Saturday, October 04, 2014

Four things

Another 'four things that have made me smile' post.  

First smile was the sight of our cat Max looking a lot better than he has done for a few weeks.  We'd spent ages waiting for blood tests and we had to take him back for more blood to be taken and more tests as the Vet was concerned he may have feline hyperthyroidism but thankfully this isn't the case.

 
  He's had trouble with his eyes for a while and we thought he may be losing his sight.  He is 18 after all, a good age for a cat. His sister has lost most of her hearing although she is more active and agile than her brother.  It turns out that he has very high blood pressure, a heart murmur and a very fast heart rate.  Since he has been taking his little half tablet a day for this problem his pupils have almost returned to their normal appearance.  This isn't all though as he also has to take medication for the arthritis in his back legs.  One lot for 4 days a week and the other for 3 days a week.  It is very complicated and he mustn't take too much of one of them so we've had to draw up a chart of each day for the next month and tick off what we have given him.  All worth it though to see him looking better.

 
On Wednesday we drove out to Wolesley Gardens the headquarters of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust for a walk around.  I spotted some lovely things that made me smile. I love the willow badger sculpture and was pleased to see that there were still some sweet peas growing up the lovely butterfly sculpture.  The bright yellow of the sunflowers and the quince fruits were stunning in the bright sunlight.

On Friday we drove up to Biddulph Grange Gardens to take advantage of the lovely sunshine we saw a sign for an Artisans and craft market in the town centre so decided to stop and take a look.  There was an outside broadcast by Moorlands Radio taking place in front of the town hall  and quite a few stalls offering hand made goods and local produce.


 We bought a huge box of vegetables for £5 from one of the food stalls and I can see quite a few of next weeks meals in there.  We've already had half the cauliflower and I think there will certainly be a vegetable casserole,  bubble and squeak, carrot and parsnip soup and homity pie to name just a few from the contents of the box.  There was also a turnip, brussels sprouts and onions in the box and all of good quality.



Just a mile or so up the road is Biddulph Grange and we walked for a while before stopping for our cheese sandwich and apple juice lunch.  Mrs Bateman's Dahlia walk was looking splendid. 



As was the Chinese garden - there weren't many visitors there so some areas we had completely to ourselves.  There were also some photography students taking some unusual shots - the whole garden is so photogenic and inspiring in any season.

Hope some of my smiley moments made you smile too.

31 comments:

  1. Hello Rosie
    Happy to hear your cat is doing well. Your day at the craft market sounds like fun and what a great buy in the box of vegetables. I am unfamiliar with homity pie and wonder if you will post the recipe when you get around to cooking same.
    Enjoy your weekend. It is sunny and blissful here in Youghal ireland
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hello Helen and welcome - the recipe I use for Homity Pie is from the Cranks recipe book - here is a link http://www.cranks.co.uk/recipes/view/homity-pies-with-a-twist-1/print. It is an open pie made with mostly potatoes, leeks, herbs and cheese. You can use shortcrust or hot water crust pastry. If we make them I will feature them in a post - haven't made any so far as we've been making casserols and soup:)

      Delete
  2. Lovely collection of photos. I'm glad Max is much improved thought the medication sounds rather complicated! What a coincidence, I was at Wolseley on Thursday all day (for a first aid course) and then drove through Biddulph yesterday evening and saw signs for the market and thought it sounded interesting. Shame it's on a weekday as it'll be rare that Dave and I could both go, but I think I'll go one Friday if I don't have any work as it sounded good. The veg box sounds great too.

    Oh, and thanks for the email about the fairy. I'm glad it's not the Trentham one for sale.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm glad that Trentham isn't losing that fairy as it is a popular one - I've never seen it yet without someone taking its photo or having their photo taken with it - just like the 'shake' fairy on the fence. The market was small but with some interesting things to see - we parked in Sainsbury car park and just walked up the side of the shop to the main street. We'll meet at one of these places one day I'm sure:)

      Delete
  3. Hello Rosie. Lovely photos and so glad your cat is improving. I've been out of the bloggng loop for a while but hoping to get back to blogging soon and catch up with all my friends again.
    Patricia x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Patricia - glad to see you back blogging - you have had a busy summer. I'll visit soon to see what you have been doing during your blogging break:)

      Delete
  4. I did smile Rosie! Your lovely Max reminds me of my tabby cat Beth who I had for about 16 years. I miss her when I look at Max. The veg box was very good value and the Dahlias so perfect! Lots of things to please the senses. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, Beth sounds lovely - we do love and miss our animals don't we? The dahlias were such wonderful colours and the veg box is still delivering meals - carrot soup for lunch and veg casserol for tea:)

      Delete
  5. He is doing very well for his age - who wouldn't have a few things wrong when you get that old. Some lovely trips too - I am going to have to Google homity pie - I am sure I have come across it before but can't for the life of me remember what it is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah yes, Homity pie is in the good old Crank's Recipe book - I've also found several other variations on line too. I see from your comment below that you found it:)

      Delete
  6. I'm glad Max is getting better Rosie. I love the willow badger too, full of movement! The Chinese garden must look spectacular with all the acers on the turn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jessica - Max is certainly looking a lot better and is more active agin now. The willow badger is wonderful isn't it?:)

      Delete
  7. P.s. I've just checked it out and found a recipe from the Cranks cookbook which I have - I knew I'd heard of it before.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Max looks in good shape in the photo but maybe he's like me and looks a lot younger sitting still than moving around! I saw a programme on TV about Biddulph Grange the other evening - it looked spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Biddulph is a wonderful garden, John I'm sure you would take some fantastic photos there if ever you visit:)

      Delete
  9. We still havn't made it to Biddulph.It was on our "to do" list for this year.Maybe there is still time! I am pleased your cat is improving.Such a worry.Barbarax

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is still looking wonderful, Barbara and I'm sure they have events up until Christmas. Yes, Max seems quite a bit better although giving his medication is quite complicated - we have to take him in a month's time for more blood tests to see which one of them to contiune with:)

      Delete
  10. Glad Max is looking more like himself. (Our cat Lucy is feeling her age at the moment and at the end of August was given just days to live but she is hanging in there, having good days and not so good days) Not been to Biddulph for years I love the dahlia walk too.
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The dahlia walk is looking splendid at the moment. Sorry to hear about Lucy as you know my thoughts are with youxx

      Delete
  11. Glad your kitty is doing better, we lost one earlier this year and it was heart breaking.
    Love the badger.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The badger is great isn't it? Sorry to hear about you losing one of your kitties - I know it is something we have to face with our pets but it still breaks our hearts. Take care:)

      Delete
  12. So glad that Max is doing better, he looks a lovely cat. That box of vegetables looks fantastic - a real bargain by the looks of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rowan he is a lovely cat and quite a character. The veg box was such a bargain and we still have some of them left - it is going to last all week:)

      Delete
  13. Lovely pictures. So glad that Max is feeling better & enjoying life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, lyn - yes he seems quite a bit better so I'm keeping my fingers crossed:)

      Delete
  14. Lovely happy things, and such good news that Max is doing well! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thnaks, Amy - he does seem a lot better at the moment - hope he stays that way for a while longer. Glad you enjoyed my happy things:)

      Delete
  15. Hi Rosie,

    Poor Max! He seems to have had a few problems, but it is good to hear that he is improving.

    I love the sight of the colourful dahlias and the badger is terrific. You certainly seem spoilt for choice in terms of days out, as you always visit such interesting places.

    Have a great weekend,

    Marie x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Max does seem to be improving now. We have been getting out and about whilst the weather is still good - it is definitely on the turn now though - wetter and breezier than last week:)

      Delete
  16. Glad to hear your cat is feeling better.

    The Chinese garden looks fabulous, what a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello and welcome - thank you Max is feeling better now and the chinese garden is wonderful:)

      Delete