Simple Saturday

Grass cutting - never looks much different to me after it's been done, but Bubbles said it looked much better! The top right area is probably the worst moss patch... didn't think I'd get much off it in the way of cuttings... but I seemed to get more there than anywhere else! I'm glad of the Flymo - it's more 'flexible' for the slopes I have. It's hard work cutting grass on a slope!

Digging is always such good fun for kids! Thought we'd dig this area to see if the soil is any good... it seems quite nice soil, though lots of roots in it. Not sure what we'll use the area for... it needs a *much* better dig over than we managed (I'm not as strong as I'd like to be!). I managed to break the fork by leavering against the concrete surround - such a silly thing to do, but at the time it seemed a great help!

Weekly round-up

A wonderful view! Looking along the River Severn, at the Severn Valley Country Park.

Watching the Severn Valley steam train come... and go...

Making Spike's birthday cake... the kids wanted to help... but for some reason they decided to 'decorate' their cars too!

Yum!

Finishing touches...

Bubbles is very into doodling at the moment, and made the ice-cream cones on the box look like people!

Doodling together! Very encouraging that Spike wanted to join in.

Our butter bean plant... lovely roots and shoots... ready to be planted up... (was part of a science experiment, looking at roots and shoots)

2 in pots, and one left in the jar with damp kitchen towel... we need to see which does best now.

Water-cycle experiment doing very well! (to show plants produce water, it condenses and runs down into the ground, the plants take it in...)

Plate frizbee! Playing before the H.E. meeting in Beckford... our new 'find'... monthly Christian H.E. get-together

Singing lessons at the H.E group in Beckford. It was fun and both Bubbles and Spike had a good time.

Finally got around to having a wee go with the spinning wheel... still a lot to learn, but here's my first attempt!

Birthday!

Happy Birthday Spike - 7 today!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY, Monday 20th April 2009...

Outside my window... sunshine, blue sky, gentle breeze, birds on the bird table, washing on the line.

I am thinking... it almost feels like summer!

I am Remembering... how 7 years ago I was getting ready to go into hospital to have Spike... how time flies!

I am thankful for... the gift of my children... what a wonderful gift!

From the learning rooms... double work today, so that we can take a day off for Spike's birthday tomorrow! Then we have to fit school around various appointments this week and have a Home Ed group to go to at the end of the week.

From the kitchen... Baked potatoes and salad today; pizza and garlic bread for Spikes birthday, Tuesday; Chicken and Thyme rice, Wednesday; Mince and tatties, Thursday; Pasta and tomato or cheese, Friday; Egg and chips, Saturday; leftovers, Sunday.

I am wearing... trusty denim skirt, t-shirt, flip-flops (!)

I am creating... mini 'ga-ga's' (the muslins that the kids have as 'comforters' were affectionately named 'ga-ga's')... Bubbles decided that her tiny soft toys needed some their own size! I'm also commissioned to make some tiny quilts and blankets for them too! I have some wool that can be crocheted up and then put in the washing machine to 'felt', so I may use that for this purpose!

I am going... to various appointments this week - asthma clinic for Bubbles; Audiology for Spike; Dentist for us all; and to a new Home Ed group that I've been introduced to - a Christian one... bit of a journey, but looking forward to it.

I am reading... my Bible... doesn't seem to be time for anything else... though I've a stack of books on my bed-side table which have been started at some point...

I am hoping... Spike is excited about his birthday tomorrow and enjoys his day.

I am hearing... the birds, muffled cars, kid-talk, the clock on the cooker (it has to be the noisiest clock in the whole world! and it's only a small thing!)

Around the house... the lovely fresh smell from having the windows open and inviting the air in!

One of my favorite things... spring flowers

A few plans for the rest of the week... live, laugh, love...

A Scripture... "... stand fast in the Lord, beloved." Philippians 4:1

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

(the river Severn)

Click here to read more from "The Simple Woman Daybooks" posts for today.

Simple Saturday

Station cat

The Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster

Our Train - The Great Western

On board

Going past the Safari Park

Stations en route

End of the line... then back to Highley for lunch and a visit to the museum

It's Gordon! How exciting!

Loads of trains in the museum

The Mail Van... I overheard someone say this van was involved in the Great train robbery of 1963!

Lots for the kids to do

Passing train

Heading back to Kidderminster

Our train... The Duke of Gloucester... the Mid-day Scot

What a wonderful day! This was Spike's early birthday present (as the trains only run on the weekends at the moment) and he (and us all!) thoroughly enjoyed himself... thanks Grampa & Grama!