We have been enjoying the glorious weather over the last couple of days it arrived rather suddenly here, on Wednesday it was 6 degrees when I left in the morning and then the temperature jumped over 10 degrees overnight. My chickens have been throughly enjoying themselves having dirt baths and Rigsby the cockerel has finally managed to learn how to crow. The girls need to get a move on now and start laying some eggs!

It was the end of the show in Lairg today so I am about to start the tedious business of stock taking and unpacking. My new clothes from Tatty Bumpkin were very popular and I did some good sales of sunhats. This morning we had a plant sale in the village which was pretty manic there were about £1200 of bedding plants sold in about an hour and a half.

I had a newsletter from Ethical pulse the other day which compared surviving the downturn whilst employing ethical principles as being like giving up smoking. An interesting analogy. as I enj ...

I have been on a course today looking at a programme designed to tackle obesity and I can honestly say it was one of the most interesting courses I have attended for some time. As a result I have realised how brain washed we all are by the beauty industry into thinking that weight loss is all about how we look. Even losing 5-10% of our body weight if obese can have major health gains in terms of reduction in heart disease, diabetes and joint problems and numerous other medical conditions. This leads me into thinking about the beauty industry which is mega you only have to pick up any womens magazine to read all about the latest wonder products. I found this website which has some interesting information about the chemicals contained in everyday beauty and hygiene products you can find it here I know that I have banged on about this on several occasions but I do believe that its an important topic to think about.

We hav ...

Well the decision is made my cockerel is going to be called 'Rigsby' after the character in Rising Damp who thought he was a bit of a ladies man. Rigby mark 11 certainly thinks he is he spends a lot of time strutting his stuff and being bossy. We have had some horrible weather here today lots of rain and very dreary I have been stewarding at the Art and Crafts show in the village and have just come home and done a huge pile of ironing which was threatening to topple over and smother us all unless it got sorted. So coming to my computer is a rest break.

I have been thinking about baby showers sometimes everybody knows what sex the baby is going to be these days but often its a lovely surprise so you hesitate about what to buy for the baby. Babies seem to love the organic cotton comforters and rattles they are so easy to hold for little hands I am convinced that its the Mums that fall in love with the cute fluffy teddies. How about the pastel

Life seems to be a bit hectic recently or perhaps its that I can't stand the pace! My garden is flourishing at the moment with weeds! One minute they are tint and easy to handle and the next they are strong and vigorous and unfortunately many of them are at that stage. So what can you do that doesn't contaminate everywhere with chemicals? Well there is my eco weed killer which is 1 gallon of vinegar to 1 teasp. washing up liquid and 2oz salt. Apparently lemon juice works well as weed killer but would prove rather expensive unless you are treating a window box.

Here are a few more tips for dealing with pesky weeds that I have gleaned -

First and foremost if all else fails dig them out  Hand weeding is the best way to get rid of weeds, if you have the time. Try to pick weeds before they flower, otherwise they’ll seed and spread. You must dig up the entire root, including taproots (in dandelions or thistles), to keep them from re-sprouting. Grab ...

Back from Cornwall where it rained and blew a gale most of the time but never mind we enjoyed ourselves! Its been lovely here in Scotland today athough I have had my nose to the grindstone all day as I have a show starting on Thursday which is going on all next week and I have been sorting out stock lists etc. it 's taken me all afternoon.

With all my work today I haven't had a lot of opportunity to think about my blog but I have found a tip for you which might be helpful -

China Casseroles Have Stuck Together. Help!  the easiest way to overcome this problem is to hold the two casseroles upside down about 2cm above a folded tea towel spread on the worktop and tap the outer of the two casseroles gently but firmly with the handle (or back of the blade) of a heavy knife. Protect the tapping surface of the casserole with another tea towel if it's delicate. After two or three taps, the casseroles will come apart.

Linda

I'm here early today because I am off to Cornwall for the weekend for a family party, the weather is horrible here today after several beautiful sunny days and I have just heard on the radio that parts of Cornwall have flooded. Living so far North I have got into the habit of thinking its always warmer in the South and have decided what to wear accordingly I shall probably freeze!

Late yesterday I finally got my new Tee shirts into the shop. They are great fun and would make a lovely gift for a child. Made in Organic cotton and bamboo they come with instructions on how to perform the yoga moves which go with the animal pictured on the front and also have a free download of  music to go with the moves. A lovely idea.

Here is the Lion T the applique embroidery on the front really stands out.

Another lovely day here this morning I thought it would not last but I am glad to say that I was proved wrong. My new clothes have arrived I'm thrilled with them and I have been putting some of them into the shop. We have a new colour in the butterfly dress which proved immensely popular at the Lairg show and one size is already sold out. Here it is in a pretty shade of pink. I have also put in the new sun shirts which come in green or pink they are made from 100% bamboo and are light and cool, perfect for the holidays when you need to protect delicate skin from the sun but still ensure that the kids are cool and comfort ...

What a beautiful day! I took the dogs out this morning everywhere looked wonderful banks of primroses and violets and the cuckoo calling. Best of all its too early for the dreaded midges to be about. Mid Summer walks can be ruined when they are out and biting. I remember one day last Summer when we walked into a cloud of them and I had to jump in the car and drive off with all the windows open to try and get rid of all the ones that had descended on us. I have been in the garden planting potatoes which we usually put in a bit later here because of the early morning frosts. Also picked a load of rhubarb which has gone beserk this year,

Lairg Mayfest was a great success on Saturday with loads of crafts and a farmers market and I sold quite a lot from the new clothing ranges which were very popular. I am now running short on sizes and have put an order in today. Little Shrimp are bringing out a new collection at the end of June and I have pre ordered. Judging by the response on Satur ...

Hello from the chilly North! I have been wearing gloves today when I went out with the dogs I ask you its May!! My car is now loaded up with all the things that I am taking to the show tomorrow I always think I will cut down but I never manage to do it same problem when I am packing to go on holiday.

It's the seventh annual World Fair Trade Day tomorrow and the aim is want to promote global awareness. I am taking my new range of Fair Trade toys to the show tomorrow and I hope they will be well received. There will be lots of celebrations of the event going on globally and Fair trade looks to be going from strength to strength empowering disadvantaged producers by tackling injustice in conventional trading.

The Fair Trade vision is of a world in which justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential.