The Temper Trap - Fader

Fluorescent tubes...very G7.
Temper Trap album "Conditions" playing mucho on my Nano.

Weasel

Weasel
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Yesterday, we heard a rustle in the grass ...and out popped a beautiful little weasel.....it ran right past us down the hill. Being around wildlife and nature would definitely go on my "happiness enhancing activities " list.

Happiness

I have been reading an article from an old magazine we had put to one side....here are a few snippets.
There isnt a quick fix or single secret to finding happiness...and looking for one might make you miserable.
Remember to be grateful.
Spend your money on experiences not objects.
Volunteer.
Nurture your relationships.
Make sure you encounter new people and places.
Learn to forgive.
And never assume you know what will make you happy.
In a relationship...rather than dwelling on our problems, we should count our blessings and in particular help our partner count theirs.
We tend to plan and to grade life. It turns out that if we can be present right here and now, then happiness will follow.
A little happiness goes a long way.

Bluebells. Blossom. Building site.

Bluebells. Blossom. Building site.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

We are using Tel s camera phone to take photos at the moment.... recording the progress of the summerhouse build in a Grand Designs sort of way. It was lovely up there today.... the cherry blossom is looking fantastic and the bluebells are out. We have now managed to put all 4 corner posts in.... and an order of 20 large pieces of timber arrived this week, ready to go. Luckily it hasnt rained here for 3 weeks so the ground is really dry and we can move things about a bit easier.

Stew and dumplings.

Stew and dumplings.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

I bought some shredded suet yesterday and made parsley dumplings for the first time. They tasted really nice and went down well with the stew.

Drving through ash. Iceland.

Drving through ash. Iceland.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Reporting on the problems caused by the volcano in Iceland.... the BBC man said...."we dont know what will happen next....its all up in the air."

Old cat.... free to a good home ???

Wilson is such a pest at the moment.....he has recently developed a wide range of very annoying habits.
As well as the howling at 3 am, and begging for food (our food)... yesterday we caught him doing his business in the veg patch!!!! Nice one.

Hanging basket magic.

Hanging basket magic.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

The weather was great at the weekend... and we got lots of things done in the garden and the field. We drove out to the garden centre and to the timber merchants to put in a big order for Tels project.
We dug out the curved flower bed at the front which we hadnt seen properly for 4 years.... and planted a couple of shrubs and a rose bush that Gill who used to live here kindly gave to us. We chopped back the budlea and it all looks really nice now. The enormous hanging basket that we bought in Manchester last weekend is looking 5 star.

Car wash

Car wash
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

"I remember when..."

Today I was talking to a man, who still lives in the house where he was born. He has been there for 60 years. We were thinking how unusual that is....and how it probably doesnt happen much today as people move around a lot more. It was fascinating hearing him talk about the people he has seen come and go and the local events he remembers. I d like to encourage him to write it all down....

Strawberry Collins

We went up to stay with Tels Mum on Friday for the weekend. We were really overdue for a visit and our promise to take Laura out for a 21st birthday drink. We went into Manchester and had a cocktail (or 2)... and Laura and Tel had a greasy kebab on the way home. On Saturday we all drove out to Styal Mill for a look around, and then went back to Jennys for some food, The Grand National and Harry Potter. It was good to see everyone...hopefully they will come and stay with us over the summer.

Centre Place. Melbourne.

Centre Place. Melbourne.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Banana mayonnaise

1 ripe banana, mashed
1 tablespoon fresh lime/lemon juice
Half cup of mayonnaise
1 teaspoon mustard
Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix till smooth. Cover and chill. Keeps well for 4 to 5 days. Good with fruit, cold meats or seafood.

The first corner post.

The first corner post.
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Its in.
We have fixed it in place with postcrete.
It is the first corner post of our shed/ hut/ summerhouse.
It is a challenge working near the top of the hill... carrying everything up there... big posts, gravel, water in watering can, wheelbarrows full of stuff. And then the ground is a bit slippy so you have to tread carefully. Tel has done a great job getting all the angles right .... and everything level. We realized today that this is going to be a long project....!

Hole

Hole
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Do blondes have more fun?

Do blondes have more fun?
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Noel goes blonde for the summer.

Fondant potato

We went out for a meal last night to a local pub/restaurant.
I had my first ever fondant potato with local pork, a parsnip puree and curly kale. It was really nice.

Puddle

Puddle
Originally uploaded by terry Dixon

Lou came down today, with James Anna and Lara..... we went for a walk in the woods inbetween the rain and showers.... had a roast dinner and some trifle. We used James camera to take some photos....Anna looks very ghostly running behind him in this photo. It is always lovely to see them x