Monday 1 March 2010

Happy St Davids Day and What a Lovely Sunshiny Day Too!!

Well! What a lovely day! All bright and sunshiny - I played out in the garden all day!
I do hope you had a bit of sunshine in your little corner of the world - it makes a Girl feel that much better!
Just look at that blue, blue sky!



I am sat on the summer house steps just drinking in the sunshine!
(this is a bit of a photo heavy/long post, but the photos came out so well I wanted to share them with you!).



This is a view across the garden to the old mill (windmill used for milling wheat, and now houses bats!). When the trees are in leaf the mill is hidden from us, although the bats do visit.
Don't mind the blankets - they are having an airing on the washing line!





Yes! Its St Davids Day here in Wales, and this is the best I can do in the way of a Daffodil! Way behind this year - usually we have some Daffs out in the garden!




Whilst I was playing out in the garden, I was picking out the dead leaves and whatnot from the pots of cuttings when I came across this little guy! Very cute - I don't know who/what he is, I imagine hes going to be a moth of some sort. Anyone any idea?
I do hope he's not a bit early and will get caught out by a frosty morning.
We're having a bit of a worrying time with our little dog Fly. She has been scratching like mad and has developed almost bald patches on her back - all red and sore looking.
Richard has taken to the vets and we've has all sorts of pills and potions, he seems to think it may be that she is an older bitch and it may be her glands/hormonal sort of thing. Poor girl I know how she feels!
Anyway the vet thought she may respond to steroids - in a kind of 'try that next' sort of way. But to be honest he didn't really sound like he knew what was wrong, and I don't want to start giving her strong drugs - we have been spraying the area with a mixture of honey and water - it seems to give her a bit of ease. But the area is so sore looking.
So last night I had a thought - if it were me or one of the family I would make a soothing salve - I made some wonderful Comfry salve to help heal my ankle when fell and broke it, it worked a treat.
So I looked in the cupboard!




I found some nice wholesome ingredients that wouldn't harm her when she licked thew area - which she is want to do.





I gently melted the lard - used as a soothing 'base' to carry the honey and marigold.
Added a good handful of dried marigold (calendula) flowers.

I left the warmed mixture for a while, to allow the marigold to infuse all its goodness, and soothing properties into the lard.



I strained the lard into a bowl and added a couple of spoonfuls of the magic which we call honey, and stirred well until the lard cooled, and the mixture thickened.




I just made a little pot, once Richard has given her a good bath tomorrow - in some nice calming gentle shampoo (especially for dogs with skin complaints) we can start rubbing it in, I just hope it gives her some ease.



On a lighter note, its Easter soon - so my thoughts turned to Bunnies!



I bought this bolt of toweling fabric at the carboot sale a few weeks ago, it was only £2. I really didn't know what I was going to use it for, but it seemed a good buy at the time - you know what I mean!
Anyway - ideal for soft squishy bunnies - we have a few 'younger' people in our little family gang,
some still at the squirmy shriek-y age that will appreciate a Bunny thinks I!
So I fashioned a kinda pattern using a page of Hubby P's Times newspaper - all in a good cause!




Gave the bunnies a gentle stuffing - just enough to make them soft and squishy, and gave them a happy jolly face.




Pretty shoes and a flouncy frock!



And I just had to show you these - the cutest little buttons!
So that's me - that's whats been keeping this whirligig of my mind busy - I hope you have enjoyed whatever little thing it is that floats your boat!
xxx Take care! xxx Enjoy your week! xxx












11 comments:

  1. Poor Fly! I know how she feels too! I hope that balm works, very clever of you....remember to let us know how it goes. Great bunnies, is there no ends to your talents???! xxx

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  2. Aww hope fly is soon better. We had a guinea pig who had that problem, turned out she was allergic to her bedding !!! Love the bunnies, so cute. It's been a lush day hasn't it.
    Twiggy x

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  3. Sorry about your Fly, hope she gets on the mend soon. Bunny is really sweet.

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  4. Poppy has the same problem. We tried the steroid injections but they didn't seem to work. I put aloe vera (it grows like a weed all over my garden) on her and then make sure she's occupied with something else so she doesn't lick it off. I have comfrey growing in the garden but I lost my calendula.
    We have the plant wandering jew growing all over the garden as a weed (is it pc to still call it that)and I know that can cause skin rashes in animals.
    Love the bunny.

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  5. The bunny is so cute and I particularly like her face.

    Poor Fly, when my Max had the same sort of problem I tried tea tree skin calm spray (available from the pet shop) and it worked a treat, quickly too. I would be interested to know she gets on with the balm.
    Jak x

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  6. So enjoyed my stay. Was blog hopping and found you.
    Blessings, Linda

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  7. Gosh, it seems like ages since I've popped over to see you.

    So sorry to read about Fly; your balm looks like it may do the trick though. Calendula is so soothing.

    Love your bunnies! ... :0)

    Shirl x

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  8. that bunnie is so cute and has a real personality

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  9. Hmmm, sounds like fleas to me. I'm not saying she has any now but sometimes fleas from other creatures (like rabbits) jump on board, take a bite, realise they are on the wrong animal then jump off again.
    If your salve doesn't work and they are itchy and inflamed nip to the chemist and ask for eumovate. A tiny dab works miracles.

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  10. I was going to suggest tea tree too but see Jak has. I hope Fly is feeling less itchy soon.
    Love the bunny, so pretty.
    And your daffs might be late but we've only just got our snowdrops, daffs will be a while yet :D
    Dydd Gwyll Dewi Sant xx

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