Tuesday 5 May 2009

SINCE LAST WE SPOKE...........

Our house from the back, showing Keith's handiwork.


My friend Judith and I at the garden centre


WELL! I don't know where to start. In fact I'm not even sure I can remember all I meant to tell you because I haven't a clue where I might have put my notes. They'll turn up tomorrow, you'll see!


Guess what I did a couple of Tuesdays ago? I went to Bingo. Now I know there are lots of people who like bingo. There are some who even win money at it - like enough to take 2 holidays abroad and get a tattoo. Good luck to them. I have no problem with it if that's what they want to do. But I hated every single minute. Every - - single - - minute!


My sis and I had been threatening to hit the hall, just to say we did. Then my niece (her daughter) rang to say she was going and would pick me up in an hour. So she did.


Well, what an experience. First of all you have to be a member to play. Don't know why but, hey-ho, it's free. Then you have to buy your tickets - for the whole evening. You get half a dozen 'books' each containing several strips of 5 tickets each strip. Each strip is a separate game but you have 5 TICKETS to mark for each game!

Oh, and don't forget your dabber. A Biro to cross the numbers off just won't do, you have to have a dabber. The reason soon became obvious: the numbers are called so fast there is only just time to hit the number (when you find it, if you do) with the dabber. To tell the truth, I spent most of the time creased up with laughter. The little chap doing the calling had a very camp way of talking. Instead of saying Forty-four, he said Farty-Far. Imagine 44!! There was never any danger of me winning anything, their bank accounts were safe with me. I couldn't keep up. You obviously need to be quicker in the brain department than me! In my defence I do like to think I have more going on in my head than bingo numbers. In reality, my ego went flying erratically round the room like a burst balloon!

Did I say.....I won't be going again! I wonder what bookies' shops are like inside?



What about this for a salad bowl?


Trust Keith, he came back from a local market, arms wrapped tightly around this. It's all sorts of different salad greens - just separate leaves - and where you break a few off to eat, more are supposed to grow in their place. I've never seen anything like this before. They're quite tasty! He also brought some trailing tomato plants, which you grow on your patio in a planter.

Considering he lawned over his veggie patch he's got quite a bit of stuff growing: Runner beans, potatoes, rhubarb and a few onions all in tubs. The rosemary is doing quite well, though it's small - perhaps because it's in a container but we never successfully moved a rosemary into the garden. They're ok if you plant them there to start with but they die if you move them. Our do anyway.


There are two different thymes. One is beautiful and the other not long for this world. Don't know why. The purple sage is in the garden and is coming through despite being pruned right back last autumn. It tends to go a bit mad if you don't.


The lovely flat-leaf parsley is showing willing too. I prefer it to the curly sort and it definitely adds a certain je ne sais quoi to salad, as do chives, which are just skinny new bright green shoots at the moment but their flowers (also edible) come out and make a beautiful display.


Is our house unique or just plain odd? we seem to have alkaline soil in the front garden and acidic at the back. We can't grow camellias or azaleas in the back but they love it out the front. I bet it would even support a rhododendron if there was room


We had our house valued today. Now that we have no mortgage we thought it would be a good idea to know what it's worth, especially as house values have gone down so much lately. Isn't it funny? Our first house, less than 40 years ago, cost less than £3,000. The second one, in 1978, was £12,800 and we thought what a lot of money that was. Now here I am hoping that this one will at least reach 6 figures. I wonder what we'll think is 'cheap' in 20 years time?

10 comments:

Rhondi said...

Hi Angie
I'm glad you're going to join my porch party! It wil be fun to visit everyone!
Hugs, Rhondi

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I love your house and all the plants. Your Keith did a great job. It was good to see you out at the garden center too. I do know what you mean about the bingo. I had to go work at one of those things when my children were in school and I couldn't believe how people kept up with it all.

StitchinByTheLake said...

Angie it's simply beautiful! How nice it must be to sit out there on nice days. Rosemary grows and grows at my house and gets really large. Thyme, on the other hand, doesn't do well. I do have chives and lemon balm and basil growing right now and I'm hoping my cilantro makes enough so I can have some pesto. We have a couple of tomatoes and peppers plus some squash. Not a lot but it's fun. blessings, marlene

Marie Rayner said...

Oh Angie, you have such a beautiful home! I love it! Keith has done a lovely job. (with your supervision of course!) I used to be quite the "Bingo Bag" Tee hee. I actually did have a lovely little bag to hold all my kit and kaboodle that I drug with me each week. I must have had 12 different coloured markers, some scented ones even. Some were my "lucky" markers, even if I never won with them. Not sure how that works. I did win the jackpot on the eve of my 40th Birthday though, and all on my own too! I was sure when I turned 50 that something equally as amazing was going to happen so bought a lottery ticket. It didn't . . . but oh well, here's to 54! I was so hoping we could have talked last night, but alas . . . had to work. Nevermind, there is always next week! XXOO

Joan said...

The first time I played bingo I tried to check all th numbers every time until my friend told me you oly have to check one column. don't go there now. Love your house just what I would like as we live in a villa with stairs ahhhhhh. Your salad leaves look great I have planted some from seed awaiting them with anticipation. Hope you enjoy yours. Love Joan

Grammy Staffy said...

I love your posts. You have such a delightful way of saying things. I love your sense of humor. What a fun person you are. I wish I knew you in person.

I would be the same way with bingo. I have never been but I will keep your experience in mind. I am sure that my ego would be flying out the window too because I couldn't keep up with the caller either.

Your home is so lovely. It sounds like you have quite a garden going. I wish I could drop by for a visit.

have a great week dear Angie.... and don't worry about the bingo thing...you do have more important things on your brain than bingo numbers!!! Love, Lura

Anonymous said...

Hi Angie...well I am not a bingo person either...except when I play at home with the grands LOLOL...but my Mother...now she is another story...Bingo was her game...anytime...day or night...and she was good LOLOL..I went with her a couple of time...enjoyed my Pepsi and hotdog more LOLOLOL...your blog is precious...what a way with words you have LOL...happy day to ya from Ora (across the big pond) in Kentucky

Andy said...

What a lovely home and garden you have. As for the bingo-what can I say!!
Andy x

The Blonde Duck said...

There's no telling what we'll think it's cheap! I already feel old for remembering I could go out all weekend on $20--now that barely covers dinner for me and Ben!

Kath said...

I also hate Bingo Angie,yes I can have the odd game to make one in if asked buthow folks play continually every day I can never understand the buzz they get.FAST isn't the word for bingo callers nowadays.I PMSL at the DABBER heeeeeee,Well done to your lovely Kieth the garden is a credit to hi.Looks superb.Lucky you I think the Rooster has retired at that game now,He states he has done his share over the yrs and I have to agree.It's my turn now LOL!!Take Care God Bless Kath xx