Tomatoes and prep for the revamp.

Yesterday was a howling wind.  It whipped and whistled around the nursery. I decided to try and escape it by going out to ‘Town” for last minute buys for the Ecolodge revamp.

What a ridiculous idea.

It was at least ten degrees hotter! Without the wind though, so I couldn’t complain. Much. I got white cotton bedding for the beds, white curtains, roof paint, tile adhesive, toilet roll holder, and some supplies for the Tea Garden. Three shops. It took me 5 hours. Time warp? Space vortex? Suburbs on a Saturday.

Once home, I was so thankful for the cooling wind, that I went tomato picking for pasta. I got there only to find that the tomatoes had been unattended for a few days and the slugs had arrived under a bush. They were having a party. They looked quite drunk. Sighing, I reached out for the first when I heard a Bark. Looking around, chicken #2 and chicken #3 had followed me like dogs and were peering round the fence with beady eyes. Brilliant. Took chickens to slugs, chickens ate all of the slugs and a few tomatoes and then I threw a stick and they left. No, I actually just chased them out.

Taskmaster had been busy finishing up our house (relief) and continued today. Ownerlady sewed up the new couch covers and I drew Proteas on the scatter cushions. Blinds painted white, bookshelf painted white…Collecting paint tomorrow – because it all starts!!! Four days, total revamp…from Rustic Drab to Eco Fab! Here are some of the before shots:

More photos of the During and After coming this week!!!

Smile like you mean it.

Yesterday was a great day. I decided to be nice to everyone. Eye contact, smile, full attention. It was very interesting. I got:

• 1 Proposal (from assistant at hardware shop-very flattered but, er.. no thanks, not ever. )
• 1 free sausage and the best service ever (no, not what you thinking-from the lady assistant at the deli)
• Lots of wierd looks as though “what the hell do you want/what are you on/where’s the hidden camera/where did you escape from”
• Mimed apologies (From confused road-raged drivers in the wrong after I waved and smiled)

And I had a good luck day too:

• Designer friend emailed to say paint shop had donated large amounts of paint for the Ecolodge revamp.
• The wind stopped.
• The sun came out.
• Taskmaster stopped work for the first time in months and we went surfing.
• Kingoftheplayground didnt run away and get lost once…oh wait, just the once. Found him barefoot in puddles “just runnin’ alon’ “
• The renovations should theoretically be finished by tomorrow.
• The jumping castle has been booked for Good Hope Nursery’s next event on 5th April – Fynbos Family Day.
• Found this Protea repens in flower:                                                                                                                                                    Later on…

We discovered where on earth chicken #2 and chicken #3 have been hiding their eggs. Mike the BB man found a clutch of old and new eggs all cosy in a nest of sticks under an old gum tree. Got given dirty looks of hate and the beady-eye each time I passed them…. Smiles do not work on chickens!!!

Rain & photos

Descriptive: The plants are happy today. Finally a break from the sun – its  raining and the mist is rolling over our mountain.I am being serenaded by the beep-beep of the nursery truck backing up, ready to load a flatbed of proteas. The wind blows gently at my back as I type because there is no wall. No, I am not outside, there just is no wall because we are still renovating and the wall, she is gone.

Reality: The office was broken into last night, and they stole …wait for it..the computer mouse. Amazing! Why? We were going to get a pack of dogs but maybe we should get cats…mmm.So many jokes, so little time.

Reality continues: I’m packing and packing for the Big Move – so I’m just going to leave you with this beautiful photo and get on with it all…oh, and drink lots of tea and a slice of  Poppy-seed cake from the tea garden. Always time for that!

She is quite grumpy in the mornings  – but making an effort here to show her good side for the photo. Haha. Have a great day.