Lest we forget

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

it's nearly November....

so I thought I'd better update you!

Sorry it's been sooooo long (bad sarah, naughty sarah) however I'm here now! Oh the news... well some news...

My baby sister is moving in with me

I'm a little scared because
a: I've lived on my own for 7 years!it's going to be v odd with someone else there
b: I've got sooo much stuff I need to get rid of
c: I'm going to freak her out completely with my madness
d: she'll scare me with her efficiency

I'm looking forward to it because
a: we get on well
b: it'll save us both lots of cash (all the better for spending in Cath K!)
c: she gets to have a garden for growing things
d: we can share the cooking

But wait - I haven't finished yet (had to sneak that in somewhere Margaret - I've been singing cat like tread in my office...it's not been a pretty sound!)

Afore mentioned baby sister and I have just returned from a trip to see my Aunt and Uncle including a brilliant trip to Aldeburgh. After the best fish and chips on I believe the face of the earth we had a walk along the front to see the Benjamin Britten sculpture on the beach. It's beautiful. I'm a big fan of coastal sculpture, well sculpture in general really and it was such a treat to be able to see it up close. We are lucky locally after all with Gormley's another view on crosby beach (I'm told it's good luck to touch his... erm... appendage...yes that's a suitable enough word...) but getting close to the Britten, perhaps because of it's scale was brilliant and I've got lots of inspiration for pottery class sculpture sessions!




See told you it was great!

Aldeburgh itself is lovely too, with cute little houses in pastel colours, huge seagulls and little fishing boats.

So big thank you to Margaret and Adrian for having us to stay, ferrying us round to beautiful places, taking us out for lunch (I'm still full) sending us home with homemade Jam and apples, telling us things about our family history we never knew AND inducting us in the ways of pirates with purple trousers!

still here...

gosh, it's been a while hasn't it! I am still around. Back soon!

here we go again...

Well... I've gone brunette again... what do we think?



Thanks for the e-mails and comments from the last post, I'm still trying to get to grips with myself and answer you all, I promise I'm not deliberately being rude! I also have some pre-party preparation pics to share, so see you in a few whiles!

Oh how the time flies

It's been a long while since I've been here. I'm getting even worse at blogging, not from not wanting to, more from not having the time for both good reasons and bad. This summer has particularly busy what with parties to plan and lots going on at work. Dad's party which was months in the planning went well. Not quite as expected as the weather let us down severely, however everyone seemed to have a great time and drank plenty (of tea and alcohol!) especially my soon to be sister in law who still managed a long charity bike ride the next day! Sophie and Mum made the most spectacular cakes of which there will be photo's to follow and Dad did really well from all our very generous friends, family and neighbours. This was followed by a relaxing few days in Shropshire, including a trip to Ippikin in Much Wenlock! a fab yarn shop where I wanted to take up residence! In between I'm sad to say, a lovely friend of mine Beryl sadly lost her battle with pancreatic cancer, and went to sort God out (if anyone can organise him, Beryl can!) She'd come to terms with it and went having made her peace, organised her funeral, thoroughly enjoyed her life and leaving a wonderfully vibrant family, something not everyone can say. See you on the other side Beryl!

I'm glad to say I've enrolled for my second year of pottery. I am really enjoying it and hope eventually to turn it into something more permanent as soon as my throwing (which I have real issues with) is starts to develop! It is rather frustrating that despite my wishes to go back to University to study ceramics, it is not financially viable. I already have a degree and so would have to pay fees more akin to international students and at £7,000-£10,000 per year it is just not realistic even though I'm saving. I'm going to have to find an alternate route, perhaps an apprenticeship as it is not something I'm prepared to give up on now. I watched the pursuit of happyness the other day, and although I'd rather not do the whole homeless thing and I'm not expecting riches, the whole thing did send the "don't give up" message.

Speaking of pottery, I'd better get back to work, I've a pot to plan by Thursday...

TTFN

S

Festival of Quilts Redux

Well, call me a glutton for punishment... I'm off to the Festival of quilts in birmingham again. This time I shall be going on my own so I shan't feel the need to tell people off when they are rude or push into me as I'll have no-one to embarrass... So if you hear a raised Scouse accent swearing or see a harrassed lookin' woman with bright purply-pink hair who looks in need of some gin or a cup of tea please feel free to say hi / or alternatively find a a place to hide!! I don't know if anyone out there has ever been, but the train from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International (where the NEC is) is like Hogwarts Express for quilters... it's rather intimidating. I'm thinking of wearing my nose to ear chain to freak everyone out - you never know it might stop people bumping into me! (fingers crossed)

I've finished work until September and I'm looking forward to having a nice break including Dad's party. It feels like the planning of it has been going on FOREVER, and as it's only round the corner there is still soooo much to do. Will no doubt be back in a few days as have the time now for plenty of updates!

Well I'd better start sharpening my elbows...

Entirely Pictorial post!

1: Clutch Bag I made for Sophie' for the wedding she's in Canada for!


2: Sophie's Apron for Dad's Party


3: Deb's Apron for Dad's Party


4: Bertie's Apron for Dad's Party


5: My Apron for Dad's Party


Thanks for e-mails and posts, I will answer I promise, apologies for not having done so already!

TTFN ESFT

Duckworth Lewis Method

This is one of my fave songs this summer - well worth getting the album, I mean come on, who couldn't love a concept album about Cricket???!!!

Disappearing act

Sorry for the lack of posting. I've had the lurgy. I've even been off work for a week, something that I've NEVER done before! I've slept lots and drunk lots of tea and I'm finally ready to take some photo's! See you soon. a little link for you...
this lady has been to one of Chartwell's mbira camps and recorded some songs, so thanks Briony and the lovely stars of your videos!

Still here

I am still around, busy making stuff! I promise a long post tomorrow about frilly pinnys and dubious shaped sculpture...!

Whilst you are waiting, did anyone watch Lab rats on BBC2? very funny here's a clip

Quick Change...

Oh it's gone quickly

I don't know, you turn around on a Friday and suddenly it's Wednesday again - I'm not sure how that happens? Answers on a postcard please!

Reading: A book about Art during the 1st world war. It's very good
Listening: To the Tennis, Andy Roddick, Leyton Hewitt match... not sure who's going to win...
Making: Sense (never!!) Cutting out pennants for bunting like it's going out of fashion! finally selected fabric for apron's - I just need to get sewing now as my mother wants her dining room table back!
Wishing: That it was just a little cooler outside and at night, the sunshine is lovely though!
Not happy about: the fact that pottery finished last night, however roll on the September as it'll start again - yay!!! Plus our pottery tutor gave us all something that he'd made, which was exceptionally nice of him. Will post a photo when it and my camera are in the same place!

I shall leave you with this second excerpt from Bill Bailey!

Wierdy Beardy

Most people that know me, know that I'm a fan of odd looking beardy men. This is one of the examples... the incomparable Bill Bailey with one of his brilliant songs



Can't believe: That it's Friday already
Glad: That it's the end of a long week at work
Looking forward to: A Pint
Listening: Bill!
Reading: The sequel to the Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs (can't remember it's name and too lazy to use amazon at this precise moment

Royal Mail threatens delivery withdrawal after postman 'attacked' by kitten

Well... I know several people that need to be careful....!!! Mum, Sandi, I do hope that your lot behave themselves....

Royal Mail has warned a family they will not deliver their mail after a postman was "attacked" by their kitten.


... The most dangerous box.... the Letter box....!

Sefton Park

Sophers and I went to Africa Oye yesterday. It was a lovely afternoon. Great Acts, fab stalls and the best bit of all, a lovely walk around the park. I took lots of photo's so today's will be a photo post! Today has been good too, I went to craft fair where I bumped into my pottery tutor who had a stall there, so Dad is the proud recipient of one of his mugs, it'd have been rude not to, especially as it's Father's Day! Happy Father's Day Dad! (who has just walked past the door on the way to feed Dougal saying - and this is verbatim, "oooh cut your noise you screaming little git") Poor Dad, Dougal has taking to climbing his trouser-leg and yelling at him to be fed about fifty times a day, dad is too nice and Dougal has him wrapped around his little finger with the result that Dougal shouts at Dad and Dad shouts back at Dougal providing my mother with hours of amusement as they follow each other around the house and garden! What happens after he's been fed, well he comes up and sits on Dad's knee for a cuddle... Men eh?!!!

Flashback

All of a sudden, we (in Liverpool anyway) are getting a flashback to last summer, to say it's raining is actually not doing this precipitation justice. It's not so much raining cats and dogs as horses and cows.

Anyway back to business

Enjoying: The fact we are over halfway through the week already - how did that happen???
Liking: Freebies from a supplier - I love freebies, pens, paper, highlighters, post-it's I'm a bit of a stationery whore too!
Looking forwards to: some hopefully dry weather for Africa Oye!
Working towards: Three year freedom plan
Also working towards: Not being frightened of the three year freedom plan
Not looking forward to: The end of pottery - only 2 weeks left now... still good news yesterday, the tutor from this course is most likely going to be the tutor for next year which is good as I know he won't make me throw if I don't want to!
Making: I've finished 10 of the 20 placenta's although I did forget to take a photo... next time!
More Making and planning: Big Si's party, currently knitting Tea Cosies, I think I'll knit a spare one for a blog give-away...
Trying: Not to make another visit to Cath Kidston before payday!
Going: To the pictures with the lovely Steve and Sophers
Listening to: Lisa Hannigan and The Specials


Photo of the day: Sefton Park on a day when we actually had some Sun... keep your wot nots crossed please!

He he heeee!

It's Back!

No... not me... the antidote to panel games I'm sorry I haven't a clue!!!

Since Humph's sad shuffle off this mortal coil, we have been left bereft. Stephen Fry, Jack Dee and Rob Brydon taking it in turns to steer the ship - if indeed it can be!

Looking forward to: I'm sorry I haven't a clue
Reading: Blogs
listening: The sound of the kettle about to boil
Wishing: That I was lucky - sorry song lyric invaded then, that getting to the quilt festival was a bit cheaper
Trying: To figure out twitter...

Still here...

Still here.... just mega busy with some of the most surreal days I've had in a long time!!!

Back tomorrow where normal posting will resume!

"If I love you Wednesday, What is that to you?

Ahhh Wednesday, the middle of the week, you are an underrated day

Reading: Nothing - can anyone recommend anything?
Listening: Nick Drake, Madeleine Peyroux, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Arcade Fire
Making: Compromises
Wishing: For a little bit of courage!
Looking forward to: A lovely weekend

here.... some photo's at last, John the first one, and the other two are mbira playing inspired, a lion (shumba) and a spirit. Sophie and Ma and Pa have got their fill of weird sculptures now, I'll have to start finding someone else to palm them off on!

Does anyone else have difficulty naming their posts?

I had a lovely parcel in the post this morning, the prints I ordered from Etsy - I'll frame them and post a picture!
It's pottery class again this evening. It finishes in a few weeks and although I've signed up for next year, I'm going to miss it lots over the summer. I've got plenty on to keep me busy, what with big Si's party and all, but still I'm not looking forward to the last lesson, or should that be session as the teacher pretty much lets us do what we want and is there for advice. It feels very freeing in a way that not much else other than sewing does. Turning a lump of clay into something, be it a pot, cup, vase or sculpture, seeing it take form slowly (or sometimes quickly) in front of you is a simple pleasure I'd like to do more of.

Reading: Trashy chicklit - too trashy even to recall the name of it...(memory is terrible these days)
Listening: Fleet Foxes another re-visited obsession!
Enjoying: Pottery
Annoyed: That I didn't win the lottery roll-over so I could become independently wealthy and not have to work for a living (anyone have a rich son they want to get rid of...?)
Drinking: About to be Polly!
Making: More weird sculpture
Looking forward to: a gin and tonic and catch up with a friend after class

No pictures - terrible... but have a listen to this instead!

Was it something we said...

It appears Ladies and Gentlemen, that we have said something to upset the weather, the rain has re-appeared and visions of the last two summers are coming flooding (no pun intended) back.

Listening: Fleet Foxes (singing along too....)
Drinking: Water
Reading: Nothing - I need to find a book pronto...(it's not like I haven't got any)
Making: I'm not sure yet - I'm comfort knitting - it's the weather
Looking forward to: Africa Oye always a great event!
Coveting: Not only this, but also the figure to wear it!

A little extract from Oye!

D-Day 65th Anniversary

I found this on youtube, it's a BBC news report about the opening moments of D-Day, 6th June 1944 from the 60th anniverary commemorations. Three gliders landed near and took Pegasus Bridge even before the brave Allied forces stormed the Normandy Beaches of Gold, Sword, Juno, Utah and Omaha where so many men died.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Laurence Binyon

I'm sick of mad questions

I had a conversation today with a colleague where we discussed the "there is no such thing as an odd/stupid question" to decided that no, there aren't only to be proved wrong by several Library users on the trot. Why these things always happen on Fridays is beyond me, but there we go... I do wonder if it is just me too...

Reading: Just finished The Spooks Sacrifice, brilliant, much better than boring the tenant of wildfell hall anyday (sorry Miss Bronte)
Drinking: Water
Answering/ed: Odd (very) questions
Wishing: That I could do something exciting tomorrow - Sophers - do you fancy the Tate?
Pleased: That Sophie, Anna and I did well (we didn't win) in the Pub quiz and that we were sitting in the right order at the table to get an appropriate team name...
Pondering: What in the name of Bob I'm going to get the lovely Steve who's birthday is on Sunday
Also Pondering: Why people rave about the film Marie Antoinette. I saw it last night, granted the sets and costumes are great, but I did spend the entire film waiting for her to be sent to the guillotine...

Photo of the day: Brilliant photo of Hamish I found when clearing my camera - watch out... here he comes.... Lazer-eye-cat.... Run away, Run away!

Back again

Hasn't the weather been lovely, although I do resent the fact that it's soooo nice during the day when I have to work, so todays cooler weather is great, much more pleasant!

I've left the lead for my camera somewhere so I can't even show you the lovely pottery pictures from yesterday evenings class (boo)

Anyhow back to business

Looking forward to: A trip to Cath Kidston tomorrow. I've a 15% off voucher and an hour to spend in there, I'm so not going to be able to hold myself back!!!
Enjoying: Quieter days at work before the big binding storm
Thinking: of exciting things for Big Si's party
Coveting: Dinner with Mr Fox
Wishing: There was more time in the day to read
Drinking: Coffee
Reading: The Spooks Sacrifice (I abandoned Wildfell Hall - no pun intended)

As no pictures... have a look here. I read the book last year and enjoyed it, I love Meryl and Amy and can't wait for the film!

Gorgeously gorgeous weekend!

Sorry no posting until now - been too busy enjoying the weather

Liking: The warmer weather
Listening: Louis Armstrong
Enjoying: Strawberries, yum!
Getting: Blonder with every trip to the hairdressers!
Wishing: That I didn't have to go back to work tomorrow
Looking forward to: Pottery back on Tuesday! Yay!

Photo of the weekend: Bees are going to make a dramatic comeback - especially if ma and pa's garden is anything to go by...


No post yesterday - sorry too busy enjoying the weather!

It's FRIDAAAYYYY!!!

Another week over - how fast was that!

Today I'm...

Loving: This AMAZING Photo on Flickr
Reading: Still on Tenant of Wildfell Hall - I'm not enjoying it - should I give it up? any thoughts?
Drinking: Water - it's good for you. It's what Lions drink
Listening: Bach and more spooky tales on the radio, is anyone else listening to the children of witchwood on radio7 ? - If not - catchup here, it's great!
Looking forward to: A trip to the hairdressers

No picture of the day today - have a look here and pick your own fave

Thursday full of Bob

Dylan that is...

Every so often I get stuck on an album and I just can't get enough of it for a few weeks, at the moment it's "another side of Bob Dylan" my favourites being Chimes of Freedom and To Ramona...

Reading: The tenant of wildfell hall (every time I type this I type Wilfred hall and have to correct it!)
Listening: Bob of course with some Mendelsohn (Violin Concerto in E minor) interdispersed!
Drinking: Nowt...
Liking: That it's nearly the weekend
Looking forward to: getting my hair done on Saturday morning - anyone any preference on colour for this month?
Coveting: This print on etsy from the black apple so much that I just had to have it!

Photo of the day.... what do you recon - shall I go back to the purple?

Wet Wednesday

Today's little list

Reading: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Listening: To spooky tales on the radio
Coveting: This actually I'm coveting all of it!
Looking forward to: The rain actually stopping
Glad: That the week is half over and it's nearly time for the weekend
Drinking: Tea
Missing: Pottery - no class this week as half term BOO!
Making: oooh I don't know - I feel the urge to knit sommink!

Well, I'm trying not to let rain stop play but it's very wet and miserable out there so today's photo is this video I found on the web - it just made me laugh!

Naughty!!!

I've been bad at the daily posting again I know - still it's better than I anticipated I'd be!

Liking: The bright sunny weather!

Looking forward to: The week ahead
Reading: Blogs, I need to have a proper catch-up

Wishing: My friend John who is getting married very soon lots of luck and best wishes to him and his beautiful bride!

Listening to: Mbira music on Spotify

Making: Placenta's - more about them coming soon!

Coveting: This beautiful necklace by Abigail Percy

Photo of the day: A picture of the group Culture at Africa Oye, which is just around the corner again!

Sunny Sunday

Well it's now Sunday evening here in Sunny Liverpool, and it was sunny today judging on the vast amount of flesh I saw on display on the streets...

Drinking: My 3rd pot of tea of the day

Liking: The fact that it's bank hol monday tomorrow = no work!!!!

Looking forward to: A nice Bertie Birthday BBQ tomorrow (26 you old trollop)

Reading: A book on Jacob Epstein. I've finished the other one at last - it was great, I think I'll have to get the next one in the series

Listening to: Bob Dylan and Bud Flanagan again!

Making: Cutting papers and patches for Mum's patchwork

Coveting: Susan's Nana's Cake

Image of the day: The Librarian Action Figure - left to look after the Library all on her own tomorrow - no doubt she'll do a better job than me!

Friday you couldn't have arrived soon enough!

It seems that the weather forecasters are predicting a lovely sunny and warm weekend (I'll believe that when I see it!)

Drinking: Nice big glass of water

Reading: Still not finished the book - too much time spent in the pub (ahem)

Listening to: George Formby and Bud Flanagan

Looking forward to: A nice long bank holiday weekend!

Liking: the food in a recently opened local pub The Stables Sophers, Anna and I sampled some of their bar snacks last night, we recommend all of them!

Making: A mess - everywhere!

Photo of the day: Dougal - because he's not very well bless him.

Isn't youtube brilliant

I'm a big fan of Flight of the Conchords and as a little extra post I thought I'd add this... if you've never seen or read the Lord of the Rings, here it is in a nutshell!

Halfway through the week already!

I can't believe it's Wednesday! What a mad old week it's been.

Liking: The smell of the new washing tablets I've just used

Listening: Muse and Glenn Miller (I know it's an odd combination)

Drinking: Hopefully a cup of tea, the milk is a little suspect...

Reading: Still reading the book from yesterday - was too tired last night to read which almost always never happens

Making: or should that be taking? Photographs

Coveting: An afternoon spent here

Looking forward to: The long bank hol weekend and Bertie's Birthday!

Photo of the day: Picture of sculpture in progress, inspired by Wilfred Owen (I promise it'll make more sense when finished!)

It's good to tidy up...

I've been going through some stuff at home and isn't it amazing what you find that you thought was lost forever, like the contents of a box that I thought was on a train somewhere between Glasgow and Preston!

Liking: Finding the box full of tiny patchwork!

Looking forward to: Finishing my book... it's a nailbiter...

Reading: Just about to finish the Henning Mankell Faceless Killers

Listening: The Specials and Rufus Wainright

Enjoying: Singing along

Making: A mess in pottery class

Coveting: This pink bike from oh joy!

Photo of the day: Tiny patchwork found again! (4cm x4cm) all done the traditional "English" way with papers

Mad Monday

Well that weekend didn't last very long did it...

I'm actually glad to be back at work, lots of hard work in the pipeline, I like it more when it's in it's anticipatory stage though:)

Listening: Benny Goodman & Bud Flanagan (underneath the arches...) oh I was born after my time!

Looking forward to: Pottery Class

Wishing: for inspiration

Drinking: About to make 4th cup of tea of the day

Making: It's a secret (shh)

Enjoying: Planning Big Si's 60th and retirement do - not 'til August but oh have we got plans for you Mr Simon!

Liking: Posy's mosaics

Feeling relieved for: Sandi and Sonny

Picture of the day: Sopher's lovely flowers from Ma's 60th party... how many of these was it Sophers?... 27... 28?!!!

Sleepy Sunday

Listening: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and Flight of the Conchords
Reading: How to feed your whole family a healthy, balanced diet with very little money... etc. got for £2.99 from a local bargain book place (looking for end of the month recipe inspiration!)
Watching: or rather watched! The Lady Vanishes
Liking: Watching the blackbirds nesting in Ma's Clemetis and Honeysuckle
Looking forward to: Pottery Class on Tuesday night
Making: Sketches for next Figurative Sculpture
Wishing: That it hadn't rained.... it might not be worth wishing that it doesn't tomorrow!Drinking: About to make a pot of tea!

Picture of the Day: Andrew... my first proper figurative Sculpture

Is it really our time...?

Listening: The Eurovision song contest

Reading: Marie Claire Idees (ma and pa have brought me three editions back from France!)

Drinking: Thinking about opening a bottle of wine...

Making: Still on the placentas and the aprons

Enjoying: The weekend

Liking: Trying to dicipher the French instructions in Marie Claire Idees

Photo of the day: ...mmmm...... let me think.... Marie Claire Idees!!!

Trying...

I've been feeling a bit ambivalent blogwise recently. My posting rate is getting worse, but I still want to do it. So... in an effort to start everyday posting I'm just going to write a few lines about my day until I feel more chatty!

Reading: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell

Listening: The Divine Comedy - A short album about love

Drinking: Tea

Liking: Jacob Epstein - Looking at Dickie Lewis in a whole new light now!

Making: More sculpture, Aprons, Banners and Placentas

Looking forward to: The weekend

Enjoying: re-watching the recent BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibility

Coveting: The Dashwoods cottage

Picture of the Day: Taken last weekend in ma and pa's garden

hello blondie...

My mother will be pleased, I've gone back to my blonde roots... literally

It still feels odd not being a more vibrant colour, but I must say I'm quite liking it at the moment. I haven't blogged for ages, I have no excuses especially as I've just had a week off work, but I enjoyed not having to do very much, getting up late, watching films, sewing Placentas... (long story will post about it soon), drinking tea... when of course I could get the teacup away from Dougal...

I went to answer the door and by the time I got back he had drunk half the cup!

Now that I've gone back to work I find myself wanting to post - that's me though - arbitrary! We've been actively going through the book stock in at work (I'm a Librarian) and identifying things we need to throw out and things we need to update when a colleague came across the following which made us all laugh...

not a very interesting thing to blog about I hear you say.... take another look at the publisher....

yes... that's right... Mills and Boon... who knew they published books about inorganic chemistry! You really do find out something new every day!

I nearly died with my legs in the air....

I don't expect that everyone will be as excited as me, but for all you local Liverpool people, Cath Kidston has opened up a new store next to Bluecoat Chambers.... Sophie, Big Si and I had a visit last week on what turned out to be the official opening (it's someone's birthday coming up mentioning no names Mary) and saw Cath herself. Well Sophers and I saw her... Dad got a bit closer and I expect that we are now going to have to call her Mum! I also expect I'm never going to have any money ever again....

It's Turquoise don't you know....

Brilliant!

I saw this somewhere else (can't remember where) and I thought it was great so I'm going to share it!

Birthdays and handbags...

A few weeks ago I had my birthday. (32 - still can't quite believe it!) I received loads of lovely gifts, a dinky green ipod (thank you Ma and Pa), a fab tea themed pressie (thanks Anna, that's still making me laugh!) a tea set from the lovely Steve, a donation to a cause close to my heart (thanks Sophers!) and this lovely handbag from my lovely colleagues (thank you Cath, Martin, Austin and Stuart!) They had it made at a local boutique, Rose and Anchor


Can you see the lovely little pin on it too!!! I got a little note in it from Gill (who made it) saying it was inspired by the blog - bless her, making it even more special! (apologies for the terrible photo's!)


It was finished off with a trip to the Leaf Tea Shop well worth a visit!


Whilst I'm on the subject of lovely things, I also need to thank the very nice lady that is Papoosue, who gave me an award (Thanks Sue!!!)

Now, I must pass this on to eight more deserving blogs, along with the following text:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

oooh it's impossible to choose, so I say to my blogroll, I give this award to you all, I enjoy what you all do so much!!!

Thanks Sue!!!

Andrew

Well... he's finished....I'm quite pleased as it's my first "proper" one

Work in progress

Knutsford City Limits

For anyone who enjoyed Cranford as much as I did (or in Australia I gather just starting to enjoy Cranford), you should have a little trip and spend a few hours in Knutsford the real town upon which Cranford is based. We went to have a look at the market which we discovered is very small, but we got some nice bread so we were pleased! We also discovered "Miss Matty's" house, which still houses a tea rooms Mallard Tea merchant and patisserie, with this sign outside which begged to be photographed!

Of course we had to venture in and get some tea and cakes to bring home and sample... they were very nice, I even managed to get a photo before they were demolished!

How cute are they! There were ones with Strawberries and huge chocolate curls on them, but we were relatively restrained and got two choccy ones and two vanilla ones to share.

It has been lovely this week, I've had two days off work and it's like I've been given an extra sneaky weekend. Somewhere, someones said, "that's what that Sarah one needs, an extra weekend, lets give her that so she can go on day trips and eat cake and drink even more tea than usual. Lets let her have some extra time to go through her fabric stash and sew some more hexagons for her quilt" ... and I'm very glad that someone did, I find myself having done weekendy things with another two days for fun!

So speaking of quilts, it's coming along....

here's to two more weekendy days!!!!