Pop pop, poppin

It's been another glorious day here in North Lincolnshire, the sun has been shining and the birds have been twittering. A little bimble round the village, and pottering in the garden has kept me occupied, no need to go anywhere, no need to spend any money. Mind you, I will have to go food shopping in the next few days, the fridge is looking bare and in need of filling up. I have no fresh fruit or veg left, so it was tins and freezer food for me today.

I remembered I had this packet of corn in the cupboard, I bought it from Tesco a couple of months ago because it was on offer at 49p. I thought, oooh worth a try, I haven't popped corn before. I had to look up the method on yootoob.

A few splashes of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan. Then cover the bottom with corn, shake it about to make sure the corn is coated with the oil.

Put the lid on and light the gas. I used this glass lid from another pan because I wanted to see what happened.

It sort of got steamy, then the popping started. Wow, it was so loud, sounds like the whole pan is going to explode. I adjusted the gas, it needs to be mediumish, not too hot or it will burn.

Flippin heck, the pan is full. I had to scoop some off the top, and put it back on the gas for a few seconds, so that the corn on the bottom had all popped.

I've got masses of the stuff, now what do I do with it. It's going to take me ages to eat it. I know, another giveaway. Leave your comment to win a box of popcorn, ha ha. No only joking. I'll have it for breakfast, and maybe the birds would like some.

Anyone any ideas what I can do with it, can I make it sweet tasting, I don't fancy it savoury.
Toodle pop, oops, I mean pip.

Bringing up babies

Another warm day today, and my nineteen babies are looking all the better for it. This is my £1 Sunflower starter pack, a plastic tray with a clear plastic lid, a small bag of compost, and some seeds. I didn't count how many, but I suspect twenty might be the number. I sprinkled them on, mixed them in, watered it, and waited. 

And here they are. I am hoping they survive, and I get nineteen big yellow fowers from them. So now, I am talking to my babies, and moving them from the back to the front windowsill to keep them warm as the sun moves around the house. I'm sprinkling water on them to keep the compost moist.

I think I will need to separate them soon or they will get too crowded. What do you think? I haven't grown sunflowers before, are there any experienced readers who can give me some tips? I will be guided by your wisdom, what do I have to do to get big yellow blooms? Do they need more sun or less? Can I plant them in big pots or do they go in the ground? Do I need to feed them with anything? Lets watch over these babies together, and I will keep posting progress updates. Toodle pip.

PS. I have just noticed that my followers list is growing, there are a few more names on there. Welcome new people, I am chuffed that you have arrived. I am now going to have a nosey at your blogs  :o)

Sunny Saturday in the village

The weather today has been glorious, the complete opposite to yesterday when it was blowing a gale, raining and cold. Today it's been teeshirts and shorts. It was a pleasure to walk round my village, a typical sunny Saturday morning is people bimbling up and down the High Street, collecting their weekend newspapers, and popping in the Post Office or the Cafe. Everyone was in a happy mood, everyone said Good Morning, and stopped for a chat if they weren't in a hurry. It's amazing how the sun lifts the spirits. I only hope we get good weather next weekend when we have our Village Fete.

It was nice to see a lot of people in their finery, gathered outside the church. A wedding has taken place, and everyone was being organised by the photographer so he could do his stuff.

Are you all ready now, everyone say cheese.

These three little doggies made me laugh, sorry the pic's not up to scratch, they live opposite the church, and were in their garden when the bells started ringing. It was so funny to hear them singing along.

Standing to one side of the wedding party were these two lovely people, their bus drivers badges caught my eye, as I have one of these. I asked if they are still used, and was told they had been discontinued in 1991. They wear theirs when they are out in the vintage bus. It was lovely to have a natter and swap stories about the good old days of bus driving, Barbara passed her PSV test five years before I did mine. They work for a company in Halifax who hires out this bus for weddings.  

Isn't it beautiful, I love it. .

It wasn't long before the guests started climbing aboard. The bus was their transport to the reception, which was taking place at Carlton Towers, about 20 miles away. I would love to have had a ride with them, in fact, I would have loved to drive it. It is very similar to what I used to drive for Stevensons of Uttoxeter, Stevensons Rockets we called them, ha ha. My goodness, they were right bone shakers.

This is my badge, of which I am very proud. There are a lot for sale on ebay, collectors items, but I wouldn't part with mine. The letters DD, means it was issued in the West Midlands area.

Toodle pip.

All you need is cats

I think we have a few cat lovers amongst us, so here is a little treat for anyone who has a soft spot for our feline friends. As you know I have three cats, Bugsy, Mayze, and Heidi. Yesterday I had in my garden, five cats, sometimes there are six, if Micky decides to pay us a visit. I tried to get them all in one photo, but you know what cats are like, they take no notice when you ask them to pose for the camera. So, in the pic below we have four cats enjoying the sunshine. Can you spot them?

Heidi viewing the scene from afar, on a pallet covering the potato beds. I'm going to have to remove the coverings soon, as the potato shoots are starting to poke through the compost.

Bugsy's favourite place, dozing on the decking made out of reclaimed timber and pallets, next to the garage. Bugsy is 17 years old, I have had him since he was a ten month old kitten.

This is Garcia, he lives three doors down, and has been coming for years, he is about 13 years old. He wanders in and out as if he owns the place, ha ha.

This is the new kid on the block, I can't remember his name, he pops in occasionally. He lives across the road close to a busy junction. It's a wonder he hasn't been knocked over by now, but he seems very streetwise. He knows my voice now, when I stop and say hello.

Mayze is not being very sociable, preferring to keep her distance and hide under the bench outside the back door.

I took the following photo's today. The weather has been awful, quite cold, just like winter, so we have been indoors a lot. Bugsy likes the arm chair in the living room. Isn't he a sweetheart. I love the way he looks at me with one eye open. 

Then he closes it and says 'go away, leave me alone'.

Another little peep at me.

And off he goes to sleep. He's got a really loud purr.

Heidi has discovered the box of knitting wool on the sideboard. Perfect for snuggling into.

No, I'm not moving, you can't have your wool, I'm using it for a bed.

Mayze is in the spare room, on a cushion, on top of a box. Cat's always like to be high up.

Ooooh, I must have a stretch, that's better.

She is so beautiful, well I would say that, wouldn't I, ha ha.

Please excuse my little pusscat indulgence today. By the way, I forgot to mention, Sue rehomed a rescue cat last week. The right people came along, village location, have had cats before. Perfect.

Have a nice Bank Holiday weekend everyone. I won't be going anywhere, I'd rather stay at home when everyone else is off work. Toodle pip.

Arty flowers exhibition

The frequent showers have had me popping in and out today, there's jobs to do in the garden, but then I have to dart indoors when the sky goes black, the wind gets up, and the rain comes lashing down. I wish we could have a bit more summer.

Here's a little colour to brighten things up a bit. Our 20 21 Arts Centre has a dual exhibition on at the moment. First they choose the artist they want to feature, and then they ask the local flower arranging groups around the region to take a look at the artworks to be exhibited, and come up with some arrangements to compliment them. The artworks are mainly about letter engravers on stone, some calligraphy, and graffiti. I didn't photograph these, to be honest I wasn't that drawn to it, but I did like the flower displays, a few of them I have chosen to show you here. Difficult to photograph with all the shadows.

In another part of the church is an exhibition of twisted ropes. It's fascinating to see how they have been constructed, they are held together by some kind of weaving. It's quite interesting to see how an ordinary length of lifeless rope can be transformed into a piece of art with so much movement in it. Try and follow the twists and turns and work out where they are going. 

It's stopped raining so I'd better go out and cover up the raised bed I've been pottering about in, before the cats think it's a big litter tray. The broad beans are planted out, and the runner beans should be ready to go in soon. I've given up with tomatoes, and had to sow some more courgette seeds. I have a salad leaves box coming along, but the cucumber is not happening. The £1 sunflower seeds are doing well though, ha ha. Hope your veg growing is better than mine.
Toodle pip.