French Leave

It has to be said I do like it when Mr & Mrs LSM go on their Jollydays as they always return with something lovely! She has posted about some of the fab things she got so too so go and have a goosey!

A few weeks ago I posted regarding some fab vintage hankies she gave me... well... I got some more - sooo cute!!!

Look at the Birdies on this one!

And how cute is this!!!

I also got some fab larder goodies in a fab reusable bag from "Eddies" - otherwise known as E. Leclerc!!! Dad has Christened it Eddies for some reason, I think it sounds fab said in your best scouse as Eeeeee Leclerc!!!!!

I shall have no need of plastic bags ever again!!!!

I hope that the weather is better everywhere else than it is here!!!

Make sure to come and visit tomorrow too as I suspect that there will be exciting news!!!!

Be good, and if you can't be good... well don't bother!!!! ;-)

Quick Thursday evening post!

What is with all this crazy weather???? I left the house this morning - beautiful sunshine - I get to work the same! Then 9.30 hits - I walk round to the other building to see my boss (for my appraisal - which was fine!) and the sky was black on one side of the road and sunny on the other. I prayed that it wasn't an omen of impending doom and gave thanks for the sensible bone that being a Librarian has endowed me with due to the fact I'd remembered to take my brolly!

There are lots of things that I really love, ribbon, peach jam, toile du joie, tea, reading, buttons and French brocantes, but this photo sums up something else I adore... bubbles... I'd forgotten I'd taken this, a quick snap that I didn't think had worked, but it has... sort of so I'm going to show it!

Just look at that sky, you wouldn't think it was thundery the day after....

Happy Solstice everyone, enjoy the light!!!!!

The post with no name

Nope - I haven't been watching Clint Eastwood, I've just to many things happening in this post to name it properly (I know it doesn't usually stop me!)

Firstly I discovered a new blog via LSM a few days ago Sophie Honeysuckle. It is a fab blog go and look this instant if you haven't already! She really likes wedding photo's so I said I'd post ones from my Grandparents. I can't get a good one of them both in this light so I'll post this one of my Grandma on her own and then the both of them another day!

That is my Grandma Eileen, LSM's mummy, doesn't she look happy!!! You can't really tell, but the photo has been touched up with colour and she has proper rosy cheeks and rosebud lips! quite apt really as she became Mrs Rose!

Its been rather a strange weekend all in all. Like a game of two halves, yesterday it was beautiful, sunny, warm and fab. Today however has been another matter, rather grey, muggy and yup, you guessed it, raining... still Sophers, LSM and I took the opportunity yesterday of a trip to Lady Heyes craft and restoration centre which is out near Frodsham in Cheshire. We had a great time spent our pennies on buttons, ribbon a dinky table and craft supplies. One of the friendliest places there is Crab Apple crafts, they have lots of supplies to make you squeal with glee! I got some fab paper and some gorgeous ribbon, as did LSM and the lovely lady Tracy let me take some photos to show you!

I just love ribbons on reels like that it reminds me of jewels and sweeties and craft afternoons at School and Charlie and the Chocolate factory!

Then after an afternoon in the garden I was looking forward to similar today, but had to spend the time trying to sort out my house before Kim and Aggie come a knocking on the door!!!

One of the things about this blog that I didn't expect is rather than inspiring me to make more, which in a way it has, it has made me shy, I've got a sort of crafting stage fright after seeing (and receiving) some of the fab things that the people out there make. In an effort to ease myself back in gently, I'm making a little patchwork tablecloth for my garden table (only v small enough for tea and book... and maybe a little sewing) out of all of the scraps that I've got. I'm doing it the "English" way with papers, so it's going to take a while! So today I'll sign off with the beginnings of its construction.

Rain, Rain go away

Why is it that as soon as the peonies come out (see this post) that the heavy rain starts?.... I'm not impressed, we've been waiting years for it to flower properly and what do we get... rain... still the garden is enjoying it for the most part even if we are not.

I must admit one of the things I like is pretty china. I'm coveting these from Royal Albert, they are designed by Zandra Rhodes and are my current favourite... I'm trying very hard to contain myself (am saving hard for New York), but can you imagine these at afternoon tea......!

Well.... I think I'd better put the kettle on!

Paul Temple and the case of the blog swap and the Sunburned Librarian

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! Wasn't the weather brilliant (more on that story later!) I'm so grateful to the lovely bloggers who participated in the swap we've just had. I feel terribly guilty that I only sent one out as everyone else has sent me one (lovely people!) I do have to beg extreme circumstances what with Mum's party and all, however you should look out for little surprises dropping through your front doors soon! Here they are in all their glory! What a talented lot you all are!

So to you lot - I'm holding aloft a cup of my best Royal Blend Tea and an organic oatcake biccie!

I will never lose my page again!

Gill@ http://lucysarah.blogspot.com The Red Rose one

Allison @ http://foxglovesinthebreeze.blogspot.com/ The Purple Floral one

Susan @ http://randomblethers.blogspot.com The Yellow and Orange Embellished one

Jo @ http://angeljemscitycottage.blogspot.com The Woven one

Wendy @ http://thewendyhouse.typepad.com The Classic Black and White one

Special Thanks to Jo of course for organising it all!

And on to the next part of the post...

Today people I'm am all a-glow... I'm creating my own little furnace with the heat generated by sunburn. Sophers and I went to visit some friends who live in a BEAUTIFUL little house in Wales. They have done all the work on it themselves and they have done a magnificent job. They are friends we met through mbira camp and we are very glad to have met them. They put on a lovely spread and provided a great place for us to gather and play. So thanks Eve and James, we'll be back!

Isn't concentration a wonderful thing - thanks Sophers.... I'm going to get one of your "mbira face" too!

Here ends yet another long post! I hope everyone else had a good a weekend as I did!

Famous last words

It looks like someone didn't hear me regarding this snow doesn't it!

Never mind. There are things that are lovely about it. I love the way it feels when it falls on your eyelashes. The way everything becomes clean. Making the first footprints, turning round and looking where you have been. I love the way it turns adults into children when they have a snowfight. I work in a very multicultural environment and I have witnessed lots of people seeing the first snow in their lives this week. That has been a lovely experience, so perhaps someone knew what they were doing after all.

Mmmmm.... time for another cup of tea me thinks....!

Here's to great snowy days

Please no more snow....

Now I'm as big a fan of snow as can be, but please... no more when I have to come to work! There is a time and place for snow. That is at Christmas. Christmas is now over, therefore there should be no snow..... right, now that I've got that out of the way.

I finished the Brooklyn Follies last night... still undecided if I liked it. It was odd, not as odd as that film with Juliette Binoche in it where her and Jean Reno are being watched/filmed and the video's sent to them, but in the same way.

Luckily I found a book I'd half started so I'm reading that. The secret purposes by David Baddiel. Its about the internment onto the Isle of Man of "aliens" that were deemed dangerous to have walking about during the war. It is loosely based on the story of his Grandparents. I'm liking this much more.

I'm still looking for suggestions. In the main I like slightly unusual books. I'm not adverse to chick lit or even (I'll say it quickly) the odd M&B. The story (be it real or imagined) is the thing!

Sophie - I know 9 cups is excessive, I realise this now, but please don't confiscate my tea mrs!

Can't believe it

Well,

Here we are, Wednesday of a new week already. I'm thanking whoever it is that lives upstairs that we do not have snow yet. Now normally I like snow, however my central heating is broken, the lovely Steve (my plumber) is coming on Friday to fit a new pump, until then, I'm resembling the abominable snowman. My friend Sue popped round last night for the shortest visit EVER because of the cold so roll on Friday...I'm gonna crank up the heat and pretend its the Bahamas for the day to celebrate

On the plus side, I've had two comments - from two of my favourite bloggers, so thanks lads. I appreciate it (and the advice too!)