The day we ate cannoli and lots more

Last night was a terrible night for sleep. It was so hot and humid with no air despite the air conditioning and the fan on full blast. I realised fairly early on that I was deaf in one ear due to going underwater in the pool and that also kept me awake because I was worried it would spoil my day.

Huffle worked in the cold Basement, made even colder by the air con being on, the boys went to school where Small took part in the Student Teacher Baseball game. He was their main pitcher and they won 4-3. The school was very hot today with no air con but plenty of fans which apparantly made it hotter inside than out. Once again, nothing happened to Smallest (I wonder what he does all day).

Just to prove they do miss each other

The temperature was 34* with a feels like temperature of around 36*. Moo and I had a slow early morning and then went off with Ali for a trip to Burlington to see RudeTrude. RudeTrude was one of the original knitting ladies who moved away in the Autumn. We have all kept in touch via email and Facebook. Today she invited nine (two couldn't make it due to illness of themselves or their dog!) of us over for lunch in her newly renovated bungalow. Ali drove Moo and I and we had a super smooth air conditioned drive for just over an hour. Once there we met up with Miche, her mum and MrsBasement. Later Trace also turned up. It was a lovely day and RudeTrude was very happy to see us. I don't think she has too many friends in her new place. She gave is a tour around her bungalow and then we all sat out on the deck drinking wine and other non-alcoholic beverages until she called us in for lunch.

I say lunch but it was more like dinner. The meat eaters had chicken and ribs, there were two salads and roasted potatoes and veg and the veggies had Eggplant Parmigiana which was lovely. There was plenty of silly chatter around the table and lots of eating. We had coffee and tea and then she brought out Cannoli and a Blueberry and Lemon Trifle. It was all very very delicious and extremely filling. RudeTrude bought us all a 'sippy cup' (I don't know what to call it but that's what she called it) with a saying on it that said 'you make my heart smile'. We all had a lovely super time and it was a shame that we had to leave her. The drive back was good too and we were home about fifteen minutes after the boys arrived (Huffle was home).

MrsPiano gave the boys their lessons and I made some mini muffins for the Graduation (Grade 8's graduating from elementary to high school) on Thursday. Small is playing in band for them and all the Grade7 Mum's have to make the food for the event. I have to make a sweet tray so I have a few more things to bake yet. I also made dinner for all the boys - Moo and I were too full for anything.

After dinner the boys and Moo played outside. I joined in for a game of badminton but it was very hot.

 

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Off with his head!

A photo from yesterday I forgot to post

Huffle couldn't sleep so got up early, which in turn woke me and made me get up early to go into the loft to wrap his presents, which in turn made Moo get up earlier. Smallest was already up. HAPPY FATHERS DAY. We saved the Fathers Day Extravaganza for when Small is here too.

Waffles and fruit for breakfast with cards and presents, followed by a very quick walk around the garden sooooooo hot today! We planted some bean seeds and Smallest threw some seeds around try flower garden that w collected last year. We also planted the peppers that have been roasting in the sun room.

Our morning consisted of playing board games; Chinese checkers, Pokemon Yahtzee, Space Race, Blokkus and Jenga. Lunch was eaten and then we all went up to the pool. The temperature of the water was 26*. We all went in and did a whirlpool and Huffle and Smallest did some synchronized under water stuff.

There was lots of reading, nearly falling asleeps, an ice cream, more swimming and jumping and a game of UNO. Huffle bought his music and new speaker up to the pool so we had music all afternoon.

Later afternoon we showered and sat on the porch waiting for the return of Small. He was supposed to be back by 6pm and we were waiting to go out for dinner. He finally arrived around 6:30pm and we went out. He climbed to the top of Bon Echo which was 100m up 200 steps, canoed, caught a big fish and swung in a hammock. He had a good time. Smallest was tired again and we made him stay inside the air con house till we went out.

Smallest originally had football practice but it was called off last night due to Coach and Assistant Coach being out and it being too hot to train, however CoachOl said he would be there if anyone wanted to go. We didn't! There is no way Smallest could train in this heat, it's ridiculous.

 

 

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Everyone's gone to the cottage

A lovely sleep, a nice lie-in and breakfast without my big bear who is happy at camp.

After breakfast we slowly made our way to the garden and did a bit of weeding, Smallest planted his sunflower and beans and funny annual yellow fluff and planted some carrot seeds. We all went up to the pool. We took with us a cool box with icy water, scrabble from last night that we ended up abondoning because there was just nowhere to go. We all read, some watched the football, most of us went in the pool but someone stayed out and consequently got squirted with water and got her book wet - whoops.

We had a game of SkipBo and StripJackNaked. It was very hot up there today. This afternoon Otto had a fire and it was very stinky. Of course, even though the clouds were blowing away from us, his fire was blowing right at our house and the pool. I got annoyed and picked up a water squirter to fire at the smoke but realised he was there. I shouted YOUR FIRE IS TOO SMOKEY. He said sorry and fetched a watering can to put it out. I did thank him, but honestly! What do you need a fire for when it's THAT hot?

Early evening we came in for showers and went out for dinner and a small walk. It was still very warm and Smallest was very tired so we came home. After he went to bed we played cards.

We have succumbed and put the air conditioning on.

 

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Were you in Mary Poppins?

It's Friday! It's Friday, It's almost the weekend!

Boys went to school and participated in the Jump Rope for Heart but it was too hot and they didn't enjoy it. It WAS very hot today with temperatures in the late 20's maybe touching 30* later. Huffle worked in the basement and managed to cut the grass and got some insightful comments from DonNoQuotey "hey Huffle, you don't want to cut that too short!" WHY WILL IT DIE? "Yes" GOOD, THEN I WONT HAVE TO MOW IT HA! Maybe he should listen to his own advice as his grass is brown and dead! Huffle also tidies the barn (you would be proud Grandad though he is not as 'OCD' as you and there were no gloves paired up in a row).

Moo and I watched a bit of Graham Norton with our breakfast and then went to knitting. We didn't have the company of TheEnglishRose today as she had an appointment. Today in the shop there was a huge sale of everything including all the samples that had been knitted. Moo and I bought a cushion, two scarves, a hat and a cardi. I also bought some wool to knit a cardi and some sock wool. YIPEEEEE! When Huffle saw my purchases he stole them to give me for Christmas BOOOOOOO!

We had a lovely lunch out and while we were in the cafe I noticed a young man who looked very familiar. WERE YOU IN MARY POPPINS I asked him (what a stalker!). He was, he played Bert and his friend was also in it. I told them both they were very good.

On the way home we popped into a couple of shops to take some stuff back and to buy some Fathers Day presents, tomato feed (because Monty will surely tell us tonight on Gardeners World that we must be feeding our tomatoes), a couple of beach chairs and some plant supports. We also picked up some new PJ's for Small as his are rather tight!

Back home we rested on the Porch in the heat of the day, crosswording and knitting and waiting for the kids to arrive. Small was only home half an hour before he was whisked off for a weekend of camping with the unofficial Scouts to Bon Echo (about two hours drive away in the middle of nowhere). He was excited about the camp but not so excited about a couple of the campers (one of the leaders kids). I know they will have fun, swimming, canoeing and being silly. He is back Sunday early evening. Smallest relaxed with his tablet. He is very tired after yesterday's game and today's heat! Later he came onto the porch with Moo and I and we played scrabble. We didn't finish it so we left it for tomorrow.

MrFox caught a chipmunk and later Moo saw him with a Black Squirrel - she want very pleased

Moo and I made dinner and Huffle went off to his football where he was missing Small, Al and his assistant coach (all camping).

Watering and feeding was all done. We have tomatoes growing on Smallest's first plant, the other two will be later. There are mini courgettes forming and flowers on the broad beans. I was hoping all veggies would wait until after our holiday but they obviously have other ideas.

Smallest was watering a bug off the cabbages

 

 

 

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Show us your bag Frank

Huffles laptop is working - HURRAH, happy man. The boys went to school. The temperature started out at a mere 17* and was a hot 31* by 6:30pm.

The England game started at 9am here so we put it on the big TV and Huffle set up his laptop in front of it and Moo flit between the TV and the washing line until I called her round to the Royals for coffee. My phone updated me on the England game and I was very happy when Vardy scored. I did a secret dance as MrRoyal didn't want to know the score as he was watching it later.

I caught the beginning of the game and then went off to The Royals to garden for a couple of hours. It was lovely working in the shade but got warmer and more stickier as the time went on. We weeded a bed ready for the Dahlias to be planted, called Moo round for coffee and sat in the shade drinking and eating my banana bread before getting back to some weeding. Moo stayed and did some deadheading. I came home with a Tradescantia, a Pinky Cornflower and a Pink Persicaria. MrsRoyal walked back with us to look at some plants and I planted our new things, watered and then went in for lunch.

Today I learnt that this is called a Nectaroscordum

Moo, Huffle and I watched a First Dates (C4) while eating and then when Huffle went back to work, we got our sewing out and Moo finished her bag. It is fabulous and she is very happy with it. She did a good job. While she sorted the washing line, I sewed mine up. Mine was done much quicker because I didn't have to read the pattern or try and figure out what to do. Mine possibly isn't as neat as Moo's but I too am happy and proud. We also found out later that Suffolk finished hers today too.

I helped Small pack his rucksack for camp tomorrow evening while Moo got dinner sorted. After dinner we all went to football. Today was a game that started at 7pm but we were asked to turn up an hour before. We were expecting talks, shananigans etc but in reality the boys practised in the searing heat for 45 minutes and completely wore themselves out. Then the game began. MrBean was refereeing today. Thinner than our Coach with long dangly arms. Our team played well but did lose 2-0, both goals scored while Smallest was off the pitch (ummmmmmm). He got hurt today when someone stamped on him, there is a bruise. Of course the 'magic water' was applied so it WILL be okay. When I tried to check on him during the game, I was pretty much shoo'd away.

 

 

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She's so jealous of herself

Huffle went in to work this morning and got his new laptop but it isn't fully operational yet so hopefully just a simple call tomorrow will fix it!

The boys went to school. Small had 'Scientist in School' and learnt about Ground Water. Smallest did NOTHING!

Moo and I went to aerobics and worked very hard. It was hot today. I'm guessing our legs might be hurting tomorrow! After we came back and had showers, we went back out and did some clothes shopping for the boys. We bought many many things but at a discount of 20%, 40% and 50%. Both boys had plenty to try on when they got home and Smallest tried his on straight away and liked them all. Small refused and suddenly had homework to do so he disappeared for ages and tried them on after dinner. Only one pair of shorts didn't fit him. I think we did really well.

Moo bought herself a tee shirt and I bought a pair of shorts, two tops and a pair of sandals. I also bought Huffles Fathers Day presents. We visited a few other shops too but didn't get anything else.

For lunch Moo and I went to the Portuguese cafe and ate outside in the sunshine. Happy with our purchases, we came home. We had about half an hour on the porch with our teas and I started a crochet project that Moo bought for me in a magazine.

For dinner Moo and I made Fish Cakes, Lemon Aoli and Cous cous. Yummy, we even got Moo eating them (not a huge fan of fish).

After dinner, We left Moo and Smallest at home and went to the football. Today the score was 7-7. The referee was very officious and Huffle was very vocal. His team were upset that they couldn't all play all the time but he has a big team. It was a very entertaining game.

Moo and Smallest played table tennis for ages and cards.

 

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Basement, Bobble and Bananas

Huffle worked from home today, tomorrow he gets his new laptop so today he was moaning about the one he has, not working properly anywhere but in the cold Basement. The boys went to school, Small armed with two bags full of clothes for a play he did after school which involved the song 'Happy' and a dance! Smallest went with his two golf clubs (he seems to have outgrown the rest of them) as he had a lesson during school today. He loved it and got several holes in one (on the putting green). He has another one next week.

Moo and I didn't go to work today as we had to take Small to the doctors later and there wasn't time. So instead we sewed until mid-morning. Moo (I think) has nearly finished her bag and I'm hoping it has inspired her to get her sewing machine out at home. I just pressed mine and talked Moo through what she needed to do from the pattern. Then we picked Small up from school and took him to the doctors for the results of his Ultra Sound. He called it a really long name that I can't remember and said there were no blood vessels attached so it is not tumorous or cancerous and is either an abscess or a 'bobble' as we called it. Whatever it is, it needs to come out so we have now been referred to General Surgery for it to be removed. I think he is okay about it, he didn't seem worried except that he wanted to know if he would get 'goofy gas'. I told him he would definitely get something. We returned him to school and came back for lunch where we sat in the sunshine and played a game of SkipBo.

This afternoon we went shopping for food and bought several pairs of shorts mainly for Smallest (which didn't end up fitting him anyway). We also picked up a lovely herb pot for RudeTrude who we are going to see on Monday.

After we put all the shopping away we started on dinner. Today we made two lasagnes, vegetable and beef. I also made a banana chocolate loaf as the bananas had gone over.

After dinner, we left Moo at home waiting for Small to come back from the park where he was doing his play and we took Smallest to his football practice. This was an interesting practice as CoachOl was there again, confusing the boys and doing some very strange drills with them. At one point he was getting them to throw and catch the ball and he has changed the goalkeeper all of a sudden. Very strange. Huffle tried to find out what was going on and only worked out that someone had complained about our usual coach and assistant and that is why CoachOl was there. Ummmmmm I wonder who that was? Surely one of the new ones?

 

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