Hobbies and Crafts

Oh do go on Vera, really enjoying it. So far ir all sounds a wonderful ceremony and fun to be held beforehand.

Yes, I wondered if Maryanna had renewed her subs, such a shame if she hasn't he posts were always interesting.

After saying I had not seen a blackbird in the garden for a while there was one in there this morning. :-D

I have missed Maryanna too. Hopefully it is just the case that her life is busy with other things right now.

Well, what a few days we have had. Describing our weekend will make this into a long thread so you have my permission to skip over it ;-)

We were staying in a hotel just near dil's house on Saturday night. We got there mid-afternoon and I went straight across to the ladies' party at the house. There was an enormous spread laid out for folks to eat as they please with wines, tea and coffee. I was very good and just had a smoked salmon bagel and a cup of tea. I left after a couple of hours but the younger element stayed on for several hours. I later found out dil had 23 for a fish and chip supper the night before this as well,

Saturday night I had dinner at the hotel with a group of about 20. Two small glasses of wine at that but a very late night. OH snored loudly all night so I got very little sleep.

So to the wedding day. Dil went to the venue early in the morning with her two sisters. There was a bridal room with all the facilities provided for them while her two sons and my son got ready at her house. We all congregated there at midday and went off in a convoy of cars, each driver having been told which passengers they were taking. We had the 3 girls in ours. The only hiccup was that the 10 year old had managed to leave her new party shoes behind in Yorkshire, because she kept taking them out of the case to look at them. It took a while to convince a tearful little girl that her old dark suede ones would match the sash on her dress and look wonderful!

The venue was beautiful, old converted barns in the middle of the countryside and only hired to one party at a time. Then the ceremony. The bride looked stunning. As her niece sang she entered on the arms of her two sons who formally handed her over to the groom. His 3 girls were in charge of the rings and brought them to the bride and groom at the appropriate moment. Bride's sister and groom's sister (my daughter) each read a poem. It was a very moving ceremony and a lot of people there shed a few tears

I'll stop at this point as I must sort some lunch for the girls but, in the hope that I haven't bored you all into a stupor, I'll continue with another post when I can get back to it. :-D

Perhaps Maryanna hasn't renewed her subs this time? Either that or maybe
the two new babies are keeping her busy now.

Vera is sure to have had am amazing weekend. Hope all went well for the wedding?
She is sure to be busy with the Granddaughters just now. Have fun and relax now.

Not many birds about today so far. It could all change this afternoon though.

Looking fprward to hearing all about your day Vera.

Yes it has been ages since we heard from Maryanna.Maybe it is like you say Ann and she hasn't renewed her membership.Lets hope she comes back soon :-)

I expect Vera is recovering from the wedding :-D and getting the girls settled in.
I am sure it was a wonderful day yesterday :-D

I have just had a thought. It is ages since we saw anything of Maryanna, I wonder if she has not renewed. Quite sad when we lose touch with friends, I did enjoy her posts too. Hope all is well there anyway.

I have seen the robin around the garden but I think the blackbirds are out and about in the fields. Godfinches are still around and great and blue tits.

Hardly any butterflies around this year so far, a few red admirals and small tortoishells but no peacocks, even though we have three buddleias in the garden.

I hope Vera and family are all enjoying her son's wedding day today.

Not many birds about, but that's nothing new here. Just the usual pigeons,
sparrows and the starlings. Haven't seen Mr Blackbird or the Robin here for
a little while either.

Jane, I hope that your hoppity Sparrow has shown up again for you now?
I think Thomas might be too interested in mice than a limping bird.

Ann, I hope that you have had a Happy Birthday today with lots of cards/presents.

Nice weekend for a wedding Vera. Hope all goes well for your son's wedding.
I'm sure you will look beautiful as the VIP Mother of the Groom. I like the idea
of having Buster in the wedding photographs, he will get lots of fuss I'm sure.
We have had our Granddaughter Katie (15) with us for the last 10 days, hobbling
about on two crutches with a broken bone in her foot....... hey ho. She is back
home now and we all had a lovely time as I'm sure that you will too Vera.

I would think that the cattery staff will take good care of Mitzi this weekend and
it's good that she is improving a little now.

Thomas will be back to keeping the mice numbers down in your road Jane, has
he caught a bunny yet??

Not many birds here today. Just cleaned both bird baths. Not my favourite job,
but it is warm and sunny and I think the birds will enjoy a drink (or a bath!).

Yes I hope it isn't too hot for you on Sunday Vera. Awh Buster !! Bet he will be wearing a Neckerchief or something for the occassion :-D
TIGHTS !!. I have tights in one of my drawers ,but can't remember the last tie I wore them.They have probably perished by now :-)Uncomfortable things.Always having to hoik them up lol
As long as Mitzi seems calm cool and collected (is that a saying? ) then she sounds fine to go tomorrow Vera. It has been so hot today I think it stifles any appetite human or animal...Saying that Thomas has just had another mouse :-S :-S
I managed to get hold of him before he disappeared again.But he is now behaving like a naughty child and scratching on the doors,and basically trying to be annoying :-S
Once he realises he won't be let out again tonight he will settle.Hopefully soon :-D

Sad about your sparrow Jane.

I haven't seen any birds around here today apart from a collared dove who kept hopping about with bits of twig in its mouth. He must have been doing a bit of house maintenance :-)

Mitzi is picking at food but not eating a lot. It is so hot here today that I don't feel much like eating either. Still the cat seems quite relaxed and comfortable so I think I can go away without worrying too much about her.

While I hope the weather will be good on Sunday I hope it's a little cooler than today or we will all melt in our finery. As mother of the groom I thought I'd better fly the flag for our family so my outfit includes proper shoes and tights! I can't remember the last time I wore tights.

Buster (remember him, son and partner's English bull mastiff?) is apparently going to be there, though not at the ceremony. They wanted him included in the photos.

Jane, the girls are 10, 14 and 16. They don't really need looking after in the way little children do but are harder to entertain. The 10 year old doesn't always want to do the same things as the 16 year old. But they are good girls and fun to be with so I am sure we will all enjoy ourselves :-D

Sounds like you have a very full weekend Vera :-D :-D.Full of food and drink :-)
It is going to be lovely weather for a wedding on Sunday.Lucky Bride and Groom.
I think this injection Mitzi had will have bumped up her appetite .She should be fine now in the Cattery for a couple of days.I'm sure you will worry about her but at least it is not for long.
My little one legged Sparrow has vanished :-(.I just hope it came to the end of its natural life span .Thomas hasn't had it.It hasn't been around now for a couple of months.I do miss it though as it fascinated me the way it coped on the one leg.
Have a lovely Weekend Vera.How old are the girls you will be having to stay?

Kandj,I bet you miss your visitor now she has gone.I know how much you enjoy having her to stay.

Yesterday when OH and I were down the lane at our friends for lunch there were lots of Swallows ?Swifts? Flitting about all around us.It was the ones with the shorter tails.
It was so nice just to sit and watch them all around us.
Thomas is off again (probably for supper).I would love to know how many mice he eats every day!!.Just wish he wouldn't bring them back and eat them by the Patio table when we are sat there :-S..Not what we really need ,especially if we having our lunch :-| :-|

I never thought I would say this but I was really pleased to see the garden full of starlings earlier this afternoon. There have been so few birds around lately that even the starlings are welcome ;-). I then saw our two regular sparrow visitors arrive and next time I looked there were five sparrows there, and three of them looked like youngsters. The strange thing is that all the birds are just going for the fat balls - all the other seeds and nuts are being completely ignored.

Have you seen your one legged sparrow lately Jane?

The long lasting steroid jab Mitzi had on Tuesday seems to have helped her appetite and she is beginning to eat a bit again so I am happier about leaving her in the cattery. The wedding is on Sunday but we are going on Saturday morning and coming back Monday afternoon. Saturday afternoon I am having ladies only drinks and snacks with the bride who has invited the women of the two families and her girlfriends. Then I am joining son, granddaughters, bride's sons and various family members on both sides for an evening meal, no doubt with drinks. Then Sunday we have the wedding. With all this eating and especially drinking I shall have to pace myself carefully or I will be in no state to look after the three girls on Monday :-D

Thank you for lots of lovely photos Ann, you have a good eye for interesting ones.

It must be a relief for Mitzie to be well enough to be left in the cattery Vera.
it is meant to be dry at the weekend, so you all can have a good time at your sons
wedding. Your are sure to enjoy having the girls stay with you next week. Our granddaughter (15) has been here for 10 days and we all have enjoyed it all.

So Thomas is out and about on the kill again Jane. The mice numbers will be
down in your neighbourhood once again. He has made a very good recovery.

Jane yes been open a few months now but that was the first time we had seen it. It is not that high, I was worried if it was OH wouldn't go on it, he was fine but wouldn't go up into the 'crows nest' it gives an entirely different perspective of the arboretum and the trees. Children seemed to love it as well.

Just had a look at all your fantastic photos Ann.. What a great idea having the Tree Walk .Is that a new thing there?

He certainly is Ann.I am back to saving a bit on cat food lol. He went out at 8 this morning.Haven't seen him since.No doubt when he does show up his fur will be full of those sticky seeds :-S.I have the brush ready :-D

Very quiet with the birds today.We aren't sure if we saw a Hawk earlier.If it was then I expect they have gone into hiding for a while.Better to be safe than sorry :-)

Strange the vet can't find what is wrong with Mitzi Vera, hopefully she will gradually improve. Sounds like it will be a lovely wedding. Have a good time with the girls I am sure you will enjoy having them.

Jane at least Thomas is earning his keep now he is back on the hunt.

Vera I think Thomas is working his way through the Mouse population :-D :-D

That is good that the Vet feels Mitzi will be fine to go to the Cattery for the Weekend while you are away.
It sounds like it is going to be quite a wedding !!!!. The weather is looking good for the weekend :-DIt is going to be a wonderful day for you all. :-D :-D