Filling the Space

" dont ask if you dont want the truth...."

2012-01-22T15:57:00.001Z

A lovely walk this morning here in the small town, brilliant sunshine with a mild breeze, is this really January?.....everything's coming into bud, crocus coming to attention......I think jack frost or worse, snow will come eventually and kill them all.....what a pity!

Last night we had friends over and Herb chose this recipe from the latest Waitrose magazine...pot roast leg of lamb with haricot beans and lardons...it was really delicious and a big hit. However if you were to try it I thought it needed more liquid than the recipe, so I used about half a bottle of white wine in the end rather than the 150 ml and cooked it a little longer than they said. Really good!

On the crafty front I have been accumulating and saving blue fabric for a quilt from the Jane Brocket quilting book ( by my bed and well thumbed). Finally decided, yesterday as the diamonds weren’t going to well (or rather I was finding it tricky-if in doubt give up) to start cutting out the squares for the ‘Lisbon tiles’ quilt. Laid out and of course an opinion was asked for......but not really wanted........he doesn’t like it .....” too busy” “too blue”.......my face must have said volumes as some nifty back tracking was done.....but it was too late I slumped and whined.

Today I will crack on .....I like it, I’m making it....lesson learnt, don’t ask if you don’t want the truth....direct quote.

happy new year!

2012-01-15T15:04:00.000Z

I have neglected my blog for a few months.....a mixture of apathy and self pity I think, but have decided to come back (thanks to a nudge from a wonderful cyber pal Diane) and just post whatever comes to mind, either creative stuff or about our lives as empty nesters here in the small town.

Don't get me wrong, its not half as bad as anticipated living in a child free house, Herb and I get on just fine, better than that in fact. We enjoy each others company and yet we give each other space and please ourselves , me with my sewing and stuff......him with running golf etc etc. The house is cleaner, tidier, cheaper to run but we do miss them!! Anyhow to the end of all that negativity and onward.

Christmas was fab! the girls were home and we enjoyed our usual indulgent day; bucks fizz with breakfast, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels for 2 and bacon sandwiches for 2.......roast beef et al......a family movie, girls kept there onesies on(those all in one things from a certain cheap shop here in the UK)....purrrfect.... next 2 days reserved for family stuff, all good this year.

I made quilts for pressies.......4 in all,and a couple of cushions so I guess that kept me busy in the latter part of the year. All well received especially the Grinch quilt by youngest.

this for eldest

this for friends(well a version of as I forgot to take snap!)

this for youngest

cushions for friends

this for niece

loved it ...so much more pleasurable than shopping!

also i have a new toy......

the old phone died on me annoyingly a couple of days before Christmas so egged on by youngest I got one of these......welcome to the 21st century said my pals......wasn't sure at first, but am hooked. Got flickr, blogger and pinterest apps. let me know of any other really useful ones.....

be back very soon x

21 today......

2011-10-26T13:57:00.001+01:00

I cannot believe my baby girl is 21 today. where on earth have those years gone!

She is in York and we are down south and it does feel really odd not to be with her but we have spoken and her house mates prepared her breakfast, I ordered a cupcake cake from here which she says is gorgeous -all pink and glittery and she is very very happy. What more could we want.

We are all meeting up in Sheffield on Friday (our new favourite place) to continue the celebrations.

Back in time a bit....Turkey! what can I say. I had no expectation, no strike that I half expected not to like it. I don't like overly touristy places, little Britain's......egg and chips and Irish pubs with sun.

But it exceeded all expectation.......the perfect band aid for the year we have had.....and I have discovered that I really like lazy holidays.
The biggest decision of the day was where to have supper.......some days we got on the wonderful dolmus -taxis that will stop anywhere....we explored a little....but mainly swam in the sea, read, walked (sewed - me only) and ate!
The girls are a little miffed that we have somehow managed to have their perfect holiday without them after subjecting them (their words) to years of traipsing round french churches villages etc etc.

What can I say.....this is the life of us empty nesters! It was a lovely place, obviously not very busy because of the time we went, in the 30s every day, low humidity, beautiful views and the most hospitable people (which after France was a revelation)....and not forgetting being outside the euro zone, incredibly affordable....long may it continue, will return in 2012 I hope.

Lastly I believe I am probably officially addicted to buying fabric on line......well anywhere really but without close proximity to any fabric shops on line is easy...well too easy(especially after a glass of wine or two).

Some of my latest acquisitions with a shed load more on the way from the states.......just a mention though for this site M is for make......ordered one day, arrived next morning......brilliant.

great to catch up with everyone.....after the holiday, life looks good again.

....and off to Turkey we go

2011-09-23T20:00:00.002+01:00

A really strange time here in the small town........both girls have gone to uni, one for her 3rd year the younger for her 1st. Both to brilliant places in the north leaving us, in a very quiet house in the south (albeit cleaner).

As if that wasn't stressful enough, we rushed to get finished sorting my mums place as its being rented out. Herb did most of the hard work painting and cleaning , I did the sorting which was harder than I thought. but its done now(well I'm say done, most of it has been just stowed in my spare room for another day!)

the university quilt was finished. Rubbish snaps I know, as it was 11 pm as we were leaving 7 am the next morning. but I think she really likes it, a little piece of home . lets hope it fares a bit better than this...

.which limped home after eldest treated it with the same respect as everything else in her room....love her!

and so we are treating ourselves to a much needed and deserved holiday......Turkey.....never been but its been highly recommended. Herb wanted to swim.... that's his criteria......mine was too relax....so I have books , iPod with more audible books(Wolf Hall-the easy way) and of course a wee bit of sewing.
First 2 week holiday alone in 24 years....yikes

jewels from turkey........

2011-08-14T10:20:00.001+01:00

Well not quite, but my super dooper brother in law was thoughtful enough to buy these gorgeous jewel coloured threads from the market in Turkey.The colours are beautiful and I will try and maybe do some embroidery on linen to show them off.
Meanwhile I have started another quilt.....university quilt mark 2.

You may remember that eldest got this crochet blanket to take to uni a couple of years ago....you may also remember that it was rescued some months later from the back of the wardrobe.....I shall save it for her.

I have higher hoped for mark 2. I'm a bit disappointed with my sewing.......not all the points go in the right place, so I'll have to work on that.

I have had two weeks holiday at home. My employers last year decided a 2 week shut down in august was the best for the business.... just when I didn't need annual leave in school holidays any more!
But I'm never one to make a fuss about time off and fortunately having been there forever I have quite a lot of holiday so it doesn't bite too much into my leave.
So we have just stayed here and pottered and I have loved every minute.......some days out, sewing, caught up with friends, Ikea trip for girl about to go to uni, visited a national thrust or two and just enjoyed being at home (oh and some nice food and wine).
I'm sure when I get back to work tomorrow people will not believe that I've had an enjoyable fortnight without leaving these shores...... but I have .

Mollie Makes and Jane Brocket

2011-08-07T11:42:00.000+01:00

I try very hard not to succumb to the temptation of magazines. They are expensive and generally nowadays I see them as a treat, a kind of reward, if life is good or sometimes not so good.(much like food actually but that's a whole different blog.).
I have always loved to drool over other peoples homes, get inspiration from the stylists and have probably hundreds of living etc, Elle decoration and Homes and Gardens from way back that I can still pull out, so really I shouldn't buy more.

However when I read all the blurb about this new craft mag I had to buy it.......missed the first copy as couldn't get it locally so subscribed for the agreeable £5 for 3 issues offer. which has duly arrived as promised.

Am on issue 4 now but do you know what, I'm slightly disappointed. I settle down with the mag and good coffee and its over too quickly.....dare I say not enough substance to warrant the list price of £4.99. so I think I will probably cancel. What do other people think?

I've saved the little freebies that come with the mag for a felt ring and felt necklace......if anyone would use them please let me know and I'll pop them in the post.

This on the other hand did not disappoint in the slightest...... Jane Brocket's book of quilting.....its beautifully presented and written. The quilts are fabulous and I love her writing. She really makes you believe it to be simple and achievable to make something so beautiful.....she also has a great blog.
If you like to quilt or look at a beautiful book, treat yourself.
Sadly( my family tell me) it is my current bedside reading however I have even caught Herb having a flick through. Gorgeous

I finished my first quilt...

2011-07-30T17:18:00.000+01:00

and here it is......modeled by youngest who not only survived her 3 months away but had the time of her life and is very sad to be back.(especially when she is stacking those shelves at waitrose). I really really enjoyed making this and am chomping at the bit to start another one.

as to other stuff.....I have spent these past two days clearing out my mothers home with my sister. Not a nice thing to have to do but obviously it is down to us. The personal stuff is tough and most we cannot tackle and have boxed up for another day.
This is the gorgeous David Austin rose Herb and I bought for the garden for my mum. It has the most wonderful old fashioned scent and a delicate but dense petal.....its the Mortimer Sackler climbing rose.
It was so hard to choose at the garden centre as these DA roses are all fabulous. Not cheap but well worth it. I will treat myself to another .

and of course we are all home again together.
There are no clean towels, no mugs or glasses in the kitchen, there are fake tan hand prints on doors and walls, makeup covers the bathroom and the dirty washing bin overflows. BUT I LOVE HAVING THEM HOME....

she's back today.......

2011-07-07T13:30:00.000+01:00

cake and banner made.....just about to leave for heathrow.........am soooooo excited!

A big big thank you.....

2011-06-19T08:31:00.000+01:00

for all the very kind comments left here and the emails I received,. I am fine.

For any of you that have gone through this you will know what a surreal time it is....the world just shifts a little and everything is now viewed ever so slightly differently.

Youngest you may remember is on her travels on the other side of the world. She did a skydive on the day of Joyce's funeral, this from a girl who up to now would not go on any theme park rides.

She has climbed 'mount doom', has black water rafted.....been up a glacier and yesterday did a bungee jump in New Zealand. All a very fitting tribute to her grandma who would have done all that if she could have.
I think youngest may come back a very different person, to the one who went.

I have started a bit of crafting again but as I have no camera , cannot show you anything at all!

This will be the first fathers/mothers day for us without any teen here in the house, so I am doing the breakfast in bed for Herb as a poor substitute. I will take him to a national trust this afternoon and it will be lovely....that's if we don't get soaked.

so again to all my friends that I have yet to meet....thank you very much, it meant ever such a lot x

a sad time........

2011-05-29T11:25:00.000+01:00

because my mum died yesterday......its been an intense and tiring 6 weeks caring for her but with as many highs as lows.
We made our peace and its these weeks I will remember rather than what has gone before.

a new love.....

2011-05-14T16:26:00.000+01:00

the pictures are poor.......but I have a new love.

Its in its early stages but choosing fabric, colours, cutting, and sewing have kept me going in the past month. These were taken with a borrowed and broken camera, youngest took mine on her travels and of course it is now broken! (how many I told you so's have I had to listen to about that!)

On that subject youngest is now in Australia, Noosa....which she is loving. She is in regular contact so I cant ask for more than that and she having an absolute brilliant time.(have only had one sleepless night when she sent an email to her sister saying they were staying in a hostel with no other girls just a great bunch of Korean guys that didn't speak English....mixed dorms.....felt better when she moved on!)

No sign of elderly P going home yet so this quilt obsession could get verrry expensive!!

careful what you wish for...........

2011-05-02T13:16:00.000+01:00

you may recall in the past few months that I have anticipated a time when the girls would not be here and it would just be me and Herb. We rub along just fine after 25 years and enjoy our days out and days in but I knew it would be much quieter and as I did a fair bit with youngest, I would occasionally find myself at a loss.

well ha ha ha ha ha(slightly hysterical laughing) because we are not alone!!

As youngest went on her travels and eldest prepared to go back to uni...... elderly parent became ill and can no longer live independently....so this is my new role, well it has been for the past 3 weeks and let me tell you I was not born for it!

Luckily I had a fortnight off work so that has not been an issue especially as I am up a lot during the night.

We have not ever had a good relationship but what can I do.....carers starting tomorrow, herb is being the absolutely best, over and above the call etc and so we soldier on.

I think I am mainly Nurse Jackie but alcohol is my prop not drugs.....which would you be?

I love this world.....

2011-04-16T14:51:00.000+01:00

blog world that is....I have got so much from it in the last few years that it has become a really important part of my life. I love the friendship and creativeness of the people I have 'met' and the generosity just goes to prove that despite what gets said in the media we still have the capacity to be thoughtful and kind towards our fellow man.
That said I am feeling neither towards the people at the beeb who have replaced my much loved BBC7 with something else entirely. Why mess with something that isn't broke......I loved all those rerun dramas from the 70's and 80's!
I must show what a friend sent me.......it came beautifully wrapped (something I can never do)

a wonderful handmade card

with loads of detail

and this beautifully adorned heart,,,,the picture doesn't do it justice. What a lovely thing to make for someone and we haven't even met......yet....check out the lovely Diane at heartshaped

Thanks for the comments regarding the last post.....youngest has been in Thailand for a week and is now arriving in Kuala Lumpur. She has already ridden an elephant, been snorkeling, island hopping where 'The Beach' was filmed, participated in the national water fight that is the Thai new year celebrations and seen a mahoosive spider. We get a text every day so far and we are all thrilled she is having such a fab time.....but she is sorely missed.....I have one more day at work then am off for a fortnight when I will put my current self pitying state behind me and get on .....

only 3 days to go.......

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

until youngest flies off to the other side of the world........on the outside I'm excited and cool, inside I'm jelly and the darkest thoughts invade my sleep and wake me up........then keep me that way until the lights creeps in..... of course she will have a wonderful time and an amazing experience...........never thought i would feel like this about it though.

Bath...........

2011-03-27T15:28:00.000+01:00

One of my favourite places in all of England

Dyrham Park...a national trust treat(or national thrust as H calls it!)

Not one but two stitchy shows....one locally and one at Olympia.....not as good as the Ally Pally one in the autumn but a few purchases made ...of course

Liberty type lawn

Actual liberty lawn

Some blossom from a friend

..and a bit of stitching

Not a lot of words I know, but am a bit preoccupied as youngest going on her 3 month trip in 10 days to the other side of the world.....yikes!

Happy Sunday x

And so it grows

2011-03-09T15:14:00.000Z

this flower garden of mine......but oh the dreams of wrapping myself in this little beauty with the admiration of all around me are fading fast.
The comments have got worse and dare I say it, my beauty has become a joke round here with friends drawn into the debate and the consensus is universal. .......''its pretty but, no you can't wear it!'....that from a good friend. I ask you.
What kind of uncreative unappreciating bores am I surrounded by.
Looks are exchanged when its brought out so I will finish and block it somewhere out of sight.
BUT I WILL WEAR IT, I PROMISE.

So in public at least I have taken up the needle for some experimental embroidery, courtesy of a fantastic french tutorial. I dont understand everything she says but great visual instructions. No comments from the family on that yet!

Sunday found us in the city of Sheffield for a university visit.....and we all LOVED it.(Diane that was for you).

After the usual tour of the uni and accommodation, which was impressive, we had a couple of hours in the centre itself and it certainly lived up to expectation. Much better than the descriptions I could give you, visit diane who is a great advocate for Sheffield and the surrounding areas....we are all sold , but she is visiting others on the south coast and Nottingham so its not a done deal yet, but fingers crossed.

spring is round the corner......

2011-02-27T18:22:00.000Z

I feel, don't you?.....longer days, bluer skies and the odd spots of colour here and there in the garden.

I saw a recent post on the Attic24 blog for a gorgeous wrap and quickly picked up hook and started producing these wonderful little flowers. Lucy at said blog is one of the most generous bloggers I have come across when it comes to sharing her passion which is crochet. She has a huge following here in blogland and if you haven't yet come across her, have a peep, you will not be disappointed.

My colours are a little more muted but all the same for this house where white and grey generally rule this is colour with a capital C.

Youngest declared it to be really pretty.... what is it?....a shawl....you don't wear shawls! ...Well I'm getting older and I need a shawl sometimes......You're not going to wear it out are you!!!

I don't feel quite so enthusiastic now............

thank you for your patience....

2011-02-21T20:14:00.000Z

Its been such a hectic week that I am only just wrapping the giveaway gifts......but for those who sent me their address they will have a package by the end of the week I promise (overseas may take a little longer).....its been lovely making these little babies, but as H thinks they are ''nice but pointless'' they deserve better homes.

Pip and Pop

2011-02-17T20:24:00.000Z

Amazing psychedelic landscape installation in sugar!

Its on at Smithsrow in Bury St Edmunds and if you are in the area you must try and catch it before the end of the month. Youngest and I paid a visit on Saturday having seen it on another couple of blogs(thank you purplepoddedpeas and silverpebble) and it was even better than anticipated. Everyone that walked into the gallery couldn't help but wear a huge grin. Its detailed, intricate and you would see different things, I'm sure if you stood there for a month. Its made from 700 kilos of coloured sugar and took 14 days to complete. Adorned with glitter, sequins, aquatic greenery, tiny little figures and beautiful origami pieces, all in the most magical colours.

Its a free exhibition and am sure would not disappoint a soul, old and young alike. We loved it...

everyone's a winner!

2011-02-12T17:13:00.000Z

Apologies all, for the delay in sorting out the winner of the giveaway....something came up yesterday so the grand draw was delayed until this afternoon....... youngest and I put all the names in a hat (literally) and the winner of the cushion is Lisa from jumble and jelly........well done Lisa

Do you let your family read your blogs? I don't, not because I particularly write stuff about them that I don't want them to read, but I guess because a) its in the main about crafty stuff, which they have zero interest in....and b) because its something just for me.....and in a house where hardly anything is exclusively mine nowadays, its quite nice.

So I don't encourage it, (I don't hide it either which shows how much interest they show ha ha)....anyhow that was a long introduction to the fact that youngest saw your lovely comments whilst helping me and couldn't believe only some of you would get a gift....sooooo everyone gets something!
Not sure if that's in the spirit of the giveaway but what the hell, its my blog .......so everyone apart from Lisa gets a pot holder or one of these little scarves.

Let me know your preference and I will try and accommodate, although H says the potholders must go!!

Email me your addresses and I will get the goodies sent sometime soon, it may not be this week as I have a toughie work wise but it will reach you eventually....promise x

CROCHET GIVEAWAY............

2011-02-04T18:08:00.000Z

You'll know by now, if you dip in and out of my blog, that I've thrown myself into new crafts in the last 18 months partly cos I know I'll be spending even more time on my own when youngest goes to uni and partly because I really love it! With the discovery of flickr and blogging, having a go at new things has become a big part of my life.............H thinks I spend far too long on the computer especially as I spend my working days on spreadsheets and the like, but there's so much to seek out.
My new love for 2011 will be patchwork and fabric, with maybe a dabble in embroidery. I'd also like to learn how to make felt and may do a mosaic course!.......so as a thank you, I'm offering a few of my finished items as a giveaway.
All you need to do is to become a follower and let me know what new craft you might have a go at this year. The winners will be picked next Friday. The cushion is made in cotton and the colours are lovely and bright although I actually prefer the back. The pot holders were great fun to make and are made in a variety of yarn.

New year' s resolutions.......

2011-01-28T17:54:00.000Z

....we don't make them, whats the point, most would be blown out of the water after week two, with the bottle of red that is sooo needed or that meal with friends that must include the cheese at the end.
So no resolutions but being another year older and past that dreaded 50 (only just I might add) we are both aware of the need to make the best of time........so we promised ourselves lots of days out a deux, in preparation for there being only two of us pretty soon...... also to try and save a bit each month(we will have two in university by the end of the year, all being well).
So with that in mind last week we took ourselves off to Anglesey Abbey, our favourite national trust place to date, to explore the gardens. The rain was torrential but that didn't deter our guide Joe, a NT volunteer from giving us a cracking tour of the gardens. He phoned ahead to the flour mill and said we were coming so we had the full tour and talk of the mill as it was in operation. Fantastic.... and there were only the 4 of us.
If you are in this part of the world Anglesey Abbey is a real treat, and the house when open is wonderful 1920's decor.

Today H suggested a trip to Maldon to see the Thames sailing barges.....these magnificent barges with distinctive rust coloured sails are a sight to see......but not in January. It was so so cold that I barely stopped to take these poor snaps.......we were so cold in fact we didn't do the place justice and were very soon back in the car scoffing H's delicious egg sarnies and coffee....with the heater on......then home.We will go back when its a little warmer as the walk along the river looked wonderful.

Finally this lovely fabric arrived from the US... am not sure what I will do with it but I just had to buy it and couldn't get it here........do others find its cheaper to get fabrics from the states?....theres nothing round here apart from John Lewis which doesn't have a great stock, will need to do a bit more research.

Oh I just remembered youngest has booked her trip down under, it looks amazing and I am extremely envious...will tell details later

am in the mood for a bit of hooking and a movie so that's what I'll jolly well do! happy weekend x

Loving....Bargello!

2011-01-19T19:59:00.000Z

I was in the book shop the other day and noticed a new Cath Kidston on the shelves called Stitch. As you may know I am not a great fan of all her stuff but do like her reintroduction of certain colours and items in the vintage style. Anyway I digress.......this book is of much more interest to me as my original love was for needlepoint and tapestry especially Bargello and she has included some Bargello patterns in the book.......this form of needlework has not been popular lately but maybe Miss Kidston will change all that.

If your new year crafty resolution was to try something new.....give it a go.....all you need is a tapestry needle, some canvas and the tapestry wools(I use appletons). Its really fun if you like playing with colour and patterns and there are so many designs in blogland if you look. Some of mine are copy's and others are my own or adapted. I have started a group on flickr so would love to see your stuff on there if you give it a go.

ps most of the finished items were given as gifts so I only have these pics to show.....

I have a new love for 2011

2011-01-09T15:15:00.000Z

Inspired by certain blogging pals in the UK and down under, I have taken up patchwork with gusto. Unfortunately my stash of fabric does not match my enthusiasm nor indeed does the bank balance, but its coming on a pace and I have invested a little online....will show you when they arrive.

Meanwhile on a little trip to Cambridge to return H's Christmas jumper from us three girls(he hated it!), I spotted this absolute bargain in John Lewis. Orla Kiely bedding.

Maybe not the most exiting bargain to some but I love her designs and it was an absolute must have for the price. Luckily H liked this purchase but cannot believe that I would post a picture of it on the bed nor that anyone would be interested!.......ha ha he just doesn't understand

This is a new cushion that may be on its way to the Netherlands, it just needs a bit of blocking and making up(and the ends sewing in of course!). I have used merino wool so it is lovely and soft

Finally we have just put eldest on the train back to uni with all her bags......will miss her dreadfully......am just off to clear the mess she has left in her room .......

Happy New Year everbody.....

2011-01-01T14:18:00.000Z

I have made some lovely friends through blogging, who have offered much appreciated words of support during the year....with my girls growing up and leaving home or about to, I have found that I have been able to fill that gap in my life with rediscovering a love of making stuff and talking to and enjoying other people lives in various parts of the globe. Its fun and interesting and encourages creativity and it has become an important part of my life. H and I are busy creating the next chapter in our lives and I am no longer dreading it.Thank you x

what was that i said......

2010-12-24T15:39:00.000Z

about the snow disappearing.....we have had so much of the stuff that i have been pretty much house bound for a week......good for the bank balance and finishing off crafting bits but a bit stressful all the same. On Saturday we just managed to pick eldest up from the station as it started in earnest, but we were due to go to a friend in London for her 50th celebration dinner and of course we couldn't make it. I was bitterly disappointed (and a bear with a sore head for the rest of the weekend!)

As you can see we have a camera so I have taken a few snaps of our jolly snowman ......hes 6 days old today and has lost his nose and is sinking but still hanging on. Me thinks it will definitely be a white Christmas here in the small town

the tree is twinkling , candles lit, is that the sherry bottle opening?........ and young un's blanket all finished...and very pretty it looks too. (this is the link to the pattern as so many people have asked about it.....enjoyhttp://www.artoftangle.com/snowflake.htm)

All that's left is to wish you a very happy Christmas....thanks for the comments and support this year .....and enjoy!

we have lift off.....

2010-12-12T16:17:00.000Z

Two offers for a university place next year ....hurrah......Christmas has come early here in the small town.
We are all overjoyed, probably out of proportion but I don't care! Friends are telling me it was never going to be a problem, but after last years fiasco I couldn't assume it was in the bag. So she may be on her way to either Sheffield or Southampton.(I favour the north but am keeping it buttoned)

The craft fair came and went, on the day we had our biggest snowfall so the turn out wasn't great........I really enjoyed the experience but didn't sell as much as I'd hoped, but that was true for all the stall holders.
All my scarves went and just one cushion so now I am left with rather a lot of the little babies. ho hum. I think I may do some giveaways in the new year.....I can hardly give them as presents can I? as everyone knows I made them to sell.................and lastly no pictures to adorn the post as my camera has broken and I don't feel able to replace it until the new year, what with Christmas and all.

Am enjoying all your snowy posts but personally am glad its disappeared.

My, how time flies.........

2010-11-21T15:59:00.000Z

when you are so busy making stuff for a Christmas fair, working , having a birthday, cajoling a prospective uni student, being a friend(or trying) not to mention a wife etcetera, etcetera (as Yul Brynner once said). But hey nothing bad so am not really complaining.
We have at last pressed the button on the ucas application for youngest for next year. This has been causing me oodles of stress and is what has been preoccupying my mind practically 24/7 . But its done now....in the lap of the gods.......all we need is one little offer.

Of course its even more important now that the coalition has decided that it is in all our best interests for university fees to be nearly £9k a year, meaning the average student living away from home could incur debt of £50k more or less and this from a bunch of people that in the main received free higher education. I could rant for ever but to no avail really.....just one little offer please.

On a much more positive note we had a lovely weekend in Bath staying with friends who are renovating a large house to open as a B & B. They are the most generous hosts and despite building deadlines took a couple of days out and we finally got to see the Roman baths......so much more to see than that main pool and it was a very interesting couple of hours, all moody atmosphere as the light was fading. I love anything about ancient Rome thanks to a very inspiring classics teacher at school. We also saw the wonderful Castle Coomb (we were sure it was really a film set for Harry Potter, no aerials, phone wires and wispy smoke from every chimney!) and Cirencester . Bath is the most wonderful place and if you have never been perhaps I could recommend a little B & B I know!

......and of course I have been beavering away at the stuff for the Christmas fair NEXT week.......have made 10 scarves which I would love to show you but my camera has died. (as these things do near Christmas just hope its not the boiler next have an odd feeling)...........

Lastly I wanted to share this picture with you.....isn't it fabulous ?........this, I am convinced, is the bed in the book Heidi, that the grandfather built and I so craved as a child.... Enjoy x

I've been busy.........

2010-11-01T19:25:00.000Z

I know I've neglected my blog and I do miss catching up with all you folk, but it had to be done.....the Christmas craft fair is fast approaching and I'm getting nervous as to how to fill the stall...so I had a really hard push and finished off these cushions, which you've all seen before in their unmade up form but here they are finished.....(testament to that is a very stiff finger and sore wrists!)...one more to go then I'm turning my attention to some scarves and embroidery.

as I've never done this before any ideas about pricing would be helpful.........

day out tomorrow............

2010-10-09T17:08:00.000+01:00

had a fantastic time last year and bought some lovely wool and fabric..........extended the budget this year so hope to come home with some interesting goodies.

Also treated myself this week to these gorgeous fabrics. Aren't they fabulous especially the first which if memory serves is by Alexander Henry. Have a great weekend x

France was FAB as always.....

2010-10-02T08:19:00.000+01:00

This was our home for the week, a very nice pigeonnaire, part of a much larger beautiful farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Literally five miles down a windy road from the nearest village, a 10 mile trip for your morning croissants!

The silence was deafening you could hear the leaves falling from the trees and the beasts snorting in the woods.....something I've always craved but as a former city girl latterly a small town girl. it could be a wee bit scary if I was on my own (Herb having undertaken the 10 mile trip for the you know what) ...still,I would have a go at getting used to it!

The pool was huge and gorgeous and we had it all to ourselves, we kept saying how the girls would have loved it.......

We stayed in the Tarn region not too far from Albi which did not disappoint, it has the biggest brick built cathedral in the world!.....loved it

wonderful villages,and it being September there were no hoards of brit's, no crowds, no 'hunt the parking space',we had these amazing places almost to ourselves....my,we are getting old and grumpy.

and finally this melamine plate in the gite inspired this piece of crochet so I was not completely idle.

and had a dabble at cross stitch too.....

All in all a great week, we survived our first holiday a deux....we missed the girls terribly, but on the positive side we could suit ourselves more than normal and hey its something I will have to get used to.

The house was extremely tidy when we got back......smelt quite badly of a heavy use of oven chips and I suspect our house became the place to stay for the week, but that's OK all safe and well.

Work has been full on and quite stressful since I got back, its the time of year when its always that way, year end, new budgets and of course the coming of 'compulsaries'.....not great.

and finally thanks for the comments re my last post and the big falling out I had with an old friend. I had an extremely frank discussion with her, probably 30 years overdue on my part which felt very liberating. We have spoken since the holiday but have yet to meet up, its cost me some sleepless nights but hopefully our friendship will now be on a better footing.......

la belle france

2010-09-04T16:45:00.000+01:00

at last we have a holiday booked..... in the Tarn region.....so so excited, its a pigeonnier with a pool right in the location I wanted to be, as I have a list as long as your arm of places I want to see......don't tell Herb, he's ordered lots of heavy tomes from Amazon so he obviously has a different agenda to me ha ah.....just the two of us, so a bit of a test all round. Eldest and youngest will be home alone, I declined my mothers offer to stay here on their behalf....they owe me.

On the crafting front I have made a few more cushions for the Christmas fair, although that is in jeopardy as the friend I was doing it with has pulled out and I'm not sure I have the confidence to do it by myself. What if etc etc.

On the negative side I think I have today lost the friendship of one of my oldest friends.....35 years we've known each other and gone through many ups and downs, seen each other through divorces and other traumatic times that life has thrown at us..........not sure whether to let it go or try and salvage it......any one had a similar experience?

do you like the new header picture?

2010-08-18T21:45:00.000+01:00

A little clue to how we spent my two week enforced break from work (why is she moaning, I hear you say)

We joined the National Trust and its FAB....granted on our outings we were amongst the youngest adults but still we have visited some lovely places. We even developed a bit of a routine........do the house and gardens followed by the NT and second hand book shop and finally the cafe for cake and coffee. Its the best money we have spent in ages.

We started the week at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. An Anglo Saxon burial site that Herb had wanted to visit for many a year. It was really interesting and informative BUT....... all the fabulous treasures that were found in the grave are now in the British museum. Herb was very disappointed but still a good trip, great book shop and gorgeous cafe. Followed by a little foray into Woodbridge.

Wimpole Hall next, a beautiful house inside and out (I will take snaps next time, I didn't realise you could until we left), wonderful gardens, shop and more cake.

Oxburgh next.....in Norfolk, wonderful Elizabethan house with some tapestries initialled by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick. Not such a great tea room but highly recommended all the same.

Lastly, my favourite, Anglesey Abbey near Cambridge........its the most gorgeous house that was renovated in the 20's in the style of the day. It has a working mil and wonderful gardens including that magic copse of Himalayan birch trees, that took our breath away it was such a surprise. I'm sure i saw some fairies flitting about under the trees.

the dahlias were majestic and so much variety and colour....and of course great cake and cafe.

and of course no summer break would be complete without a trip to the seaside.......beautiful Southwold, Herb even swam in the sea, still it was the best day weather wise in the fortnight.

I have been busy with the hook as usual, building up stock for this Xmas fair I have been talked into, but I also made this cushion(at the bottom) for a fellow blogger. She has a great blog prettyshabby and she had had a really tough week so I offered to make her something for her little caravan of the vintage variety. Don't ask me why, I have only made for a couple of close friends and after I made the offer I thought she might of thought me a bit odd, but its done, sent and received and by all accounts she is very happy with it.

and finally we have a friend to stay...............Toby, he's been a joy to have even though he has a poorly leg and we couldn't take him anywhere, he is extremely loving, good natured and very obedient even at 10 months old. We shall miss him when he goes back on Friday.

the things we do for love......

2010-07-18T19:24:00.000+01:00

Up at three this morning to take youngest and her pal to the airport for their 2 week trip to Zante. There are six girls going as last year. They were so so excited. She has sent a text to say they got there OK......sea's blue and its very hot.

They have had all the lectures about staying together come what may. Fingers crossed.

Eldest came back from Spain, had a wonderful time in Nerja, loved it.......and did I say, we are going nowhere, have I mentioned that before? To make matters worse, for the first time ever at work they are operating a 2 week shutdown in August, at a time when for once I don't need to have my holiday in school break time.

Apart from last year when we went to my sisters house in Cyprus we have always gone to France.

We both love it there and even the girls, who moaned like hell the past few years have been waxing lyrical over our traditional french hols. You know the routine......up and out, head straight for a village or small town ....with a church or chateau (has to have one or t'other), a river an added bonus then lunch out then back to the pool , books out and just do nothing but relax

.......oh yea then I make a 'french' type meal or we go out.....Herb and I sit outside the gite and drink Jameson's and put the world to rights....we have done this for years all over France and then this year I just did nothing about it.....maybe in September.

18 today....and a rare stroke of genius

2010-07-11T09:21:00.000+01:00

...on the part of yours truly.

Youngest child's 18th has been fast approaching , no party was required, she was planning a full day out with friends, beach during the day, clubbing at night. All that was required of me was some drinks and nibbles in between.
Then last Thursday all her friends dropped out of the day trip, all good reasons, she was so disappointed but putting on a brave face.......I suggested a family lunch during the day but was hoping to find something better........then a little play on the net and ting the light went on....a day spa....and as luck would have it there is a lovely place 30 minutes away. Even better it was doing a pamper day two for 1, so she and eldest were driven there yesterday early. She was very surprised and looked a bit nervous but at 6pm when she came back she had had a brilliant time. It was a raving success! Meanwhile I had made a cake, food, decorated and mixed cocktails.
Her friends arrived laden with gifts, beautiful flowers and champagne to get ready. Fed and watered off they trotted in those belts they call skirts and 6 inch heels. Herbs face was a treat.

We then settled outside with the remains of the food and cocktails, pina colada for me, sex on the beach for him ha ha and ruminated on where the last 18 years had gone.....a very successful day(until about 3.45 this morning when they tumbled out of the cabs and up the stairs, that was me fully awake and no sleep since-still managed to finish another cushion front)

Eldest came back from uni last week.....with a years worth of clothes that needed to washed, I kid you not....it wasn't that they were all dirty but they smelt of the halls, and it was not pleasant. Before we left we visited the house she will share with 7 others in October. Granted her room is twice the size of halls and lighter but that's it really, not marvellous. Still they are all really thrilled and consider themselves lucky to have found such a great place. Who are we to argue.

However we have had to fork out £900 rent for the summer when of course the house will stand empty.....if anyone has some spare cash, with interest rates so low, you could do worse than buy a house to rent to students in a uni town. The landlord is getting about £30k a year for not a lot of effort. Not bad eh?

University blanket came back in one piece and just needed a good airing.....

redundancy announcements probably this week.....joy of joys x

have you seen the film marathon man?.........

2010-06-26T14:28:00.000+01:00

Friends I kid you not, it was the most traumatic 1 hour and 45 mins of my life! and I'm not talking about the football.

I am not generally given to dramatic prose, I promise you. Anyone that knows me would tell you that I am generally a woman of few words and known to play down every stressful situation. But this was third world stuff and I am still recovering. (with the help of elderly parent's strong painkillers)

Did I really give thanks on Wednesday to the footie fan who had given up their appointment!

So with a teeny hint of melodrama, I can promise I will never watch poor Dustin Hoffman in that film ever again(for those too young or too sensible it includes a terrible scene involving a dentist played by Lawrence Olivier- say no more)....as it is I have hardly slept since.......without a doubt giving birth felt easier and safer.

So on to far happier things. EXAMS are finished.....not for me of course but youngest, though it has felt a lot like we were under the same pressure at times. Every teeny weeny thing we asked her to do was met with the retort 'exams remember'. Well no more ha ha.
Housework duties start Monday........you can imagine the response that got.

Look what came in the post today. ooh I do love little parcel deliveries and this did not fail to delight.
Also as we are short of a wool shop in the small town (and I could not be bothered to go into Cambridge for John Lewis this morning), I also bought these in the charity shop. £1.50 for 100g. Granted of course it is acrylic but its nice acrylic, quite soft and very easy to work with. I will get some merino dk when I get to JL cos that's my fave.

So...... youngest is at work, Herb is watching football and I shall adjourn to the garden for some hooking and a glass of rose.

lovely weekend everyone.

Toothache Tulips........

2010-06-23T13:36:00.000+01:00

from my family to help ease the pain. (actually its only serious painkillers from elderly parent that is helping).

I have the mother of all toothaches which will end hopefully this afternoon at 4pm with the extraction of said tooth. I know I know the football but after four days of serious pain and when you are this close to taking a hammer to your own jaw , a game of football just does not figure. Actually thank goodness for the footie.........I would have had to wait until Monday otherwise, so god bless the person that cancelled their appointment this afternoon.

Have finished one front for the little crochet cushions and am really pleased with the effect. Am awaiting yarn to finish the back but am more than occupied with these lovely little babies.
Again, there is just not enough hours in the day for all the lovely things I want to try.

Am off now with the yarn, hook,sun, painkillers and ipod (latest archers omnibus to catch up on-poor sid)
Enjoy the match!

Things that take your mind off work....

2010-06-12T16:34:00.000+01:00

Work is not good, it's public sector so no funds equals less jobs. It will be very unpleasant for the rest of the summer and is affecting me sleep wise. However I am trying not to be pulled down by it, so am filling the space with stuff.

Tuesday youngest took a break from revision and we went to see a film.....here's a clue. Guess? indeedy those four lovely ladies from NYC. We loved it despite the reviews and the ridiculousness of the tale. We ate popcorn and laughed a lot. Do go for a giggle, nothing heavy.

Yesterday we promised ourselves a trip to the coast. I had imaging a lovely picnic on the glorious sands, youngest sunning herself with a nose in a text book. Me with i pod and hooking, surrounded by gorgeous yarn and Herb with his binos, bird watching and bringing us ices and cold drinks. But of course this being blighty it was raincoats, scarves and woolly hats. Still we had the beach to ourselves apart from some nesting plovers and oyster catchers ( its rubbing off.)

we had a wonderful time and finished with a quick trip to Chelsea on Sea, sorry Burnham Market, (this gorgeous pad would do me)for a cream tea before rushing back for youngest to do her shift at the posh peoples supermarket. (note 25% off wine and champagne this week-well worth it)

Today has been doing what I love best, pottering round the house. I sat in the little sun we've had today and with the Archers on ipod carried on with the four way bargello. A little experiment, fun to do but am not sure I like the effect. .........and started a new crochet granny using old bit of yarn. I have sorted my threads and finally sewn the last end in the blanket finished last year. Altogether a productive crafty day.

Finally we have this at the front of the house....classily done with black tape dont you think? but Herb insisted. ........its the only flag in the street!.........

beautiful flowers in the garden......enjoy the rest of the weekend folks

beautiful bath and other bits of the west country

2010-05-22T19:34:00.000+01:00

Did I tell you we have friends who have moved to Bath to open a B& B? Last weekend we visited and from the minute we got there, literally, we were on the move. We had a whirlwind tour of that part of the west country in 4 days! our favourites were Bradford on Avon and Wells with numerous little villages thrown in for good measure. Tetbury was very pretty but the rain was unrelenting so no snaps, oh but there was champagne in a lovely hotel the Hare and Hounds nearby. Will go back next time to visit all the antique shops. Oh and Laycock where Cranford was filmed........ was just like a, well.....like a film set really. Except a coach load of American's had just arrived so it was impossible to get a great picture. Fantastic short break with some very generous people. they will make excellent hosts.

Back at chez nous we are in the grip of exam angst here in the small town......life in general for youngest is not going too well so I am doing lots of positive speak, cooking up a storm of comfort food(Jamie's steak and cheese pie was a massive hit, try it if you haven't yet).

Good news was all my tests came back good and apart from the recurring 'lose weight and exercise more' , the Dr's mantra, all good. Just need to sort the teen out.......oh if it were only that easy.

how will she manage down under.........

2010-05-03T19:36:00.000+01:00

Saturday night we went to London to stay with good friends. A veritable feast was laid on by L as always and we had a very lovely evening, consuming lots of delicious wine and cheese (always my favourite part-don't tell the doctor) until we wore ourselves out chatting and retired to bed.

My mobile starts its merry tune waking me from my alcoholic slumber......its youngest child, near hysterical . There's been a power cut, street lights and all and she can't see a thing. What should she do? As I am 40 miles away and not in a fit state to drive I cannot rush to her aid, as is my first instinct. Instead I direct her to a candle then on to the matches under the sink..all the time praying that whoever used them last actually put them back. Her panic is rising now, I think it's worse now she has a little bit of light. (not helped I think by the fact she was watching something unpleasant when the lights went.)

I stay on the phone while she gets to her bedroom and gets in bed. I try and calm her, whilst Herb is muttering about how she is 17 etc etc!

She is in bed and I reluctantly say goodnight......I settle down with my phone in my hand just in case.

Next day she is quite traumatised and got a friend to stay on the phone for over an hour providing company in the darkness.

What, I want to know is, how will she manage when she's on the other side of the world ?.......

Its been a while...........

2010-04-23T18:25:00.000+01:00

but I couldn't stay away any longer especially when I had such a lovely comment from Diane .

Eldest child has been home now for 5 weeks from uni. Its been lovely having her home, the only downside being the fake tan on the white towels and the once more squalid state of her bedroom, but that's not that bad is it? Tonight she is cooking us all a lovely meal with 'come dine with me recipes' and its all looking highly professional so far. Back tomorrow.

We picked her up from York before Easter and stayed overnight which was a real treat. The three of us had a real lovely afternoon walking round the city before a slap up meal and then back to the hotel ( I love staying in a hotel, mainly because of the laundered sheets!)..........next morning early Herb and I did the city walls and he showed me his old school which is now St Johns uni.

However the real high of the past few weeks was the Yorkshire sculpture park.....it was an amazing day out and I don't believe it would have to be just a love of modern sculpture for this to be a real treat. We were a mixed group, 6 to 60 and we all really enjoyed the day. True the weather was glorious, like summer, which helps any day out along but also the sculpture was fab (my favourite was definitely the wonderful Sophie Ryder and Henry Moore pieces). The 'bunny 'pieces as my niece called them are really amazing, made I think from galvanised wire and the kneeling sculpture stands probably 25 feet. Wonderful.

the park, views, exhibitions all a real treat....and its free to get in (£4 to park) how much better could it be. We took a picnic but there is a cafe. ....As you can tell, I'm a real fan of the place...please go if you're near Wakefield you wont be disappointed.

The low of the past month is that I've not felt great and am awaiting the results of a whole range of tests. It really brought me down, so much so that creativity has gone out of the window unusually for me. I've started and abandoned lots of projects(except this little experiment which is now with the other half started pieces dumped behind the sofa). However I am a lot more positive now and am sure all will be ok. Those few words D made a difference...thank you

what next......

2010-03-11T22:24:00.000Z

Having failed to get onto any degree course for fine art, youngest has a new plan. Can you guess? something that maybe would cause a shiver in the heart of any parents of a 17 year old...........yes you guessed....she wants to go travelling to Australia!

This is a girl who when she was about to miss the train returning from York recently, kept texting in a frenzy for a solution to getting home because she couldn't think of one herself!..she is the most adorable, loving, fun kid.....but maybe not particularly street wise (or is that just a mother talking?)......AUSTRALIA!

I managed a weak smile, Herb never looked up from the paper. ''yes of course I've always wanted you to do the travelling I didn't....lets talk about it later''...I said as I hurried to the computer and dashed off several emails for foundation courses in art.

I have a very dear friend...........

2010-02-26T20:29:00.000Z

whom I love very much. He is a wonderful man, who I have know for over 20 years and who is really the best friend any woman could want.

We have shared the best of times and the very worst of times in those twenty years. I can talk to him about nearly everything, he is a wonderful cook, we love to talk about hopes and dreams for our families, we share problems, he is the life and soul of every party (which I am definitely not) and his version of 'Amore', is a must at any event.

He is the snappiest dresser ever( its the Italian in him) and I can't imagine not having him in my life. On top of all that I am very close friends with his wife, godparent to one of his children and we share all occasions. We even went to Italy together several years ago, with the blessing of our spouses and had a wonderful time eating our way through Tuscany.

Today my friend is 50 and we are off tonight to celebrate with him and the family. They have had a very tough decade and my wish is that the next 10 years will be kinder in every way.

Well, what do you buy this man as a present.......these which I know he will adore, he's a sucker for a label. Happy birthday dearest friend.

Thank you.....

2010-02-26T19:37:00.000Z

for all the kind thoughts and words. Of course she got back safe and sound, floating through the door at 1 am declaring it the best night of her life! One of the band had held her hand , gazed into her eyes and sang just to her! Ah.......should I spoil the moment, telling her how worried I had been all night, rant and rave about how stupid she had been to get in the car with an inexperienced driver in those conditions.............No of course I didn't, after listening to all and I mean all the details, I casually mentioned that maybe it hadn't been the best of ideas, she paused, 'that's why I didn't tell you she said'.....before floating up the stairs, leaving me to wait for the effects of the strong coffee to wear off and calm down..........who'd be a parent.................we would!!!!

am hopping mad..........

2010-02-25T21:55:00.001Z

and more than a little bit scared. Arrived home late after visiting an old friend after work, the motorway was treacherous with driving rain , the usual maniacs that drive lorries and the 4 x 4's that don't have their beam on but might just as well have as they are blinding you being that much higher up(I have a small car!) ....only to find that youngest has gone to her JLS concert in London, which I knew about, not in the friends car, that I thought ( she been driving for 18 months-which is worrying enough).....oh no, they have gone down the motorway in these filthy weather conditions, with a friend who passed her test 3 weeks ago and has never driven on a motorway in the day never mind tonight...........I am trying to be calm, but just want her to walk through the door! am sat here pulling at my hair as it turns white.

disappointment.......

2010-02-07T11:43:00.000Z

Thanks for all good wishes friends but she didn't get in. That's two interviews and two rejections. So we are all really disappointed for youngest and a bit worried. As we've started talking to friends who are going through the same process this year, it seems the economic downturn is having a big effect on university places and that will only get worse next year with the proposed cuts to funding. Last year eldest had no interviews, she just had to get the grades. This year most of youngest's friends are having interviews for all different subjects, and not many offers, one maybe two. Even the really academic straight A kids.

Youngest did set her sights high, so we will see how the next two go, then maybe scout around for any one year foundation art places that are left.

Its hard to see your child so disappointed!

On the crafting front I was really chuffed this week to sell two things I've made. This (obviously when finished)and this. My friend asked me to make them so she could give them as gifts, but she did pay me. The embroidery I already had so I just framed it,(forgot to take a snap) and the scarf took me about 2 hours and looks really good in the grey.

The blanket continues to grow. Apologies to those who tried the link for the pattern. The site seems to be down. If anyone wants a copy let me know, I will try and get you a copy.( I only have a paper version)

Yesterday I went to a book sale and bought all these lovely books for £4.50. I love old books like this one given as a prize 50 years ago, beautiful pictures of France and this slim cookery on french recipes. The penguin box set of cookery books was a steal £2.00, I love the writing of Elizabeth David and Jane Grigson, and of course Nigel can always be relied on.

the craft books are excellent. Don't you just love these 1970s pictures of crochet loveliness.

Snowy Saturday.........

2010-01-30T13:13:00.000Z

My intention today was to change the header picture above to reflect my more positive approach to the year now that January is almost behind us, some emerging bulbs, cavorting lambs, sunshine....but what did I find......snow. A whole white world, yet again. Enough is enough I say.

Indeed I intended to rant about the roads in this country after a journey to Norwich that should have taken 1 1/2 hours took 4 and the trip to Lancaster and back was 10 hours instead of 8. Both delays due to lorries.....but I'm not going to.......its a beautiful day despite the snow and we have good friends coming over today so I'm happy. Risotto will be made, wine will be drunk and smelly cheese eaten. Bliss

Lancaster was a long day. Youngest had her interview while we did another tour of the art department, accommodation etc. She loves it there and we think it would suit her very well but.......we found out they have reduced the number of place this year, 27 out of more than 150 applicants and half of those will go to students who have done a foundation year so effectively she is trying for one of 14 places! My heart is heavy on this one friends.

Progress on the snowflake blanket is good and for those that asked this is the link for the pattern /www.artoftangle.com/snowflake.htm.

My main creative thoughts are in the direction of the Bargello needlepoint ( I do tend to flit all over the creative spectrum, as you may have noticed)......I love this type of needlework and have just rekindled my interest and started a new group on flickr. So if you give it a go..............it is incredibly quick and easy to do, please let me know and share. have a great weekend one and all.

He's back...........

2010-01-23T15:26:00.000Z

Mad men...the best thing that's been on TV in years(no no youngest cries 'desperate housewives').....anyhow if you haven't seen it give it a go. Its set in the 50's/60's in a New York ad agency and the attention to detail is amazing. Best of all it stars Jon Hamm who is gorgeous as Don Draper. No going out for me on Thursdays for some time.

We're back on the road this week as youngest has two interviews at Norwich and Lancaster to try and get on the fine art degree course. Being on consecutive days means a whole heap of driving to do. We ummed and ahhed whether to stay at Lancaster cos its an 8 hour round trip........but we have decided to come home. We all love our own beds and damn it this whole process is costing a fortune. Dont tell youngest I brought that up! Anyway at least no snow to contend with..(she said banging wood as hard as possible)

I have finished the bargello which I am really pleased with......I even had the nerve to start my own flickr bargello group, so if anyone has any squirreled away please add it. This is not a very popular type of embroidery but I think its rather beautiful and very quick to do. the colours are actually more vibrant, I just have a rubbish camera.

Yesterday in Cambridge I bought some gorgeous wool in John Lewis with christmas money I still had(where else can you buy wool these day).....its Rowan aran and I want it to make this. I thought if I start now and have it on the go, I can bring it out next winter when it will be well appreciated for snuggling on the sofa.

This lovely fabric arrived from America for the quilt I intend to make at some point from that delightful book I showed you last time..........this is so unlike anything we have in our house.....which has a lot of white with the odd strong colour splash...thats maybe why I love it so. Anyhow have a lovely weekend whatever you're up to x

Crafty and sad.......

2010-01-16T12:09:00.000Z

......No this is not hopefully what my friends think of me.......its kind of how things are, here in the small town at the moment. I took all your advice, most gratefully received and eldest child got the train back to York last week. We dropped her at the station where it was a direct run , about an hour away and that journey was bad enough so we were wise not to do the whole trip.

Even so, seeing her bundling herself to get on, so wrapped up in her new scarf she could hardly be seen, struggling on the busy train with all her bags, dropping things left right and centre....until she collapsed into her seat aided by two nice young chaps.....oh to be young eh ladies. No one rushes to my aid if I drop something nowadays, I'm sure I'm becoming every so slightly invisible.....anyway I digress. It was sad.

Herb could see I was about to shed a tear so whipped me away so I wasn't making an idiot of myself on an empty platform.

There were moments when she was back that were infuriating,wet towels dropped everywhere, makeup in the bathroom sink.....more plates, cups and glasses upstairs than down....but oh I do miss her now.

Meanwhile youngest has interviews at uni's for her fine art course in a couple of weeks so we will be on the road again......I so hope she is successful.

So thats my sad bit, the crafty bit is that I've been busy. I'm contemplating a try at patchwork. I got this gorgeous book for my birthday and am really inspired to give it a go. So have picked one out and have bought some kaffe fassett fabric on eBay which I will share when it arrives. I am nothing if not ambitious!

I also bought this canvas on etsy....it came from USA and was beautifully wrapped with a lovely little badge and lace....

The reason being I saw this on another blog and loved it so am inspired to give it a go...love them or hate them I think...I have a draw full of completed tapestries so will put them to good use.....haven't told Herb yet cos I think he reeaaally wont like it, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. It will be long term project.

Another couple of bargello needlepoints on the go, love doing these because they are so quick. One is a copy again and the ribbons one is a pattern from an old book. I must think of something to do with them when there're done....any ideas?

There is just not enough hours in the day for all the things I want to have a go at.......maybe I could give up the job ha ha

To York or not to York......

2010-01-08T18:37:00.000Z

that is indeed the question..........we are supposed to be taking eldest child back to uni tomorrow, a 350 mile trip! Not a prob at any other time, but I think we are both worried to do it with the forecast of more snow up north. We almost came a cropper when we collected her the Friday before Christmas.

The train is not really an option of course (all those extra clothes and shoes to take back!)....i guess we will give it a go.........will pack the sleeping bags and shovel just in case!

happy new year to all......

2010-01-07T13:27:00.000Z

Its been a while, but I can tell you that a good time's been had by all. Christmas went by in a blur of snow, wrapping, twinkly lights, food, fizz, more food, the final episodes of Gavin and Stacey and Dr Who(well with DT which is the only one that counts according to youngest)....and then of course more food.

Gifts were exchanged and I did very well as always, beautiful silver earrings from eldest and this cute little addition to the sewing room from youngest together with a divine smelling Yankee candle. My first!

My 'home made present' swap partner made me this beautiful silk cushion and they also presented us with loads of lovely home made edible delights. Chutneys which smelt amazingand tasted so too, mixed nuts roasted with salt pepper and crushed herbs and a delicious panforte, packed with nuts and fruit. We were really spoilt and of course that has upped the ante for next year.

A beautiful unexpected gift was this wonderful glass platter made by sally page. it came from eldest child's friend's parents to thank us for letting her stay here over the past few years. They live in a village some way from here so she sometimes sleeps over after when the girls have been out, but that's it apart from the odd meal and making sure she eats if shes going to be drinking! a really generous thought.

I should be at work today but snow put a stop to it. No way am I going to attempt a 80 mile round trip in this weather so am going to be frivolous with the time and sew in front of a black and white movie. Bliss

I wish it could be christmas every day

2009-12-20T22:13:00.000Z

....well today that's certainly been the feeling here in the small town....we are all together once again and its been a jolly kind of 'lets get it all together' kinda day.

Gifts that I've made for friends have been finished(modelled beautifully here by youngest), the house is decorated, a winter warmer stew was prepared and eaten and the Harvey's was fished out from the back of the cupboard......oh yes we all definitely have the festive spirit!

I'm dreamin of a white christmas........

2009-12-17T20:50:00.000Z

just didn't want it tomorrow. .......we have lots of the white stuff here tonight in the small town. Tomorrow we are off to Yorkshire to collect eldest child from uni. if there's anyone up north could tell me what its like up there I would be truly grateful.

Herb just mentioned the fact that eldest said on the phone last night she was very excited it was going to snow here......she wasn't concerned we might be about to do a 6 hour round trip in a blizzard......ahh i replied that's what parents are for, to do all the worrying about practical matters.

Tree is up tonight but awaiting its adornment when eldest returns...its a family tradition, girls do the tree while mother sips a Harvey's Bristol cream or two. (father watches a football match somewhere in another room!), at least these days when they've finished I don't have to redo it when they've gone to bed....decs are emerging from hibernation......I'm a sucker for a reindeer or moose, anything with antlers really

I love the snowflake curtain here I found here and have made my usual snowflakes for the doors. unfortunately half were destroyed when herb opened said doors ripping some of my hard work to shreds. ho hum...wish us luck tomorrow!

a very rainy sunday

2009-11-29T14:31:00.000Z

Some left over birthday cake, a strong coffee and a very absorbing book on this very blustery day here in the small town.........if you haven't read it give it a go. A very young friend of mine recommended it(he's 12 and as bright as a button). All I'll say is it's one mans tale of the Holocaust.........told in graphic form. I can't put it down.

Another Christmas present finished....love this one so it will be hard to give away(is that a mean thing to say?)

Have decided to make the mother a shawl for Christmas........she isn't exactly gushing over my hand made efforts so will let you know how its received.(have a back up just in case.)

Off to Bath this week. some friends of ours have just bought a large house that they plan to convert to a B&B. An exciting new adventure of which I am more than slightly jealous. So I will take lots of pictures and when its finished will let you know the name just in case you find yourselves in Bath with nowhere to stay. They are lovely people who will make a great success of it. There is also a Christmas market in Bath this week so am really excited on both fronts.

Finally we had a lovely day in Southwold this week to celebrate Herbs landmark birthday. Happy birthday lovely man!

big number birthday.....

2009-11-05T19:19:00.000Z

Herb has a big number birthday coming up.......and I am at a loss what we can do on the day as its midweek. We wanted to go to York to see eldest child, stay over and have a meal but that would mean youngest missing 2 days of school and she cant really do that at the minute..........can anyone recommend a day out...we are about an hour north of London, going east. Restaurants, nice little towns, gardens, west end shows, anything.............am struggling.

Its been a while.........

2009-11-01T16:21:00.000Z

...and I have done some lovely things....the knitting and stitching show at ally pally was wonderful, I would urge you to go next year if you can. Not only lots of lovely things to buy, but wonderful textile art and demonstrations. However I forgot my camera so have nothing to show except a couple of purchases. Wonderful Amy Butler prints for a bit of patchwork and gorgeous yarn for a bit of crochet.

but generally.....I have been in a major slump!

I'm not prone to moods except a little pmt and even that's on the wane.......nor generally to prolonged miserable periods, but this has been awful. I feel mithered, on edge, as if all my nerve endings are on the surface. Every thing is a major effort and nothing brings joy (except youngest child of course.) Herb and I have not got on, which is fairly unusual, I even cancelled good friends who were due to come for dinner last night only because I couldn't make the effort to cook. I have had a week off and hopefully with the return to work tomorrow, life will return to normal.

A good day was had on Thursday however, visiting the Tate Britain and Portrait Gallery, for the purpose of inspiring youngest for her ucas personal statement. Will write next time of what we saw, but would highly recommend the restaurant in Covent Garden we went to..... Wahaca....a fab Mexican, recently awarded best cheap eat by the guardian. It was really good.

despite 'slump' have been quite busy on the craft front, some more copying I'm afraid

a little try at some redwork embroidery

more bargello copying

and the crochet scarf all finished. Doesn't it look fab, hopefully it will be well received at Christmas.

Oh this was something else to add to my low period......a little accident in the rain........no one hurt thank goodness.

she's gone.............

2009-10-14T09:03:00.000+01:00

Life has been really hectic here in the small town of late. We have visited two more universities for youngest, one far afield and one a bit nearer and then of course this weekend we took eldest child to York university. Which of course was extremely exciting and more than a little sad. The process for moving in couldn't have been easier. As we parked the car outside the accommodation, a mob of students descended and unpacked the car in a trice (love that word!) and deposited everything in her new home. The bed was made, the tins squirreled away (herb was aghast at how much food i had actually bought) and then we left, really quickly.
Of course that wasn't my idea, I would probably have hung out for the dramatic goodbye, but herb was having none of that (and quite right too) and so eldest disappeared without a back ward glance and left me to have a quick weep. Of course I knew she was crying too.....but after we had a walk round the campus and returned to the car, we spotted her on the grass in a big group all getting to know each other. I have phoned, I couldn't help myself and she is have fun meeting nice people.

Last week we visited Norwich university of art and Newcastle! I have never been to Newcastle before and we all loved it. Great campus, fantastic art department, the space for the students was the best we've seen and the course seemed just perfect, but of course it all comes down to that wretched portfolio, so youngest is busy trying to get that up to scratch.

On the way home I asked the man in the car park how we could get to see the Angel of the North as we had left the A1 too soon to see it. His reply was that why on earth would anyone want to see that rust bucket, it was a terrible eyesore, he could see it from his house and loathed it!

But we loved it. We only saw it close up but its a magnificent structure and when you stand at the feet and look up its imagined movement is more that a little scary.

Norwich was really good too, but it is specifically an art uni and is quite small, but its a great little city so she could do worse than end up there. The building and facilities are excellent and it all felt very exciting and creative.

On the crafting front the bargello is coming along a treat and I had a play with the hook and came up with the beginnings of this little scarf. both I think will become Christmas gifts as 'handmade is the way to go this year I think...............now that we are supporting a student and are poor, well that's what I'm telling herb when he wanted a new golf club, its going to be a cheap Christmas ha ha.

3 days to go..............

2009-10-08T20:29:00.000+01:00

before eldest child packs up all the stuff we have bought, pots , pans, plates etc, all the photos she has printed of her pals, the university blanket and the box of tinned soups pasta, shampoo and loo rolls and various other bits and pieces and moves to york for university.............a new chapter begins.

Where has the week gone?

2009-09-27T17:06:00.001+01:00

Where has the week gone that's what I'd like to know. Seems to me that after the landmark birthday last year the days are not just running or flying by, oh no, we are talking speed of light here. And yet more birthdays loom for us both, here in the small town.
Herb has his biggie coming up and try as I might I cannot raise a spot of interest in celebrating it. I've tried tempting him with the thought of a free bus pass and free swimming but he wont have it. I should have married a younger man not an older one me thinks if I wanted enthusiasm!

I tell you what finally raised a smile, someone told him that we look about the same age despite the almost decade between us.......how should I feel about that?

On Friday we had a lovely trip out with both girls to Grantchester for lunch... Here are the meadows made famous by Rupert Brooke, with a lovely little museum and more importantly, tea rooms that serve wonderful lunches in a beautiful setting. We had ours in the orchard sat on those deck chairs(not actually the easiest place to have soup) but oozing charm. The sun was shining, the apples dropping..........wonderful. The girls loved it and after food we ambled along the river which you can follow all the way to Cambridge. If you are in the area, do go. The museum is very small but crammed with letters and pictures of Brooke and of course all his poetry. What a gorgeous looking chap.....and such a tragic death.

Sunday Herb and I went for little drive and ended up in Finchingfield, one of Essex's prettiest villages. Obviously a meeting point for silver haired bikers on a Sunday, but with oodles of English charm. It even has a windmill.

On the crafting front, the university blanket is finished, bar a few more ends to sew in. It will be winging its way to York in 10 days time with eldest child to its new home....and god help it. I know it's probably destined for that spot in the corner or under the bed or at the bottom of the wardrobe. but you never know, when she has a moment that she misses us she might drag it out and think of home.

I saw a picture of this needlepoint in a magazine and thought it was beautiful, so have blatently copied it. Hardly creative I know, but it's been fun to sew. Do other blog friends copy stuff like that? Do let me know.

Another uni visit this weekend, Newcastle if you please and apparently there is a home game, so traffic and parking should be horrendous. The things we do.....................

another week another university

2009-09-20T16:34:00.000+01:00

So its another week and therefore another university open day. Last week Leeds, not our part of the country but an acceptable few hours driving.....this week Lancaster! How much does this child want to get away from us! A very unacceptable 4 hours in the car each way. But did we complain....not much! but not within hearing of youngest child.

This one she liked. For those who have never visited this university(and why would you have) it is very near the wonderful lake district but in terms of its architecture

it is anything but wonderful. More of a dogs breakfast, a seventies new town look. BUT she liked it. The guy doing the talk for fine art was very interesting and the course seemed far more suited to her. Unlike Leeds which only really seemed interested in extremely modern conceptual art,

Lancaster lets the student follow the art direction that they prefer and fine tune it. Just what she wants.

Youngest was not allowing me to take many photos but i managed a few and it is in a glorious part of the world.

Despite the mishmash of architectural styles some of the accommodation was really tip top , very Scandinavian in design and well thought out. She liked that a lot and it wasn't even the most expensive....a mere £84 per week! A really worthwhile day for youngest...we shall see. Norwich next.

Friday I had a really fun day. Went to a friend who is a wonderful quilter(is that what they call themselves) and she gave another friend and me a tutorial on patchwork and more importantly for me, the correct way to use a sewing machine.I loved it and look what I produced.

Actually I know this is fairly unimpressive but who knows where it may lead on the crafting front. I really enjoyed all the quilting paraphernalia, the measuring and cutting and Jo said I made a pretty good job of my joins. So am all inspired now.

Have a great week folks

No I haven't been away........

2009-09-13T09:58:00.001+01:00

nor have I been any busier than usual with work, but the reason I haven't written is that i didn't know what to say. Life here in the small town has taken on a strange atmosphere, preparations for university have stepped up a pace. There has been a trip to Primark for towels and bedding, I am buying all the deals on toiletries I see....all with more than a little disbelief and dread. Herb is keeping his feelings very close to his chest but I am becoming agitated and there is a certain tension in the house. This was compounded this week with a visit to the university open day in Leeds for youngest child. We did the 3 hours drive up north to see what Leeds has to offer for a 17 year old wanting to study fine art. We loved it but to be honest I think she was a little overawed by the campus and the course and it probably isn't for her. (Her with the purple bag)but again on the drive back, I pondered on the fact that this time next year the nest will indeed be empty.....and that doesn't make me happy. There was an article in the Observer last week whose tone was that this was an ideal opportunity for a couple to refind each other, to pursue new interests etc. Of coursed I pounced on this but it didn't make me feel any better. We have a lovely life which I appreciate very much , we enjoy each others company, have lovely friends, a nice home, a good work life balance , it will just seem a paler shade without the girls. that's all.

Enough.....its going to happen onward and upward.......I have plans to fill the space.

I'm going to turn the spare bedroom(it's so bad now i can't even bear to show you a picture) into a bit of a craft room.

I will go to the handmade craft fair in Cambridge in December and the knitting and stitching show at Alexandra Palace in October for inspiration.

I am thinking of starting a stitching group in the small town.

I have Herbs landmark birthday to sort.....and of course youngest will still be here for another year. No need to wish that away.

Speaking of crafting.....a little bit of crewel..I have run out of wool for the university blanket, so took the time to finish the black and green one. I absolutely love it. I know its a bit contrived colour wise but that's me I'm afraid. Only a few hundred ends to sew in!

bank holiday chilli festival

2009-08-31T17:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterday Herb and I went to the Benington Lordship chilli festival in a small village about half an hour away. Neither of us knew what to expect, but we certainly hadn't anticipated the level of interest in chilli's! It was a fantastic event.

You could smell the food as we parked the car and even though it was before noon we started planning what we'd have. Of course the food stalls were a big draw but those packed with all things chilli were amazing, plants, sauces, chutneys, aprons, shirts and more. Lots of tasting to be done and some purchases to make. We laughed so much at all the blokes egging each other on to taste the deadliest of sauces. one chap was clearly in some distress after tasting something called Satans S@@t.

I waited for ages for the paella to be done, long after Herb had eaten his harissa chicken with yogurt and flatbread (yum he said). But it refused to cook, poor chap, I gave up in the end.

I finally decided on the goat curry and I'm so pleased I did. It was really wonderful and I'm going to try and recreate it............when I can source the goat meat!

The house and gardens are wonderful and it was the perfect venue........try and go next year if you re in the Stevenage area.

The music was perfect and very mexican..............

....and we finally chose a medium hot chilli plant, some chutney, chilli of course and a southern indian garlic and tomato sauce to take home.

We loved this little chap in the vegetable patch.......he's not real of course...we want one.

On the craft front I am beavering away at the 'university blanket', its not going to be huge, just enough to wrap round her shoulders, when home seems a long way away..........

I bought this beautiful thread from rowan, cotton glace in blue and burnt orange colours and thought I would do some motifs to put on a white pillowcase. Will show you if it works out.
Finally youngest child returned from Greece, looking beautifully tanned and happy. Boy was I relieved to see her back in one piece.....you see a week before she left, a fine young man, a good friend of hers, died tragically on holiday. A terrible accident that makes you want to hold on to them even more tightly, even though at 17 they don't want to be held so so tight.

A level results day.........

2009-08-20T11:04:00.000+01:00

Well the sun finally rose on today........literally I was there to see it, i just couldn't sleep properly. I finally heard eldest child get a phone call at 7.15, then a very quiet 10 minutes (she was checking on the UCAS site)before the door was flung open and she shouted at her dad who was of course fast asleep(how can men do that?).........''I'm going to uni''........fantastic fantastic news. We are so very proud of her, she has worked very hard. AAB is not easily achievable although we think she was a little disappointed she didn't get 3 A's. But hey she's off to York to study how the brain works-psychology....how brilliant is that.

Youngest child got her AS results, A B C........so she is very happy too. In fact both are so thrilled, we have hardly seen them because they have gone to town to celebrate on the common with all their pals. The house has been filled with noisy excitable young people and why not. All quiet now though.

Youngest is off to Greece tonight so we are doing a midnight round trip to Gatwick. oh joy. I am more than a little worried about her going away and have prepared a little lecture, you know the kind of things, stick together, don't drink too much, don't burn in the sun, eat properly, stay away from boys etc etc. You can imagine the response I will get

I am now under pressure to crack on with the new blanket for eldest to take to uni. I think it looks really good so far.

Just need to pop to John Lewis to get some more supplies of yarn. Meanwhile have started a little crewel project as I can't bear to have nothing on the go. There is never enough time for all my ideas! Great day.......

results day and a new blanket

2009-08-12T19:26:00.000+01:00

a-level results day is looming and we in this little house in the small town are getting a wee bit anxious........not speaking about the day to come but its in all our thoughts. One week tomorrow will decide eldest child's immediate future, university or maybe not. Of course we think she will get the results she needs and following a speedy and expensive trip to ikea will disappear off up north to start her new adventure(and study of course). I have everything crossed but am confident she will get it. She has worked so hard.

Youngest child will later that same day also get her AS results before she flies off to a faraway Greek island to have her first holiday with chums(don't tell me its too soon, i am being the liberal mum on the outside, inside is a different story).

Anyhow hit john Lewis this week for a new project and had all that gorgeous yarn to choose from. Herb was hovering so there wasn't much time but this is what i came away with. I intend it as a little piece of home for eldest child to take to university. all positive thoughts welcome!

Bands of the 80'S

2009-08-01T21:06:00.001+01:00

..............at the back of town is a stately home that is tonight having a concert with bands of the 80's. wish I'd got a ticket cos its all my old favourites. ABC singing 'all of my heart'...........Go West, king of wishful thinking, Heaven 17, Belinda Carlyle and Human League............remember that video? Am stood in the rain listening to Martin Fry and being whisked back 25 years.............where has the time gone?

Off to Norfolk for a few days tomorrow.............taking the linen and wool so might get a few bits done.

Have been trying to finish off some stuff today as the weather has been so poor, I was forced to stay in. Not really a hardship as I like nothing better than to settle down with the radio and some stitching. Have run out of wool for the crochet blanket so it must go back in the bag until I can get to John Lewis.I will also need to go to ikea for some frames for the stack of crewel embroidery i have.

Had a little practice of the Japanese stitching from the new book....it will look better in cotton don't you agree.

Have to go Phil Oakley starting up.......... dont you want me baby!!!

a great week.........

2009-07-25T18:08:00.000+01:00

But not a lot to show you I’m afraid. i forgot my camera!

Wednesday i met a friend in London and we went to the summer exhibition at the royal academy. I'm afraid i wasn’t as excited as she was at the modern art but a very pleasant couple of hours was spent in this wonderful building. In the main, modern art isn’t my thing, you know what I mean, 2 splashes of acrylic across a canvas doesn’t constitute art to me. the Tracy emin pics were frankly bewildering but the Damien Hirst statue of St Bartholomew was intriguing and quite womderful in all its glorius silveryness!. ( oh how we giggled as the lady describing it to her partially sighted friend suddenly realised what was draped over his arm. 'ohmygodohmygod', check it out if you don't know what i mean. a bit of a whoa moment).

However next on the agenda was Fortnum’s for some delicious treats then on to a dim sum restaurant that had been recommended by a colleague. Ocean city and its excellent food....... great value if you’re in Chinatown.

Then we walked up to Liberty’s before home. I hadn’t been to there in quite some time and I found the haberdashery dept a bit disappointing. its moved now to a bit of a dark corner and I know the fabrics are wonderful but there didn’t seem to be any else that was special, or tempting. It will be a different matter I know if I get into quilting which I would like to try later in the year.

I bought these 2 little children’s colouring books at the royal academy.

Aren’t they sweet?

I thought they would make little stitchery projects at some point.
This lovely lovely book was waiting for me when I got in..all the way from Japan. Funnily enough I saw it at the Japan centre in Piccadilly but it was a lot more than I paid directly from Japan.

On the stitching front I saw these beautiful blue wools in the local shop and had to have a dabble with them. Am rather please with the results but I think I need to get my stitches a bit neater.
We are rather lucky in this little town to have a little secret art gallery that specialises in the work of Edward Bawden and Eric Ravilious, whose work I absolutely love. Today they had a coffee morning to raise funds for a new study centre so we went along to gaze at these wonderful prints. Some other work was on sale so we bought this little picture by David Weston. Then it was home to watch the next stage of the tour du France. We were in this area on holiday 2 years ago so it was familiar, and having been up mount ventoux in a car we could appreciate what they were doing. Amazing stamina. What hearts and lungs those guys must have!

a rather nice day with an early start and some finishing....

2009-07-18T21:17:00.000+01:00

rather a nice day here in the small town.......terrific storm last night, more like the autumn than summer, woke about four am to see the trees outside really moving in the strong wind, with the rain lashing at the windows. i rather like it. went downstairs for a mint tea and started to potter......had about 6 hours to myself just doing that. love it. so I managed to finish the crochet flowers cushion, which I'm very pleased with. A big thanks to http://www.blogger.com/rosehip.typepad.com/rose_hip_blog/ for the pattern.

Then I started another little crewel embroidery just playing with colours. i rather like these blues but not sure what else to put with it. Tended the beautiful orchids.

these are such good value in terms of how long the flowers last and are so so beautiful. (Very cheap in our local market at the minute!)

This afternoon was my idea of bliss. Eldest child, having come back from Ibiza yesterday came in from work and went straight round to see the boyfriend, just as youngest child went to work at our local up market food store. (those with the snappy green uniform.) Herb played golf, so i did minimum domestic chores and settled down with the hoop and a Bette Davis on the TV. i am a huge fan of black and white movies but my favourite is Miss Davis.All that angst and melodrama and dresses to die for.

Finished with a nice dinner with wine. Having friends over tomorrow for lunch, should be a lovely relaxing day with old friends good food, the papers and some nice wine. A perfect weekend me thinks.

lazy sunday.......some crochet and crewel embroidery

2009-07-12T17:50:00.001+01:00

well the end of a perfect day............have literally done nothing domestic except cook the chicken dinner and put the washing on the line. the rest of the day I have devoted to the radio,

crochet,

checking favourite blogs, flickering, embroidery,

the papers

and the daughter ( in small measure....only really delivering food and drinks on a regular basis!). in other words, me. which I have to say is happening more and more as the children don't need me as much, husband is fully occupied with whatever the current sport is on TV ( the ashes as you probably know). eldest child is in Ibiza on her first all girl holiday. I have had some texts so i know she is alive. have to shut my mind to all things negative and trust she will come back in one piece brimming with wonderful experiences. which I'm sure will be the case. happy days

...and back again

2009-07-07T23:01:00.000+01:00

Am back……..it was a lovely relaxing easy holiday for me and the girls. Herb on the other hand had a dreadful time. He'd hurt his back before we left and (its an ongoing problem) and it just got worse and worse. On the day we were flying we should have had a lovely easy start but a) his back was the worst it had been and b) the m25 was shut just where we needed it not to be. So it was all panic, levered him into the car and bombed down the motorway. Luckily the motorway had reopened so we got to Gatwick as the check out opened. Result. I am I admit someone who likes to get to these places dead early, just in case. The kids hate it.

The flight was very painful for Herb and we tried to be sympathetic as we munched on sweets and listened to ipods. I had downloaded audio books which I would heartily recommend for a long journey. So Alan Bennett's Talking Heads got me through. But poor Herb suffered. Top that off with a 45 min drive from Pafos airport up in the hills in the dark and we were more than ready for the wine waiting for us. The new day brought lovely views down to the sea and the bluest sky you have ever seen. And that’s the way its stayed for 11 days, getting hotter and hotter. I went out with the girls every day. To the beach, the famous pafos mosaics, which were wonderful. Ice cream sundaes by the harbour. And all the time with those wonderful views. If you’ve been to Cyprus you will know how very British it is and the development is every where, with very little of old Cyprus left especially where we were. But hey, it was a wonderful relaxing time. I did lots of my crocheted flowers and some crewel tapestry which I am really in to. We ate nice food and drunk some very good Cypriot wine from local vineyards. We managed to prise Herb into the car on a couple of occasions but he only really began to enjoy himself a couple of days before we left. Never mind we shall return and do more exploring another time.

Hows this for a small world. On the last day we left the girls and got in the car to escape the heat.( I know it was hot here but 40 plus is too much for me) and headed up the hills to get the breeze. We stopped in a little restaurant I had my eye on in the middle of nowhere because the terrace had the most amazing views and were soon joined by an English couple who clearly wanted a chat. And you can guess, they have just moved to cyprus permanently from our small town. I love it when thing like that happen don’t you

Holiday.....sun here we come!

2009-06-19T18:51:00.000+01:00

We're off to Cyprus this weekend...........all of us. A very different holiday from usual.

We have had a very long love affair with France, renting a gite with a pool,

exploring gorgeous villages, long lazy lunches,

vineyards, chateaux.

You know the thing. Well last year the girls said enough. No more France and come the new year they promptly booked their own holidays with friends. As it should be at that age. Herb and I thought about what we should do for a holiday........he started banging on about the new flooring we need in the sitting room but i said STOP......nothing will stop me having a holiday, I don't care how foul the carpet it.........it isn't actually he just has a rather large bee in his bonnet about it.

So we decided to go to my sisters holiday home in Cyprus. We've never been to Cyprus so thought it would be a bit of an adventure. You've guessed, they are both coming. To cries of 'what no France this year', 'going somewhere good without us' etc etc, I have booked 4 flights and a car. They have assured us that they won't participate in any sightseeing....just r& r by the pool after exams. Fair enough I say, but I am sorry not to be going to France, maybe I can sneak a quick trip in the autumn.

Have stocked up on the crafting goodies

for the trip, more like for 10 trips actually which I will have to sneak into the case. I have a first 'commission' for my embroidery so will pick up the needle while sat on the terrace overlooking Pafos with my glass or two of pink and enjoy.

Embroidery Gift

2009-06-10T19:05:00.000+01:00

Well here it is.......the home made gift. I do hope she likes it. We met for breakfast today and she was in a funny old mood. The birthday blues me thinks . But I'm sure she'll be fine tomorrow and for the party Saturday.
She wanted me to go to town today which normally I would love to do mainly because I can stock up on yarn at John Lewis but today I wanted to put the present together.

Herb thought it would look great on our wall and was encouraging me to go out and get a gift from town so we could keep it but I can always make another.

and I will do...it was good fun.

Had two book club nights in a week. Have been naughty and not always reading the books. mainly because I'm always so damn tired..............but friend gave us all a talking to and I have vowed to read all choices. However painful! Anyway one of these was one I wanted for my hols anyway so no prob this time.I loved the first book by this author 'Shadow of the Wind' and hope his new offering will be just as good.

I love these book club nights. One is a real good gossip , alcohol and a bit about the book........the other a little bit more serious and some non fiction but very nice people. I love to read always have, but now I mainly read when I go to bed so it has to be fairly easy reading.

Will let you know how the present is received tomorrow.

I meant to go for lots of colour......

2009-06-08T18:54:00.001+01:00

honestly I did.

I love the things made by Lucy at attic24 but when it came to it my hands reached for the muted tones, a deep duck egg blue, gorgeous aubergine, ice blue and that rose pink I so love. I have decided to do the flower squares at rosehip just because I haven’t done anything like this before and so far the squares have come out beautifully.

A cushion for my bedroom I think. ...........I haven’t finished the blanket

yet but bought this little project to take on holiday. Herb now tells me the crochet hook won’t be allowed on the flight so I won’t be able to while away 4 hours creating.

However I must put the hook aside and finish the embroidery that I am hoping to give as a gift for my friend at the weekend. I have the frame and made a start but now am a bit less confident. Will she like it or just be polite and tuck it away in a corner somewhere. Will show you the result at the end of the week.

Oh must show you my bargain. I went to a charity bring and buy sale on Saturday. I had been warned this was no ordinary sale and indeed it wasn’t………housed in a beautiful barn, it was labels galore….which is not my thing but youngest child had a good root through. Then I spied the shoes. Boxed, new and gorgeous and all for £25.00.

(£120.00 new) and they fit. Fantastic. Youngest got a Ralph Loren shirt which she is very pleased with for £5.00. I have never been one for bargains but this has spurred me on. I will be more enthusiastic when dragged into charity shops by my friends on our days out and hopefully get some more bargains to show you.

2009-06-03T20:22:00.001+01:00

Venice `a deux......part 1

...well not exactly; we did go with a couple of good friends but without the teens. First time in 10 years I think. And Venice was fabulous. The friends suggested it and we thought why not. I must be honest it wasn’t in my top 10 places to see before I pop my clogs( no time soon I hope) but the friends did all the booking and well you will probably know if you’ve been, it’s a kind of one off place. Nowhere else like it in the world I guess.

The friends wanted a particular hotel which was way out of our price bracket but they assured us with 24 hours to go the price would drop by half. So we all checked Saturday and guess what, the price wasn’t dropping. A hasty telephone call to Italy advised the intrepid travellers that there was a pretty big boating event going on in Venice on Sunday, the day we were arriving and Venice was all booked up. Panic!

The friends eventually found two rooms on budget in a small hotel but in a good location with all good reviews on Trip Advisor. Phew what a relief. Arrived courtesy of a Ryanair 6.30 flight at about 9.15 to a wet and windy Treviso. At the top of the Grand Canal we were told because of the event on the Grand Canal there were no water buses till the afternoon. So we soaked up sights and sounds on the walk to the lagoon. Herb was so sweet pulling my little case as well as his rucksack. We broke for the best pizza stop ever (I’m not a pizza fan in the UK but this was something else) then continued on our way to our hotel in a small alley near the

piazza St Marco.....and guess what ......we had been upgraded to their 4 star sister hotel right on the lagoon front. Fantastic room. All bells and whistles. But we dumped our stuff and were on our way by 11. The weather

was improving by the minute and so we walked

and walked

and walked.......our little socks off in fact. Diving off the main drag with its thousands of people leads in minutes to deserted alleys

and piazzas. Armed with the best gelato

the world can offer we wandered

with no agenda until we needed to sit. Then fortified by prosecco and coffee we watched the world go by.

What a wonderful day..........

2009-05-29T15:46:00.000+01:00

Its a day for counting ones blessings. Yesterday was a very long day spent in the London suburbs. Not the nicest parts of our capital, but the ones that look depressing even in the nicest weather. The ones that feel dirty and dare I say slightly threatening. So today i am back in my country town and enjoying the sun. I have allowed myself to potter, ignoring all the jobs that demand my attention, enjoying the garden.........oh and preparing for Venice on Sunday. Can't wait!

the garden is looking beautiful

such colours...

the colour on this peony is so so beautiful

i love the end of the garden......can you spot' my old man'

the iris' on the pond have people stopping to look ......they are stunning

2009-05-23T18:37:00.001+01:00

What do you call......

....a room full of accountants. I had a whole day to think about this on Thursday. A smart location deep in the heart of London town, a view of St Pauls from one window and the GPO tower from the other. Even such views were not enough to distract from the subject in hand. Accounting. Benchmarking. The morning was bearable. Flicking through the handout trying to fit the names and job titles to the people sat around me. Surely they could see through me,I hardly dared catch their eye, I don’t belong here! don’t feel a passion for the bottom line. Oh I dreamed to be spending my day elsewhere. Making something, enjoying the garden,

reading. By the afternoon it was not so good. Even the dedicated started to drift away both physically and spiritually. Eyes were glazing over, doodling was getting creative. Then we all hurried away back to our various corners of this green and pleasant land. Herb got me tea and showed me to the settee. I picked up my crochet and relaxed. Do people know how lucky they are when they have jobs they love? That’s what I tell my offspring, try and find something you love that will also pay the rent.(Youngest made these muffins to cheer me up)

Meanwhile I shall while away my free time in my quiet pleasures.

.......oh and yes a room full of accountants, a depreciation I think.

A Midweek Jaunt

2009-05-14T22:05:00.000+01:00

Quite often when the mood takes us Herb and I get in the 'microwave'-what my friends laughingly call my beloved Ka- and scoot off for a little jolly. Maybe to the beach, but more often to a not too distant small town or village to have a little tramp round. This often takes the form of a coffee in the nicest tea shop we can find, take in the charms of said town or village then refer to the ordnance survey for a little walk. Not too arduous you understand but hopefully some nice views, clean air and no traffic noise.( I have a real issue with the distant hum of motorways as Herb would tell you. Every trip involves a moment of stopping and listening.)Yesterday we went to a village with no hum. Just the wind in the trees and lots of birds.

First we went to the wool shop I told you about. I bought more yarn for the granny blanket; the owner was particularly good about discreetly writing down the total as Herb was in the vicinity. While I was there I looked at the dk cotton for my next project. The most beautiful colours but I mustn’t jump the gun, treats in store. I couldn’t spend as much time as I wanted because I could hear a little impatience behind me but I will be back soon, this time on my own.

After the wool shop we drove to a village I had been to before and had a good trek. The church yard was beautiful with the graveyard having been turned into a meadow. And right by the church was the oldest yew tree we have ever seen. The markings on the inside of the hollow trunk were beautiful; my picture can’t do it justice.

As we were leaving I spotted a stall by the roadside advertising the wares of the local farm shop and as we stepped up to have a look noticed the pigs in the field behind charging towards us. A small electric fence blocked their way but we realised the stall also sold pig food which was why they were showing so much interest. A £1 well spent for these magnificent creatures but it won’t stop me ordering from the farm. Youngest child cannot believe I can eat the bacon after stroking the pig, but i can!!

2009-05-11T21:41:00.000+01:00

Revision revision revision.......

Not me you understand, I'm just cracking the whip. Well actually more like providing comfort food, a shoulder to cry on when the stress kicks in and a gentle critic of the art work. Both youngest child and eldest child are doing A levels so I am trying to create the right environment for revising.
Calming music, the right snacks, loving words. Is it working....who knows.
Eldest child is glued to the lap top and youngest child is busy mixing oil paints for her final art piece.
This afternoon Herb went off for a game of golf, I got on with the blanket ...growing nicely I must say except I’ve run out of wool.......... and youngest child created a very good Mr Punch.

We had another mad dash to the art supply store about 10 miles away this morning to get more supplies. Goodness knows what poor people do! This final piece has cost a fortune this week. Of course it’s all worth it.

On the craft front a colleague at work brought me back from Holland this
brilliant bag which I’m using to store all my wool and paraphernalia. It’s just perfect....... I’ve decided to block the squares which gives a much better result when all sewn together. Thanks to attic24 for the tip.Tomorrow I’m off to the wool shop for more supplies. I found this fantastic little shop about 30 minutes away in a small village which has the most wonderful yarns. The first time I visited, I walked in with my daughter and we were confronted by a small group of women sitting round a table tucking into what smelt like delicious soup. This it turned out was a beginners crochet session with lunch thrown in...........we made our excuses for a 15 minute walk round this delightful village and when we returned found the same women surrounded by beautiful yarns wrapped over fingers and hooks. I so wanted to join in.
The shop is tiny yet is crammed with beautiful handmade items, craft books, china, ribbons and so much more. I will post a picture after my next visit so you can see how delightful it is. I fully intend to sign up for one of their sessions and intend to only buy small amounts of wool each time so I can keep returning.

Here goes.....

2009-05-04T19:02:00.000+01:00

So, here goes. Months of thinking about it and finally put it on the page. This year I have started a new decade and have seriously started to contemplate what a new era this will be. Eldest child will go to university later this year and youngest child next year. That will leave me and 'Herb'- the husband, to occupy this space that has so long been filled with the noise of 2 girls and all that entails. I know, I know, it hasn't happened yet, but I want to prepare so that I wont be a needy miserable wretch when they do eventually go.

Ours has been a house in these past couple of years where everyone congregates, Saturday morning will find the girl's friends squeezed onto mattresses or sofas.....several pairs of strange shoes in the hall, and the gossip from the night before over breakfast.... and I love it.

So ........I intend to gradually fill the space with stuff, metaphorically speaking and this blog is part of it.

I have taken up a few old hobbies, crochet, embroidery and tapestry. Have arranged a couple of trips with friends (Venice in a few weeks-cant wait) , all the stuff that has sometimes been put on hold that I love to do .

Last week I started this new project..........I bought some beautiful wool and inspired by blogs I read I have made a start. Hope you like it.

Even if no one else finds this blog i think i am going to enjoy it....here goes.