Still alive n kicking!!!

Hello one and all, is anyone there? I had slipped of the blogging planet but have managed to get a few minutes and get my head together to string a coherent, well almost sentence together!

It has been just over 6 months ago that I started on my new venture, and so much has been happening in those 6 months that I don't even know where to begin. However I don't want to bore you all to death either!

So I will try not to ramble on and just tell you the main things that have been going on. The shop has evolved considerably since I first opened, I have about 18 different crafter's that have their handmade items for sale in the shop as well as the furniture I do and my own makes. The tearoom is also up and running and we are also running craft workshops. Every Wednesday we have an open craft coffee morning, where all are welcome to pop along and bring whatever craft they are currently working on and we all craft together. It has been hard work to get the shop to where and how it is but it has been great fun too.

Now what else have I been up to...

Well not a lot really as the business and the family take up most of my time. The garden has been left to it's own devices and is now a sorry state. I did manage to get a couple of hours weeding in about 8 weeks ago but that was it. It is now overgrown once more, but I am determined to get it done and covered over before the end of November! I will probably have to do it by moonlight.

I am sad to say that I no longer have the girls, Bell, Dory and Octavia have gone to live on my Friend Terry's allotment with his girls and boys. I just did not have the time to give to them plus we had a major mice problem and I felt that by sending them to live on Terry's allotment was the best option for all concerned. I do really miss them, even the dogs look forlornly at the empty run, but I am glad that I did have a chance to be a hen keeper and experience the joy that they give. 

Jay is currently recovering from having his appendix removed last week, so it has been even more hectic than usual. I was supposed to be doing some cutting out tonight but thus far have just got that bag beside me with all the stuff in that I need. We are currently awaiting a storm/gale to hit, I put some stuff away earlier in the summerhouse, I just hope the tree doesn't come crashing down!

The photo is of a pretty little fungi that I saw when out walking the dogs early this morning,  a little bit of colour on a drab dark day. 

Well I will bid you a fond farewell, stay safe if the storm is heading your way. I hope you enjoyed reading and I will not leave it so long next time x

To see what the shop is like ect you can view photos on the Wigglywoo facebook page

R.I.P my big bird Matilda

Today Matilda took her last egg laying breath and now joins Perdy in the great big coop in the sky. She had become egg bound again but this time was to be her last.

It has been extremely warm these past few days with a little rainfall but not enough to make much difference to the ground. I had my first blueberry yesterday, it was quite nice not as juicy or blue as I thought it would be. The strawberries are coming to an end now, the peas have also done. The onions have bolted so at some point this week I shall be clearing the ground and putting on some compost and covering it for the winter as I will not be growing anything else until next spring.

A couple of weeks ago I had a lovely post written by Karen at Karen Louise Crafts all about Wigglywoo's Craft Emporium. Thanks Karen you are too kind x To read Karen's blog click on the link below
http://karenlouisecrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/wigglywoos-craft-emporium.html?m=1

Well not a lot of news, I hope you are all enjoying the summer so far. Until next time x

Frazzled!

Hello everyone! I do apologise yet again for my long absence. Things have been rather busy and I was trying to keep it all going but unfortunately something had to give and it was the garden that has been pushed to the wayside.

We have had amazing weather these past couple of weeks, my waterbutts are empty. We have harvested some potatoes, peas and strawberries however the onions have gone to seed, the fennel needs thinning out and the swedes are growing well. There are no runner beans, French beans, courgettes or squashes in the garden this year but there is plenty of weeds!  So far this year has been a bit of a blur and has whizzed past at tremendous speed!

The heat seems to have affected the girls as we are down to just one egg a day, they have become very noisy indeed, as soon as I get home and they see me through the door they become very vocal as they know they will be allowed out for their daily stroll shortly. They have been venturing into the kitchen a lot more, even flighty Matilda has taken to a wander around the kitchen.

A few photos of the well erm I suppose growing/disintegrating vegetable garden

Lots have been going on at Wigglywoo's Craft Emporium We now have the tea room up and running as well as the workshops, lots of lovely furniture and locally handmade crafts and gifts. What I love about the shop is that no two weeks have been the same since I opened, there has been changes to the layout and what we have for sale is always changing. 

The first pieces that went on display

adding to the stock

My beautiful girly set that I really enjoyed doing

The emerging tearoom

The tearoom all set and ready to serve

The rear end of the shop as it is now

another section of the shop as it is now

 As you can see from the photos the shop has totally transformed over the last three months. I have met lots of lovely people since I have been in the shop as well as a few strange encounters. It is hard work but I am loving every minute of it. 

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer, until next time and I promise not to leave it so long x

Here comes Summer!

Hello everyone, sorry for the silence. All is well in the Wigglywoo household, I have just been extremely busy. 

The tearoom is now up & running and the craft workshops and other events organised all starting as from next week.

The weather has been quite good of late with the odd rain which is great for the garden. It has been forecast that we will have scorching weather this coming weekend. 

The garden is growing well in spite of the little time I have spent on it. The chickens think they can just wander in and out of the house when they please, Bell is the bravest and comes right in. Max is not too impressed though.

I know I promised these to you a week or so ago but better late than never, here are a few photos of the growing vegetable garden of 2013

Potatoes in the sack almost ready!

The peas of which the pods are now beginning to swell

Leeks

Fennel 

Swede

Hmmmm Strawberries!

We have had a few strawberries and I have another bowl sitting on the side for later. 

I pulled up the garlic and again it was very poor and quite small, I think I shall give up on trying to grow garlic.

I have just cleaned out the girls so they are enjoying a few hours of manic mayhem freedom! 

Thank you all for waiting patiently for me to get my act together. Have a great weekend, until next time x