This blog is fast becoming a monthly event, honestly I have no idea where the last few weeks have gone. And now they've started the apple harvest so I know the end of summer is in sight.
First a canine update. Many of you know that on a Sunday morning we meet up with a few dog owners, little walking is done as we stand about lollygagging and the dogs charge around a lot. There have been times when we've been down to just a couple of dogs but we've been on a recruiting mission. Andrew and I were out with Mortimer one evening and we met a charming lady with her puppy Milton. As soon as I saw him I started kidnapping plans! Sadly these came to nothing but they was persuaded to come along on a Sunday and luckily she and her partner keep coming back. Milton is a Sproodle (Spaniel x poodle) and I have to say I started scouring the internet for breeders.
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| Milton the sproodle |
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| Andrew with Milton, Toby and Dexter |
Our next recruit was Blue so we peaked at seven dogs, plus the casuals who pass by. Sadly this week we lose Hoby who, along with Toby, is a trainee guide dog and is off to his next level of training.
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| Blue flanked by Hoby and Toby |
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| Hoby just won't let go of the apple |
As always in August we welcomed guests and went out and about. A favourite National Trust property is Blickling Hall where I coveted the range
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| I'd need a 'tweeny' to keep it clean |
and the orangery
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| Blickling Hall orangery |
Last time we visited there were bigger trees but they didn't look very healthy so I suspect they've swapped them in.
Sandringham Park has become a favourite walk with guests. There are marked trails, a nice restaurant, cafe and a sculpture walk. I'm not big on chainsaw art but some of these are quite good and work well in their settimg.
At home our summer project was to knock down the workshop which is attached to the garage and landscape the space for an outdoor dining area. Sadly this never got off the ground so we've shelved it until spring and are concentrating on the two remaining, and as yet untouched, bedrooms. As you can see from this photograph not before time! I admit it is looking particularly bad as my ironing pile was huge (I blame our guests!) and my clothes rail had collapsed for the third time in 45 minutes...
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| Chaos |
and all on my birthday. I just had to console myself with the chocolate cake Andrew had baked for me :-)
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| I'm not even thinking about the calories! |
Andrew ...... This is the cake I shall show Malcolm in a minute to point out what husbands need to aspire to. Wow! It looks as though you've both had a fun and achieving summer. Er, summer? What's that again?
ReplyDeleteMargaret - I don't suppose you nag as much as Sharon does about birthday cake ;-)
DeleteGorgeous dogs (especially Hoby), but what I liked most about this post, Sharon, was seeing one of your untouched and undesigned bedrooms! Your finished rooms always look so perfect that it's a relief to see that you live like the rest of us slobby mortals :)
ReplyDeleteI'm only human! Once a room is finished it has to stay like that so as we do each room the 'it doesn't have a home yet' stuff has to go into ever smaller spaces. But I'm fairly ruthless and that room has already donated 4 large bags to Cancer Research!
DeleteAnd the dogs are all lovely, not a bad bone between them.
Oh yes, I remember the ever decreasing spaces as the renovation progresses! I am though, in spite of Ms L's testimony below :) , in total awe of the fact that each room has to stay at perfection point once finished. You'll end up living in the shed!
DeleteSharon, I am witness to the fact that Kalba doesn't even know the meaning of the word 'slobby', or if she does, she keeps it well hidden when anyone comes to call.
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