Celebrating Hot Style

When it's hot hot hot the best places to be are being busy doing nothing in the garden or dipping our feet in the cold North Sea. We'd usually avoid the city and all the crowding people, but when there's fun to be had from the once yearly Lord Mayor's Celebrations we head straight in.

I decided it was the day for another new dress. I had to take down the hem on my sale dress as shop bought ones are never long enough when you're over 6ft. Usually I avoid Joules, other than for the girlie clothes (which they're now too big for). It just isn't my kind of style, but when I saw this dress in the window I was instantly attracted to the print. It needs a bit of altering around the bust and perhaps removing the ever so shiny gold zip at the back (if I can really be bothered, which is probably not).

Lily had the right idea and had flopped out completely. This is her first experience of real sunshine and she was soaking it up in bucketfulls.

We managed to get a great spot for the parade on the shady side just beneath the castle. Alongside dancers, bands and cute kids there were some great artistic floats, this being one of my favourites.

The strange tall figures at the bottom were all whizzing about attached to walkers for elderly people. It was a great atmosphere and really brings the city together.

After the parade we headed off to the river, away from the crowds where dinner in a Mexican restaurant awaited us. However much we miss our girls being wee because it was such a magical time it has been replaced with lots of new magic too. Now we can do more grown-up stuff aswell like staying out for meals until late and fill them up with spicy food.

On Sunday we headed back in again for the Lanes Festival which we call Brighton days. This is how we remember Brighton as a vibrant and ecclectic place where impromtu street performers popped up and there was a real buzz in the air. Only very occassionally do we get that in Norwich, which is not to say we want Norwich to be any different either because we love it for being such a fascinating and stunning city.

We pitched up awhile on a cafe doorstep to listen to the ukele group while further down the sounds of Big Band Swing played out. Vintage stalls were laden alongside great makers so there was plenty to see and do. Later we headed up to the Castle Gardens to see a spot of Midsummer Nights Dream. The English teacher in me was thrilled when I heard Miss Rosey explaining who was who and what was happening to Little Bun. Amazingly we've had more requests for more Shakespeare which is ok by me as they're just great stories about the complexities of being human.

Sadly we missed the duck race, but when there's so much on you just can't be everywhere can you. 

Much much later lazing in the garden with Paul O'Grady on the radio (we adore him and would ask to adopt him into the family, but he would probably be freaked out by that request), sipping wine and timing Little Bun's races to and fro (sports day prep as she's fed up being last) we said this most definately is the Life.

Florally Weeks End

Knowing I had a whole two weeks just to myself I foolishly thought I'd get so much done. That's two weeks squished in between school runs of course which means I don't have as much time as I'd thought. Then add in all the unforseens that popped up in the week and I'm left with the same list of things I wanted to get done as before. Ah well I've had a grand week all the same and I'm sure one fine day soon I'll break that list. 

Yesterday was a blissful day as the sun shone from the start, I slipped on my new dress all finished late the night before. When you're running badly late on the school run (we should have left at 7.30 and I was still getting petrol in the next village gone 8) then you love those days when you only need to chuck a dress on. Somehow, by a great big blooming miracle I managed to get into the city just in time for Miss Rosey to get into school and then hacked back to get Little Bun in just as the bell was ringing. Pheeew such a relaxing start to the day. Sadly I had to turn down an invite to coffee at the farm shop as I needed to be in the next town good and early.

When I got there I treated myself to a coffee and put the finishing touches to a few anenome brooches I was delivering. Always there by the skin of my teeth me, but it does get done in the end.

Brooches done, no photos stupidly which is annoying as I was thrilled with them, but I have a whole pile more to make up for my etsy shop (that list of things again) and for Little Vintage Lover Fair in August so I will share then. Off to the wool and bits shop for supplies and a lovely chat with the ladies in there who always ask after the girls. We lived here when Miss Rosey was a babe and Little Bun was born at home, so even though we've moved on they're well remembered from our walks out and about.

At Vintage Mischief I delivered my brooches and then just had to have a look around. It's a fabulous place to visit if you ever happen to be in Beccles. An old dairy on a couple of floors with rooms and outbuildings sprawling here and there filled with so many things you wish you had the pennies for. With the nagging knowledge of no pay until the end of September I stayed in window shopping mode (I was proud of myself as I normally have no willpower whatsoever).

I did get tempted by a few lupins and other plants on the market before I headed home to my man who was working at home that day. 

I ordered (or is that asked?) him to take a few pictures of me in said new dress so I could show you as promised.

Now as much as I love my new dress I'm not too sure I like seeing myself in it. I'm thinking either the camera does add a few pounds or perhaps my mum's right and I do need to shift a bit of excess me. I've never ever dieted and always eaten what I wanted, but I've obviously hit that age when what you eat no longer burns off and I need to face facts as I don't like what I see.

The afternoon ended with the best news ever, I will share when I get a letter confirming all as I don't want to tempt fate, but just to say after months of worry a huge weight has been lifted.

Later my man and I headed off to collect the girlies and hear tales of their days. Little Bun at an adventure climbing place as it was activities week and Miss Rosey with only one week left of her first year at high school.

I even managed to chop up the shapes for a new dress for Little Bun from the top fabric and pot up my plants when we got back before we collapsed in a drink sodden haze of shandy. This sunny weather really does make you feel like on top of the world doesn't it.

Today we're off for the Lord Mayor's parade and celebrations and Sunday there's a fabulous street market, street theatre and so much more besides or the perhaps the beach to get away from it all. Too much choice at this time of year. 

Wishing you a lovely weekend whatever you get up to too.

At Home

First thing Monday I simply had to have a go at the new/old pattern I bought on Saturday. I like the square and scoop neck dresses best. With big boobies I avoid v-necks as they seem to make my Bristols look bigger and more matronly. I'm just not up for a Hattie Jacques look. I have a big suspicion that if I actually lost some weight they might shrink a wee bit.

As the pattern is a size 12 and I'm a mish mash of 12 and 14 I added a few inches all round and just went for it. Once I'd got the basic shape sewn up I thought I could fiddle here and there reducing where needed.

Fittingly I chose a sheet of limes, blues and lilacs bought from the same lovely friend from whom the pattern came. The dress so far has been quick to whip up, the longer bits have been trying to pin the back and sides whilst wearing it with no one around to help. Now I finally have a dress shaped to fit me so all it needs now is for the sleeves to be finished, the hem stitched and the sun to shine.

I really like the puffy sleeves in the pattern, but when I put the dress on as it is it sits really well as a sleeveless dress. To solve my dilemma of to add sleeves or not I asked my man for his opinion. He started singing the theme tune to Heidi and thought he was very witty indeed. No sensible answers there then. I've decided on my own to go for it with the sleeveless version which saves time and fabric too.

When all is done I promise to show.

My other new interests this week have been tackling a wrap pattern from Debbie Bliss' Crochet Living. I really love the effect, but I'm not sure I have the patience for the endless repeats.

Halfway through my head started wandering and I wondered how the pattern would look if I mixed up the colours a bit. Ideal for a cushion or scarf I think, but not a wrap. This isn't to be anything, it's just a trying things thing.

Despite my impatience with endless repeats in knitting and crochet, I have been keeping at it with my pink cardigan which now needs only one more sleeve and then I can sew it up, knit the button band and hope and pray it fits after all that knitting hard work. 

My other bit of news is that after nearly three weeks of no eggs, two friends made it their mission yesterday to find them in our big nettly overgrown garden. After a search pre-lunch, then loads of food and another search the eggs were found. My mate claims she got inside the mind of a hen to think where she would lay her eggs. Maybe it's true as she did find them didn't she.

 

Now I'm off to kick myself up the bum because there's a whole host of jobs that just won't get done while I'm on here. 

See you soon.

The Tray Game

I'm now officially off work for six whole weeks. Six weeks to plan other money making schemes, to try and mend some of the house, re-vamp other bits of it, garden, create and generally enjoy being a full-time mum for a while.

I've a couple of new books to inspire me to yet more new projects before I even see the finishing line with all of the others. Granny Squares only cost a couple of pounds as I'd managed to get all the stamps filled in with the bookshop loyalty card and I found the other in a very old fashioned haberdashers.

Whilst there's nothing essentially different in granny squares, I was drawn to it for the inspiration I get from seeing all the yarny colours together in the different patterns. Craft Time takes me straight back to the 70's with all of it's comforting patterns.

I'm drawn to all of these cosies, although I loathe tea and have never drunk a full cup in my life, one sip was enough for me thank you. Not being a tea drinker shouldn't preclude me from tea cosy loving. I also have three tea drinkers in the family so it would be unfair not to decorate a pot properly. I've had a go at the pink and red version, but I keep mucking up one of the stitches. Until I work out a solution it'll have to wait awhile.

Now this afternoon, after netball practice, we headed off to an idyllic village fete. One we go to each year as the setting is so magical and it has a theme. Last year was the 40's this year was the 60's. I forgot my camera so all pictures of the beautiful cottages around the village green are stored on my phone and I'm yet to work out how they get on here.

A friend of mine has a stall there which is a big temptation for us as we'd willingly re-home most of her goodies. I took her a brooch I'd made for her, pennies were exchanged and then I picked up a few bits and the same pennies were handed back. I'm so thrilled with each and every thing we've brought home.

Jimmy was bought on our third turn around the green. Mr spied him and instantly fell for his charms. Miss Rosey announced he was creepy. His maracca's look like a pair of yellow boobies too and with a turn of the rusty key he can still bang them together don't you know.

I couldn't resist the wee christmas baby. Normally I can't stand soft dolls with plastic faces, but I really like this one and so there was no contest, she had to come home with us.

Later licking our icecreams and hugging the bottle of fizz we won on the tombola we headed happy homeward bound. The end of a very good start to the weekend.

Honesty

As I drove back into the village this morning, all three of my lovelies delivered to their different places, I stopped by the honesty stall. I look forward to this simple place each year. At the end of a lane tucked behind the pond various homegrown plants and flowers are offered up for sale. At the moment there are cornflowers and sweet williams. This morning I spied the first of the sweetpeas which I've been waiting ever so patiently for.

Although it's the dullest and coldest June day, I have the scent and beauty of these flowers to fill the house with a small bit of summer. For just £1.60 I had sweetpeas and a bunch of meadowflowers to make the day bright and cheery.

Last week I was lucky enough to get some plants to fill a few pots up for the handsome sum of £3. Lily was fascinated by the outdoors smells being brought in. Soon one of my favourite flowers will be on the stall. Each year I've had the most amazing dahlia's from here. Later on as autumn beckons there are Robin pears, apples and gooseberries to be had. The honesty stall reveals the signs of the seasons to me and is a lovely place to stop by based solely on sharing and trust.

I get comfort from the fact that there are still parts of our lives based on simple trust and honesty. With our girls, however, we've not always been completely honest. When asked for our opinion on something they've made or done sometimes a wee white lie is better than causing floods of tears. I've said tons of things are marvellous and wonderful. To me they are, but not necessarily to everyone else. 

Yesterday Little Bun made a chocolate cake with absolutely no help from me at all. I was banned from the kitchen.

The height her cake rose to was unbelievable. It also tasted divine, gooey, light and perfectly chocolatey. When I told her it was far better than any cake I can make (and without being big headed I don't think mine taste too bad) I could see she thought that's what you're meant to say, you're my mum. I had to really insist that it was the absolute honest injuns truth.

Then when we started chatting about Miss Rosey's trials for the netball squad that day, the whole concept of honesty went a bit pear shaped. At nearly 13 I think it's time to face the truth about certain things so she can cope with the realities of disappointment. I'd love to keep creating an innocent and perfect world for them, but would be unfair. It's our job to prepare them for each stage of life as it comes up.

Miss Rosey was selected to trial for the county a few weekends ago. When she didn't make it to the team she was so upset. This was her first real disappointment as she's a very able girl who has always achieved what she wants through ability or hardwork. She was told she was put in a year earlier than is normal and she can try again next year. On Friday night we went to her High School sports awards dinner where she won an award for her netball. We were so proud of her and even more thrilled when we won B & B in a hotel on the raffle. Yay. 

Now this is where the honesty bit comes in. Yesterday she trialled for the U13 netball squad for the coming year. She had a load of fun, but put little effort in. Other girls played so much better and so when she asked how we thought she had done we paused for a mo. We could have said fandabby dosey, but that wouldn't have done her any favours if she doesn't get picked. So we took a deep breath and told her as kindly as we could that she's played better and that if she really wants it then dancing in the goal wasn't the best idea. Phheww that didn't go down well at all. What do you think, best to be honest or set them up for a fall? It certainly isn't easy is it.

The last person I need to be a bit more honest with and about is myself. I've been trying to face the fact that I'm unhealthy and need to sort out how I eat. I've always had a great metabolism that meant I could eat whatever I wanted with no extra weight plopping on. I used to smoke heavily before I had the girls too and that helped keep the weight off. I miss breakfast and then grab choc midday when my tummy rumbles. Then I usually miss lunch as I hate stopping for it when I'm on my own. By the evening I'm hungry and pick on biscuits and rubbish. I've suffered from different food phobias all my life and so when I have a plate of food I rarely finish it all which leaves me snacking again later on. 

Now I'm trying to get in charge of all of this as I can't get into most of my dresses. I'm starting the day with a large bowl of fruit, granola, yoghurt and a plop of honey. I'm not sure if this is fattening or not, but it's filling me up and keeping me away from the snacks which has got to be a good thing right. Apart from the knowledge that Little Bun's delicious cake is in the kitchen beckoning me. 

Final photo courtesy of Miss Rosey's history project on the dissolution of the monasteries. In groups they have to make a learning pack for ten year olds. She came up with the idea of adding a soft toy monk to the mix which I thought was great. He reminds me of Brian Lane in New Tricks to be honest.

Odd Job

Having Monday and Friday off work is the perfect way to break the week up to my mind. This week has been the first in ages that I've had the time to myself. I've been trying hard to use the time to get some much needed repairs done around the house. Not that I can tackle the leaky roof or holes in ceilings on my own, but I'm a dab hand with a brush, hammer or needle.

I have three of the 1930's chairs from my aunt and uncles house in our dining room.. Sadly we just couldn't squeeze in the table so that had to go. I've already taken the plunge and painted one blue. I love it, but know my dad would be horrified. Each time I covered something else in paint he would shake his head and ask how could I cover up perfectly good wood. Well two answers there, sometimes just because I like colour more than I like brown and sometimes because the said object looked hideous unpainted. To be honest these chairs look lovely in their natural state too, which is why I've not set to on the others - yet. The original seats are leather, but as I desire something with a bit more cheer I've always recovered them. As the last covers were absolutely filthy, I got out the nails hammer and a new/old sheet and off I went. One job done off a very very long list.

Lily slept through all the banging in of nails and woke up just as I got my crochet out. Rather than actually finishing anything else I've been distracted once again by a new thing. Inside Crochet has some fabulous patterns most of which grab my interest in a way that Simply Crochet never has. When I saw the Dahlia Stole I was smitten. I was instantly drawn to the gorgeous mix of colours and the swirliness of the stitches.

I'm using slightly different colours as I'm using what I have rather than buying yet more yarn. Although the more I look at the green, orange and lilac shades in the original I realise it's these colours that have drawn me in the most.

I have had a fiddle with another spot of crochet recently. While Miss Rosey and I watched Miss Marple on Sunday evening I fancied having a try at making up some yarny versions of anenomes to go with my felt ones. Looking at these pictures I realise I need to scale down the black middles which looked ok to me at the time. All in all though I'm pretty pleased with how they've turned out so far.

Final shot goes to Little Bun's moment of pride with her first ever cherry cake which was delicious.

Now I'm off to see if I can squeeze some sewing time in before the inevitable chores beckon me.

Here & Now

Not being able to blog for a while has given me bloggers block. I'm hoping that as I write the words will start to flow and my brain will become blogging fit once more.

The reason I blog is made up of so many things. I read an interesting post recently written by Annie about why we blog. I wanted to comment as like so many of her posts it got me thinking and I wanted to chat back. The moment was lost though as I was reading it on my phone waiting outside the school for Miss Rosey. The usual round of rushing to collect Miss Millie next, buying food, sorting out life when we get in at 6 so we can get through the next day means any intention I had to catch up with a comment is lost. Having to grab time here and there, coupled with failing pooters at home has forced me to step outside of blogging world. That's led to me questioning more why I really do it, what spurs me on to take photos and try to order my thoughts into something enjoyable to read. Essentially why keep on, when it would be so much easier to stop?

To be absolutely honest I can't imagine not writing here. It's a place where I order my life into some of the more cheery elements and reflect on all that I love the most in life. When I feel truly moany it's nigh on impossible to write a post as I don't want to share all of my innermost feelings and I can't imagine anyone else would want to read that kind of thing. Blogging is a two-way thing. I write and take pictures to record my creative life for myself, but to be really enjoyable I chose to share it with a whole host of people. Some are friends who catch up with my news, some are people who are blogging pals - people who I've met through this lark, then there are people who are kind enough to leave comments and share a bit of themselves, lastly there are all the unknown people who stop by have a read (and I hope enjoy it as I do all the blogs I pop into), but leave no trace of their visit.

When I write a post I have in mind different bloggers who I think will find something interesting. In essence it then becomes a bit of a chat in my head with them. There are so many wonderful women that I have chatted with through comments or emails that I sometimes wish I could literally pop over for a cuppa and say hello. Instead through blogging I pop into their edited worlds as they do mine.

Because I've been unable to visit many blogs lately I feel like a party's been going on and I'm behind with all the news. I'm going to cut a big slab of the cherry cake Little Bun made for Father's Day and pop on over this morning if my pooter lets me.

Around some horrible jobs that need doing too I'm hoping to squeeze in a spot of sewing, knitting or crochet. I haven't quite decided yet what mood I'm in.  Having this one day off before the working week gets going is fabulous, but it also means I want to achieve so much in it and then end up doing little. This morning I thought I could clear the garden, garage, make a dress, do the weeks food shop and fly to the moon. Now I realise I might have to settle for washing up and fiddling about as major achievements for my day as we have a new tiny furry distraction. 

Lily is three months old and arrived here on Friday morning. Little Bun's schoolfriends cat had a few kittens and it turned out the people who were having Lily changed their minds. Well we didn't even hesitate. A perfect kitten, small cheeky and loving who is toilet trained already, the ideal package. Olly is banned from seeing her as he has gone pretty feral (only turning up for meals and grumping at everyone), Pip our older cat is pretending she doesn't exist and Alfie Blue would like to be friends, but clearly Lily's mum told her dogs were bad. She'll soon learn this one is the bestest boy ever.

Around all of this we've seen Little Bun's end of year dance school show which was a great evening. rounded off perfectly by a man in the tightest skinny jeans and very high heeled boots singing Ring of Fire. My man has visited No 10 and had a chat with Dave himself. Ironically he got in with his British Library card as he couldn't find his driving licence. I think they'd checked him out for any dodgy aspects beforehand anyways. Miss Rosey has been going great guns in her sport and so we've been invited to a sports prize dinner with her on Friday. Me - well I've just been being me, no fancy achievements other than ticking along and discovering on Saturday night just how much I like cocktails.

In two weeks I'll be off work for six whole weeks. Scary and lovely at the same time as it means no pay until September so I'll be trying to fit in a few fairs to up the pennies. Two whole weeks on my own before Miss Rosey breaks up and then another week and a half for Little Bun. Sadly I'll only have two weeks off with the pair of them before I head back to work as we've changed all of our term dates at work.

Well it's been great getting back into the swing of things. I'll try and make it a more regular thing again as I think blogging does my head good. See you soon as I'm now off to go visiting.

Weebles make for Happy Days

A snippet of a tune floats around in my head "Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down". A girly weeble saved from my childhood sits happily beside ginger bear on our bedroom mantlepiece. I'm reminded of how I wished and wished for the weebles playset where I could sit my eggy pals in the roundabout or push them on a swing shaped just for their round bums.

Our home is filled with bits and bobs from our childhoods, things from our parents lives and memories added from our family life.  Shells, flowers and stones are collected up on our outings and stuffed into pockets for pouring over later when we return. New things are made to add to the collections as an when the urge demands.

Sometimes we head off to carboots, charity shops, fleamarkets and emporiums of old stuff in the hope of finding some of those things we have on the lists in our heads. Miss Rosey wishes for a 1950's picnic set, Little Bun loves dresses, toys and books, Mr Bun has wanted for so many years one of those collecting boys you used to see outside shops. You know the wee lad with his leg in callipers. God knows why, but he loves the design of these - I've said if we ever ever come across one then the boy can live in the garden. Me - well my list is endless, but I always know when I've seen just the thing that is on it.

This afternoon we headed off in search of treasure after Little Bun had some of her Rapunzel locks shorn at the hairdressers. It's all very well wanting hair down to your bum, but it's a swine to brush out. She feels very swish with her hair a bit shorter.

At the emporium we saw lots to take our fancy and had a fabulous browse. I collected up a jolly tin and a few more buttons before I saw the wee weather house Little Bun had had her eye on waiting in the corner.

I had one of these when I was small and loved it so. At the till I spied this most perfect plastic kitty and so I quickly added that to my things. More new things that have already found their places in our home and remind us of good days together. 

This week we've had a wonderful half-term, just gone at our own pace and made the most of our days. We had a fabulous day in Cambridge mooching, eating and then ending up at the Fitzwilliam. I adored seeing the pre-Raphaelites and then moving on to the world of Stanley Spencer. I also treated myself to a wee bit of fabric because it was irresistible.

On Thursday the girls and I had a home day. I found time in the afternoon to make up a brooch that's been kicking around in my head for far too long now. My wedding bouquet was made up of anenomes which contrasted with my deep blue velvet dress, I've wanted some lasting anenomes ever since. I'm so thrilled with how it's turned out, in fact I've worn it ever since. Today at the emporium it was the first thing Daniella the owner noticed. I was thrilled when she asked if I'd be happy to have a few for sale in the shop.

Now finally in memory of that rare blast of sunshine that appeared again at the end of the week I'll show you where we went for a wander with picnic in hand. Fairhaven Gardens is a magical place where fairies most definately live set within the Broads. Alongside the inland waterways are masses of these Candleabra plants.

After walking through paths made into tunnels by the trees overhead we came out onto the Broad where we ate our lunch.

We waited awhile to see this beautiful boat sail past before heading back into the woods in search of bluebells.

Tommorow Miss Rosey and I will be in Hatfield while she plays in a netball tournament. I'm filling my bag with knitting, hexies, books and memories as it's going to be a long old day. Please lets have some more of this here sun as it won't be much fun out in the rain for seven hours will it.

See you soon.