A Quiet Corner

Restoring Calm

2012-03-10T22:54:00.000Z

A corner of our bedroom also has to serve as an office. It had become horrible and a blight on the bedroom. I have always found it unrestful - not good in a place you are supposed to sleep in.
This morning I woke up with a determined feeling - the mess needed to de tamed!
Most of the books were kept on an a set of old school shelves. Mark is doing a masters & needs these books on hand. I had brought the shelves home from school a couple of years ago with great plans for them but somehow they ended up with loads of stuff piled up on them. Before I knew it I had cleared those shelves and had begun to paint. I love painting; it is mindless and so I can think about all sorts of other stuff.
I changed things around and tidied. I created a space for work, put up some pictures and made the space feel calm. There is stil stuff to do & I want to buy some pretty box files to house paper work but it is so much better than before. I might even do some work tomorrow!

A Sunshine tag thing.

2012-03-08T17:43:00.000Z

This week I have been tagged by the lovely JoJo and been given a sunshine award from the gorgeous Kelly at last day of may. They both require me to answer lots of questions, so I thought I would pick and mix those and then spread the love.

These are the rules...

^ Post these rules

^ Post 11 things about yourself

^ Answer the questions provided by the one who tagged you

^ Create 11 new questions for the people you tag

^ Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged!

11 Random things about myself...

* I love Marmite.

* I have lived in 19 different houses in my life.

* I found my first grey hair when I was 18.

* Mark proposed to me in Paris three months after out first date.

* I am obsessed with stationary.

* I love to sing in the house, the car, at work but not in public.

* Part of my childhood was spent living on a farm.

* I get obsessed with box sets - currently watching Borgen, Adored Mad Men (series 5 soon -yay!) but my all time favourite is 'The Wire'.

* My nerd crush is Woody Allen circa 1977.

* I won a dress up competition when I was a brownie - I went as a Spanish lady. My picture was in the local paper - I look very proud!

* My head age is 32. My birth certificate disagrees with me.

Jo/ Sunshine questions mash up!

1. Etsy or Ebay? Easy - etsy.

2. Have you any regrets so far? That I can't play the piano.

3. What is the best gig you have been to? Live Aid, 1985. has to be one of the best days of my life.

4. What is your special place? Is it too cheesy to say wherever my family is? There is also a beach in West Cork that I always feel particularly peaceful on.

5. What is your favourite novel? Emma by Jane Austen

6. What is your favourite non-alcoholic drink? Really good coffee. I don't start without a morning cup.

7. If you could travel back to anytime in history when would you choose? New York in the late 50's early 60's.

8. What is your favourite country that you have visited? New Zealand

9. What are your passions? Crochet, blogging, reading, taking photos, houses, dinner but mainly my lovely family.

10.What is your favourite day of the week? Friday - all that weekend ahead of me and there is always a glass of red waiting at the end of that day.

11.What is your favourite flower? Peony.

My questions.

1. What is your ideal weekend?

2. Favourite colour?

3. What super power would you like?

4. What are your passions?

5. What is your favourite animal?

6. Flats or heels?

7. If you had £1000 to spend on yourself alone what would you buy?

8. Who would you most like to meet, living or dead?

9. What is your favourite day of the week?

10. What is top of your spring wardrobe want list?

11. What makes you laugh?

I totally love and admire so many blogs. I am passing the love to some new and old favourite blogs...

Mel du Jour, Oh Abigail, Tales from a happy House, Koivukuja and Bristol Parenting Cafe.

Weekend Bits

2012-03-04T20:53:00.000Z

Hyacinth sending out it's lovely scent, despite the slightly straggly look. Also two Ladybird finds - the condition isn't great but the pictures are beautiful.
Planning camping trips - a return to here in May and we are going here in June for the first time. Am really looking forward to camping again.
New 'Country Living' arrived & I finally got the latest 'Mollie Makes'
Baking was done - brownies by Fergus & a chicken & ham pie by me.(He won the contest for looks. The pie tasted better than it looked)
Chosen colours for a blanket for a new baby due in June.
I had a haircut but no pictures!
We all sat in the sun when we could.

Swallows and Amazons

2012-03-03T17:36:00.000Z

This afternoon we went to see 'Swallows and Amazons' at the theatre here in Malvern. Mark and Finn saw it in Bristol just over a year ago and LOVED it so I was very excited to see that it was on tour & coming here. It was magical and very cleverly staged.

Now what I really want to do is get a little sailing boat and become an Amazon.

What are you - a Swallow or Amazon?

March - To do

2012-03-01T23:20:00.001Z

There is an unfurling that happens in March and I felt it today in the sunshine. The promise of new life and fresh starts. February was OK but I have hopes for this month!

To Do
Enjoy the warmth coming back into the earth.
Sew sweet peas (ORDER!!!)
Make something for mum at speed - only 18 days to go!
Go to the theatre.
Celebrate.
St Patrick with an Irish feast.
Dance a jig.
Buy some new shoes.
Get Erin's room sorted for her return.

Signs of Spring

2012-02-25T22:07:00.000Z

Inside and outside suddenly there are flowers and sunshine and hope. Such a beautiful day x

Bathroom Love

2012-02-22T23:18:00.000Z

Over half term I spent an afternoon cleaning my bathroom. The key thing here is that it took me an afternoon to clean the bathroom - it was disgusting. As I cleaned I fell back in love with the room.
I love the grey walls and the splashes of bright colour.
The shell mobile was made by Erin when she was four. We picked the shells up off a beach in New Zealand, along with the driftwood.
The Bond poster really makes me smile. It hangs over the toilet & I hung it there as a set of instructions to my lovely boys. Sometimes it works...

Bits & Pieces

2012-02-21T22:03:00.000Z

The second half of half term was a bit stilted for me - poorly leg struck again! I managed to twist my knee (running in heels) and I spent the rest of the half term limping and frankly grumpy.
At the weekend we headed down to Dorset.
Made scented fire-lighters as a little gift. They went down very well and I really enjoyed melting the wax, adding oils and dipping in the fir cones. I think the wax makes them look like they are dusted with snow don't you? I made loads so have got to keep some. They work really well too. Think I will be making some for Christmas presents later in the year.
Dorset was lovely. Our friends were ever gorgeous and we were so happy to be there. My gammy leg forced me to sit old lady style in the car whilst everyone went for a long walk. I settled to my crochet, my extra strong mints and looked at the view. My grumpiness faded away as I relaxed; it was bliss.
Watercress beds where our friends live. Love watercress.

Den Building

2012-02-15T09:13:00.000Z

We decided to join the lovely Emma and Catherine and take part in den building week. Finn stayed in his most of the day once he had finished building an entire village. (see below). He has told me that we have to keep the den up all week.

We are proud - it has lighting. Finn was not keen for me to take photos. I felt the crochet love.

Off to Oxford today to see our beautiful girl x

Feeling the love...

2012-02-14T12:43:00.000Z

For play-doh.
This stuff is having a revival in our house. I used to make it way back when I was a lovely mum. Now it goes into the trolly with the weekly shop.
Nothing beats the smell of shop bought though!

I want to live in the cottage next to the cafe x

Valentine Song

2012-02-14T11:15:00.001Z

One of my favourite songs ever sung by a beautiful man with a beautiful voice. Shame he ruined it all with drink & drugs. There is a theme there isn't there? Proper post later, just indulging my romantic side for now!

Log Pile

2012-02-12T18:18:00.002Z

I am obsessed with wood and my woodshed. We had got through the load I wrote about here and so the lovely Phil brought us a new load. He manages several woodlands around here and sells wood as a by product of that work. This is oak which is both beautiful to look at and to smell. Oh yes - I like to go into that shed and inhale!

Sunny Saturday

2012-02-12T12:07:00.000Z

Yesterday was such a beautiful day - it was really cold here in Malvern but the sun put a spring in my step!

We were at swimming first. Finn has lessons at the boys college where they have a spiffy modern pool. The roof reflects a wave of water.

Finn was then at a party, Mark was at uni attending his masters lecture so I wandered around in the sun before disappearing into the aisles of Waitrose to shop without Finn's 'help'. I found myself taking endless photos of icy nature. We only had a little snow but it was very pretty.

Finn's party ended in the park where they ran around chasing huge balloons - the colours looked wonderful against the blue, blue sky.

SOOOOO Grateful!

2012-02-10T21:13:00.000Z

I am so happy that it is half term. I have had no energy tonight for anything except wine, eating & G2 - the news section just seemed too big - know what I mean?

Half term will bring some or all of the following:-
Baking
Pottering
Making
Den building
Legoing
Trip to Oxford
Catching up on blogs
Cleaning up
Trip to Dorset to see the sea - yay!
marking.

Looking forward to it - but a big sleep first x

Snowy Saturday

2012-02-04T16:28:00.000Z

This is a post with snow in the title but no snow in the post - the boys are out but not me. I hate being cold! No I have other stuff going on.
A new 'Country Living' - mum bought me a subscription for Christmas. It is so lovely to hear that thud on the mat and know that treats are in store. I sat on the sofa, watched the snow and thought about crochet & spring. I am loving my new blanket. I am not really a pink girl but am suddenly wanting to add pink about the house. Strange. I have now moved sofas - to one nearer the wood burner. Have got some favourite books from the shelf to plan some spring projects. 'Homemade' is a favourite source of inspiration for me. Whilst we watch rugby (hooray! the six nations have started!) the cat watched the fire.

February 2012 - To Do

2012-02-01T22:46:00.000Z

This month is about looking forward and taking care...

1, See the sea.
2. Remind Mark how much I love him - on the 14th and always.
3. Get moving!
4. Plan the London trip.
5. Go out spring spotting OR enjoy the snow OR both!

The Weekend

2012-01-30T21:53:00.000Z

Finn went on his first sleepover - was pleased he took his blanket with him.
We had beef stew on Sunday - it made the house warm whilst it was cooking and it tasted delicious.
Stayed in the warmth of the kitchen to make marmalade. Tried Nigella's recipe in 'How to Eat' in which the oranges are left whole and boiled. I love making marmalade - it is like bottling sunshine and Mark is pleased and grateful.
The marmalade and some home baked biscotti were part of a small thank you gift for having Finn to stay,

Finally we have a birthday in our house today - Myles is 17. We have a set birthday cake - Victoria sponge with filling & topping of choice. Myles chose cream and raspberries in the middle and chocolate sauce on the top! It was delicious.
For all of these things and the love I felt I am grateful.

Cat in the Sun

2012-01-28T11:08:00.000Z

When I opened the blinds in our living room this morning the flood of light was amazing. I will love a burst of cold weather if it brings the sun with it. Anyway there was one patch of sun on the little chair we have in the window and within seconds the cat come from no where to sit in it. I totally admire her ability to seek out warmth.
The bowl of pine cones also caught my eye. We always collect these beautiful objects - they make fantastic fire starters and they look lovely lying around the house in bowls.

Being Grateful

2012-01-26T19:55:00.000Z

A few years ago I kept a gratitude diary. Every day I wrote down three things I was grateful for that day. It was wonderful and gave me such a positive outlook. I found myself looking for beauty and small things that made me happy. I don't know why I stopped. Sometimes habits just run out. I was reminded of it very recently and started a new page on my blog 'Lists of Three'. Like many best laid plans I have yet to manage to write a list of three every day.

There must be something in the air because I have noticed bloggers being grateful recently and today Lou wrote a post on the same subject. I am determined to be more grateful!

1. The sound of my lovely boy making progress on the piano and taking pleasure in his new skills.
2. An unexpected text from my lovely girl.
3. The smell of lemons in a warm kitchen.

Weekend - Reasons to be Cheerful

2012-01-22T20:31:00.000Z

I am finding it hard to post at the moment - too little time. here is what is making me happy this weekend...

Dinner with girl friends. I love female conversion - film, books, gossip & the menopause last night!
Boys curled together like puppies.
The smell of rosemary in the house.
Catkins seen on a walk today.
A cow with a killer fringe.
Fluffy seed heads - I love the hedgerow, there is always something to see.
The beauty of a woodpile with ivy running up the logs.
The yellow of gorse brightening a dull day.
My lovely dragon drawing, star wars loving, Lego playing 8 year old.

Have a good week x

The Weekend

2012-01-15T21:32:00.000Z

This has been a weekend of simple pleasures, all home based. Roasting vegetables for a veggie tart on Friday that was shared with friends.

I had an old candy striped sheet that had ripped and the need for new square pillowcases. In true make do & mend spirit I made a couple of pillowcases this weekend & finished them off with a little crochet trim. My old sewing machine is messing about and so I decided to sew them by hand. It was nice and easy - all straight lines and very restful. I wouldn't like to do have to do it all the time but it was lovely this once.

There was also some cleaning - it is amazing the energy a bit of sunshine gives me. What else the sunshine did was show up how disgustingly dirty my bedroom windows were. They look lovely now. The cleaning made me re-look at the old Victorian light show slides I picked up at a flea fair last year.

There was also some baking - banana loaf and flapjack. Both half gone before I organised a camera. There is no appetite like that of a teenage boy and I have two...

Time for me was spent watching Borgen - catching up and loving it - and rippling away - it is coming on! Have also watched the first of 'Call the Midwife' which was really enjoyable and made me feel sooo thankful that times have moved on. Hope you had a good one too

Winter Nights

2012-01-10T20:17:00.000Z

Things are cosy in these parts. The house is lit for winter and in these dark evenings a new ripple blanket has been started. I love the ripple pattern; there is something so soothing about the rhythm of it and I can almost do it mindlessly. Mindlessly is good these days as mine seems to have gone to mush.
I got the beautiful lavender candle for Christmas from my lovely boys. It smells wonderful and it is very calming.
On Saturday I took Erin back to Oxford. I felt happy leaving her there this time - she loves it so much and I am delighted that she is somewhere that makes her feel so stimulated and happy. Miss her at home though. One of the things I wanted to do in the couple of hours in the city was to pop to the Toast shop. I love Toast but it is expensive and I normally talk myself out of buying anything. But with my resolution in mind I went in to find something I loved. If I don't buy lots of cheap 'it will do' rubbish I can afford Toast AND have something I love. The jumper is lovely & when I wore it yesterday two people commented on it. If you want to see it pop over here. I look very similar to the model!
January has it's charms after all.

A New Day

2012-01-07T13:50:00.000Z

Yesterday was about completing something - it was the funeral of my beautiful friend. The funeral was simply lovely; a gathering of those who loved her so much. It was an occasion for tears, love and laughter but mostly we celebrated and felt lucky that we had had Christine in our lives.
Today I cleaned - the decorations came down on Thursday but I still needed to put the house in order. It gave me time for reflection. I thought about the beautiful words that were spoken and it was clear to me what this living thing is about. It isn't new and I am sure that any reader would know this too, but yesterday it came at me with such force. It is always about the love you give and receive. Christine led an all too short a life but it was full of love that she both gave and received. It was, in short, a good life.
Friendship brings so many gifts and Christine has given me one last gift - the clarity to cut through the crap and live a good life. Today has felt like a new day and Nina is right 'It feels good'

Embracing Winter

2012-01-03T12:56:00.000Z

In my kitchen early this morning; January recipes, reflections from Christmas and porridge.
I am settling in to winter, which never really begins for me until Christmas is over whatever the weather. I used to hate winter but now I love it for what it is, a hunkering down sort of season.
The porridge this morning was served with Greek yoghurt and baked apple left over from last night's dessert. Delicious.

twenty twelve

2012-01-02T12:11:00.000Z

At school I was the kind of girl that loved a new book - it was a fresh start and this time everything would be neat and tidy. I feel much the same year about the new year. This feels a particularly auspicious year as I also go into a new decade - my 50's!!! Yikes.

New year was spent with dear friends from our university days. We tend to regress back to our twenties when we are with each other and it takes us two days to catch up all our conversations. We did some dancing so that their daughter could twirl in her beautiful party dress...

We even managed to make the New Year's Day walk go with a swing...

I'm not sure if the boys were wetter from the rain or the 'accidental' falling in the water that happened. There was a mass changing of clothes when we got home.

When we got home we ate Lenticchie Stufate di Capodanno. Italians eat lentils as a sign of prosperity & good luck in the coming year. The lentils are supposed to represent coins and ensure riches for the coming year. Fingers crossed.

So to plans for the new year -

1. This is my year for friendship. Recent events have made me think carefully about friends and I am determined to make extra effort with my friendships this year.
2. Having recently written a letter I have remembered how much I love writing them. This year I want to surprise one person a month with a letter. Remember how great it felt to see a letter on your doorstep?
3. I need to lose weight. I need to lose more than a stone but I am going to do it one at a time. I need to think about my diet and eat lots of veg.
4. Coupled with this, this is the year I am going to get fitter. If I don't do it now it will get too difficult.
5. Inspired by Peas & Needles I want to mirror her Fifty2 project. She is going to create every week, be it crafting, baking or drawing. I am going to add writing - I haven't written creatively for years. I have a book where I am going to record some secret scribbles.
6. This is the year of being frugal. I have a new mantra - I will only buy what I actually need or what I truly love. No 'it will do'.

That was the year that was...

2011-12-30T16:15:00.000Z

I have been looking through my photos and thought I would put together a little montage of my year. This was the year I started my blog and I have so enjoyed putting together my thoughts and doings onto this little space. This isn't exactly a photo per month but almost. A resolution is to learn how to make those nifty sampler pages done so very well in many blogs...

I associate the smell of hyacinths with January - I tend to buy them as part of my spring clean. The scent promises the spring to come & I will do anything to brighten up these dark days.

There is that moment when suddenly there are leaves on the trees. I always worry for these tender shoots and hope that they wont get killed off by sharp frosts. Of course this year there was snow - something I managed not to capture as I had camera issues early in the year.
This was also the year that I completed my first blanket. It has been followed by four more! They are addictive.

In April we went to the west of Ireland - this beautiful sunset was in Kerry. We also went to Dorset in early May where we had the most glorious weather. I really think that April, May & June are turning into our best weather months.

May is perhaps one of my favourite months of the year (along with October). We were certainly busy with trips to the Hay festival as well as Dorset and lots of time in the garden.

There have also been camping trips in Norfolk and more locally in Gloucestershire and in Hay. I love my camping trips and am longing for a bell tent this year. Money is tight but fingers are crossed!

With Summer's end comes my favourite season of all - the autumn. I think blackberries are one of my favourite things. I just adore them, they are beautiful to look at and they give us blackberry & apple crumble. What is not to like?

Finally there is Christmas, so beloved in our family. Tomorrow we have friends coming to share our new year. Then it all begins again. Thank you to all who have shared my year with me and have been so welcoming. Despite the fact that we have had a bit if a sad end to our year I have enjoyed remembering all that has been good. In the seasons we are made aware of that circle of life and death and how it is all part of the rich pattern of our lives. So tomorrow I will be toasting those that have gone, looking forward to those that will be born and being so thankful for friendship and family.

I wish everyone a peaceful and happy new year!

Some Favourite Things.

2011-12-29T15:28:00.000Z

Last night we had friends for dinner and we had the most wonderful time. The children (minus Finn) are old enough to join us for and we really enjoy their company. There is much that is enjoyable about having adult children - teenagers get a bad rap.
Today however I have been supremely lazy and really appreciating some of my gifts.
I was delighted to receive 'The Knitter's Year' by Debbie Bliss. Over this last year crochet has really taken over my life but I was determined to get back to some knitting. My first attempt with some wool that eventually became this blanket, was abandoned; but I love this book & plan to make a few of the projects. I want to make a scarf next but... will I knit or crochet???
I have also bottled my Sloe Gin and am looking forward to having a sip or two later. Sloe Gin (sometimes with tonic) is really one of my favourite things.

The lilies I bought just before Christmas have just burst into flower filling downstairs with their glorious scent.

These bowls are a present from my lovely Mark. They are made by a potter who lives here in Malvern and I adore her work. The glaze is the most amazing red. When the candles are lit they positively glow. I know that so many people who inhabit blogland agree that it is so special to own things that are made by a skilled crafter. I have an ongoing resolution that this year; I want to buy and make as much as possible that which is handmade - better to buy little but make it good quality than acquire lots of mass produced stuff.

Now I need to think about having a shower & getting dressed - we are going to friends for some supper tonight & am not sure that p.j.'s are a good look!

Winter Walking.

2011-12-26T16:45:00.000Z

We have been for a walk every day this holiday in a vague effort to keep extra weight gain down over the Christmas period. Boxing day was a river walk and we were struck by the beauty of nature when it is stripped bare. As lovely as the summer in a way. The world looks so different to last year when everything was a frosty white.

Joy

2011-12-26T16:29:00.000Z

We had a super day.

4.30am - the small one wakes - can he open Santa's stocking? He can but then mummy must be allowed to sleep for at least two more hours.
5am - 6.30am - fairly regular visits asking whether time is up yet.
6.30 - time is up. Indeed we all are up. Lovely presents under the lovely tree.
10.30 - walk to the orchards with the neighbours. (no pictures, my bleary brain forgot the camera)
11. 30 - Beef in and table set.
2pm - rest of the day! - Eating. Drinking. Laughing. Snooze. Drinking. Reading. Dr Who, Strictly. Reading & bed for little one. Bit more drinking with teenagers eating. Christmas DVD watching. Bed.

It was a joy.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T16:38:00.000Z

Santa's biscuits are baked and the ham is bubbling away waiting to be glazed and roasted later. The carols from Kings are on the radio and the kitchen is filling with Christmas smells. We have visited neighbours who offered us mulled wine and lovely company.

This morning seven families got together to have a good, long, head clearing (mine, I'm afraid needed it!) walk on the hills. It was really lovely. Summits were reached and we lost none of the 15 children. Result! Hot chocolate and biscuits were enjoyed before we made our way down.

At the start of this week I was thinking that I had so much to do but then I read this post. Josie really encapsulated what is important at Christmas & I re-evaluated what I had to do. Instead of a frantic week I have had a lovely time and have managed a lot of quiet craft time and have finished my blanket. Hooray - I am so grateful for that post and have made myself sit and take some time. In that time I have finished a blanket. I was inspired by Toast's single colour blanket and used wool I had unpicked from an old aran cardigan. So it was free! Here it is in it's Ta Da glory...

I used a chunky no6 hook to go with the chunky yarn.

The edge was blanket stitched in some grey wool I had hanging about. I love the effect.

Now all there is to do is have a lovely cuppa and to break into the Christmas cake. Christmas as it should be - relaxed and simple.

Wishing you all a lovely day tomorrow and I hope it is a fun and peaceful day. I will be back soon but would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read and comment this year - I really do appreciate every single comment and am grateful for this wonderful community that really adds to my life in a positive way.

Winter Solstice

2011-12-21T18:19:00.000Z

Today and tomorrow are our shortest days and we are at our darkest. I spent the day (the first of the holidays - hooray) putting final touches to the house and lighting lights. In just four days it will be Christmas day and then the days will start to draw out and in a blink of an eye it will be spring again. I love the turn of the year and the sureness of the seasons. I know we have a lot of winter left but the light is also coming and with it the hope of the new.

We are all enjoying the wood burner - lit even though the weather is so mild for the comfort it offers. No one in our family loves it more than our old cat. As soon as the match is struck she is there ready to stare, like a Zen master, into the flames.

Christmas is creeping in...

2011-12-17T23:09:00.000Z

To be a little unoriginal it is, at last beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our house. It started on Friday when I was struck by the Christmas colours of our meal...

Then I started to fiddle with bits of paper to make a garland for the fireplace. I had been inspired by the beautiful and talented Artemis over here.

I also wrapped some lace around glass jars to make some candle holders that cast beautiful shadows .

But most of all we finally have out tree. As soon as that scent came into the house I began to feel more like Christmas. I love the tree so much and every year I get that tingle when it comes into the house.

The look of our tree never changes because we have a strong tradition in our house. Every year Santa brings the children a decoration each in their stocking. They each have their box of decorations which they put onto the tree. One day, when they leave I hope they will take their box with them, so that their childhood memories can go onto their adult trees. When that day comes I will have an adult and very glamorous tree but I am willing to wait.

Finally I am beginning to feel that the most wonderful time of the year is not only here but welcome...

A Gentle Day

2011-12-11T16:19:00.001Z

Thank you so much to those who wrote such lovely words in response to my last post. The best way to remember her is to live well - life is to be grabbed with both hands. Annie wrote a beautiful quotation in her comment which I will think about over the next few days and months.
Today we wanted to be gentle and we are beginning to get ready for Christmas. No tree yet - we await Erin's return from Venice, where she is singing with her college choir. Instead I have started to fiddle.

I wanted to do something with the window in our dining room. Now looking at these photos I think the first thing I should have done was clean it...ho hum.

Inspired by the Toast baubles I used fabric to hang my stars with and am very pleased with the effect. I love my little Paperchase birds and they are often dotted about the house, not just at Christmas.

I have also done a little food reading. My key word for this Christmas is simple. I love the picture on the front of this Elizabeth David book - I am a sucker for a quail's egg! We don't have a turkey - not enough people like it here to warrant the fuss so this year we are having a real treat - rib of beef with plenty left for cold cuts on Boxing Day. That Boxing Day meal - hot potato, cold meats & pickles is my favourite of the year.

Things are also looking pretty red and spotty around here...

Oh yes it is beginning to feel a little like Christmas, warm & cosy just like I like it.

Heroes

2011-12-10T22:52:00.001Z

I want to talk about someone tonight and I hope that if you read this you don't mind that it isn't at all, in any way seasonal. Nearly 19 years ago I met Christine, it was at out first NCT meeting and we were both seven months pregnant. As soon as I saw her I knew that I could be friends with her - I loved the way she sat on the floor with her cool hair and shoes looking like a 1993 Madonna. We both had girls, my instinct proved right and we became good friends. When I lived in New Zealand she fed me the important news from home - what everyone was wearing, watching, listening to. Still, after five years it was a little nerve wrecking to meet but we quickly slipped into our easy friendship and we were totally delighted that our children did the same. She was a fantastic parent, a joyful friend and wise council. We often showed up wearing similar things. I have spent hours laughing with her, some time crying with her always admiring her.
Tonight I heard news that I have been waiting for but the waiting has not made it any easier to hear. My lovely, lovely friend Christine died yesterday. I knew it was coming but it seems I was not prepared. My heart goes out to her children, to her wonderful husband Barry and to all her many friends who will miss her so terribly.

She loved David Bowie - a love that was pretty life long. This is for her.

The Christmas Song.

2011-12-09T17:55:00.001Z

It has been a hell of a week. This weekend I am going to get me some Christmas spirit, do a little sprinkling of angel dust and make my house sparkle - we both need it. Nat King Cole and 'The Christmas Song' always does it for me. Have a lovely Friday evening x

Objects of Use

2011-12-08T20:53:00.001Z

In my last post I mentioned a shop that I had visited in Oxford but I couldn't remember the name - close inspection of my photos revealed it - Objects of Use. Every item in the shop was both practical and beautiful. I was more than happy to spend time in the shop but am delighted to find that I can also shop on line - useful objects will be coming my way - but what to choose?

?!**ALREADY??!!*?

2011-12-04T19:19:00.001Z

The 4th already? I am struggling to post as my life becomes an avalanche of stuff to do. This isn't a moan - well sort of not; more a statement of fact. I normally start my month with a to do list which I enjoy but I can not face one at the minute as it will be too long and too boring. Am going to cheer myself up by writing a lovely things to do list - coming soon!
OK whine over. Jodi at Che and Fidel did a lovely post about what she had done this weekend. Thought it looked great & would allow me to catch up in a simple way & have now just seen little green shed has done the same. Hopefully no one will mind if I join the party.

This weekend I....

* picked up a daughter from university
* shopped in Oxford with a good friend
* laughed until I cried with the same friend
* found a shop in Oxford full of beautiful things that I CANNOT remember the name of. Will find it when I next visit. Truly it deserves a post of its own...
*got HUGE hugs from Finn when I got home.
* baked banana bread with old bananas that were ready for the bin
* made a simple & aromatic wreath from rosemary
* roasted myself by the log burner
* very much enjoyed 'Strictly'
* found some time to work on my toast inspired crochet blanket.
* suddenly realised that Christmas is very close

Finn's Room

2011-11-29T22:35:00.001Z

A while ago I posted about the fact that we needed to rearrange bedrooms. This has now been done and Finn is in a room of his own. He loves it and it is beginning to look like his. There is a lot to do still - the walls need painting (a spring job), shelves need to go up and I want to find an old school desk for him. Still it is so much better than it was.

A few of his favourite things - Andy Stanton, Lego, The Beano, Swords and weapons (don't ask) and rather sweetly he loves his cuddly toys.

The floor will have to be washed & painted too..............

Bristol Waterfront

2011-11-26T22:10:00.001Z

Today we went to Bristol. we needed to go to IKEA for a couple of bits & to dull the pain we decided to spend a couple of hours in Bristol itself. We headed to the waterfront - one of our favourite areas. Lunch first in the Arnolfini then a quick wander up Park Street.

Highlights included some gorgeous smelling table flowers; Banksy; a jumble of boats; cups I want, want, want; tables, chairs & iron girders; brightly coloured houses. Today I loved Bristol.

New Rhythms

2011-11-23T22:55:00.001Z

On these busy days I am trying to find a new rhythm. I am finding it hard to fit everything in. My work seems to dominate at the minute and so I am trying to spend my evenings peacefully and gently. There has been crafting and the lighting of candles to see me through.
A while ago I started knitting after a long break. I realise that I never really talked about this project - a cardigan - but it is because I couldn't get on with it! Nothing to do with the process of knitting but because I hated the pattern. So I unravelled it. Oh the relief of not having to continue! Sometimes it is lovely to just give up isn't it?

The hated project...

I then had all this thrifted wool to play with. Madly missing working on a blanket I reached once again for a hook - 6mm this time and I started working up some grannies. I have in mind those big chunky wool blankets you see casually strewn on designer sofas. It will be mine by Christmas...

The colour is much truer in the first picture - it is dark at my place these days...

What is great about this project is that it is FAST - I love a big hook, big wool combo!

Hibernation

2011-11-18T21:45:00.001Z

From The White Company website

I have been horribly busy with work & family stuff and have had very little time to blog or even do some blog reading recently.
I have an enormous desire to hibernate. Blankets have come out - my bed is looking very nest like - and last weekend whilst visiting my lovely sister & her family in London I popped into the White Company to buy my favourite winter candle - 'Pomegranate'. I love the smell so much and have been blissing out this week to the scent.
Have another hectic weekend ahead - a trip to Manchester for a course (my dedication to work knows no bounds!) but hope to get to the shops too to get into more Christmas spirit. I am determined to SLOB on Sunday and do some crochet/ cooking/ blogging and NO MARKING. Yay!
Have a lovely and restful weekend x

Award Winning

2011-11-12T07:24:00.001Z

Last week I woke to the news that I had been given an award. Let me be honest; I was delighted. Blogging is an odd thing because you send stuff out there & you are never really sure if it will be read or worse, it will be read and judged wanting. It is a real leap of faith. Still there is a nagging voice - what if no one likes me? That makes me cross with myself - what is a woman of nearly 50 doing being so needy?

Anyway back to the award. It is for being 'Versatile'. Well I quite like that. Or does it make me Jack of all trades, master of none??? Damn that self doubt. I suppose it means that I blog about life in all its variety.

I did get to thinking about awards though - Sue wrote a post last January about not accepting awards which was very interesting and she got many responses about the pros & cons of awards. I an uncertain about the passing it on bit - the process has been compared to a chain letter & I do know what I think about those. So I have come to a compromise which I hope is ok - I am delighted to accept the award, I will tell you five quirky things about myself (difficult) and I will nominate just 5 of my many favourite blogs. They may take up the baton or just glow in the praise and feel happy this weekend!

Quirks:
1) I can over think things - this post is testament to that.
2) I adore stationary with a passion and repeatedly buy beautiful notebooks that I can't use for fear of spoiling them.
3) I hate ringing people.
4) I am hopeless with my mobile phone - I constantly leave it places so many of my friends know that when they message me I may not get back for a while...Some friends automatically copy Mark into the message as they know that he will get me to check my phone.
5) I often fall asleep in front of the tv. This most often happens on a Friday night, after a couple of glasses of red and just before a programme I really want to see comes on. The number times I have woken up in time for the end credits of a programme I have announced as a much watch to be rolling across the screen is embarrassing.

Lovely, Lovely blogs of Versatility:

Lou at Little Green Shed has a fab blog. She is talented, cool, writes wonderfully about her family and has a great eye for lovely things to buy!Would love to go shopping with her! What not to love?

Julia at Peacock Blue also has a lovely blog where sh writes about family, her home and crafting.

Jooles is another very talented lady at Sew Sweet Violet. Check out her baby robin decorations - beyond gorgeous!

Quite new to me is Crystal at With Bells On but she has already become one of my favourite reads. She just seems like such a lovely woman and little Iris is adorable.

Lastly, but not least there is Annie at knitsofacto who is a great read. She is wise on many subjects and you know she would be fun to have coffee with. Plus I adore the beautiful picture she has as her header! It is the little things....

Sunday Walk

2011-11-06T15:33:00.000Z

We have been blessed with the most beautiful day. After dinner last night and a few glasses of red Mark & I felt the need for a head clearing walk. One of the joys of living where we do is that we have so many to choose from. We were accompanied by two out of three boys, which is pretty good these days.

The hills are glorious at the minute. This is taken from the Hereford side which is the most beautiful side. It is treachery for a Worcestershire dweller to say this. Colwall is a beautiful village a couple of miles from Malvern & this is where we started our walk. First past some disinterested sheep...

Through beautiful woodland. The way the sun shines through the golden leaves is a sight I can never tire of. Just being out in such beautiful surroundings makes my heart sing.

We also passed one of the famous Malvern lamps. CS Lewis was at school in Malvern and it is said that these lamps inspired the Narnia lamp. I think of those lovely stories every time see one. This one stood at the bottom of the drive of a rather beautiful house that I plan to live in in my next life. I will need to be substantially richer than I have managed in this one!

I loved the colours in these ferns. I love ferns - their smell is wonderful too.

Here are my lovely men folk. Fergus was snoozing at home. I think I mentioned yesterday that he has taken up the default early teen position of horizontal in a big way. However I love the fact that he also plays with Finn. I think that he is den building right now and they both often prowl the house with foam Lego swords in hand....Cute.

Myles looks like he has an angelic halo which goes to show that pictures can, in fact, lie!!!
We were discussing the fact that this must be one of the most beautiful autumns ever - rarely can I remember an autumn with so many bright sunny days, warm too. It is November and we were plenty warm enough in t-shirts and jumpers.

Hawthorn berries are my official favourite.

Then it was back home, with clear heads for a lovely cup of tea before I start cooking our Sunday roast - venison today. My leg is still slightly painful after a longish walk so I need some feet up time before I retire to the kitchen. A wonderful excuse for a little light blogging, a bit of knitting & crochet and some exciting reading. I LOVE Christmas & now Bonfire Night is over I can really start to think about the loveliness that is to come.
I also had the exciting news that I have received an award (blush, blush) - I will try to post about that in a day or so. Have a good week folks x

Crafting & Tada.

2011-11-05T17:51:00.000Z

There have been many, many times over the past few days when I have wished for a few more hours. Wouldn't it be lovely to have a secret day when you could do stuff just for you and NO ONE knew where you were? It would be like the enchanted room in Harry Potter; The Room of Requirement. I would have gone there this week for sure. This post has to be quick too - we have guests for dinner & I haven't started cooking yet!!!!

I have been dying to show you this.

Fergus' blanket is now finished and on his bed - which he says is much snugglier for it. He certainly spends quit a bit of time in it at the weekend in typical teen fashion :0)

I looked to Heather at Little Tin Bird for border inspiration & was really pleased with it. I have to say that I felt a little lost for a couple of days, not really knowing what to do next. Now I seem to be overloaded with projects. I have been messing about with granny squares with no real conviction.

As my hook collection grows I thought it was time for one of these...

I have also started to knit again after a long break. Odd to be holding two needles after so long. It feels very slow so we will have to see how I get on.

I have also started my posh yarn stash - was in Worcester last week & picked up these two beauties in the bargain bin. Not Debbie Bliss but I think I will mix & match. The photo doesn't really show what a true red it is - really rich.

Love a bargain - don't you?

November - to do.

2011-11-01T19:53:00.000Z

November - so much to do!

* Enjoy the fireworks and the party.
* A trip to London.
* Get Christmas making.
* Do some knitting again.
* Add to the posh yarn stash to start a blanket next spring.
* Make the Christmas cake & pudding.
* Get outside as often as possible - have become obsessed with vitamin D!
* Sort out a giveaway.

Other stuff will come up - it always does, but it is good to have a little focus. I can be a bit of a drifter without a list...

Halloween

2011-10-31T17:00:00.000Z

We have prepared enthusiastically for Halloween this half term.

Pumpkins were carved by Fergus & Finn...

We also hung crochet bunting in orange & black as seen here. A tissue paper row of pumpkins were also made and hung. I dusted the light and removed several cobwebs so that I could add false cobwebs and a spider. That is because I have nothing better to do! I really dislike this light fitting & am set to change it when we paint this room but is does look pretty spot on this week. Very Munsters.

The fairy lights are back in use! I love the glow they give - so calming and magical.

Well now I am beginning to feel excited by the prospect of the next couple of months and the extra twinkle of Christmas. I never mind late autumn and early winter - it is the days after Christmas that are both so short and so long...

I have realised that this is my 100th post. I can't believe that I have found that much to say. I never really contemplated followers of for people to leave such lovely kind & encouraging comments. To everyone who has commented thank you sooooo much. I love reading every single one of them and find so much inspiration from so many of you. I need to organise a little giveaway thingy - I promise one just as soon as I can get myself sorted. Meanwhile have a lovely day x

More National Trust - Brockhampton

2011-10-30T22:19:00.000Z

Finn's Tudor project has totally dominated this half term. After visiting Mosley Old Hall we thought that we would take a trip to Brockhampton. We have been here many times but always love to visit. Mark had taken Friday off and it was a beautiful day so rather than put time & effort writing up this project we proposed more research. I am so glad we did - it was a magnificent autumn day.

The gate house is so lovely reflected in the half moat. Once this house was moated on all sides but at some point in the past more than half was filled in.

Everything was so still that there were beautiful reflections in every direction.

Since my visit to Mosley I have become obsessed with this almost forgotten fruit. This tree was laden with them. I love the way they look and am curious about the taste.

The colours were so vivid on Friday - whilst Finn found out more facts I was happily snapping away at the leaves and the sky. It is days like these that help you get through the dark days a coming. I think in the last post I mentioned how I dream abput an orchard with a few pigs snuffling about. Well add a couple of sheep to that picture...

Oh here are some more leaves...

When we got home it was time to face the project - we started building a house of our own. Very Blue Peter - I channelled my best Valerie Singleton (that ages me) but we were sadly lacking in the sticky back plastic department! There were lolly sticks though and plenty of glue.

This has been a hectic half term with little computer time for me which is annoying because I have several posts going round in my head. There are a couple I must do soon - Halloween and there is a ripple tada to do. Will get that done in a couple of days I hope!

Day Out

2011-10-26T20:37:00.000+01:00

Finn and I had a lovely day out today - we went to Mosley Old Hall, a fantastic, historic house just north of Wolverhampton. It isn't that grand but it did play an important part in our history. It was there that Charles the Second hid after his defeat at the battle of Worcester. Had he been captured he would probably have been killed & history would be different. The plot line is better than a novel involving battle, narrow escapes in oak trees, disguise and priest holes. We were fascinated. Thanks to 'Horrible Histories' Finn adores history and Charles is his favourite king - because he is the 'king who brought back partying.'! He was thrilled to stand where Charles also had stood and the guide was wonderful, really making the story come alive.
Much as I enjoyed the daring dos of the past what I loved was the domestic. The house was really set up so the you could get a proper sense of early 17th century life. I mostly enjoy my time in the gardens...

These bee hives were set into nooks in the orchard wall. I couldn't hear much activity and there were more modern hives in the back of the garden so I suspect that these were just for show. Pretty though.

The pears looked very tempting - and can you see the ladybird? It just goes to show how mild it has been. More pears here on a south facing wall. My ideal house would have an orchard and a pig snuffling round the trees...

These are medlars - once a common fruit but now quite rare. I think you have to let them rot a bit before you cook them. We picked a few up so that we could try them. They are related to apples, pears & quinces so I am hoping for good things!

These grapes were lovely - the leaves glowed in the autumn sunshine. I was too nervous from stealing the five or six medlars to risk seeing whether they were sweet or not!

The knot garden looked lovely too. Not many flowers though. In the seventeenth century gardeners were really only interested in what they could eat or use as medicine. Any flowers tended to be wild. There was one notable exception - tulips - but I will go back in the spring to see those.

Finally Finn dragged me out of the garden to see inside. Loved the door - so many hands have touched this, glad (or perhaps otherwise) to be home.

What I loved was the simplicity of the house. There were very few objects in it but each one was essential and glowed. It is easy to romanticise the past - I am absolutely sure that I would barely last a week - it was so physically hard but I yearn for that simplicity and the lack of endless stuff. I am on a mission at the minute to try and lose some of our stuff (something for a future post) and this house has reaffirmed my resolve.

Two things that showed that these were not the good old days:-

Medicine - you made your own and every house would have a herb garden. This note about rosemary made me giggle; I certainly could do with something that 'comforts the braine'!

The smell - just the thought of what it must have been like makes me feel sick! Apparently pots of urine were kept to help get rid of the lice and to wash your white linen in! I imagine urine smells were the least of their worries. No one washed (bad for you) and there were no sewer pipes. I can't help but think that these bowls of pot pourri must have been pretty ineffectual!

Before we left we came across these - pumpkins and a pumpkin carving activity. Irresistible.

It was a lovely end to a super day out. I love the National Trust - our family membership is some of the best money we spend all year. We will certainly visit Mosey Old Hall again.

Half Term - First Half!

2011-10-25T16:09:00.000+01:00

Half term started with a quick trip to Oxford to check on Erin. She was really well & happy and it was so lovely to see her. We miss her sooo much and it was great to see my baby girl. There was something more grown up about her, less girl, more woman. She does not want me to keep putting 'terrible' photos of her on this blog so here is one of Finn in her mortar board. We had great fun trying it on...I managed somehow to take a photo of her room that did not show the general mess!

Since the All Black win on Sunday there has been a bit of this going on. Am not sure that what happens in his head matches what actually happens on the field. He tells me that he wont play when he is a man because it looks a bit rough and people get hurt. That's my boy!

I have been less active but very productive. I an very much hoping to be doing a tada post tomorrow or the day after. Only a couple more rows to do but I cannot decide whether to do a boarder on this one. Answers on a postcard please...(or the comments box!)

I am properly in love with this blanket now - it is going to be hard to hand it over. I will reserve the right to take it back if I don't like the way Fergus looks after it!

Have also been doing a bit of make do & mend in the mode of a 1940's housewife. I had an aran jacket that my mum made about 20 years ago. It had a hole & was a bit shapeless. Anyway I have unpicked the wool and have washed it. Now I need to wind it into balls and decide on a pattern before I knit myself something new. I think a short sleeved top to layer over a long sleeved t-shirt. It has been ages since I have done ant knitting so I am really excited about getting on with it. Will keep you posted!

It is a bit tangled up at the minute so don't hold your breaths!
Meanwhile there has been a bit of this going on...suddenly there are a few touches of black & orange about the place.

There will be more to follow.

anniversary.

2011-10-22T23:36:00.000+01:00

Twenty- three years ago it was a bright sunny day with a slight chill in the air, very much like today. On that day an impossibly young looking boy with a Rick Astley type quiff and a slightly older sophisticated (naive) young woman promised to love each other in front of all their family & friends. It was a wonderful day full of love & promise. It was1988 - Maggie Thatcher was in number 10, Whitney Houston was Top of the Pops and anyone who was anyone owned a navy blazer. Things have changed - we both have thicker waists, Top of the Pops is history along with Maggie as is Whitney's nose. My wardrobe is minus the blazer but still has leggings - yay! Mark is minus much of his hair. He blames me...
That 23 years has flown and we have managed to produce four amazing children. It has been happy, fun, at times difficult but always made solid by love. I was lucky enough to fall in love with a friend, a lover & someone who turned out to be a great father. Love you Mark, thank you so much for being my guy.x

Weekend Happenings.

2011-10-17T20:55:00.000+01:00

We have just had a lovely weekend. A very lazy one for me because I had to rest my leg as much as possible. My ripple blanket is growing fast! Other members of my family had a much busier time - this weekend we planned an early birthday surprise for Finn - a trip to Legoland! Finn adores Lego and has wanted to go here for a long time. Big brother Fergus was more than happy to take my place. I was really sad to be left behind but I handed over my camera & asked Finn to make sure that he took lots of photos to show me what he had seen. The following photos were taken by either Mark or Finn.

They had the most wonderful day and I want us to go next year so that I can join in the fun!

Whilst they were away a lovely little parcel dropped through my door - Leah's giveaway that I won a few weeks ago. How very lovely it is to receive a parcel especially from a place that I love so very much. It looked beautiful too.

Inside was a flax kete - a small woven bag made from flax. The flax plant is sacred to the Maori and any part of the plant that is not used is buried & given back to the earth. These bags come in many shapes & sizes and real skill is involved in making them. Leah had taken time & care in the way she wrapped the present - I loved the tag too - it really matched the nature of the bag. Inside was true gold though...

Whittaker's chocolate is an institution in New Zealand and with good reason - it is delicious! We watched the All Blacks game on Sunday morning and opened this by way of celebration when they won (sorry if you are reading this in Australia!). I carefully cut it up (saving the slightly bigger bit for me - well I do have a bad leg) and handed it out. Things went silent whilst the boys chewed, then Myles asked 'And why did we leave New Zealand?' THANK YOU LEAH - IT WAS DELICIOUS!

Gratuitous picture of lovely gift x

Bloggers are such lovely people. One of the joys of this year has been to make connections with people all over the world and enjoy the lives of so many. Blogging reiterates for me that we are basically all the same where ever we are. We all find joy and frustrations in our lives & families but know that family is what makes the world go round.
Finally some more flowers - roses from the garden. Steph wrote a lovely post about marking the end of the garden's flowering life and feeling grateful for it's hard work through spring, summer & early autumn. It is a lovely read. I picked these and remembered how very beautiful and fruitful my garden has been this year. In a few short months it will all begin again. Amazing isn't it?
In the meantime I have a boy's birthday to prepare for - my lovely surprise boy - 8 years old tomorrow. Wow!

There's no fool like an old fool...

2011-10-11T15:13:00.000+01:00

There are many reasons why I am an old fool but a couple will be enough for you to find out about today.

I am at home with my leg up because yesterday I jumped up & down to celebrate my class winning a competition. When I landed something in my calf ripped and I was in pain. Needless to say my lovely colleagues were ~~full of concern~~ doubled up laughing at me as I limped up the drive with Mark (called in to pick me up). After a little trip to A&E I have been told to keep my leg up for two days and do nothing but browse the internet & crochet. I may have made that last bit up. What really annoyed me was the fact that I was told that it was common in women of 'middle age'. I looked around to see if she was talking to some one else but it seems that she was talking to me!

This is my makeshift bedside table - book, magazine, paper, computer - all there.

My feet are snuggled under my current project - the lovely ripple for Fergus. I am over half way & it is such a joy to crochet. I love all those neat little rows, just scrumptious.

I am sure that some of you caught Lucy's post about her new ripple blanket. Wow it looks good. I love the way she discusses yarn and colour. She is a constant source of inspiration. She is rippling along with her friend Heather at Little Tin Bird. Now this is where the thing about me being an old fool comes in (again)...

I have always used Stylecraft yarn - it is cheap, it makes up really well and the results are always lovely. I can't really afford to spend £80 or so on a lovely blanket. However when reading Heather's post I had a revelation - I could start a stash and add to it a little at a time until I had enough! Obvious I know but I just hadn't thought of it before. As soon as I can walk I am off to 'The Knitting Parlour' here in Malvern to buy the first ball to go into my special blanket stash...Baby cashmerino here I come!

Meanwhile I will continue loving this...I love the way it ripples don't you?

Dreams

2011-10-08T11:31:00.000+01:00

I have had so many vivid dreams this week. Dreams of babies, giving birth to baby girls, losing babies, crying babies. These dreams are unsettling; making me feel like my life isn't quite straight. Letting go is so hard.

A Sunday Walk

2011-10-07T06:54:00.000+01:00

This was a pretty packed weekend and it is only now that I have got around to writing about a lovely walk Mark & I had on Sunday.
Having picked up Finn from his Hogwarts extravaganza we had to take him to a party. As a result Mark & I found ourselves walking around a part of Malvern we don't usually walk around. Honestly it isn't that big but we came across an amazing Victorian graveyard we didn't even know existed. I couldn't stop taking pictures.

There were plenty of angels watching over the dead.

I don't really go for all that Victorian sentimentality but some of these graves were really moving.

I was amazed to find the grave of Jenny Lind. She was the most famous singer of her day & Queen Victoria herself sent a wreath to her funeral. Apparently she died here.

The light was lovely on Sunday.

Some of the graves were for children & you could feel the sadness coming through the years. Things like this really connect me with those people from a bygone age. The emotions are exactly the same.

I loved this statue on top of his grave - a boy with a boat. Perhaps his mother chose this because he had liked boats. A glimpse of his personality coming through the stone.

Amazing skills could be seen. It occurred to me that perhaps back then, despite the hardship (I am not romantic about 'the good old days') many more people got to be crafty on a day to day basis as they had to make so much by hand. Think we have lost out when it comes to that aspect of our lives.

They knew how to do death those Victorians. I am very keen to go back to go back on a less sunny day and get some truly Gothic pictures.

Oxford

2011-10-04T22:09:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we took Erin to Oxford. It was a bitter sweet day. Sweet for so many reasons; Oxford looked glorious in the sun. The golden light really reflected off the Cotswold stone and the feeling of the town was one of general excitement as students new & old congregated in the quads. Sweet because my lovely girl is on the cusp of something wonderful - a new phase, one which I hope will see her bloom & grow in the most glorious way. Sweet because I felt so ridiculously proud of her and the way she has quietly worked hard and has been brave enough to go for it. And bitter because we went home and found an Erin shaped hole. Oh she will be back in about nine weeks, Oxford isn't very far away, I still have three boys at home and we are these days able to contact people all the time. However this does signify the start of leaving and the fact that our lives, both hers and ours have started to change.

Hogwarts Weekend

2011-10-02T16:13:00.000+01:00

In my last post I mentioned that something magical has been happening in Malvern. There have been tales of flying cars, witches & wizards getting on public transport, quiddich matches taking place...

Beavers groups from the local area grouped together to create a wonderful weekend 'Hogwarts' sleepover.

First you had to stop off at Gringotts Bank to collect your wizard Gold before going into Diagon Alley to buy robes, a wand and a bag of Bertie Botts sweets.

A new wizard.

I loved Ollivander's Wand shop. The leaders really got into role & Finn felt very special as he was questioned about what type of wand he should have. Each wand was in a special box and lined. Such care & attention and an amazing chance for imagination to take over the whole weekend.

Finn's wand was pretty special. I loved the old suitcase Ollivander used to keep the wands in.

Then it was on to platform 93/4 to wait for the train. There was some talk of the misuse of wands but the Hogwarts staff insist that this is not true. Students were under strict instructions not to scare the muggle population.

Professor McGonagall is our leader and a woman of fantastic imagination. Her energy and dedication made this possible and brought pure joy to a lot of little faces. She must have been hot in her amazing costume.

It was lovely to watch them get on the 'Hogwarts Express' as the local Birmingham service will be henceforth known. There were a few surprised looking muggles aboard I can tell you!

Parents went off home as the students started their term, ready to collect the next day. This was Finn's first sleepover & it was very strange not to have him in the house. Mind you we got over it & met some friends for an early drink at a local pub. Lovely.

This morning we were invited to watch the students get presented with their O.W.L.s. Here is Finn with Dumbledore. I am assured by Finn that he is now a wizard.

They also won the house cup! Hooray for a FANTASTIC weekend. We now have one tired boy - some of us are eagerly looking forward to bedtime. But first he wants to make potions. Real magic did take place in Malvern this weekend.

October - To Do

2011-10-02T10:18:00.000+01:00

Gosh October has started so well for me!
Firstly we are having such amazing weather this weekend. I had to get under the bed & get out some clothes I had packed away for the winter a couple of weeks ago.
Secondly I won a giveaway! Lovely Leah in Wellington NZ generously gave away three gifts & I was so excited to win one. As those of you who read me will have gathered we spent time in New Zealand when the older children were small ( two were born there). I loved it there & hold dual nationality so a win from that part of the world is extra special.
Thirdly - I now have 50 followers! When I started this blog I didn't believe that anyone would be interested in my life most ordinary. Thank you to all those who take the time to read & comment. Oh the thrill of a comment! We humans love the contact of others don't we?

Fourthly there have been magical happenings here in Malvern this weekend, but more of that later...here is a hint...

To Do.

* Big day tomorrow - we take Erin to university. Think my head is going to be pretty full of that this month.
* Walks through trees - I love autumnal air.
* Make sloe gin.
* There is the small matter of an 8th birthday and a birthday surprise.
* Make the house Halloween tastic.
* Do spooky baking.
* At half term make some time for Mark & I and reflect on our family.

September

2011-09-30T08:00:00.000+01:00

Was thinking about this song last night. On the last day of September let's celebrate this lovely month with a dance. Go on knock yourselves out...! Oh and PLAY IT LOUD.

Spider, spider.

2011-09-29T18:37:00.000+01:00

I know I am not the first in these parts to blog about this but aren't those spiders such clever engineers? I took hundreds of photos this morning. Don't panic - I've been strong (ish)!

This next one is not for the spider hater...

These were all just outside my back door. There are steps out the back so I get a lovely view across other gardens. It is a season of mists indeed.

And it turned into such a lovely day x

Sunflowers

2011-09-28T18:36:00.000+01:00

Because it is sunny!

At work we have gardens where some of our more challenging students spend time learning to grow things and nurture. Wonderful work goes on in those gardens & I don't just mean the growing of plants. I am one of the luckiest teachers in the school because my windows look out onto them. This morning, before many students arrived I went out to photograph these wonderful sunflowers that brighten my day. It was a sunny day in more ways than one.

This, that & Ta Da!

2011-09-22T19:07:00.000+01:00

I left work a little early today. I wanted to go to a local farm shop to buy a bag of potatoes. See how exciting my life is? Instead of getting Finn early (like a good mummy) I came home and had a sneaky cuppa in the garden. I wondered how many more times I would be able to do this before the winter really sets in. That made me potter round and inspect what is left of the flowers and vegetables. Hmm there are some jobs to do there...

Still there are flowers - lovely roses that bravely keep giving and the geraniums.

Screw up your eyes and it might still be summer - it looks kinda summery doesn't it? However I needed a bit of blanket action to keep me warm enough to enjoy the tea.

And that leads me nicely to the ta da. This blanket will not be staying on our patch - it is destined for higher things at Oxford with Erin. It has taken me FOREVER - much longer than the others but I am pleased with the end result. Erin wanted something bright mixed with navy - a colour we are both obsessed with. I am probably repeating myself here but I love the way the colours 'pop' out from the darker background colour.

It took me a while to decide on the edging but I am pleased with the end result - sort of lacy and warm looking.

I hope she enjoys using it and that it reminds her of us and home when she is away.We are going to miss her so...

Sunday, Sunday.

2011-09-18T21:13:00.000+01:00

Sunday started for me by going to bed. 2am! There was a time in my life when that statement needed no exclamation mark, it was the norm if not a little early. In those days I would have said that I was a night owl. These days it is a different story. The party was FANTASTIC! We danced the night away (go DJ Sam!).

The theme was Masks & Moustaches and everyone looked very cool - the wearing of the moustache was more popular for both sexes. My inspiration came from here. The ladies generally went for a stick-on option, the men however seem to have been putting a lot of thought into the party for a few months and were supporting jolly fine facial hair. The drains of Malvern may well be a little clogged this morning...

I needed a good walk this morning to wake up &, lets say, clear the head. Glad I did - everything looked beautiful.

I really do live in a beautiful part of the country - it is easy to forget sometimes & then it just takes your breath away. I live on a very residential street much like you find in any town but I can walk for less than five minutes & this is what I get to see.

We walked through the orchards that nestle at the bottom of North Hill.

These are cider apples - there is a lot of cider made in these parts.

I had gone in search of blackberries. I had thought that they might have gone over as we seemed to be picking them so early this year. Then I read in Steph's blog that she was out blackberrying & I got inspired to do the same. Thank - you Steph there were some beauties to be found...

It is not the first time that I have remarked on the fruitfulness of the hedgerows this year - but I am stunned by the sheer number of berries around.

Don't you love the colour of rosehips? Such an amazing red. The hawthorns are lovely too.

Then I found these. We picked a fair few sloes. I will be making sloe gin just as soon as I buy the main ingredient......The bushes were laden so I may go back for a few more.

So many of us are writing about the beauty of the season at the minute but I really love these posts. There is some thing comforting about how the year moves on. I am really delighted by the blogs that remind me of the seasons and the way each one holds something to be thankful for. I read blogs for a good year before I managed to pluck up the courage to start one & one of the things I took to immediately was how they made me think of what was happening now rather than thinking about what was still round the corner. I am certainly enjoying this 'season of mists & mellow fruitfulness'.

Bedding Down

2011-09-17T20:18:00.000+01:00

This has been a week where we tried to get back into a routine of work, school & home. Trying to find balance, to spread myself equally. Good things have happened - Beavers tried & liked, piano lessons booked, new teacher approved of and so there have been plenty of smiles. I have loved being back in the classroom & finding that I have lovely classes. However I have been tired. My stamina has been reduced over the lazy days of summer. After the chores all I have wanted to do is sit quietly with a book or with my crochet. So no blogging, not much to say. It is often like this in September - I just forget to expect it.

Tonight we have a party (!) Maybe there will be something to report tomorrow.

Weekend Bits

2011-09-11T17:38:00.000+01:00

What a busy weekend - the weather was a bit odd wasn't it? Cloud, sun & some rain but not as much as the skies seemed to be constantly threatening. I did some thing I have been meaning to do all summer - tidy the toys in Finn & Fergus' room. Being the youngest of four Finn had inherited A LOT of toys and had been bought plenty too. This is in a family that has strong feelings about toys & not having too many. I am practically allergic to toys that make a lot of noise or need batteries! At the minute we are trying to de-clutter before we move things around. Fergus is desperate for his own space, Erin will be away for most of the year and we are in the process of trying to make some creative decisions about where everyone should lay their heads and be happy. I thought I had a fantastic idea but that has been vetoed by some. Hmm back to the drawing board...

As you can see from the walls this bedroom also needs decorating. I have been giving that some thought. Part of me would like this bedroom to become ours, it seems a bit mad that we have by far the largest room and yet spend little time in it. Going through some old magazines this bedroom caught my eye - it is from an old 'Country Homes & Interiors' - published about this time last year I think. Doesn't that look cosy - I want cosy at the minute. It is granny chic gone mad.

Part of the de-cluttering meant that we moved a chair from Finn's room downstairs. Not really the right colour But nothing a casually scattered bit of crochet couldn't cure. In the last 24 hours this has become my favourite chair in the house.

Some one else likes it too...

I have spent a lovely couple of hours this afternoon with the cat on my lap - we had a chat & compromised - whilst I browsed these on one side of me;

and worked some more on this on the other.

Oh and a bit of this too.

Now, after a blogtown visit I need to get on - I can hear the teenagers getting restless, it must be feeding time at the zoo again. Have a super start to the week x

Totally forgot - the highlight of my weekend? 'Strictly' started - oh the sequins, the body tan, the big hair I have missed you so!

Snatches.

2011-09-08T21:22:00.000+01:00

This has been a week of snatched moments. It always feels like this at the start of the new term as we settle back into the old routine. The summer suddenly seems far away as we tuck into autumn crumbles. Having foraged for a few blackberries & apples off the tree this crumble cost next to nothing and was lovely to come home to on the first day back at work.

After two days of being looked after by big sis (a benefit of a late baby is that you have built in sitters which is very nice thank you) Finn was ready to go back to school. He was in lively mood in the Wednesday...

But eventually stood happy to pose in his new clothes. He is going into KS2 and very pleased with some of the responsibility that brings. The chaos you can see going on behind him is the clutter that usually happens in my house when I'm at work...

I have had huge decisions this week - what to wear! Ithas been layers for me as a miserable morning can turn into a lovely evening. A girl can't keep up. My shoes in my bedroom seemed to sum it all up...

Finally I have been rippling as often as I could - I really am enjoying this one. Should do able to Ta Da by the end of this weekend - fingers crossed.

Sorry I'm not here so much at the moment. Will get on a more even keel soon. Love to you all and thank you so much for taking the time to read & comment on my blog - my heart gives a lift every time I get a new comment or friend xxx

Back to Work

2011-09-04T21:43:00.000+01:00

found on google images.

This is the last day of my summer holidays. One of the many joys about being a teacher is that we have long holidays. At the start of each holiday I am on my knees with exhaustion but really appreciate the fact that I get time to recharge my batteries etc. I also love the fact that I get time to spend time with my family - to relax with them. However by the end of summer I am ready to go back. I miss it pure & simple. Unfashionably, I love my job.
So my bags are packed, and bright and early I'll be in to listen to results analysis, the latest health & safety ~~crap~~ information, this years targets and lots more information. teaching kicks in on Wednesday. Then I get to the good part - being in the classroom with some great young adults. Then it becomes the best job in the world.

By the end of term I will be longing for the holiday again. But that's life isn't it?

Finally there was an article in the Saturday Guardian that may be of interest on how to make money from blogging.

September - to do

2011-09-01T18:39:00.000+01:00

To Do

* Make the most of Erin before she disappears for a couple of months.

* Finish her blanket before she heads off!

* Enjoy the outside & (fingers crossed) Autumn sunshine.

* Keep a healthy work life balance.

* Change around the bedrooms to make them work better.

* Once they fall, kick through some leaves.

Today we went blackberry picking to make a crumble tonight. There were undeniable signs of autumn, and everything looked so beautiful in the sunshine. I totally love this time of year - this is my favourite season in so many levels. I love the smell of it and the feeling of needing to snug into the house. I love autumn walks that leave cheeks rosy and chilled. I love getting in & lighting a fire, feeling the chill leave my bones. I love blankets and steaming cups of tea and cake by the fire.

Autumn is also glorious on the eye - all the red & gold. There is a saying that suggests that heavy crops of berries foretell a cold winter. Looks like is might be another cold one then - the trees are laden.

Lovely rosehips.

Little acorns. Did you ever make pixie hats from the cups?

Hawthorne berries. When I was little I used to pick these & pretend they were apples for Sindy. I wasn't allowed the glamorous Barbie - she was deemed too American. Sindy was much more sensible.

This hawthorn tree is heavy with berries.

Wishing you all a lovely September whether you are welcoming the spring down under as I read here & here or like me embracing the autumn.

Weekend Doings

2011-08-29T20:44:00.000+01:00

A weekend of this and that.
A visit to lovely friends where we sat in their garden until the last rays of sun sank below the skyline. We discussed much and you will be pleased to know that the world has been sorted out.

I spent as much time as possible with my trusty hook.

These are the last circles for my hexi blanket. However I am waiting for some more navy to finish linking them all together and finding myself at a loose end so to speak I have made a start on Fergus' blanket. After much looking at different ideas he went for a ripple pattern.

I have to say that I am loving it - you can really get into a rhythm and I have already completed 12 rows. I am needing quick results after the long haul of Erin's blanket.

I love the neat little rows - I have a feeling that I am going to love this blanket.

We have also been indulging in a little world domination...

We have been playing a mammoth game of Risk this weekend. Finn & Fergus have formed an unholy alliance and are currently beating the rest of us off the board. The world needs to be very afraid...

More to Celebrate.

2011-08-25T14:37:00.000+01:00

How can two children brought up in the same family, made by the same parents turn out so differently? Last week our house was PACKED with tension whilst we awaited the A level results. My beautiful, talented, intelligent girl is frankly impossible to live with around results time. Myles however is a totally different story. We had a conversation that went a bit like this:
Me: School opens at 9 tomorrow for results.
Myles: Oh right. What time does it close - I kinda wanted a lie in.
Me: No you don't we'll be going at 9. Aren't you nervous even a little bit?
Myles: Not much point really. Whats done is done, getting there early won't change the results. Its not like they will take a grade away cos I didn't get there early is it?

Honestly I was more nervous than he was. All good though - Myles did himself proud & now armed with a fist full of A*s & A's he will begin 6th Form - Maths, Further Maths (don't ask, I have no idea), French, History & Philosophy. Sounds fun. It goes without saying that we are enormously proud of our clever offspring. Goodness knows where they get it from...

There's something in the woodshed.

2011-08-24T21:29:00.000+01:00

Back home we are thinking about the end of summer. There is lots to do in the next two weeks - school uniform & school shoes. None for Myles this year - 6th form! Erin has to be packed up (& if I'm honest organised). There is also some preserving to be done, apples to pick & freeze, beans to blanche & freeze, blackberries to pick & deal with etc etc. But the gathering in, ready for winter has begun with the woodshed...

More smudgy pictures...

2011-08-24T09:24:00.000+01:00

On Monday we went to Blakeney, which was a real memory trip for me as I went to primary school there and I loved Blakeney with all my heart. For those of you who have bravely trawled this blog you might start to realise that I have lived in a lot of places in my life. My family have traveler in their soul if not there ancestry. I have now lived in Malvern for 11 years which is twice as long as anywhere else I have lived. I think I have settled now!

Anyway back to Blakeney. Here are some more smudgy pictures - they get less smudgy; must have accidentally cleaned the lens!

I love the flint built houses you get in Norfolk. I was very taken with this window - I think you could think very poetic thoughts sitting here looking over the salt marshes.

I am really looking forward to our next visit. We only had an hour here before the long drive home. Next time we will be here longer. The boys are determined to while away a couple of hours crabbing (gillying in local parlance) and I know I could spend a lot of time pottering in galleries, through the lovely lanes imagining owning a yacht of one of those fisherman cottages. If the boys are lucky I might take them up to my primary school and ~~bore~~ entertain them with stories of my childhood.

Big Blue Skies

2011-08-23T16:48:00.000+01:00

Well here we are back from another long weekend. Perhaps our last one although I would love to squeeze a final camping trip in before the weather turns. I have loved camping this year - mainly, I think because we have been sooo lucky with the weather. This weekend we have been visiting my parents who live on the North Norfolk coast. I love Norfolk & really enjoy going back for a visit. We camped here - another site recommended by those lovely 'Cool Camping' people. I love using their sites - they always hit the spot. We camped in the Muntjac Field where a campfire was lit every night - campers could gather & toast the required number of marshmallows. It was lovely.
Saturday we went to Blickling Hall a lovely National Trust property. Its claim to fame is that Anne Boleyn was born there & her ghost is said to haunt the place. We looked hard but saw nothing...

The house was fantastic but the grounds were stunning. You really could spend the whole day wandering the gardens and enjoying the many different vistas. I know that I have gone on about it before but I just love National Trust houses, pottering around and looking at the way people lived. Fergus enjoyed dressing as a butler. - I have suggested he developed his skills at home but he didn't seem that keen once he read the job description...

Finn loved this book in the wonderful library - it was full of monsters as imagined by those Tudors. Am pretty pleased these monsters don't really exist - they look pretty fearsome. The photo is by him too.

My two monsters really enjoyed themselves...They both love history. Finn adores the children's programme 'Horrible History' and is forever quoting me interesting facts.

Sunday found us pottering around the lovely Sheringham. It had been cloudy in the morning and we had a couple of showers. However by the afternoon there were endless blue skies and the beach called.

I love Sheringham - it is a pretty town and has many interesting little shops & corners to explore.

It had the flags out for our arrival. There are folks who say that bunting is getting old hat now but I love the jaunty air it gives to anywhere it flies. It celebrates life.

Down this lovely road was a vintage & handmade fair. I had a slightly frustrating 5 minute space to go in minus children but with parents. They did a lot of 'Ooh I remember that...' which I found quite off putting and I ended up not really taking anything in. I still have the feeling that I missed out on treasure.

I cannot tell you how much I love a beach hut. Apparently you can rent some of these by the week. Next time I might just do that & fulfill a bit of a dream. I longed to photograph some of the insides but felt a bit shy.

There is something about children on beaches - they entertain themselves for ages without any bother. If they had been at home I am sure that I would have heard 'I'm bored' more than once in the same time. Finn as you can see managed to get himself good & wet before he changed into his trunks so that he could get wet all over again.

I never want days like that to end - it really was a day where all the problems of life melted away & we all felt well & truly chilled. One of my favourite things of all is to come off the beach at the end of the day. You often need to slip on a jumper to feel really cosy and your face feels slightly tight and blessed by the sun. It makes me smile just to think about it. And what do you eat after a day on the beach? Fish & chips of course!

Look at the concentration on those faces. Wow this feels like a long post. I still have Monday & my memory road trip to Blakeney. Think that will have to happen tomorrow if you can put up with any more. By the way sorry about the slight smudgy quality on some of the photos - not sure why but I am inclined to blame the smudgy fingers of my youngest child....

Celebration

2011-08-18T15:48:00.000+01:00

A level day - I am exhausted by the sheer nervous tension that there has been around here. I had at best a restless night and was wide awake by 5am. Anyone would think that these were my A levels. Erin was up & about by 5.45 and so we were all up drinking tea and trying to keep it together before we could head off to the school for 8am. There was more waiting there but finally, shaking and pale she could get her hands on that envelope. 3 A* and 2 A grades!!!! Better than we had dared to hope. The grades are a total testament to her hard, hard work over the whole two years and to her wonderful teachers who have inspired her, encouraged her, nurtured her and cheered her on. As a result she has fulfilled a long held dream and in October she will be heading here - Balliol College Oxford - to study her passion; English Literature.

From Balliol Website.

In a city of dreaming spires I hope all her dreams come true.

Under Pressure

2011-08-17T17:52:00.000+01:00

This song was on the jukebox at my uni bar. We played it a lot during exam times, singing wildly. Today there has been an odd atmosphere in the house - we are all waiting for tomorrow, for tomorrow brings the A level results. Poor Erin is indeed under pressure. Love her.

All Sorts

2011-08-16T16:22:00.000+01:00

This might be a slightly odd post. Several different things to tell about today and none of them really connected.

The most important thing is that today is Fergus' 14th birthday.

He is such a lovely boy my Fergus - a gentle soul who is universally loved by everyone who meets him. It is a joy to watch him start the journey from boy to man, he is doing it (so far) with such grace and good humour. We have had presents, blueberry pancakes for breakfast and sausage & apple pie for lunch. Tonight it will be birthday cake time and dinner out at ASK. Fergus loves his food & eats all day. He is annoyingly skinny.

Other things have been going on here over the past few days - mainly pottering, clearing out, crafty things and a bit of painting. Myles appeared with this old chest from his room. He no longer needed a set of drawers to keep boy treasures in - you know stones, string & such the like.

A bit dated, unloved & frankly ugly I decided that it needed a bit of love and care. First out came the beloved white paint. it took a few coats but it started to look fresher. Then I wanted it to look a touch prettier. When I saw some lovely wrapping paper I knew what to do - papering skills were needed. I am so happy with the end result:-

It is sitting on the shoe box in our hall. We will store our gloves & scarves there, never to be lost again haha.

What do you think?

Finally I have interrupted the blanket's progress to make a little coat for the cafetiere - well there has been a slight chill in the air...

OK - I need to get going on that chocolate & raspberry cake that Fergus has on order & then pizza frenzy. Oh I love birthdays!

On Friendship.

2011-08-12T09:46:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I met up with my dearest, oldest friend. We met on the very first day of university 31 years ago. When we met I was the same age as my daughter is now, I am (much) older than my mother was at the time. None of these statements add up in my head because when I am with her I honestly don't feel much older than I did then. Oh the conversation has changed, less booze, boys & fashion more our boys(&girls), schools & menopause but the same light feel is there. There is nothing like an old friend who has seen you at your best and worst, who knows all your faults and still loves you. Today I celebrate friendship.
We of course spent time taking photos of the children & didn't get one of us...

Pretty

2011-08-10T11:40:00.000+01:00

On a bad news day something to remind us that there is much beauty in life. Enjoy.

Another Lovely Weekend.

2011-08-09T10:13:00.000+01:00

For several reasons we are unable to have a long summer holiday this year but I have to say that I am loving our 'staycation' as we are getting to see lots of lovely friends all around the country. This week we were in the beautiful South Downs.

We were treated royally - we ate & drank (too much) and had the most wonderful time. Sunday was Mark's birthday and we went for a lovely walk through golden corn fields. Myles wasn't with us this weekend - preferring The Big Chill festival - and I really missed him. Increasingly we are missing one teen or another, a taste of things to come.

Finn was fascinated by the flint that lies around these parts and was delighted when we found one that had a sharp 'blade'. He then went all caveman & tried to cut everything he could with his stoneage knife.

Photo evidence was taken to show his friends. We brought another bit home to make an arrow with...

We also sorted the wheat from the chaff and all had a taste of wheat straight from the ear. I grew up on a farm and so take this knowledge for granted. It was lovely that all the children (& adults) were keen to know more about the crops that were growing. I can't resist the role of teacher wherever I am. Hmmm not sure what that says about me.

Then joy of joys blackberries. The is something about picking blackberries that we all love. Oh the lust for the biggest, juiciest berry knows no bounds. When you find that perfect berry (always in a difficult to reach place, always worth the inevitable scratch or sting) there is no taste like it... Family picks are being planned.

Then it was time to head home. Erin & I have observed something about men & boys. Where ever we are, whatever we are doing boys always end up playing. Their game?

Gather up as much straw as possible and throw it over the nearest person...

With straw in their hair the men then suggested that we headed to the nearest pub. Who says they don't get the occasional great idea? As Mark pointed out - it was his birthday....

Crafty Pottering

2011-08-05T23:57:00.000+01:00

Today has been a pottering kind of a day. You know the kind of day where you don't feel like you are getting much done & then when you look back you're quite pleasantly surprised.

First there was coffee to be drunk with my lovely friend. We used to see each other most weeks when our children were younger; now it is once in a blue moon. It was lovely to catch up and treat of treats because itis the holiday we will see each other next week too! Yay!
Then I settled down to a bit of this...

I bought it yesterday but have not been able to study it in depth...

Then I thought I had better do some crochet instead of just reading about it. I started this garland when we were camping last weekend but it needed its ends sorting out - a slightly dull job but vital. This is a bit of a poor picture but the light wasn't any good. I also added a bit to this...

After that I needed to make something to take down to some friends we are staying with in Sussex this weekend. I had plenty of lemons so...

On a sunshine day I made sunshine in a jar - lemon curd. This one was from Nigel Slater.

I pottered some more & then put to good use of these two picture frames I had picked up in Worcester. I had had these cards propped up for a while so was pleased to get them ready to hang on a wall. I am really pleased with how they turned out.

Tonight I was ready for a sit down but at the last minute Mark & I went to see if we could get tickets for 'The Pitmen Painters' by Lee Hall. It was a fantastic play - due in London this October I think. We are so lucky to have such a good theatre in our town and we get a lot of pre-London plays. Anyway I would thoroughly recommend this one, funny, political & poignant in turns.

Must go to bed now - up early to set off for our weekend adventure in Sussex. Hope your weekends are lovely x

Birthday Girl

2011-08-04T17:33:00.000+01:00

Two years ago I had a new baby - the best behaved cutest baby in the world. She is small, red and costs me very little. She is always there when I need her and is always perky and puts me into a good mood. The children think I love her more than I do them. She does cause me less trouble. I am not a petrol head by any stretch of the imagination but I love this cool little car. Doesn't make me wash her though - she is even dirtier than my house & that is saying something...Happy birthday baby.

An Apple A Day...

2011-08-04T10:35:00.000+01:00

It is no secret that everything is early this year. Including our apples. The tree was here when we moved in so I have no idea how what apples they are, they are early apples though - normally ripe at the end of august but there are some ready now. The tree is laden with fruit which means that we have lots to give away & that I will be cooking & freezing apples over the rest of the month as they don't keep well.

I don't think it has ever had so many apples & the branches are so laden that they are touching the ground! I love being able to go out and pick an apple to eat. We had friends round for dinner so it was time to pick a few and make a cake.

My first pick. Of course the best looking ones are at the top - a job for Mark. Sometimes his 6foot 3ness comes in handy...
For the cake I turned to Hugh a favourite of mine. This recipe is from his 'Everyday' book.

I stupidly forgot to take a photo of the cake but it must have been ok because they scoffed the lot!

August - To Do

2011-08-02T09:50:00.000+01:00

Couldn't resist another pig picture...

Things to do this month:-

* Birthday celebrations for two members of the family.

* Visit Norfolk.

* Do some sewing.

* Visit Tanglewood.

* Paint Finn & Fergus' room.

* Pick blackberries.

* Remember to have fun instead of trying to run round doing chores all the time.

Thistledown.

2011-08-01T20:09:00.000+01:00

We have had the most beautiful weekend camping here. Mark has been before and was really looking forward to taking me there. It really is the most special place and deserves its new no1 spot in 'Cool Camping England'. It has a strong ecological ethos which makes the site extra beautiful. There are many wildflowers to spot.

In the woodlands there were trees to climb...

We all admired the wash basins (& the sweet smelling (!) composting toilets).

We ate anything that could go on our little bucket barbie...

Including pudding.

Went to visit mummy pig and her new brood.

You could get in the field with them and young and old were totally enchanted. I had many requests to take one home. I had to disappoint.

More wood walks - a beautiful mixed woodland full of beech, ash, pine, oak & elm. We failed to find the badger sets but next time...

I love forest of any type don't you? Best of all though at the end of the day we had a camp fire for the toasting of marshmallows and general singing/chatting activity.

We really didn't want to leave but work calls (for Mark) and we really needed a good scrub. I would recommend this campsite without reservation. We had a really magical weekend.

Crochet

2011-07-29T11:27:00.000+01:00

This will be of no surprise to some of you but crochet is totally addictive! I am however feeling a bit frustrated by my latest project - Erin's blanket. It isn't that I don't like it - I do, I do, but it is taking so long.

The colours are lovely and I love the way the brights 'pop' out from the navy background. The colours aren't great today - it is so dark here in Malvern.

I am about 60% there - perhaps more but it is testing my patience... The problem is that I keep seeing so many inspirational projects and wish that I could be doing other things... Being a bear of little brain I find it hard to have more than one project on the go at once but I might need a break. As long as I finish before she goes off to uni I should be ok. Which project shall I choose?

We are off camping this weekend (Oh please let the weather improve) so maybe a bit of bunting is in order - I could take just a few colours and it should be nice & quick!

Last of London.

2011-07-27T11:04:00.000+01:00

Sorry about so many London posts - I took so many photos & we and such a good time. Sunday lunchtime saw us getting on a river boat for a lovely jaunt down the river. London from the river seems so right - its history is visible from there and there is so much to see both old and new.

We ended with dim sum - yum yum!

Imperial War Museum

2011-07-26T09:55:00.000+01:00

One of the other places we visited at the weekend was The Imperial War Museum. Have you been? What a fantastic museum - something for everyone at every age. When you enter the first thing you see are planes suspended from the ceiling. Finn gasped in a very pleasing way...I love it when he so obviously embraces a new experience - it is that old thing about seeing the world through a child's eyes and so opening your own.

What really strikes you is how small these planes are and how many men died in such brave circumstances. Although I despise the idea of war I am always moved by the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary times.

The boys mainly ran around shouting things like 'Cor, look at this tank...'

We also went into the trench experience. An experience that should not be missed. A trench has been reconstructed and you can walk through and listen to the voices of the soldiers fighting at the time. The smell is terrible! It would have been worse though because I don't think they added 'rotting corpse' to the mix. When we came out Finn said 'War isn't very nice is it mummy?'. Job done I thought. Until I saw this - this is Finn's chosen bath time game - war. Boys, what is it?

Lovely London

2011-07-25T12:16:00.000+01:00

In my heart I am a London Girl. I wasn't born there, I haven't lived there for over 20 years but when I am there I love her sooo much and I am unsettled for the next few days. I know that I am bringing my children up in a wonderful place and I wouldn't have it any other way that they can be relatively safe and free to roam but I harbour a great longing to one day live in London again. I have no idea how we could afford that though as our friends have a two bedroom flat on the market for way more than our four bed house here in Malvern.
I digress. This weekend we spent most of it messing about on the river, which I am delighted about as I had this on my to do list for July although I have to confess I didn't mean the Thames at the time. The southbank is one of my favourite places to spend time and it came up trumps this weekend with food festivals as well as the ongoing Festival of Britain celebrations. Fantastic.

Festival Hall in party mode.

This has to be one of my favourite buildings in London. Inside it is just fantastic. Love the beach huts along the river...

This one attracted our eye - were were going to the Imperial War Museum.

What attractive children I have...

Food Glorious Food.

Finn on one of the big green chairs outside the National. He loved these & really enjoyed the buskers performing - especially some fantastic acrobats. No photos - the crowd kept getting in my way. How dare they. We were sitting around here when a friend texted about Amy Winehouse. What a great loss - I loved her music but sadly she never looked like she was going to make old bones. I hate what drugs can do and the people who blithely profit from the misery of so many. More of London tomorrow but I think I will stop with Amy and one of my favourite, now poignant songs...

School is Out

2011-07-22T21:24:00.000+01:00

I can not tell you how exhausted I feel at the end of term. I LOVE my job but I really do need this holiday. Tonight a glass of wine (or two) will be had and the relaxing will begin. Tomorrow we are off to visit friends in London so I will take the trusty camera & report back on Monday. I love my trips to the city and hope I have lots to tell. Have a good weekend x.

The Hour

2011-07-20T14:27:00.000+01:00

Did you watch 'The Hour' last night? I don't watch that much TV but I do love a good BBC drama. Add in a bit of costume & mid century furnishing and I am in heaven. I was worried it was going to be a poor copy of 'Mad Men' (I am a HUGE fan) but it isn't. Part work drama (new news programme, powerplay, girl getting a decent job - cue snide comments about women) and part murder mystery it looks like my Tuesday nights are sorted for the next few weeks.

Oh and it has Dominic West in it. Enough said.

Reading

2011-07-19T18:28:00.000+01:00

I have recently realised that I have not really blogged about books. Reading and books are a huge part of my life. This is my current bedside pile. They all came together from Mr Amazon this week and I am really enjoying my selections.

Cool Camping is not new to us but I didn't have the England book. Obviously needed to sort that out. I can spend quite a bit of time checking out virtual holidays.

Have dipped in and out of the India Knight book feeling in turns virtuous ('Ooh I already do that') or inspired. It is tragic that I have mainly concentrated on the chapters that involve food, crafts and clothes. Other domestic stuff can seem very dull.

Caitlin Moran and the Alan Hollinghurst are my summer reading. Caitlin Moran makes me laugh & I am sure also thoughtful; I am not sure how any woman can not be a feminist. I also love the work of Alan Hollinghurst. His 'In the line of Beauty' is one of my favourite novels of the past 10 years and this new one has had good reviews and will be, I'm sure a real treat. If I remember I will offer my thoughts when I have read them. Let me know what you think if you are ahead of me!

Saturday Out and About.

2011-07-16T20:46:00.000+01:00

Saturday morning has a routine - breakfast, coffee and 'The Guardian' followed by swimming lessons for Finn and the weekly shop. We then have lunch and the afternoon is our oyster.

Today we collected a friend of Finn's and headed for Croome Park. It is a favourite destination of ours because it is such a beautiful house and the grounds allow the boys to RUN. It also has great views of my beautiful Malvern Hills.

I loved the sky today - really quite dramatic.

The National trust has only recently acquired the house which is quite empty. I love that - you really get a sense of the scale of the rooms. Georgian houses have such wonderful scale and are so elegant. As far as the boys are concerned though the real joy of Croome is the play park... It has a world War Two theme as an airfield was based at Croome in the war. There was a lot of shooting going on in the park. I could write a whole post about boys & gun play.

The bunker...

Climbing to the watch tower...

Finn & his friend showing off matching Converse in the 'parachute' Swing.

Back at the shop my eyes were taken by the plant stall. I was good & walked away but couldn't resist a photo of the bee working hard.

We then headed off to 'Clives Fruit Farm' for a bit of fruit picking, pig feeding and ice-cream buying. This is one of our favourite destinations - there is a great farm shop as well the many fields of strawberries, plums, cherries, raspberries, pears and several types of apple. There is so much to do & look at that is easy to spend a whole afternoon there.

There are lots of Tamworth pigs that they raise for their shop. In the autumn they are fed the fallen apples and they are sold as pork 'ready sauced'! Delicious.

All in all it was a lovely day. Tonight we enjoyed steak from the farm shop and I am going to slurp a couple of glasses of wine before heading to my bed. Have a lovely weekend x

Potted Cat.

2011-07-12T10:25:00.000+01:00

I had a pot in the garden that needed potting up. However our old cat - Tabby (don't ask, she was inherited from a very old lady who apparently had no imagination) has taken to sitting in it most of the day. Being no Southern Cross I don't want to evict her at her great age so the only thing potted here this year is cat. She does look cute though.