Monday 2 January 2017

A happy and healthy 2017

So as it's the beginning of a new year I decided it was about time I got my butt into gear and wrote a post. I would really love to catch up with you all too and that will happen over the following week as after a lazy time spent with family, watching movies and reading books I have some things to catch up on first so this will be it for today!!

First of all I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and new year. Mine was quiet but just perfect and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was a little heavy hearted without Trojan around but Polly was a delight and despite my fear did not try to climb the christmas tree. Polly didn't really open her presents this year...she was much happier just to dive into the discarded paper. Of course she did get spoilt with presents and one of her favourites were some bubbles. Unfortunately christmas day was VERY windy so she didn't get much play value out of them but has done since, I will have to see if I can get a video of her chasing them around the garden at some point!!

I got many lovely gifts for christmas but a couple were unique and so these I am going to share with you.

The first is a planter for the garden;

Hand carved Sausage Dog planter.
Hand carved Sausage Dog planter.
Isn't it great?? I am very impressed that Polly hasn't tried chewing the tail!! It is all handmade and I love it!! I haven't yet decided what I will grow in it but I have plenty of time to think about it! This actually matches my sausage dog boot scraper that is in the garden so it was a double bonus!!

The second is a spectacles holder;

Hand carved bee spectacle holder.
Hand carved bee spectacle
holder.
Now isn't this just the perfect present for me?? I have always wanted a spectacle holder so to receive one with such a personal element was just the 'Bees Knees' :-)

It can be wall mounted but for now I am happy with it on the windowsill in my bedroom!!

I haven't been down the allotment over the christmas period at all, the bees are active when the temperatures allow but you tend to leave them to their own devices for the winter...feed a little fondant when needed and cross your fingers...it's about all you can do. The managed for millions of years without our interference so best not to poke and prod to much for fear of braking the cluster and dropping temperatures in the hive which can be devastating to the colony. A little bit of me worries all the way through the winter but only the changing of the seasons will tell!!

The allotment is a mess....has to be said that I didn't get anything done towards the end of the year and so I will be starting with a mammoth task this year but I will have more time as i have stepped down from the committee now so no more saturdays on the shop or having to attend meetings and cut verges. I am still on the bee committee but this is not something that takes time aways form working the allotment and I am hoping without the extra work and with a little dedication and planning then I can get on top of things quickly and get some good produce going in 2017,

I don't make new years resolutions as I don't like to disappoint myself but I am going into the year with an open mind and a new found dedication...after all the way I figure it, life is what you make it and so I am going to stay on the bright side and be super optimistic!!

Polly has hit the 5 month mark and is doing great...thought I'd share a couple of pics with you...

Polly and Alfie get on great and love to
chase each other round the house!

Polly living up to her
'Springer' namesake.
Who wouldn't love that face!!
Okay...well that's it for now....will be back soon with another waffle as I'm sure I won't have been down the allotment then either!!
.