Ethel the cow

 The ice cream farm as a little treat.
But for who?
Little Bird won't eat the gorgeous stuff, gone off it again.
But, no matter, for the excitement is about seeing the cows.
Like, really excited. Jumping up and down. Can't stop smiling.
LB really loves them.
 Not afraid.
The cows come over.
One even did a little frisky, gallopy, jumpy frolick across the barn.
A happy cow.
A jump over the moon kind of cow.
Happy Ethel and friends.
 More interested in animals than people.
Can't fault that.
My little boy who has never said 'hi' or 'bye'
but can name all the animals with such joy.
My little Temple Grandin. 
 We do go in and get ice creams.
Just in case........
Double scoop - lemon curd and jammy dodger.
Toffee popcorn and raspberry cheesecake.
10/10 Ethel and chums.
Best ice cream in Cheshire.

We Like to Read: What's Your Favourite Animal?

 A new book in the library, What's Your Favourite Animal? by Eric Carle and Friends.
Spotted in the wooden book boxes in the children's section. I was on my own today but had a little look to see if anything would interest Little Bird. I knew he'd like this one.

A collection of popular illustrator's favourite animals from Lucy Cousins to Jon Klassen. Others that I didn't know the name of but I recognised their style.  
Lots of little poems and ramblings.
Some funny, some sentimental.

I think Little Birds's favourite animal might be a sheep or maybe a elephant. 
Trumpety trump!
Baa!
Mine is definitely a dog. A large scruffy dog. Although Eric Carle's cat looks very cute. His cat hid a green bean in a shoe. Awww! 
Joining in with We like to read over at the lovely Tigerlily Quinn.

Pull a weed, lose a worry

quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nothing like the allotment to release a little tension.
Letting the pulling of weeds take away the stress of the day.
Half an hour in and my mind is eased.
And there are fewer weeds in at least one patch.
Many more worries and weeds to go.
Thieves have been to the allotment, breaking into sheds. Mine escaped, save a bent lock.
I'm going to make a sign to warn of the curse of pinching from my little shed. 
Nothing in there but spiders anyway.......
and my pretty tin kettle.
Look! It's looking reasonably cleared now.
I spread chicken manure and dug it in.
Planted two rows of broad beans and covered them in a long cloche.
Planted two fruit trees - looking a bit pathetic I have to say but only £3.99 each from Aldi, so worth the risk.
An apple tree and an unknown straggly stick without a tag. I like a surprise.

A few jobs for over the next week to keep me busy. I'm willing the rhubarb to hurry up - must be a late variety as my neighbours rhubarb is quite a clump already.
Dreams of rhubarb crumble and vanilla custard.
Dreaming of my cutting garden, this year I will have plenty to gather for vases, I hope.
Resting my legs now, quite a work out digging and planting.

Joining in with Mammasaurus and How Does Your Garden Grow?

Vertbaudet for my boy

Vertbaudet clothes for children are so lovely. Becky from Baby Budgeting is running a competition for bloggers to put together a lovely outfit for our little ones to wear on Mother's Day. This is what I chose for my 4 year old boy:

I found a fab long sleeved t-shirt with a viking on it to go with some brilliant trendy, grey checked pants that look very comfy as well as being smart.

Picking out the orange on the t-shirt, I then saw an orange striped snood to keep him warm. He's had a lot of colds this year so needs to be snug whilst it is still a bit chilly.

I love Little Bird in yellow so I would definitely choose this bright parka with a detachable extra lining. I would love this myself!

If the weather was fair, these grey pumps would look very cute with the outfit and in case of rain, some amazing viking wellies - squeal at how amazing these are and he could help get them on himself using the handles. 

I love picking out clothes for Little Bird, my cute little trendy boy, so fingers crossed.

Spring breezes through the house

Come into my house spring.

You are very welcome to shine some sunlight into cobwebbed corners and chase out the dust bunnies lurking under the sofa.

I'm enticing spring into the house with trumpeting daffodils in every room.

Such an inexpensive flower.

Dotted around the garden too and in containers.

Yellow everywhere.

 A new calendar for Little Bird.

To learn the seasons and the weather.

We try and remember to change this every day.

I love these bright pops around the house. 

I have been baking a lot again.

Perhaps spurred on by Easter cakes and chocolate chicks.

Chocolate speckles and vanilla. 

My simple sponge where I weigh 3 eggs and match the sugar, self-raising flour and butter.

Works well every time.

 Time to dust all the decorative bits and bobs.

Change things around and start some Spring decorating.

Polka dots and flowers.

I feel a charity shop trip a coming for some vintage crockery.

 Boots at the ready to quickly get into the garden.

Everyday a new bloom, new shoots and surprises.

A breezy week so far, nicely drying all the washing.

That's what I like, saving money - no tumble drier days.

 More yellow. Mustard yellow is allowed too.

A new book for a new interest of mine, learning about church architecture.

So many beautiful churches.

Curious nooks and crannies.

I love a bit of history I do and identifying things appeals to my inner geek.

It's by Matthew Rice who is Emma Bridgewater's hubby and does a lot of the designs for the mugs and other lovely things.

 The bunnies are starting to appear.

The owl doesn't look pleased about this.

Easter excitement already in this house.

I'm on the look out for decorative eggs to hang from the blossom trees in my garden.

Must order a vintage egg mould too so I can make my own choccy eggs this year. 

I like a challenge, can't be too difficult can it? 

Are you getting giddy over Spring too?