This week-end saw progress being made and another couple of big jobs ticked off the list
A few back we made a start on getting the hedge out the front under control
Before from inside the garden
View from down the drive house is obscured
The hedge was that high it was growing through the telephone cables
While I was out doing a craft fair, Martin his brother and girlfriend got the hedge down to a manageable height, we have left an Oak and two Ash trees in the hedge line, the rest of the hedge is made up from, Hazelnut, Hawthorn, Holly and Blackthorn, it will take a couple of years to get it all thickened up and shaped but wow what a big difference it makes, they worked all day at it through, snow sleet and hail and biting winds.
Unfortunately because of the weather yesterday the plans for re-roofing the utility room were put on hold.
Today we had blue sky and sunshine and no wind, our visitors were leaving this morning to do a bit of sight seeing on the way home, I packed them up some snacks and a flask.
Martin made a start on the utility room roof as the weather was perfect
The roof consisted of corrugated sheeting
Which leaked like a sieve, he now has the roof all boarded and covered in roofing felt, hopefully it will now be watertight, although this is just a temporary measure to see us through until we re-build the utility room.
While he was doing that I was washing floors and shampooing the living room carpet, I have been wanting to freshen it up for a while now and waited until today, after having two dogs with muddy paws this week end the carpet needed it.
Last week after squeezing the lamb in the freezer and giving a couple of cockerels a few weeks reprieve until some space could be made, the last thing I wanted was more meat
Look what Martin brought home
A deer, he gutted and skinned it with his brother yesterday, its hanging in the barn waiting to be butchered, tomorrows job.
I think it will be venison for dinner tomorrow, and I will have to have a sort through the freezers to see if I can make space for the rest of it.
Last night we had a lovely roast of lamb, with curly kale from the garden and roasted Oca and Sweet Potatoes from the garden,
It was really tasty unfortunately I didn't get, round to taking a photo
the kale was really lovely all the better for being frosted.
I still have a bag of it in the fridge and will use with venison tomorrow.
The craft fair went well, I sold out of a lot of lines I wont be re-doing them before Christmas as I only have one small fair to do now, I did also pick up some more orders yesterday,
I now have enough money put by from craft fairs for my fruit cage that I will order in the new year.
I have just lit the fire Martin is walking Sol we are having a nice quiet evening sat with our feet up.
Well done on reaching your target Dawn, you certainly are doing for yourselves, and making an ace job of it. Enjoy the venison, if there is no freezer space you could always can it.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a bit longer as I used some of the money to buy hay racks for the Alpacas that was something else on the list :-)
DeleteI was going to say if you have no freezer space you could always send some to Suffolk!!
ReplyDeleteI dont think it would make it you will have to move nearer :-)
DeleteWow, what a busy weekend you've had, lots more jobs ticked off the list. Well done on doing so well at the craft fair and reaching your target for the fruit cage. I've never tried venison, I know they often have it on Masterchef but it always puts me off as they eat it so rare and I like my meat well done.
ReplyDeleteMartin likes his meat rare I like mine well done venison can be a dry meat if you are not careful with the cooking but it is very tasty :-)
DeleteIts so rewarding when you have managed to earn the money through your crafting etc to buy a fruit cage. Well done. I'm sure you'll have the cage full of fruit by summer.
ReplyDeleteIts definatly more appreciated when you know you have worked and saved for something :-)
DeleteA busy time as always in your household. We eat venison too, Edward hunts. Still have some from last year but he is hoping to get one this season. No luck yet!
ReplyDeleteWe had only just used the last of the venison from last year so very timely :-)
DeleteBeen years since we had a deer hanging like that in the workshop. I have been invited shooting again with a friend who has a rifle so who know's if we'll get something like that. I do love venison!
ReplyDeleteNothing is better than free meat :-)
DeleteGosh, you've got a lot done these last few days. I shan't recognize your place next time I arrive!
ReplyDeleteGreat that the deer is going to raise the roof in your freezers. We spoilt ourselves with venison from Lidl yesterday, a nice casserole. It was scrummy.
Well done with earning enough for your fruit cage from your hard work crafting. Take a bow Mrs!
Note to Jo - Venison tastes equally good when it isn't rare (I don't care for it that way either) and casseroled it is divine.
Yes two big jobs ticked off the list from last year, looking forward to getting the fruit cage now :-)
DeleteNice hedge you got going. I have one I been grooming made mostly from wild fruit trees. Mostly Wild Plum but a couple of cherries too. My problem is just when I get it the way I want it the power line guys come by once a decade and cut it all down. Damned easements.
ReplyDeleteNice looking deer there too!! And gratz on all the money you are making.
I have a few young hedge lines that are planted with edibles glad I dont have any power lines across our land :-)
DeleteSounds like a lovely day - busy and productive. And now for the relaxing part.
ReplyDeleteWe have to refuse deer which are offered to us by the local chasse because our freezers are full of our own meat, even though I am canning as much as I can. Still need to get four sheep and one pig into the freezers!
ReplyDeletethats a shame, I do like a bit of venison
DeleteI love a weekend, or even a day, when you can get loads done. And venison to boot!!xx
ReplyDeletesometimes you can be busy all day and dont seem to achieved much then you get a day like this and there is visible signs of progress :-)
DeleteGreat news to hear one skill pays for another need, it's easy to raid the bank account, we love it when we create money for projects, it's far more rewarding. You entrance does look better, we hacked back a hedge once and it does take a couple of years to come back fully but worth all the effort.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer to raise funds and save for something I need :-)
DeleteThe hedge looks fantastic, I bet it looks so different to you now :-) The venison looks great too, you'll have some lovely meals from that xx
ReplyDeleteIt has let so much more light in to the garden :-)
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