Boris the Easter Bunny came through for us

Hello Lovely Readers, 

The heat from the beginning of the week had certainly disappeared by the time my extended back holiday weekend started on Thursday morning as it was cloudy and grey-white skies outside. I had hoped, at this late stage of Corona-time, Mr Warehouse and I would be taking a trip somewhere like Venice or Paris or somewhere beachy in anticipation for our wedding, however, we are not. But all is not lost as I said before, our Easter weekend started early as Mr Warehouse and I had booked off the Thursday.

Now I would absolutely love to go into the nitty and gritty reasons as to why both myself and my fiance had reserved that day off in particular - Trust me - But all I will say is that because of legal proceedings and the court case still going through I do not want to jeopardize the case and so, therefore, I won't say much more than that but trust me, once this is all settled, I will be putting the kettle on and spilling the tea EVERYWHERE!

But, other than the above, My beau and I had much-a-to-do in order to get our little garden ready in time for the myriad of guests we were due over the weekend. As explained a few weeks ago, our plans started last year when Mr Warehouse and I had thought about a small extension or conservatory. This was something we had actually seen one of our neighbors do in their garden and whilst it was seemingly simple and took only a few hours to build and construct from the timber frame, that type of thing was costly.

So in lieu of this idea and with nothing else to occupy our weekends during the first lockdown, we decided to take the plunge and get the patio extended. However, after looking at the cost of extending we were still being quoted nearly a grand for the work and that was just labor. No parts, no cement, no sand, not paving slabs. For the better part of six / seven months that an English summer hangs around, I just couldn't see the real value it would give. But after we consulted next door (she had laid the patio herself, not a huge amount, but nevertheless, she did it) it gave Mr Warehouse and I the confidence to take the plunge. We purchased the much-sought-after Buff Riven Tiles but with Coronavirus scuppering our plans for family BBQs and summer parties in our newly extended garden, there they lay in our garden for the winter.

But one sunny Saturday afternoon I headed outside to Mr. Warehouse digging. After weeks of chatting through different ideas and ways, we could do what we wanted but on the cheap, he thought it would be a good idea to see just how easy it would be to lay just one row. And so we did. One slab, then two. Three and four and then two more. Admittedly it took nearly four hours the first time (all the while I was literally working in just a bra - And not even a sexy one at that), and a lot of sweat, and lumping dirt and heavy slabs around. But we did it.

I was proud. Proud of being able to save me a damned pretty penny. Proud of actually helping out and doing some heavy laboring and landscaping. Proud of being able to get what I want without a financial compromise. Now don't get me wrong, neither of us are Bob The Builder or Charlie Dimmock, but weekend after weekend we have gone out in the mostly cold and grey weather to do another row of the patio, each Saturday and Sunday chipping away at it. Friday Afternoon we finally finished. Seemed kind of apt considering Good Friday Jesus moved a rock or something and Mr. Warehouse and I were doing the same - Kinda!?

After collecting some railway sleepers for edging the patio (because Mr Warehouse cut on a wonky angle) and the Gazebo from B&M, we were ready to host. Nearly. The luxury Steel Framed Gazebo took several of Saturday's hours to construct, but once up it is perfect for relaxing and chilling out under during those long summer nights or to shelter from the rain. I even had several messages from the neighbors asking where it was from and how nice it looked. And so the scene was set - Cute coffee table with some freshly cut pink roses in a tin pot, my reupholstered and restuffed garden seat cushions (handcrafted by yours truly), the rusty old fire pit, a garden rug, and our garden was ready.

Sunday was soon here and after staying up late to bake an Easter choccie cheesecake, marinated my leg of lamb in minty goodness, and tidy the house I was more than ready for my loved ones to reunite and see each other first time in months. I hadn't seen my Dad properly in person since before Mr. Warehouse and I went to Turkey on our "Fuck off Corona" Holiday, probably my birthday weekend in September maybe, and my Nanny Pumpkin would have been much, much before then, possibly as far back as last summer.

I had been planning East-mas (as I was calling it since it was our Easter and Christmas combined) since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a road-map detailing that from Monday 29th March 2021, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed in private gardens. And so with a gin glass in hand swirling with ice and lemonade Gin my guests arrived. I was so happy and excited. We chatted and even exchanged belated Christmas pressies with my Nanny Pumpkin all whilst the sun shone on.

Mr. Warehouse and I battled it out for the Easter egg hunt my Dad had set up whilst our backs were turned and in good time the lamb made an appearance, the smell wafting through the garden and no doubt into other peoples. Followed with some garlic baby potatoes and simple salad, the lamb was deemed one of the tastiest pieces of lamb my guests had ever tasted and the choccie cheesecake went down even better with people fighting over the last slice.

I honestly forgot all about the pandemic for a short while and it almost seemed like a normal Easter afternoon in the sunshine. This is something I could definitely get used to and I think that I will now take Easter as my time to host in years to come because let's be fair, they can only get better, right?

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

Remember, if you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow

Afternoon All,  

You know when you start a task and sometimes regret it almost immediately? Well, that was me, and Mr. Warehouse last weekend. However, as the weekend had rolled around again we found ourselves in the garden, grey skies above, a chill in the air, and threatening rain, despite being gloriously sunny all week.

Why? Well with Bozza Jozza confirming that plans for Easter are underway and that from 29 March 2021, outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed and it is understood this will include gatherings in private gardens, it was time to get ours spick and span. So shutting down the laptop for the weekend and delivering the last few Woofty's Dog Treats boxes ordered through my first ever Etsy store, there we were busting a nut to try and get everything done in time for our friends and family to soon join us, some of them for the first time since September last year, or even further back.

Our plans really started as soon as we bought the house back in November 2018 as Mr Warehouse and I had always said the garden, whilst big (the biggest on our whole street by the looks of things) is a little plain and needs a "little bit of spice" (I really need to stop scrolling through TikTok). We had thought about a small extension or conservatory, maybe in aid of making the kitchen a little bigger or just giving us more living space. That type of thing was a great idea although costly. After looking into it we decided whilst we have the space to extend, it is far too risky, considering the planning and permissions, not to mention the fact that as it is a shared ownership property where we only own half of the property, we still don't know if we would get all of the value for the works done to the house or just the 50% of the cost since that is all we own.

So in lieu of this idea, last summer, as everyone was during the first lockdown we decided to take the plunge and get the patio extended. This would lend itself to having more "floor space" but also, in the summer once you pop a gazebo on it, some garden furniture and tart up the garden with some pretty flowers it will soon look lovely and almost as another room in the house. An extension without the full commitment of an extension. But we hit a bit of a brick wall when we came to quotes from local landscape gardeners and tradesmen. The job was going to cost hundreds, and that was just labor. No parts, no cement, no sand, not paving slabs. Just a man. Well, a couple of men. Or women. But for nearly the same cost as we paid for the hard-flooring the whole of the downstairs, if not more, I just didn't know if it was worth it just for parties and get-togethers and maybe the odd sunny weekend.

For the better part of six / seven months, I just couldn't see the real value it would give for nearly £1000 by the time everything was done. And so I consulted next door. She had laid the patio herself, not a huge amount, but nevertheless, she did it. Giving me some helpful advice Mr Warehouse and I took the plunge, purchasing the much-sought-after Buff Riven Tiles. Used in most new builds, these patio slabs come with sightly riven textured paving are functional and durable, perfect for shed bases, patios, and edging around your greenhouse. Nearly killing my car in the process we collected them all and there they lay in our garden for the winter, Coronavirus concreting our solitude plans for two during the remainder of 2020.

But the beginning of the month saw a blinder of a Saturday afternoon and heading outside Mr. Warehouse and I thought it would be a good idea to see just how easy it would be to lay just one row. So we did. One slab, then two. Three and four and then two more. Admittedly it took nearly four-hours the first time (all the while I was literally working in just a bra - And not even a sexy one at that), and a lot of sweat, and lumping dirt and heavy slabs around. But we did it. And before we headed to bed that evening, my future husband beckoned me over to the back door to gazed out over our hard work, lit up by the moonlight as the dogs had toilet time. I was proud. Proud of being able to save me a damned pretty penny and proud of not only gardening, something I didn't particularly enjoy helping out with as a child, but heavy laboring and landscaping.

Now don't get me wrong, neither of us are Bob The Builder or Charlie Dimmock, but we were doing an alright job and since then we have completed a further two rows meaning we are well over halfway done. Just two more weekends and we will be done and ready to host family garden parties (of up to six) and maybe even a BBQ'd lamb to celebrate Easter in a way that is closer to normal than last year. I have already started excitedly looking at buying a nice Gazebo to shelter from the rain, chill, and provide a little shade if it's too sunny. I have found the perfect one in B&M of all places, a luxury Steel Framed Gazebo, perfect for relaxing during those long summer nights. Not waterproof entirely, but shower-proof, the woven polyester canopy, complete with mosquito nets to keep out the bugs and a powder-coated steel frame for strength and durability is exactly what we need.

All I need now is a cute coffee table, some reupholstered and restuffed garden seat cushions, flowers, sleepers, edging, maybe some more pots and gravel. Oh and a fire pit. And a garden rug! Phew, better get a shifty on!

If you would like to purchase anything then please feel free to check out my store at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Wooftys or visit our Instagram @WooftysDogTreats and use "TATOATS21" to get 10% off your first order over £15.00.

'Til next time, Love A.Lou x

The Green Fingered Goddess

Hello everyone, 

I suppose we have had a rather quiet weekend in comparison to last. No Parties and no worrying over BBQ's and finally no more wondering if Frankenstein is OK in his baby grow or if he would rather the cone. Following his last Vet check on Friday, he was given the all-clear and was ready for some more strenuous exercise, not that he had calmed down mind. With that in hand, I had mentioned to the Vet about possibly enrolling him into agility classes as he has so much energy and is a quick learner. She had agreed and suggested some local groups and classes which I will be sure to hit up, however, I think I will start to show him this year, especially since I will have a few on my doorstep. Who knows we might just win!

What with it being the Bank Holiday here in the UK as well this weekend, the last one before Santa comes, Mr Warehouse and I applied ourselves well and have done the garden. Well, at least some of it. You see most Bank Holidays in the UK are drizzly, wet and grey - If you haven't already noticed. However on the contrary, this one has been blisteringly hot, one of which my future husband and I can enjoy whilst not being as sun burnt as the last time there was a heatwave here.

Saturday Mr Warehouse was working the morning for some extra pennies so I decided to head out for the afternoon, popping by to my seamstress to see if she could work some magic by adding sleeves to my dress for a family event coming up soon. That night we looked after my future niece and nephews whilst their parents were out. Sunday I had reserved for hitting the shops in the hope of finding that elusive rattan garden corner sofa furniture set. And so leaving the pups at home in the coolness of the house Mr Warehouse and I headed out into the 30-something-degree weather and popped by a few stores picking up a much-needed hose for our newly acquired tap, some compost and numerous reduced flowers and bulbs, ready to pot. I was quiet surprised with myself as I sat back and looked at all our hard work for a Sunday afternoon, flowers and plants potted, garden watered and grass cut. Very well done us and as Mr Warehouse said as we settled in for the night that it really is starting to look a bit more like home. I just hope that my green-fingers don't ruin the plants as I am known for not being able to keep most plants in my life alive. Well, apart from that one cactus that looked like a penis and just kept growing?!

I remember thinking as we walked around garden centres and DIY shops as a child that this was the height of boring and that peaking as an adult was when you had been to or had any dealings with a DIY shop and gardening, well, that was just another hell I forced myself through in order to get pocket money. I didn't enjoy it and hated the fact that there were bugs everywhere, it was tough thick clay type mud which was never easy to work with and that it was arduously long work making me ache and hurt by the end of it all. I think it was probably at that point that I vowed, whilst my front garden, and even my back one, in my childhood home looked beautiful and people always commented on it, I would always choose to have my plants in pots, moreso for convenience. 

Today however as Bank Holiday Monday, our extra day out of the office and away from work has been less productive. It started off well, however, with promises of getting the Save the Dates done and ready to post out, however, instead we searched for a suit for Chris, again for the family occasion and scoured several shops in again soaring temperatures only to then buy online as there were limited sizes and styles. It started to lag however when we started the inventory of the wedding items we have purchased in preparation for next year, slowly wilting under the inescapable heat. Finally, I cracked and snoozed for longer than anticipated in the late afternoon. Since then we have set up the printer, and the laptop and printed out what our draft was, however on closer inspection there are some slight changes we probably will need to make before sending out, and that will be left now probably for a couple of weeks as Mr Warehouse will be preoccupied with other, more matrimonial duties and events ... 

'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx