Manifesting Paddling Pools

 

I was regretting not bringing Nessie’s paddling pool to Devon since we have been melting in another heatwave. I thought about ordering a new one which was upwards of £20.00 but then I spotted one outside a house near to where I park my car. It appeared to be amongst the rubbish and I wanted to pluck up the courage to knock on the door to ask if I could have it. The house looked dodgy so I left it for a couple of days until a sign went up declaring that it was a building site. I seized my chance, nabbed the pink apple-shaped pool and had to walk home with it, as well as four fruit trees and some plant pots that a friend had given me. 

A work colleague said that her wee dog would probably also like a paddling pool in the hot weather. Weirdly, the very next day and 2 doors down from where I claimed Nessie’s pool, a pink shell-shaped pool had been put out with the rubbish so I though I might as well save that one from landfill too!

I used the last of my bagged compost potting up 3 of the bare rooted bargain trees and sowed herb seeds into some old tins. It is probably too late and too hot for them to grow but you never know. Keeping my plants watered has been quite a big job this week!

Nessie went for a posh hairdo on Friday and came back 3 hours later looking like a different dog. The new groomer told me I should look after her better as her hair was a bit tangled. Sigh - she hates having her hair brushed and if I could keep her tidy I would do it myself. I ignored the telling off and booked another appointment for October.

I tried to make a purple velvet cake for one of my work friend’s birthdays. The mixture looked the right colour and the cake turned out perfectly except that it was dark green. I tried icing it with lilac coloured, lemon flavoured icing but in 30 degree heat it just kept sliding off. I felt as despondent as a Bakeoff contestant in the competition tent as the reality did not match my vision. At least it tasted great - we will see if the folk at work appreciate the leftovers or if they will refuse to eat a green cake;)