Catching up...

It was our wedding anniversary on Sunday and in readiness for us to celebrate this beautiful rose bloomed!  Aptly named it was a present for our Silver Wedding anniversary, 4 years ago now.

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There is bare fence behind where we took out two large bushes, I'm intending to make this more of a flower bed and hope to plant a climbing rose at the back to cover the fence.  I can't decide what colour rose but definitely want one with a lovely strong scent.  At the moment you can just see some tomato plants and sunflowers as I thought we might as well make use of the space.  They have noticeably  grown since I took the photo as we actually had some rain this week!  I'm doing a battle with the slugs though, they are munching their way through marigolds and petunias and find marguerite petals a favourite treat!

These gorgeous roses are from my wonderful husband.  

Apart from gardening, what else has been occupying me?  Do you remember the trouble I was having with crochet?  Well, for attempt number six I altered the pattern by eye, so didn't do as many increase rows as suggested and....

this was my daughter's lunchbox for the first day back at school after half term!  I am pleased to say that not only did she think it was cute but apparently lots of her friends thought it was too  and asked whether I would make apple jackets for them as well!  These are  all 16 year olds!  I'm not too sure that will happen in view of the time it took, and it was probably luck that it worked out in the end, but I was pleased with it.  A challenge to myself was met and I think I can say that I now have the hang of double crochet!

What else have I been doing?  Here's a little peek.  I can't reveal any more as it will be a present for someone who has a birthday very soon!