Well, Betty likes to lay eggs on the compost heap, and tonight, i thought i'd lost Annie again (she never seems to want to go in to the shed till really late) but no, she was there, she was in the cupboard. fair play to her, roomier but no perch i put some bedding in for her so she could be more comfortable.

took the boys to the theatre today to see whatever next. it's amazing how engaging a lady with a colonder on her head and a cardboard box can be. Mind you, my boys played for an hour the other day with nothing but a stick of rhubarb each. now that's imagination.

excuse me girls

Toby greets the chickens in the morning '' hello girls'' and as he walks through them ''excuse me girls'' watching them and checking for eggs is now a favourite hobby. as is feeding them several times a day with little tit bits. he can even tell the difference between the two larger ones by subtle markings on their feathers. he is smitten.

CLUCK CLUCK CLUCK!!!!! was just trying to enjoy a cup of tea and rare bacon sandwich for my breakfast this morning. when could hear a god awful noise coming from the garden. dropped said bacon sandwich and ran down the garden to find betty dancing about on the compost heap in a very excited manner. poor girl had laid an egg on the heap (what's wrong with the nesting boxes i ask)? but she's so old and her eggs are soft so she'd broken it.

they don't seem to be quite so content this afternoon, when we go out there, they come to the gate and make a fuss. the consensus however seems to be that they make a fuss so that we will go and see them and throw them some extra treats. canny little hens, i had no idea chickens were that clever. of course Toby goes to see them and so that seems to satisfy them.

how does a quick hello result in garden full of chickens?

I have unexpectedly added to our numbers. An innocent hello to a friend not often seen, resulted in a generous offer some eggs. (so much baking to do for the food fair and tea party, i jumped at the chance). As usual, i muted aspirations of keeping chickens myself but not getting round to it etc. etc.... 'well you could borrow those five if you like, i've had to separate them because they are bullying my new ones. They are my hooligans'. says my friend.

I'm saying; ''that's not a bad idea, maybe you could come and look at my garden one day, and see if you think it would be suitable.'' ''c'mon then'' she says. 15 minutes later my garden has been declared chicken heaven and the five girls are duly deposited.

can't wait to tell the boys. Toby apparently will spend 45 minutes watching the baby chicks in his class instead of playing outside. pretty sure he's gonna be really pleased with them.

Timberland Tea Party

And what a sucess it was......

25 packs of butter, 30 eggs and a 25kg sack of lincolnshire organic stoneground flour. mix em up, what do you get?........... Me very tired, and wondering if 100 sausage rolls 500 cheese biscuits and 1,000,000 cookies will squeeze in my freezer/fridge/oven, not necessarily in that order But look what happened when we put it all together, Shirly Judith and I are overwhelmed with the turnout to our little venture, everyone had a fab time, enjoyed their afternoon tea and filled their shopping baskets with our home cooked goodies, thanks to everyone who came, and thankyou to those put upon friends who helped us. particularly thanks to Jane means who lent us a page on her website. X X X

how much bunting can a girl take?

Well, 30 metres of bunting duly sewn, blimey my shoulders know about it. preparations away for the Timberland Tea Party. bunting? check, massive stash of pretty vintage china? check. begged borrowed and purchased from the Old Co-op in Horncastle, a rollicking good rummaging shop for those of you like me who can't resist wading through a pile of old junk to find the little gem hiding under the old tetleys ash tray and the rather questionable novelty mug). cake stands? check and more flooding in by the day. pretty ribbon, check (janemeans.com) and a massive list of other things to do? check!!

Pretty cup cakes, yummy bread, ready meals, fresh local vegetables and loads more. The Timberland Tea Party and Local Food Fair is going to be a glorious event with a nostalgic feel, please do check out our web page www.janemeans.co.uk/timberland.asp next on the agenda is finish delivering leaflets and sort out packaging from wholesalers.

Delivered half our village on Tuesday. Monty started off with helping (the little darling) but didn't grasp the 'one per door policy,' he was adamant that Number 39 needed 250 reminders of our forthcoming event. mercifully a snooze in the buggy was next on his wish list.