing all your hard work (well her hard work) paying off with lovely green shoots springing up and the promise of  crops of peas, sweetcorn, cabbages, potatoes and many more lovely vegetables. They had a plant sale and scrummy cakes for sale! I came home with a cayenne chilli to grow on my windowsill, 2 cabbage plants, mangetout, a courgette( a present from my friend), a lupin, geranium and a very cute plant whose name I don't know.

So you can guess what I have been busy doing this morning! I never knew I could enjoy getting muddy hands so much!

 I will take some photos when the weather brightens up, but it is very grey and damp here today. (I didn't want to leave you with just a load of type so I added a pretty picture!)

Dyeing to be Pink

Thought I'd give you a sneak preview. I was very disappointed that my hair has faded so quickly this time so I'm going to try a new brand and shade of dye, recommended by a lovely lady from Ragamuffin in Skye.http://www.facebook.com/pages/ragamuffin-clothes-and-knitwear/117049108326255

http://www.hairdyegallery.co.uk/sfx-virginrose.html

Click to see how fantastic I am hoping it will look. I'll show you when it is done, but you have a little wait as I'm getting it done for a special party in July. Can you stand the suspense?

Happy Hooking!

I have finally finished crocheting my skinny circle scarf, using Sirdar Click Double knitting yarn in a shade called "Blazer". I loved making this and I'm really pleased with the finished product, as modelled (a little grumpily) by my lovely daughter.

I added 2 lovely large, bright pink buttons (bought from Titchables' shop at www.titchables.etsy.com) to the end so the scarf can be worn in a loop.

It also looks good with the ends loose. I think it is going to be chilly this week so I may get chance to wear it! Next job is to finish the socks I started making in February.

From Foxgloves To Furballs

The rain stopped this morning, so I have been for a mooch in the garden. The seedlings are looking good and the onions and carrots have started peeping now too. We have several foxgloves about to flower and one white clematis flower.

Can anyone tell me what this is? It is growing alongside my strawberries, but I'm not sure if we planted it or if it just appeared!

Alfie always likes to help me to "tidy", which usually means he brings a load of dirt, dead leaves and twigs back into the house with him!