6 squares on a rainy day

We're paying for all those lovely days with some typical wet misty dreich weather. I don't mind, couldn't llive here if i did & it meant I got to spend some time in the studio & finally the greenhouse. I uncovered my staging, from winter debris, brushed it down (time was it got a good scrub!) & sewed courgettes, cucumbers & spinach in my newly, locally bought compost...which looks like old birds nests! I'm organic, but only once I've got whatever it is into the garden, I can't be chasing about the place for or spending a lot on the really good stuff. I don't use chemicals or pellets & actually the idea of nematodes, if I wished to spend money on them makes me a little squeamish - don't like to think of friendly parasites killing a slug from within. I am able tho to smear greenfly & cut slugs in half when they've eaten my seedlings! I'm a woman of contrasts & ain't nothing gonna change me now  ;)

The first is from a crate of beer (one of many!) that my sister, along with her lovely new husband & my gorgeous 18yr old neice brought up when they joined my parents who were staying in a self-catering cottage 3 houses down from me. The eldest also got a few days away from studying & we had a great but exhausting family time. Next visit hopefully my brother & girlfriend will be able to join us, & my cousin &.....! I tried to have something to do with my hands on the go when we were sitting chatting - made a few cards & also stitched the 2nd square. Middle of the week I was desperate to scrape some paint around, so I did.

I was in a bit of a quandery re the 4th square. My friend Jetta died last weekend after being ill  in hospital for a few weeks, from old age - she was 88 in March. I'd been asked 3 or 4 yrs ago to look after her garden & loved working there until my hands got all nervy & a little arthritic, when Dave kindly took over a year ago. Every week, bar a couple each year, all that time, we would have coffee together, when I came in from the garden & chat about anything & everything & I shall sorely miss that friendship. My worry is showing her face world wide - there was a picture on the order of service that I've used for the square that brought tears to my eyes. But I can imagine her thinking about what at least 3 generations younger than her have done exposing themselves to all & sundry on the www & so I gave her some privacy & put a piece of cloth over her face. I hope that's ok.

The next is a weather forcast for our paying guests & the last some pieces from my papers drawer.