committee dinner

Out last night to the Wagon and Horses for our annual W.I. committee dinner. It was excellent. I had Mussels cooked in cream and white wine followed by Vegetarian cottage pie ( which was so lovely that I hardly got to eat any as everyone wanted a taste!) chips and veg etc.
For pudding I had lemon pancake and icecream. all of this was helped along by copious amounts of Merlot!
My new hens are still not responding to me, nor to any titbits I am attempting to bribe them with. So I have decided to let them out into the 6 acres next door. I don't know what we will do if they won't come home. fun and games no doubt. more on this later.
Sheila x

new hens.

My new hens are very timid and run away when I approach. They are not eating any of the food I am putting out and much prefer to eat the grass. I think they have probably never seen grass before and are going mad on it. It has only been three days since they came to their new home so I suppose they probably need more time to settle in. My other girls were so much more adventurous and outgoing!

The new girls

I only bought three new chickens. Just as I thought, the man had every type of chicken in the world except the ones I wanted. However I did want these three which are 2 bluebelles and 1 black rock. They are unlike my other girls who were very boistrous. These are timid and placid. They are locked in for a while until they know where they live.

And so to bed!

After going to bed at around 11pm we finally dropped off at 12.30am. suddenly there was an almighty yelp and all the lights went on. Graham said " I have been bitten on my hand!" At first there was nothing to see and I was convinced he had probably been scratched by a duvee feather. Pretty soon though his hand started to redden and swell. This instituted a stripping of the bed etc but we couldn't find anything. After trips to the bathroom and the kitchen to put vinegar on the bite.( which Graham said was very painful ) we decided to try going back to sleep.As soon as we went back into the bedroom Graham found the culprit. A great big Wasp! Now where would a wasp have come from in a very cold March? needless to say the wasp died of a slight headach curtesy of Grahams shoe.
Going back to sleep was impossible so once again it was back to reading until about 2am.

The vegetarian diet is going so so. It all seems a big faff but maybe thats because I am cooking two different meals. I haven't missed meat yet though.
more later. I have to go collect my new chickens now.
Sheila x

continuance.

Continueing yesterday's post I can reveal that after some initial tossing and turning I did manage to sleep until 3.30am. I then got up and took two ibuprofen with the result that I did go back to sleep and then couldn't wake up at 8am!
I have just called a local hen breeder and told him what kind of hens I wanted.He did the garage mechanic sucking of teeth thing and said " Oh you don't want them. They are temperamental buggers" I have a feeling that when we go tomorrow I shall finish up with a bunch of hens that are nothing like what I want! We have done a quick recci. of the hen huts and environs just to check that the new girls will be comfortable in their new home. Graham has gone to the shop to get some empty boxes to transport them in. Photos tomorrow hopefully.
Also continueing the vegetarian trial I am having Mashed vegetables ( Potatoes, sprouts swede,parsnip,onions sweetcorn, and peppers) done in the oven with Parmesan cheese and an egg.
I shall have sides of Mange tout and sprouts. graham is having roast rabbit.
This will be followed by yoghurt and honey. I think this meal will meet all my diatary requirements but who knows?

To those in my family who are having a hard time at the moment, I send my love and all my thoughts.
sheila x

So tired!

Oh I am so tired. Last night I went to bed expecting to sleep but was still reading at 4am. Then when it was time to get up I couldn't wake up! Jet lag eh?
I have decided that I don't really like meat so I am going to try a vegetarian regime (except for bacon) and see how I get along with it. Todays dinner is Stuffed aubergines, Rice and cauliflower cheese. A bit of a mix but I don't know what else to have. Graham is having the same but with a lamb cutlet.
Wish me luck when I go to bed tonight.
Sheila x

Happy birthday Sonia!

Today is my elder sister's 70th birthday. she is a wonderful person and someone I have always looked up to. I hope she has a lovely birthday despite all the other stuff that is going on around her.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love from Sheila and Graham xx