Last week I was reminded how precious the people you love are and it prompted me to organise a family trip out on the launch over the weekend.

I haven't been out on 'the launch' yet. When it was bought, about four months ago, I had a little snit about it. I mean, I'm living with a longdrop toilet and hubby goes out and buys a launch without telling me! He literally came home and said,"Guess what I bought today, honey?" The running joke has been that he did get me a flushing toilet, he just surrounded it with 36 foot of boat! Anyway, I can't really sulk over it because it was bought by his co-owned business for promotional and testing purposes.

So we spent Saturday cruising the Bay. We did a spot of fishing, but weak stomached that I am, I was soon requesting a beach stop. The kids loved exploring the rocks and 'caves', paddling in the water and collecting treasures.

We anchored for the night in a little sheltered bay and had a barbecued dinner. The kids played on the boat like it was a jungle gym and eventually settled to sleep in the forward cabin.

I can't say the bunks are the most comfortable but ok for one night. Hubby wants to re-cover and re-foam the squabs (can I have my flushing toilet first?).

The next day we had scallop sandwiches for lunch. Mister 5 gained loads of confidence swimming off the back of the boat. Even I had a bit of a swim. Eventually we began the trip home, with two tired and happy children.

And of course, the obligatory ice cream on the drive home.

Blog Giveaway

About the one and only time she wore it and yes, it's been ironed since then!

Well, the little giveaway that I did comes to an end today (I almost forgot!). And Kez from Kez's Creations got pulled out of the hat. Good odds, though, there were only two comments! But I'm glad this little dress will be winging it's way to someone who wants it.

How does your garden grow?

This is making me intensely happy at the moment. I've longed for a proper space to make a vegetable garden in, and now I have one AND it's growing well. In fact, the photo below is the same space just two months ago.


I have potatoes, basil, sweetcorn, rhubarb, courgettes, pumpkins, leeks, carrots, dwarf green bean, sugarsnap peas, capsicums, sunflowers and herbs. I have one bed planted in a compost crop of mustard (amazing how fast that stuff grows!) and I have a big pile of horse manure ageing away to be dug in in autumn.

The earthy smell, the joy of watching something grow - why don't people garden more?

Work in Progress Wednesday

Like little prayer flags flapping in the wind, these batik charm squares look so beautiful dancing on the clothes line. They are destined to become a quilt for my mother in law.

And is this not a beautiful work in progress? You can see the progression of developing courgettes in a spiral, from almost-picking size right down to little-green-nub size. From two plants, we are picking one or two a day, just perfect for our little family of four.

Victory is Mine!

Ever since we came back from our holiday I've been fighting a little war.

Mice.

They have been sneakily breeding and now in the warmth of summer, with plenty of grass seed heads around, there is a population explosion.

I can hear them. I can SMELL them. And the last straw? Is when I can SEE them. When I see a mouse in my house, out come the traps.

But they are crafty. They are light footed. And this little one had been gorging himself on peanut butter and cheese for nights now, WITHOUT setting off my trap.

BUT I WON!